NEW SEA DAYAK (IBAN BARU)

Anwar’s Acquittal – What Are The Hidden Messages?

2012-01-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

By now everybody in Planet Earth knows de-facto opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, has been acquitted on a charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in 2008. The acquittal surprises many people – from opposition parties, Najib administration, former premier Mahathir and even Anwar himself. But was Anwar really surprised with the verdict? For a person who was about 90% to be sent behind bars for the second time for the same sodomy charge, Anwar doesn’t seems to be the happiest person in comparison to his wife, daughters, the thousands cheering crowds and his buddies from the opposition parties.

For a start, five days before the verdict, the once fierce and deadly keris-waver Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (cousin of PM Najib Razak) surprised many cats with his super soft approach by allowing 9-Jan rally with a lame condition that the “901-Free Anwar Campaign” organizer must guarantee a peaceful rally. Despite hundreds of reports lodged nationwide against the rally, the Home Minister must either be drunk or had switched his brains with Princess Diana for allowing such “illegal rally”.

Then, the IGP (Inspector-General of Police) was super proactive by instructing the city police chief to meet the organisers over the rally. The second sweet-cherry surprise came when the police granted permit to the “901 Free Anwar” rally when the same police force preferred a confrontation against any rally in the past, the latest being barely six months ago during Bersih 2.0 rally. Of course there was negligible hiccup such as the silly 10-condition string attached after the permit was granted, of which the rally participants didn’t give a hoot to, and the police didn’t enforce it seriously at the court house nonetheless.

Compared to Bersih 2.0′s “Walk for Democracy” rally where more than a dozen FRU trucks and about 300 FRU and other police personnel were stationed near Masjid Jamek alone, one must be wondering if all these heavyweight terminators are on vacation this time, judging from the lack of FRU presence during the “901 Free Anwar” rally. This was a surprise indeed as the rally was allegedly supposed to garner a bigger crowd of 100,000 participants.

The judge in delivering his short two minute acquittal verdict gave a simple explanation that the DNA sample could have been contaminated and hence he could not rely on the controversial DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution, before disappearing into his chamber as if he was constipated.

This despite the fact that Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah ruled back in May 2011 that Mohd Saiful was a “credible and truthful witness”. The furious Anwar and his legal team applied to replace the judge as he prejudged before the trial concluded. So, it was surprise that only now the same judge realized there was no case after all.

And how did those home-made explosives which triggered three small explosions and injured five persons planted in three police cones, considering the police was monitoring the area intensively? Unless Anwar supporters fancy blowing up themselves out of fun, these home-made explosives could be planted to create chaos should the judge delivers a conviction verdict. It would then be used as justification to deny any future rally because it would be proven that the peaceful rally can become deadly. Nah, the Perkasa group was too chicken to do such thing, no? But the judge was ready to acquit Anwar so what give?

The answer: the acquittal verdict could be a last-minute decision. To get together the jigsaw puzzle, let’s revisit the past articles. This article “Resign Or Snap Election For Najib, Here’re The Reasons“, talks about the power struggle within UMNO between PM Najib and the 3M-Team led by his mentor Mahathir. Of course Najib didn’t resign nor call for a snap election because he found a temporary workaround – balancing the power by inviting a third force into the equation hence the article “Romance Of Three Kingdoms – Najib, Mahathir & Anwar“.

Auntie Rosy seems to have taken some notes in “All Is Not Lost, If Auntie Rosy Dare To Turn The Table” article, and managed to whacked hubby Najib out of his slumberland with her precious Birkin bag. Najib in turns have done some damage controls. Former Selangor state Chief Minister Khir Toyo has been sacrificed, not that he was an innocent angel in the first place. Najib also has stopped parroting Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali’s racial remarks, not to mention being super nice to the Chinese community and spend more time talking economy instead of checking Anwar’s daily sex life.

MACC was instructed to spend time on Shahrizat, an UMNO warlord aligned with deputy PM Muhyiddin over the RM250 million CowGate Scandal. Instead of an apology over Bersih 2.0 mishandling, Hishammuddin (reluctantly) showed his soft-spot in the latest “901 Free Anwar” rally. That would leave a “Cabinet Reshuffle” the only pending task before the actual snap election. Nevertheless Cabinet reshuffle is not an easy task considering it would potentially remove the warlords’ cheese. For the same reason, Mahathir wasn’t really fancy the idea of fielding “winnable candidates” drummed by Najib. Nevertheless, it was a great job by Auntie Rosy.

Of course, Najib was having orgasm when he thought he had given Mahathir a run for his money by flexing his muscles in making Shahrizat furious and mumbling as if she was infected by mad-cow disease in “Best Democracy In The World – Najib Impressed Obama” article. Mahathir wasn’t amused with Najib’s antic at all but he was equally disgusted with Shahrizat’s arrogance and denial syndrome in the scandal which went to the extent of naughty jokes about the women’s RM26,000 bra. Mahathir recognizes the need to neutralize any scandal which could potentially invite Middle East style uprising, not to mention the coming election, hence his worry in the article “Mahathir And His 3M Team Are Worried And Here’s Why“.

Sensing Najib was dragging his feat in Anwar’s sodomy trial, Mahathir tried to stage a comeback by putting his hands in everything from political to economic issues. This put Anwar in high alert as in “Anwar And Opposition Are Worried – Mahathir Is Back” article. But it wasn’t only Anwar who was worried about Mahathir’s sudden active manoeuvres. Najib was equally worried that the old master tactician started gathering supporters openly especially from UMNO warlords. It seems there was silent power struggle as well as alliance talks among three persons right to the moment before the judge announces the verdict – Najib, Anwar and Mahathir.

Maybe that explains the flip-flop about the police’s rally permit which demanded the sudden 10 conditions after granted it, not to mention the unexpected explosions plus the rush by the (reluctant) judge in delivering the verdict. Maybe someone very powerful inside UMNO tried to create havoc hoping to use it as weapon to gain absolute power and force PM Najib to resign. One has to remember Najib is still surrounded by many warlords who may be dropped as candidates in the next general election. With a last-minute secret alliance brokered between Anwar and Najib, Mahathir’s power is clipped and this provides a balance of power amongst them.

So no, the judiciary pillar is not an inch any better than before the acquittal as what many perceived. It was a bonus from Najib’s manoeuvre to tilt the power in his favour from Mahathir. By temporary sending Mahathir to the drawing board once again, Najib can claim judiciary independence under his administration and score some points. Who said Najib is stupid?

Moving forward, Najib should reshuffle his cabinet before calling for the polls if he insists on fielding winnable candidates. Going by the calendar, he should be calling the polls in Mar-2012 if he thinks a cabinet reshuffle is too risky. Otherwise, he would do the reshuffle in Mar-2012 and call the polls in June-2012. One more thing – Shahrizat may be put in cold storage as her cows are inviting unfavourable feedback from the rural folks.

Spectacular Fireworks Welcoming New Year 2012

2012-01-03T00:47:00.000-08:00

The New Year 2012 has been welcomed with spectacular fireworks across the globe and as with previous year, Australia showed the rest of the world how to have a good time and another round of magnificent fireworks. With hundreds of thousands thronging the harbour, Sydney welcomed 2012 in style – a whopping $6 million of fireworks. Lady Gaga performed in Times Square, New York while the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, was illuminated in Dubai.

The celebration also knocked down social network Twitter as it was overloaded with New Year messages. The record 16,197 tweets per second crashed the popular Twitter servers and users were greeted with error message “Twitter is over capacity” instead. While the social network struggled to get online, more than 250,000 people poured into Central London expecting one of the greatest fireworks as the country will be hosting the 2012 Olympics. A whopping 3,000 police officers were on duty in London as the extraordinary large crowds preparing themselves for the 11-minute’s 12,000 fireworks explosion.
From Times Square to Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers, everyone was having great time welcoming the new year. Happy New Year 2012 from FinanceTwitter and here’re some of the spectacular photos (click to enlarge) which might blow your mind off.

Sydney, Australia

London, United Kingdom

New York’s Time Square, USA

Las Vegas, USA

Zurich, Switzerland

Portugal

Berlin, Germany

Lithuania

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Beijing, China

Helsinki, Finland

St Petersburg, Russia

Moscow, Russia

Vienna

Taipei, Taiwan

Manila, Philippines

Marina Bay, Singapore

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Anwar And Oppositions Are Worried – Mahathir Is Back

2011-12-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

While former PM Mahathir was worried about nothing else but his UMNO’s lavish partying, the latest being the RM250 million NFC scandal, which is driving the party into self-destruction through internal sabotage, the opposition parties are equally worried about something else. Mahathir had left his “101 Smart Corruption for the Dummies” to his successors but none bother to read it, let alone practice it. Mahathir is really mad because his formula has gone into recycle bins. He’s not going to see UMNO “tapau” (taken-away or dies) before he’s “tapau” himself.

Nobody seems to take seriously his formula that says “If you wish to take 100 bucks from the piggy bank, you have to make sure the economic gravy train is generating at least 200 bucks or more”. Mahathir is not about to let the infamous R.A.H.M.A.N. prophecy comes to fruition, not with his remaining few years left, if you choose to believe feng-shui masters’ prediction that he may live up to the auspicious age of 88. Judging by the number of media news coverage being published – ranging from political statements to business transactions – there’re glowing finger prints that Mahathir is making a come back, for the last time.

Mahathir called for Shahrizat, the minister who is tainted with the quarter of a billion ringgit NFC scandal, to quit before being “chased out” by her party. That speaks volume when 99.99% of the recent UMNO general assembly delegates chose to zip their mouth about the scandal instead. Shahrizat can continues to play dumb and hides under PM Najib’s chair while licks deputy PM Muhyiddin’s boot but the fact that her husband’s company hijacked part of the RM250 million to purchase luxury condos, overseas trips, plots of land, half a million ringgit Mercedes Benz CLS 350 CGI and naughty allegation of RM26,000 bra was enough to cost UMNO thousands of votes.

Mahathir also openly defended his buddy from Sarawak, Taib Mahmud, who had consistently delivered the “fixed-deposit votes” during the former PM’s 22-year-rule. It doesn’t matter that Switzerland-based Bruno Manser Fund said official documents show the Taib family stake in 14 Malaysian companies alone is worth US$1.46 billion. It definitely doesn’t matter that NGOs from six different countries issued a joint letter demanding that Malaysia’s authorities arrest and prosecute Mahmud Taib and 13 members of his family for massive fraud, theft, corruption, illegal appropriation of land and abuse of public office.

The reason why Mahathir is still defending the little dictator from Sarawak, despite the obvious corruption, is easily understandable. Mahathir badly needs Sarawak votes and he can count on Taib Mahmud to deliver, as long as the “peh-moh” (Taib Mahmud) is left to continue his plundering. Heck, birds of the same feather flock together so this is making Shahrizat scratching her head – why can’t she milked the RM250 million while Taib Mahmud is still milking the whole state of Sarawak to the tune of billions of ringgit? Obviously Taib is delivering the votes while Shahrizat’s costing UMNO thousands of votes.

Interestingly, Mahathir also decides who should get what in the latest Proton Holdings Berhad (KLSE: PROTON, stock-code 5304) acquisition deal, despite Khazanah being the major shareholder. Not only he made it known that DRB-Hicom, controlled by his buddy and crony Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary, would win the bid for a controlling stake in Proton, one of his pet projects, he also said Khazanah Nasional should not sell its entire stake (currently at 42.7%) in Proton as this would trigger a mandatory general offer.

The most disturbing part was that Mahathir made it clear that he doesn’t care about others getting hurt as long as Proton is not hurt in the process of rejuvenating his pet Proton project. He talks as if he’s still the Prime Minister of the country. He doesn’t give opinions anymore but rather instructions of how things should work, to his favour. Like it or not, the trademark of Mahathirism is back and it’s written all over the wall. And the thought of Mahathir taking charge again is enough to send shivers down the opposition’s spine, particularly opposition de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim. Let’s see when Daim Zainuddin is making his appearance, shall we?

It’s almost a certainty that Anwar will be handed a guilty verdict in the Sodomy Part 2 trial but Mahathir is not sweating about the after-effect. The unknown new batch of phantom voters would neutralize the fence-sitters who may decide to vote the opposition after Anwar’s verdict. That was why Mahathir confidently said the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional (BN) is in a good position to win the next 13th general election. As a matter of fact, if BN can survives the losses of 300,000 Malay votes in the 1999 general election, how many more Malay votes that haven’t crossed over to the opposition camp yet since Anwar’s Sodomy Part 1′s guilty verdict?

Mahathir is not going to let Anwar roaming freely just because PM Najib is dragging his feet. Mahathir will make sure UMNO-led Barisan Nasional continues to rule the country even by “un-democratic means”. And when Mahathir decides that the best defence is a good offence, it only means one thing – all hell will break loose. This indeed is worrying the opposition and whoever who thought that the coming 13th general election will see the demise of the corrupted UMNO.

To put in perspective, Mahathir doesn’t care about others getting hurt as long as UMNO is not hurt. Now, Mahathir has send the opposition back to the drawing board.

PROF KHOO KAY PENG SPEAKS OUT ON WHAT IS TRULY 1 MALAYSIA

2011-12-08T01:34:00.000-08:00

Few People realise that UiTM that takes in only Bumiputera including from Singapore!...has a current enrollment of something like 130,000 students, and it is expected to reach an enrollment of 200,000 by 2013!...

In comparison University Malaya has only an enrollment of 23,000 students, and there they are talking about ensuring that more than 60%+ are Bumiputeras in University of Malaya.

Do you know that there is a University Science Islam?...that is also producing dentists and doctors as well?? This University is different from International Islamic University, which is also producing doctors and dentists.

Do you know that UiTM has more than 1,000 PhD. holders on their staff? UiTM now takes in 200 students for medicine every year!...all Bumiputeras of course! Selayang and Sg. Buloh Hospitals have become their teaching hospitals.

If you go to the PNB website and read the Annual report of Amanah Saham Bumiputera you will realise that that fund alone has about 80+ billion....and compare that with Public Mutual a subsidiary of Public Bank, the Largest Mutual Fund in this Country, which runs some 35 Funds or so with a total value of only less than 30 billion!

Although they say that there is cap of 200,000 units in ASB...Please read the Annual Report, carefully, and you will realise that there are several thousand Bumiputeras having an Average of about One Million Units in that Fund...Tax Free, Paying anything from 8+ to 11+ % per year!...and we are only talking about that one Fund!...ASNB manages Funds to the Total Value of about 130+ billion Educate yourself

All Older Malaysians have much to be accountable for what Malaysia is today…

Tolerances had been abused, and patience had been taken for granted… We are now what we had been—–By doing nothing. Right then, that is how we had ended up to what it is today!! If we choose to remain as what we had done, then we can expect nothing more than what we already had today!!

1Malay or 1Malaysia?

Malay, Chinese and Indian are all Malaysian brothers and sisters. But BN has screwed Malaysians and Malaysia up.

Malay 1^st…. Malaysian 2^nd

When a Malay, a Chinese and an Indian, all Malaysians, apply for:-

1) Scholarships, Malays will get it first irrespective of how bright other Malaysians are.

2) Entry to the local universities and best courses such medicine, dentistry, law; Malays will get it first irrespective of quality. Residential hostels, Matriculation courses, MARA Uni, Malays will get 90% to 100%. (By the way, matriculation exams are internally set by their own lecturers – about thousands of straight A students in Matriculation compared to the straight A’s in STPM which are few. This is “Malay meritocracy vs Malaysian meritocracy”!)

3) Social Welfare, Malays will get it first irrespective of how poor the Malaysian rakyat is and the Malays demand that it is their right, that the govt owe them!!!.Malay 1^st.

4) Business Contracts, all GLCs Malays MUST get it first irrespective of who can offer the best value, quality and unblemished track record. Even when blacklisted, Malay associations have the right to complain because the rakyat owes them a living.

5) Sharing of wealth and equity, IPOs, ASB, Malays will get it first. Even with ASB for Malays give higher returns and principal guaranteed capped at RM200K instead of other bonds for Malaysians with lower yield capped at RM50K. This is ongoing. Why Malays cannot reach 30% equities? Statistics are manipulated so that valuation of shares are based on par value (Imagine valuing CIMB, Maybank, Sime Darby etc at par value of RM1.00 instead of market value of RM12 etc. Malaysians must accept these assumptions or make sure this is hidden or else priviledges are gone..!! )

6) Low cost houses, lands, houses even bungalows , Malays will get it first because they are the supreme race and the rest of Malaysians are immigrants. Quotas for Malays are 30% to 50% with steep discounts to be subsidized by the rest of the Malaysians.

7) Important Senior management jobs, CEO positions in government linked companies, Malays will get it first irrespective of the best qualified and most capable Malaysian candidates.

8) Government linked positions, civil positions, nurses and teachers training, Malay will get them first irrespective whether they are qualified.

9) Religious land for worship or terms of God , Malays own it and the rest must obey.

10) Demonstrations, freedom of expressions, racial blurs, Malays can have their say, others under ISA …

Now you know why it is Malay 1^st, Malaysian 2^nd Education, welfare, economic, business policies are to benefit Malay first then Malaysian 2^nd. The rest of the rakyat, who works hard, contribute to nation building will continue to be Malaysians 2^nd. So it is not so difficult to understand if a Malay Indonesian Badminton player is playing against a Chinese or Indian Malaysian, those who subscribe Malay 1^st, Malaysians 2^nd will cheer for the Malay badminton player.

When there is a citizenship application of a Malay Indonesian and a qualified non Malay, the Malay Indonesian will get it irrespective of merits.

That is why we have Malay is 1^st class other Malaysians 2^nd class. This is the only country that has racism and special rights enshrined in its Constitution because Malay is supreme. So if you have the opportunity to migrate to be treated fairly and justly, why stay? Malaysians 2^nd means you will always be an immigrant. Why become an immigrant with 2^nd class rights when other countries are willing to give you equal rights.

Mahathir And His 3M Team Are Worried And Here’s Why

2011-12-01T18:35:00.000-08:00

It’s been 50 years since a U.S. Secretary of State stepped foot in Myanmar, now shattered and isolated after decades of military rule. Hillary Clinton’s upcoming visit to the country, which was formerly known as Burma, is something many never expected to see especially after years of paranoid authoritarianism and Soviet-style economic management under military junta. However one can only do so much under international isolation and finally the new president, U Thein Sein, a former general, admitted he needs international legitimacy and recognition.

Surely the new president has to agree to a democratization process, though it could come at a snail-pace speed, and Clinton’s visit is all about that – to see and hear the commitment from the military government. But Myanmar, seen as a pariah-state by the West, immediately attracted comparison with another country, Malaysia, for the wrong reason. Suddenly, Malaysia, under Najib Razak administration, become the laughing stock because its citizens now have less freedom compared to Myanmar, thanks to the recently rushed Peaceful Assembly Law.

Mahathir Mohamad, former premier who ruled with iron-fist, immediately voiced his support for the controversial law, as expected. However there’re other interesting yet mind-boggling opinions from Mahathir that you should pay attention. In fact, this is good news to the opposition and to a certain extent, Najib’s camp. Mahathir, together with his 3M members are actually panic. Mahathir is a master in mind games and he likes to play reverse psychology with his enemies. He claimed he was confident Arab Spring, in referring to Middle East style revolts, was unlikely to spread to Malaysia – but in actual fact he was deadly worried that such uprising could happen anytime.

If it’s easier for the world to end in 2012 than for such revolts to happen in Malaysia, why on earth would the old man waste his time and breath on such minor topic? He knew it could happen, what more with the blatant super-corruption scandals, one after another being exposed with very little interest from the government to combat it. The latest RM250 million NFC Cowgate scandal was awarded to Shahrizat’s family, led by her husband and three children, all of whom know nuts about cattle-rearing except eating beef-satay. It’s amusing that Shahrizat shamelessly, proudly and arrogantly declare that her family deserves it because they were hard-working.

There’s no doubt that Mahathir started the engine of corruption but he has definitely underestimate how the corruption spread like wildfire since he left office. Worse still, almost 99.99% of UMNO members think there’s nothing wrong with the RM250 million scandal which saw the taxpayers money were used instead to purchase luxury condo, overseas trips, plots of land, half a million ringgit Mercedes Benz CLS 350 CGI and whatnot. Envy of Shahrizat’s new found fortune, the delegates from UMNO Wanita openly urged Najib administration to allocate (more like giveaway) projects to the women wing as well.

And this is sending shivers down Mahathir’s spine simply because it confirms the next problem – internal sabotage. Corruption, giveaway projects, easy money otherwise no votes, inflated contractors have become Mahathir’s (new) UMNO’s new nightmare. Heck, the whole system has become so polluted and messy that AirAsia Berhad’s (KLSE: AIRASIA, stock-code 5099) boss, Tony Fernandes, has declares war with “Say No to Airport Tax Increase” campaign today against government-linked company, MAHB, simply because Malaysia Airports wants to get easy revenue instead of being innovative and efficient.

The joke going around – do you know how “well-fed” UMNO delegates who blindly threw their support to their leaders are? Well, look at how obese they are, of course. While the average-Joes are struggling with escalating cost of living, UMNO leaders are munching away the nation’s fortune, at an alarming speed. Hence, the plan to fill only “winnable” candidates in the next general election is tantamount to invite internal sabotage and back-stabbing since all the (“un-winnable”) warlords have been practically milking riches doing nothing.

That was the reason Mahathir was not in favour of Najib’s winnable-candidates-only strategy.
Shahrizat’s Cowgate scandal was a good example why winnable-candidate strategy won’t work. The scandal is also a good litmus test to see how serious Najib was with the plan because obviously Shahrizat is not a winnable candidate. But Najib can’t boot Shahrizat out of the list because she’s the leader of the women wing, not to mention she a very close ally of Muhyiddin, the deputy PM and PM wannabe. Muhyiddin has openly defended Shahrizat in the Cowgate scandal and that speaks volume and the reason why warlord Shahrizat was so arrogant and cocky.

Najib is expected to call a snap election early 2012, probably after the Chinese New Year. That was the reason 28-year-old Nazifuddin, Najib’s son, resigned in lightning speed as director of Harvest Court Industries Berhad after his controversial appointment. Mahathir has every reason to worry since the opposition is expected to play to the fullest UMNO’s scandals – Shahrizat’s RM250 million Cowgate, Auntie Rosy’s RM24 million diamond ring and the latest naughty jokes of Shahrizat’s RM26,000 bra (*grin*).

This also means the government can kiss the Chinese votes goodbye.
Mahathir also tried to joke that smarter voters are giving the present government headaches especially with the advancement in information technology, not to mention the popular social networking. You can bet that he was relieved in a way that such technology did not flourish during his 22-year-rule. Indirectly he hinted he was lucky to have stupid or fools who voted and worship him as if he was the Egyptian’s Greatest Pharaoh. But that doesn’t hide his worry that UMNO may not be able to win a comfortable victory in the coming 13th general election even with the tens of thousands of cheating illegal workers’ votes behind them.

Mahathir can’t do much about the young voters who worship internet and despise government controlled media. The government cannot brainwash the Facebook and Twitter generation and this is worrying Mahathir. You can’t fool that the RM1.8 million spent on Facebook was a freaking good idea. From the global support for the previous Bersih 2.0, Mahathir knows the Middle East style uprising is real and could explode anytime if the right ingredients are put in place. And that was why the Peaceful Assembly Law was rushed before the general election. Mahathir is praying hard there won’t be any hung Parliament – it could spark the peoples’ revolt if Najib administration blatantly bulldoze against the result and claim the government, never mind without international legitimacy and recognition.

Yes, Najib’s administration will most likely win the next general election but Mahathir is deadly worry about the result of the election as well. If Najib win too big, Mahathir-Muhyiddin’s plan to unseat Najib would be affected. If the status quo remains, there’s a possibility of the opposition taking over the government. Anwar has learnt the lesson from his previous Sept 16 takeover plan, and he’s not going to repeat his mistake twice. He’s well prepared for the eventuality of a hung parliament. In actual fact, as we speak, Anwar has pretty much secured a latest list of possible frogs from Najib’s administration. In order to form the next government, these frogs would get whatever they demand to jump over to Anwar’s camp.

Nevertheless between the two, Muhyiddin is more desperate than Mahathir and this can be seen by how the deputy PM played the Malay sentiments to the tip of mount Everest, using DAP as the punching bag. Poor DAP was accused of being anti-Malay, anti-Islam, insults civil servants, disrespect royal institution, wanted to turn Malaysia into a republic and whatnot. Heck, if possible Muhyiddin would like to even accuse DAP of having a role in Andy Lau’s wife, Carol Chu’s pregnancy. This is understandable because Muhyiddin is the next in line to become the Prime Minister.

Next year, 2012, will indeed be an extraordinary year. Times will tell if Najib’s latest formula of “extraordinary work to get extraordinary victory” will work or not. It could turn out to be an extraordinary defeat or victory for either the present government or the hungry opposition. It could also trigger an extraordinary uprising due to extraordinary cheating by Najib’s administration. It could also bring about an extraordinary internal sabotage within UMNO that even the opposition couldn’t believe it themselves. But for Shahrizat, she has already made his extraordinary moolah and enjoys her extraordinary luxury condo, extraordinary huge plots of land, extraordinary comfortable Mercedes Benz and extraordinary piece of bra.

BANGSA IBAN ( IBANS ) in the Federal Civil Services in MALAYSIA

2011-08-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

KUCHING: There are only 13,882 Ibans and 7,108 Bidayuhs in the Federal departments and ministries out of 601,862 Malays and 57,578 Chinese.
These figures were released by the Prime Minister Department in reply to a question raised by the MP for Bandar Kuching Chong Chieng Jen.

During the recent sitting of Parliament, Chong had asked the Prime Minister to give the total number of civil servants in all the ministries and the racial breakdown of Malays, Chinese, Iban and Bidayuh up to 31 March 2011.

“Based on the reply given to my question in Parliament there is a big discrepancy between the Malays and Chinese, Iban and Bidayuh civil servants,” he said.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak should improve the racial composition of the civil service if he is really serious about implementing 1Malaysia concept.

“He has been shouting about the concept for the past two years, and yet the racial composition between the Malays and Chinese in government departments has not improved,” said Chong who is Sarawak DASP Secretary and state assemblyman for Kota Sentosa.

Quoting the reply, Chong who is the MP for Bandar Kuching said: “In the Prime Minister Department, there are about 31,297 Malays to 797 Chinese or 39.27:1. This is about two percent.

“And there are only 412 Ibans and 279 Bidayuhs in the PM department.

“The worst is in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry where there are 2,442 Malays to 18 Chinese or 135.67:1 or less than one percent of the Chinese, and 26 Ibans and 18 Bidayuhs,” he said.

Among the ministries mentioned by Chong included the following:

~ Ministry of Youth and Sports 2,980 Malays to 32 Chinese, 27 Ibans and 21 Bidayuhs;

~ Ministry of Home Affairs 40,263 (Malays) to 614 (Chinese), 823 (Iban) and 476 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Works 6,221 (Malays) to 156 (Chinese), 21(Iban), and 9(Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Health 130,106 (Malays) to 9,500 (Chinese), 3,657(Iban) and 1,894 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Finance 15,835 (Malays) to 508 (Chinese), 247 (Iban) and 155 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1,215 (Malays) to 53 (Chinese), 7 (Iban) and 6 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Education 273,791(Malays) to 43,669 (Chinese), 7,379 (Iban) and 3,434 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Tourism 455 (Malays) to 19 (Chinese), 6 (Iban) and 6 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development 5,461 (Malays) to 75 (Chinese), 75 (Iban) and 42(Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture 8,839 (Malays) to 402 (Chinese), 231 (Iban) and 134 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Higher Education 15,012 (Malays) to 334 (Chinese), 84(Iban) and 54 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Transport 9,028 (Malays) to 205 (Chinese), 198(Iban) and 168 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Defence 12,078 (Malays) to 113 (Chinese), 123 (Iban) and 76 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Housing and Local Government 11,363 (Malays) to 173 (Chinese), 201 (Iban) and 88 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of International Trade and Industry 785(Malays) to 29 (Chinese), 7(Iban) and 4(Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Domestic Trade, and Consumer Affairs 2,645 (Malays) to 47 (Chinese), 43 (Iban) and 23 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry 8,826 (Malays) to 206 (Chinese), 54 (Iban) and 45(Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Entrepreneur and Commodity 195 (Malays) to 5 (Chinese), 0 (Iban) and 0 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation 3,596 (Malays) to 240 (Chinese), 48 (Iban) and 48(Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment 11,849 (Malays) to 227(Chinese), 108(Iban) and 67(Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Human Resources 6,457 (Malays) to 129(Chinese), 98 (Iban) and 60 (Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water 553 (Malays) to 19(Chinese), 5(Iban) and 0(Bidayuh);

~ Ministry of Federal Territory 570 (Malays) to 8 (Chinese), 2(Iban) and 1(Bidayuh).

Total 601,862 (Malays) to 57,578 (Chinese), 13,882(Ibans) and 7,108(Bidayuh).
Pointing out that these are some of the examples, Chong said: “This clearly shows such unbalanced racial composition in the various government departments and ministries.

“It also clearly shows Najib’s 1Malaysia slogan is a mere slogan. There is no concrete policy to implement the concept,” he said, adding that he had been shouting about it for the last two years.

He said: “There is no improvement in the racial composition based on the racial breakdown in the government departments. Even in his department it is worse than the average.

“It shows that Najib is not the prime minister for all, but the prime minister for one single race,” Chong said.

It should be interesting to know how many Ibans and Bidayuhs in the State Civil Service. Can any Dayak state assemblyman ask such a question?

7 Things That Would Happen If The USA Is Downgraded

2011-08-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

With less than 100 hours (Aug 2) before the world’s largest economic powerhouse, United States of America, is set to default on its debt obligations or otherwise, the global stock markets are trembling with fear. It’s very unlikely but should it happens, the U.S. economy may tumble by 5% and the stock market may drop by 30%, according to Credit Suisse. But even if U.S. lawmakers strike a deal to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling on time, the U.S. government would still lose its rating from one of the three major rating agencies – Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services and Fitch Ratings.

Standard & Poor’s has warned that anything less than $4 trillion in budget cuts will likely mean the U.S. loses its top AAA rating. So the lawmakers better do something good about this long overdue debt problem, not only in preventing a default but also how to rescue the forever escalating debt. Let’s see what could happen if U.S. is downgraded.

1) A Downgrade

Currently, the long-term debt of the U.S. is rated triple-A (AAA) by Moody’s and S&P (Standard & Poor). In the event of a default, the U.S. rating will be downgraded by a notch or even up to three notch, still far from “junk” status (*Phew*). Still, the baseline expectation from many analysts and economists is that the Congress will strike a last-minute deal to raise the debt ceiling. Even if this happens, it does not take a downgrade away simply because U.S. debt stays and will continue to skyrocket.

2) Interestingly, Investors Will Not Dump Treasury Securities

Will financial markets rush to sell U.S. Treasuries in the wake of a downgrade? Not likely although economists have been debating on this issue for many moons. It’s quite simple – this Treasury Monster is “Too Big to Fail”, not to mention the fact that foreign holdings make up the largest share of outstanding Treasury security holdings. Of all foreign Treasury holdings, more than three quarters is held by foreign official institutions which include foreign sovereign wealth funds and central banks.

These institutions hold U.S. Treasury bonds because they are the most stable and the most liquid financial asset in the world so even if they would dump it after a downgrade, they would have difficulties finding replacement(s). One option would be for these institutions to park their money in European debt but the Eurozone itself has been rocked by its own credit worthiness from the sovereign debt crisis. Another option would be Asian debt as a replacement. But Asian countries’ capital markets are still developing and not yet mature, not to mention it’s too small to replace the giant U.S. Treasury market. The foreign funds holding about 46% of U.S. Treasury will have no where to go but to stay put.

3) Money Market Funds will Stay As It Is

Besides putting their money into savings accounts at commercial banks, Americans put their money into money market accounts namely money market funds. A money market fund is a type of mutual fund that is required by U.S. law to invest in low-risk securities such as government securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper of companies, or other highly liquid and low-risk securities. Thus, these funds have relatively low risks compared to other mutual funds and pay dividends that generally reflect short-term interest rates.

U.S. regulations allow for the securities held in money market funds to include a broad band of ratings – from triple-A (AAA) to single-A (A). The U.S. would have to be downgraded several notches, far beyond what either S&P or Moody’s were expected to do before money market funds are affected in a serious way. Nevertheless as the Aug 2 deadline approaches, the Investment Company Institute just revealed that total U.S. money market mutual fund assets fell $37.53 billion to $2.634 trillion for the week that ended Wednesday.

4) Pension Funds, Too Small to Create Impact

A downgrade of U.S. debt will not automatically trigger a fire sale by pension funds because the federal, state and local retirement funds hold only 3% of the outstanding U.S. government debt. A study by Wells Fargo concluded in the event of forced selling, the impact would be minimal. Furthermore, pension funds specialists argued that the pension funds will not necessary sell if prices are pushed too low due to panic selling.

5) Germany Bonds Rally

German 10-year bonds rose a fifth day before an Italian debt sale and after Standard & Poor’s said Greece risks further defaults after the restructuring agreed upon at a summit last week. Also, triple-A rated paper like German Bunds and UK Gilts outperformed U.S. Treasuries, with the U.S./German 10-year yield spread 13 bps wider on the day at 35 bps. Using the same analogy, the German bonds would rally in the event of a downgrade.

Investors seeking diversification and shelter will most likely park some of their money in Germany. Sure, the Germany bonds are still small relatively to U.S. but this also means a possible squeeze, pushing German bonds further north.

6) Some Banks Get Downgraded

Banks that currently enjoy higher ratings because they’re backed by the government and should there be problem they would get bailed. But now their “guarantor”, the U.S. government, is downgraded so naturally these banks would get downgraded as well simply because the U.S. debt is riskier. These banks may need to raise their borrowing costs. Debt of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the ‘AAA’ rated Federal Home Loan Banks and the ‘AAA’ rated Federal Farm Credit System Banks may be affected.

Heck, these banks may need to raise hundreds of billions in new capital should things get ugly as they aren’t required to hold any capital at all against U.S. Treasurys at this moment but a downgrade means their assets are now not risk-free.

7) Junk Stocks Sell Off, Quality Stocks Bargain

Investors would need to rebalance their portfolio in the event of a U.S. debt downgrade and the most feasible thing to do is to sell off junk stocks, if they have any. A decline of 2% – 5% (some say 10%) in the S&P 500 across the board is also anticipated with stocks such as Coca-Cola to Apple Inc. to be affected, one way or another. Already, many are chasing out just in case as can be seen when the Dow is down by 441 points this week alone.

When rating agencies downgrade countries — as we’ve seen with Spain, Greece and Japan – their stocks tumble. Having said that, FinanceTwitter still think this is a golden opportunity to scope the quality stocks during the sell-off. Reason – 80% of the 190 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported second-quarter results have beaten Wall Street’s estimates. Earnings from Microsoft Corp., Coca-Cola Co. and IBM Corp. had the Dow above 12,700 just a week ago.

Like it or not, a downgrade in the U.S. wouldn’t have the same effect on its stock market as downgrades do in other countries. The companies in the Dow are giant-multinationals that rely less on the U.S. for profits as compared to companies from Spain or Greece. For example, Apple’s iPhone sales actually quadrupled from a year ago in the Asia market particularly China. Therefore, assuming investors already take into consideration of a one-notch credit downgrade of U.S. debt, the stock market may celebrate upon an agreement to lift the debt ceiling, and you won’t want to miss this chance, would you?

Interestingly, according to U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government had an operating cash balance of only $73.8 billion at the end of the day yesterday. On the other hand, Apple’s last earnings report showed that the company had $76.2 billion in cash and marketable securities at the end of June. This is amazing but it’s a joke the world’s largest and (perhaps) the most admired technology company has more cash than the world’s largest sovereign government – United States of America. Maybe Steve Jobs can organize a short course on how Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL, stock) earns more money than it spends to the U.S. government, which does the opposite.

Post-Bersih 2.0 Rally, Here Are The Winners (Photo)

2011-07-12T02:29:00.000-07:00

My driver was anxiously telling me how he evaded the road block on his way to pick me up at the airport, on the eve of Bersih 2.0′s July 9 rally. Before I can start telling him about my trip to Hong Kong and the wonderful foods that I had, he told me not to worry because he would use another route to send me home. Obviously he wasn’t listening and didn’t care about my Hong Kong trip and who could blame him when almost every Tom, Dick and his dog were affected (and excited) about the Bersih 2.0 rally, one way or another.

It seems the Malaysian police received tips that thousands of stubborn supporters would somehow invade the capital city Kuala Lumpur from the country’s international airport, hence the road-block – how stupid can that be. I told my driver I was thinking about staying put in Hong Kong to help the number (of Bersih 2.0 Hong Kong version) since Kuala Lumpur was literally paralysed due to the police lockdown as if the city was infected by some sort of virus. But my driver said the most electrifying moment only happen in the city so I should come back to experience it, whatever that means.

I didn’t give much hope that the Bersih 2.0 would be any success compared to the first version although I did write about the unexpected turn-out due to PM Najib Razak’s own stupidity - repeating the history and in the process giving free but valuable publicity to the Bersih 2.0 rally. And the most terrifying moment in the entire political life of PM Najib emerges – a united estimated 50,000 Malaysians regardless of ethnic, religion, age, wealth and whatnot took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur in defiance of the government ban, hand-in-hand. If I were Najib Razak, I would be constipating, knowing my throne is slipping away.

If there’s one army that you can’t defeat, that army would be these 50,000 united citizens who came out arming with nothing more than their determination and spirit in demanding for a simple request – a fair election. For once, they’re united for a single cause. You can’t help but shed tears watching how peaceful and the close comradeship demonstrated by these people in helping each other – against the brutality of the police. Unlike Bersih 1.0, this round of rally triggered international attention when Malaysians from around the world; from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Taiwan to as far as United States, Canada, France and Switzerland joined forces in the rally.

Bersih 2 - Portland, USA

Bersih 2 - Paris, France

Bersih 2 - London, Britain

Bersih 2 - Ottawa, Canada

Bersih 2 - Hong Kong

Bersih 2 - Taipei, Taiwan

Bersih 2 - Perth, Australia

Bersih 2 - Adelaide, Australia

Bersih 2 - Melbourne, Australia

Bersih 2 - Canberra, Australia

Bersih 2 - Osaka, Japan

Bersih 2 - Geneva, Switzerland

Bersih 2 - Washington, USA

Arrogance is addictive, so I suppose PM Najib felt how his predecessor, former PM Abdullah Badawi, was feeling when Badawi thought he was invincible when confronted with peoples rally back in 2007. If only Najib took the different route and allows these people to march peacefully and hand-over whatever their petitions to the King, he would not have to worry about the post-rally effects now. With a record-breaking 1,667 people arrested, including 151 women and 16 children, 1 death due to tear-gas paid by taxpayers money and international coverage from CNN to Al-Jazeera on police’s brutality, Najib administration should be shivering in fears instead of still boasting about his ability to mobilize so-called 3 million UMNO members for a similar rally.

Now that the rally is over and the government-controlled media started spinning stories in an attempt for damage-control, who’re the winners and losers post Bersih 2.0 rally? As expected both Malaysian Government and Bersih claim victories. Maybe it’s true that there’re no losers and everyone is a winner.

First Winner – Bersih 2.0

Obviously Bersih (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections) is now a well-known household brand name synonym with “Fair and Clean”. You can bet your money that if you register this name as a political party and put a donkey as the candidate, you will win the seat with handsome majority (*grin*). Forget about Najib’s pea-size brain cousin, Home Minister Hishammuddin, who declared Bersih as an illegal organization. The fact that the King agreed for an audience with Bersih representatives means Bersih is recognized as a coalition of 62 NGOs whose interest was purely in promoting democracy and free and fair elections in Malaysia.

Bersih 2.0 chairperson, Ambiga, was right when she said Bersih was not about her or any other political parties. Bersih was about the people, the voice of rakyat for a fair election.

Second Winner – Ambiga Sreenevasan, Bersih chairperson

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama present give away Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage to Malaysia ‘s Ambiga Sreenevasan (Malaysian Bar Council) at the State Department in Washington

Ambiga, a Malaysian lawyer who served is the President of the Malaysian Bar Council from 2007 – 2009, became one of the eight recipients of the 2009 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award in 2009. She is perhaps widely known as the lawyer who stood in the controversial religious case for Lina Joy in her apostasy case. From being attacked in a racial slur by Perkasa as a dangerous Hindu woman to SMS death threat and the call to revoke her citizenship, this woman gains the respect of many for her perseverance.

However she was taking a huge risk when she said she will cancel the rally should she be ordered to do so by the King as it was public knowledge that King’s scripts were normally drafted by Najib administration beforehand. The event sent many in the Bersih committee in disarray and divided over the next course of action should the King were to be on Najib’s side. It was a brilliant tactical move by Najib (or rather Mahathir?) nevertheless in trapping Ambiga who is a political novice. Fortunately, the King granted her an audience, indirectly recognized Bersih as a coalition despite Najib’s cousin declaring it as an illegal movement.

The King neither asked Ambiga to cancel nor endorse the rally but advised both Bersih and Najib administration to negotiate. Needless to say, the arrogant Najib refuse to entertain the King’s advise as it would be seen as losing face to Bersih. Now, Ambiga is an asset whom opposition party (and Najib? Nah!) can recruit as a credible candidate for the next general election.

Third Winner – Opposition parties

As I’ve blogged earlier, when the opposition parties were searching for the next weapon to keep the momentum alive ahead of a snap election speculated to be called anytime soon, Najib foolishly presented them with one. The opposition parties would not have the best platform to swing the fence-sitting voters over to their camp if Najib didn’t show his arrogance by threatening Bersih with the silliest accusation – working with communists and arresting people who wear yellow shirts. He should have engaged Bersih with the objective of locking out opposition parties from riding on the wave of Bersih’s rally.

Thanks to police’s brutality in firing tear-gas directly at innocent crowds, the opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was himself injured while another was dead and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to find election campaign bullets. If opposition parties were to probably lose Selangor and Kedah while maintaining Perak states if a snap election were to call this year, the same cannot be said now post Bersih rally. Should Najib allows the rally to proceed, his administration may be able to regain its two-third majority.

Fourth Winner – Mahathir Mohamad

Despite low-profile, this former dictator was the person pulling strings from behind in his attempt to dislodge Najib in favor of deputy PM Muhyiddin. It was not a surprise that Mahathir was the person who almost checkmate Bersih Ambiga when the King was dragged into the crisis. How Mahathir wished the King was the Sultan of Pahang, Perak or Johor. Nevertheless damage has been done and if history were to repeat itself, Najib will most unlikely able to reclaim two-thirds majority in the next general election hence Mahathir’s ambitious plan to install his son as the deputy Prime Minister looks bright.

Fifth Winner – deputy PM Muhyiddin

Compare to Najib, Muhyiddin is more cruel, decisive and dirty (politically) – something that former dictator PM Mahathir possess. Mahathir can almost swear Muhyiddin looks like him when he was his age. The only thing Mahathir need to do now is to assure Muhyiddin will keep to his promise to warm up the premier seat for his own son after a single term. What Muhyiddin needs to do now is to keep low profile and pour more kerosene into the fire in the hate-Najib campaign, quietly. As long as he can proves that he’s as loyal as a dog to Mahathir, his key to the premier throne is assured.

Sixth Winner – Police

That’s right, the police force is the winner and is proven during the rally. The police succeeded in doing all the dirty works commissioned by Najib administration through his cousin, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. And as a reward, top guns such as IGP (Inspector General of Police) Ismail Omar, deputy IGP Khalid Abu Bakar, City acting police chief Amar Singh, Selangor police chief Tun Hisan and others who carried their duties “faithfully as instructed” are assured of their next promotion (or contract extension).

As a bonus, the police has also done the Najib administration proud by firing and attacking Tung Shin Hospital, a clear breach of Geneva Convention. When not even the United Nations dare to attack hospitals in compliance with Geneva Convention, which was used by dictator Colonel Gaddafi to cowardly hide in Libyan hospitals, Malaysia police under the instruction from Najib administration were happily spreading rounds of tear gas into the civilian hospital. How difficult for the police to deny this – just blame it on the wind and the science of physics that carried the bullets and tear gas into the hospital compound (*grin*).

Malaysian police was so successful in their crackdown against the rally that the whole capital of Kuala Lumpur was literally turned into a ghost town. Intimidation, bullying, threats, roadblocks and brutality against their own citizens were carried out flawlessly and systematically. Police’s dedication would literally make you cry as they comb almost each and every hotel in the city, looking for prospect demonstrators. If only they’re as hardworking in looking for criminals.

But above all, the Malaysia police should be congratulated for striking a very high success rate of arrest when 1,667 people were arrested during the “illegal rally” – that’s a whopping 27.78% success rate out of 6,000 demonstrators as claimed by the IGP. Malaysia now has another commodity for export. Bet Colonel Gaddafi would pay top money to engage Malaysian police services.

Seventh Winner – Brave-heart Shop Owners

Just like Warren Buffett’s stock investing quote – Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy and Be Greedy When Others Are Fearful, only a handful of shop owners opened their business during the rally and as a reward, they enjoyed fantastic business and profit. Others who blindly believed the government’s fear propaganda shutdown their businesses. Strangely despite all the chaos and havoc projected by government-controlled media, not a single shop owner complained of looting or property damages.
In actual fact, if the people were to allow rally peacefully, the tens or probably hundreds of thousands of these “visitors” would bring roaring businesses to all the shop owners. It would be a carnival-like party or festival.

Eighth Winner – Najib Razak

Despite criticisms, Najib is one of the biggest winners here. Maybe it was true that he cowardly tried to fly out of the country before the Bersih 2.0 rally but fortunately his wife Rosmah Mansor stopped him from doing so. Now that the rally was over and with an estimated 50,000 people took to the street, he can spin the story that Bersih 2.0 was a failure as it couldn’t get the promise 100,000 or 500,000 people. In contrast, he can easily mobilize 3 million UMNO members, if he wanted to. He can also be assured of undivided police support should he decide to declare emergency in order to stay in power, in case the opposition managed to win with simple majority in the next general election.

He was particularly proud on how he skillfully cheated Ambiga’s Bersih 2.0 that the government would provide a stadium for them to shout and scream from day to night, only to flop and claim he didn’t promise the Merdeka Stadium but other stadium elsewhere. Ambiga and his team were given the run around and that was so funny. This whole rally also presented Najib with a very important platform - survivability stress test; in the event of an internal power struggle within his own UMNO party. He may be stupid but not his Imelda-Marcos wannabe wife, Rosmah Mansor.

The police backing, army support under his buddy Defence Minister, ability to defy King’s instruction and whatnot would guarantee his premiership. Heck, so what if it’s the King who can only declare emergency, constitutionally speaking? In this case study, obviously Najib administration asked the King to fly kite, literally, when it defied the Highess instruction to negotiate with Bersih. Najib can declare one (state of emergency) himself even if the King refuses to, and will literally get away with it. That was what the Royal Malay Regiment, Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and the police Army Unit and Air Wing joint-exercise right before the rally was all about.

In reality, Prime Minister of Malaysia is the most powerful person in the country, provided you’ve the right backing from the police and army forces, which Najib has at the moment. That was why his most trusted lieutenants were entrusted with the portfolio of Home Minister and Defence Minister. Together with his Finance Minister post, Najib is almost invincible. If I were Najib, I would dissolve the Parliament and call a snap election this week. With only 50,000 against you but more than 28,000,000 people supporting you, what are there to worry about, Mr. Najib Razak?

Govt, TNB & IPP Milking Petronas & People – These Charts Tell All

2011-06-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

On 31-Mar-1993, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia’s main energy provider and a government-linked company signed a 21-year Electricity Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with IPP (Independent Power Producers) Yeoh Tiong Lay Corporation Bhd. (YTL). This was the first PPA ever signed by TNB with an IPP license for the Paka and Pasir Gudang Power Stations. Very few people know that their nightmare was about to begin, with lopsided agreement deliberately drafted to benefit the IPP.

The electricity PPA signed had opened the flood-gate for other players, all of them are either cronies or somehow related to the royals, to jump onto the gravy-train. In 1995, TNB’s monopoly in electricity generation sector ended with the establishment of five IPPs which supplied 30.99 per cent of electricity supply to the National Grid. The five were YTL Power Generation Sdn. Bhd. (the first player that signed the PPA with TNB), Segari Energy Ventures Sdn. Bhd., Port Dickson Power Bhd., Powertek Bhd. and Genting Sanyen Power Sdn. Bhd.

It all started when a massive blackout occured in 1992 that shut down much of the country for up to 48 hours, triggering public anger and outcry. As a result, the then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad dismantled TNB’s monopoly in electricity generation and replaced that role with the IPP program. Practically all the well-connected political groups rushed to bid for the IPP licenses. It was cash-cow so naturally everyone wanted to have a piece of the cake. At one point as many as 150 applications flooded in to the Economic Planning Unit.

Experience in the power sector was not a necessary qualification but the strength of political connections to the government was the vital criteria. Tycoons such as Yeoh Tiong Lay (YTL), Ananda Krishnan (Maxis), Lim Goh Tong (Genting) and Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary were some who rushed for the lucrative contracts and benefited from their very close connection with Mahathir back then. IPPs signed long-term power supply contracts with TNB and the fact that the PPAs were signed with heavy “presence” of the government, IPPs’ profit were almost guaranteed. Of course in return these IPPs would need to scratch the politician’s (mainly UMNO) back as far as war-chest is concerned.

Early birds get the worm, and so the first 5 (five) consortiums in the first wave or batch that bid for the IPP contracts were guaranteed returns of 20% spanning a period of 21-year contract although the actual profits were much higher. The second batch of players who bid for the IPP contracts which began in 2001 got lower contract rates than the first wave. In addition, the IPP projects were only for companies that have 30% bumiputra ownership and foreign investors were prohibited from taking more than 30% stake, not to mention it was not awarded through open tender.

The IPP contracts were so lucrative that by early 1997, months before the Asian financial crisis, the country had almost 50% surplus capacity from a shortage just couple of years ago. Mahathir administration gave out too many licenses in such a short period of time that the sudden over-capacity prompted Mahathir to urge consumers to use more electricity. Since the PPA agreement was lopsided and TNB was obliged to purchase from IPP even though it does not need the electricity, TNB itself had to turn off its own facilities in order to use them.

Obviously every analyst would say the first five IPP had been laughing all the way to the bank because they had been enjoying favourable terms not found anywhere else in the world. Average-Joes were wondering why IPP were so powerful and untouchable so much so that even during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and TNB suffered its worst losses, nobody could get IPP to renegotiate the lopsided terms. In reality, the government didn’t want to rock the cash-cow IPP because the simple solution was to raise electricity rate and let the consumers absorb TNB’s high operating costs.

But is TNB the only player suffering from losses till this day due to lopsided PPA agreement drafted by Mahathir’s administration? Could Malaysians actually enjoy lower cost of electricity if TNB had managed itself professionally in the first place so that IPP wouldn’t have exist in the first place? But I suppose it’s water under the bridge now as we can’t possibly turn back the clock, can we? What about Petronas, the country’s national petroleum corporation that has been milked since its establishment in 1974?

Poor Petronas’s enormous wealth has been evaporating till today, thanks to mismanagement, leakages, bailout, cronies enrichment program and whatnot from the government of the day. Since 1997 until FY2010, Petronas’s cumulative gas subsidy was at a staggering amount of RM116.4 billion – IPP enjoyed the lion share of RM49.3 billion (42.3%) follow by TNB (RM37.3 billion or 32%) and others such as small industrial, commercial, residential users and NGV who enjoyed RM29.8 billion or 25.6%. The fact that IPP and TNB alone enjoyed a combine RM86.6 billion or 74.4% of the total gas subsidy since 1997 is simply jaw-dropping.

To date, Petronas paid a whopping RM529 billion to both Federal and State Governments, making it the biggest contributor to the nation’s coffer, without which the government would have collapse ages ago. It paid a total of RM74 billion in 2009 for the dividends, taxes, petroleum proceeds, export duties and to the state governments. In spite of Petronas’s healthy revenue, the subsidy to IPP and TNB has taken its toll on the net profit. Every year, Petronas pays billions of dollars in gas subsidy mainly to IPP and TNB. In 2008 alone, its gas subsidy reached the peak of RM19.7 billion with IPP and TNB taken the lion share of RM8.1 billion and RM5.7 billion respectively.

What about TNB itself? There’re quite a number of problems with the national power provider. It’s main problem was the huge borrowings, which has been declining so let’s hope the management continues the job of bringing this double-digit of billions to a more managable level. Now that the local currency has strengthern against the foreign currencies, it should be a bonus to the top management in servicing the debts so the CEO Of The Year, Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, should stop giving childish excuse about high debts eating into the profit.

TNB consistently registers billions of Ringgit in net profit so there was no reason for an electricity rate hike, at least that was the argument from the man on the street. On the other hand, TNB is a public listed company hence it has to answer to its shareholders and naturally profit and loss was the main agenda. However there’s no other power provider except TNB and consumers who were at the lowest chain cycle were made to pay, no matter how unfair it was. TNB made about RM3.2 billion in net profit for the financial year 2010.

Within the core of its business however, TNB is a very inefficient entity especially its operating cost. In 2005, the company’s 40.5% operating costs were spent in purchasing electricity from IPP. For the financial year 2010, TNB’s energy cost grew by 2.4% to RM17,379.0 million from RM16,974.4 million recorded in 2009

– mainly due to higher payment to Independent Power Producers (IPP), totaling RM12,528.0 million, an increase of 5.9% compared to the previous (RM11,827.0 million) financial year. Fortunately, lower fuel costs incurred during the year somewhat offsets the increase in IPP purchases, at least temporary. You don’t have to be rocket scientist to see how IPPs are sucking both Petronas gas subsidy and TNB energy cost dry.

TNB also should do something about its forever escalating staff cost which is eating up nearly RM3 billion for the financial year 2010 alone. Within 7-year since 2004, the staff cost jumped almost 70% from RM1,726 million to RM2,932 million, and that’s a lot of money. Maybe CEO Che Khalib Mohamad Noh should start looking seriously at the forever bloating workforce. With the electricity generation job outsourced to IPP, TNB should have an easier job managing its core business but to see it almost double the workforce’s expenses within 10-year period is obviously inefficient.

Another interesting area that you may not know is that TNB receives Government Development Grants every year, whatever that means. And the amount is not small to the tune of more than RM500 million each year. Whether the grants were another nicely packaged subsidy is everyone’s guess. Nobody knows what has TNB develop with the half of billion of Ringgit grants. What everyone knows is the company will cry to daddy government asking for electricity hike every year without fail. After all, this is the tax-payer money that the government is awarding to TNB.

Now, can you blame the people who cry-fouls after the government agreed to the proposal by TNB in increasing the electricity tariff by 7.12% starting June 1 this year? The main culprit is the government so stop insulting people’s intelligence with marketing hype such as reducing “misallocation of resources” or economic distortion or calling the people opium addicts for not willing to let go of subsidy. The government dare not answer the simple question of why the people must bear the cost of reducing subsidy when the IPP and TNB continue to enjoy the gas subsidy from Petronas.

Sure, the government claimed that since the PPA agreements were signed, it can’t do anything about it, no matter how lopsided it is. Fair enough, since the corrupt and inefficient government dare not raise its voice to get IPP to renegotiate the agreement, why not slap them with Extraordinary Tax, which is perfectly legal, not that the government has not done it previously? Then use the gains to offset whatever tariff hike it planned to implement? Maybe the present government is really a big bully who only bullies the average-Joes while letting the untouchable IPP, who are still laughing all the way to the bank, continue sucking free subsidy.

Simple Way to Explain Subprime Crisis

2011-05-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about subprime crisis in U.S? Do you know what is it? Do you know why it happens? This article provides a very simple explanation of subprime crisis especially for those non-financial people or economist.

It was a very hot issue that has been discussed over the last year. I tried to search around the web to get more information about this subprime crisis in U.S. but all those explanations were too difficult for me to understand. So, this article is to simplify the explanation of subprime crisis which appears to be a very complex thing. I did this on my own research based on my understanding. You can verify whether my understanding is correct or not.

What is Subprime Mortgage?

First of all, we need to understand what subprime means. By dictionary, “Subprime” is an adjective relating to or for people with a poor credit rating. Simply says, if you never clear your credit card balance monthly, you have a poor credit rating. A poor credit rating people are disqualified to apply for conventional mortgage or loan application. They’re disqualified because they have higher risks that they are not able to make the loan payment due to their poor credit history. Bank is very clever. They come out a special type of loan to these poor credit rating people. This loan or mortgage is called “Subprime Mortgage” or “Subprime Loan”.

Why Banks Want Subprime Mortgage?

Why banks (subprime lenders) want to lend money to those who have bad credit history? They may not even able to payback the bank. But still, why they want to do that? Yes, you got it. It is all related to money. The banks are also greedy and they want to earn more. The main reason why the banks want to do this is they predict the value of the property will be going up. So they increase the mortgage interest rate (higher than the conventional loan) and they call it a subprime mortgage. They earn more with the higher mortgage interest rate and just in case the borrowers can’t continue the payment, they still can sell the houses with higher value due to the property appreciation.

To further reduce the risks and to get more loans (earn more money by loan interest), the banks repackage all mortgages into an investment product and sell it to financial institutions in all over the world (not just in U.S). This is now not only between banks and borrowers get involved in this subprime mortgage but also all the financial institutions around the world. You may ask why they want to invest in this high risk product (pool of subprime mortgage)? One reason, they believe that the property value will go up.

What happen to subprime borrowers?

They buy the house only for one reason which is expecting value of the houses to go up and they earn from the property appreciation. They can rent out their house with higher value or they can sell the house with higher value. All the debts they had previously can be easily paid off. Because house prices had increased so rapidly in the past few years, paying back the loan payment is not a problem at all. The borrowers also refinance their loan at more favourable terms due to they no longer have a bad credit rating history.

Can you see that? Everybody wins! Borrowers, banks and financial institutions are eating the same cheese happily and the cheese is “property appreciation”. Yummy, yummy!

When and Why Crisis Happens?

I think you should be able to guess it by now when the crisis will happen. Everybody enjoys the same cheese, if the cheese is gone, what happen? Crisis happens. It is that simple. When the house or property values drops, the cheese is gone. Everybody wins now becomes everybody loses!

When demand is more than supply (everyone wants to buy house), the property values went up like crazy. Until one day, when it becomes much more expensive to borrow, less people could afford to buy a house. As there were not as many buyers, the real estate market begin to cool down and house prices begin to fall.

When the house prices begin to fall, the subprime borrowers are going to suffer. Not only they’re not able to pay their existing debt, they are stuck having to pay a much larger mortgage payment. This causes many of these borrowers to not be able to make their house payment.

So for the financial institutions, they are going to lose their money that they invested because the borrower are not able to pay the loan payment. On the other hand, banks have a very big problem also because they rely on this these financial institutions to invest in the pool of mortgages investment product. Financial institutions no longer wants to invest and do not trust the bank anymore. If no wants want to buy them, where the banks get the money to offer the loans?

They bank also suffer from the lost for those borrowers who failed to make payment. As a result, the banks increase the mortgage interest rate to cover loses and hopes that borrowers (who afford to pay) can pay more. Sadly, the effect is opposite and this even makes the conditions worst. More and more borrowers failed to pay their monthly loan payment due to the interest rate increases. Crisis happens! Everyone suffers!

Conclusion

Subprime crisis happens because everyone predicts the property value will appreciate over time. The economy now is no longer as simple as in 30 years ago where we can predict the future with certain of accuracy. Future is getting harder and harder to be predicted for the coming years. What it next? It is really unknown.

Therefore the impact of this crisis is still has a lot of uncertainty. Will it causes another economy recession in U.S since 2000? Will this affect other countries? This is another huge topic to be discussed. Anyway, I hope this post is making sense and give you a little bit general idea on this subprime mortgage crisis in U.S.

2011-05-26T02:32:00.000-07:00

How Much Fuel Hike Will It Be – 5 sen, 20 sen, 40 sen or None?

Next month will be the Judgement Day for both consumers and the Malaysian government. The petrol price hike is almost certain. The only question is by how much will the government increase RON95 after its brother RON97 was increased by RM0.20 a liter early this month. Another interesting event is whether the government would lower the price of RON97 considering the global crude oil has consolidate to below $100 per barrel.

The government has given multiple warnings that the RON95 will increase by painting how painful the government is surviving by subsidizing the fuel. Gosh, some Malaysian ministers almost cry as if this country is the only one subsidizing fuel prices. While the government was having easy time in deciding the 20 sen increase on RON97, the same cannot be said about RON95 because an estimated 80% consumers are using this type of fuel, which accounted for 30% of the total fuel subsidy.

If history were to repeat itself, the total fuel subsidy in 2008 was about $17.5 billion and now Najib’s administration is set to carry the burden of about $18 billion, if current fuel price remains. This is more than the initial budget of RM10 billion subsidy based on the assumption the global crude oil will not go above $90 a barrel. Guess God has his funny way of playing jokes on the current government.

Fortunately PM Najib’s predecessor, Abdullah Badawi, has shown a classic example on how to lose a general election, well, almost. Badawi hiked the fuel price by a whopping 40.62% from RM1.92 a liter to RM2.70 a liter back in 2008, and the rest is history. However one has to remember that while Badawi did the unthinkable, consumers were reimbursed in cash amounted to RM625 rebate for cars below 2,000 cc and RM125 for motorcyclist.

Almost instantly the food prices and inflation spiked thereafter. Last month, the government claimed the actual price of RON95 was RM2.77 a liter against the current pump price of RM1.90 a liter. To increase from RM1.90 a liter to RM2.77 a liter or about 45% increase will push Najib on top of “Bravest Souls” chart. Of course Najib won’t perform such a heroic act, not that he dares in the first place.

How does the government determine or calculate petrol prices? It is using something called APM (automated pricing mechanism) formula of which the core is MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) – referring to the mean price of oil traded through Singapore as per the data from Platts, a provider of energy and metals information. Add other variables such as oil company margin, station dealer profit, sales tax, operation cost and alpha; and you’ll get the fuel price.

In short, it was said that an increase of $10 a barrel would result in a 19 sen a liter price hike of RON95. The government phased out RON92 and introduced RON95 on Sept 2009 when the crude oil was at $70 a barrel. The price of RON97 was then increased from RM1.80 to RM2.05. So using the same arithmetic and Sept 2009 fuel price as benchmark, the price of RON97 should be at about RM2.62 (19 sen x 3) when the crude oil hit $100 ($10 x 3) a barrel.Will the government reduce RON97 to RM2.65 or RM2.60 a liter next month since the crude oil is below $100 a barrel?

We know the price of RON95 will go up next month but we won’t know the quantum. Heck, even the government is scratching their heads now in determining the amount to be hiked. AmResearch predicted RON95 and diesel would go up as much as 20 sen next month, a fair prediction I would say. If the increase is minimal of between 5 sen to 10 sen a liter (of which the government can save RM650 million to RM1.3 billion) then you can put all your money that Najib is going to call a snap election next month (*grin*). At RM2.10 (20 sen increase) a liter, people would grumble but not to the extent of taking it to the street.

Still, this provides sufficient ammunitions to the opposition in the coming snap election. One has to remember that ever since the petrol price was increased from RM1.92 to RM2.70 in 2008, the prices of food, transportation, raw materials and whatnot escalated to new height and never came downthereafter, even though the petrol price had been reduced subsequently to the lowest of RM1.80 on Dec 2008. If the inflation remains the same even after a 20 sen hike on RON95, then Lady Gaga is still a virgin.

Government’s argument that it can’t continue to subsidise the fuel price has its logic and makes perfect sense. But it doesn’t explain why the government was silent on the gigantic subsidy of a whopping RM19 billion currently enjoyed by IPPs (Independent Power Producers), most of them cronies who contribute to the government’s war-chest. Spin as you like but a subsidy is still a subsidy and you can’t call it another animal because Petronas was obviously selling gas way below market price to the IPPs.

And what would stop the government from hiking fuel price RON95 at all? The only obvious answer is the snap election will definitely be this year and it will be so near you can smell it. If there’s no price hike at all, including electricity, water, gas and so on, then you’re possibility looking at a snap election before the 2012 Budget. The fact that Goldman Sachs predicts that the crude oil would escalate to $140 a barrel from earlier projected of $120 a barrel for the year 2012 is a strong concern enough to trigger Najib’s camp into panic mode.

The game is getting riskier as Najib administration is juggling between refilling its empty coffer from subsidies (and corruptions) without hiking fuel price (as the crude price fluctuates every day) and determining the best date to call a snap election. It seems his lucky date of 11-11-2011 is so near yet so far. Isn’t it fun looking at how artificial pricing in the name of subsidy and corruption are slowly eating into a corrupt government itself?

Update: Government has decided to maintain the prices of RON95 petrol, diesel and gas. Snap Election before October 2012 Budget?

2011-05-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

Sarawak Election 2011 – 10 Reasons Why BN Still Win

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been sweating a lot lately, not because of his hectic schedule due to Sarawak state election but because the intelligence reports could not confirm Sarawak, being ruling government’s “fixed deposit”, would maintain its two-thirds majority. Hence the change of his official schedule to spend six-day until the eve of polling day, touring Sarawak, when the campaigning was already on its fifth day.

Najib used to play minor role in numerous by-elections and normally would dedicate the active role in campaigning to his deputy. Najib has been trumpeting that Sarawak state was BN’s (Barisan Nasional) “fixed deposit” so his sudden active role raised thousands of eye-brows. Now, the Sarawak state election becomes his personal battlefield. Heck, his deputy PM Muhyiddin would be the happiest person if the opposition wins big because then he would have the excuse to boot PM Najib into early retirement, the same way Najib booted his predecessor, former PM Abdullah Badawi.

One wonders the deadly silence on former premier Mahathir Mohamad’s part during the current campaign period. Either Mahathir knows Sarawak will retain its two-third majority hence sending the opposition packing with tails between their legs, or the old man is busy preparing for deputy PM Muhyiddin to be installed as the new prime minister with his own son, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Mukhriz Mahathir, as the new deputy Prime Minister.

If the Mar 2008 general election campaign is anything to goes by, the huge crowds commanded by opposition namely Pakatan Rakyat especially in Kuching, Sibu and Miri during their rallies were signal that Najib’s BN is indeed in trouble. But was Najib over-reacted by going down the field to campaign himself for the rest of the 6-day campaigning period? Was the opposition over-confident that the same tsunami that hit Peninsular would bring the same catastrophe to Najib’s government?

Internet is once again flushed with optimism that the opposition would deny the “fixed deposit” state of its two-thirds majority. Some even went the extra miles predicting opposition would wrest the Sarawak state, so much for the wet dream. In reality, opposition can never capture Sarawak state, at least not during this state election simply because Sarawak is a different animal from Penang, Selangor, Kedah or Kelantan. Here are the reasons:

1) The Malay-Melanau Minority Factor

Despite Taib Mahmud’s corrupt practice, the Malay-Melanau community is particularly proud that one of their own is the Chief Minister although Malay-Melanau forms only 27% of Sarawak’s 2.4 million population.

Generally the Malay-Melanau community is doing better than other natives so there’s no reason to rock the boat that is feeding them and they don’t really care if Taib Mahmud was serious about stepping down after the state election.
Out of 71 seats to be contested, there’re 26 which are Malay-Melanau dominated so these seats are as good as in the BN’s pocket. Just flash the poster depicting Bian Baru, a non Malay-Melanau, as the new Chief Minister should the opposition wins was sufficient to scare the hell out of the Malay-Melanau community.

2) Rural Seats with Poor Infrastructures Overwhelm Urban Seats

OK, the opposition especially DAP is set to win big in Chinese-majority urban seats hence sending SUPP packing, the same way DAP sent Gerakan in Penang to semi-retirement. DAP which is contesting 15 urban seats this time is sure to add number to its current 6 seats but can it make a clean sweep?

It would be sweet victory if DAP can win all 15 seats but the party was prudent in aiming for 12-seats.
However in rural areas, opposition is almost powerless what more with the poor infrastructure in reaching the voters. Furthermore these rural voters are so decentralize that it’s an uphill task to cover all of them given the short 10-day campaign period.

3) Rural Sarawakian will Take the Money and Still Vote for BN

Unlike their lucky buddy DAP, PKR which is contesting 49 seats are struggling in the rural constituencies. Najib’s BN is smiling their policy in keeping rural population as poor as possible is bearing fruits.

While the opposition calls on voters to “take BN’s money but vote for opposition” works wonderfully well in Peninsular, the same doesn’t work with native culture such as the Iban where tradition taught them to be grateful and appreciate the hand that feed (the money) them.
If that’s not enough throw in some parties and crates of beers and your votes are secured.

4) BN has the Most Lethal Weapon – Money

If the opposition still cries unfairness because the BN throws (tax-payers) money for votes, then they’re either stupid or was born yesterday. Money politics has been part of the culture in Malaysia so much so special branch agents were reportedly act as an agent for BN to buy over opposition candidates during this election.

BN will send its agent to visit longhouse, door by door, to distribute cash ranging from RM50 to RM300 – a huge amount considering poor urban families typically earn between RM100 to RM500 a month.
Not only rural but urban areas such as Kuching voters are reportedly offered between RM100 and RM200 each for their votes. Surely there would be takers who will vote for BN now.

5) The Fear and Intimidation Factor

Unlike Peninsular, Sarawak is a state where its rural community is cleverly controlled by community leaders. This appointed community leaders from Malay, Chinese and Iban would do the biddings of BN since they draw their allowance of RM800 from the Barisan Nasional.

Should there be support for opposition, the community leaders will be sacked while the government assistance such as provision of fertiliser, seedling and herbicide be terminated.

6) Rural and even Urban Sarawakians Still Love (CheapSkate) “Goodies”

Even if the opposition candidates are lucky to pass the hindrance of unusual police restrictions and granted visit by the headmen (“tuai”), the villagers would openly ask for money.

Heck, who can blame the rural folks when the urban voters were crazily scramble for “Tupperware” (*grin*) during an indoor rally that left many jounalists and policement gasping in disbelief? Sure, these people may not vote for BN but if they would risk their life madly for a Tupperware, chances are high they can be bought over with hard-cash, no?

7) Three or Multiple Ways Battles

There’s a record 213 candidates fighting for the 71 state seats: 27 one-to-one fights, 23 three-way battles, 17 four-cornered fights, 2 five-cornered battles and 2 six-cornered fights. SNAP, dubbed the Trojan Horse, is contesting 27 seats, 25 of which are 3-way battles in Dayak-majority seats with BN and PKR.

Assuming DAP and PKR were correct to be confident in delivering 12 seats and 15 seats respectively (on the one-to-one battles?), the kingmaker is obviously SNAP, provided this so-called Trojan Horse is genuine in its fight to get rid of the corrupt Taib Mahmud. Of course if SNAP is indeed the mole, then it won’t matter, would it?
The rest of the three and multiple corner fights would split the opposition votes so it would be bonus if opposition Pakatan Rakyat can steals some seats.

8) Special “Help” from Election Commission

Many can still remember how Election Commission was allegedly dumped ballot boxes into the river during Batang-Ai by-election.

With the current tension and fever, there’s no reason why Election Commission will not do the same, not that the opposition can do anything and will know about it because there’s no observer allowed during the helicopter rides.

9) Potential Frogs Within Opposition Parties

Get real, there’re very few who can resists the temptation of money, millions or even tens of millions of dollars for any opposition candidates who won their seats to jump ship to BN.

As can be seen in Peninsular, principle and so-called belief in struggle will take a back-seat once bags of money are presented on the table.

10) Phantom Voters

Well, what can I say on this classic factor? As usual, if phantom voters could somehow ended inside ballot boxes in Peninsular, how difficult it is to perform this SOP (standard operating procedure) during the journey to the counting center at Sarawak?

For reasons only known to Election Commission, they somehow knew the turnout would be above 80%.

There’re many more other factors including the difficulties in getting young voters who are working in Peninsular to fly back to cast their votes. The writing is on the wall. While Taib Mahmud would experience the worst election result in this 30-year rule, the BN will continue to rule the state. The worst case scenario – BN to lose two-thirds majority in the state but the opposition can never capture the state this round simply because Sarawak is a different animal from Penang, Selangor, Kedah or Kelantan.

But nothing is absolute in politics. Maybe, just maybe the controversial Bible issue could mobilise the native Iban and swing the votes to opposition’s advantage. Still, bread and butter are more important than religious matter so it might not trigger the much needed fire if enough money are poured into the villages. To the superstitious lots, the helicopter that crashed after deputy PM Muhyiddin disembarked could well be constructed as a bad omen to the corrupt government Barisan Nasional.

2011-05-20T02:42:00.000-07:00

5 Reasons Why President Obama Made The Risky Bet

In stock market you either bet to long or short your desire stocks. Of course there’re more choices in options trading such as playing the spread game of which you get to keep the premium if the options you bought expire out of value. It was precisely the same dilemma that hit President Barack Obama before he authorize the strike by U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six that eventually killed Osama bin Laden. In fact, it took President Obama 16 hours of thinking to approve the mission despite all the positive indicators that someone of very high value was residing in the million dollar mansion.

The nightmare of “Black Hawk Down”, the disastrous 1993 battle in Somalia in which two American helicopters were shot down and some of their crew killed in action, constantly being mentioned during meetings before the final decision to strike the “mansion” outside of Abbottabad, without the knowledge of the government of Pakistan. The stake was very high but the potential returns could be very rewarding. Just like investing stocks, options or other financial instruments, you either make a great profit or suffer a huge loss.

In the case of President Obama, it could cost him his presidency should the “Black Hawk Down” history was to repeat itself. Already many knifes were at his throat ready to send him out of the Oval Office. His ratings in managing the economy couple with escalating oil prices and stubborn unemployment were not in his favour. He had to decide fast and the fact that his administration officials were split over whether to launch the operation, wait and continue monitoring or go for less risky bombing assault didn’t help President Obama at all.

Finally he made the bet and four top aides were summoned to the White House Diplomatic Room where he gave the greenlight to strike. The operation was perhaps the most risky and critical in Obama’s entire life that he was practically “stone faced” as seen in a photo where his team was updated realtime on the mission in the White House. Tours of the White House was even cancelled on Sunday in order to prevent suspicious that some sort of crisis was going on with all the high-level security officials holed up in the Situation Room.

Four helicopters (two main assault copters with another two as backup in case of trouble) with 79 American commandos flew in at low altitude and entered Pakistani airspace using sophisticated technology intended to evade that country’s radar systems. Some speculate that the Americans had either jammed the Pakistani air defence system or the Pakistan government / military knew of the operation all along because of the one hour journey from Bagram and returned after the 40-minute mission. If indeed Pakistan government didn’t know about the operation until it was over, then their air defence system sucks big time.

The code name for Osama bin Laden was “Geronimo” and only after everyone in the Situation Room received “Geronimo EKIA” (Enemy Killed In Action) was the mission accomplished. President Obama’s bet works and the death handed Obama a sweet major national security victory, just as he begins campaigning for re-election in 2012. So, why did President Obama decided to go ahead with the most risky option in this operation? What was he betting against? What benefits would he get should he bet the right horse?

1) Repair his poor economic management

President Obama won his presidency because his “Political Change” worked wonderfully at a time when the Americans were sick and tired of former President Bush’s disastrous economic policy. But two years into his presidency Americans are increasingly rejecting President Obama’s big government solutions to America’s economic problems.

The fears over the current state of the US economy, concern over high levels of unemployment, the unstable housing market, rising gasoline prices and most importantly the towering budget deficit are flushing Obama’s approval ratings down the toilet. He hoped to bring down oil prices a few notches with decline in geopolitical risk. And now with the latest success, dealing with other issues that has direct influence over oil prices such as the Libyan crisis could be much easier.

2) Improve confidence in his leadership as the Commander-in-Chief

Obama’s Leadership Rating drops to a staggering 37% by Feb 2011, the lowest level since he took office in January 2009 and obviously a disaster for his re-election campaign. Compared to former President Bush, Obama has not proven a bit on his leadership militarily.

Sept 11, 2001 attacks on American soil by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda were the defining moment of Bush’s presidency and the sudden feelings of patriotism among Americans skyrocket thereafter helped Bush stay in office. Using the same argument, Obama thought if he succeeded in capturing or killing Osama in the operation, it would rejuvenate his presidency chances.

3) Fulfilling his 2009 Presidential Campaign Pledge

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama promised to scale back the estimated 156,000 U.S. troops from Iraq and Kuwait while boosting 10,000 more to reinforce the U.S. troops in Afghanistan. He also pledged to continue hunting down bin Laden. At that point of time, it was presumed that the al-Qaeda operation generally and Osama specifically were concentrated along the Afghanistan and Pakistan borders.

If indeed the high-value suspect in the mansion targeted in the operation is Osama bin Laden, then Obama would have fulfill his pledge, not to mention a stronger justification in bringing back more troops back home.

4) Silencing his critics especially the Republicans

Traditionally, Repulicans have a reputation in U.S. politics for being stronger than Democrats on national security issues. And history shows that the Americans would rally behind their president during a war, at least during the initial stage. It sure feels good to be treated as a hero, no matter big war or small battle.

A successful operation taking place under his authorization and watch would give Obama and his party the trophy that his predecessor George W. Bush failed to secure. And Osama bin Laden is no ordinary trophy obviously.

5) Strengthening American greatness to rally supporters

In a speech to the United Nations, President Obama once stated that “no one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. No world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will succeed. No balance of power among nations will hold.” While his objective was to adopt a softer instead of confrontational approach with other countries, it doesn’t goes well with most of the Americans.

The simple logic was that a U.S. president who does not accept America’s greatness in history can never lead the world’s only superpower with force. President Obama was accused of out of touch with the American people and he has undermine the United States as a global power, something that most Americans cherishes. Obama administration was easily blamed for the failure in containing Iran’s nuclear programme and the latest weakness in dragging its feat in solving Libyan crisis.

Therefore, by successfully taking out Osama bin Laden’s decade-old long threat, other countries who had the perception that U.S. was a weak country under an incompetent president would now need to reassess the situation once again. It would be extremely foolish to poke the country that would not think twice about sending its military might into your territory, without you even notice it. Hence the immediate country that needs a lot of explaining to do now is none other than Pakistan.

Although Pakistan succeeded in getting China’s support, the United States vowed to “get to the bottom” of the matter, never mind that Pakistan cries it didn’t know or helped Osama bin Laden in any way despite the fact that Osama lived comfortably in a fortified compound in the Pakistan military garrison town of Abbottabad. It remains to be seen if the U.S. Congress would withdraw the US$20 billion direct aid for Pakistan to help fight militancy since al-Qaeda’s Twin Towers attacks.

Those who think this is another bluff from Obama administration and Osama bin Laden is still alive are plain idiots. The fact that it came from the highest office of the United States government was sufficient to prove the death of Osama is for real. On the contrary, it would be plain stupid on Obama administration to fake the death simply because Osama bin Laden can easily broadcast video of him holding today’s New York Times to prove he’s still alive. Maybe the release of Osama’s gruesome photograph, which is now under consideration, would convince the doubters.

2011-05-20T00:55:00.000-07:00

Tips From Obama Station – How Najib Can Hike Fuel Price & Get Away With It

During such time of escalating fuel price, not only consumers are feeling the pinch, gas stations are competing with each other as well to attract customers. In U.S. where the fuel prices does not enjoy subsidy and fluctuates on daily basis, one has to be creative to lock-in customers. A gas station on Columbia’s North Main Street apparently has come out with a brilliant idea. – renamed and redecorated the station after President Obama.

Sam Alhanik, who owned the station barely two months ago got the idea from his friend who created an Obama Gas Station in Michigan. Alhanik, born in Yemen, is a strong supporter of America’s president – Barack Obama. He said he like President Obama because he’s the first president of black people and his business has turn for the better, ever since the changing of name. Still, competition is stiff and the moment the gas station across the street lower its price, Alhanik immediately lowers it almost instantly.

The marketing plan of renaming the station after the president seems to work very well judging by the number of customers flocking to Alhanik’s station as some of them admit the reason why they chose the station was because of the branding. It make them feel like they’re supporting the president by refilling the gas at the station. Alhanik has actually spent $4,000 to change the name and the look. Now, if only President Obama can claim royalties from using his name to boost business.

Maybe the same marketing can be applied elsewhere such as in Malaysia. Recently Malaysian prime minister urges the people should forego the fuel subsidies because it was like opium. Interestingly it was the same government who has been feeding the people opium over the past decades. If the people who are enjoying fuel subsidy now is like drug addicts who have been taking the opium then the government is the big time drug dealer supplying the opium.

While it was easy to blame the people for depending too much on the “opium” oil subsidy, PM Najib conveniently forgets that corruption, of which he did literally nothing to stop it, is actually the real opium. Now, the artificial method of making consumer products look cheap by way of fuel subsidy is haunting the same government, so much so that Najib administration is having sleepless nights figuring whether to hike the fuel prices or not.

Since Najib has been screaming for months that the people believe and embrace his 1Malaysia slogan, maybe he can rename and redecorate petrol stations after his leadership and 1Malaysia. If the people really support him, maybe they could swallow the bitter pill of higher fuel price and happily pump their petrol when they notice the new look (*grin*). What a better way to raise fuel prices and get away with it than this excellent idea?

2011-05-19T01:55:00.000-07:00

Sarawak Elections – The Winners, Losers & The Next GE

Sarawak state elections 2011 has come to an end and as expected PM Najib’s ruling National Front (BN, Barisan Nasional) retained control on the state, which accounts for a fifth of its parliamentary seats. I hate to say this again but (yawn) – didn’t I tell you so? Not that I’ve the crystal ball but the writing was all over the wall and I’ve wrote 10 reasons why BN would still win the elections. Do I’ve to repeat again why Sarawak is a different animal from any states from Peninsula?

Now, the opposition Pakatan Rakyat knows why it shouldn’t get too optimistic about capturing the state, the same reason why PM Najib shouldn’t panicked to the extent of abandoning his cabinet meeting and camped 6 days in Sarawak. Taib Mahmud is no ordinary old senile man but a very smart old fox. He knows the politics game in Sarawak very well otherwise he won’t be able to deliver the fixed-deposit to Peninsula for the last 30-years, would he?

If the once most powerful UMNO president of all time, Mahathir Mohamad wouldn’t dare to ask (point-blank) the Peh Moh (white hair) Chief Minister Taib Mahmud to quit, who was Najib or anyone else to ask him to do so? As Taib Mahmud mentioned, when he started ruling the Sarawak state, many politicians who called him to quit were either not born yet or still wearing diapers (*grin*). Voters, especially from the rural areas were and still are under his control as if they are Taib’s slaves. And going by how his party, PBB, won all the 35 seats contested, it seems these rural voters are still happily being Taib’s slaves.

There’re reports that BN has spent RM500 million during this elections for projects promises and vote-buying ranging from RM20 bucks for each illiterate and poor rural voter to RM300 each in Dudong, RM1,000 each in Meradong and RM7,000 each in Ba’kelalan. I’ve tweeted that my Sibu’s friend in Bawang Assan was promised RM100 for registration and another RM500 after casting his vote for BN. So, the opposition was fighting a losing battle against the mountains of money used by BN in vote buying. Only a fool would think the opposition can capture Sarawak state.

Let’s see who are the winners and losers after the Sarawak elections results:

1)         Chief Minister Taib Mahmud (Winner)

Curse as you like but the undisputed heavyweight champion is none other than the much hated Chief Minister Taib Mahmud himself. The old fox was so smart that he could smell a possible internal coup miles away so much so that he didn’t waste much time but to swear in as the Chief Minister, barely an hour after it was confirmed that his team has won the elections with simple majority.

Rumor mill was churning that Putrajaya was thinking of endorsing someone else as the new Chief Minister, hence forcing him into retirement. Heck, now that he was sworn in as the Chief Minister and his party PBB has made a clean sweep of the 35 seats being contested (that’s 100% success rate, dude), nobody including PM Najib can ask him to quit. To entertain Najib, he said he would quit in another two or three years. But anything can happen by then and considering Najib needs to call a nationwide election soon, the old fox is as good as the “Untouchable Godfather”.

That was why I said Najib shouldn’t panicked and camped in Sarawak helping the old fox. Taib’s PBB party itself alone can deliver 35 seats (of course you may say I’m boastful now that the result is out but didn’t I wrote his party controls the majority voters within his constituencies well so that money dishing will always work to his advantage?). In case all his buddies lost, which is very unlikely, he can always bribe some of the frogs to jump over and voila, Taib will form the government with simple majority nevertheless.

With Najib’s intervention, it actually did Taib great favours because the old fox would not have to do any hard work but reap all the profits, not to mention more time to spend with his lovely wife. Heck, maybe the intelligence report Najib had gotten that Sarawak was in deep trouble was deliberately planted by Taib himself. Taib knew Najib couldn’t afford to lose two-thirds majority. If BN lost its two-thirds majority, deputy

PM Muhyiddin would be at Najib’s throat. Najib is now at the mercy of Taib.
In the event the federal government tries to unseat him now by force, Taib would ensure Najib will not be paid a penny from his fixed-deposit. Even without the Chief Minister position, Taib would want nothing less than Minister Mentor post, the equivalent to Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. Sarawak’s Chief Minister position would be reduced to just another puppet controlled by Taib Mahmud. And who said Taib Mahmud himself cannot jump ship to join Pakatan if Najib tries to squeeze the old man’s balls?

Taib Mahmud’s own 35 seats make him the real kingmaker for those who like to walks the corridors of power. If he can squeeze Mahathir’s balls since 30 years ago till the former premier’s departure, he definitely can squeeze PM Najib Razak though its different balls altogether and if he is being pushed to the wall, he can always extend the invitation to Anwar Ibrahim and the desperate Anwar would not mind his balls to be squeezed either as long as he can become the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

2)         Opposition DAP (Winner)

DAP has performed extremely well, capturing 12 of 15 seats contested – that’s 80% success rate, not to mention doubling its 6 seats in the 2006 state elections. Despite getting two-thirds majority, BN’s popular votes have actually plunged from 62.93% to 55.24% and most of the votes lost were in the urban area of which DAP won with handsome majorities.

Actually, urban areas should have voted opposition parties such as DAP ages ago. The logic is pretty simple – do you think the government would leave cities or states such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Selangor, Johore, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Sibu etc without any development even if these cities were to fall into opposition’s helm? By holding back any development in urban areas would mean no projects hence no kick-backs.

On the contrary, by voting the opposition in the urban areas, more projects and development would be proposed and implemented simply because the federal government would need to compete and show to the voters that BN can bring developments. Of course DAP has to thank itself for making Penang a successful case study to prove that opposition can govern a state – better than BN.

Pro-government media Utusan Malaysia was actually right in advicing Najib’s BN to ignore the Chinese community for not supporting the ruling coalition during the just concluded Sarawak state elections. The fact is the Chinese community which forms the majority in the urban areas decided to swing their support to the opposition DAP because they were sick and tired of Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. They know the consequences by doing so but actually it doesn’t make any difference because the Chinese community can survives on their own even without the government’s assistance.

If there’s one major reason why the government didn’t dump the Chinese into the sea and ask them to swim back to China, it’s because the Chinese contribute more than 90% of the country’s taxes. This was what Mahathir said not many moons ago. The truth is even if 80% of Chinese votes go to opposition, BN can still form the federal government. So let’s see if Najib would act according to Utusan’s advice, shall we *grin*?

3)         Opposition PKR (Winner as well as Loser)

Depending from which angle you look at it, opposition de-factor leader Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR party can be both winner as well as loser. In terms of number of seats, PKR is clearly the winner capturing 3 seats from 1 seat back in 2006 – 200% improvement. But if you were to calculate from the success rate, PKR only secures 3 seats from the 49 seats it contested – a mere 6% success rate. You may laugh and argue that even

SUPP which got slaughtered by DAP fare better than PKR with 32% success rate.
Clearly the opposition’s strategy in promoting issues such as corruption, religion freedom, native customary rights doesn’t work very well with interior areas. Sure, generally the opposition Pakatan Rakyat managed to reduce BN’s majority in certain native-majority rural constituencies but obviously it was not enough to trigger a tsunami. Furthermore only those native voters who live in areas closer to towns which enjoy better infrastructures and access of information have swing to opposition.

Being in the government once himself, Anwar should know better than anyone else that native voters in the interior rural areas are stubborn nuts to crack. You can’t swing their votes by talking about corruption when their mentality were already polluted with corruption for the last 30 years. They are addicted to corruption and elections is the best venue for them to make some fast bucks. Wonder why Taib didn’t have sleepless nights during elections? His winning formula – distribute money at last-minute and the usual promise of development. It works like charm.

Although Anwar’s PKR shouldn’t be too boastful of capturing double-digit seats, it has done well in creating chaos within BN’s machinery. Maybe the result would be different if it adopt a prudent approach. To deny BN of its two-thirds majority is already difficult, let alone to capture the state. PKR should start spending more time on the ground from now onwards educating the native not to blindly vote for the corrupt BN. It’s never too late to teach the native people how to fish on their own, instead of fishing (like BN) for them.

4)         Rural native voters (Loser)

In short, they gained couple of hundred dollars but lost their chance for a better future, at least for the next four to five years until the next elections. They would still live without basic necessities such as treated water, electricity, medical services, roads etc. And before you call them stupid and deserve to be robbed of their lands, let’s respect their choice of option. Nobody can help them if they do not wish to help themselves so if they prefer couple of dollars of short-term happiness instead of long-term solution, let’s be it.

Furthermore weren’t more developed states and well-informed voters in Peninsula equally naive and stupid to vote for BN before the Mar 2008 Tsunami? Using this as the yardstick, it seems it would take many more Sarawak state elections to wake them up. Maybe majority of them enjoy being robbed of their lands.

5)         Urban Area (Winner)

As mentioned on item (2) above, the urban voters should have make the first step in voting the opposition to create two-party system. Two-party system will not only act as check and balance with louder voice but also to keep corruption at bay instead of blatant day-light robbery. Due to obvious reason, the government would not black-out urban areas from development simply because projects still need to be carried out to attract investors (to enable corruption).

Sure, Taib Mahmud would trumpet about losing Chinese representatives and the community being sidelined. But that was pure gimmick to scare and intimidate voters into submission. Unless Taib ordered armies of bull-dozers to bulldoze towns in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and all the towns won by opposition, these towns would still be business as usual. Even if Taib wouldn’t care, the federal government would be anxious to win back the hearts of the urban voters so expect better “treatment” from Najib administration.

6)         SUPP (Loser)

The biggest loser is definitely SUPP whereby its president George Chan was booted out by DAP unknown Ling Sie Kiong by 1,590 votes in Piasau. Just like its sister parties Gerakan, MCA and MIC from Peninsula which lost heavily in the Mar 2008 general election, George blamed Barisan Nasional for reacted “too little too late” to correct “unjust and unfair policies”. It’s quite funny and hilarious how these leaders share the same script when they lost their piece of share in the musical chair game.

However as a consolation prize, SUPP deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh who scrapped through PKR with razor-thin majority of 58 votes is set to be appointed as deputy Chief Minister. Wong Soon Koh should thank his lucky star because I bet he wouldn’t thought that he could replace his boss, George Chan *grin*.

And unlike Gerakan which was completely wiped out in Peninsula, SUPP can still claim that it actually did better than Gerakan’s Koh Tsu Koon. And Koh Tsu Koon has the cheek to advice BN what to do in Sarawak after the latest election. Anyway, George Chan should consider a permanent retirement from politics after this embarrassing defeat. Of course he still can pay some visits to Taib Mahmud asking for projects considering his daughter was married to Taib’s son.

7)         SNAP (Loser)

If it was true that SNAP was Trojan Horse and was set to jump ship if it wins big, BN’s gamble obviously didn’t pay off. SNAP did so bad that all its 26 candidates except Toh Heng San who contested the Katibas seat lost their RM5,000 deposit in the Sarawak polls. SNAP is as good as toast and has lost its shine which it enjoyed once upon a time after it lost it’s only 1 seat which was won in 2006.

8)         Woman (Winner)

Out of 16 women who entered the contest, 7 will make their way to the Sarawak state legislative assembly. Four are incumbents from BN – Fatimah Abdullah, Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Simoi Peri and Rosey Yunus who retained their seats. Opposition DAP contributes to the tally when 3 of the four women fielded won their seats. The three are Violet Yong in Pending, Ting Tze Fui in Meradong and Christina Chiew in Batu Kawah.

9)         Barisan Nasional (Loser)

How can BN be a loser when it not only win the state election but also secured the two-thirds majority? The answer is simple. Not only its popular votes have tumbled from 62.93% to 55.24%, it also lost additional 8 seats (6 to DAP and 2 to PKR) mainly the urban areas to opposition Pakatan Rakyat. To add salt to injury, prime minister Najib Razak has to cancel his cabinet meeting to rescue the state from further damages, at least that was the intelligence report received by the premier.

If the amount of RM500 million was spent by BN machinery during this state election is true, then the opposition has indeed give BN a good run for its money. Many may also argue that Najib is the winner who save the day but considering his focus in urban areas and yet the losses of 8 seats, it can be considered a slap to his face because the urban voters wouldn’t care of his promises and threat that the Chinese would not be well represented.

Performance wise, BN plunged 11.3% in terms of number of seats secured compared to 2006 – from 62 seats in 2006 to 55 seats now. On the other hand, opposition’s performance jumped 87.5% from 8 seats in 2006 to current 15 seats. If BN and Opposition are both stocks, you know which is the clear winner.
Now, the question is will Najib Razak calling the next snap election this year? Given the results of Sarawak election on the table, he will definitely do so. His only worry is the fact that the Chinese voters are stubbornly behind the opposition, not because they love the opposition but because they still hate BN so his claim that the Chinese community have return to BN in droves does not hold waters.

If his claim that the Indian community has return to BN is true, then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t rush for a nationwide general election this year. But would he dare to do so? What else does his intelligence report is telling him that we do not know? His 1Malaysia doesn’t seems to work, at least not the Chinese community.

2011-05-18T01:56:00.000-07:00

Singapore GE-2011, Aljunied’s Giant Step Of Tsunami

As expected (*yawn*), the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) retained firm control, winning 81 out of 87 seats contested. However this 2011 general election registered many “firsts”. For the first time, opposition candidates contested virtually every seat in parliament with the exception of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. For the first time, social media and the internet was allowed to be used and the opposition parties didn’t waste the opportunity to the max in the campaign as an alternative to state-controlled newspaper.

Also, for the first time Singapore’s ruling party PAP suffered its worst-ever election result since independence in 1965, thanks to the more daring young voters. PAP also saw its national vote share plunge to 60.14%, the lowest in all post-independence elections. And for the first time, the Singapore parliament will have the loudest voice or biggest opposition presence (six) since independence, thanks to opposition Worker’s Party (WP) who managed to capture Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) as well as retain their Hougang Single Member Constituency (SMC).

For the first time, the PAP lost a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since they were created in 1988 to ensure Indians, Malays and other ethnic minorities were represented in parliament. Foreign Minister George Yeo and Second Finance Minister Lim Hwee Hua who are part of the PAP team lost their seats in the process. Aljunied was known to be a hot seat so much so that Minster Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said (or rather threaten?) during the campaign that Aljunied GRC voters have 5 years “to repent”.

It is indeed a sweet victory for the opposition Worker’s Party simply because PAP’s George Yeo is very popular amongst the voters. Given a choice, Aljunied GRC voters would rather vote out other arrogant PAP leaders including PM Lee Hsien Loong (if Lee switches place with George) but coincidently Aljunied is traditionally opposition stronghold hence they have to answer the call for a First World Parliament, not to mention the irresistible Worker’s Party A-team.

On a broader scope, it seems the tsunami that hit Malaysia’s Mar 2008 general election and the recent concluded mini-tsunami in Sarawak state election have brought after-shock to Singapore, one way or another. Generation-Y are more vocal and dare to vote for a change compare to their parents. While their parents owe the ruling government in bringing economic prosperity, the younger generation wants more than that such as freedom of speech. They feel it’s sufficient for their parents to repay the gratitude (by voting the ruling government) so they’re free to vote whoever they like.

Similar to Malaysia’s Mar 2008 general election, the popular vote Singapore’s ruling government PAP garnered this time is pathetic. PAP won 60.1% of the popular vote – less than the 61% it received in the 1991 elections a few months after Goh Chok Tong became prime minister. If you analyze the PAP performance in the GRC seats between 2006 and 2011 which saw a fight with the opposition (and not walkover), with the exception of Ang Mo Kio basically PAP’s vote share is seeing an obvious decline.

If the PAP continues to be arrogant and considers opposition was just lucky during this round of election, it had better wish the voters are equally forgiving in the next election especially in the GRC such as East Coast and Tampines. The new GRC of Nee Soon and Moulmein-Kallang which saw the opposition captured 41.61% and 41.44% of popular vote is evident that PAP can’t take things for granted as they’re ready to swing their votes to the opposition next round. Even GRC Marine Parade and Bishan-Toa Payoh which saw PAP enjoyed a walkover in 2006 are slipping away with the PAP capturing only 56.65% and 56.94% votes.

In total, East Coast, Tampines, Nee Soon, Moulmein-Kallang, Marine Parade and Bishan-Toa Payoh constitute 29 seats. Two-third majority means PAP needs at least 58 seats. In other words, if PAP were to lose more than 29 seats, they would lose their traditionally two-third majority. So, if the opposition can ensure the GRC Aljunied voters that they’ve made the correct decision and somehow PAP continues to sleep on the issues highlighted, the above 6 GRCs can potentially deliver another 29 seats to the opposition and PAP would then be in deep trouble.

No doubt, the PAP can still form the government with a simple-majority but it would be disastrous to the ruling government, which is unlikely given the current scenario. PAP should take the latest result seriously, unlike it’s neighbour Malaysia. Of course in Malaysia, the ruling government can still form the government even if they manage to win only 40% of vote in Peninsula Malaysia simply because vote-buying will ensure the vote-bank in Sabah and Sarawak deliver the desired seats, while the same cannot be said about Singapore’s politics.

Nevertheless Singapore is at its infancy as far as democracy in terms of freedom of speech is concerned. Singaporeans are still reluctant to speak openly against their government even on the internet, most probably due to the fear that their government has instil since day one. They have everything to lose and nothing to gain by critisizing the ruling government which has done a great job in preparing the basic necessities for the citizens. On the other hand, the opposition parties need to do more than presenting young and professional teams.

They need to learn the basic tactics in politic from Malaysia such as the consideration of forming partnership or even merger in order to prevent three or more corners fight with giant PAP in order to prevent vote-split. But above all, maybe both the ruling government an opposition should educate their citizens on how to reduce the spoilt or rejected votes. It’s amusing that a country such as Singapore has such a huge number of such votes. Nevertheless, the latest result shows the Singapore voters especially from the GRC Aljunied has taken a giant courages step in moving into a possibility of two-party system.

10 Reasons Must Call A Snap Election This Year – Part 1

2011-05-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

After the Sarawak’s state election, many jumped into conclusion that Najib will have no other choice but to postpone the calling of the 13th General Election. Reason – Najib’s friend in Sarawak performed badly after DAP captured 12 of 15 seats contested, a 80% success rate, not to mention doubling its initial 6 seats, conveniently forgotten that Chief Minister Taib Mahmud made a clean sweep of 35 seats it contested, a 100% success rate. That’s a bunch of horse-shit as Najib should call for the snap election this year, tactically.

Well, I’ve wrote 15 Signs & Reasons Snap Election is Around the Corner and believe the snap election would be called this year after the Sarawak Elections – The Winners, Losers & The Next GE. And I still think Najib should and would call the snap election this year. Of course his mentor, Mahathir Mohamad, somehow got cold feet and he opined prime minister Najib should only call for general elections next year as there is currently too much racial division. Surely Najib doesn’t need to listen to Mahathir because the PM is an adult and not a small kid that need the nanny to baby-sit him all the time.

1) Chinese Vote-Bank

Many justify that Najib will postpone the snap election to next year or beyond simply because the Chinese voters are still stubbornly shying away from ruling government’s National Front (Barisan Nasional). That’s a pretty naive way in looking at the matter. To hell with the Chinese votes – if they had abandoned the BN in the general election 3 years ago and continuosly asking Najib’s administration to fly kite in the past 13 by-elections and the recent Sarawak state election, chances are they won’t return to BN’s fold anymore, at least not with the current master-slave model.

There’s not a single thing that Najib has done (did he do anything in the first place?) that impress and could persuade the Chinese voters to reverse their votes; and there’s not a single thing that the Chinese voters want that Najib can deliver without offending his UMNO’s warlords and racism’s policies. As I’ve said, the Chinese can survive on their own without the government’s assistance and as long as they pay their taxes, they can ask the government to fly kite if votes is what the BN is demanding.

Instead of wasting time sulking, scolding and threatening the Chinese voters being not appreciative, Najib should move on and call for a snap election this year. Really, it doesn’t make a difference to call a snap election either this year or next year if the Chinese votes was the concern. And Najib is aware of this so he will most likely do so this year. The many success stories from opposition DAP in managing Penang gives more reasons to the Chinese voters to avoid BN’s partner MCA and Gerakan for good.

2) Indian Vote-Bank

Interestingly most of the Indian-ethnic who revolted in the name of Makkal Shakti during the Mar-2008 General Election are pretty impress with the 1Malaysia concept. Najib’s administration has done an excellent job in breaking up the once influential Hindraf who pioneered the Makkal Shakti into harmless adorable teddy bears. The propaganda 1Malaysia has work wonderfully well in brainwashing the Indian-ethnic thinking the government was really serious about the slogan.

They’re so stupid it makes the Iban in Sarawak look like Einstein. Isn’t it laughable to think that many were happily bashing the Iban for selling their votes for RM200 not many moons ago during the Sarawak state election but the Indian-ethnic (most of them) in Peninsula is doing the same without being paid? Najib was telling the truth that the Indian-ethnic has return in big way to BN although he lied about the Chinese-ethnic.

Given that BN lost its two-thirds majority primarily due to massive votes-swing from Indian-ethnic, the return of the same votes would almost ensure the return of the two-thirds-majority. Even if it doesn’t, the popular vote would definitely increases. Therefore, Najib should call for a snap election this year, while the 1Malaysia slogan still works. With the much hated Samy Vellu sent into retirement, there’s little reason to hate BN.

3) Malay Vote-Bank

This is perhaps the most complicated problem with simple solution. While Najib can ignore the Chinese voters and have already lock-in the Indian voters, the Malay voters will determine if Najib will eventually fly kite for real. It’s very crucial to ensure Malay’s swung votes to the opposition 3 years ago will swing back to BN in the next 13th general election. And believe me when I say you do not need a rocket scientist to plot some plans to swing the Malay votes especially the fence-sitters back to BN.

In a nutshell, BN just need 1.2% swing to BN to regain its two-thirds majority, an extremely easy task compares to opposition parties who need additional 6% swing while maintaining their swung votes from Mar 2008 general election. The past by-election results show the Malay voters have indeed reverse the trend and are supporting Najib’s administration. However, as a backup plan, Najib needs to ensure the younger Malay voters who are fence-sitters would act as the second layer support.

These young and inexperience voters and to a certain extent the older Malay voters can be brainwashed with dirty tactics such as Anwar Schwarzenegger’s sex tape scandal and the latest Christian conspiracy. Surely out of 100 Malay voters there will be a small number who believe the allegations. Heck, if Najib’s administration can easily tricked and trapped smart street RPK for an interview that clears Najib’s name in relation to Mongolian Altantuya’s murder and at the same time cracked RPK’s credibility, how hard it is to influence the young potatoes (voters)?

However, such dirty tricks have a short lifespan and will expire soon so either you strike while the iron is hot or you have to cook up some other stories. The fact that Najib’s UMNO mouthpiece, Utusan Malaysia, is given full immunity in fanning flames of racial hatred and is in full swing now goes to show that Najib’s snap election is indeed this year. Actually UMNO realizes it can’t use the Chinese as economic bogeyman anymore because unlike in 1969, the Malay ethnic (or rather Malay UMNO) become very rich now.

So UMNO and MCA were rather disappointed the Malay ethnic and Chinese ethnic gave their middle finger when put on the wrestling ring, instead of fighting each other. But flaming the religion is another fresh idea altogether. Still fresh from the Allah controversy, Utusan Malaysia under UMNO’s endorsement tried their luck by making the Christian the new bogeyman. The accusations that opposition DAP and some pastors were plotting to make Christianity the religion of the federation and appoint a Christian prime minister seems like the greatest invention since sliced bread.

As much as the “Christian conspiracy” is laughable because it defies even the law of gravity, the plot was nevertheless serious enough to raise many Malay ethnic eyebrows and swing some of their votes to the BN. Of course as usual the PM Najib would appear calming everyone as if he was the hero who save the day. And the poor and naive Christian groups were put in the dock to explain themselves when they had never questioned the official religion of the country in the first place.

And if you think this saga is over after PM Najib’s meeting (or rather interrogation?) with the Christian groups, you’re dead wrong. UMNO-owned Utusan Malaysia, Mahathir-backed Perkasa, Najib’s cousin and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and many more unknown groups would emerge from nowhere and will take their turn in punching the Christians to keep the heat up and to divert attention from UMNO’s problems. What better time to call a snap election this year while the opposition is in havoc?

4) Sarawak State Election Result

As much as the recent concluded Sarawak election results show some setbacks, it also gives Najib the reason to call for a snap election this year. While the opposition especially DAP is still celebrating and chest-thumping with their small victory, the main issue about multi-billionaire Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s corruption has somehow cool down. Using the latest result as a guideline, Najib’s BN will probably lose, the most, additional 4 to 5 parliamentary seats, which is negligible. The nightmare of a total Sarawak tsunami is now a myth.

The picture is clearer now that the objective of opposition in marching to Putrajaya is a mission impossible, even if the status-quo in Peninsula remains, which is unlikely because the voters do not hate Najib’s administration as much as they did during Abdullah Badawi’s administration. If Najib delays the snap election to next year and beyond, there’s no guarantee the current Sarawak’s political landscape will remain the same. Najib’s administration is said to have spent about RM500 million in the Sarawak state election inclusive of vote-buying.

Now that it’s a known fact the Chinese in Sarawak has a change of heart, BN will most likely spend less in the coming 13th general election. If Najib postpones it, he may need to spend a higher figure if the situation turns for the worst. And Chief Minister Taib Mahmud won’t care about parliamentary election as he’s only interested in his state’s election.

5) Anwar’s Sodomy II

The High Court set May 16 to deliver its decision whether Anwar Ibrahim will be called to enter his defence or acquit him of his sodomy charge. And why do you think the new Deputy IGP (Inspector General of Police) said there’s no hurry to reveal the man in the sex video yet? Won’t it be nice to tell the voters just before an election that not only de-facto opposition leader Anwar sodomised his former personal aide Saiful, he was also caught with his pants down bonking a prostitute like Terminator Schwarzenegger despite a back pain.

Najib will almost certainly call for a snap election this year in order to leverage on above bullets. These cases need conclusion soon and can’t be dragged any further into 2012 and beyond. In reality, these political conspiracy theories has taken its toll on Anwar so much so that he has lost focus in strengthening his own PKR party. It’s true that the opposition should not merely rely on one person. The partnership of PKR-DAP-PAS will most probably crumbles should Anwar put behind bars as it seems only Anwar can glue PAS and DAP together.

10 Reasons Must Call A Snap Election This Year – Part 2

2011-05-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

This is the second part of 10 Reasons Must Call A Snap Election This Year. The reasons why Najib should and must call a snap election this year continues. You can read the Part-1 here at 10 Reasons Must Call A Snap Election This Year – Part 1

6) People Do Not Hate BN Government That Much Anymore

Scream as you like but the fact remains the people or voters are not as united and obsessed with the idea of over-throwing BN government now as compared to during Badawi’s period. Thanks to Abdullah Badawi’s overwhelming incompetency, obviously Najib Razak is a much better prime minister. It was all about ABU (Asal Bukan UMNO or Anything But UMNO) 3 years ago and someone said even if you put a donkey as the candidate, it would get elected. That was how much people hated BN.

Now that factor has been taken out of equation, there’s no reason for ABU. But Najib cannot hide for long the fact that the country’s economic has not recover to the pre-1997 Asia Crisis and most probably won’t; while foreign investors are still shying away from Malaysia. The country’s deficit is getting worse and the Central Bank has to hike interest rate many times to attract hot money. Najib’s administration is under tremendous pressure to tax from the people either directly or indirectly to refill nation’s coffer.
There’re reasons why people took to the street after previous premier Abdullah Badawi hiked petrol price but didn’t bother a bit even after Najib raised petrol price higher than what Badawi did. It’s a matter of time before Najib administration will raise the price of petrol, sugar, electricity, water, flour and whatnot. Najib has no choice but to call a snap election this year as he needs to execute many unpopular plans soon.

7) PKFZ Scandal

The infamous mother of all scandal, RM12 billion PKFZ scandal, will be used to tell the naive voters that Najib administration was serious about combating corruption. The judiciary system was so kangaroo that even former Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik who was charged with cheating the Malaysian government got irritated that the trial was postponed again to Aug 1, despite the fact that he was charged since Jul 29 last year. If you need 1-year to declassify just some minutes of cabinet meetings, you’re smelling rats miles away.

Interestingly Ling’s successor, Chan Kong Choy who is also charged with the cheating in the PKFZ scandal has his case postponed to Sept 20. Hence there could be a possibility that Najib may call for a snap election this year, just after this corruption case is being mentioned. Of course everybody on the street knows both the former cabinet members would walk free ultimately. For now, Najib need to put all these bullets together before releasing them to please the voters.

8) Lucky number 11

Numerology is usually not taken seriously especially by Muslims but somehow prime ministers in Malaysia are super obsessed with numbers. If former premier Abdullah Badawi’s lucky number was 13, PM Najib Razak’s favourite and lucky number is 11. Najib was appointed deputy prime minister on Jan 6, 2004 (1-6-04); 1 + 6 + 4 = 11. Najib takes over as the sixth prime minister in 2009 hence the 2 + 9 = 11. His house in Jalan Langgak Duta, off Taman Duta is also No. 11.

Interestingly his late father, former PM Abdul Razak Hussein, was born on March 11, 1922 while his mother Tun Rahah Mohd Noah was born on June 11, 1933. Najib also has a son who was born on May 11. Najib is a member the Pahang royal household ad was appointed the 11th Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar (rich man indeed). Najib has just celebrated UMNO’s 65th anniversary on 11-May-2011, although this is more like a UMNO Baru than the original UMNO.
The prime minister who was also the 11th Chief Minister of Pahang has his official government car, coincidently or deliberately, carries plate number WHT 11. You may show both your middle fingers to signify the number 11 but if the prime minister was serious when he hinted during a radio show recently that the general election would be held on November 11, 2011 because of the special place of the number ‘11’ in his life, the opposition had better get prepared. Most probably Najib would present a too good to be true Budget 2012 this Oct and thereafter call a snap election

9) GST (Goods and Services Tax) Implementation

The government has been drumming the idea of GST for quite some years and based on the latest hints from deputy Finance Minister, the country would eventually push for its implementation next year, 2012. The rush for GST is quite obvious - the government would collect more tax money as the new tax would be broad-based and covers almost everything without discriminating the rich and poor.

It would be a suicidal mission to implement GST now as the current high inflation and forever escalating high cost of living are already making average Joes grumbling. As much as the government tries to clarify that people will actually pay less tax with 4% GST, not many people buy the idea simply because in Malaysia whenever prices have been hiked, it won’t come down no matter what. Hence it’s hard to guarantee that people will actually pay less. Furthermore there’s no guarantee that the 4% will not be increased later on.
The fact that deputy Finance Minister dangles the carrot of reducing corporate and individual taxes in the Budget 2012 to be tabled in October once the GST takes place shows the government is desperate and will most likely introduce it next year. The snap election has to be this year otherwise the government’s deficit would widen further.

10) Global Economic May Turn Bearish

While the U.S. stock market is stabilising, the world’s largest economic powerhouse is still struggling with its high unemployment. Ever since the sub-prime crisis exploded in 2008, there’s still no light at the end of the tunnel on when the economy will recover genuinely. While it’s true the recession is water under the bridge now, the economy doesn’t grows as expected either. The debts crisis in Europe doesn’t help the global economy either.

The so-called foreign investment into Malaysia is more related to short-term hot money due to high interest rate rather than genuine long-term foreign direct investment. As I’ve said, as long as the Central Bank is willing to jack-up the interest rates, foreigners would be rushing their money into the country. But as fast as these money came into the local stock market, the same pace in money out-flow would happen as well.
The risk of global economy turning bearish in 2012 and beyond may be too hot for Najib to handle if he does not take advantage of the current relatively good economy now. It’s either now or never. Having said that, Najib is facing with a serious internal problem within UMNO. If his speech during the UMNO’s 65th anniversary is any indicator, it seems warlords and factions are fighting to be on Najib’s menu for the 13th general election. If they’re not selected, they may sabotage the UMNO and Najib may have to hand over his throne not because of opposition parties but rather his own party.

'1Malaysia belum yakinkan kaum Cina di S'wak'

2010-05-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

Zulaikha ZulkifliMei 18, 104:23pm

Konsep 1Malaysia masih belum menyakinkan lagi masyarakat Cina di Sarawak, kata penganalisa politik, Prof Dr Mohd Agus Yusoff.“

Sebab itu bila dijanjikan dengan pembangunan di Sibu, ada perkara lain yang masyarakat Cina lihat,' kata pensyarah sains politik di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) itu.

“Konsep 1Malaysia ini masih belum mampu untuk menambat hati dan sokongan masyarakat bukan Melayu dan Cina di Sibu,” katanya ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini hari ini.

Prof Dr Agus menegaskan demikian ketika diminta mengulas kegagalan BN mempertahankan kerusi parlimen Sibu dalam pilihan raya kecil kawasan itu Ahad lalu.

Dalam pilihan raya kecil itu, DAP berjaya merampas kerusi parlimen Sibu dengan
majoriti tipis 398 undi.

Calon DAP Wong Ho Leng mendapatkan 18,845 undi untuk menewaskan calon BN Robert Lau Hui Yew yang mendapat 18,447 undi.

Manakala calon Bebas Narawi Haron mendapatkan 232 undi.

Mengulas lanjut, Prof Dr Agus berkata, terdapat beberapa isu yang masih lagi menjadi persoalan di kalangan rakyat di sana.

“Seperti contoh isu keadilan masih lagi belum terjawab," katanya sambil menambah BN perlu memikirkan semula, kemungkinan masyarakat Cina melihat isu ketuanan Melayu dan sosio-kontrak.

"Mereka juga perlu menterjemahkan konsep 1Malaysia ini untuk kebaikan semua kaum,” katanya.

Beliau turut menegaskan pentingnya tingkah laku pemimpin BN diperbaiki.

“Pemimpin ni bila jumpa di sini cakap ini, bila disana cakap lain pula. Ini membuatkan rakyat rasa, pemimpin tidak jujur dengan mereka.

“Antara kemungkinan lain pula ialah mereka berasa tidak puas hati dengan (Ketua Menteri Tan Sri) Taib Mahmud kerana lama sangat (menerajui Sarawak).

"Mungkin orang di Pusat boleh terima beliau, tetapi mungkin (rakyat) negeri (itu) tak boleh terima beliau,” katanya.

SELAMAT GAWAI DAYAKS 2009 TO ALL DAYAKS IN MALAYSIA

2009-05-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

ISTERI KETUA MENTERI SARAWAK (PEHIN SRI ABDUL TAIB MAHMUD) meninggal dunia

2009-04-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

Isteri KM S'wak meninggal dunia
Apr 29, 09 5:29pm

Isteri Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Puan Sri Laila Taib meninggal dunia pada kira-kira jam 3.45 petang ini akibat penyakit barah jantung.

Allahyarhamah yang berasal dari Australia berusia 68 tahun.

Difahamkan, Allahyarhaman meninggal dunia di kediaman rasmi Ketua Menteri di Demak Laut, Kuching.

Tan Sri Abdul Mahmud Taib berada di Petrajaya bersama dengan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, sewaktu Allahyarhmah menghembus nafas terakhir.

Pegawai akhbar kepada Ketua Menteri, Amin Sahmat mengesahkannya.

Sumber Malaysiakini.com

A place for all in Pakatan shadow cabinet

2009-04-20T02:15:00.000-07:00

By Joe Fernandez

Pakatan Rakyat, the fledgling opposition alliance which swept five states and Kuala Lumpur in a political tsunami early last year, is currently studying the various public reactions to the newly-formed Najib cabinet – riding on the 1Malaysia, people first, performance now theme - before putting the finishing touches to its proposed shadow cabinet reflecting its political philosophy of ketuanan rakyat (supremacy of the people).

It is not known whether 1Malaysia is the result of the re-branding exercise by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

The shadow cabinet, long in the making, is expected to pave the way for the opposition alliance to seize the reins of power in Putrajaya come 2013, the next general elections, or even earlier “if Najib dares to call for snap elections”, and end more than a half century of rule by the BN which inherited the mantle of power from the departing colonial British administration in 1957 in peninsular Malaysia and six years later, in 1963, in Singapore and Malaysian Borneo.
Singapore was booted out from the federation in 1965 over the issue of ketuanan Melayu (Malay political supremacy).

The shadow cabinet is now expected to be revealed sooner rather than later after setting April 26, the first definite deadline, followed by the end of the month at the very latest, according to news filtering through from PKR’s political bureau meeting on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur.

“If Sapp (Sabah People’s Progressive Party) is willing to join the shadow cabinet, it will be a PR plus shadow cabinet. The shadow cabinet will shock and awe Malaysians,” promised PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) vice-president Jeffrey Gimpoi Kitingan in the seclusion of an Old Town White Coffee outlet, his favourite haunt, in Kota Kinabalu.

Sapp may merit a full cabinet post awaiting a Chinese MP – Tawau MP Dr Chua Soon Bui - and a Dusun which will be held by Sepanggar MP Eric Majibun. Sapp, which pulled out from the BN last Sept 17 citing loss of confidence in the federal leadership, has only these two MPs.

Presently, the PR leaders are scouting around for several MPs from Sabah and Sarawak for the shadow cabinet, he said.

The new recruits include at least one sitting Bidayuh MP, from a community which has been sidelined since the Badawi cabinet of 2004, an Iban, a Dusun and four Muslims MPs. Serian MP Richard Riot from Supp (Sarawak United People’s Party) has been mentioned within opposition circles as a possible Bidayuh minister for the shadow cabinet.

Ghost of Altantuya Shaarriibuu

The shadow cabinet, it is said, will put to public shame the Najib cabinet for a number of reasons besides the ghost of Mongolian beauty Altantuya Shaarriibuu hanging over the Badawi-appointed prime minister.

For starters, Kitingan notes that the political grapevine in Sarawak has it that Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud decided not to push for his state’s greater representation in the federal cabinet in return for the retention of his son, Sulaiman, in the Najib line-up and personal economic, business and development concessions from the federal government.

Sulaiman has been appointed deputy tourism minister despite allegations of being a shoddy performer under Badawi.

It appears that Taib decided to use the state’s large number of MPs in BN as a basis to lobby Najib for 10th Malaysia Plan infrastructure funds to be brought forward and injected into the current, 9th Plan.

The chief minister’s family members are closely linked with energy, other infrastructure and mega projects in one of Malaysia’s poorest states despite his long innings in office since 1981 when Mahathir took office as Prime Minister.

Mahathir has long been gone but Taib is still around, allegedly keeping the post safe, for a family member in a state which has virtually become their personal fiefdom thanks to the semi-literate Ibans in the vast remote interior and rural areas and the religiously-conscious Malays, making a precarious hand-to-mouth existence along the coast in isolated, impoverished fishing and agricultural communities.

Hence, the studied almost uncomfortable silence from Demakjaya, the chief minister’s residence in Kuching, since the Najib cabinet was unveiled, according to the political grapevine in Kuching, after initially falling back publicly on the excuse of the prime minister’s so-called prerogative powers.

“We bemoan the under-representation (of Sarawak in the federal cabinet) while someone – Taib – benefits tremendously,” wrote PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) supreme council member Tedewin Ngumbang Datu, 50, in his blog, Borneo Warrior, and ended on a widely-applauded note of sarcasm: “What a genius (Taib) and master political artist. The prime inister’s prerogative powers are not really that prerogative, a myth in reality, since they are entirely subject to the recommendations of component party chiefs. Who are they kidding?”

‘Shedding crocodile tears’

The flak for the state’s poor representation in the federal cabinet has been directed at Najib and Supp president Dr George Chan who has been accused of “shedding crocodile tears” over the continued exclusion of the Bidayuh, among others, from the federal cabinet.

There have been grumblings of discontent among the Sarawak Malay MPs as well over the Najib cabinet and the PR shadow cabinet is set to capitalise on this hitherto unprecedented development as well which, if for nothing else, indicates that there is “trouble in paradise”.

The shadow Cabinet, according to Kitingan, will undoubtedly have to mirror the 28-member Najib cabinet in numbers and ministries for now.

However, “the federal cabinet will be transformed in many aspects when we take power eventually,” added Kitingan, brimming with quiet confidence.

“We will take office as surely as the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning, given the number of new young voters on the electoral rolls by the next general election. Also, although Umno and the BN talk about change, they continue to be in a state of denial and no one is willing to change himself first and expect others to change.

“The continued use of the MACC against the opposition is only one of the many glaring examples of the inability of Umno and BN to reform themselves. You can see it also in Umno’s remarks about the Chinese being ungrateful. What has gratitude got to do with it?

“The balance struck in the shadow cabinet will remain among the many different ethnic groups in Malaysia,” said Kitingan.

“No one party in PR will behave like Umno which has taken 19 of the 28 full ministerial posts in the Najib cabinet and yet cynically continues to pay lip service to the concept of power-sharing.

“Why does Umno need so many ministerial posts to cater to just one community? What about the others? Why can’t they sacrifice some of the posts for the Indian, Bidayuh, Sarawak Malay and Sabah Chinese communities, for example, who can cater for all races?”

According to preliminary projections by PR strategists, the 28 full cabinet posts would most likely be apportioned in numbers as follows:

Muslims 15 full cabinet posts including two each for Sabah and Sarawak and the rest for Peninsular Malaysia with PKR holding six and PAS holding five.

Six Chinese full cabinet posts

Non-Muslims 13 full cabinet posts with six allocated to the Chinese community and seven to the non-Chinese communities i.e. excluding the Malays.

Of the six Chinese full cabinet posts, one each will be for Sabah and Sarawak and the rest for Peninsular Malaysia where DAP will get three posts and PKR one.

Of the seven full cabinet posts for non-Chinese communities (excluding Malay), three will be for Indian ministers including one non-Tamil and two each for the Dusun – including Kadazan (urban Dusun), Rungus and Murut - and Dayak communities. Two of the Indian cabinet ministers will be from PKR and the third from DAP.

Again, five full cabinet posts each for Sabah and Sarawak and 18 full cabinet posts for Peninsular Malaysia to strike a fine political and geographical balance across both sides of the South China Sea.

Underlining the political autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak, according to Kitingan, is a proposal on the cards to incorporate PKR locally in Malaysian Borneo as separate and independent chapters of PKR Malaysia and using the same party symbol.

The ethnic breakdown of the proposed shadow cabinet: 15 Muslims including two each from Sabah and Sarawak (Malay and Muslim Melanau); six Chinese including one each for Sabah and Sarawak; 3 Indians including one non-Tamil; two Dusuns including Kadazans (urban Dusuns); and two Dayaks i.e. one Iban and one other Dayak full minister’s post rotated among the Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Melanau communities.

In short, there will be 13 non-Muslim full ministers as against the 15 Muslim full ministers.

“The 40 deputy ministers’ posts will reflect the same balance as that for the full cabinet posts,” said Kitingan.

“In addition, we will reinstate the post of parliamentary secretary reflecting the same balance to ensure the greater participation of the younger generation in preparation for their eventual assumption of the national leadership.”

Yet to be worked out is the modalities of which party and which ethnic group gets which portfolio but Kitingan is sure that Sabah and Sarawak, for example, “would not be pawned off with token ministries with no real power as usual”.

In addition, the prime minister’s department would not be some sort of hyperministry, as under former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, leaving very little power with the ministries especially those headed by non-Malay.

‘We know Razaleigh’s heart is with us’

The post of prime minister in the shadow cabinet will be a toss between opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Kelantan Umno warlord Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, disclosed Kitingan seriously.

“We know Razaleigh’s heart is with us as it was with Semangat 46. He was cheated out of the Umno presidency in 1987 by Mahathir and ex-Umno treasurer and finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

“The original Umno has long been dead and what they have now is the Mahathir Umno. It is high time for Razaleigh to make up for the loss of 1987 before it is too late.”

Kitingan disclosed that there have been serious talks in the recent past between PKR and the Razaleigh group for a ‘unity government’ once it became certain that former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would have no choice but step down from his post before this month.

The sticking point came when Anwar’s supporters insisted that he be named prime minister ignoring the suggestion that Razaleigh would not, in any case, hog the post like Mahathir who literally came in from nowhere, a nobody and lacking any real grassroots support, and stayed 22 years until he was forced to see the writing on the wall.

Kitingan remains hopeful that unlike Mahathir, Anwar Ibrahim will be willing to make way for Razaleigh this time, in the interests of a stronger opposition alliance, and bid his time “since Razaleigh can be expected to make way for Anwar after one and a half terms in office”.

A week is a long time in politics

Another surprise inclusion, according to Kitingan, may be Oxford University-educated Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, left out from the Najib cabinet in favour of Mukhriz Mahathir, the balding, prematurely ageing, and lackluster son of Mahathir.

The man himself, who recalcitrantly presided over a largely corrupt cabinet for nearly a quarter century in power, is said to have lobbied for his son’s inclusion with a straight face.

His efforts were at the expense of Khairy, on the politically expedient grounds of the latter’s alleged indulgence in money politics, an Umno euphemism for corruption, but not considered a crime of any sort by the party except Mahathir.

Khairy, according to Kitingan, has bright prospects of making it as a young Prime Minister after Razaleigh and Anwar.

“But as they say, even a week is a long time in politics. Anything can happen.” Now, Khairy’s prospects in politics are being hemmed in from all sides by Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein Onn, Najib’s first cousin, and Mukhriz.

The formation of the shadow cabinet is expected to enable the opposition alliance to better monitor the work of the various ministries and draw public attention to the disconnect between actual performance and the BN’s electoral pledges including those made during the last five by-elections, four of which were won by PR.

Two of the by-elections were for the state seats of Bukit Selambau in Kedah which fell to PR, and Batang Ai in Sarawak which was retained by the BN after a poor turnout of voters.

Internal dissension at the PKR operations centre, funding shortfalls, the choice of the wrong candidate, poor judgment on the part of Anwar Ibrahim and a failure to consult party leaders have all been cited as among the main factors for defeat in Batang Ai, as concluded in a preliminary post-mortem by the political bureau this week, according to Kitingan who wasn’t present at the meet although he’s a member.

“Shadow playing is a luxury small and under-developed communities can’t afford to play, definitely not for the pleasure of Anwar,” retorts PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) secretary-general Alfred Nissom Anak Rata on the proposed shadow cabinet.

Nissom apparently “fears for the 200,000 strong Bidayuh” despite the fact that their support for the BN for so long has brought them virtually nothing in return and plain public ridicule for their three MPs in the wake of the Najib line-up. The trio has been spread across three political parties in the BN, clearly to reduce their collective bargaining strength, while boosting the respective parties in the numbers game.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, mindful that Najib Abdul Razak might have a short-lived career as prime minister, has castigated the proposed PR shadow cabinet as a renewed bid by the opposition alliance to seize political power.

http://malaysiakini.com/news/102627

Our Current Dayak BN leaders….Maybe Monopause

2009-04-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Our current Dayak BN leaders from whichever political Parties for years have always hide our Dayak greviences from resuffacing, whenever there is a need to highlight the problem in the communities or outburst in the media, these so called leader who suppose to help the dayaks are the one who says we must follow rules and regulations, we must respect other people sensitivities, we must show respects.

These Dayak BN politicians are all trying to save themselves in actual fact that we dayak are Backward and still living in Poverty. For Jabu/Masing/Mawan the heat is on……Denial syndrome. Current problem face by Dayak Bidayuh”Bidayuh Upset about exclusion” is serious problem, please help the Dayak communities……

Source : http://dayaknation.com/blog/?p=1355

BN Sarawak:Submissive and ‘Saya Yang Menurut Perintah’ Syndrome

2009-04-16T00:12:00.000-07:00

By Burung Kenyalang

Well, well, the more one hears the BN Sarawak leaders ‘open their mouths’, the less confidence one has in them. One just cannot see any sense in what they are saying with regard to the cabinet allocation to Sarawak.So much for the so-called confidence and trust in BN Sarawak to deliver the seats albeit with little rewards in return.

Despite being somewhat disappointed, BN Sarawak leaders are still clinging to their submissive attitude, and that it was the prerogative of the PM (of course, it is , for heavens sake!).Precisely, that's the problem with BN Sarawak. Its leaders won’t mind to be be continuously ‘bullied’ and ’sidelined’ , just to remain in the ‘good books’ of the PM.

Instead, BN Sarawak will be hoping that the PM will allocate huge sums to the state, particularly with the state elections looming very soon.Oh! so BN Sarawak is more interested to keep in power and retain their ministerial posts - so substantial sums from federal will be handy as ‘ instant noodles’ for the electorates.

To remain in power,they can continue to amass wealth for themselves (cronies included)and the rakyat will continue to be ’suffering’ and at their mercy -i.e. support BN , otherwise no development.BN Sarawak might as well say, no need to allocate any ministerial posts to Sarawak, as long as huge funding are made available. That’ll be better! So that no community in Sarawak will complain - no headache for PM!

The Bidayuh community is once again disappointed that this time no Bidayuh is appointed to the cabinet. DCM George Chan, who is also SUPP President,in all his pretensions has got the cheek to say he’s equally disappointed.

Really George- are you serious? Even a 5-year old kindy knows that you’re lying. Why on earth did you submit all the names of MPs from SUPP to PM, and you expect the PM to do some kind of‘coin-flipping game’ to decide?If you were really sincere and truthfully wanting to put up a Bidayuh, you could have just put Richard Riot’s name - top of the list! Shame on you George! The Bidayuh will never pardon you (and SUPP) for your action. Just wait till the next election! No more Bidayuh MP from SUPP, that’ll make it easier for you the next time.

Of course, the new PM will give more priority to BN Sabah. UMNO has its presence there. The recent UMNO convention was obvious with a good number of Sabah representatives in the UMNO’ corridors of power’.Therefore, as a reward more ministerial posts surely had to be given to BN Sabah. Furthermore, Sabah politicians are deemed to be more‘unstable’ and ‘ vocal’ , and fearing they might just switch camp anytime. (history has shown this was possible)..That's the reality of Sabah politics.

Now, back to Sarawak, well its leaders have always been under the thumbs of UMNO ( because other BN component parties will not dare!).BN Sarawak leaders will follow diligently ’ saya yang menurut perintah’ syndrome, even if it means at the expense of the people of Sarawak.Even those already being appointed as Ministers/Deputy Ministers are there only to ‘warm’ the seats, with no ‘real power’ to transform their respective ministries, less so to further develop Sarawak.

We’ll be back, Agi Idup agi Ngelaban…..said Jawah Gerang

2009-04-12T00:33:00.000-07:00

Although he was defeated, this by election is an encouragement for him to work harder….He was in the midst of forming a commitee to make sure all the projects announced by BN would be fulfilled…..Royalty from Sarawak Energy, New hospital, Bank, Tarsealed Road, GiatMara, Landtitles etc

Source: http://dayaknation.com/blog

New Cabinet : Nothing To Be Excited About - Malaysiakini

2009-04-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

New Cabinet : Nothing To Be Excited About ~Malaysiakini
By Burung Kenyalang

Prime Minister Najib has announced his new cabinet line-up.

As expected, there are few surprises from UMNO.

Those dropped includeShahrir ( has tendered resignation, anyway), Azalina (scandal-plagued/), Muhd Taib (lost Deputy President contest), SyedHamid ( deservedly so) .

Nothing much can be said of the other appointments from MIC, MCA except for the inclusion of Tsu Koon (nobody else it seems).

An interesting one is the appointment of Mukhriz as a Deputy Minister - instead of KJ. It does seem that Najib listens to and is very much influenced by TDM. KJ , having being elected UMNO

Youth, is left outin the cold.

It would not take a political scientist/analyst to ’speculate’ that there will be discontentment within the UMNO ranks - sooner or later.

From UMNO’s point of view, it looks like TDM is truly ‘back again’ to dictate matters within UMNO and BN as a whole. So where would that put Najib? How would other BN component

parties view this latest development?

Let's wait and see !

Sabah and Sarawak have been expecting to be better rewarded this time around, with the BN leaders of both states even indicating’ surprises’. Alas! when the announcement was made, and despite the importance of support from the 2 states in keeping BN in power, nothing of that sort happened. yet again. Perhaps, that's the price of loyalty, BN-style.

After all the ‘great expectation’, ( before announcement), the new cabinet doesn’t seem to ‘ooze’ any confidence nor the ‘wow’ factor nor the impression ( of their capability) to bring the country forward. In short, there’s nothing to be excited about the new cabinet.

Anyway, good luck to Najib and the new cabinet.

God help Malaysia.

IBAN TOLD TO REDISCOVER FIGHTING SPIRIT

2009-04-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Iban told to rediscover fighting spirit
By Joe Fernandez

The Ibans, and by extension the other Dayaks, need to re-think their politics if they are ever going to get out of the vicious cycle of poverty, according to the Sarawak DAP.

‘DAP and PKR are here to help change Iban (and Dayak) lives but if the people refuse to change, there’s nothing much DAP or PKR can do’ is the message that Batu Lintang state assemblyperson Voon Lee Shan is sending out in the run-up to the Batang Ai by-election tomorrow.

He described how low the Ibans and other Dayaks - 50 percent of the population - have fallen in Sarawak.

“When they see Taib (Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, right) coming to the state legislative assembly, they all rush towards him, trying to get his attention,” said Voon.

“I have observed that when Taib sees them coming, he just shakes hands with them but with his face turned away, looking at others (more important) around him. That’s telling.”
Voon doesn’t recall Dayak leaders speaking up or against the policies of the Barisan Nasional state government.

“Iban leaders like Alfred Jabu, James Masing, William Mawan, Sylvester Entri, Peter Nyarok and Francis Hardin, being senior politicians, are in a position to bring change to the Dayak community, but it seems that they prefer to be led and not to lead,” he alleged.

The system of tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs) is a system that has prevented the community from emerging as rulers.

“With exceptional loyalty as a trademark and embedded as a culture, the BN government has until now since independence ruled Sarawak through Iban patronage.” said Voon.

“That has prolonged Taib’s stay as chief minister. He may wish to perpetuate the Taib/Melanau Muslim political dynasty which was started by his maternal uncle and predecessor Abdul Rahman Yakuub and nominate his son Suleiman as his successor and chief minister.”

The state constitution has been amended to prevent an Iban from being the governor, unless he is a Muslim. Another amendment makes it extremely difficult for the post of Speaker to be held by an Iban (and other Dayaks) or Chinese.

Voon said Iban people live simple lives and are never demanding and that “it is their culture to respect and be obedient to their elders and the tuai rumah”.

In return for their loyalty and obedience, the longhouse residents get subsidies, among other perks.

The tuai rumah is given a monthly stipend and other allowances by the government.

‘Chance to lead’

Iban politicians co-opted into the BN government, according to Voon, are an extension of the tuai rumah system complete with posts and perks.

“What the Iban has received until now is subsidies and not capital for the development of the community.”

Voon said the majority of the Iban will remain poor and semi-literate under this system while their leaders live it up in the towns, earning a perpetual income from timber concessions and the development of plantations on native customary rights land seized under one pretext or another.

“Subsidies are not the way and will continue to make the Iban poor. It will be different when the Pakatan Rakyat government takes over Sarawak. Instead of subsidies, the people will get capital - the idea of rural credit - and access to capital to help improve their lives.”

“If the Iban people want meaningful change for themselves, they should no longer be dependent on their present leaders and their tuai rumah. Instead, they have to take the lead themselves, throw away their present leaders and change the government.

“The Batang Ai by-election will be the testing ground for the New Iban or Iban Baru. The opposition candidate (Jawah Gerang) is the agent for change. He is the Iban Baru. The Ibans of Batang Ai need to rise up and support the candidate for change.”

However, many Iban are stateless people who lack personal Malaysian documents. Also, many are not registered as voters and this further reduces their political strength, as the largest community in Sarawak at 30 percent of the 2.5 million-odd population.

Registered voters not turning out to vote or selling their vote for a few ringgit, directly or indirectly, at election time further compounds the problem.

News source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/101753

Minister’s no show, PKR takes over

2009-04-05T03:20:00.001-07:00

Minister’s no show, PKR takes over
By Tony Thien

It’s not often and indeed it is a rarity for a political party’s event at a by-election campaign to get ‘hijacked’. Or rather, the political party allowed its event to be taken over by its rivals due to the no-show of its lead campaigners.

This is exactly what happened yesterday in one of the 21 Iban resettlement longhouses Rumah Jenggi near the Batang Ai hydro-electric dam, one of the issues in the by-election.

PBB senior vice-president Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and his team of party supporters were expected to arrive at the longhouse at 2.30pm.

A crowd of about 50 comprising village elders, women and children, as well as a large media group were waiting for the minister’s arrival.

Earlier, the PKR state assemblyperson for Ngemah, Gabriel Adit, accompanied by several of his party supporters, arrived at the longhouse, known to be pro-opposition, to campaign for PKR candidate Jawah Gerang who is involved in a straight fight with BN’s Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.

The crowd waited in vain as it was soon made known that Awang Tengah, a senior state minister, was not coming.

Adit then casually took over the event and addressed the longhouse residents on a range of issues, foremost of which was the unsettled long-standing claims for compensation due to the construction of the hydro dam in the 1980s.
Awang Tengah had been expected to make an announcement on the matter to appease the villagers.

The 21 resettlement villages has a sizeable electorate of about 2,000, or 20 percent, of the total number of registered voters in Batang Ai. Although situated at the doorsteps of the hydro dam, they are without electricity.
This is one of the major grievances of some of the Iban community in Batang Ai.

Johnicol Rayong challenged by Jawah

Adit told Malaysiakini he believes that the longhouse people understood the PKR’s message for change, calling for the state BN government to be replaced by Pakatan Rakyat like in several states in the peninsula.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the pro-BN Independent assemblyperson for the neighbouring

Engkilili state constituency Johnicol Rayong was so embarrassed after he was challenged by Jawah that he left the scene in a hurry.

Johnicol was addressing another longhouse within the resettlement area two days ago.

Jawah, the five-term MP for Lubok Antu, had arrived in the same longhouse and demanded to know whether Johnicol had joined BN.

The independent representative told him and the crowd that he had not.

Jawah then replied ‘Why are you then campaigning for the BN?’ On hearing that, Johnical left the scene and Jawah lost little time to take over the mike and address the people.

The longhouse is also a known supporter of PKR.

Meanwhile, Daniel Tajem, a former deputy chief minister and ex-president of the now defunct PBDS, also joined the campaigning for PKR, visiting several longhouses near Lubok Antu to urge them to back the PKR candidate.

Polling day for the by-election is April 7.

SURAT NUJU SEMOA PENGUNDI N29 BATANG AI

2009-04-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

PENGARI KITAI IBAN - YB JAWAH ANAK GERANG

Tabi Semoa Pengundi

Ke terubah iya, meri tabi basa ngagai kita semoa.
Atur pengawa bepilih mit ba N29 Btg Ai di adu ka laban peninggal niangYB Datuk Dublin Unting . Sinu meh kitai iya ke udah nadai, lalu arapke kitai sama bela ngenang ke pemanah iya sekumbang iya ke nyadipengari Btg Ai. Terima kasih ngagai niang enggau sida sabilik.

Nyadi ba bepilih mit tu , BN deka besatup enggau PKR. Kitai sama belanemu sapa bagi ke bediri : Mussen ngari ke BN, lalu Jawah ngari kePKR.Seduai iya sama manah, bisi pelajar tinggi tang meh rayat/pengundimeh ke nentu sapa bagi ti patut ngari ke bala kitai di sitak Btg Ai.Kasih meh tudah Mussen di asoh badu gawa ba perintah, sayau laban iyaudah bepangkat tinggi. Nyau sekurang meh bansa kitai megai pengawabesai.Nya endang polisi BN enggai meda bansa kitai maju.Kada sidaJabu, Masing bisi bepikir utai ke bakanya? Di pelaba ke nadai, labansida semina ngenang ke kuasa, pengaya diri empu aja.

Enggau tu, minta kitai sama berunding enggau manah lalu nyukung sertangundi pengari ari PKR, ianya Jawah ak Gerang.

1. Jawah sigi amat-amat ka ngering ke bansa kitai Iban. Iya mega endangelaung ke bansa bukai, China, Melayu dalam sitak Btg Ai.- sida samaudah pedis ngelamatu.Nya alai, Jawah meh patut di pilih nyadi pengarikitai di Btg Ai.

2. BN udah suah bendar bula lalu besemaia macham-macham utai lebohmaia bepilih, tang nya lalu di lengka udah lepas bepilih. Anang mehkitai ka di kemula ka bala tuai BN - lebih agi sida menteri-menteri (baka sida Jabu, Masing) nyau kulu kili rauh-rauh madah kemacham-macham projek. Sida nya semina nyebut aja.kena ngambi ati kitai- tang ke bendar sida tu ngemeli ke kitai.

3. Udah berapa kali bepilih BN menang di Btg Ai , laban rayat ngarapke BN meri tauke mai pemansang. Tang nya meh BN kelalu jai enggaurayat, nadai ngenang budi rayat ke udah nyukung.Nyau berapa kalibepilih, nyau berapa taun ke udah, agi meh kitai di Btg Ai merinsa.

4. Sida BN nemu ngemula ke kitai madah ke nadai duit, laban maiohmenoa bukai ke di kemansang enggau macham-macham kebuah bukai. Tangnama kebuah maia bepilih mit ke sekali tu, tak maioh endar projekenggau pemansang bukai dipadah sida BN? Nama sekali tu tak bisi duit?Nama sekali tu madah ke endang bisi bagi tauke ungkup ngagai Btg Ai?Kasih endar meh bala kitai tak di kemula ke sida BN.

5. Bisi sida BN madah ke Jawah ,maia iya ke nyadi MP suba , enda nemumai pemansang. Ukai Jawah ti enggai tau ka enda nemu. Tang meh sida kabekuasa baka sida Taib,Jabu,Masing,Mawan endang sigi nadai ati kengemansang ke menoa kitai. Indah menoa di pegai Masing (Balleh) pannadai pemansang- iyanya lebih agi Menteri ku jako.

6. Retinya sida BN tu pan nganu tauke nyalah tudah niang DatukDublin, iya ka nyadi pengari Btg Ai ngelamatu Sama mega ukai iyaenggai, tang laban penemu sida tuai-tuai BN ke bukai lebih agi kaberunding ke pengelantang serta pengaya sida diri empu aja.

7. Nama kebuah tak maia bepilih mit tu, maioh menteri-menteri ariSarawak enggau ari semenanjung( kelebih agi bala sida UMNO) sertaenggau bala YB BN ke bukai, datai ngagai Btg Ai. Amat sayau meh sidake kitai di Btg Ai? Amat maioh pemansang ka di agih ngagai menoa kitaiditu- nyau beratus ribu enti enda bejuta-juta.? Kati amat ke endautainya? Nyau maioh udah pulai ngagai Btg Ai, nama ungkup menoa bukaideh? Tu meh ke tanda sida BN endang landik bula.Kemaia sida amat sayauke kitai? Kemaia sida amat berunding ka ngemansang ke menoa kitai?

8. Iya ke bendar BN semina ke ngemeli ke bansa kitai, sida BN kangerampas tanah kitai, sida BN ka neju ke bansa kitai merinsa lalu barunding sida bepanggai belama ba sida(BN), nyadi ulun sida, penekasida ngaga.

9. Anang ninga ke jako sida BN madah ke PKR tu parti ari semenanjung,lau enda patut di sukung. Tang kati ku kitai deh, ka ngarap ke BN-baka PRS nyau ga bepechah serta enda nulung bansa Iban, SPDP enggauSUPP enda ga bangat kiroh, PBB pan enda ulh di karap. Nama penyadikitai Iban deh? PKR nya meh parti tauke ‘perau’ kena kitai ngerempungke bansa kitai di Btg Ai serta di seluruh menoa Sarawak. Sida BN panngena sida UMNO, MCA, PBS datai nulung sida.

10. Anang ka di emba sida BN ngasoh ngundi perintah, enti enda ngundiperintah nadai pemansang. Salah penemu sida BNnya, penemu nyangelakar rayat.Menang alah, perintah patut meri pemansang. Partipemangkang ulih meh megai perintah menoa Sarawak, enti menang maiohagi kerusi dalam bepilih besai tu ila. Anang sekali-kali ka takut ,kitai tau nyangkal penemu sida. Ukai sida nya raja tau ke petara.Kitai tu meh ke bekuasa- undi dalam jari kitai.Nya meh tuju kitai,megai menoa Sarawak, berengkah ari bpilih mit Btg Ai. Nya alai berimenang ke besai ngagai JAWAH.

Nya alai minta bala kitai di Btg Ai sama bela saum penemu, ngering kebansa kitai lalu enda agi di kemeli ke ulih sida BN baka ke udah.Kitai enda tau enda ngubah runding kitai, ke pengelantang kitai sampaike uchu ichit kitai jemah ila.

Minta ampun ngagai kita semoa enti sema jako bisi enda ngena taukepenemu enda tentu nyemetak . Tang ke patut di kingat kitai , kitaienda tau enda beserakup.Anang kitai ka di keduan, di kemula sida BNagi Anang kitai ka agi di sabong sida BN belaya sama diri, rumahpamjai nyau bepechah.Tu meh maia kitai nunjuk ke pemintar kitai, tumeh maia nunjuk ke kuasa kitai.

Ingat semoa, maia ngundi kena 7hb April, beri sukung ke penuh ngagaiPKR, lalu undi meh

pengari kitai JAWAH AK GERANG.

Terima kasih

Ari ku Anak Iban
source : http://lettersfrombatangai.com/

TWO JOES BY ONE JOE

2009-03-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

TWO JOES BY ONE JOE.

Source : http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/

I am feeling good by the day about Batang Ai. This morning,

Johnny Chuat, an Iban blogger and publisher of an Iban magazine, who entererd the nomination centre at about 9am failed to submit his papers as an independent.

Coming out of the centre, he wore a PKR shirt and met his supporters, telling them to support Jawah Gerang.

Late last week Jawah’s former BN colleague banded together and pledged support for him.
Broken Shield's Joe "Jetty" Tawei report posted today gives one the impression, that some TUAI RUMAH'S, long in the strangle-hold of Iban BN cronies of the TERMITE, is standing up and saying "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH".
Joe's take:

1. A BN gathering at Kaong

Joseph Entulu, PRS deputy president and Joseph Salang, PRS information chief, last night campaigned at Rumah Ambau, Kaong for their candidate Malcolm Mussen.

Like in any other longhouses, Tuai Rumah Ambau, while welcoming the two deputy ministers, called on his people not to vote for the BN candidate and told them why. Several people tried to stop him talking, but he continued talking and repeated what he said “don’t vote for BN candidate.” The two deputy ministers were clearly not amused, but strong supporters of BN were stunned. Others (perhaps PKR supporters) smiled. Even if the Tuai Rumah did not make a genuine mistake, the damage has been done.

+++++

more a slap in the face than a kick in the ass, yes?

AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN!!!!!

Nomination Day in Batang Ai (N29) on SUNDAY

2009-03-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

Nomination Day in Batang Ai on Sunday 2009 :- Chronology

Lettersfrombatangai.com will be getting updates from stringers stationed in Lubok Antu for the updates. Do stay tuned for the latest.

8 15am - As the no of supporters of both sides start converging into the little town of Lubok Antu, heavy traffic going in to the town is reported. The nomination centre opens at 9am.

8 40am - Communication to the nomination centre has proved to be difficult. Either the area is out of coverage or the lines in and out of the area are jammed. Hopefully we can get more information leading to the nomination hour.

8 45am - Equal no of supporters present at the nomination centre. So far no signs of the candidates yet. Taib Mahmud has arrived in Lubok Antu. Very heavy traffic near and around the nomination centres. Loads of FRU personnels present.

9 26am - Jawah Gerang and Mussen Lamoh were seen entering the nomination centre so far. No signs of any Independent candidates yet. BN and PKR supporters have swelled up from 5 000 to 10 000 since then. No untoward incident reported so far. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (Selangor Mentri Besar) accompanied Jawah Gerang into the nomination centre.

The crowd gathering in a open field outside the Lubok Antu sports complex has swelled to about between 10,000 and 15,000 with BN supporters outnumbering Pakatan.

10 00am - Updated: As at closing time (10am) there were 2 candidates that are in the nomination centre. Jawah Gerang and Mussen Lamoh. From 10 am - 11 am is the objection period. Johnny Chuat was at the nomination centre but did not submit his nomination papers.

Prior to nomination another candidate Petronas employee Desmond Sating was seen to have been keen on contesting as well

10 45am - An objection has been lodged against Malcolm Mussen Lamoh (PRS) candidacy. PKR leader Dominique Ng is questioning the BN candidate on whether he has indeed resigned from his job as an agriculture officer. He also said independent Johnny Chuat withdrew at the last minute and pledged his support to the PKR candidate.

11 ooam - In Bukit Selambau , there were no objections and there will be a 15- cornered fight between Barisan Nasional candidate S Ganesan, PKR’s S Manikumar and 13 independents.

11 30am - It’s OFFICIAL- there’s going to be a straight fight between PKR’s Jawah Gerang and BN’s Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 29th, 2009 at 8:16 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Sourced: http://lettersfrombatangai.com/?p=192

It's PKR Vs BN AT BATANG AI (N29)

2009-03-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

It’s PKR vs BN at Batang Ai
By Joe Tawie

Sarawak’s Batang Ai state seat by-election will see a straight fight between the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Barisan Nasional. Former five-term MP for Lubok Antu, Jawah Gerang, of PKR is to face BN candidate Malcolm Mussen.

Johnny Chuat, an Iban blogger and publisher of an Iban magazine, who entererd the nomination centre at about 9am failed to submit his papers as an independent.

Coming out of the centre, he wore a PKR shirt and met his supporters, telling them to support Jawah Gerang.
There were some tense moments when objections were raised against the two candidates, but the returning officer, Nelson Mujah Girie overruled the objections and accepted both nominations.
The returning officer made the announcement at 11.30am.

The large crowd estimated at 10,000 exchanged friendly taunting, but there were a few tense moments among the PKR supporters when the police started to seize PAS flags.

PKR Dominique Ng intervened and talked to a senior police officer. Later Ng told Malaysiakini that the police refused to allow PAS flags to be displayed at the field among the DAP and PKR crowd.

‘Dayakism in action’

The police told Ng that PAS was not a participating party in the by-election and according to the rules of the Election Commission, any party which was not involved should not be allowed to join the crowd displaying its flags.
Ng told the police that if that was the case, then SUPP, SPDP and PBB should also not be allowed to display their flags.

But the police replied that they were parties in the Barisan Nasional, whereas Pakatan Rakyat was not a registerd body.

After a long argument, the police allowed the PAS contingent to join its partners, saying that it was all a miscommunication.

A former senior BN leader commented on the number of so many Dayak lawyers present at the nomination centre to support the PKR…it shows “Dayakism in action”.

Many ordinary Dayaks from professionals down to rural dwellers have taken a greater interest in the Dayaks’ political predicament while using PKR as the main vehicle to articulate their fears and hopes.

Earlier Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud led his entire cabinet ministers and several thousand BN supporters, comprising members of various BN component parties, not only from Sarawak, but also from Sabah and West Malaysia.

The BN entourage also included several BN federal ministers including Shafiee Apdal and Peter Chin.

The PKR supporters were led by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

Sleepy border town bursts into life

The PKR leaders were joined by their colleagues including four state-elected representatives of Sarawak Wong Ho Leng, Chong Chieng Jen, Voon Lee San and Violet Yong as well as their colleagues from Sabah such as Jeffrey Kitingan and Christina Liew.

PAS also sent its representatives to lend support to the PKR candidate.

Lubok Antu has never seen such a large gathering of supporters from the various political parties and so many leaders from both the ruling coalition and opposition at one time during any election.

The sleepy border town suddenly bursts into life and Taib’s presence has lent credence to the belief that he considered crucial that BN must win in this predominantly Iban seat in the face of the increasing challenge from the PKR which is starting to make inroads into the rural areas.

Polling will take place on April 7 and the result will be announced at 8pm at the Lubok Antu Sports Complex - the same venue as for the nomination.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/101232

BN DIRTY TRICKS DEPARTMENT IS IN MOTION.

2009-03-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Source: http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/

MY fellow-blogger Joseph Tawei and Tony Thien reported this:

The PKR leader said that the Sarawak Land and Survey Department had sent letters to many Iban voters in Batang Ai to ask for copies of identity cards as well as bank account details. Malsysiakini has this story HERE(The Dirty Tricks Department Machinary is also in motion in Bjukit Selembaju HERE

OVER THE YEARS YOU HAVE SEEN HOW THEY LOOK LIKE.THEY WILL NOT HIDE.YOU CAN SMELL THEM ACROSS THE RIVERS

THEY WILL CHEAT YOU AGAIN.WILL YOU SELL YOUR SOUL AND YOUR LAND FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE?YOU DID IT BEFORE.BUT THE IBAN NATION WANTS CHANGE NOW.

If BN gives you RM1000. Dont take it. Ask for RM2000 and vote forT Jawah Gerang. If you accept the RM2000 and vote for BN's Malcolm Mussen Lamoh you have accepted a bribe....that's corruption. But on accepting the money (which is actually your money) and you vote for Jawah, you are voting against a corrupt state and you realise that the..

TIME FOR CHANGE is NOW!

++++++

FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS I WILL RECORD PAST INSTANCES OF THE TRICKS CHURNED OUT BY THE BN CHEATING MACHINE.

Technorati Cosmos: other blogs commenting on this post

Jawah Gerang Calon Pakatan Rakyat Untuk DUN Batang Ai (N29)

2009-03-23T00:57:00.000-07:00

23Mar 2009
Jawah Gerang Calon Pakatan Rakyat Untuk DUN Batang Ai
By Anwar Ibrahim
Source: http://anwaribrahimblog.com/

Sabentar tadi, di Hotel Grand Continental, Kuching saya telah mengumumkan Jawah Gerang sebagai calun Pakatan Rakyat dari KeADILan untuk bertanding dalam pilihan raya kecil DUN Batang Ai, 7 April ini.

Pengalaman saudara Jawah yang sebelum ini berkhidmat sebagai Ahli Parlimen Lubok Antu selama lima penggal jelas memperlihatkan kredibiliti beliau sebagai pemimpin rakyat di DUN Batang Ai yang komited.

Turut hadhir dalam majlis ini termasuklah saudara Dominique Ng, YB Violet (mewakili DAP) dan juga YB Gabriel Adit.

Juga diumumkan ialah pemilihan saudara Nicholas Bawin sebagai Pengarah Operasi Pilihan Raya. Ini jelas membuktikan betapa fitnah perpecahan yang dilempar BN sekadar omongan kosong yang berlalu ditiup angin.

Dengan sokongan masyarakat di Batang Ai yang begitu mengagumkan, ditambah pula dengan dukungan para bloggers yang komited memperjuangkan nilai pemberitaan seimbang dan telus, BN Sarawak pastinya terus gusar meranduk iltizam rakyat.

Harapan rakyat di seluruh Malaysia khususnya di Sarawak kepada Jawah Gerang adalah sangat tinggi. Kepada jentera petugas, ayuh perkemas dan tingkatkanlah usaha demi menggarap agenda perubahan!

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Where are the Iban (Sea Dayak) Warriors In Politics?

2009-03-21T02:56:00.000-07:00

Written by YB Encik Voon Lee Shan *
Source : http://thebrokenshield.blogspot.com/

Rentap, the most famous Iban warrior in Sarawak

Iban people were traditionally brave people. They feared no one and were well known for their bravery. History told us that they also had good leaders, who were capable to enter into military alliances with one another and able to moblilize hundreds of followers under their direction for territorial expansion.

For newly opened region or territory during their head hunting days, their tuai menoa allocated settlement areas to their followers and their young men who displayed courage in the battlefield were entitled to called bujang berani or “brave bachelor”. In the old days, they were truly warriors and they led and were never wanted to be led by other people. So, they fought against the Rajahs.

Their bravery helped young Malaysia grew to what it is today. Malaysia needed them in early years and in time of peace, they still served the nation well. Iban were good trackers and their service in the Royal Malaysian Rangers was exemplary and many were awarded with bravery awards for their prowess in fighting the insurgencies. Their display of bravery was consistent with their motto, “Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban”.

In Rangers, they also displayed not only exceptional courage, but, also exemplary leadership and discipline.

Brookes Changed Iban ( Sea Dayak) Leadership

Things now changed. They no more led, but, were led by others through their leaders. Why and how could this happen?

One thing for sure about the Iban people was that, the Iban or Dayaks in general were good, honest and obedient followers. The Brookes were smart and when they ruled Sarawak, they appointed Iban warriors as native chiefs. It was through these native chiefs that Brooke’s rule became more peaceful and Sarawak’s territory then expanded.

The British who took over from Brookes also did the same thing and this strategy worked well to keep the Iban in peace with the government. Iban people lived simple lives and were never demanding and it was their culture taught them to respect and be obedient to their elders or tuai.

In the longhouses, their tuai who headed their longhouses were called tuai rumah. These tuai rumah were powerful figures and they provided the link with the government.

The anembiaks in the longhouses in return for their loyalty and obedience to their tuai rumah will get some subsidies in terms of fertilizers, some granite for their roads which normally were distributed to them as “election installments”. That is, these subsidies will only normally be distributed when elections were around.

However, the Iban could not simply get these subsidies unless their tuai rumah were obedient and loyal to the government. The BN government held them under 'political ransom' and the present system will continue to make them so.

Therefore, until today the system of tuai rumah has been maintained and given the few hundred ringgits as monthly allowances, these tuai rumah had then been instrumental in controlling and influencing their anembiaks to be obedient and loyal to the government.

With the exceptional loyalty as trademark and embedded as a culture, the Barisan Nasional government has until now since independence ruled Sarawak through Iban patronage. That also prolonged Pehin Sri Taib, a Melanau and a Muslim as the Chief Minister of Sarawak. With that, Taib may wish to perpetuate the Melanau dynasty which began from his uncle Tun Rahman, in ruling Sarawak, by making his son, Sulaiman as the next chief minister.

Kuala Lumpur followed Brookes

When Malaysia was formed in September 16, 1963, the federal government in Kuala Lumpur also followed Brooke. They knew, Apai Jugah was too influential among the Ibans ( Sea Dayak) and other Dayaks. They respected and were loyal to Apai Jugah.

So as not to rock the peace already established through Brookes’ rule, the federal government then appointed Apai Jugah as a Federal Minister. With Apai Jugah, the Iban just continued to get some subsidies. The Iban together with the Melanaus and Malays in Malaysia were Bumiputera, but, the Iban until today could not enjoy what the Malays could get.

Gone was Apai Jugah, the BN government perpetuates Iban loyalty to the government by absorbing Iban ( Sea Dayak) leaders and politicians into the government. These leaders were given posts and many perks.

The few leaders, like Jabu, Moggie, Masing, Mawan, Entulu, were said very rich. So, the story continues. The Iban ( Sea Dayak) never then led, but, was led through their leaders. What the Iban got until now were subsidies and not capitals for the development of the community.

The majority of the Iban will continue to be poor. While their leaders lived in big towns and cities could enjoy piped water and driving luxurious cars with oil palm plantations from Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands giving them perpetuating income and wealth, the majority of the Iban will see themselves poor and to live without proper water and electricity supply.

In return for their wealth they got from their positions in the government, these Iban leaders who presently are in the government will continue to tell the Iban people that only BN government could give the Iban subsidies in the longhouses.

This was of course true, but, the Iban ( Sea Dayak) did not realize that the giving to them subsides will continue to make them poor. It would be different, if Pakatan Rakyat takes over the government. Instead of subsidies, the Iban will get capitals to start their lives.

The Iban ( Sea Dayak) now has no political warriors who are capable to lead the community against the Barisan Nasional and against the dominance of the Melanau-Malays in Sarawak politics.

Ningkan an Iban from Betong who was supported by many Chinese tycoons in his days was too aggressive. His display of the typical Dayak arrogance and bravery was seen a threat by the federal government led by the Malays from UMNO, who then politically kicked him out of his chief ministership.

Ningkan who displayed exceptional political courage and leadership of an Iban warrior, Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban, was seen a threat to UMNO rule in Sarawak through Melanau-Malays. These Melanau-Malays were mostly Muslims, but, is not a large group in the state.

Had Ningkan not been toppled, Iban today would be under a better umbrella had enjoyed better lives. Maybe, it was and still is the policy of federal government to see that Iban should not become the governor and chief minister of Sarawak.

This was made more difficult in recent years after the amendment of the State Constitution because, it seems that to be a governor, the governor must be a Muslim and in the case of Iban, this would be something almost impossible as most Ibans are Christians.

Due to the amendment of the State Constitution, the Iban, like the Chinese, would also find themselves difficult to become Speakers of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

Iban (Sea Dayaks) Must Change

DAP and PKR are here to change the Iban lives, but, if Iban people refuses to change nothing much DAP and PKR could do. Iban leaders like, Jabu, Masing, Mawan, Sylvester Entri, Peter Nyarok and Francis Hardin, being senior Iban politicians could bring better change to the Iban community, but, it seems that they prefer to be led and not to lead.

They should be the Iban political warriors taking lead to bring the Iban to greater heights. They should realize that Iban being the largest race in Sarawak should lead and not be led by the minorities.

Never, at anytime I heard them speaking against any of the policies put up by the government. They lacked political courage to speak against the evils of the government and when they saw Taib coming to the Dewan Undangan Negeri, they all rushed towards him, trying to get Taib’s attention. Sometimes, I observed that when Taib saw them coming, Taib just shook their hands with them, but, with his face turning away looking at others around!

So if Iban people want to change themselves, they should no more be dependent on their present leaders. Instead, they have to take the lead themselves, throw away their present leaders and change the government.

The Iban people have lost its grip in power and the only way to overcome this is to change the government. So, the coming Batang Ai by-election will a testing ground for Iban Baru ( New Sea Dayak ) or New Iban ( New Sea Dayak ) Whoever be fielded by the Opposition against the BN in Batang Ai, the Iban people, please rise up to the occasion to support the candidate for a change.

He is your Iban Baru!

Aram Kitai Bekimpen Ngelaban BN!!!

2009-03-21T02:51:00.000-07:00

Aram Kitai Bekimpen Ngelaban BN!!!
( BATANG AI N29 BY ELECTION SARAWAK )

1. Empai temu meh BN ulih menang kali tu…..kami ba BA/LA tu udah lama rauh-rauh 9 bulan nadai YB ngintu tauka mantu kami ba BA/LA….sampai nyau nadai tu dah niang YB Datuk Dublin Unting (our condolence to his family and may his soul rest in peace in God’s kingdom)…nama meh ka buah kami ditu nadai pengari 9 bulan deh?? Nemu kita pemerinsah kami BN??? Bakani kami ulih ngarap ka kita agi??

2. Nama ka buah sida Perintah Taib (I’m the government….I’m Yang Dikasihi…I’m Pehin Sarawak…) nadai nganjong wakil sida iya kitu deh?? Nama nganti maya ka bepilih, baru ka nemuai ngagai menua kami kitu??…nama sigi bakanya adat tauka polisi perintah “Barisan Nipu” tauka “Barisan Nepotism” (BN) pia??

3. Uji nuan manding ka pengidup kami ditu enggau bala kitai ba Kuching tauka ba Bintulu/Miri din….nama pemisi kami bisi sama pengaya tauka maju baka sida kroni Perintah Taib pia..??

4. Udah 45 taun kitai tu masuk nyukong “Barisan Nipu” tauka “Barisan Nepotism” (BN) sampai nyau nadai menua NCR bala kami ditu atas nama pemansang ko BN…

5. Nama kabuah keturunan kitai tauka nama “Dayak” (Sea Dayak enggau Land Dayak) ka dibuai sida Perintah Taib/BN…bakani pengawa perintah baka tu enggau bangsa Dayak? Ingat kami tu ukai keturunan bangsa ulung tauka sakai tauka “orang asli” ba menua Malaya?? Kami nyukong perintah laban kami ka pemansang selalu, pemansang ekonomi, pemasang teknologi, pemansang penemu serta bekunsi pemasang enggau perintah tauka kompeni perintah…..ukai lima (5) taun sekali tauka maya bepilih sekali bebuah….perintah apa baka tu deh?? Pemasang Politik tu patut iya hal kedua (2nd priority), pemansang rakyat enggau pemansang ekonomi patut diberi prioriti dulu laban dunai diatu bisi penusah “Financial Crisis”…BN baduh kita ngemeli ka rakyat!!

6. Anang kebuah Perintah Taib/BN ka berebut kuasa (political power)…ka berebut menggai menua Sarawak…ka berebut ka pengaya ngaut reta ba menua Iban/Dayak, rakyat enda dingat…merinsa enda dilindung…enda disiasat enggau manah-manah.…enda dipaju pengidup..…nama penyadi bangsa kitai Dayak diayah sampai bak tu deh???

7. Menua kami ukai Los Angeles (LA) baka menua Merika….agi kelalu jauh mundur Lubuk Antu (LA) tu…anang kita takut datai mansang ka menua kami ditu nadai mayoh “Antu” ba menua tu… Iya ka selalu dipeda kami “Antu Nipu”… “Antu Melit”… “Antu Bula”…. “Antu Mecah Rakyat” …. “Antu Nagsut Rakyat” … “Antu Makai Menua” …. “Antu Nerima Rasuah” …. “Antu Nuci Kasut”… “Antu Belit Nyilat” …”Antu Ngampu”…..Mali nipu rakyat…tulah besai!!

8. Lebuh ngaga Batang Ai Hydro…mayoh udah bala kami ditu merinsa, anang ngumbai kami senang kita….laban Hydro diempu bala pemesai enggau kroni Perintah Taib/BN nadai sida ingat ka nulong rakyat begaga ka “Tabung Pemasang Rakyat Batang Ai” ngena “duit royalty ari Batang Ai Hydro” kena kami maju ka ekonomi kediri (economic independence)…tau ngidup ka “Kooperasi Batang Ai” beradu ke pengawa betanam betupi….tauka dikena kami betulong kaban diri maya tingang penusah (bencana alam/tinggang peunsah tauka mantu bala nembiak besekola tauka sekolaship nembiak Batang Ai kena sida iya nampung pelajar ngagai College/Universiti)…??

9. Amat meh kami bisi api letrik tang enti udah nadai pengawa kena tauka ngarap ka udah pencen lecit beri perintah sigi nadai cukup kena bala kami mayar bil letrik laban udah nadai cukup pengawa/kerja diberi/diatur Perintah Taib….bakani ka idup??

10. Mayoh bala anak kami ti udah besekula pandai…bisi sekeda udah bulih master degree agi mayoh nadai bulih kerja ti manah….enti bisi kemayoh agi bekuli ba Semanjung….sekedanya kerja ba perintah nyadi pengawai kelas dua….enda ibuh nyebut sida ka nadai ulih nampun sekola tauka enda besekola laban apai-indai sida iya merinsa enda teulih melanja bala anak besekola….kasi amai meda bala kaban bekuli begulai enggau bangla/indon…bisi sekeda bala nembiak indu bekerja nuci pinggai ba restaurant Cina…bisi sekeda kerja ba pub…kerja belakang pub…bakani ka idup??

11. Nama bangsa kitai tu sigi nyadi 2nd kelas citizen tauka 2nd kelas bumiputra tauka 3rd kelas minorities pia..?? Nama bangsa kitai tu sigi enda tau uild dipilih nyadi ketuai pemesai ba perintah pia?…nadai kala aku ninga kitai Iban/Dayak udah nyadi “Jeneral” tauka ketuai pemesai polis/kastam…Pemerani (PGB/SP) baka PW I Kanang Anak Langkau, niang aya aku ASP Menggong enggau mayoh agi….sigi bisi tang udah sida iya pencen alu nadai dikenang Perintah Taib/BN…enda ibuh ngerandau bala bini-anak sida iya…Nama penyadi kitai bangsa Dayak diayah Perintah Taib/BN begadai ka nyawa ngelabang munsoh (PKM/PARAKU)…ngetan ka menua “Malaysia” tang dibuai batu…baka kacang lupakan kulit?? Enda nyebut pingat SP sama enggau pangkat Tan Sri….Mayoh udah bala Dayak (Askar/Polis) udah mati besabong ka nyawa ngetang ka menua Malaya/Sarawak, agi ga sida Perintah Taib/BN enda ingat “pengorbanan” sida tu tauka bekas perajurit (Askar/Polis) ngelama tu?? Nama sida tu orang “invisible men” pia???

12. Bisi sekeda bala nembaik ba menua kami ditu minjau/bulih loan sekolahship suba sampai kediatu alu bedau ulih maya loannya laban enda bulih pengawa ba Perintah Taib/BN (maaf anda tidak layak)…nama penyadi anak kitai deh? Sapa agi ulih dikarap kitai agi?? Nama Perintah Taib/BN buta ngelama tu??

13. Bisi kooperasi kitai Iban/Dayak nadai kala ditulong Perintah taib/BN…merinsai amai bala enti nadai cukup projek, nadai cukup modal…bisi projek padah ka sida iya kami nadai duit kena menbejalai ka pengawanya…bekuli tau (ngena gaji ari)…nama udah 45 taun bangsa kitai tu sigi diatur ulih Perintah Taib/BN idup nyadi kuli aja ka baka sida Bangla/Indon/Myammar pia?? Nama kitai Iban/Dayak tu penatai/penatang haram tanpa izin (PATI) “design” nyadi kuli ba menua diri…nama guna kitai masuk Malaysia deh? Nyamai agi kitai idup kediri tauka “independence”…laban udah mayoh bala kitai tau meggai menua Sarawak…??

14. Pia mega bisi bala anak buah kami ditu agi ka nampung sekolah ngagai Universiti sampai ka ari tu enda bulih sekolahship ari perintah BN…nama penyadi kitai tu deh? Nama penyadi kitai Dayak ba menua asal Sarawak tu nadai dipeda urang ka ngelama tu? (invisible being from Planet Mar tauka alien..)… Enda ibuh nyebut bala anak YBs Perintah Taib/BN…dini kemayoh agi sida iya besekola..??

15. Nyadi ati kami kediatu udah pedis amai dikemula “Barisan Nipu” (BN) ngelama tu….nadai daya bukai tang sida ngundi “Pakatan Rakyat”/Pakataan Rakyat anang aja Perintah Taib/BN (irrelevant)…….enti diundi BN dikemula ka baru meh kitai….nyamai agi mangkah PKR niri negak ka “Peoples Rights” (PR) tauka “Human Rights”/ Indigenous Peoples Rights/Native Land Rights…bisi agi utai ulih enda tulah enggau petara kitai (Jesus Kristus) tuaka roh akeh-inek kitai…wooo..haaaa!! God’s Blessing, Amen!!
16. Bakani kitai ulih ngatur stratigi negelaban/negelabuh ka Perintah Taib/BN;
a) sama-sama meh kitai nulong pangan diri berunding ka akal/jalai/penemu (baka akeh-inek kitai menya bekayau ngelaban munsoh);
b) ngiga bala pengundi enggau bala penyokong ari seluruh menua Sarawak (Dayak population is estimated 1.2 million peoples in Sarawak);
c) ngiga belanja;
d) ngiga komiti bekimpen/ops managers/volunteers;
e) ngiga perengka logistik (perauh/kereta/bilun helicopter/minyak/dll);
f) ngiga perengka kommunikasi (talipon/internet/Skpe/dll);
g) ngiga perengka kena bekimpen (tambai/button/baju/tangi/tudunk/dll);
h) ngiga atur keselamatan;
i) ngiga pakar media coverage tauka Youtube N29 News/ N29 Batang Ai Weblog/Website;
j) ngiga pakar nulis berita ba suratkhabar ukai aja ba menua Sarawak ba Semanjung (Perdana/Wasilah/Buletin Rakyat/Harakah/Kosmo/Sinar/Siasah/dll enggau berita bala PR ba Tamil/Chinese Newspapers)…tau digabong ambis…;
k) ngiga opis/bilik operasi (kedai/rumah panjai/ruai/langkau umai/jelatong/dll);
l) serta macam2 agi kena kitai ngelabuh, ngeruntuh alu muai Perintah Taib/BN ukai aja ba Batang Ai N29 ditu tang ari menua Dayak…menua akeh-inek kitai ba Sarawak ditu!! Agi Idup, Agi Ngelaban!!

17. Cara Dayakbaru bekimpen:

1) Enti bala BN niki rumah, kitai turun ngena belakang dapur;

2) Enti BN tama rumah, sadong ka ai ari sungai (laban kami nadai ai paip);

3) Enti BN datai malam, idup ka lampu gas/pelita..anang beri/ngidup ka ubat nyambuk;
4) Enti BN ka makai beri asi barik laban kami nadai duit kena meli gas dapur (cap petronas…Petronas nadai kala meri rakyat royalty/subsidi);

5) Enti BN nyuroh berapi, suruh sida begiga ka kayu….kitai ukai ulun Perintah Taib/BN;

6) Enti BN bekimpin, anang masang api letrik laban kitai nadai cukup duit kena bayar bil api letrik tauka meli minyak ngidup ka enjin letrik..awak ka temuai BN rauh bejako ngena batang rekong sida iya…awak ka nyepi asai bakani urang menua merinsa….;

7) Enti BN nyankai ka perahu ba jelatong, tanggal ka tali perahu sida…awak ka sida bejalai pulai..ngambi ka sida nemu pemerinsa rakyat bejalai kulu-kili nurun niki bukit ngidup ka seput diri empu…;

8) Enti sida ngantung tambai BN, ambi aja kena kitai ngaga sarung bantal tauka cawat dalam…laban rakyat nadai duit nadai kerja kena beli ka baju/seluar/lampin anak/dll;

9) Enti sida BN datai nurun terebai ngena bilun helikopta (laban nunjuk pengeraja BN diri ari nipu hasil ulih ari menua Dayak..), kitai bejalai kaki ayam ngena tudung tangi/berawai/besirat…bebai uyut…bebanding ka pengeraja diri…anang ngelak betabuh nyambut penatai sida…laban sida iya minta kasih rakyat minta kerja nyadi pengari diri empu/diri sebilik/diri sekaban BN;

10) Enti BN nyadung duit tangkap gambar sida laban sida iya ka ngemansang ka pengawa rasuah;

11) Enti BN berunding ka pemansang SCORE (…Special Concession Only Reserved for Elite…); minta royalti, minta equiti; minta grants; minta bekunsi pengawa enggau ngurus ka SCORE; minta tanah NCR diberi individual land title; minta tanah NCR disewa bulanan aja;
12) Enti BN besebut ka penyampau duit kena mansang ka SCORE (..duit billion..$$$), minta sida meri pokok/capital dulu ngagai semua kooperasi enggau semua associations bangsa Dayak (SDNU/SADIA/OUNA/SBDA/SDGA/FORUM/DCCI/dll);

13) Enti BN nyebut hal pemansang ba Batang Ai, tanya sida nama baru empat puloh lima (45) taun diatu sida ngelala tauka meda pemerinsa bangsa Iban/Dayak;

14) Enti BN madah sida bisi penemu ngemansang Sarawak baruh Perintah Pusat Putrajaya, tanya sida iya nama penyadi “Peminta 18 Points” ulih ketuai kitai Iban/Dayak janji masuk Malaysia suba…nama nya sigi sengaja enda di-ingat tauka pura-pura enda nemu?…;

15) Enti BN nyebut hal Education; tanya sida iya…dini “Sekola Bantuan Dayak” tauka “Dayak Malaysia College/Universiti”….laban Sabah/Sarawak sama-sama nubuh ka Malaysia..ukai nipu nya???;

16) Enti BN nyebut ngelindung tanah NCR tauka bangsa Dayak, tanya sida nama kabuah mayoh bangsa Iban/Dayak dipasuk ba jail alu enda disiasat enggau betul/adil..bisi sekeda udah mati ditimbak lebuh ngetan ka menua diri…?? Justice we say??

17) Enti BN besebut ka hal meri pala tanah “umbrella title”, tanya sida iya nama enda peduli ka peminta raykat ngelama tu minta “NCR Individual Title”….anang meri excuse…iya tusah diatur tauka enti disukat ngambi masa…nama 45 taun diberi rakyat ngelama tu ngagai Perintah Taib/BN nadai kala didinga ka??….bado ngemula enggau rakyat…; Nama kabuah “Community Mapping Initiative Ban ulih Perintah Taib/BN…nama tuju nya deh??

18) Enti BN madah minta undi rakyat, tanya sida iya namanya ngundi minta YB nyukong Taib/Jabu sebilik aja nadai ibuh ka pemerinsa rakyat tauka nulong ngetan ka tanah NCR Dayak??…;
19) Enti BN besebut ka hal niri ka Sekola tauka Klinik, anang minta sekola perintah..minta “Sekola Bantuan Dayak Sarawak” tauka “Klinik Bantuan Dayak Sarawak” awak bangsa kitai ulih bekerja dia..;

20) Enti BN nyebut sida iya pandai/pintar ngatur ngemasang ka menua Sarawak, tanya Perintah Taib…anang aja pandai ngaga rumah batu tinggi-tinggi ba pasar Kuching/menua Mukah….gaga sama rata tauka sebaka ba menua Iban/Dayak..;

21) Enti BN nyebut meri pengawa tauka kerja ba SCORE tauka kerja perintah, minta ketuai Iban/Dayak bisi ulih meggai pangkat tinggi baka “Jeneral” tauka “IGP”…anang nyadi kuli (tenaga buruh) tauka anang besebut ka aja…minta Perintah Taib tauka Perintah Federal sign alu “legally endorse” dulu suratnya ba mata rakyat baru kitai tau bepikir ngundi sida….anang nyako aja..udah puas rakyat dikemula BN….;

22) Enti Perintah Taib/BN ka begaga ka 12 itek agi Hydro Dam, padah ka sida lapa enda ngaga ba pasar Kuching/Sri Aman/Sibu/Mukah/Bintulu/Miri deh??…. “laban diak udah nadai kayu, nadai tanah NCR agi…;

23) Enti BN berandau ka kuasa perintah, tanya sida anang ngemai bala Agong/Sultan ka menua Sarawak laban menua Dayak/Sarawak menya nadai kala betuai ka Sultan…Temenggong/Penghulu/Tuai Rumah bisi…nama bangsa Iban/Dayak enda ulih nyadi TYT tauka CM deh??…Nama kitai tu sigi enda tau betukar nyadi pengari ketuai bangsa Dayak tauka bangsa Melayu/Cina agi ka???…Anang nyebut aja…alu tulis rekod/amend terus undang-undang baru baru kitai bepikir sapa tau diundi…Is this the end of the Dayak civilization ka???;

24) Enti Perintah Taib/BN besebut ka penatai “ai bersih” ngagai rumah panjai, nama ka buah semua sungai ba menua Sarawak majak dikeroh ulih raban penyamun kayu deh…nyau keroh mati ikan/udang??;
25) Enti Perintah Taib/BN besebut ka ngaga jalai, tanya sida nama baru ka bekimpen baru nyebut ka ngaga jalai pia??…Nama nadai udah mayoh jalai bisi tar ba menua ulu din..??;

26) Enti BN besebut ka hal undang-undang udah cukup, tanya sida ni “Makhamah Natif”?? Nama kabuah iya nyadi siti ari depatmen Perintah Taib/BN…Nama ka buah enda nyadi “Makhamah Syariah” ti diatur kediri tauka baka “High Court” deh??? Ni dulu bisi ditubuh suba ba menua Sarawak sebedau Sarawak masuk begulai enggau Malaya tauka maya Perintah British - Raja Brooke Koloni? “Makhamah Natif” (Native Court) tauka “Makhamah Syariah”??

27) Nama ka buah bangsa Iban/Dayak nadai bisi Hakim kediri neraju “Makhamah Natif” (Native Court)…Nama kabuah Perintah Taib/ BN ngelalai makhamah kitai Dayak ba opis CM deh?? Sapa ti ulih negak ka undang-undang Dayak tauka ngelindung reta/menua (tanah)/bangsa/adat Dayak enti “Makhamah Natif” kitai dipegai urang bukai…Nama ka buah…rakyat ka nemu diatu…bedau Perintah Taib/BN bula enggau rakyat..Is this Rules of Justice or Rules of Law???;

Auk…agi mayoh ka ditulis aku ditu, ngelak ka bala ditu nyambung penemu aku ditu meh…unggal/wai. Enti bisi salah jako minta maaf laban sigi cara kitai bepolitik… “masam-masam manis” (munyi filem P.Ramlee)…kalah-menang sigi adat bepolitik….anang aja sida ka menang merintah ngayah nipu rakyat…sinu meda bala kitai Iban/Dayak dikemula ngelama tu…45 years what??? Equality & Equability or Rule & Divided….Rules of Justice & Rights or Rules of Law & Politico Policing??
Idup Iban, Idup Bangsa Dayak, Idup PKR!!! Ngelaban Iban, Ngelaban Bangsa Dayak, Besatu Kitai Ngelaban Ngalah-Ngelabuh Ka “Barisan Nipu” Alu Nukar Perintah Taib/Jabu!!

UNDI meh anang enda ngundi “Parti Rakyat”/ PKR nadai ngira sapa pengari iya,…udah puas kitai makai “umai” digaga Perintah Taib nyau lejuk ka jeluak…kami diatu lapar ka makai jukut/kasam jani…kasam ikan aja!!! Wooo…Haaaa….

I’m not an old outdated citizen of Sarawak, experienced hand at politics. But I am now seasoned enough to have learned that the hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning!! I do not believe that any political campaign justifies the declaration of a moratorium on ordinary common sense. A campaign is about defining who you are - your vision, your mission, your objectives and your opponent’s vision/wants. The aim for each Vote is being analyze, selected, nominated and wins the Election N29 Batang Ai, Sarawak that you have decided well to choose your course of prosperity, defend your rights, protect the Laws of Justice, your native lands, your bangsa not for you but for generations to come!!

Have we ( The dayaks ) been fooled all this while?

2009-03-21T02:09:00.000-07:00

Have we been fooled all this while?

Kelantan Menteri Besar, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat is one kind of a leader who dares to say a “spade is a spade” when he labels the term “Bumiputra” as a smack of racism. But to us Dayaks, bumiputra is an illusory word, the application (or non-application) of which has made us Dayaks as the losers in terms of development, business opportunities, contracts and tenders, educational opportunities, recruitment into and promotion in the civil service.

In the political terminology, Dayaks together with Malays, Kadazandusuns and other natives are grouped as Bumiputras. What it means here is that when UMNO needs our support to strengthen its policy on “ketuanan Melayu” the Dayaks are considered as Bumiputras so that bigger “Merdeka cakes” (a.k.a. economic opportunities, rights and privileges) should be accorded to reflect the larger composition of Bumiputras (Malays, Dayaks, Kadazandusun, etc) and as Bumiputras our rights are said to be included in the term.

But in actual implementation of the “Bumiputra policy” the Dayaks have been sidelined or not considered at all for all those privileges, rights and economic opportunities; in fact the Dayaks are officially known as “lain-lain” (others). And as “lain-lain” what do we get? Even Article 153 of the Federal Constitution cannot protect us. In fact, illegal immigrants have better treatment than us.

I recall a friend of mine who is now a member of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Supreme council complained that his application for a business was rejected because he was not a bumiputra. Imagine a Dayak Iban’s application for business opportunities is not considered on ground that he is not a Bumiputra. His case is a tip of the iceberg.

The term of “Bumiputra” and “non-Bumiputra” first came into use when the government introduced New Economic Policy (NEP) following the 13 May 1969 racial riots in West Malaysia. That is about 30 years ago.

Following a special meeting with the then Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad with Dayak leaders like Tan Sri Leo Moggie from the defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) and Dayak non-governmental organisations as well as Kadazandusun leaders like Tan Sri Bernard Dompok of UPKO, Sabah some time in 2000, it was agreed by the Federal government to give a special attention to Sarawak and Sabah people in terms of financial allocation and business opportunities.

And arising from that meeting it was decided to form the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to look after the interests of the Dayak and Kadazandusun communities. Since then a new terminology, Bumiputra minorities, has been coined to refer to the Dayaks and Kadazandusuns. Legally, of course, there are no such words.

The current debate on the privileges of “Bumiputra” was brought up by an Opposition leader, Dr. Boo Cheng Hau in Johor State Assembly last week when he likened “bumiputralism” as another form of apartheid policy which was experienced by the black Africans.

Nik Aziz labeled it (bumiputralism) as racism and wanted it drop, while the Information Minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the Opposition did not understand the meaning and the history of the word.

It is obvious that we have been lulled into belief that as Bumiputras we enjoy all the rights. What a fool we have been for the last 30 years for continuing to elect BN government? This issue should be one of the issues to be highlighted at the forthcoming Batang Ai by-election.

BN is not helping poor farmers in Sarawak

2009-03-21T01:59:00.000-07:00

BN is not helping poor farmers in Sarawak

BN false claim

When the price of rubber was high - $5-$7 per kilo, the BN State government claimed it is because of their good work. The radio was trumpeting it every day explaining the brilliance of BN policies.

Today the price of rubber is very low. Will the BN claim that the low rubber price is also caused by them? If the former is true than the latter should be true that the price situation is directly attributed to BN initiatives.
We all know both are nonsensical BN claims. BN can fool the uneducated farmers but they cannot fool those who understand economics. BN leadership has stooped so low in trying to impress the poor folk by blatant lies when in actual fact they have done nothing to raise rubber or oil palm prices.

What is BN doing for the poor farmer now?
Jabu should be heading a taskforce to help poor farmers. Unfortunately old age and lack of knowledge by Tan Sri Alfred Jabu anak Numpang would hinder his ability to perform as a senior Minister. Might as well he fades away quickly before the next state election. Better not to overstay your welcome.

By now Tan Sri Alfred Jabu anak Numpang should be thinking of:
• providing minimum allowances to small holding farmers - at least $200.00 per month
• lower down the price of fertilizer by 50%
• increase government aid for subsidize seedlings
• create a price subsidy for rubber and palm oil through the “windfall tax” of palm oil /rubber
• do something - BN MINISTERS -just do not sit in your big comfortable office and talk down to the poor people.

Why are we suffering so much poverty in rural Sarawak?
It is because of the misuse and abuse of State assets and natural resources by BN State government. This Sarawak State government has even achieved and adopted a “refine methods” of taking State resources ( 12 dams, timber replanting, issuance of provisional lease for plantation ) that are legally correct but MORALLY WRONG as these projects allow a selected group of people to enjoy.
These selected Groups of people are Pehin Seri Abdul Taib Mahmud household members and relatives, political family members of the State Cabinets and Elected Representatives themselves. Politic to them is the venue to abuse their power and rape the Sarawak State of CONTRACTS and LINCENSE for extraction and mining of natural resources. Is that the reason why Sarawak voters elect them to the DUN?
It is a gross mismanagement of the State assets and natural resources. None of these projects benefited rural Sarawak at all. It brings many miseries though.

What did Rural Sarawak got from BN politic of development?
1. Lies
2. More Lies
3. Poverty
4. More poverty
5. Deceit
6. More deceit
7. Undermine personal rights of poor farmers
8. Suppression of Dayak adat and cultural practices
Even that is not bad enough. Now rural Sarawak suffers even more:
• dirty water from logging and plantation
• more sickness and death from logging
• more health problem from plantation chemical
• less food from the forest, protein from river and ikan Jabu is eating up

other species
• less raw material for local handicrafts used

Ask ourselves these questions?
• Did forestry and logging give us better roads infrastructure in rural areas?
• Has the quality of rural education been improved through extra earning?
• What economic growth has been generated in rural Sarawak through logging and plantation?
• What basic facilities (water/electricity) for the people have improved in logged out areas?
• What scholarship has been awarded to those in the logged and planted areas?
• (many more)
Look at those who benefit from logging, forest replanting and plantation.
• who has become filthy rich and control the print media - PBB and SUPP businessmen
• who has use the riches as an election war chest and undermine /marginalize the poor?
• who started to own large landed property when Bumiputera natives are not given land titles
• who has abuse and show disrespect of dayak cultures
• (many more - not written to avoid uncontrolled negativity).

Conclusion
Let us Sarawakian not look at small ethnics matters - we focus on the big threat that we are facing enforce upon us by BN.
It is also true that State Government are refusing entry to PR politician into Sarawak. It is an abuse of the special privilege clause. That is not what the “clause” is intended for - nevertheless, it is just a case of abuse of power in the name of the people of Sarawak.
BN should be more responsible when entrusted with the power to govern. BN should be working to solve the people’s problem as it is today that is cause by low rubber and palm oil prices for small holding farmers. The political leaders should be talking and listening to the people to offer help and assistance.

Today BN continue to play politics with Tuai Rumah and other category of Community leaders to instill fear in them not to go against the government. At least that is what YB Stephen Rundi is doing in Bintulu by taking advantage of the good office of the District Officer to organize political forum to carry political indoctrination.