BERSIH 2.0 Public Forum with Election Commission

Come and join us for the Bersih 2.0 Public Forum with Election Commission.

Title: Moving Forward with Electoral Reforms
Panelist:
Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar (Deputy Chairperson of Election Commission (SPR))
Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (Chairperson of Coalition of Clean and Fair Election Steering Committee (Bersih 2.0))
Jasmine Ng (representative of Growing Emerging Leaders (GEL))

Moderator:
Zaid Kamaruddin (Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee)

Date: 21 February 2011 (Monday)
Time: 8.00 pm –10.30 pm

Venue:
Bilik Gerakan
First Floor,
Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya,
Jalan Yong Shook Lin,
46675 Petaling Jaya.
Selango

Location map:Pejabat MBPJ Jalan Yong Shook Lin

View Larger Map

An enlighted Malay writes about the lost and waylaid Malays

From an email forward. Not sure who the author is, but read it and see if it described the happenings in Malaysia accurately:

Happenings in our beloved land, Malaysia
Written by an enlightened Malay (a market analyst)

The Malays Are Lost And Waylaid - At The Crossroads Of A Malay Dilemma

If you happen to travel around this country and check on the statistics, especially the pasar malam, find out who runs the stalls and their businesses? Check out our beloved Chow Kit Road, and see who owns the thriving commerce? Or visit the Pudu wet market and see who is shouting for customers at 4am (even before the cock crows).

Half the businesses now are with the foreigners, another half with other races, the Malays only have land titles left (especially reserve land of no value). All the GLC's are still in Malay hands, but not for long; otherwise all will be sold off in no time at all. As a people, the Malays are not known for perseverance and enduring commitment. They have no business acumen. Being entrepreunerial is a steep climb for them and the Malays have no stamina to stomach the strains and stresses. I speak from experience. They are easily swayed by circumstances.

More than half our local workforce are pendatangs (Indons, Myanmars,Nepals, Vietnamese, Banglas!) This country is not only bankrupt as said by Idris Jala, but also - telah dilelongkan. The poorer of the majority Malays left behind will become beggars and mat rempit, mat gian, mat ragut and mat dadah (they are all subsidized by our government funding to buy their No 1 drugs of escapism to run away from a harsh reality - Metadon). Who culled their own Malay race? Nobody but UMNO-BN itself! I rest my case.

Since 1957 UMNO has effectively carried out the population engineering of our country to ensure its own long-term survival by creating the myth of a two-pronged "Ketuanan Melayu" strategy of mind control. "Ketuanan Melayu" for the majority Malay masses who are lulled and numbed into a feeling of being superior over the non-Malays because of their demographic numbers; and "Ketuanan Melayu" for the favoured UMNOputra Malay political elites through the accumulation of massive material wealth and power for themselves and their cronies. And while UMNO has failed by almost any measure you chose to gauge them – good governance, ethics or morality – without question they have succeeded too well in the social engineering exercise after the bloody race riots of May 13, 1969. The duplicity of UMNO in proclaiming 1Malaysia - Satu Bangsa, Satu Negara -while all the while undertaking a relentless program to whittle down the numbers of the non-Malays through a very precise and focused political initiative is breathtaking in its effectiveness!

Consider this -

In 1957:

– 45% of the population were Chinese
-- 12% of the population were Indians

In 2010:

– 25% of the population are Chinese
– 7% of the population are Indians

Over 600,000 Chinese and Indian Malaysians with red IC status were rejected repeatedly when applying for citizenship and possibly 60% of them had passed away due to old age.

Since 1957:

-- 2 million Chinese have emigrated
– 0.5 million Indians have migrated
– 3 million Indonesians came over to Malaysia to become Malaysian citizens with Bumiputra status even if they stay less than 5 years. (Nett gain 0.5 million and an additional of 3 million manufactured Bumiputras like Muslim Indonesians). The most famous is none other than Mohd Khir Toyo who stayed for 20 years but became MB of Selangor.

In the not too distant future, I reckon Malay bumiputras may have to worry about 2nd or 3rd generation Indonesian migrants, owing to the virtues of hard work and thrift taught by their parents, or grandparents, would have surpassed the majority Malays in terms of socio-economic progress. Mohd Khir Toyo is smarter than most local-born Malays in terms of amassing his personal wealth at the shortest duration of time. Even Muhammad Muhammad Taib is no match for him. That's how smart Khir Toyo is.

Instead of teaching their people the virtues of hard work and perseverance, the UMNO warlords are proclaiming Ketuanan Melayu to feed off the Chinese minorities like parasites. If not for the Chinese taxpayers, the Malays will be sleeping the five footways. Of course the Chinese isn't a threat - they are just workaholics - they want to create wealth and prosperity so much so that no failures of any kind is going to stop them. Not even the ultra Malay racists spewing blood in their eyes or frothing venom in their mouths. It is envisaged the Chinese demographics will dwindle to stabilise at 4per cent of the overall Malaysian population but their accumulated wealth and economic power will continue to rise to more than 75per cent of the overall GDP of the country. That's proof enough how steady and influential the Chinese economic stranglehold over the majority Malays will become; and we believe racial hatred and resentment is well likely to remain for the next 50 years. They work hard for the money but we envy them in our idleness.

Whereas the Indonesian newcomers went out to work before you become awake and they are not home yet when you call it a day and went to bed. Will the majority Malays consider them a threat when they deservedly find new wealth? The Indonesians respect the Chinese for their business acumen and diligence. Do the Malays think likewise if not indulge in unguarded jealousy and envy?

Now the non-Malays are well aware of this tinkering and engineering of our population and it would do us Malays no good to say that it was UMNO's doing and that we had no hand in what happened at the end of the day. As a Malay I was then comfortable that UMNO was the dominant partner in the Barisan Nasional. It was indeed comforting to know that Malays controlled four of the five major banks. We were also in control of UMBC, MISC and Southern Bank – all previously owned by the Chinese. But seemingly the Chinese-owned Public Bank which is not in our control is moving ahead of the others still in economic prowess and competitive skills. What's wrong with our control?

Education?

Between 1968 to 2000:

– 48 Chinese primary schools shut down
– 144 Indian primary schools closed
– 2637 Malay Primary Schools were built

Of the total government budget for these schools, 2.5% were for the Chinese, 1% for the Indians and a whopping 96.5% for the Malay primary schools.

The fact that 2637 Malay primary schools were built between 1968 to 2000 implied that the engineered process of retarding our majority Malays or bumiputras is getting obvious. At the end of their school lives, they have nowhere to go except to stay put in this country, as like idiots they have nowhere else to go because everywhere they are faced with a serious language problem and a communication breakdown with others. They will, like it or not, have to support the Ketuanan Melayu concept to survive for their freebies or welfare. The mentality is - No need to work and money will still come. Scions of the rich and wealthy UMNOputras will be educated overseas and return to continue to rule over their poorer local cousins.

Petronas petrol stations?

Of the 2000 station the Malays owned 99%. Yes…we the Malays were indeed in control. In control of what? We were in control of all the business licenses and permits for Taxis and Approved Permits (APs).

We were in control of Government contracts of which 95% were given to Malays.

We were in control of the rice trade through Bernas that bought over 80% of Chinese rice millers in Kedah. Even Robert Kuok aka Sugar King was forced to sell his sugar franchise to UMNO crony interests so that the Malays are deemed to be in control of the sugar market; and the other essential basic items.

We were in control of bus companies. Throughout Malaysia, MARA buses could be seen plying all the routes. Non-Malays were simply displaced by having their application for bus routes and for new buses rejected. Many local Chinese owned bus companies are already kaput in the urban centres.

Every new housing estate being built had a mosque or a surau. None, I repeat "no" temples or churches were built for any housing estate even if the majority residents are non Malays! We even blare the loudspeakers in every mosque calling for Azan at maximum volume just so to tell the non Malays and non Muslims that we are in control!

So why with control over all these highly visible entities and business opportunities are the majority Malays still unable to stand tall and with pride over and above the non-Malays? We are unable to so do because it was not the Malays that benefited from these opportunities - only the favoured UMNOputras enjoyed the benefits, and the poorer among the majority Malays were merely taken for a ride as their name were used by UMNO to hijack the national agenda. The Chinese bogeyman and the Malay hobbyhorse work wonders for UMNO to play one against the other in their evil scheme of Divide and Rule to suit their survival plan.

Why must UMNO constantly harped about the need to spoon-feed the majority Malays – about Ketuanan Melayu when it is already in place and about Bumiputra status and all the privileges and rights that goes with that special status?

And as a Malay I want to ask the non-Malays why you still chose to live in a country whose racist government has by its actions and deeds done whatever it could to make you not feel welcomed as a Pendatang? The non-Malays I know have all told me the same thing – Malaysia is their country – they know of no other country they can call their own. And so they stay and put up with the abuses and nonsense.

The difference now is that there are enough Malays who are ashamed by the nihilistic antics of this ultra racist Malay political organization call UMNO. There are enough Malays to tell the non-Malays that we feel your pain, too. We understand your frustrations and despair at not being treated as equals in a country you call your own.

You must remember that UMNO will never treat you as equals or partners in progress. They want eveything for themselves. If you are not happy you can get out. UMNO does not give a damn if you're a rocket scientist or Albert Einstein Reborn. If you are non Malay you are 2nd class pendatang. Remember that well.

And enough non-Malays had migrated abroad to cause our country to understand that their loss is another country's gain. Singapore gained the most. A loss, which our country can ill afford to sustain in the long run. Only dumb and stupid Malay leaders deny the causes.

And more important, all these groundswell of disgust and contempt at UMNO has manifested itself in a way these political idiots cannot understand – losing our votes in the 12th General Elections on 10 March 2008. Say Amen for that. Instead of seeking penance these racist bastards scream for bloodshed and mayhem still.

And so we wait for the 13th General Election in 2011 which we hope will dish out the relevant karma for UMNO and its lameduck Barisan Nasional partners. The stooges and the parasites.

Meantime understand what they have done to us all – not only the non-Malays but also to the Malays and do not allow UMNO or Barisan Nasional to play the race card and start their divide and rule antics on us anymore.

You are one with me and we are two. United we stand divided we fall. One for all and all for one - is our game plan.

Response to Umar Mukhtar response's to John Mallot

Umar Mukhtar wrote a letter to Malaysiakini in response to John Mallot's Ex-US envoy launches broadside at Malaysia's racism.

Here is Blogsmith's response to Umar Mukhtar which although non-Malay, wrote in Bahasa Malaysia which non-Malays often are accused of not mastering:

Encik Umar,

Saya Bangsa Malaysia walaupun kerajaan kami anggap saya orang Cina. Apakah logik ini, tak fasir cakap Bahasa Malaysia atau Bahasa Melayu bermakna tak setia atau racist? Hantar anak ke sekolah Vernacular dan bukan sekolah kebangsaan bermakna tak setia atau racist?

Sejak tahun 70 puluhan yang lepas, kami pun sedar bahawa negara Cina akan menjadi negara penting dan dengan penduduk penduduk yang bagitu ramai akan menjadi pasaran yang bagitu besar. Itu sebab kami hantar anak anak kami ke vernacular school oleh dengan pengenalan bahasa Mandarin mereka akan ada peluang kerja yang lebih luas. Itu bukan racist.

Lagi, lama dahulu, saya hantar anak saya ke sekolah nasional. Apa berlaku. Di sana, cikgu dia sebulum mula kelas akan berdoa secara Islam. Orang beragama Islam memang takut anaknya dipengaruhi oleh agama lain dan akan bantah kalu Cikgu Kristian bermula kelas dengan berdoa secara Kristian. Sama juga kami yang beragama lain. Itu racist kah?

Encik Umar, tahukah dalam sekolah kebangsaan, ada cikgu Melayu yang diskriminasi terhadap orang bukan Melayu. Lagi, ada oleh kerana dasar NEP ada ramai cikgu cikgu yang tidak cekap mengajar Bahasa Inggeris, Mathematics dan Sains. Kami yang ada pengaruhan yang bagitu nipis boleh mengubah keadaan itu kah? Itu alasan kami tidak hantar anak anak kami ke sekolah kebangsaan.

Encik Umar. Walaupun mungkin ada overt discrimination (harap tidak luas) tapi itu bukan dari orang bukan Melayu sahaja. Tanpa NEP dan lain lain, pun ada diskriminasi orang Melayu terhadap orang bukan Melayu. Itu malang kejadian seluruh dunia. itu boleh jadi sebab kenapa harus ada diskriminasi RASMI terhadap orang bukan Melayu kah? Supaya hampir tak ada peluang orang bukan Melayu menjadi kakitangan kerajaan dan lain lain.

Malott painted only half the picture of racism
Umar Mukhtar
Feb 10, 11
4:58pm
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John Mallot has waded into the debate on Malaysian race relations with half an analysis when obviously a fuller one would have been of greater service to the discourse. Granted, his piece was intended more than anything else to be a critique of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's handling of the current situation in the country.
However, in doing so, he has highlighted only the non-Malay responses to what is described as Malay racism. This is very misleading and the reason for my saying that he had written only half an analysis of the situation.

A more robust and honest assessment of race relations in Malaysia would take into account the fact that what appears to be Malay racism is in itself a response to non-Malay racism against Malays.

Yes, two wrongs do not make a right. But as the saying goes, “It takes both hands to clap”. That is to say, Mallot's article runs the risk of completely absolving non-Malays from any responsibility in the racial predicament that the country is in. That is nothing less than avoiding reality and counter-productive to any effort to improve race relations in Malaysia. Malays have their grievances, too, against the Chinese. The fact that they seldom get aired does not make those grievances any less legitimate or valid.

Education for the very young is one obvious area where racist attitudes can be nipped in the bud. The importance for racial integration to begin at a young age is recognised, so much so that in the 1960s and 70s, the US supreme court sanctioned the forced busing of students in order to break down the racial segregation between white and African-American schools. That was in America.

In Malaysia, a different approach towards early education was adopted. In concession to the non-Malays, especially the Chinese, vernacular education was retained as part of the national school system. The liberalism was well-intentioned and in line with the spirit of Malaysia's constitution whereby minority communities are given the right to use and develop their own languages.

In practice, and perhaps this was unforeseen by Malaysia's founding fathers, the national-vernacular dichotomy in the school system has resulted in precisely the kind of early-age racial segregation that the busing laws, upheld by the U.S. supreme court justices, sought to eradicate in America. While desegregation of schools may or may not result in greater racial integration, segregation virtually guarantees that there will be no racial integration.

The racial polarisation that we see so shamelessly capitalised on by politicians in Malaysia today is partly, if not wholly, attributable to that segregation in the school system. When you see not a few non-Malays unashamedly, even proudly, declaring that they cannot properly speak Malay, the national language, you can bet your life that these are the ones who graduated from the vernacular schools. This is forty-four years after Malay was declared the national language.

The Chinese community jealously guard the existence of the vernacular schools, implicitly reinforcing the message of their racial and cultural separateness and exclusivity, but yet insist that they should not be looked at as the 'other' by Malays. For many Malays, including this writer, that smacks of having your cake and eating it, too.

Often the excuse given by the Chinese for insisting that their children go to vernacular schools and for more such schools to be built is the poor quality of national schools. Surely the solution is not to build more racially-segregated schools but to join hands with Malays and Indians in insisting and ensuring that the quality of national schools be improved for the benefit of children of all ethnicities. Perhaps that is considered such an outlandishly 'out-of-the-racial box' thinking that I have never heard any Chinese make that call.

Any sincere and honest effort to improve race relations has to take cognizance of the fact that racism exists in and racial discrimination is practised, to one extend or another, by all the races in Malaysia.

However, my own honest observation is that the Chinese never want to admit or acknowledge their own racism against Malays or other races.

Official and overt discriminatory policies can easily be criticised as institutionalised racism but covert racial discriminations by their very nature are harder to pinpoint. That does not mean they don't exist or any less invidious than the former.

When a “Mandarin speakers only” requirement is stated in job advertisements, even for jobs which do not conceivably require much language skills, that surely is equivalent to saying “Chinese only”. But you will be hard put to find any Chinese who would admit that the practice is racially discriminatory.

When Malaysia's most famous blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, related some years ago in his blog how Chinese businesses ganged up to ensure the failure of his motorcycle dealership, none of his Chinese readers cared to acknowledge that he was the victim of racism. His was probably just the tip of the iceberg of similar cases.

And it's always with a mixture of amusement and sadness when I read the many comments on the Internet from non-Malays complaining about the racial policies of the Malaysian government which scarcely conceal their own racism towards Malays in general.

If Mr Mallot doubts the truth of what I am saying, he should read the comments that followed the publication of his recent article in Malaysian news portals.

To many Malays, given the refusal of non-Malays to even acknowledge their own racism, the prospect of a rollback in whatever few affirmative action policies left on the plate appears to be concessions which are unlikely to be matched in a similar spirit by the Chinese in the spheres that they predominate, namely the commercial and economic.

If Najib can be accused of pandering to militant Malay groups, Chinese political leaders in the government and opposition, too, can be accused of pandering to their racial constituency.

In my lifetime, I have yet to hear of any Chinese leader asking that the Chinese to join in and contribute towards the betterment of national schools.

I have yet to hear of one calling for Chinese businesses to assist or at least not to gang up against their fellow non-Chinese businesses or to not practice discrimination in their employment policies.

Mallot failed to take into account one side of the equation in his brief exposition of the race relations situation in Malaysia. Hopefully, I have managed to redress that and allow a better understanding of why things are the way they are in Malaysia.

It would have been more gracious of Mallot if he had used his relationship with Malaysians during his tenure as a diplomat to impart his country's experience and firm action with regard to vigilance against the emergence of the evil that is racism, than to make things worse by dogmatically adopting the attitude that sympathising with the minority makes one righteous.

Ex-US envoy launches broadside at M'sia's racism

Feb 8, 11 12:47pm

10 friends can read this story for free

Former United States ambassador to Malaysia John Malott has lambasted Prime Minister Najib Razak's hypocrisy over his 1Malaysia slogan in a scathing article published today in the Asian Wall Street Journal.


Malott (left), a frequent critic of the government since ending his three-year tenure as US ambassador in 1998, told Najib to take “a long look in the mirror” if he was serious about achieving his 1Malaysia goal.


“Despite the government's new catchphrase, racial and religious tensions are higher today than when Najib took office in 2009.


“Indeed, they are worse than at any time since 1969, when at least 200 people died in racial clashes between the majority Malay and minority Chinese communities,” said Malott in his AWSJcommentary.


He blamed the recent escalation of tensions on the government for “tolerating, and in some cases provoking, ethnic factionalism through words and actions”.


Malott cited a number of examples, including the incident where a top Najib aide, Hardev Kaur, had suggested that no crucifixes be displayed during the premier's Christmas Day open house visit at the residence of the Catholic archbishop of Kuala Lumpur.


“Ms Kaur later insisted that she 'had made it clear that it was a request and not an instruction', as if any Malaysian could say no to a request from the prime minister's office,” lamented Malott.


Other examples of insensitivities, said Malott, included Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussien defending the actions of a group of residents who paraded a cow's head to protest the relocation of a Hindu temple to their neighbourhood, and Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi questioning the“lack of patriotism” of ethnic Chinese and Indian Malaysians.


Malott also slammed Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia for stoking racial hatred by regularly attacking “Chinese Malaysian politicians, and even suggested that one of them, parliamentarian Teresa Kok, should be killed”.


As a result of the growing racism, as many as 500,000 Malaysians left the country between 2007 and 2009, more than doubling the number of Malaysian professionals who live overseas, decried Malott.


The economic price tag of racism


He also said Najib is enamoured to right-wing groups such as Perkasa, which are against economic reforms in the name of 'Malay rights'.


“But stalling reform will mean a further loss in competitiveness and slower growth. It also means that the cronyism and no-bid contracts that favour the well-connected will continue.”


Malott said that while Najib may not actually believe the rhetoric emanating from his party and his government's officers, he allows it because he needs to shore up Malay votes.

“It's politically convenient at a time when his party faces its most serious opposition challenge in recent memory - and especially when the opposition is challenging the government on ethnic policy and its economic consequences.”

The steady erosion of tolerance, warned Malott, had become an economic problem as well.

“To meet its much-vaunted goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020, Malaysia needs to grow by 8 percent per year during this decade.

“That level of growth will require major private investments from both domestic and foreign sources, upgraded human skills and significant economic reform. Worsening racial and religious tensions stand in the way.”


The former US ambassador argued that while the government might find it politically expedient to stir the racial and religious pot, such opportunism comes with an economic price tag.


“Its citizens will continue to vote with their feet and take their money and talents with them. And foreign investors, concerned about racial instability and the absence of meaningful economic reform, will continue to look elsewhere to do business.”

Comments 1 to 25 of 95

NKTG This idiotic Sundaram is not only deaf and dumb but blind as well. He doesnt know to differentiate the rights and wrongs even if the comments come from a foreigner who had stayed in this country for 3 years. Face the fact...1M'sia is nothing more than a mere blurry slogan!

7 hours ago · Report

Dr. Suresh Kumar Many of you have a point, which are not far from the truth. However, what Mr.Mallot has been writing is nothing new to us. Mr. Mallot should convince his powerful leaders, to be more pro-active in championing the human rights issues and not just talk. By talking, he may be able to convince some multi-nationals from investing in Malaysia, but what good is it to ordinary rakyat? It wil only hurt the rakyat. These, powerful western nations are not sincere. Their policies are also designed to make the 3rd world countries to be subservient, so that they can sell arms and rob petrol for a meagre price. Not too long ago, just in the aftermath of Hindraf's 25th Nov demonstration, Kevin Rudd visited Malaysia, and remarked that Malaysia is not only a democracy but a thriving one at that? Are we? Recently, Muhyiddin, was so flabbergasted that the American leadership hailed Najib's leadership. Is this not American hypocrisy? Mr. Mallot, should stop talking for Anwar and speak up for the people

20 hours ago · Report

Anonymous One gets the feeling that Najib is not a man of his own destiny. Not surprising considering the baggage he carries. How could we Malaysians let our destiny be entrusted to a man who can't even control his own destiny?

yesterday · Report

David Yee 154a Well said, John. You spoke with accuracy but these politicians are either deaf or dumb for the last 53 years. Many people are effectively doing what you mentioned by voting with their feet, taking their money and talents with them.

yesterday · Report

Gen2 Malaysians and Asians seldom talk directly and use round about language and words which the authorities can pretend not to understand and so ignore. The Americans will give it straight to your face.

yesterday · Report

Geronimo Thanks, John, for your intersting insight of the racial problems here. Needless to say, racism is strife here and ironically, it takes an American to see it, but not our leaders. They are in such self-denial mode that they can no longer differentiate between reality and myth. Although what you said hold water, but the problem is, it is like pouring it on a duck's back.

yesterday · Report

Ma'arip I always thought South Africa was the last racist country. I am wrong. Looks like we are becoming one very soon.

yesterday · Report

Sad Malot says 500,000 Malaysians left the country. However, he forgot to add that 1,000,000 were 'imported' from two neighboring countries and given citizenship by UMNO to win their support. This is a the sad state of affairs in this country. At the rate Najis is going, this country will become bankrupt very very soon.

yesterday · Report

Meranti Kepong Mr. John Marlott's comment about Malaysia's racism and religous intolerance nail the coffin on Najib's coming election. Marlott is observent and well-informed about the intolerable race relationship in this country at the expense of the visible minorities such as the Chinese and Indians. These bona fide Malaysians are never treated as equal in employment and in entry into post-secondary institution. There is hardly any non-Malay people in both the police and armed forces. The head of every government department is always a Malay and never a Chinese or Indian. So it is not surprising than more than a million Malaysians, well-educated and highly motivated, have left the country for foreign lands and this exodus will continue until the end of time...! Very good and timely comment, Mr. John Marlott, please keep up with your observations from time to time...thanks!

yesterday · Report

Anonymous_40dd Every Malaysian knows the negative effects of racism on the future of the nation and its people.But our national leaders have their priorities elsewhere,certainly not on the development of the country and the people.The hard-hitting comments from Mr.Mallot,though being well-intentioned,will not go down well in the power circle of our government.

yesterday · Report

Dark Archon Oh, and that 1Malaysia slogan, it's just that - slogan. Nothing more, nothing less.

yesterday · Report

Dark Archon Sundaram, mallot may not be anyone significant as far as Malaysia is concerned but he's just providing his assessment of Malaysia current social economic situation. One can choose to ignore this mallot fella but I think he has a point. The PM claimed he wants to transform this country into a high income country but his actions so far tells a different story. FYI, I'll also be one of those given up hope on this country. If there's a way out of this country, I'll take it. Don't say I'm unpatriotic because BN killed my spirit of patriotism long time ago.

yesterday · Report

Concern Malaysian I think as Malaysian we Must be Truthful with ourselves of all the happenings in Malaysia. We cannot brush aside of what Mallot has said. Like Realistic has said...You might want to reflect on what the guy has said...As Malaysian, we Must admit that Corruption is getting worst. The economy doesn't seen to be promising. Many Skilled and Professional people are leaving the country. TBH, Kugan's case and many many things that happen have no answer to it.... I seriously hope our government will not just talk but Walk the Talk. The reason economic situation and price increase has cause many many people suffer financially... Malaysia MUST CHANGE ! If BN government won't change then I think people will turn to PR in next GE...

yesterday · Report

T. SUNDARAM only the opp will support people like mallot, b'coz they don't care about this country, they don't love the country and m'kini can carry such a idotic article, who the hell is this mallot to condemn about our slogan and 1Malaysia. mallot should see how great is the dicrimination betwwen the whites and the blacks in US, so mallot should look into his own country's problem rather than poking his nose into Malaysia

yesterday · Report

T. SUNDARAM we don't need ONE stupid american to say abt our 1Malaysia slogan, he is NUT...mallot can go and fly kites in america

yesterday · Report

Anonymous_4196 I am sad that what was said about my country, Malaysia, is true. It is hard to say I am a Malaysian with my head held high with pride. My country is rotting in BN's hand.

yesterday · Report

Avatarista malaysian cannot cakap pasal negara ku malaysia if cakap juga polisi malaysia saya tangkap saya, bolah masuk dalam ISA(sedition act) USA orang putah cakap sekarang TANKAP ORANG PUTIH ITU MR PM OF MALAYSIA PDRM DAN MASUK ORANG PUTIH ITU DALAM ISA OK

yesterday · Report

Armour Man Nothing new said by Mallot. Everything he said have been said by Malaysians thousands of times before.

yesterday · Report

Realistic Some of you here are very defensive..You might want to reflect on what the guy said, have a look around you and determine if they are all true..I can see a lot of truth in what he said...BN controls everything here in Msia...they dont care if their supporters committed so many wrong doings, BN even protect them...that's why we see a lot of pro-BN people behave like Sarawak CM, Taib Mahmud...plundering the state resources, businesses and native lands for himself and his enlarge family..becos he knows PM Najib has no political will to fight corruption...mayb he himself is in it too...majority of BN politicians are very rich people...esp those from UMNO..

yesterday · Report

hamisu I really wonder which part of Malott's article is not true? Can someone here please how Malott is trying to dictate our country? Facts, please. Less emotions.

yesterday · Report

Apapunbolehkah? Here in 1MALAYSIA, we have cakap tak serupa bikin leaders ! Really sickening and disgusting ! Why is it they can face the mirror everyday, I cannot understand ! Haven't these leaders any pride ????

yesterday · Report

Anonymous_4007 AkuMelayu, do you know what you are saying? When u ask him to get lost, you ARE also saying, we don't want the jobs you bring to our country by your investments. Do you want your wife and daughters to become maids in foreign countries? When are the Malays going to be grateful for all the prosperity the non-muslims (including the chinese) have brought(made) to the country? We the most developed muslim country because of whom? Do you have the brains to figure that out?

yesterday · Report

Anonymous_1d56 Sad to see Malaysians conniving with a US busy body meddling into our affairs... So many times we see PAS of PAKATAN RAKYAT marching & demonstrating infront of the US embassy accusing them of meddling OTHER countries' problem (Egypt/Palestine as example). When now US condemns and meddles with OUR OWN country affairs and we have PAKATAN RAKYAT/PAS supporters here jumping with joy supporting them and they claimed they are malaysians..

yesterday · Report

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mr. Mallot, since you are privy to so much of information pertaining to UMNO's racist policies, which discriminate and marginalize the minorities. Why then, you did not convince the US govt to grant Mr. Waythamoorthy the travel papers which he requested to enable him to carry out his advocacy work? The American officials have apparently told Waytha that, the US govt. does not support politically partisan groups, even though Mr. Waytha, who is in exile in the UK now, had categorically stated that he is not interested in political asylum, but only seeking a temporary asylum as he wants to return to Malaysia. If you want to be seen as a man who speaks up for justice and truth, then do the right thing, rather than being just a scribe for M'kini

yesterday · Report

AkuMelayu This is not the first time John Malott has voiced his displeasure on the Malaysian government. And in every occasion he tried to dictate how the government should be run. John, we the true Malaysians who love our country knows your real intention. You can keep on howling John until the cows come home but your puppet Anwar will never be the PM of Malaysia. If you can still understand the Malay language, hear this, "Pergi berambus" or should I simply put it as "Get lost".

Dean Johns on BN, Rosmah & Najib hypocricsy

I have always liked the way Dean Johns write in Malaysiakini especially at his talent at coining sharp new words which shines light on the many ills of the despised UMNO/BN government of Malaysia.

In the article below, Mother of all cunning stunts, this time Dean Johns did not coin any new words, but his exposure of Rosmah Mansur, the “First Lady of Malaysia” (FLOM), feigned concerns at for mothers of children stuck in Eygypt. Dean rightly pointed out how Rosmah never expressed any concerns for the children of Altantuya Shariibuu who was mercilessly murdered by people closely connected to her husband Najib in very mysterious circumstances nor for the child of Teoh Beng Hock who dead also in mysterious circumstances while in the custody of MACC, the discredited anti-corruption agency, nor for the mothers of suffering children living in poverty as a result of her own and Najib’s “obscenely profligate spending of public money”.

Article below courtesy of Malaysiakini:

Mother of all cunning stunts

Dean Johns
Feb 9, 11
1:06pm

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Like every other people-robbing government, Malaysia's BN regime supports its thievery with a system of corruption, repression, secrecy, lies and low cunning. And now it has been panicked by popular revolts in the Middle East to pull out all the stops in a desperate attempt to save itself from a similar fate.
First employing the power of its collusive mainstream media to suppress as much news as possible in Malaysia of the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere. Then, when despite the attempted downplaying of these events, some Malaysians peacefully marched in support of their fellows in Egypt, BN brought out the riot police and water cannons and completely blacked-out news of both the protest and the crackdown.
And finally, as if that wasn't sufficient skulduggery to be going on with, they staged a ludicrous stunt to try and portray themselves as caring, sharing leaders by 'rescuing' Malaysian students from Egypt.
Not only making their move days after most other countries had assisted their citizens to leave if they wished, but also in the process attempting to make Najib Abdul Razak's widely-detested wife, Rosmah Mansor, aka First Lady of Malaysia or FLOM, the heroine of the hour.
She was lovingly quoted by the grovelling mainstream media as explaining that “As a mother, how could I not act. I feel for all the mothers whose children who are studying there.”
But her attempt to pass herself off as the mother, or rather, as long as we're talking Egypt here, the mummy of all Malaysians, struck many of us as a stunningly cynical stunt, given that she's never expressed the slightest maternal concern for any other mothers we can think of.
Like the young Mongolian mother, Altantuya Shaariibuu, for example, who was murdered in highly suspicious circumstances by people with connections to the First Lady's own husband, Prime Minister Najib.
Nor has she shown any sympathy for the mother of the infant son of Teoh Beng Hock, the witness who died in highly suspicious circumstances in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, or for the mothers of the countless 'suspects' that have mysteriously died at the hands of the Malaysian police.
Or, indeed, for all the mothers whose families live in poverty as a result of her own and her husband's obscenely profligate spending of public funds.
Special relationship
But it wasn't just motherhood that Rosmah, BN and the mainstream media were so shamelessly milking. Much was also made of her ability to inspire and enable the rescue mission through her special relationship with the Saudi Arabian royal family.
Not that I'm suggesting she's not close to these personages. No doubt she frequently runs into them on her Imelda Marcos-style international shopping trips and hob-nobs with them at VVVIP functions like the recent wedding of billionaire BN crony, Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.
But apparently she and BN's propagandists are blissfully unaware that many of us consider the Saudi royals decidedly bad company. Let's face it, they rule their kingdom with such unrelenting severity, and such contempt for democracy and human rights, as to make Malaysia look like a relatively free country.
And little more than a week ago, in the wake of Wikileaks revelations that some Saudi royals are allegedly involved in financing terrorist organisations, Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein was accusing Anwar Ibrahim of receiving secret Saudi support.
So, in its customary false fashion, BN is trying to confuse Malaysian citizens by sending contradictory messages. On the one hand smearing Anwar and by implication the entire opposition with false claims of sinister Saudi connections, and on the other praising the so-called 'First Lady' of Malaysia for having such filthy rich and powerful friends.
Cunningly adding to all the flim-flam being created to glorify the FLOM, of course, is her proud consort Najib. Predictably enough, the self-proclaimed author of the mendacious '1Malaysia' slogan and simultaneous supporter of divisive forces like Perkasa is claiming that the Ops Piramid stunt in which his wife has been playing a prima donna part has “no political element.”
BN ventiloquist's dummy 'news' agency, Bernama, quoted Najib as explaining that “the ultimate objective was to ensure that Malaysians were safe,” and adding that there was a total breakdown of law and order in Egypt at the moment.
This latter statement is somewhat exaggerated to say the least, as Egypt's protesters have conducted themselves with considerable restraint, the army is in firm and even-handed control, and most of the surprisingly little violence in the country has been provoked or committed by the police and provocateurs in the pay of the moribund Mubarak regime.
In fact it's arguable that the students so spectacularly repatriated from Egypt by Najib, Rosmah and the gang are not much safer back in Malaysia, whose BN government has for decades been promoting a breakdown in law and order through the rampant corruption and political co-option of the police and judiciary.
Speaking the truth for once?
Surprisingly, the great corruptor and destroyer of Malaysia's civil institutions and tireless exploiter of its racial and religious divisions, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has spoken out in cautious favour of change, at least elsewhere.
“The revolutions and upheavals in some Arab countries,” he recently blogged, show that the people are “unhappy with the leadership of their largely authoritarian governments.”
But warning that change is not necessarily for the better, he made the pertinent point, presumably in the light of personal experience as well as proverbial wisdom, that “most leaders on achieving power would change and forget the struggles and sacrifices which enabled them to be in power. Power corrupts, as we all know.”
Could Mahathir be speaking the truth for once, and implying criticism of the Najib and Rosmah show? Or, as the supreme master of cunning stunts, is he simply playing the role of good cop for a change?
Who knows? Who cares? Just as long as, far from achieving a feel-good factor for the rotten BN regime, the whole Ops Piramid sandiwara only serves as one more demonstration of its arrogance and duplicity, and yet another nail in its sarcophagus.

DEAN JOHNS, after many years in Asia, currently lives with his Malaysian-born wife and daughter in Sydney, where he mentors creative writing groups. Already published in Kuala Lumpur is a third book of his columns for Malaysiakini, following earlier collections 'Mad about Malaysia' and 'Even Madder about Malaysia'.

John Malott: Najib 1Malaysia hypocracy

Informed Malaysians do not need John Malott, former US ambassador to Malaysia, to tell us that Najib is cakap tak serupa bikin (words do not match actions) as regards to his 1Malaysia public relation exercise which came at a price tag of if I remember correctly, RM70,000,000 courtesy of APCO. However, John Madoff tells eloquently about what Malaysians already know that Najib’s 1 Malaysia is just poppycock. Article below courtesay of Malaysiakini: Ex-US envoy launches broadside at M'sia's racism:

Ex-US envoy launches broadside at M'sia's racism

Feb 8, 11 12:47pm

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Former United States ambassador to Malaysia John Malott has lambasted Prime Minister Najib Razak's hypocrisy over his 1Malaysia slogan in a scathing article published today in the Asian Wall Street Journal.
Malott (left), a frequent critic of the government since ending his three-year tenure as US ambassador in 1998, told Najib to take “a long look in the mirror” if he was serious about achieving his 1Malaysia goal.
“Despite the government's new catchphrase, racial and religious tensions are higher today than when Najib took office in 2009.
“Indeed, they are worse than at any time since 1969, when at least 200 people died in racial clashes between the majority Malay and minority Chinese communities,” said Malott in his AWSJcommentary.
He blamed the recent escalation of tensions on the government for “tolerating, and in some cases provoking, ethnic factionalism through words and actions”.
Malott cited a number of examples, including the incident where a top Najib aide, Hardev Kaur, had suggested that no crucifixes be displayed during the premier's Christmas Day open house visit at the residence of the Catholic archbishop of Kuala Lumpur.
“Ms Kaur later insisted that she 'had made it clear that it was a request and not an instruction', as if any Malaysian could say no to a request from the prime minister's office,” lamented Malott.
Other examples of insensitivities, said Malott, included Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussien defending the actions of a group of residents who paraded a cow's head to protest the relocation of a Hindu temple to their neighbourhood, and Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi questioning the“lack of patriotism” of ethnic Chinese and Indian Malaysians.
Malott also slammed Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia for stoking racial hatred by regularly attacking “Chinese Malaysian politicians, and even suggested that one of them, parliamentarian Teresa Kok, should be killed”.
As a result of the growing racism, as many as 500,000 Malaysians left the country between 2007 and 2009, more than doubling the number of Malaysian professionals who live overseas, decried Malott.
The economic price tag of racism
He also said Najib is enamoured to right-wing groups such as Perkasa, which are against economic reforms in the name of 'Malay rights'.
“But stalling reform will mean a further loss in competitiveness and slower growth. It also means that the cronyism and no-bid contracts that favour the well-connected will continue.”
Malott said that while Najib may not actually believe the rhetoric emanating from his party and his government's officers, he allows it because he needs to shore up Malay votes.

“It's politically convenient at a time when his party faces its most serious opposition challenge in recent memory - and especially when the opposition is challenging the government on ethnic policy and its economic consequences.”
The steady erosion of tolerance, warned Malott, had become an economic problem as well.

“To meet its much-vaunted goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020, Malaysia needs to grow by 8 percent per year during this decade.
“That level of growth will require major private investments from both domestic and foreign sources, upgraded human skills and significant economic reform. Worsening racial and religious tensions stand in the way.”
The former US ambassador argued that while the government might find it politically expedient to stir the racial and religious pot, such opportunism comes with an economic price tag.
“Its citizens will continue to vote with their feet and take their money and talents with them. And foreign investors, concerned about racial instability and the absence of meaningful economic reform, will continue to look elsewhere to do business.”

APCO’s Client & Paymaster: Is it Malaysian government or is it Najib?

Also was 1 Malaysia originally Najib’s sole creation and idea? Hazlan Zakaria pointed out many things about APCO’s public relation exercise and some public relations for Najib and spouse Rosmah Mansur.

Isreal had its 1 Isreal so too Indonesia has its 1 Indonesia. Indonesia too had APCO as its PR consultant in 2003 simultaneous with employment of APCO. This makes Najib’s claim doubtful.

Hazlan also pointed out some PR exercises polishing up Najib’s image so it is legitimate to question whether these were paid for by the Malaysian government or Najib himself. Hope some MP will ask this in the Parliament.

Article below courtesy of Malaysiakini: ‘Rescuing Najib’:

'Rescuing' Najib

Hazlan Zakaria
Feb 4, 11
5:06pm

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COMMENT One week after Valentine's Day 1996, an American named Richard Dresner stepped off an Aeroflot flight into what was formerly the Communist heartland of Soviet Russia.
A political consultant who worked on various US politicians' campaigns, including that of former president Bill Clinton, he was a man on a mission.
Together with fellow political consultants Joe Shumate and George Gorton, his mandate was to “rescue” then incumbent Russian president Boris Yeltsin from political disaster.
As related by a Time magazine article on the matter, Dresner's recruitment can be traced back to Russian emigre Felix Braynin, then a 48-year old native of Belarus who had settled in the US in 1979.
Braynin was a self-made, wealthy management consultant who advised Americans about investing in Russia, but maintained his ties with confidants of Yeltsin.
Perturbed by Yeltsin's plummeting ratings and dismal chance at re-election, Braynin contacted First Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Soskovets, in charge of the Russian leader's campaign.
He persuaded Soskovets to hire political consultants from the US to rescue their president from being a one-term wonder.
Events surrounding this was romanticised in the 2003 movie “Spinning Boris” starring Jeff Goldblum, Anthony La Paglia and Liev Schreiber.
From the halls of Russian Czars
The facts of these events were documented in the aptly titled Time article “Rescuing Boris” - on which the movie was based - by the magazine's Moscow correspondent Michael Kramer.
Officials from Russia while admitting that they indeed hired Dresner and his team, downplayed the American's role in the president's campaign.
Historian Andrew Wilson in his essay “Virtual Politics in the ex-Soviet bloc” also rubbished that “spin-doctors or K-Street consultants”, like Dresner, have done much to affect Russian politics.
A major thoroughfare in Washington DC, K Street is where numerous think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups, oft referred to as 'Beltway Bandits' accused of public funds wastage in high-priced government consultancy contracts, are addressed.
Wilson gave credit to “forms of political manipulation more radical, pervasive and corrosive of real democracy than anything attempted by in the west” still practised by post-Soviet states.
Dresner refuted such views, instead proposing that it was he and his team that breathed new life into Yeltsin's flagging campaign, thus changing the landscape of post-Soviet Russian politics.
Denials and aspersions aside, Kramer summed it all up when he concluded: “Democracy triumphed--and along with it came the tools of modern campaigns, including the trickery and slickery Americans know so well.”
To the shores of Malaysia
Just as in the wintry halls of Russian czars a wheezing Boris was rescued 15 years ago, the 'marines' of American politics assailed the tropical shores of Malaysia to rescue a sweating Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
But instead of Dresner and his pals, the 'trickery and slickery' of American politics arrived here in the guise of Paul Geoffrey Stadlen and his team from consultancy firm Apco Worldwide.
Their beachhead, a RM2 company called Mind Teams Sdn Bhd, was contracted into helping the BN-led Malaysian government to 'wag the dog' or influence the electorate - not to mention fashion new 'emperor's robes' for the Najib regime to dress itself in more US-friendly clothing.
Mind Teams later became Apco World Wide Sdn Bhd after signing a lucrative RM77 million contract with the government, curiously signed by Najib's press secretary, not a minister of rank.
The identity of the signatory on behalf of the Malaysian government, while played down by some, is quite important, for reasons that will be touched on later.
An 'unelected' premier
Whoever signed the deal, Najib's desperation and need for political help was perhaps understandable.
The 'unelected' premier was eager to improve his international standing that was paling before that of his rival, Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, and to help deal with some pesky domestic issues.
Anwar is still the darling of international media and held considerable sway in international politics and economic circles. His personal friendship with world leaders can only serve as a boost as well.
Najib is less well-known than Anwar internationally and has other 'perception' problems.
One major problem for this 1Malaysia prime minister, is his alleged links to the grisly murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
On the domestic front, Najib, while an elected member of parliament, only became prime minister after he successfully schemed with Umno warlords to 'revolt' against his boss, then premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, mid-term.
Current Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, thought of as an Abdullah loyalist, in an 'Et-tu, Brute?' moment led conspirators to 'sheathe their daggers' into the then premier's political career.
The former prime minister's political career thus died - long live the prime minister!

A saintly, smiling Najib looked on and happily took over the reins of power.
But Najib must now deal with the aftermath of internecine Umno warfare. And engage in a public relations exercise with the rest of the world that does not read Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia nor watch government-proxy controlled TV3.
Strategic communications
Apco then took charge of 'strategic communications' for the Malaysian government, helping it diplomatically with the US and the rest of the world and to communicate programs and messages to the public.
Apco's services perhaps helped the BN-led government to suddenly gain standing in parts of the world that Apco, by no accident, maintained offices with and proudly boasts of close ties with host governments.
Not to mention the appearance of glowing editorials, articles and reports from city newspapers and obscure NGOs in said regions. Curiously, these have also gone hand-in-hand with character attacks against Anwar.
In seeming quid-pro-quo moment, the government rushed through a strategic materials control law, announced to curtail flow of weaponry to terrorists in seeming support of the US war on terror.
US president Barack Obama himself eager perhaps to prove that US policy is being supported by worldwide partners, promptly patted the Najib regime on the back and favoured it with a handshake and an out-of-the-blue phone call, shoring up the Malaysian premier's credibility.
Coincidentally, Indonesia also hired Apco in 2003 in time with similar anti-terror moves by our close neighbour that garnered it several pats in the back from the US.
Najib's 1Malaysia?
Domestically Najib also embarked on an ambitious 1Malaysia campaign, a concept he claimed he envisioned.
But the existence of a One Israel, 1Indonesia and Satu Indonesia campaign throws doubt that continue to dog his claim.
But since Najib is an honourable man with dishonourable conduct yet unproven, we must for now accept his claim that 1Malaysia is his baby.
After all, such honourable men as he would not lie dishonourably to advance political agendas, would he?
But the fact remains that Apco has contracts, existing or previous, with all three governments, Malaysia, Indonesia and Israel.
Similarities between their separate campaigns can perhaps be explained by the six bullet points of politics that all political consultants know by heart. The holy grail of keeping the electorate happy: healthcare, crime, economy, governance, corruption and food.
Make sure there's food on the table, reduce crime, stamp out corruption and improve healthcare, economy and good governance.
Some, if not all of there were similarly targeted in all three campaigns, but one cannot discount coincidence and similar ploys in the standard political consultancy play book.
Beltway Bandits, Malaysian-style
But whether or not Apco originates any of the 'One' campaigns, it is without doubt that they did provide the governments with expertise and help, perhaps instrumental in those programs.
These included the formation of various think-tank agencies and labs, public funds sinkholes for 'consultancy projects' in the tradition of the 'Beltway Bandits'.
In the same vein, expensive ivy-league analysts and high-brow communications are employed, often led by high-profile corporate figures who have changed hats from turn-around king to spin-king.
Most of these expensive 'labs' were formed to look into how to improve governance instead of actually implementing the improvement.
A case in point is one GLC, set up just to 'look into' implementation of nuclear power despite studies already done by other agencies.
What begs the question relates to the surfacing of events and incidents which smacks of public relations stunts whose beneficiary is not the government or the country, but the PM and his spouse.
From boxes found aboard yachts shared with Saudi princes to the sudden visits of Hollywood actors.
The journey then swayed to include overly-flowery PM speeches and rent-a-cats to Twitter and video messages.
This brings to the table the earlier mentioned issue of the contract between Apco and Malaysia being signed by the PM's press secretary instead of a minister of rank.
Who is client, who is paymaster?
The question to ask is: Who is Apco's client? Is it the government, or the PM personally?
This a serious concern, as Apco's contract is paid for by the taxpayers. It is kosher to pay Apco for government PR work, but a no-no to pay it to handle Najib's dirty laundry.
For that he needs to pay for himself or get Umno to pay for him.
Even in the US, consultancy firms are paid to do government public relations, but political consultants for individual politicians must be paid for out of the politician's pocket's or his party's.
This, out of the many issues pointed out by Anwar's tirade over Apco's hiring, is one that has some grounds to it.
It should not matter that they are Israelis amongst Apco staff, as Anwar often complained, because even he consorted with others of the 'chosen race'.
The irony is, it was Anwar's own globe-trotting antics and constant bad-mouthing of Malaysia in the international press that forced Najib to seek Apco's services.
But whatever the case, in the end it is the Malaysian public that will foot the final bill for the government think-tanks, labs, and the alleged PR campaigns of a premier and his spouse.
Apco's rescue of Najib brought with it the 'smoke and mirrors' of American politics, birthing a whole new breed of cronies to plaque us and create more 'leakages' in government spending.
Well-heeled 'consultants' as opposed to rough-edged 'contractors' of the Mahathir era.
May Allah save us all.

Rosmah Mansur: First Lady of Malaysia?

'Don't cry for me, oh Malaysia'

Hazlan Zakaria
Feb 3, 11
4:52pm

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COMMENT Did Rosmah Mansor, wife to our Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak sing "Don't Cry For Me, Malaysia!' when, overnight, the special department said to have been set up to serve herdisappeared from the online listings of the Prime Minister's Office.
In the US government there is a position in the White House called First Lady of The United States - or Flotus for short - that serves as the better half of POTUS - the President of The United States.
While there is such an office dedicated to the woman behind the most powerful man in America, it is merely an adjunct to the office of president and is without any real standing in the government.
The Flotus doesn't execute policies nor dictate diplomatic direction. Unless you discount Jackie O Kennedy and her insistence on deciding on the wardrobe for dignitaries on the day of her husband JF Kennedy's, funeral.
Protocol officers dread the installation of a female US president. The term Fgotus or First Gentleman of The United States and Fhotus or First Husband of The United States have been floated as replacement. But let's leave that to the protocol experts to figure out.
The honour is reserved for the wife of the head of state, in our case it is the Permaisuri Agung, not for the wife of a chief executive of the government, as the term has been abused as improper and in terms of practice.
Considering the US-based firm assisting Najib with 'strategic communications', recent revelations of a FLOM division smacks of a Flotus-style addendum to the Prime Minister's Office.
In truth, even true First Ladies don't have direct access to power, as they are unelected adjuncts to a democratically elected post.
Regardless of personal capabilities or lack there of, Rosmah is not empowered to act in ministerial capacity nor to dictate public policies, government programs or diplomatic direction.
Regulations allow her to represent her spouse only in ceremonial functions.
But Rosmah seems to be flouting all of the above, while public funds continue to pay for her trips abroad, her personal 'Permata' programmes, and her gallivanting 'diplomatic' dos.
Public relations stunt?
This is not the first time the 'first lady' was involved in what smacks of a 'public relations stunt' as one of the 'strategic communications services' being afforded to Najib and Rosmah by a 'certain' consultancy firm famous for serving dictators.
There was that moment when Rosmah (right, with Martha Stewart) found and returned a 'valuable' box to a Saudi prince that she had found on a yacht rented for holiday. We hope neither the yacht nor the public relations stunt was paid for by the rakyat's taxes.
Then there was the sudden 'visit' by Rober de Niro.
That, in turn, followed an award for 'international peace and harmony' by an obscure non-governmental organisation and a 'state visit' arranged for her to the United States.
Nor can we discount the off-colour 'Saya mahu main' joke made at the expense of national badminton shuttler Lee Chong Wei, tastelessly planted by Najib and ministers in his cabinet during an event in Parliament House, no less.
A scripted 'joke' scripted by political consultants to endear a certain personality to the public, perhaps?
One wonders how many tasteless jokes and Cheshire cats can make an aloof leader and his spouse 'closer' to the public.
Such 'personal' services paid for by public funds, however, is just downright improper.
Of course, unless one wanted to be dragged before Parliament's rights and privileges committee and suspended like Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, one must not dispute that any of this, like 1Malaysia, is but the brain child of the PM himself.
Despite Najib's protestation and assertions of the non-existence of dedicated staff and funding for Rosmah in his parliamentary reply to Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, the FLOM revelations raise more questions.
Is there another YB who should follow Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim into suspension for "misleading the House"?
After all, in the much vaunted traditions of Westminster Parliament, one as wise as the wise and honourable Speaker would know that Standing Order 36(12) was instituted to protect Parliament and the country from ministers who mislead.
If the Parliament and the Speaker were truly independent and the rights and privileges committee was truly concerned about 'who is misleading the House', perhaps it is the leader of the ruling coalition who should be censured.
Backdoor to power
But this is the coalition that deals with the inconvenience of having its ministers democratically elected by anointing them senators, thereby using the back door to allow a politician favoured by Najib who lost the people's mandate to serve the people - or even their masters who elevated them.
This is a clear violation of the requirements for senatorship, positions reserved for those with expertise and wisdom and those with years of service in the country under their belt, not asrewards for political turncoats or 'lifeline' for rejected politicians.
I wonder how many years of actual service to the country a particular former PKR Youth leader amassed to be considered one who has 'served' the nation? Unless one was a sleeper agent for the powers that be all along, 'serving' them all this while?
What if the person picked to represent 'service' to women in Malaysia were a former minister who had been shown the exit by voters in her own constituency? Or are they suggesting that there is a dearth of true women activists in our country?
How can one forget the well-dressed Oxford-educated young man who, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, also married into what was once the Kennedys of Malaysia? Or should I say the family of Pak Lah.
He too 'married' his way into power, though like the 'Terminator' star himself, he is now out of favour with scant hope of us hearing him say "I'll be back".
Considering all the above, maybe one really can come into power - not only vis-a-vis back door senatorships - but via front pew marriages to ministers or, perhaps, the prime minister, instead? Dare I say it... Malaysia Boleh!
Evita, Imelda or Leila?
But back door or not, there are precedents of genuine first ladies who gained political weight and power via marriage. The more benign of such was the one and only Eva Peron, more well known in Argentina as Evita.
Second wife to Argentine President Juan Peron, she was not only the first lady, but rose to be the de-facto head of a government ministry and led foundations that worked to uplift the people.
While claims of abuses abounds, she is still revered as a true heroine of the Argentine people today, which should speak for something. None will argue that Evita was indeed close to the people.
And she used the power she wrested to work for and with them.
Despite her flamboyant fashion taste and expensive 'rainbow tours', she did hold a torch to the people's rights and aspirations.
But when it comes to Rosmah, one has to ask: is she an Evita?
Or does she more closely resemble a certain Imelda Marcos.
Or to use a more recent example, Leila Ben Ali, the spouse of Tunisia's former 'president-for-life'?
Both gained 'power' via marriage much like Evita. but neither were as popular nor people-friendly with their bounty.
Should we cry, 'Oh, Malaysia?

Article courtesy of Malaysiakini: Don’t Cry for me Malaysia

Irresponsible Election Commission: Change government to change EC Chairman

The actions of the Malaysia Election Commission in the recent Tenang by-election again not only demonstrated the lack of impartiality of the EC, the police and other civil services involved in helping ferry voter in flooded constituencies, they have also demonstrated irresponsibility in not calling a halt and postponement of the by-election thus putting voters who braved the floods to vote. It is time to change the irresponsible Chairman by first changing the Federal Government so that we can have at least fair if not free elections.

Article below courtesy of Malaysiakini: Muddy waters: Post-Tenang Reflections:

Muddy waters: Post-Tenang reflections

Bridget Welsh
Jan 31, 11
4:58pm

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COMMENT Malaysia's 14th by-election since March 2008 scored another victory in the BN column, as they held onto their seat. This was expected, as it was home ground for Umno and the contest was purely about the winning majority.
Even with the lower voter turnout, Umno did well with a comfortable and higher majority of 3,707. Rather than provide a numerical assessment of the voting results, let me share some broader observations and tensions that arise from the Tenang campaign.
Despite the centrality of machinery and money, this election highlights the increasing challenges of engaging the diverse electorate in Malaysia. Arguably, the dynamics of the by-election in Johor muddy the waters, making the decisions about national electoral strategies and tactics even more complex.

Decision to proceed irresponsible
The most defining feature of this election was the weather. It was dreadful, and it negatively affected the polling. Watching voters drench themselves to vote, despite umbrellas, and wade in up to knee-high water to the polling station, made me question whether the by-election was worth the risks involved.
I remain deeply puzzled why this by-election was not postponed. I woke up the morning of the poll thinking that it might already be time for Noah's Ark as the overnight downpour had already affected roads and submerged parts of the constituency.
The fact that four polling stations (30 percent of the stations) were inaccessible by early afternoon made this question even more salient. It is fortunate that no one was seriously hurt and some voters were able to navigate the slick hazardous conditions, as the decision to continue with the polls appeared irresponsible.
Voters, however, braved on. They believed strongly in their civic responsibility to vote, to have their opinion recorded despite the inconveniences involved in casting it. This speaks to an important feature of Malaysian politics, that even despite lackluster campaigns on both sides, when asked to act responsibly, to fulfill their roles as citizens, they do so.
It was not only a matter of reward or partisanship, but a deep-seated desire both to be heard and be part of the national political landscape. Johoreans, in particular, feel left out of the excitement, and don't like to be ignored.
What was striking is that the weather highlighted perhaps the biggest governance problem locally – flooding. While it is easy to think that climate change and heavy rain were responsible, the fact remains that flooding is also man-made.
The land development practices of clearing land and failure to adequately monitor deforestation have contributed to the high siltation of the streams and river and created increased vulnerability to flooding. The low-lying areas are well-known, but the problem has clearly been inadequately addressed.
Part of the problem is that flooding lies in the multiple jurisdictions of state and federal authorities, but this should not have been an excuse in Johor. The infrastructure is not up to par, and regular flooding is now the norm. Just a few years ago, areas in Johor were completely submerged.
This by-election is a wake-up call to the BN government to act responsibly. The Tenang by-election showcased the problem of flooding that is now frequent in semi-rural areas throughout the country. It is a national problem that needs attention. Many of the voters who opted for the BN did so with the hope that conditions would improve in the future, that their civic responsibility would yield a more responsible government response.
Chinese not spooked by Islamic state
The reasons people voted as they did are not so easy to capture. Three interesting features stand out.
First, the focus among voters was on the party rather than the candidate. For BN voters, the dominant thread was loyalty to Umno. For the majority of opposition voters, the focus was primarily on Pakatan Rakyat.
Chinese voters were not as scared off with the Islamic state tactics, while those loyal to PAS continued to feel both a connection to the Islamic party and its cooperation with other component partners. In other by-elections, the candidate chosen was decisive. Here, given the credentials of both candidates, party emerged as more central.
This suggests that while the choice of candidate may be increasingly important in urban areas, the image and identity of the party remains central in more semi-rural communities. Both of the main parties concerned – Umno and PAS – have challenges in improving their images and profiles in parts of the country, especially those where they have limited machinery or tainted images.
Another feature of Tenang was the lack of political awareness or interest. Many, especially in the more rural areas, had never even heard of Pakatan and many were just not interested in politics.
The intense politicking followed closely byMalaysiakini readers does not permeate the lives of Tenang voters, and they like it that way. Unlike Sibu, there was not a major political awakening in Tenang and voters did not relate to many of the opposition concerns about corruption and justice.
This is a challenge politically, as many outside of urban centres have limited sources of political information and do not connect with issues touted by the urban-based political leaders the same way. Take 'Interlok', for example. This book was seen as distant from the life experience of voters. Meshing political issues with local outlooks remains a challenge across the political spectrum.
Finally, given the dominance of Umno and its close relationship to government officials, one of the most difficult issues involves the blurred lines between government and party. The nasty weather conditions brought this to the fore, as police, fire officials, rural development authorities and election officials faced real challenges in managing their jobs neutrally.
The scarce resources of boats and equipment added to the perception – deeply held in the Chinese-majority areas where assistance was less forthcoming – that civil servants did not respond fairly. It was exacerbated by the perception and reality that voting cut along ethnic lines and added to the view that the response was ethnically biased.
Further investigation is needed to assess this, but the perception remains and is a product of the government's failure to draw sharp lines between what is for the party work and what belongs to the citizens at large.
Given the multiple jurisdictions of governance and increased competitiveness, the need for civil servant neutrality is even more pressing. Any election should ultimately not rest on the selective use of government resources for the interest of any party. It makes the victory hollow, and raises ethical concerns and feeds unnecessarily into the increasingly racialised political lens.

Soul searching for PAS and MCA
As the waters subside, there are two political parties that have the most soul-searching to do. First is PAS. They are losing Malay ground in semi-rural areas. While in fairness, they had little support in the first place in Tenang, this election taken with the totality of results in the past few elections, including Galas in Kelantan, suggest some serious rethinking.
The challenge for PAS is how to gain support in semi-rural areas that are multi-ethnic constituencies, e.g. Galas, Tenang and Merlimau, especially those in western and southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
The Islamic state agenda polarise the electorate creating a zero-sum dynamic. Finding an identity that is inclusive, across races, and does not put pressure on Pakatan partners is not easy. The recent by-elections point to PAS' Malay deficit, one that is focused in some areas more than others.
PAS is not able to effectively engage Felda settlers and break into traditional Umno ground. Despite the strong candidate, PAS appeared less connected to voters in Tenang than it did elsewhere.
For the BN, Tenang was MCA's test in its strongest base. They did not deliver. The money, the promises, the Islamic state bogey, the personal presence and the month-long campaigning tied to the Chinese New Year did not win additional votes.
There was no major swing back to MCA in its core political ground. This spells trouble for the party as it relies heavily on Umno for its seats and is unable to be seen as a strong representative of the Chinese community. The fact that very few young Chinese voters came back from Singapore to vote (many from Kuala Lumpur did however) is even more telling for MCA. The results could have been worse.
Like PAS, the MCA faces the challenge of redefining its political identity and engagement. It can see first-hand how MIC and Gerakan have weakened, and MCA – along with perhaps PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak) – remains the last party standing that has some autonomy besides Umno.
The choices ahead for MCA are as difficult as those of PAS as it balances its subservient role in the BN with the need for its own survival.
Beyond Tenang
It is fitting that the next by-election is in a similar mixed-race constituency in a semi-rural area. Pakatan will face an uphill battle there as well. Campaigning has started already.
One hopes that the all the parties go beyond the shallow and negative messages and “goodies” that have dominated Tenang. It is the last round pre-Sarawak contest before the next general election. Both sides are weary and the fatigue is showing.
Yet if yesterday's polls are illustrative, the parties have to step up their game and give more responsible and positive options to voters to deserve the level of national commitment to Malaysia's future that the Tenang voters showed by voting despite having to wade through very muddy waters.

DR BRIDGET WELSH is associate professor of political science at Singapore Management University. She is in Tenang to observe the by-elections. Welsh can be reached at bwelsh@smu.edu.sg.

Comments 1 to 8 of 8

JUSTICE KINI EC annouse that election cannot be cancell or postpone.EC name the clause in the election rule under such circumtances where Human life may lose.Water level was as high as chest level.Is it not the EC concern for Human life then just to finish off a by election. Here the people was last not first and perform Now was also questionable.Proform means not taking human life as stake.ForMCA islamic issue.Answer this Was Malaysia claims as Islamic Nation and can you descript Hudud laws.Its fair and just.In one word justice to all.What is against the non muslim.This cannot be impose on them. Punishment.Hudud had seek Allah to invervent in punishment.If you murder someone will the common laws set you free.CSL come out of narrow minded way and educate yourself about Islamic laws then harp on PAS if any change their impose unjust laws.Govt macharinary.EC rule under emergency cannot cancell election.By virture can BN use Govt machinery.Under flood the Govt agencies should had allow even asisstance

8 minutes ago · Report

docs My inference from this election is that MCA has joined the likes of PPP, MIC & Gerakan - Irrelevant BN component parties and can't deliver votes for nuts.

19 minutes ago · Report

ong taik kheng If the chances of winning had favored PR, I am absolutely certain the Tenang by-election would have been postponed.

30 minutes ago · Report

Onyourtoes Continue…Nincompoop citizens need to be told that flood is also caused by disorderly and haphazard development, corruption and other neglects. But as I said, let them rot; it is ok, I think life is not too bad at this stage. I am sorry TBH have to suffer a thankless death. I hope we shall have no more TBH. It is not worth it. Let the people rot.

31 minutes ago · Report

Onyourtoes Continue…Malaysians can live through injustices and unnecessary custody death without any qualm. Malaysians can tolerate the most blatant abuse of power and corruption so long as they are not personally affected (they actually can’t see it, not that they are not affected in any way). Malaysians can drive through a three hours jam or flooded roads so long as the cars they are driving are either Mercedes or BMW. We are greedy people devoid of any sense of justice, good governance and fair play. You know what – why bother to fight for them in the first play. Let them rot. The flood in Tenang should last a little longer and may be a little more severe. We shall see who are going to provide them with boats, umbrella, food and shelter now. Of course nincompoop citizens can only relate flood to heavy rain and act of god. continue..

32 minutes ago · Report

Onyourtoes ///Yet if yesterday's polls are illustrative, the parties have to step up their game and give more responsible and positive options to voters to deserve the level of national commitment to Malaysia's future that the Tenang voters showed by voting despite having to wade through very muddy waters///. I really don’t quite understand your last paragraph. What other more responsible and positive options Malaysians deserve? What national commitment to Malaysia’s future are you talking about? As far as I can see, there is only one simple option to gain votes – cans of Milo, cheap biscuits and RM50 angpow. Did we not see these are the most effective weapons? Malaysians have no feeling and conviction on anything worthwhile. I am not a politician or going to stand for election, so let me say my piece. Continue…

32 minutes ago · Report

Observer of Johor Majority of Tenang voters voted for flood. So, they deserve it.

an hour ago · Report

sincere citizen To BN Tenang voters you all have asked for it.

an hour ago · Report