Pakatan Harapan's Victory At Malaysia #GE14 #PRU14

Public holidays on Thursday and Friday: Ali Hamsa

MAY 10, 2018 @ 3:49AM 

BY IRWAN SHAFRIZAN ISMAIL published by New Straits Times Malaysia.

PUTRAJAYA: The government has declared Thursday and Friday (10 dan 11 May) as additional public holidays in conjunction with the 14th General Election.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said for states whose weekends fall on Friday and Saturday, the additional public holiday will fall on Sunday (May 13).

“The declaration of this public holiday is made under Section 8 of the Public Holidays Act 1951 for Peninsular and Federal Territory of Labuan.

“For Sabah and Sarawak, the state government shall have to declare the additional public holidays for both dates according to the respective General Public Relations Ordinance," he said in a statement here today.

Link: https://www.nst.com.my/node/367879/amp

Johor falls to opposition for first time in Malaysian history

(Updated: 10 May 2018 03:06AM)

By Justin Ong published by Channel News Asia.

Malaysia’s southernmost state and traditional ruling party stronghold Johor toppled to the opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance after general elections on Wednesday (May 9), in a historic moment for the country.

Pakatan’s component parties won 36 out of 56 state seats to take control of the state assembly, ousting the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition which had, up until now, governed Johor since Malaysia’s independence... 

And Johor's chief minister Khaled Nordin surprisingly lost his Permas state seat by 8,746 votes to Pakatan’s Che Zakaria Salleh...

And in Muar, BN’s deputy minister in the prime minister’s department Razali Ibrahim was stunned by nearly 7,000 votes courtesy of young Pakatan upstart Syed Saddiq.

Elsewhere, Muhyiddin also retained his Pagoh parliament seat by nearly 7,000 votes, while longtime opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang held on to his Iskandar Puteri - formerly named Gelang Patah - parliamentary ward, trouncing BN challenger Jason Teoh by nearly 45,000 votes.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/johor-falls-to-opposition-for-first-time-in-malaysian-history-10218926

Mahathir's Pakatan Harapan pulls off shock victory at Malaysia general election

Updated: 10 May 2018 09:00AM

By Sumisha Naidu published by Channel News Asia.

KUALA LUMPUR: In a stunning result that made political history, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition crossed the minimum threshold of 112 seats needed to form Malaysia's new government, according to figures from the Election Commission early Thursday (May 10) morning. 

The result brings to an end the rule of Barisan Nasional (BN), which has dominated Malaysian politics for decades.

In a press conference just before the official confirmation, PH leader and former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said PH had achieved a victory. 

"We have achieved a very substantial majority," said the 92-year-old.

PH component parties Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Democratic Action Party officially crossed the victory threshold at around 4am after a long night of results which saw power steadily ebbing away from Najib Razak and his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. The final official result showed that PH had won 113 seats, with BN on 79.

Dr Mahathir also said that a palace request has been made for Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to be the designated deputy Prime Minister.

The 92-year-old pledged a government that would include a "young person" and said he would honour his agreement to help secure a royal pardon for jailed leader Anwar Ibrahim. 

However, he added that Anwar would have to win a by-election or be elected senator in order for him to take over as prime minister from Dr Mahathir, as per their agreement.

FIRST SIGN OF AN UPSET

The first sign that an upset was on the cards came when unofficial results started trickling in about four hours after the ballot boxes were closed.

At about 9pm, Bernama reported that caretaker Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, the president of BN component party Malaysian Chinese Association, had lost his Bentong seat to PKR’s Wong Tack.

Caretaker Health Minister S Subramaniam, of BN component party Malaysian Indian Congress, was the next major casualty, losing his Segamat seat in Johor to PKR’s R Santhara Kumar.

At 9.30pm, there was respite for BN when word came in that incumbent prime minister Najib Razak – had successfully defended his Pekan seat in Pahang.

But the bloodbath continued for the ruling coalition. 

By 9.45pm, another four deputy ministers fell. 

At about the same time, it emerged that Mahathir would make a return to parliament after winning his Langkawi seat.

WHAT FUTURE FOR NAJIB RAZAK?

The result throws into doubt Najib Razak's position in his party.

While he had been praised for his fiscal policies, he was also unpopular for rolling out a goods and services tax in addition to being a target of unwanted international attention over allegations funds were misappropriated from a state fund he advised, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). He has denied any wrongdoing.

It was the controversy over the fund, however, that sparked Malaysia's longest serving prime minister's return to active politics after 22 years of retirement.

Mahathir had accused his former protege Najib of corruption and abuse of power before quitting UMNO to form his own party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

At a news conference where he declared victory, Mahathir was asked if he would act against Najib now that he would assume power.

To this, Mahathir said: "We are not seeking revenge. We want to restore the rule of law."

As well as seizing control of the national government, several state legislatures across the country fell into PH hands for the first time, including the highly symbolic bastion of Johor, the birthplace of Najib's party that was the lynchpin of the ruling coalition.

As it became clear that Mahathir had won, supporters took to the streets waving flags of the Pakatan Harapan alliance.

After polls closed earlier in the day, journalists had headed to the headquarters of Najib's UMNO, but he failed to turn up to give a speech and the media were told to leave.

Huge numbers of voters earlier turned up at the polls across the country, despite Najib having called the election on a weekday in what critics said was a bid to keep turnout down.

The BN wipeout is a disaster for Najib, who had been under pressure to score an emphatic win after the government lost the popular vote for the first time at the last elections in 2013.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-election-pakatan-harapan-opposition-shock-victory-ge14-10219070

Malaysia to retain and prop up Sedition Act, says PM

Published by Reuters on 27 Nov 2014.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday bolstered a law protecting the sanctity of Islam and the country's traditional rulers, the sultans, in an about-turn to scrap a law banning criticism of the government.

Najib pledged in 2012 to repeal the Sedition Act - a relic of the British colonial era intended to keep a tight lid on racial tensions and social unrest in the multi-ethnic country - as part of a raft of liberal reforms to promote openness.

Rights groups and lawyers have criticized the Sedition Act, saying it inhibits freedom of speech.

The Malaysian leader told a meeting of his ruling United Malays National Party (UMNO) party that the act would be maintained and strengthened.

The 1948 Sedition Act, which criminalizes speech with an undefined "seditious tendency", will be boosted with additions to defend the sanctity of Islam, and penalize those who call for the separation of Sabah and Sarawak states from Malaysia, said Najib.

In a flurry of cases this year, Malaysian prosecutors have charged anti-government activists and opposition politicians with sedition. Out of more than a dozen prosecutions under the Act this year, at least five have centered on comments voiced about the sultans or their powers.

The three-party opposition, which has eroded the ruling coalition's majority in two straight elections, says the Sedition Act is being employed selectively against its members, allies and social activists to undermine the alliance.

(Reporting By Al-Zaquan Amer Hamzah and Ebrahim Harris; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

Link: 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/27/us-malaysia-sedition-idUSKCN0JB0BG20141127?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=twitter

UMNO AGM As Always...

Putrajaya should use “1 Melayu” in place of its all-inclusive “1 Malaysia” slogan since efforts to reach out to Chinese voters were snubbed in Election 2013, a Penang Umno delegate told the 64th Umno annual general assembly today.

Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir also accused the Chinese community of “betraying” the government, saying they were not appreciative despite the amount of money used to woo them in the run-up to the 13th general election.

“We shouldn’t shout ‘1 Malaysia’ anymore; what for? We should now shout ‘1 Melayu’ slogan,” Musa said during the policy speech debate.

“What’s the use of helping them? We did all these things they stab our backs. All that effort... to hold dinners and such with almost RM30 a head,” he added, referring to the many campaign dinners organised by Barisan Nasional prior to the May 5 general election.

Read more here: 

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/at-umno-assembly-calls-for-1-melayu-to-replace-1-malaysia

A delegate to the Umno general assembly today said part of Lembah Bujang, which houses ancient and historical temples, had been earmarked for development since the 1970s.

Kedah delegate Tajul Urus Mat Zain said the government’s move to gazette the land will only result in it losing votes at the next general election.

Tajul, who is also Kedah state exco member and Tanjung Dawai state assemblyman, said almost every house might have a candi underneath.

Read more here:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/12/05/party-will-lose-votes-if-candi-land-is-gazetted/

The theme of helping those who helped Umno in the general election continued today at the party’s general assembly, as grassroots leaders demanded more government aid and quotas for Malay and Bumiputera businesses.

The demands were outlined in a motion on the economy that was tabled by Former Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Awang Adek Hussein at the assembly at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the demands were that an independent audit body be set up to assess how much help government agencies and government-linked companies have given to Malay and Bumiputera companies; that the government ensure that Malays are well represented in all professions and that more loans be given out through entrepreneur development agency Tekun.

Umno's increased focus on the Malay and Bumiputera communities follows the widespread belief in the party that it was only these groups that had supported the party in the 13th general election.

Read more here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/umno-grassroots-want-more-aid-quotas-for-supporters

Umno wants Putrajaya to continue issuing approved permits (AP) for imported cars as the party claims the system benefits Malay entrepreneurs.

Wanita Umno grassroots leader Dr Azizah Johor said the system, which was due to be scrapped in 2015, had generated RM2.25 billion in revenue for the Government, while 90% of the businesses were owned by Malays.

She said Putrajaya should not cave in to demands from Pakatan Rakyat to scrap the system.

AP has been blamed for the high price of cars in the country.

Pakatan politicians have also claimed that the system benefited Umno-linked businessmen at the expense of the public.

Read more here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/umno-urges-putrajaya-to-keep-ap-says-system-benefits-malays

Umno supreme council member Bung Mokhtar Radin today admitted that delegates at the on-going Umno general assembly have neglected to raise issues involving Sabah.

“Sabah voters are the reason why Umno continues to rule the country. Umno will definitely be affected if Sabahans ditch the party,” Bung Mokhtar told FMT at the sidelines of the assembly late yesterday.

Read more here:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/12/06/sabahs-interests-overshadowed-at-umno-agm/

Is anyone concern on the poor Malays affected by the flood?

The flood situation in the East Coast of the peninsula has worsened with the number of victims evacuated to the relief centres reaching 42,626 this morning from 37,136 last night.

Read more here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/flood-situation-in-east-coast-worsening-more-than-40000-victims-evacuated

Yet in Malaysia, what is important is the politician for the photo-op either to inquire their well-being or to hand over aid. This time, none of that was happening in Terengganu or Pahang, which is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's home state.

There is some disquiet why Umno politicians are not at the scene – perhaps due to the low numbers being evacuated compared to the more than 100,000 that sought shelter and relief in 2006 when Johor was inundated. Only Multimedia and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has been on the ground to assist in relief works.

Then and now, people grumbled at the prime minister's absence. In 2006, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was on the back foot as he was abroad when the worst floods in a century hit Johor.

Read more here:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/for-umno-when-it-rains-it-pours-and-floods

Are any of the above demands according to PM's definition of "patriotism"? If none, are they therefore deem as traitors?

“The definition of patriotism in our country is that we must discharge our responsibility to the country for the good of the people and the nation." Najib Razak.

Read more here:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/11/24/najib-tax-evaders-are-traitors/

Finally, Prime Minister Najib Razak has admitted the possibility of bankruptcy!

Written by Maria Begum, published by Malaysia Chronicle on 25 November 2013.

Finally, Prime Minister Najib Razak has admitted it. The spectre of bankruptcy does dog Malaysia. This frightening prospect was first exposed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala, who in 2010 had warned that Malaysia could go belly-up by as early as 2019, which ironically is one year ahead of the Umno-BN government's 2020 deadline for the country to reach 'developed nation' status.

The brouhaha that followed Idris' warning, with the public lashing out at the Najib administration's perceived mismanagement of the economy, had triggered a spate of high-profile denials from including Najib himself, his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

However a day ago, Najib rehashed the possibility of bankruptcy. It may be his back was to the wall and he was trying to catch a bogeyman to blame the unpopular Goods and Services Tax on. However, many experts do not preclude the possibility of bankruptcy ala Greece for Malaysia at all.

In fact, ratings agencies like Fitch have warned against Malaysia's record-high and still climbing national debt and fiscal deficit. And although Moody's had last week restored Malaysia's outlook to 'positive' from 'stable', Najib's latest admission reignites speculation that Moody's decision may have prompted by strong lobbying and marketing by Finance Ministry officials.

“We have to find additional sources of income and that’s why we have to implement the GST,” the Star reported Najib as saying at a seminar on Strengthening the National Economy on Sunday. Najib also holds the post of Finance Minister despite growing calls for him to relinquish the portfolio that many critics say he has neglected and is under-qualified to hold.

Back to the wall? Bankruptcy ala Greece

According to Najib, Malaysia has a stark choice of either increasing government revenue via the GST or burdening the country by borrowing more money. Defending the GST, Najib insisted it was necessary as the country risked becoming bankrupt like Greece if it resorted to borrowing.

He also said the government's decision to introduce GST was the reason why Moody’s agreed to re-rate Malaysia's outlook; hence, the new tax could not be a negative move as suggested by detractors. “This is because they know Malaysia was taking fiscal consolidation steps which are unpopular but necessary for the good of the country,” said Najib.

Najib lashed out at the Opposition for their 'mixed' comments about whether they supported the GST and for allegedly clouding the issue with unfair arguments, including the high electricity bill of his official residence,

He pointed out Seri Perdana belonged to the people of Malaysia and he was occupying it temporarily just like his two predecessors.

“It has a function room. If a head of state comes, are we expected to dine in the dark? “If the Chinese premier comes, should we use candlelight and say this is more romantic?” he quipped.

'Tighten the belt at your end first before passing the buck to the people'

However, Opposition politicians were unimpressed by his arguments. They insisted that Najib should practice greater austerity, such as as slashing down his own lavish spending on "questionable policies" as well as his well-known luxurious official lifestyle, before calling on the people to pay new taxes.

"He is showing his shallowness and a dishonesty in trying to give silly answers. We are asking why in this time of difficulty does he not try to cut costs and save money. His electric bill is over RM2 million and if he can bring that down, it would already help," MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

"As for GST, what confusion is there? The Opposition is very clearly against GST not because of the tax system itself but because we believe the majority of the people are still poor and cannot afford additional burden at this point of the economic cycle.

"Najib also tries to justify the GST by saying the bulk of the population does not pay taxes. This is a good question for him to answer to the people - why after so many years of Umno-BN rule are the majority of people still so poor that they fall below the tax line? Is it to do with the massive corruption of the Najib administration and the Umno-BN that the masses are left behind while the country has a huge debt? And now, Najib wants the people to pay GST to help the government reduce the debt it racked up through corruption and plundering - is this fair, is it right?

Unpatriotic not to pay GST

Tian was referring to Najib's comments that out of an entire workforce of 14 million, only 1.34 million paid income tax. “That is just 10% who pay, and there are others who should pay but don’t,” Najib defended himself and his government.

He then pointed out the definition of patriotism is fulfilling one’s responsibility to the country and this included paying taxes. He added that the public’s expectations on the Government was always increasing, and more revenue is needed to meet these demands.

The PM said Malaysians could not always depend on revenue from petroleum which will eventually run out. He said the public’s fear that the GST would cause staggering price increases was unfounded. According to Najib, 160 other countries have implemented the GST and from their experience there is only a slight increase in prices in the year of implementation. “It is unlikely all these countries made a mistake by implementing the GST,” he said.

Full article: 

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=192082:so-desperate-for-gst-najib-admits-it-malaysia-can-easily-go-bankrupt&Itemid=2#ixzz2ld0mNqGT

Malaysian Government's Request For RM14 Billion Seen As Untimely

By Pauline Ng. Published by The Business Times Singapore on 24 September 2013.

THE Malaysian government's commitment to budgetary reforms and the consolidation of its fiscal deficit was thrown into doubt yesterday when it sought a further RM14.12 billion (S$5.6 billion) for its operating expenses. Economists say the large amount, coming a month before the tabling of the 2014 Budget, could undermine the government's credibility and lead to a further weakening of the ringgit if does not meet consolidation targets and is punished by international investors.

In Parliament yesterday, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan tabled the Supplementary Supply Bill 2013 seeking the extra funds, the bulk or nearly RM12 billion sought for Treasury services. Given that Mr Ahmad had in July already asked for RM12.17 billion under the same Bill, the latest request is sure to raise concerns as to whether Malaysia can pare its fiscal deficit to 4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) from 4.5 per cent last year.

Link: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/malaysia/kl-govt-request-rm14b-seen-untimely-20130924

The government should not hide behind fictitious economy projections but rather come to terms with reality; as it is unnecessary to have Supplementary Bill annually, says Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar. Pakatan Rakyat views with great concern the first Supplementary Bill on operating expenditure for 2013 worth RM15 billion, comprising of RM14.13 billion for ‘perbelanjaan bekal’ and RM 888.46 for ‘perbelanjaan tanggungan’ which was tabled in parliament yesterday.

According to Nurul, the supplementary budget will adversely affect the nation’s public finances in general and the pace of fiscal consolidation process in the immediate to medium term. The PKR leader also forecast that if no changes happen in revenue, development expenditure, loan recovery and the GDP, the additional operating expenditure will cause the ratio of budget deficit against GDP for 2013 to jump to 5.5% Nurul stressed that 5.5% ratio will be above the 4% projection target tabled in Budget 2013 on 28 September 2012...

“The BN government has failed to achieve their own deficit to GDP targets whilst asking Malaysians to tighten their purses for the sake of a more sustainable future,” says Nurul. She cited the consequences faced in 2012 where by the government failed to achieve the 4.5% target for deficit to GDP ratio.

“It ballooned to 4.9% after taking into account all supplementary bills amounting to RM 28.5 billion,” added Nurul

Nurul also added that the government failed to display meaningful progress towards achieving a self imposed commitments to bring down the budget deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3% by 2015 and maintain a public debt ceiling below 55% at all times.

Read more here: 

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/09/24/supplementary-bill-widens-national-deficit/

The Permata Negara project, under the patronage of the prime minister's wife, had received allocations of RM150 million in 2013, RM111 million in 2012 and RM100 million in 2011.

Manivanan described the manner in which the allocation was spent as "quite peculiar". "Out of the RM 150 million, RM 20 million was returned back to the government, RM 77 million was given to Kemas by Permata to upgrade 313 pre-schools throughout the country," he said.

He said RM 16 million was channelled to the Terengganu Family Development Foundation and another RM9 million was given to the Sarawak state government to manage the state's second Permata programme.

"So Permata is the body that provides government funding?" he asked. "What is it's hallmark achievement in education?"

Read more here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/stop-funds-for-rosmahs-permata-negara-project-urges-pkr-lawmaker

Sedition dragnet reeks of double standard

Batu MP Chua Tian Chang, activist Haris Ibrahim and PAS’s Tamrin Ghafar were arrested for sedition today and brought to the Jinjang police station for questioning, according to reports. It is understood the trio were detained separately in an apparent police crackdown today. This is the third police investigation into sedition since the May 5 general election...

The first was student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim who was charged with sedition in the Jalan Duta court complex this morning. The 24-year-old pleaded not guilty and was released on a RM5,000 court bail with his trial set for a mention on July 2...

According to the charges read out this morning, his words had a seditious tendency and were aimed at rallying Malaysians to change the current government through undemocratic means.

His statement, in Malay: “Take my details, lodge a police report, because today, I would like to invite all those here today to gather and take to the streets to seize back our power! Can we do that? Can we do that? Can we do that? We do not have much time left, get ready, buy shoes, buy tracksuits, buy jeans, get ready to take to the streets because in a third world country like Malaysia, elections cannot topple a government. Only the people’s power can topple a government. Remember, ladies and gentlemen, this is the only opportunity we have.”

Charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris undergraduate faces a jail term of not less three years, or a fine of up to RM5,000 or both, if convicted. Adam Adli, who came to court in a black T-shirt, was represented by lawyers Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, N. Surendran, Afiq M. Noor and Shamsul Iskandar Mat Akin.

Read more here: 

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/tian-chua-haris-ibrahim-held-in-sedition-crackdown/

Speaking to FMT, S Vell Paari said he was concerned to learn about the arrests of Anything But Umno (ABU) leader Haris Ibrahim, PKR vice-president Tian Chua and PAS’ Thamrin Ghaffar. The trio were held this afternoon in connection with a forum on May 13, where a call was made to topple the Barisan Nasional government via street protests. Vell Paari said the arrests would anger the public further as the authorities would be perceived to be practicing double standard when it comes to enforcing the Sedition Act.

“While the likes of [Perkasa leaders] Ibrahim Ali and Zulkifli Noordin; and academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah are allowed to roam free despite making incendiary remarks about race and religion, these opposition figures are however swiftly hauled up. “Even the Utusan Malaysia frontpage in the aftermath of the general election, which read ‘Apa Lagi Cina Mahu? [What more do the Chinese want], screamed sedition but our leaders chose to defend the publication,” added the MIC strategy director.

Vell Paari said this development did not bode well for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s administration. “As it is BN suffers from a severe perception crisis and these arrests would just aggravate the situation,” he warned. Vell Paari said while the police had the right to investigate those who called for street protests to topple the government, it should not resort to using draconian laws...

Talk is rife that the government’s hard stance stemmed from the appointment of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the new home minister, who is said to be reintroducing the facets of Mahathirism. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a BN source said that he would not be surprised if former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was pulling the strings. “Najib was given his chance and he blew it. His electoral performance was worse than his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. “So perhaps Umno is now looking to its grand wizard to set the house in order,” he told FMT.

Read more here:
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/05/23/sedition-dragnet-reeks-of-double-standard/

Himpunan Blackout Johor Bahru: Change of Venue

IGP’s got it wrong, rally is legal

By K Pragalath. Published by Free Malaysia Today on 8 May 2013.

The Inspector General of Police is working with a wrong understanding of the law relating to protest rallies, said a lawyer today. IGP Ismail Omar’s declaration that a rally tonight by Pakatan Rakyat is illegal shows he is still working with the mindset of section 27 of the Police Act.

“Section 27 of the Police Act has been replaced with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. There is no such thing as permits under the PAA,” said civil liberties lawyer, Syahredzan Johan. He said this in response to Ismail’s declaration that the rally led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim tonight in Kelana Jaya Stadium is illegal.

“The organiser must comply with the PAA. Marching without a permit, aimed at arousing anger, is wrong according to the law,” declared the IGP. “Comply with the law and use the correct channel to apply for a permit from the district police chief,” national news agency Bernama quoted Ismail Omar as saying yesterday. Ismail added that those who took part in the rally tonight will be arrested.

Police cannot declare rally illegal

Anwar called for the rally following allegations that the 13th general election that took place on Sunday was fraught with cheating and irregularities.

Syahredzan also explained the limitations of the police under the PAA. Among others, he said the police cannot declare a rally illegal. “No rallies can be declared illegal under the PAA. The organisers can only be charged for not notifying the OCPD of the rally.” The act states that rally organisers are required to notify the police 10 days prior to the rally. “Rally participants cannot be charged for attending the rally. They are not committing an offence unless they bring their underaged children."

Link:

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/05/08/igps-got-it-wrong-rally-is-legal/

Malaysian Elections Expose Worrying Social Schisms

By The Associated Press. Published by The New York Times on 6 May 2013.

It was hardly the look of the victorious. Wearing a bright blue shirt and a grim expression, Prime Minister Najib Razak appeared before the media on Monday to somberly acknowledge that his coalition had won general elections for the 13th time in a row.

He had reason to be cheerless. The National Front coalition's victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections despite losing the popular vote has not only exposed the entrenched racial divide in the country but also a new schism — between the rural poor who preferred the status quo and the urban middle-class who wanted change.

Healing the divisions will be a big challenge for Najib, who took the oath of office Monday to begin his second five-year term after surviving the fiercest challenge to the National Front's 56-year rule. If left untended, the racial and social divisions could undermine the stability of Southeast Asia's third-largest economy.

On the face of it, the National Front appears to have done well. It won 133 seats in the 222-member Parliament — down a fraction from the 135 it held before the elections. The opposition People's Alliance coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim won 89 seats. But look deeper and the numbers carry a grim story for Najib:

— The National Front polled 5.24 million votes to the opposition's 5.62 million votes, according to the Election Commission.

— The National Front banked heavily on three states with large rural populations — Sarawak, Sabah and Johor — where many people from indigenous groups and the ethnic Malay majority are beholden to the government for handouts traditionally given to them. The three states alone, out of Malaysia's 13, accounted for more than half of the 133 seats won.

— People in many urban areas — especially Chinese who are Malaysia's second largest ethnic group — voted overwhelmingly for the opposition, reflecting the huge disenchantment with the government's affirmative action policies that favor Malays.

Speaking at the news conference, Najib blamed a "Chinese tsunami" for the coalition's performance.

"On the whole, the people's decision this time shows a trend of voting polarization," Najib said. "This worries the government, because if it's not handled well, it could spark tension."

Many opposition supporters also believe the coalition resorted to fraud to win, including using migrants from Bangladesh as illegal voters. The government and electoral authorities deny it.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department recognized the election result, calling it the "most competitive" in the Southeast Asian nation's history, although it did acknowledge the allegations of irregularities.

"We are aware of concerns about voting irregularities and note the opposition parties faced significant restrictions on access to the media. Addressing these issues is important for strengthening confidence in the electoral process. So we call on all parties to peacefully respect the will of the voters," department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters on Monday.

Despite losing the popular vote, the National Front benefited from gerrymandering of constituencies.

In Sarawak, on Borneo island, nearly all of the six constituencies won by the opposition had between 26,000 and 40,000 voters each. In contrast, only two of the National Front's 25 parliamentary seats in Sarawak had that many people vote Sunday.

"What we are seeing here is a regime that has used the trappings of power to stay in power," said Bridget Welsh, a political science professor at the Singapore Management University. "The reality is that many people will see this election as an election bought and stolen. There will be a huge trust deficit for the National Front."

The results also reflect the complexities of modern-day Malaysia, which evolved from a 1950s backwater of rice paddies and tin mines into a country where cities like Kuala Lumpur and its famous Petronas Twin Towers are only an hour's drive from rural rubber and palm oil plantations.

In recent years, the rural-urban divide has created groups whose political perspectives lie far apart. Traditional National Front loyalists comprise villagers who receive valuable cash handouts from the government ahead of elections and rely on government-linked TV stations and newspapers for information. Many among the rural Malays also fear the opposition will scrap affirmative action programs that provide scholarships, loans and other benefits for Malays.

In the cities, the opposition has made gains among middle-class voters who read and spread news about the government's failings including corruption scandals on independent news websites and blogs.

During campaign rallies this past month, the ruling coalition handed out sacks of rice to crowds who came to listen to speeches. Opposition candidates passed around empty bags seeking donations.

The National Front has held power for 56 years through a unique system of race-based politics. The coalition is dominated by Najib's United Malays National Organization, a Malay Muslim party, and supported by smaller parties representing the other ethnic groups. Traditionally, the Malays, Chinese and Indians voted for these parties, ensuring the National Front won every election since independence from Britain in 1957, usually with a two-thirds majority.

But in the 2008 elections, Anwar's opposition alliance changed the face of Malaysian politics to bring it in line with democracies elsewhere. It created a non-racial opposition that capitalized on anger against corruption and the abuse of affirmative action policies. That struck a chord not only with the Chinese and Indians but also with a large section of urban Malays who feel the affirmative action often benefits a group of the rich and well-connected elite.

Anwar also played on the anger against the government for two sodomy trials he has had to face. His supporters are convinced they were government plots to destroy him politically.

Following the election result, Anwar sent out a two-word message to his Twitter followers: "Wear black."

"It is a sad day for Malaysia," said Renee Choong, a public relations consultant. "Corruption will continue. The Chinese will be even more sidelined from now on. I fear there will be no place in the country for ethnic minorities."

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's biggest city, Anwar's alliance won nine of 11 parliamentary seats, losing the other two by slim margins. Farther north, in the ethnic Chinese-majority state of Penang, known for its electronics factories and beach resorts, the National Front was trounced so badly that its state chief immediately resigned.

"The National Front is even more reliant on Malay votes now. It is more UMNO now than ever before," said Ibrahim Suffian, head of the Merdeka Center opinion research firm.

Najib pledged to soon reveal a "national reconciliation" plan to heal racial rifts. Khairy Jamaluddin, a ruling coalition youth chief, tweeted that the victory was merely a "reprieve" and warned the National Front would lose the next elections if it fails to deliver positive changes.

It must be clear to Najib that to woo the Chinese he would have to take more serious steps than participate in the kind of events the National Front's corporate allies held for two Chinese constituencies before the elections -- a performance by South Korean rapper PSY and a dinner with Bond actress Michelle Yeoh.

Link: 

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/05/06/world/asia/ap-as-malaysia-elections.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1&&pagewanted=all

Radio DJs' silent protest over MCA's negative ads. Bravo!

Published by Malaysiakini on 1 May 2013.

Deejays at the Chinese radio station 988 have posted black-and-white pictures of themselves on their official Facebook fanpages in a silent protest against MCA's election campaign advertisements aired by the station.

Some of them have also posted these pictures on their own Facebook pages with the message, "We exercise our own discretion. The station's advertisements do not represent our stance." Malaysiakini has been given to understand that the DJs are unhappy with the 988 for broadcasting a number MCA's negative advertisements over the radio station, which they feel are libellous and will sow fears among their audience.

These advertisement include one that says "a vote of DAP is a vote for PAS", and that once Pakatan is in power, it will hamper the growth of the country's economy and implement hudud. 

Insiders say the DJs raised their opposition to the BN election advertisements with the station management before the broadcasts started, but to no avail despite backing from some of their senior managers.

Halt advertisements, say listeners

However, a source stressed that the move was merely the personal action of the DJs and did not reflect the official stance of 988. MCA's direct attack on DAP through these advertisements have already drawn the ire of listeners and netizens alike. A number of them have also expressed their dissatisfaction on the station's official Facebook page and have demanded that the advertisements be halted.

A check today showed that the black-and-white pictures of the DJs have been removed from the 988 webpage. It is learned that radio station management issued a notice to all staff stating that the protest action violates company policy and that the black-and-white pictures must be removed by today or disciplinary action would be taken.

988 station is owned by the MCA-controlled Star Publications (M) Bhd. Malaysiakini tried to contact the senior manager for human resources and administration at Star Publications, Henry Asokan, for comment, but without success.

The Star too has been running advertisements saying, "a vote of DAP is a vote for PAS".

Ads not endorsed by radio station

Besides the protest from the 988 DJs, an anonymous group has created a Chinese-language video criticising the MCA election advertisements, which has been circulating online.

"You may not see us working behind the scenes, but you can hear our voices on TV and on radio... Of late, the mainstream media has been continuously broadcasting disgusting campaign ads, and we feel both sad and angry," the group says in the video.

It adds: "Angry, not just because of the media's political stance, but also the false information contained within this series of ads. The slanderous and fictitious content continuously spreads fear and threats. We refuse to record these irresponsible ads. We support a two-party system. Give us back a blue sky (clean) advertising."

On the night of April 23, 988 station responded via Facebook and Twitter, saying that what it aired were purely paid advertisements and not a part of the station's programming, endorsement, or stance. "As a broadcaster, we hope Malaysians will use the vote in their hands and perform their duty and their rights wisely," it said.

Link: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/228624

Ex-Umno man defends DAP against May 13 charge

Ex-Umno strongman Mohd Tamrin Abdul Ghafar has become an unexpected ally in Pakatan Rakyat’s bid to counter the claim that DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang was behind the May 13 riots in 1969.

The former Batu Berendam MP, who is also the second son of former deputy premier Abdul Ghafar Baba, has claimed that the incident was the outcome of a “mini coup” orchestrated by Umno leaders including Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“What (then home minister Muhammad) Ghazali (Shafie, left) told (PKR de facto leader) Anwar (Ibrahim) and me, when we were in Umno Youth, was that the incident was a mini coup planned by Umno men, and that Mahathir was involved,” Tamrin said during two Pakatan ceramahs in Gelang Patah last night.

“(First prime minister) Tunku (Abdul Rahman) wrote in his column 'As I See It' in The Star two years before he passed away, that the incident was a deliberate seizure of power by Umno leaders who then blamed it on DAP and the Chinese.”

Lim Kit Siang is running in Gelang Patah, against incumbent Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman, in the hope of extending Pakatan’s 2008 ‘political tsunami’ to Johor.

Tamrin’s disclosure supports the argument of academician Kua Kia Soong that the racial clash in 1969 was the result of a coup d'état by then deputy premier Abdul Razak Hussein against the Tunku, and that Mahathir supported it.

Tamrin recalled that the Tunku had expelled Mahathir from Umno after the latter wrote an open letter calling for the Tunku's resignation after the riots.

“After the Tunku stepped down and Razak took over the premiership, he took Mahathir back into Umno and appointed him as education minister.

“This shows that Razak was grateful to Mahathir (for pressuring the Tunku to step down),” he explained, adding that Kit Siang was not in Kuala Lumpur during the clashes.

He said the continued reference to the incident by Umno, in order to frighten Malay voters, indicates that the BN is desperate.

With anti-establishment sentiment growing rapidly among Chinese Johoreans to Pakatan’s apparent advantage, Umno has flashed the race card to consolidate its support among the Malay electorate in Johor.

Its campaigners have been found distributing publicity material to Malay voters accusing DAP and Kit Siang of causing the May 13 riots.

To counter the charge, Pakatan has brought in several former Umno leaders including ex-law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib to defend DAP and Kit Siang.

Read more here: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/228497

Malaysia's Multi-Ethnic Coalition Near Collapse

Written by John Berthelsen. Published by Asia Sentinel on 5 April 2013.

UMNO may have to go it alone as Chinese, Indian parties crumble.

Regardless of who wins Malaysia's 13th* general election, expected to be held on April 27, the historic multi-ethnic coalition that has ruled the country since independence will have likely collapsed.

"Whatever the results, the Barisan coalition will cease to exist as we know it because the Malaysian Chinese Association, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian Congress will be wiped out," a Kuala Lumpur-based businessman told Asia Sentinel. "Assuming UMNO forms the government with Sabah and Sarawak parties, there will be no Chinese and Indian representatives in the government. And that is not a good scenario to have."

The Barisan and the opposition, made up of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat headed by Anwar Ibrahim, the ethnic Chinese Democratic Action Party and the fundamentalist Parti Islam se-Malaysia are embroiled in what is being called the closest election in the country's history, with both sides predicting victory. One opposition strategist said the race would probably come down to a margin of 10 seats either way in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat, or parliament. 

For most of the time from its 1957 inception as an independent nation, the country has been governed by a carefully engineered amalgam of ethnic parties led by the United Malays National Organization, the Malaysian Chinese Association, the Malaysian Indian Congress and, to a lesser extent, Gerakan, which has faded in recent years.

However, in the debacle of the 2008 election, the MCA was left with just 15 seats in parliament. Gerakan, the second mostly Chinese ethnic party, ended up with just two seats. The MIC was left with three. UMNO won 78.

In the upcoming polls, political analysts say the MCA could see its total seats fall to just one or two, roiled as the party is by years of major scandals and political infighting that once impelled one of the contending factions to secretly film party leader Chua Soi Lek having a sex romp in a hotel room in a vain effort to drive him from politics. The resurgent opposition Democratic Action Party expects to claim the vast majority of Chinese voters. Gerakan, whose base is in Penang, which is controlled by the DAP, could be wiped out completely, the analysts say. The MIC is equally riven by scandal and infighting, with its members and leadership gravitating away towards the Hindu Rights Action Force, or Hindraf. 

This is not a scenario conjured up by the opposition. It has been discussed within UMNO councils for months as the party has watched the other components of the Barisan drift into disaster. It is at least partly responsible for the rise in race-baiting in recent months as UMNO and its attack-dog ancillaries such as the Malay supremacy NGO Perkasa raise the spectre that ethnic Chinese, and particularly Chinese Christians in a Muslim country, will take over the reins of power. 

Ethnic Malays make up 50.4 percent of the population, Chinese 24 percent and Indians 7.1 percent, according to the CIA World Factbook. UMNO sees its chance to keep its leadership of the country intact by winning every available ethnic Malay vote and hopefully luring ethnic Indians back into the fold. 

Thus indigenous tribes, most of them in East Malaysia, with 11 percent of the population, probably hold the key to the 2013 election, most political analysts feel. The states of Sabah and Sarawak and the federal territory of Labuan control 57 of the 222 seats. The 165 peninsular seats are almost equally divided between the Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat.

As the MCA in particular descended into chaos, an UMNO operative told Asia Sentinel months ago that UMNO basically decided it would have to go it alone in the 13th general election. While the other ethnic parties will field candidates in the election, UMNO will try to take as many constituencies dominated by ethnic Malays as possible and hope the component parties can have some impact.

If not, the 57 East Malaysia seats -- depending on how the parties controlled by the current chief ministers fare in the election -- will control peninsular Malaysia's destiny. In both Sarawak and Sabah, the bonds of loyalty that keep elected lawmakers tied to particular parties are slippery indeed. In one case in the 1980s, when the opposition unexpectedly took control of the statehouse in Kota Kinabalu, the victorious coalition locked their winning members behind a chain link fence to keep them from being bribed away by the losers. 

Should the collapse scenario actually take place, it will produce a "mono-ethnic and unelectable opposition that will be constrained to the Malay belt" in the Peninsula, where 20 million of the 28 million Malaysians make their home -- without the help of the East Malaysian states. Both chief ministers have been implicated, although not indicted, in scandals involving untold amounts of money in bribery for timber sales. They would be pleased to talk to the opposition in exchange for immunity from prosecution. 

If UMNO is to rebuild the coalition, win or lose it means its gamble to conduct the election by appealing to the fears or prejudices of its Malay constituency has failed the country at large, and that it must regain the trust of the complex ethnic mosaic that makes up the rest of the country.

"What's left is UMNO seats, high Malay-majority seats," said an opposition political operative. "They might be propped up with some Malay seats in Sarawak, and some Sabah UMNO seats. If they lose, they would have to reconstitute. They have to start moderating their line and to try to get back the support of the minorities. Assuming they hold power, I would assume over the next five years they would have to reconstitute." 

It is unsure what the implications are for Malaysian society as a whole. Tension has simmered for decades, since 1969 riots took the lives of hundreds on both sides of the ethnic divide, exacerbated by the New Economic Policy created in 1971 to give economically disadvantaged rural Malays a leg up. Malays get the majority of government jobs and places in universities. The country has been on a 30-year campaign to ensure rising ethnic Malay ownership of the commanding heights of the business community. 

So-called Ali Baba companies dot the landscape, with the "Ali" being an ethnic Malay usually sitting behind a polished and empty desk, while "Babas," a nickname for Straits-born Chinese, run the business from the backroom. Billions have been wasted on government-linked companies given to UMNO cronies to run into the ground. An explosive report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists released today said as much as RM200 billion* was funneled out of Malaysia last year to Singapore, an astonishing burst of capital flight.

"Malaysia's system of holding back the dynamic Indian and Chinese minorities has turned it into a bastion of mediocrity in a fast-growing region," Wall Street Journal columnist Hugo Restall wrote in an editorial today. "The country's best and brightest leave because the cronyism and racial quotas in education and employment hold them back."

*Corrections. Typo. Originally read 12th general election. Originally read US$200 billion. We apologize for the errors.

Link:
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5317&Itemid=178

Ultra-extravagant lifestyles of the Umno elite

Published by Malaysia Chronicle on 13 November 2012.

Voters are not oblivious to that fact that the government has wasted millions upon millions of public funds through lavishness, inefficiency and corruption, including the award of inflated contracts to cronies. UMNO-controlled Barisan has earned this infamous repute since Najib Abdul Razak took over as Prime Minister in April 2009.

Revelling in luxury

Blame not the rakyat for this impression and discernment. But could this sensation be due to mere perception or reality? To most voters, the government’s poor record under Najib’s administration is no more a matter of opinion but a reality.

The rakyat for sure are not going to be happy with pittance given to them before a general election.

RM500 given under BR1M, “artificial” discounts for low quality goods for some governmentally selected groups, low-quality goods found in 1Malaysia shop outlets, RM200 book vouchers for students and other paltry sums given to the rakyat are all but eyewash on the part of UMNO-led administration to lure votes from the innocent rakyat.

The rakyat however are aware of the over-the-top lifestyle enjoyed by some top leaders in UMNO and Barisan. Not only the leaders but also their family members are found to be revelling in luxury.

The rakyat are keen to know why so much money should be spent to upkeep UMNO and Barisan leaders and how their children and family could enjoy a posh lifestyle when the ordinary rakyat are scraping the bottom of the barrel.

High maintenance costs

It was reported that the government spent RM48.7 million of taxpayers’ money on the official residences of the Prime Minister and his Deputy from 2006 to 2010.

The amount spent on the residences for the four years can be used to build 1 000 low-cost houses for the poor at RM50 000 each. There are over 30 percent Malaysians who do not even own a decent home of their own. Many are still living as squatters in urban peripheries and in decrepit huts in most of the interior zones of the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak.

A huge chunk of the amount, totalling close to RM33 million, was spent on rental fees. Both Seri Perdana and Sri Satria in Putrajaya are owned by the local authority, Putrajaya Holdings.

Besides that, as much as RM10.2 million was spent on electricity bills while RM3.5 million went to maintenance and RM1.96 million for water. Both the top leaders in UMNO spend an average of RM171 000 a month just on electricity when an average middle class family spend about RM80 to RM120 monthly.

The rakyat thus have their rights to chide the government for wasting public funds when they have to struggle to cope with the high costs of living and subsidy cuts.

Four years of opulent living

The government spent more than RM12 million to maintain the official residences of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister between 2008 and 2011 – sating their four years of opulent living.

The highest yearly maintenance costs for Seri Perdana was recorded in 2008, at RM1 896 616.80. For Sri Satria, it was in 2011, and the amount was RM1 455 804. UMNO top leaders have become ostentatious living in luxurious residences at the taxpayers’ expense.

Kelantan Menteri Besar, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, could give a wide berth to the flamboyance associated with UMNO leaders and lives a simple lifestyle.  Nik Aziz has been living in the same modest kampong home for more than 20 years and this has not affected his efficacy as Menteri Besar.

There are thousands in the country who cannot afford a decent shelter, thousands in Sabah and Sarawak and interior Peninsular Malaysia who have no supply of water and electricity.  And yet under UMNO administration they could afford to spend a fortune for their top leaders to stay in posh palaces at the expense of taxpayer’s money.

To the rakyat it boils down to UMNO leaders having a wastrel image and these leaders cannot hide this glitziness from the rakyat anymore.

Big spenders

Beyond that there were many other allegations against the leaders that the people find hard not to believe, or to forgive and forget. There are among them and their spouses and children big spenders. There were also persistent allegations on the high spending lifestyle of the Prime Minister’s wife, which has critically affected UMNO’s image.

It was revealed that RM409 767 was spent for the engagement reception for Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa's to Kazakh national Daniar Nazarbayev in June 2011. Leaders seem to have an expensive taste splurging their wealth but the rakyat cannot keep on paying for the leaders’ savour.

It was also alleged that RM79 053 was spent on the Najib’s birthday party on July 24 last year. The event took place at Sri Perdana, Putrajaya with around 100 guests. Najib claimed that he personally foot the bills for both the events.

Far west of Kuala Lumpur, RM600 000 was luxuriated on an UMNO  chief minister son's wedding reception that many observers claimed could have cost the minister around RM1.3 million.

An ordinary Malay wedding would cost 60 times lower than this figure. Many could not even afford a wedding that would cost them more than RM 10 000.

Spending in dribs and drabs and showiness has become the trademark of some UMNO leaders and this does not bode well with the ordinary rakyat who have lesser resources to survive. Of course there are some ministers and their family members who have become too boastful and morphed into the “untouchables” living like maharajas in “kingdoms” of their own.

They are the filthy rich living in huge mansions, driving expensive cars and spending wastefully on overseas trips while staying in star-studded hotels, shopping and bashing at high-end joints which are appealing to sophisticated and discerning customers.  This is in fact an open secret.

Asking the rakyat to be economical in spending does not make sense when leaders live an extravagant lifestyle and spend wastefully.

Costly official visits

It was reported that the government spent RM17 million and RM8 million the Prime Minister’s and his Deputy’s travel expenses respectively since 2008.

It was reported in November 2011 that the total expenses for the Prime Minister and his wife  and his deputy and wife for official  visits from 2008 to 2011 amounted to more than RM20 million.

The Prime Minister and wife spent RM 1 739 332.85 (2008), RM4 811 837.48 (2009) RM5 140 307.99 (2010) and RM 5 427 172.26 until Jun 2011. And the overall costs for the deputy and wife for travelling expenses within the same period was RM8 020 328.07.

Can this be abuse of taxpayers’ money? A leader cannot claim to be “berjiwa rakyat” (people centric) when such an amount was spent just within a few years in office when majority Malaysians are facing tough times facing the escalating living costs.

The Prime Minister has spent RM10.1 million for his overseas visits for the past three years.  The short visit to Kazakhstan with a big contingent to attend the World Economic Forum in June last year cost the taxpayers RM1.2 million.

The two-day Prime Minister’s visit to Turkmenistan 11 and 12 July last year came to RM323 268.19. It was reported that RM9.1 million was spent on rent payment of a private jet for their travels. It was also alleged that the jet was used for his private visit to Perth, Australia on 31 August to 3 September last year.

Nation has debts

Of course leaders can claim that they deserve all these treats and privileges as they suppose the nation has the wealth to sustain their spending sprees.

The country’s external debt last year stood at RM257.2 billion. The debt comprised loans that the government had obtained from the private sectors outside the country. The national debt that encompasses the Federal Government external debt, Non-Financial Public Enterprise and private sector was 30.2 per cent from the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The government’s total debt that included external and internal sources was RM456.1 billion or 53.5 per cent from the GDP, as end of last year.  A large portion of the government’s debt was made up of internal debt of RM438 billion while the remainder, of external, at RM18.1 billion.

The country has been experiencing a deficit budget for the past 14 continuous years and the majority rakyat are burdened with high costs of living and low standard of living.   Many ordinary poor rakyat may not be aware of this.

No mechanisms on how to bring down prices of essentials have come out from the many high-sounding acronyms coined by the government. Pay increase for some sectors has only exacerbated inflation that has burdened the poor.

As a consequence, the rich are enjoying life and the poor are pushed to the corner to recline in the drought of dust and dearth.

Defence procurement

Extravagance will lead to more borrowing and also higher costs of living that will affect the ordinary people most. The government bought two refurbished submarines that were initially not equipped with war weaponries at a whopping RM3.4 billion.

It was reported that the costs to maintain the Scorpene submarines named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Razak was RM500 – this comes to 10 times more than the anticipated initial costs of RM50 million a year.

A local company and Boustead DCNS Naval Corporation Sdn Bhd were appointed to do the maintenance work.

The government now claims that they are capable of carrying out operations to maintain national security after the submarines were being docked in deep water in Sabah for long and were initially found to be unable to sink.

Being second-hand machines the lifespan of these submarines could never be long and they are bound to incur more expenses in maintenance.

The dressing-down by a Royalty on the acquisition of Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIVs) at exorbitant prices highlights the malady in the Ministry of Defence procurement exercises.

In September 2012, the Royalty reprimanded that “nobody should take advantage of the situation for personal gains when acquiring equipment for the Special Forces,” adding that recently four Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIV) were purchased for RM2.76mil or RM690 000 each by the Ministry of Defence.

The Royalty then exhibited one of the RIV vehicles and another personal vehicle that he purchased for RM150 000.

Self-seeking leaders

The rakyat can obviously see the spending excessiveness by the country’s top leaders which at times border on elements of “corrupt” practices. Ironically, at a time when they tell the rakyat that they should adapt to harder economic times, self-seeking leaders are using huge amount of taxpayers’ money to live in style and spend unwisely to procure defence equipment at inflated prices.

A high cost of living has immensely affected the rakyat in the past four years. Nothing real or substantial has been done by the government to alleviate this problem other than coming up with some short-term measures to increase the salaries of some groups of workers.

Because of having incompetent leaders in the government they have no long-term ideas on how to reduce the inflationary trend that is going on uninhibited.

The country’s top leaders in calling for fiscal austerity are not leading by example by cutting on their own expenses and that of the government. Instead the government is forced to cut spending by slicing down on its subsidy bills. But, the spiralling global food prices are making life more difficult for the rakyat who are struggling to cope with low income amid inflationary enormity.

The cosy amount spent on top leaders’ expenses and the procurement of defence equipment alone make the government’s call for rakyat to adapt to harder times a farce.

Principles of good governance

Looking at all these “prodigious” figures involving taxpayer’s money the rakyat are not really happy with the present leadership.

It cannot be a matter of perception that UMNO and the government have a wastrel image since most of these figures were disclosed in Parliament and provided by the government of the day when requested and questioned by the lawmakers.

Relatively judicious spending has nonetheless been observed in the four states under Pakatan in spite of their freshness in governance. These states have indubitably shown exemplariness in their financial management.  This has been endorsed by the country’s Auditor General Reports for the past three years.

Perception or reality on UMNO’s extravagancy the rakyat can now make a wise choice in choosing a government in the 13^th general election – either to stay with Barisan or vote for Pakatan.

Whatever the choice, let it be a government that will remain guided by the principles of prudence, good governance, accountability, transparency and competency.

Read more here:

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=43708:ultra-extravagant-lifestyles-of-the-umno-elite-perception-or-real?&Itemid=2