Archive for the ‘PAS’ Category

« Older Entries

A tale of two states (and two men)

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

One is corrupt and live a flamboyant life style, while the other lead a simple life style.

The following is a very well written article and we hope some one can direct Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister, Michael Manyin to read it.

All Bidayuh supporters of UMNO-PBB-Sarawak Barisan Nasional should now realise, who Michael Manyin is and how for the past few months he has been blackmailing the Dayak Community, besides shooting himselves on his foot base on the argument in the following article which appeared in Malaysian Mirror.

Public Scoundrel in Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud and Tok Guru Nik Aziz the Revered and Well Loved Mentri Besar of Kelantan. Even UMNO supporters loves him.

On 30 August, the state of Kelantan sued the national oil corporation Petronas, for alleged breach of a contract that had been signed between Kelantan and Petronas, in 1975. With Kelantan deprived of oil royalties, its people were robbed of the benefits that could have improved their lives.

If this is the federal government’s way of punishing the Kelantan people for voting PAS at the state level, then BN is defeated even before it has begun. Isn’t BN bothered that it is also punishing its own supporters in Kelantan?

The federal government treats Petronas like its personal kitty – a cash cow with which it can dip its grubby paws into, to reward those states which are compliant. The federal government is acting irresponsibly, by being spiteful and therefore, is unfit to govern.

Kelantan (population 2,100,000) is the poorest state; Sarawak (2,500,000) is the next poorest. Both Sarawak and Kelantan are blessed with oil reserves and timber, but they remain poor. Their poverty is because of different reasons.

Sarawak’s abundance of liquefied petroleum gas and petroleum is the mainstay of the Federal government’s economy and yet it receives only 5% royalty. Its state sanctioned logging and oil-palm industries, has resulted in massive deforestation. Only 5% of virgin jungle remains.

Despite the relative economic growth from timber, oil palm and oil, Sarawak still lags markedly behind the rest of the other states, bar Kelantan.

These two states have in common, elderly leaders who have been at the helm for decades: Taib Mahmud led Sarawak for 30 years whilst Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat served Kelantan since 1990.

But the two men, who are in their seventies, are like chalk and cheese. Taib belongs to BN whereas Nik Aziz is with PAS.

Apparently, after filing the suit against Petronas, Kelantan menteri besar Nik Aziz led 200 supporters in a solat hajat (prayer of need) at the nearby Federal Territory Mosque. Nik Aziz is famed for commanding support from non-Muslims in Malaysia and is instrumental in playing a leading role for the increase in popularity of PAS among non-Muslims.

However, the only recent suit we remember involving Taib Mahmud was the white one he wore (complete with red bow tie) on the night of the glittering high society banquet of the Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) Charity Gala Dinner in Monaco-Monte Carlo.

Together with various members of Malaysian royalty and 600 guests from Monaco’s high society, Taib watched as Malaysia’s “First Lady” Rosmah Mansor, the IFF patron, donated 270,000 euros (RM1,120,961) to the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco. The money had been raised from the promotion of Sarawak tourism, and an auction of items including a framed signed photo of Prince Albert

Tok Guru, as Nik Aziz, is affectionately called, commands huge respect from several people. He interacts well with non-Muslims, because they admire him for his honesty, views on moral issues and his candour.

They may not agree with all of his policies, but he is valued for his wisdom and his courage. How many in the Umno camp can match up to Tok Guru?

Taib Mahmud on the other hand, raised the ire of many, including a group of foreigners who joined a protest in Oxford when he went to the United Kingdom to woo investors with the ‘Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy’ (SCORE).

They were protesting at the destruction of the rainforests of Sarawak, the denial of justice for the Penan and also the construction of the 12 mega-dams project which will displace the indigenous people living in the affected areas.

The contrast between the two men continues on a personal level.

Nik Aziz lives in a modest wooden house which has no elaborate fencing, no ornate gate with security features and no sentries. His has been known to carry and use the same BIC ballpoint pen and travels in the official Proton Perdana, official registration number DBA 8668.

Home for Taib Mahmud is a grand riverside mansion overlooking the Sarawak River, stuffed with gilt-edged ‘Louis-Farouk’ style furniture. He, and his son, own a fleet of luxury cars including a Rolls Royce.

Taib has no need for car registration-number plates – those are for ordinary folk. His official car is a Mercedes 600 SEL which has no number plates, only a ‘YAB KETUA MENTERI SARAWAK’. His travelling needs would not be complete without the helicopters and a jet belonging to Hornbill Airways, specifically for his use.

Back in Kelantan, Nik Aziz’s religious background is complete with a religious school owned by his family, but Taib Mahmud’s greed, knows no boundaries.

He and his family own various multimillion properties and companies in Sarawak, the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia. These were allegedly built from the proceeds of the lucrative business deals exploiting Sarawak’s natural resources.

Awangku Jinal Pengiran Jawa, the PBB Youth leader said last week, that they would “vigorously oppose” any attempt to pressure Taib Mahmud to retire and that the ‘provocations and pressure’ on Taib should stop. He also questioned why people were picking on Taib when ‘other old leaders and poverty in places such as Kelantan were never questioned by certain quarters’.

Many people have, only he was not listening.

Of the two poorest states in Malaysia, one receives oil royalties, the other does not. But whilst the Chief Minister of Sarawak manages to lead a life that is way beyond his official ***RM13,000 salary and is alleged to have built a multi-million fortune and stashed it abroad, the Menteri Besar of Kelantan lives a modest life, one that speaks volumes of the man.

Nik Aziz, the spiritual leader of PAS, does not receive any oil royalty. Taib Mahmud who belongs to BN, does.

Are Malaysians, principally the Sarawak people, content to gawp at the opulence and grand lifestyle of Taib Mahmud? Are they happy with the breach of trust?

Taib Mahmud is a perfect example that the route to wealth in Sarawak, (and Malaysia) is by entering politics and remaining subservient to those at the ‘peak’, unless one is at the ‘peak’, as Taib is.

Sadly, when they’re there, they can be a law unto themselves.

Marian Mokhtar @ Malaysian Mirror

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Barisan Nasional, Election, Native Customary Rights, PAS, Politics, Politics of Development, Sarawak Barisan Nasional | No Comments »

Jungle campaign nightmare for Sarawak opposition

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Harrison Ngau’s description of dirty politics in the rainforest state of Sarawak on Borneo island reads like a chapter in a spy novel, complete with subterfuge, threats, and contraband.

The amiable one-time lawmaker says the challenges he had to overcome to score an unlikely election victory will again face Malaysia’s opposition when it contests statewide polls expected within months.

A political earthquake in 2008 national elections, which shook the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition’s half-century grip on power, has rendered timber-rich Sarawak and neighbouring Sabah state extremely strategic.

In Sarawak, the earthquake started in 2006, in line with the rakyat seeking change for a fairer and more equitable government, most of Sarawak Barisan Nasional’s Urban Seats fell to the opposition.

With Borneo now one of its last bastions of support, the coalition must fend off the resurgent opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim and retain its hold there in the next national elections if it wants to stay in office.

The upcoming Sarawak state polls will be a keenly watched bellwether with far-reaching implications for the multicultural, Muslim-majority nation which Barisan Nasional has ruled since independence in 1957.

But Harrison Ngau is quite sure that going on past performance, the coalition – fronted in Sarawak by ageing chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who has been in power for 29 years – will put up a tough fight.

“It was a nightmare and still remains a nightmare for the opposition to win in Sarawak polls,” said Ngau, who served one term in parliament in the 1990s and is now a leading lawyer campaigning for native land rights.

When he decided to stand for office as an independent, no one gave him a chance of winning as his constituency was so huge, with voters scattered across jungles reachable only by boat, four-wheel-drive vehicles and plane.

“We had to campaign in Bario (highlands district) but we could not get a flight nor send our election pamphlets. The order from BN was: ‘Ngau should not set foot in Bario. His posters should not be seen here’,” he said.

Facing defeat, he came up with the idea of smuggling his election posters by hiding them inside empty biscuit tins, and air freighting them secretly to Bario, where they were quietly intercepted by friends.

“The next morning my posters were hanging in Bario. It shocked my BN rival. To win elections in Sarawak one has to behave like a commando,” said the 49-year-old in his offices in the coastal town of Miri.

Ngau says the state remains in thrall to powerful political masters and tycoons who control the timber and plantations industries that have plundered the state’s natural resources.

The Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance has set its sights on capturing Sarawak, campaigning on land rights for indigenous people, poverty and allegations of rampant political corruption.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak made a historic visit to the Sarawak interior last month, delivering multi-million-dollar development pledges and a promise to survey native lands to pave the way for ownership of ancestral territory.

But decades of exploitation that have stripped the forests and poisoned the waterways, together with their unsuccessful quest for land rights, have left a strong sense of frustration and betrayal among Sarawak’s tribes.

“The trust has been damaged. Look, our longhouses are falling apart,” said Richard Jengan, a 50-year-old member of the Penan tribe in the remote village of Long Lamai.

“The soil is no longer fertile. It is impossible to hunt or look for food in the jungle,” said 45-year-old neighbour Connie Lingga. “I think this time we should vote the opposition.”

Baru Bian, the new leader of Anwar’s Keadilan party in Sarawak, said the opposition alliance will contest all 71 seats in the state parliament — currently it holds just seven.

“I am confident that with the mood on the ground we can topple Taib provided vote-buying and threats are not used,” Baru Bian said, but admitted their slim resources may be no match for the coalition’s vast election machinery.

The state polls will provide Najib with an opportunity to gauge voter sentiment as he prepares for national elections expected to be held in 2011.

In 2008 the coalition was humbled with its worst results ever, losing control of five states and a third of parliamentary seats as ethnic Chinese and Indians swung to the opposition.

Currently, 54 of its 137 seats in parliament are Borneo electorates.

Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng predicted the opposition would do well in urban seats, but said they faced a much more difficult job in the interior, where there is a long-established system of patronage and vote-buying.

“I do not see a change in the state government. It will be tough for the opposition to win because the state is huge and it will need a lot of resources to campaign.” AFP

Malaysiakini

Tags: , ,
Posted in Barisan Nasional, DAP, Election, PAS, Pakatan Rakyat, Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak, Politics, SNAP, SNAP, Sarawak Barisan Nasional | No Comments »

Barisan Nasional yet to impress the Chinese

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

The Chinese will continue to rebuff the Barisan Nasional (BN) if the ruling coalition refuses to implement reforms that will see a fairer distribution of power for the economically-powerful community, according to a recent survey.

According to the synopsis of the poll, conducted by a Malaysian research house between June 27 and July 25, it was found that while Chinese voters were quickly moving away from ethnic-based politics, their political mindset continues to be severely hampered by their anger with the BN government over being treated unfairly and ignored in national policies.

To that effect, 70 per cent of the community now agree that a two-party system was better than the country’s present political makeup, largely due to the inability of the ruling party to address long-standing issues, namely that of unequal treatment of the races.

Those polled also expressed disgust and high scepticism at the ruling party’s penchant for spouting sweet-sounding promises to woo the non-Malay vote during elections, a trend that was evident during the country’s last two by-elections.

In both the Hulu Selangor and Sibu by-elections, a scant number of Chinese votes went to the BN candidate, indicating that the community was not impressed with the ruling party’s ambitious promises.

In Hulu Selangor, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak committed RM3 million to the refurbishment of a Chinese primary school in Rasa. In Sibu, the premier made his infamous “I help you, you help me” RM5 million pledge for flood mitigation in Rejang Park.

Despite this, the Chinese continued to turn a cold shoulder on the BN and in both by-elections, taunted by the opposition as “buy-elections”, the community only contributed some 30 per cent of their votes to the ruling party.

As such, a mere 66 per cent of those polled in the survey expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of political leaders in making similar election promises, often times revolving around funding for the community’s associations, temples and vernacular schools.

To the community, such promises were merely a form of vote-buying and remained insincere so long as there was no progress in efforts to ensure their fair treatment in national policy-making.

The survey polled the opinions of 590 Chinese and 413 Malay respondents via the telephone and included five focus group discussions with Chinese voters in several locations across Peninsular Malaysia.

However, while the Chinese dislike being showered with election sweeteners, their political mindsets continue to be fuelled by their dissatisfaction over being unfairly treated.

They do not think that giving benefits to the non-Malays equalled to being unfair to Malay voters.

Instead, Chinese voters believe that giving benefits to the non-Malays is more an act of fairness to the community rather than an act of unfairness to the Malays.

The survey also discovered that contrary to common perception, an overwhelming majority — 90 per cent — of Chinese voters feel that unity among Malaysians was more important than unity in their own community.

This was further supported by the fact that 66 per cent of the community believed that improving the quality of education in all types of schools was more important than protecting Chinese vernacular schools.

Only 28 per cent of respondents polled believed otherwise.

The focus group discussions revealed that the quality of education was the primary concern of parents when selecting schools for their children.

The reason why many preferred to send their children to Chinese schools was mostly due to the perception of the higher standard of teaching in Chinese schools.

A majority of the Chinese are also against the practice of detention without trial, a provision famously enshrined under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The poll found that 66 per cent of them were against it while 20 per cent agreed with it.

The main reason found for the community’s dissent against preventive laws like the ISA and the Sedition Act was due to their understanding of human rights and their belief that such laws have been abused and were mainly used to target dissidents and opposition leaders.

Despite this, a larger portion of the Chinese feel that economic development was more important than democratic development, with 49 per cent of voters in agreement and 34 per cent feeling otherwise.

From the results of the polls, it can be reasonably concluded that the Chinese voters’ support for development in the democratic process was largely due to their feelings of disempowerment and pragmatism.

The Malaysian Insider

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in 1Malaysia, Barisan Nasional, DAP, Malaysian Cabinet, PAS, Pakatan Rakyat, Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak, Parliament, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Politics, Politics of Development, SNAP, SNAP, Sarawak Barisan Nasional, Socio Economics | No Comments »

Your concerns are my concerns

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Najib tells Chinese …….

…..Can you trust his words?

We do not see how we can trust him with the likes of Perkasa, Tun Dr Mahathir and DPM behind his back! Even if he want to be sincere and honour his promise, it is hard to visualise him implementing what he have promised and this have all been well documented since he took office by default.

Tell this to Ahmad Ismail, Perkasa and Ibrahim Ali!

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak made several appeals today for the Chinese community to trust him as their leader who has their interests at heart.

Speaking at the Chinese Economic Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Najib said like his predecessors, he is a leader for all Malaysians and would “chart the best possible future” for everyone.

Having talked about the government’s New Economic Model, the 10th Malaysia Plan and the Government Transformation Programme earlier in his keynote speech, Najib said he still needs “constructive criticism” from everyone in Umno, MCA and other BN partners.

“Like my predecessors, I recognise that I am a leader for all Malaysians. Your concerns are my concerns – not the other way around.

“I have been entrusted with the responsibility to chart the best possible future for all of us. But I can only be successful at this with your active support and participation.

“My role is to hear your concerns and to act on them whenever it is appropriate decisively. I have begun to do this with the policies I initiated in my first year in office, and I will continue to do this with the invaluable encouragement, and with some constructive criticism, from my own party and friends in the MCA and the other BN component parties.”

He described the BN government’s “balancing act” to satisfy the demands of the various ethnic communities in Malaysia as “absolutely critical”

“The government is managing and considering the requests of all stakeholders the best we can,” Najib told the congress delegates.

“The government is elected to serve. This is a government of the people and by the people. The government certainly cannot achieve the NEM or the (10th Malaysia) Plan without the involvement of all stakeholders.

Trust me: PM
I am the PM!

This is similar to Abdul Taib’s “Talk To Me I Am The Chief (Thief) Minister)! What happen when Sarawakians try to talk to the Thief Minister? What happen when our very own George Chan try to talk to him despite the fact that they are inlaws? “George Chan have to go running to Putra Jaya to talk to PM Najib as claimed by the Media”. As inlaws, we do not see how this is being done without the sanction of Thief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud! Is there more to it that meet the eyes. Does it have anything to do with funds allocated under the 9th and 10th Malaysia Plan, Sibu and Batang Ai By Election!

Najib had earlier in his speech talked about the country’s dependence on “the industry, expertise and dedication” of the Chinese community.

“Likewise, there will be a bleak future for Malaysia without the Chinese community’s support for our policies. We would clearly fall short of reaching the goals of Vision 2020 – to become the developed nation that our fathers and grandfathers strove so hard to achieve – without this vital support,” he said.

At the same time, however, the Chinese community must trust that the promotion of their interests and welfare lie in the extent of their trust in the government and country, said Najib.

This can take place not only by investing greater resources within the country, but reaching out to the other communities and setting up cross-ethnic partnerships, he added.

“Our faith in Malaysia requires a long-term investment in the future. Here, the Malaysian Chinese community must once again take up the reins and take up a more leadership role through economic innovation in genuine partnership with other communities.

“We must do this if we are to achieve our potential and sustain the progress and prosperity we have enjoyed thus far,” said Najib.

To assure those in doubt as to the government’s commitment to reforming its policies and practices in order to attract greater local and foreign investments, Najib pointed to the New Economic Model, the 10th Malaysia Plan and the Government Transformation Plan.

He cited, in particular, the removal of the bumiputera ownership requirement, the plan to do away with the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC), and the announcement that all students who achieve 9A+ in their secondary school SPM exams be assured Public Services Department scholarships.

Brain gain
These moves, Najib stressed, have seen results even within his time as premier.

“The government’s commitment to tackle entrenched issues to benefit all Malaysians has led to renewed interest in Malaysia from international parties.

“For the first time, Malaysia has been ranked among the top 10 most competitive countries in the world.

“And, after a tough year of the global recession, there are signs of renewed investor interest from overseas. The first quarter of this year saw FDI figures close to those for all of 2009,” said Najib.

Underscoring the economy’s dependence on the Chinese business community, Najib urged congress delegates to discuss how the former could be transformed into a “pillar” for national growth and development.

“Let us be candid. The government alone cannot make all the necessary changes. The private sector plays a vital role in driving the innovation; creativity and investment that are needed to boost Malaysia’s global competitiveness and support our goal to become a high-income nation.

“I would like to urge this congress to discuss on how the private sector including the Chinese business community can be transformed to be another pillar of the national growth and development.”

Najib revealed that a large number of the approximately 700,000 Malaysians working abroad were Chinese Malaysians.

“I call on all Malaysians working abroad to return and take advantage of these opportunities. Our goal is to make Malaysia an attractive place of employment for all, so overseas Malaysians want to come home or stay home to work.

He said the government will launched The Talent Corporation next year, which will make it easier for Malaysians to return and ensure that Malaysia is an attractive place for employment.

Malaysiakini

Politically, Malaysia is at a cross road. Let us move on. UMNO-PBB-Barisan Nasional have ruled the country for more than half a century. To have PM Najib coming to this forum and made this appeal means a lot. That is they are in desperate mode and possibly starrying at the iminent possibility of being ousted from Putra Jaya.

They fail to make good use of the opportunity in the last 11 General Elections and have abuse it rather than keep their promise.

What is your decision for the future? Are you joining our battle cry of “Save Sarawak and Save Malaysia”!

Also read – ‘Every step you take, we’re watching you’

Tags: ,
Posted in 1Malaysia, Barisan Nasional, DAP, Election, Malaysian Cabinet, PAS, Pakatan Rakyat, Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak, Parliament, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Politics, Politics of Development, Prime Minister, SNAP, SNAP, Sarawak Barisan Nasional, Socio Economics | No Comments »

Taib’s billions: Will MACC’s Abu Kassim walk the talk?

Friday, August 13th, 2010

It is not question of whether MACC and Abu Kassim Mohamed walking his talk!

It is a foregone conclusion that MACC and PM Najib will just sweep the complaints lodged against Taib Mahmud this far under the carpet. We are quite sure Sarawakians are very much aware this will likely happen and that in itself is a more convincing victory than having MACC investigating and coming up with statements “That there is no evidence of abuse of power and corruption”. In any event there is still undecided legal cases involving Taib Mahmud and Malaysiakini! Again this shows how the Judiciary have been bias insofar as legal cases involving Barisan Nasional Leaders is concerned.

Even after the 9th State Election in 2006, Tsunami 0308 and Sibu By Election, Barisan Nasional seem to be still underestimating the intelligence of Sarawakians. They seem contended to defend their strong hold via the rural seats where the Dayak Leaders have consistantly lied through the teeth.

The onus is now on PM Najib, MACC and Barisan Nasional to refute the “documentary evidence” that Sarawak Report have uploaded at their website which we have reproduced here.

Ultimately inaction from MACC and PM Najib is already a victory for Civil Society Activist, Sarawakians and Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak.

Will the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) finally act against Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud now that documented evidence is available over his vulgar amassment of wealth?

Or will its chief Abu Kassim Mohamed step down?

That’s the question being asked in Sarawak’s social and political circles.

It appears that all eyes are on Abu Kassim who bragged not too long ago that he will “step down” if “no investigation is carried out on any report, even against a Cabinet minister”.

Thus far, a flurry of reports have already been lodged with the MACC, both in Sarawak and the Peninsula, against Taib based on a series of investigative articles by online portal Sarawak Report about Taib and his family’s multi-billion ringgit property empire in Canada, England, the US and Australia.

But the question remains: will the MACC walk its talk?

No one believes it will, and even if it does they think it will be yet another sham investigation.

According to Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian, the people have lost faith in MACC and are of the view that not much will get done.

“Sarawakians are fed up with the fraudulent ways of Taib. They have lost faith in the MACC…

“In Sarawak, Taib’s wealth is common knowledge. Sarawakians have known this for sometime… we just did not know the vastness of his empire abroad and the extent of his wealth. But now there is solid proof…” he said, referrring to documents made available on the Sarawak Report website.

Declaring that Sarawak’s money must be returned to the people, Bian said there was a strong web of deceit and corruption associated with Taib’s wealth.

He also questioned how such wealth could have been amassed on a gross monthly salary of less than RM50,000.

“If MACC does a genuine and thorough investigation of the source of Taib’s wealth, it is bound to find links to corruption involving millions of ringgit in public money.

“This money belongs to Sarawak and must be returned to the people,” he said.

Free Malaysia Today

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Barisan Nasional, DAP, Native Customary Rights, PAS, PKR Sarawak, Pakatan Rakyat, Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Politics, Prime Minister, SNAP | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries