Friday, August 26, 2016

Johor Sultan Vs Mahathir: An Analysis


A Kadir Jasin


PREAMBLE: This subject has already been discussed by several debaters in the previous post. Any subject affecting the Rulers can easily trigger sedition accusation and, possibly investigation. Therefore, I appeal to all debaters to be careful when expressing your opinions. I apologise if I have to reject some of your comments.

I HAD initially not wanted to say anything about the verbal exchange between the Sultan of Johor and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the subject of “Bangsa Johor”.

My feeling is, every Malaysian state has the right to be proud of their history and to promote their uniqueness. We are a federation and not a unitary nation. Each state has autonomy in the form of its supreme ruler – the Sultan, Raja and Yam Tuan.

But Dr Mahathir thought that the promotion of “Johor nationalism” is unhealthy for Malaysia and can lead to the collapse of the federation. He had said that while it is within the right of the Johor royalty to promote the idea, it was only with unity that Malaysia could prosper.

“Well, it is their right to promote the idea. But to me, if each state tries to be separate, then the federation will collapse. We need to work together because only with unity can we prosper,” he said when said in response to a question from the floor at the 20th Perdana Dialogue Series on Aug 24.

The Sultan of Johor had since responded personally. The media had described him as rebuking Dr Mahathir and telling him “to keep his mouth shut.”

A senior participant of our Kedai Kopi Assembly (KKA), who is known to know intimately both the Sultan of Johor and Dr Mahathir, thought that the matter should not be left unexplained.

He is concerned that the Sultan might not have uttered those “un-royal” words, which the media in turn described as rebuking the former Prime Minister. He also thought that the Sultan could have misinterpreted Dr Mahathir’s role as Prime Minister and world leader.

Here is the full text of his letter to me and another fellow blogger. It is published in full with only minor editing.

The Letter

“DYMM Sultan Johor has rebuked Tun Mahathir and told him to keep his mouth shut and blamed Tun Mahathir for many things.  First l would like to know if this is royal language.  Do royals speak this way?  Have we ever heard the Queen for example tell one of her subjects to keep his mouth shut? Or the King of Thailand or Sultan of Brunei or the Japanese Emperor?  lt would be interesting if someone can tell me these Royals also do what his Royal Highness is doing.

We have a constitution, which was drafted by experts with the input from our rulers where freedom of speech is enshrined in the constitution.  Is the Johor Sultan stopping people from expressing their opinions or stop rakyat from debating on issues which the rakyat show interest? 

For a ruler to take personal interest in issues affecting the rakyat is very noble but to curb the rakyat from expressing their opinions shows the lack of understanding of the democratic process and leaning towards intolerance of differing views, which is dangerous. 

In most constitutional monarchies, the rulers never issue personal statement. Any response from the palace will come either from private secretary or the press secretary and royalties stay away from getting involved in debates among the rakyat. 

Yes, Bangsa Johor was introduced in 1920 and this was to unite Johoreans, a very good concept when we were under the British that has brought foreigners to Malaya to exploit our fertile land and natural resources but since then we had “The Malayan Union” when the rulers, without consulting the rakyat, agreed to it and surrendered their rights away leaving them with no power.  Lucky the Malays rose and united themselves under the banner of Hidup Melayu and under the leadership of Dato Onn fought the British and succeeded to abrogate the Union and saved the rulers from being just khadis in their own states. 

Then we have the Federation of Malaya agreement and Merdeka, with its written constitution, and later Malaysia.  This is our history.  Once we agreed to form Malaysia, we all become Malaysians.  Malaysians first and Malaysians last.  In the Peninsula, we are free to live anywhere as Malaysians but to harp on our past means we are moving backwards and to continue with policies of the 1920’s simply means we are not facing reality of the present circumstances. 

Yes, Johor is doing well under present Sultan and he wants Johor to be run like a business entity.  Sultan himself is a very successful businessman and Johor government can benefit from his experience and advice but many also question if it is proper for a ruler to be involved in business.  This is for government and the people to decide.

Johor will continue to progress especially with the completion of last leg of double tracking from Gemas to Johor Bahru which now costs RM7 billion yet when Tun Mahathir wanted it done, the cost was just RM14 billion for whole country. 

Soon we will have fast train from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, which will be a 90-minit ride.  The cost to build is now estimated at RM70 billion.  Johor will benefit greatly from this project.  But do we have the money and what will happen to MAS and Airasia?  lf we want our train to go to Singapore, why did the government stopped the Keretapi Tanah Melayu services to Tanjong Pagar and surrendered our land to Singapore?

With reference to the Sultan’s so-called chiding of Dr Mahathir, who the Sultan claimed is confrontational and likes to quarrel with world leaders, l think the Sultan should check with Wisma Putra as this involves foreign affairs.   

Is this allegation true and backed by facts or just repeating what others say?

Dr Mahathir did not quarrel with world leaders but was against policies implemented by them. He was against the American and British invasion of Iraq and was vocal about it. It was the same with Afghanistan and Libya, and he was proven right. 

Other third world leaders dare not voice their true views as they were poor and needed western support to help them run their countries. Privately they applauded Dr Mahathir for the courage to stand up to western powers. Even late Lee Kuan Yew privately praised Dr Mahathir and said we need Dr Mahathir to say all these things. 

Where is the quarrel with world leaders?  In case of Britain, their government raised university fees on foreign students. At that time we had many students studying in the UK.  Dr Mahathir was fighting against British policy, which caused a lot of hardship to Malaysians, especially parents who sent their children to study there. Is championing the welfare of our citizens wrong?

Britain also did not allow MAS to fly daily to London and limited it frequency to three flights a week. Is fighting for our nation equal to quarreling with foreign leaders?

When the late British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher realised they were wrong with their policies. They approached us to settle all outstanding matters and this we agreed and hence removed our policy of buy British last. 

With Singapore, is it our fault?  They wanted water from us and because Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted to kick them out of Malaysia, we agreed to everything Singapore asked for and the most important was water, which came from Johor. Johor provided thousands of acres of land for this purpose. What Dr Mahathir wanted was a fair deal. He wanted a higher price for raw water sold to Singapore. Imagine, we sold to Singapore at such a low rate yet states in Malaysia sell at a much higher rate among themselves.  Is this fair?  Is it wrong to negotiate for a better price?  Singapore, without the water from Johor can’t survive. But now with new technology, situation has have changed. Since they are now rich, they can afford to use the technology to their advantage.
 
After the separation in 1965, they refused to release our citizens’ EPF after they stopped work in Singapore and return to Malaysia.  Fighting for their rights does not mean quarreling with Singapore. 

When our combined stock exchange split and we formed our own, they sabotaged us by creating CLOB and took away business from KLSE.  Is protecting KLSE quarreling with Singapore leaders? 

We must not be fooled by Singapore public relations. We must check with Wisma Putra and even Bank Negara and get the facts correct before jumping to conclusions.

The Sultan also said that Tun Mahathir was a divisive leader and caused disunity among the races and among the Malays and is the cause of the present problems.

Yet in the 22 years that he was the Prime Minister he brought peace, stability, economic prosperity, massive development and had the support of the people as could be seen by the two-third majority he received in five general elections. Who really is the cause of the present problems faced by the country and by the rakyat?  

Since the Sultan cares a lot about what is happening in country and the Conference of Rulers had issued a strong statement on 1MDB, the rakyat also would like to know His Highness’ view on 1MDB and DoJ case in USA and in His Highness’ opinion who the MO1 is? 

Tengku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) is on record saying that he wants to kill corruption in Malaysia.

Tuanku, your late father would not have gone to the press to answer Dr Mahathir but would have invited him to the Istana and have a quiet chat with him.  His would have been a different style and different approach.  

Ampuan Tuanku.”


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Terima Kasih Atas Semangat Kerakanan Semua


A Kadir Jasin

﷽

MOHON izin membuat sedikit catatan peribadi.

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Semalam - kelmarin dalam loghat Utara – adalah ulang tahun ke-69 kelahiran saya.

Saya membuat dua catatan dalam Facebook saya yang berbunyi:

1. [Dengan izin] “Thank you very much to friends and well wishers for your kind greetings and good wishes.

“And thank Allah for giving (me) reasonably good health and sound mind. Alhamdulillah.

“Thank you and best wishes.”

2. “Makan rojak dan cendol berhampiran pejabat. Dibayar oleh seorang yang barangkali mengikuti tulisan saya.

“Dia sekadar memberi salam sebelum beredar.

“Selepas itu barulah tuan gerai beritahu yang lelaki Melayu itu telah membayar makanan saya.

“Terima kasih banyak-banyak.

“Hal demikian kerap berlaku. Ada yang memperkenalkan diri dan memberitahu mereka belanja saya. Tetapi ramai yang tidak menegur dan memaklumkan.

“Kepada mereka yang baik hati dan pemurah saya sangat berterima kasih dan terhutang budi.

Wallahuaklam.”

Saya mohon maaf kalau tidak menyedari, mengenali atau mengingati semua mereka. Saya harap, bila nampak saya tegurlah walaupun saya sedang menulis, membaca atau makan.

Dengan ikhlas saya katakan, saya mempunyai masalah mengingati nama dan wajah seseorang tetapi ingat peristiwa yang mengaitkan mereka dengan saya.

Kelemahan ini menjadi semakin ketara dengan perjalanan masa dan peningkatan usia. Untuk itu, saya dahulukan dengan memohon maaf.

Apabila orang bertanya saya, kenal? Kalau tidak kenal atau terlupa, saya akan jawab: "Kalau saya kata kenal tapi tak ingat, orang kata saya bohong. Kalau kata tak kenal, orang kata saya sombong. Antara dituduh bobong dengan sombong, lebih baik dituduh sombong."

Wallahuaklam.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Kamjat, Macai and Balaci to the Defence


A Kadir Jasin

FORMER deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam had recently prescribed three ways of getting rid of Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Mappadulung Daeng Mattimung Karaeng Sanrobone) Mohd Najib Abdul Razak.

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First through Umno, second foreign intervention and third the general election. But he qualified that the first is nearly impossible, the second is only remotely possible.

I am not sure if Musa is joining the get-rid-of-Najib bandwagon by making that statement. Even if he is, he has little or no political influence to do so. In any case, his anti-Mahathir sentiments are stronger than his disdain for Najib.

In comparison, Musa’s longstanding nemesis, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has a clearer stance towards Najib. Having failed to topple his protégé via the vote of no confidence, Ku Li – as he is fondly called – appears to have gone back to accepting Najib’s leadership. His excuse was loyalty to Umno.

But that doesn’t stop him from annoying his party boss. The latest being his demand that the government reveal the identity of the “Malaysian Official 1” mentioned by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) in its civil suit in Los Angeles against the “thieves of 1MDB”.

Then as if to give Najib a moment of peace, Ku Li predicted that the new party being jointly promoted by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) - would face an uphill battle for survival.

Other Umno dignitaries are also saying the same thing about the proposed new party – that it is bound to fail and Umno has nothing to fear.

One of the more outrageous Najib’s defenders – Mohd Nazri Aziz – even challenged the “kutu” (louse) in Umno to leave and join other political parties.

While another dedak-standard backer, the Langkawi Member or Parliament, Nawawi Ahmad, was reported as saying that the King was the “Malaysian Official 1” as mentioned in the US Department of Justice (DoJ) civil suit.

Nawawi, Langkawi MP allegedly implicates the King
Understandably, in the true tradition of a dedak-type politician, he blamed others for allegedly twisting his statement and went on to make a police report. But that was after the Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, had said that the MP would be interviewed for making the alleged statement.

In spite of belittling the proposed new party, Najib’s backers have started to engage in all sorts of attempts to sabotage its registration.

It appears that they are no longer sure that Umno is as strong and cohesive as they have been claiming.

Khairy’s Game

With the Rio Olympics coming to an end and the Malaysian contingent doing pretty much okay, the Umno Youth Chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, has to up his ante.

Just before leaving for Rio de Janeiro, when declaring open the joint session of the Putrajaya Umno Women, Youth and Puteri wings on Aug. 2, he urged Umno members to defend the leadership and truth even at the risks of being called “macai” and “balaci”.

And who could be a bigger macai than the Malacca Chief Minister, Idris Haron, who openly proclaimed that Najib has to be supported because he is “the gift of God”.

Idris: "Najib is God's gift"
Khairy’s pledge of loyalty came in the midst of the controversy created by his immediate deputy Khairul Azwan Harun.

The latter had lodge a police report accusing the former Attorney General, (Tan Sri) Abdul Gani Patail, former Bank Negara Governor, (Tan Sri) Zeti Akthar Aziz and former Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, (Tan Sri) Abu Kasim Mohamed of conspiring to topple the Prime Minister and the government.

The report had since been dismissed by Khalid as hearsay while Najib and Khairy had described it as the work of an individual.

If it is a hearsay Khalid should investigate Khairul Azwan for making a false report. Lodging a false police report is an offence.

Instead the number one policeman arbitrarily closed the case whereas in one or two other cases people who made police reports against Najib and 1MDB were investigated and charged in court.

If indeed the IGP is truly professional and acts without fear and favour he should get his officers to investigate Khairul Azwan and clear the name of his three former civil service colleagues. After all they were once members of the task force investigating the 1MDB.

Despite having his report thrown out, Khairul Azwan is adamant that his action represents the view of the Umno Youth and that he had saved Najib from being ousted.

“The Balachi-in-Chief”

I have a nagging suspicion that Khairy’s gallant defense of the leadership has something to do with the talks that there is an internal conspiracy to remove Najib as party President and Prime Minister.

Hidden somewhere in the loyalty rhetoric is the widening acknowledgement that Najib’s position as party leader and Prime Minister is becoming increasingly untenable. He is not only a liability to the country but more so to Umno and to his own backers.

The Boss and the macai: Looking in opposite direction
But to musk the festering discontent, Khairy has to resort wayang kulit (shadow play). He is willing to be given the uncomplimentary titles of macai and balachi.
In the contemporary social media lexicon, macai and balaci refer to lowly helpers and runners. The former is from Chinese and the latter is believed to be of Indian origin.

The macais and balacis are the lowest of the dedak-eating party operators. Dedak-eaters generally refer to these people.

Since Khairy is not an ordinary macai and balachi I had suggested that he be given a special title that distinguishes him from the ordinary dedak-eaters.

In my earlier postings I had proposed the term "kamjat" because I consider him to be the "capo de tutti capi" of the macais and the balacis. In the Mafia hierarchy, capo de tutti capi, is the boss of all the bosses.

Kamjat is a Penang street term. One former mainstream newspaper editor, who originated from Penang, once told me that kamjat was a good-for-nothing layabout.

In my days as a cub reporter in Penang in 1969-70, kamjat was used in a mocking and dismissive manner rather than contemptuously.

Readers and debaters are welcome to shed additional light on the term and propose other titles that can be awarded to Khairy and other higher-placed macais and balacis.

Khairy may be willing to be Najib’s chief macai for now and, as a consequence, suffer the contempt of the thinking Malaysians because in the long run he has a more important personal agenda.

He has no intention of sinking with Najib and he is pragmatic enough to work with other Umno leaders to entrench his position. He may even be willing to look beyond the wobbly Umno/Barisan Nasional.

Wallahuaklam.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Zaid Saman Najib Supaya Pulangkan Duit 1MDB


A Kadir Jasin

﷽

BEKAS Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, (Datuk) Zaid Ibrahim, hari ini memfailkan writ saman ke atas Perdana Menteri (Datuk Seri Mappadulung Daeng Mattimung Karaeng Sanrobone), Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, kerana melanggar kewajipan fidusiari.

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Serentak itu beliau menuntut supaya Najib mengembalikan kepada kerajaan semua wang 1MDB dan SRC International Sdn Bhd yang dimasukkan ke dalam akaun peribadinya.

Dalam bahasa yang mudah, Zaid menuduh Mohd Najib mengkhianati kepercayaan yang diamanahkan kepada beliau dengan mengambil duit 1MDB.

Zaid, seorang peguam dan bertindak sebagai menteri undang-undang di bawah pentadbiran (Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, mengemukakan writ itu bagi pihak rakyat Malaysia.

Beliau menuntut Najib memulangkan kepada kerajaan wang sebanyak AS$731 juta (kira-kira RM2.92 bilion) yang didepositkan ke dalam akaun peribadinya.

Zaid juga menuntut supaya wang sebanyak RM42 juta yang Najib dakwa diterimanya daripada SRC International Sdn Bhd dikembalikan kepada kerajaan. 

Zaid mahu Najib pulangkan duit 1MDB
SRC International adalah anak syarikat 1MDB yang kemudiannya dipindahkan ke Kementerian Kewangan. Najib adalah pegawai tertinggi yang berkuasa terus ke atas 1MDB.

Zaid menamakan Najib, 1MDB, Kerajaan Malaysia dan anak tiri Najib, Riza Shahriz Aziz, dalam saman itu. (Baca lanjut di sini).

Ini adalah tindakan sivil ketiga yang dikemukakan berkaitan skandal 1MDB dan yang pertama kepada mahkamah Malaysia.

Dua saman terawal adalah di Amerika Syarikat. Pertama oleh Jabatan Kehakiman Amerika (DoJ) akhir Julai lalu dan kedua oleh pasangan ADUN Datuk Husam Musa dan peguam Matthias Chang minggu lepas.

Pandangan saya mengenai writ saman Zaid itu adalah seperti berikut:

1. Adalah hak mutlak Zaid di bawah Perlembagaan untuk mengemukakan writ tersebut;

2. Menguji tahap ketelusan (transparency), kebebasan (independence) dan kesamarataan (impartiality) sistem kehakiman negara serta tahap profesionalisme para hakim;

3. Menguji komitmen dan tahap kepakaran pengamal undang-undang kita, khususnya dalam isu Perlembagaan dan jenayah kolar putih;

4. Tindakan paling tepat dan logik setelah Peguam Negara, (Tan Sri) Mohamed Apandi Ali, secara terang dan terbuka enggan mendakwa Mohd Najib dan pihak-pihak yang dituduh bersubahat dengan beliau; dan

5. Membuka babak baru dalam usaha mencari keadilan dan penyudahan kepada skandal 1MDB iaitu melalui litigasi sivil (civil litigation) setelah prosedur jenayah disekat.

Wallahuaklam.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Saman “Class Action” Untuk Dapatkan Balik Harta Negara


A Kadir Jasin

﷽

LEBIH setahun susah berlalu tetapi Perdana Menteri, (Datuk Seri Mappadulung Daeng Mattimung Karaeng Sanrobone), Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, belum menunaikan ancaman saman terhadap akhbar Wall Street Journal (WSJ) kerana kononnya memfitnah beliau.

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Utusan bohong: Sampai sekarang PM tak saman
Sebaliknya dua saman sivil telah dikemukakan ke atas beberapa orang yang dikaitkan dengan beliau dalam skandal 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Akhir Julai lalu, Jabatan Kehakiman Amerika (DoJ) kemukakan saman KARI (Kleptocracy Assets Recovery Initiative) ke atas lima orang termasuk anak tiri Najib, Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, di Los Angeles.

Kemudian, pada 13 Ogos media massa atas talian melaporkan yang dua orang rakyat Malaysia – peguam Matthias Chang dan wakil rakyat Husam Musa – telah juga mengemukakan saman ke atas Riza dan gengnya di New York. (Baca di sini)

Patriot: Husam Adun Salor, Kelantan
Kedua-dua saman sivil ini bertujuan menghukum dan mendapatkan balik duit 1MDB yang disyaki dicuri dan digunakan untuk kesenangan peribadi oleh yang dinamakan.
 
Chang adalah bekas Setiausaha Politik Tun Dr Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan Husam, Ahli Dewan Undangan Salor, Kelantan.

Chang: Wira rakyat
Mereka mengemukakan apa yang dipanggil “class action suit” yang bertujuan mendapatkan ganti rugi ke atas kecurian duit milik negara itu dan merampas harta benda yang dibeli dengan duit curi tersebut.

Saman class action adalah sejenis saman di mana salah satu pihak yang terlibat adalah sekumpulan orang yang mewakili anggota kumpulan mereka. Ia berasal di Amerika Syarikat tetapi telah berkembang ke Eropah, Australia, New Zealand, Kanada, India dan Argentina.

Chang and Husam menamakan pengasas bersama syarikat perfileman Red Granite Pictures iaitu Riza dan Christopher Joey McFarland sebagai defendan.

Turut dinamakan adalah sahabat akrab keluarga Mohd Najib, Low Taek Jho atau lebih terkenal sebagai Jho Low, peguam cukainya, Debra Whelan Johnson dan bekas eksekutif kanan kumpulan kewangan Goldman Sachs, Timothy Leissner.

(Dari kiri) Jho Low, Putera Turki bersama Najib anak beranak
Juga dinamakan adalah Goldman Sachs and firma milik Johnson - Metropolis IX Capital Advisors LLC.
 
Husam dan Chang mengemukakan saman itu bagi pihak rakyat jelata Malaysia.

(Dari kiri) Leissner, isterinya aktres Kimora Lee, Najib dan Azman Mokhtar (Khazanah Nasional)
Mereka memfailkan saman itu pada hari SELASA, 9 Ogos, di Mahkamah Daerah Southern District, New York.

Hakikat mereka memfailkan saman itu pada hari Selasa cukup bermakna kerana Mohd Najib pun berjanji akan saman WSJ pada hari Selasa. Bezanya Selasa Mohd Najib sudah lebih setahun berlalu dan dia belum saman. (Kalau berminat boleh baca di sini)


Menurut kertas mahkamah, Chang dan Husam mendakwa defendan secara sedar menggunakan duit yang dicuri daripada 1MDB untuk faedah peribadi termasuk mengadakan majlis suka ria untuk bintang filem Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio dengan tujuan mengambil hati beliau.

DiCaprio memegang watak utama dalam filem “The Wolf of Wall Street” yang dibiayai oleh syarikat filem anak Rosmah Mansor.

"Serigala Wall Street" cerminan gaya hidup hedonistik Riza dan Jho Low
Mereka mengemukakan enam tuduhan dan tuntutan ke atas defendan.


Tahniah dan terima kasih kepada Husam dan Chang kerana susah payah, pengorbanan dan risiko yang mereka tanggung mengemukakan saman sivil itu.

Mereka adalah patriot dan wira rakyat.

Wallahuaklam.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Surat Terbuka Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia


A Kadir Jasin

﷽

AHLI jawatankuasa penaja Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia hari ini mengutus surat terbuka merayu anggota masyarakat peribumi menyertai parti mereka.

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Dalam surat itu, mereka berkata masanya sudah sampai bagi rakyat berganding bahu menyelamatkan negara.

Jika tidak, kata mereka, segala-gala yang dinikmati akan hancur-lebur dan mereka serta anak cucu mereka akan kembali menderita kemiskinan dan hilang maruah.

Kata mereka lagi, situasi dalam negara dan imej Malaysia di luar negara amat buruk. Rakyat jelata malu mengaku mereka warganegara Malaysia apabila di luar negara.

Mereka menegaskan, tidak nampak sebarang usaha untuk menghentikan jenayah dan memulihkan keadaan. Yang ditekankan adalah kesetiaan kepada Perdana Menteri merangkap Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak.

Berikut teks penuh surat tersebut:

“SURAT TERBUKA

Kepada Rakyat Malaysia,

 

Kami adalah tujuh orang pengasas penubuhan sebuah parti politik baru. 

 

Jawatan-jawatan kami adalah sementara. Apabila parti sudah tertubuh, perwakilan akan pilih pemimpin.

 

Sementara menunggu kebenaran dari Pendaftaran Pertubuhan, izinkan kami jelaskan kenapa parti ini ditubuh sekarang.

 

Malaysia setelah Merdeka berjaya dibangun oleh rakyat Malaysia dan wakil mereka sehingga terkenal sebagai satu-satunya negara merdeka yang tinggi pembangunannya.

 

Banyaklah negara-negara dunia ketiga yang anggap Malaysia sebagai negara contoh. Dimana-mana orang Malaysia pergi, mereka dihormati kerana kejayaan pentadbiran dan pembangunan negara mereka.

 

Tetapi sekarang kita terkenal sebagai sebuah negara dimana rasuah amat tinggi dengan Menteri Kewangan yang terburuk sekali.

 

Kita juga mempunyai seorang Perdana Menteri yang sedang disiasat kerana besar kemungkinan terlibat dengan money laundering (pembersihan duit haram) berbilion dollar Amerika.

 

Syarikat 1MDB kehilangan berbilion Ringgit. Di masa yang sama Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Dato Seri Najib mempunyai 2.6 bilion Ringgit dalam akaun peribadinya.

 

Hutang Negara meningkat berbilion Ringgit.

 

Walaupun belanjawan negara ternampak tinggi tetapi kementerian-kementerian, institusi dan agensi Kerajaan diarah kurangkan perbelanjaan sehingga 30 peratus.

 

Sementara itu kos sara hidup meningkat tinggi kerana cukai GST, kenaikan cukai tanah, pengurangan subsidi minyak dan penarikan balik status bebas cukai Langkawi dan Labuan.

 

Demokrasi dan pemerintahan mengikut undang-undang sudah tidak ada lagi. Pegawai ditukar dan diganti dengan pegawai yang setia kepada Najib supaya sanggup melakukan perkara yang salah apabila diarah.

 

Jenayah dalam Kerajaan dirahsiakan. Yang mendedah jenayah disoal, ditangkap, dipenjara dan dihadapkan ke mahkamah.

 

Sesungguhnya keadaan dalam negara dan imej di luar negara amatlah buruk. Di luar negara rakyat malu mengaku sebagai orang Malaysia. Tidak ternampak sebarang usaha untuk menghentikan jenayah dan memulih keadaan. Yang ditekankan ialah kesetiaan kepada Najib sebagai Presiden parti dan Perdana Menteri.

 

Dan banyaklah lagi keburukan yang dibawa oleh Najib kepada negara tercinta ini.

 

Kami pengasas parti baru berpendapat masa sudah tiba untuk rakyat menyelamatkan negara ini. Jika tidak segala-gala yang kita nikmati akan hancur-lebur dan kita dan anak cucu kita akan kembali menderita kemiskinan tanpa maruah.

 

Parti yang kami tubuh ini bertujuan menjadi alat kepada rakyat yang benar-benar cintakan negara yang bertuah ini.

 

Hasrat kami ialah untuk berkhidmat memulih semula rakyat dan negara.

 

Demokrasi dan pemerintahan berasas undang-undang akan kami kembalikan.

 

Segala kelemahan yang boleh disalahguna oleh pemimpin yang dipilih akan dihapuskan.

 

Pengurusan kewangan akan tertakluk kepada undang-undang dan aturan-peraturan baru supaya Perdana Menteri atau menteri-menteri tidak boleh sembunyi sebarang perbelanjaan. Ketelusan dalam semua urusan akan diamalkan.

 

Didikan dan latihan secara besar-besaran akan diberi kepada semua rakyat dari semua kaum supaya mereka dapat bekerja dengan pendapatan yang setimpal dengan hasil kerja mereka.

Yang termiskin dan kurang upaya akan dibantu dengan mencukupi.

 

Biasiswa untuk pelajaran sehingga ke peringkat yang tertinggi akan diadakan bagi semua mengikut keperluan mereka.

 

Kami percaya kami berpengalaman dan memiliki banyak idea untuk pemulihan ekonomi dan politik negara yang kami akan jelaskan dari masa ke semasa.

 

Oleh itu sertailah parti kami demi kesejahteraan kehidupan kita semua.”

Tuesday, August 09, 2016

PAS Boleh Saman Tapi Sumpah Lagi Berkesan


A Kadir Jasin

﷽

WABAK skandal 1MDB terus merebak. Terbaru ditakuti terkena jangkitannya ialah Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS).

[PERINGATAN: Komen guna “Anonymous” tidak akan disiarkan. Sila guna Google Account atau Name/URL. Boleh pakai nama samaran.]

Sarawak Report mendakwa parti ulama itu telah menerima RM90 juta daripada Perdana Menteri, (Datuk Seri Mappadulung Daeng Mattimung Karaeng Sanrobone) Mohd Najib Abdul Razak.

Semestinyalah dakwaan itu dinafikan dan dibantah keras oleh PAS.

Timbalan Presidennya, (Datuk) Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man berkata tindakan undang-undang akan diambil ke atas pengendali portal berita itu kerana berniat jahat serta mencemar nama baik parti dan dasar Islam yang menjadi teras kepada perjuangan PAS.

“Tidak pasti apa matlamat fitnah laporan Sarawak Report ini selain hendak mengaitkan PAS dengan Umno,” kata Tuan Ibrahim kepada media massa.

Dalam ulasan saya di portal berita Free Malaysia Today mengenai ancaman Tuan Ibrahim itu, saya menulis:

“1. RM90 juta terlalu banyak. Tak berapa masuk akal. Kalau RM9 juta lebih logik.

2. Najib amalkan dasar "duit itu raja". PAS pula perlukan dana untuk lawan Amanah dan hadapi pilihan raya. Jadi "sedekah" daripada Najib atau Umno adalah logik.

3. PAS boleh saman Sarawak Report. Kalau PAS saman, PAS jadi lebih berani daripada Najib, Umno dan kerajaan. Najib ancam saja tapi tak saman.

4. Tapi sebagai parti ulama, orang lebih percaya kalau PAS sumpah dengan al-Quran yang laporan SR itu “fitnah.”

Saya rasa PAS tidaklah terlalu naif untuk menyedari bahawa pendiriannya terhadap skandal 1MDB dan penglibatan Mohd Najib dalam skandal itu memberi signal yang mengelirukan.

Ini menyebabkan ramai percaya memang ada kerjasama terselindung antara PAS dengan Umno.

Ramai berpandangan bahawa setidak-tidaknya pun Presiden PAS, (Datuk Seri) Abdul Hadi Awang dan Mursyidul Amnya (Datuk) Dr Harun Din telah berpindah ke alam gelap (dark world) dengan menyokong dan membela Mohd Najib secara terbuka dalam kes 1MDB.

Jadi apabila ada pihak yang mendakwa PAS menerima “sedekah” daripada Mohd Najib untuk tutup mulut, mesti ada orang yang percaya.

Nak salahkan orang ramai pun tak boleh juga sebab ada banyak suara dalam PAS dan jalan cerita mengenai kerjasama dengan Umno pula sering berubah-ubah.

Wallahuaklam.

Sunday, August 07, 2016

New Party To Be Part of the Multiracial Opposition Coalition


A Kadir Jasin

SEVERAL negative and erroneous comments have been made about the proposed new Bumiputera-based political party, particularly its communal centric.

[REMINDER: No anonymous comments will be published.  Please use Google Account, OpenID or Name/URL. Pseudonym is accepted. Be respectful. No swearing. Thank you.]

If I may, let me state the following.

1. It wasn’t that the promoters of the new party didn’t think of forming a multi-racial party.

2. They did. They even discussed the pros and cons of the two formulae in many meetings of the Save Malaysia People’s declaration (Deklarasi Rakyat).

3. As debaters and readers may be aware, the core members of the Deklarasi Rakyat are made up of individuals from many walks of life.

4. Some of them, understandably, are politicians. They come from such political parties as Umno, the DAP, PKR, Amanah and PAS. Those from Umno were later sacked or left the party voluntarily. 

5. Although they come as individuals, their views are, inevitably, influenced by their political background and association.

6. It was partly their wish that the former Umno leaders form a political party that takes on Umno but limit the possibility of a conflict with other Malay/Muslim-based parties.

7. While those who come from multi-racial parities, principally the PKR and DAP, would not like to see another multi-racial party vying for support and, worse still, stealing their members.

8. But they were unanimous that the new Malay/Bumiputera-based party would play an important role in the existing opposition coalition.

9. On their part, the ex- and axed-Umno leaders have been aware from the outset that any political role they are expected to play has to be based on providing the Malays with an alternative to Umno.

10. Preliminary discussions between leaders of the proposed new party and their counterparts in the PKR, DAP, Amanah and PAS had yielded positive indications.

11. Over in Sabah, the former Umno vice president, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal is organising a new Bumiputera party based on the former United Sabah National Organisation (USNO). USNO handed power to Umno in 1991 and went into hibernation.

12. The ultimate goal of the formation of the new party is to challenge and put an end to the Barisan Nasional hegemony by strengthening the existing opposition coalition.

13.Thus it is incorrect to accuse the initiators of the new party of ignoring multiracialism. The new party pledges to give full recognition to multiracialism and political reform while minimising potential conflict with the existing opposition political parties.

14. The objective is to take on the BN one-to-one in the coming general elections and win. Insya-Allah.

Friday, August 05, 2016

Parti Baru Gabung Warisan dan Pembaharuan


A Kadir Jasin

﷽

CATATAN awal yang ringkas dan tentatif mengenai parti politik baru yang akan ditubuhkan.

[PERINGATAN: Komen guna “Anonymous” tidak akan disiarkan. Sila guna Google Account atau Name/URL. Boleh pakai nama samaran.]

Berikut adalah fakta awal/tentatif yang saya dengar dan pelajari mengenai parti itu:

1. Permohonan pendaftaran kepada Pendaftar Pertubuhan (RoS) akan dibuat secara atas talian (online) seawal hari ini dan dokumen sokongan akan dihantar secara peribadi pada hari Isnin.

2. Jawatankuasa penaja terdiri daripada Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Pengerusi/chairman), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin (Presiden), Kamarul Azman Habibur Rahman (Setiausaha) dan Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Bendahari). Ahli jawatankuasa terdiri daripada Anina Saadudin, Akhramsyah Sanusi dan Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.

Ahli jawatankuasa penaja parti warisan peribumi
3. Ia adalah parti Melayu/Bumiputera (peribumi).

4. Ia bermatlamat mewarisi, meneruskan dan memperbaharui perjuangan Melayu/Bumiputera dalam era globalisasi, reformasi, ketelusan dan keterbukaan.

5. Ia akan bekerjasama secara terangkum (inclusive) dengan parti-parti politik yang kini menentang Barisan Nasional. Perbincangan awal telah pun dimulakan.

6. Ia akan memasukkan ke dalam perlembagaannya ikrar berkaitan reformasi sistem politik dan pentadbiran negara, ketelusan, kebertanggungjawaban dan pencegahan rasuah serta mengehadkan tempoh pemegangan jawatan parti.

7. Ia berhasrat menggabungkan perjuangan dan pengalaman generasi lama dengan aspirasi dan kecerdasan minda generasi baru.

NOTA Kaki: Akhbar Sinar Harian melaporkan dari Kangar pada 4 Ogos bahawa usaha menubuhkan parti baru akan diberi kelulusan segera sekiranya semua syarat dipenuhi, kata Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Katanya beliau tiada masalah untuk meluluskan permohonan membentuk parti politik baru itu.

Wallahuaklam.

Monday, August 01, 2016

Lambat Nafi Perkuat Teori Konspirasi


A Kadir Jasin

﷽


MUTAKHIR, 2 Ogos – (1) Khairy kata wajib pertahan ketua dan “kebenaran” walaupun digelar macai dan balaci. Hebat! Bagi mengiktiraf kedudukan Khairy sebagai “capo di tutt’i capi” kepada segala macai dan balaci Pemuda Umno, saya cadangkan kita beri beliau gelaran khas – kamjat.

(2). (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim telah mengemukakan saman pemula (originating summons) bagi mendapatkan pengisytiharan bahawa Akta Majlis Keselamatan Negara 2016 adalah bercanggah dengan Perlembagaan. Beliau juga memohon injunksi menyekat Majlis Keselamatan Negara daripada menjalankan kuasa di bawah akta itu sehingga kes diselesaikan.

Posting Asal
 


PADA 29 Julai, empat hari selepas Naib Ketua Pemuda UMNO Malaysia, Khairul Azwan Harun membuat laporan polis dengan tuduhan yang sangat berat barulah Perdana Menteri, (Datuk Seri Mappadulung Daeng Mattimung Karaeng Sanrobone) Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, bersuara.

[PERINGATAN: Komen guna “Anonymous” tidak akan disiarkan. Sila guna Google Account atau Name/URL. Boleh pakai nama samaran.]

Beliau berkata tindakan Khairul Azwan - orang nombor dua pergerakan pemuda itu - adalah tindakan peribadi dan bukan tindakan parti.

Pada 26 Julai, Khairul Azwan membuat aduan polis di Jalan Dang Wangi terhadap bekas Peguam Negara (Tan Sri) Abdul Gani Patail, bekas Gabenor Bank Negara (Tan Sri) Zeti Akthar Aziz dan bekas Ketua Pesuruhjaya Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM), (Tan Sri) Abu Kasim Mohamed.

Beliau mendakwa ketiga-tiga individu itu dipercayai terbabit dalam satu konspirasi menjatuhkan Mohd Najib dan kerajaan Malaysia.

Soalnya mengapakah Mohd Najib mengambil masa begitu lama untuk mengulas satu isu besar yang menyentuh batang tubuh beliau sendiri?

Begitu juga dengan Ketua Pemuda Khairy Jamaluddin. Hanya pada 30 Julai, sehari selepas Mohd Najib membuat kenyataan, barulah beliau bersuara dengan berkata bahawa tindakan Khairul Azwan itu bersifat individu dan tidak mewakili pendirian Pemuda.

Khairy (kiri) tak tahu apa Khairul Azwan (kanan) buat?
Mengapa mereka mengambil masa begitu lama untuk memberi penjelasan sedangkan tindakan orang nombor dua Pemuda itu sudah dibincangkan secara meluas oleh media atas talian dan sosial?

Tanda Tanya

1. Adakah kerana Umno begitu demokratik sehingga seorang pemuka pertengahan seperti Khairul Azwan bebas bertindak atas kapasiti peribadi ke atas hal-hal yang menyentuh kebajikan presiden parti sendiri?

2. Kalau Umno begitu demokratik, mengapakah Timbalan Presiden (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) dan ahli Majlis Tertinggi (Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir) dibuang parti dan Naib Presiden (Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal) digantung keahlian kerana mengkritik Mohd Najib?

3. Adakah kebebasan dalam Umno hanya untuk memuji, memuja, mengampu dan mempertahankan Presiden dan konco-konconya sahaja?

4. Adakah Khairy juga begitu demokratik atau tidak peduli hal ehwal parti sehingga orang bawahan beliau membuat laporan polis yang jelas boleh menjadi senjata makan tuan kepada Presiden parti?

5. Atau Khairy tahu dan bagi restu tetapi buat-buat tidak tahu kerana laporan polis Khairul Azwan itu adalah jenis senjata makan tuan dan udang sebalik batu?

6. Atau Mohd Najib sendiri baru sedar bahawa laporan Khairul Azwan itu sangat berbahaya ke atas diri beliau sekiranya polis menyiasat aduan itu tanpa rasa takut dan bebas?

Konspirasi Dalaman Umno

Penafian dan penjelasan lewat oleh Mohd Najib dan Khairy mengukuhkan lagi teori bahawa wujud unsur-unsur persekongkolan (conspiracy) dalam tindakan Khairul Azwan itu.

Lagi teruk ia bukan satu tetapi dua konspirasi yang berlainan dan bercanggahan tetapi dengan kesan yang sama buruk terhadap Mohd Najib.

Pertama, konspirasi untuk memperluaskan tindakan undang-undang ke atas semua pihak yang terbabit dalam usaha menggesa Mohd Najib meletakkan jawatan.

Laporan polis ke atas Abdul Gani, Zeti dan Abu Kassim adalah kes ujian (test case) dan pendahulu kerana peranan mereka dalam siasatan ke atas SRC International Sdn Berhad, “derma” RM2.6 bilion dalam akaun peribadi Mohd Najib dan skandal 1MDB.

Kedua, konspirasi dalaman Umno untuk menggunakan tiga tokoh itu bagai “membenamkan paku terakhir atas keranda” Mohd Najib.

Konspirasi pertama adalah langkah Pemuda untuk mengambil hati Mohd Najib dan yang kedua, pemberontakan Pemuda terhadap Mohd Najib.

Kalau saya andaikan bahawa Pemuda Umno masih ada keberanian, kepedulian terhadap keluh kesah akar umbi dan mementingkan kelangsungan (survival) parti, tindakan Khairul Azwan itu jatuh dalam kategori kedua, iaitu pemberontakan terhadap Mohd Najib.

Kalau konspirasi itu adalah untuk menyelamatkan Mohd Najib, kesannya adalah sebaliknya. Lebih ramai rakyat jelata bersimpati dengan tiga orang itu dan bertambah benci terhadap Mohd Najib dan Umno.

Tetapi sekiranya konspirasi itu adalah untuk menggugat (undermine) Mohd Najib dari dalam maka ia mengukuhkan lagi satu teori yang sedang rancak dibincangkan.

Teori itu mengatakan bahawa sedang berlaku penjajaran (alignment) di kalangan pemimpin tertinggi Umno yang melibatkan Pemuda sebagai pelakon utama.

Pemuda mempunyai kepentingan (stake) yang tinggi dalam penjajaran tersebut. Kalau Umno selamat, Pemuda akan menjadi pewarisnya tetapi kalau Umno musnah kerana Mohd Najib, Pemuda terpaksa membangsat mencari perlindungan.

Akan tetapi, sekiranya apa yang saya coret di atas hanyalah khayalan saya mengenai keintelektualan dan komitmen Pemuda Umno kepada perjuangan maka tindakan Khairul Azwan itu - seperti kata ramai pembahas sosial media - adalah tindakan otak udang dan publisiti murahan.

NOTA KAKI: Hari ini, 1 Ogos 2016, berkuat-kuasalah Akta Majlis Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (AMKDN) 2015 walaupun tidak mendapat perkenan rasmi Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Wallahuaklam.

About Me

My photo
I was born in 1947 in Kedah. I came from a rice farming family. I have been a journalist since 1969. I am the Editor-in-Chief of magazine publishing company, Berita Publishing Sdn Bhd. I was Group Editor NST Sdn Bhd and Group Editor-in-Chief of NSTP Bhd between 1988 and 2000. I write fortnightly column “Other Thots” in the Malaysian Business magazine, Kunta Kinte Original in Berita Harian and A Kadir Jasin Bercerita in Dewan Masyarakat. Books: Biar Putih Tulang (1998), Other Thots – Opinions & Observations 1992-2001 (2001), The Wings of an Eagle (2003), Mencari Dugalia Huso (2006), Damned That Thots (2006), Blogger (2006), PRU 2008-Rakyat Sahut Cabaran (2008), Komedi & Tragedi-Latest in Contemporary Malaysian Politics (2009) and Membangun Bangsa dengan Pena (2009).