Sakmongkol punches again

Losing by default — Sakmongkol AK47

September 17, 2010

SEPT 17 — Now that I have written several articles in Bahasa Melayu, l shall revert to English. The central theme of my articles is that if there is anyone to be blamed for the confusion about how Umno should treat Perkasa, it’s the Umno president.
Umno has forfeited its role as spokesman of Malay leadership by default. First, the Umno president is giving out ambivalent messages. He hasn’t given unqualified and absolute support to his foot soldiers. He is asking his people to distance themselves from Perkasa but undercuts this call by saying we are not at war with Perkasa. And what does “distancing” mean exactly? It’s not a question of at war or at odds. It’s a case of stating clearly that Umno doesn’t share the same ideals of Perkasa.
It’s a case of saying that Umno has a better programme and agenda than Perkasa will ever have. Right now, Umno hasn’t done that beyond discussing whatever programmes which seem never to have been finalised yet in labs conducted by consulting companies.
Otherwise we are better off by shutting up. The core element of Perkasa’s struggle is the retention of NEP and of Malay rights. It is to this element that Umno leaders must argue. Unfortunately they don’t have the grey matter to argue against the idea.
Malays in general are not averse to reason and sensibility. It is a mark of mental and cerebral deficiency if you resort to name calling as a means to counter Datuk Ibrahim Ali’s Perkasa.
How would you argue against NEP? Start by asking what has NEP turned into at the hands of achievement-challenged Umno leaders?
1. It stands for social immobility.
2. It stands for getting on in life by way of cutting corners, working less and wanting a free lunch.
3. It stands for a system that does not match rewards with ability and hard work..
4. It stands for a system that makes putting in less effort but getting more benefits, respectable.
But before that, we have to state the following. If whatever privileges are already enshrined in our constitution, to wit Article 153, then why do we need organisations like Perkasa to add validity to this Article?
It suggests that we are not confident of our own constitution. Or Perkasa can clearly see that there is no longer Umno in the future. If there is no Umno then the constitution can be changed. By the way, Article 153 provides for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to ensure a few things pertaining to Malay privileges are protected.
To me then, it’s not Article 153 that we should focus our attention on. It’s the primacy of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. If that is the case, vest in him paramount authority as the final arbiter and veto power to ensure not only Malay privileges but to include other things as well — how and why Petronas money is applied or that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the final authority to endorse plans to spend extraordinary amount of public funds.
Two, Malays will forever be the majority group in this country. I find it impossible for Malays to forsake what is important to them regardless of whatever party they belong to.
So where is the steam that pushes Perkasa? Ini pun orang Umno tak boleh debat.
This is the way we should argue why NEP must be abolished. It’s not that Malays will drop off dead if the NEP is abolished. I have long held the view that rights are what we fought for and earned and not gotten gratuitously. This is what the NEP is instilling — that rights are a given because they are so. Also because it’s written in our constitution.
The validity of NEP doesn’t depend on Article 153. That Article provides for powers to be exercised by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in matters concerning government positions, scholarships, etc. Even then, such powers are to be exercised with circumspect, the most important qualification being, in so far as they do not injure the legitimate rights of other Malaysian races.
I want to tell our Malaysian Chinese brothers, they are not the only ones pissed off with the NEP. The majority of Malays are equally angered. Because the NEP has turned out to actually be a fight to control the turf by competing Malay elites, the superbumis, the puteras in the bumi. The majority are treated as cannon fodder by these people in working out a solution with the elites of other Malaysians.
How many per cent of the Malay population benefited from the RM54 billion offer to take up equity in listed companies? We know so many cashed out that the value held by Bumiputeras is now only RM2 billion. I have written sometime ago, let the government list out those who have cashed out and permanently bar them from even applying for new shares.
So I come to my first contention that the NEP, far from empowering the majority of Malays, represent a hurdle for social mobility. So when the majority is denied access to wealth-creating resources, this breeds enmity and social tensions.
The social mobility which the NEP sought to achieve was enjoyed by the privileged few. Because the mobility meant for Malays are differentiated. For some, the privileged, the well connected, it’s a programme that allows cutting corners. Pink forms here and there, easy financing, sometimes free shares because of who they are. For the majority, the mobility has to be earned the hard way — work hard, toil the land, study harder.
The NEP represents unequal outcome through unequal opportunities. What we wanted were equal opportunities resulting naturally in unequal outcomes.
How can I be persuaded that NEP is good for the Malays? — sakmongkol.blogspot.com
* Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de plume of Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Hj  Abdul Aziz. He was Pulau Manis assemblyman (2004-2008).
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

The Confident Zaid

Zaid says will win — eventually

By Clara Chooi

September 17, 2010

Zaid said he was taken aback by the hostility towards his decision to contest the deputy presidency. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has been unfazed by the growing support for his contender, Azmin Ali, in the PKR deputy presidency race, claiming he would likely win the next round even if he faltered now. Both party strongmen are due to slug it out to replace incumbent Senator Dr Syed Husin Ali, who opted not to defend the post in the party’s first direct elections since its formation in 1999 and merger with Parti Rakyat Malaysia in 2003.
The former Umno man, who created headlines when he joined PKR last year after ending his brief stint in Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Cabinet in 2008, told The Malaysian Insider in an interview that he would continue his campaign even if he lost in the coming polls.
“Well, if you lose once, it does not mean you will lose again. No problem. I will try again... I am still young, only approaching 60,” Zaid said when met at the Tropicana clubhouse near his residence here.
Looking relaxed, he said that it was “okay” that he was walking into this fight alone, claiming that in the long term, he was likely to win.

Azmin has secured clear and visible support in the race.

Unlike Zaid, Azmin has received endorsements for the deputy presidency race from a host of PKR leaders, including 20 MPs and 13 state assemblymen from Selangor and Negri Sembilan before confirming his candidacy yesterday. “I will win. I am sure of that. If I do not get the support now, or if not tomorrow, then next year or the year after. You never know,” Zaid said.
The former de facto law minister expressed confidence that if all PKR members knew of his visions and goals for the party, they would back him 100 per cent.
“If they knew me, not just on a personal level, but if they understand in full what I want to do, then yes, why not?
“Unfortunately, our culture does not encourage discourse or debates. Instead, we are branded and people label you and you have to live with that label. It just takes time for people to see the kind of things you have to offer them,” he said.
Zaid pointed out that his brand of politics was clear-cut and vision-based, and that he was an “honest man” who did not believe in flip-flopping on his policies.
“I have been in politics for a long time. I was a minister before and I do not have the ambition to be somebody, the prime minister or something, at some point.
“I want to be a catalyst or someone who can help make the country a better place in terms of policies — that is why I left the government. I am very clear on what I want to do,” he said.
Zaid also said he believed he could bring more inclusiveness in the party and unite the factions.
“I do not like camps or cliques. I do not have preferred leaders. I do not have that sort of habit in me.
“I look at people for the value they give... for the contributions they make and that is how I judge them. I am slightly more open-minded in the way I look at things, and as a reformist party, we need new ideas, new people, the ability to tap into people’s strengths and I think I can play that role,” he said.

Zaid laughed off claims that he was engineering a takeover of the party leadership.

Zaid also scoffed at talk that party members, especially the present leadership, believed that he had an intention to singlehandedly take over the party and gain power for himself. “Why is everyone so worked up? Why do they think of me as so dangerous? You know what they are saying about me... that there are so-called enemies within the party.
“If there are enemies, then why did you not stop us from coming in, in the first place? So it is very strange that these people say these things... just because you offer yourself up for contest,” he said.
When he decided to offer himself up as a candidate, Zaid explained, his only intention was to offer PKR members an alternative so they could feel they had a say in the party’s future.
“I just want to help the party. I want to contribute. I have certain skills and strength... I think. I just want to give the members an alternative so why is everyone blocking me? I do not understand. I find it hard to understand.
“I am just offering myself just in case members think there are things we can do differently, certain approaches can be different and maybe we should have someone else as a leader, who is not a part of the group from 1998,” he said.
He also dispelled fears that he would bring Umno’s culture into PKR, claiming that his was the more “enlightened” culture of Umno.
“The question now is — are the members happy with the party? With the cultures, the values, with the whole set up, with the preparations? If they are happy, they can just vote for the present group of leaders, right?” he said.
Zaid said he was disappointed, however, in the reactions displayed by party leaders at his decision to contest, accusing them of failing to show respect to their own party members.
“That is the problem with the leaders... they think they know what is good for the party. But if that is so, then why have elections? Just appoint the leaders.
“The whole point of having direct elections is to show trust to your members. If you think they cannot think for themselves, then just forget elections,” he said.
He added that the present PKR leaders had proven their lack of commitment to the party’s reformist ideals with their open display of disapproval for his bid to contest.
“It is proven by this chorus of disapproval that I, as a new guy, am offering myself [up for election]. There is a chorus of opposition, accusing me of bad faith and bad intention. That is what is wrong with this party.
“If I am so bad, then I should not have been admitted into the party. If I am not that bad, then I should be allowed a fair contest without discrimination or personal attacks,” he said.
Zaid, however, promised that he would continue to stay low-key in his campaign, claiming confidence that although he did not have a large “delegation” of supporters like Azmin, the grassroots still backed him.
“At least I think so. Let the members decide,” he said, shrugging.
Conceding to the difficult competition, Zaid nevertheless pledged that he would not resort to underhandedness to gain support.
“Any contest is tough. Never underestimate your opponent. I am not blind... I know what is happening but I never shy away from a good contest.
“But on my side, the competition will stay friendly. I will not play the same game. If they are weak, I will say so but I think I am better and I will explain why I am better,” he said.
Zaid had previously alleged that since announcing his intention to contest late last month, his loyalty to the party has been questioned and he was also accused of working for former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin to destroy PKR.
He also claimed that he was warned that he risk being “buried” — the way the late Tun Ghafar Baba had been in the 1993 Umno party election — if he chooses to stay in the race.
Then, Ghafar only received four nominations in that contest and withdrew from the race in favour of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Some 400,000 PKR members began voting across the weekend, in polls that will run until November 21.
The party amended its constitution last year allowing all members to vote for divisional leaders and the 25 members of the central leadership council — including the president, deputy president and four vice-presidents.
The party’s 218 divisions will hold two separate meetings: One for the annual general meeting and election of divisional leaders, and a second meeting to vote for national leaders.
The divisions will vote for national leaders over several weekends, from October 29 to November 21.
MI

Restore Federalism says Anwar

Anwar renews call to restore federalism

September 16, 2010

Anwar accused the government of usurping the spirit of federalism by hoarding power all to itself. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sounded out a rallying cry today to restore the spirit of federalism, which he says has been abused by the ruling elite to remain in power to the detriment of the nation’s global progress. “There is no longer any restraint on the centralisation of power to the federal government. The understanding of federalism, the rule of law and the spirit of federalism is being set aside for the sake of keeping the elite in power,” the opposition leader said in his Malaysia Day statement today.
He noted that the spirit of federalism — the system of sharing power between member states and a central administration — was one of the mainstays when Malaysia was formed in 1963 and was once upheld in the Federal Constitution, but stressed it was being eroded daily.
The Permatang Pauh MP pointed out that power had been channelled unchecked towards the federal government over the years, leading to discrimination in the development of the states, with some states remaining backward while others enjoy the fruits of their natural resources.
 “It’s no wonder we see states like Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah denied their rights even despite being endowed with natural resources,” the economist said.
“Sweet promises are being scattered throughout Sabah and Sarawak, for example, where they are regarded as a ‘deposit’ for victory in the elections,” the PKR advisor added in a thinly-veiled reference to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance.
Anwar’s concern over the matter was likely triggered by widespread speculation that the Najib administration will call for snap polls in the next six months.
The next general election is due only in 2013, but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his political colleagues have been stepping up their interaction with the grassroots in a nationwide tour to drum up greater support for the BN, which lost its traditional two-thirds control in the Dewan Rakyat for the first time in 53 years during Election 2008.
Anwar noted the citizens of those “oppressed” states had become “indifferent and pessimistic to the desire to strengthen the federation” as a result of suffering unfair treatment over the years.
 “Clearly we cannot blame them and should work harder to generate energy, thinking and aspire to eradicate discrimination.
“It would be unfortunate for the nation if its government acts to exclude and deny the rights of its own people because of differences in politics, race and culture,” said the 63-year-old whose ambitions to become the next prime minister are well known.
He vowed that his party and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will work hard to ensure justice to all the states in the federation, in bid to swing support, especially in the two East Malaysia states, to his side.
“On this day, September 16, 2010 let us together make a commitment to continue to aspire and fight to restore the spirit of federalism… to achieve the status of a sovereign and independent nation on a level position with other nations in the world,” he said.
MI

Lucrative PR contract

New faces, blog in PM’s renewed 1 Malaysia push

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

September 17, 2010

Najib unveiled a new design to his blog in conjunction with yesterday’s Malaysia Day celebrations.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Veteran journalists Datuk Khalid Mohamed and Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid, formerly of Reuters, are joining the Prime Minister’s Office communications unit next month, beefing up its 1 Malaysia team that includes international public relations strategists, APCO Worldwide. Datuk Seri Najib Razak also unveiled a new design for his personal blog, www.1malaysia.com.my, yesterday to commemorate the first Malaysia Day public holiday celebrations since the country was formed by combining Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore on September 16, 1963. Singapore later expelled from Malaysia on August 8, 1965.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Khalid will play a strategic role in the team, particularly for communications with an uneasy Malay ground due to his 32 years in the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, 10 of which was spent as its chief editor until his retirement in July 2008.
“I can confirm that he will be on board the Prime Minister’s public relations team. I am not sure what exactly is his role, but he is definitely on board,” said a source in the Prime Minister’s Department.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Malaysian Insider that Khalid’s entry in the public relations team was made official sometime last month, but did not disclose the purpose or function of the team.
“I don’t know how important Khalid’s role is; as far as I know, he is an add-on to the PM’s existing public relations team led by Datuk Tengku Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad,” said the source.

Najib has further bolstered his public relations team with the addition of two veteran journalists.

Khalid and Tengku Sharifuddin, who has been with Najib for a decade, did not answer calls from The Malaysian Insider over the matter. Apart from them, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s former press secretary, Datuk Jalaluddin Bahaudin, and former Nanyang Siang Pau deputy editor-in-chief Joan Lai Siew Choo also joined Najib’s communication team on September 16, 2009 as media advisor and press secretary respectively. It is understood that Abdul Jalil was seconded from the Securities Commission (SC), which he joined as its senior general manager in the Corporate Affairs Department in 2009. He started his career in the Bernama news agency in the early 1980s before joining Reuters a decade later. He has worked in Reuters’s offices in Singapore and London, specialising in commodities, equities and political news.
He recently handled crisis management for the SC after several business reporters complained about their treatment when questioned in late June over the Kenmark Industrial Co Bhd probe of its share transactions. Jalil’s predecessor in the SC, former New Straits Times and Business Times editor, Datuk Hardev Kaur, is now special officer to Najib in the finance ministry.
It is learnt that Najib is concerned about the Malay grassroots, where conservatives and right-wing activists have slammed his New Economic Model (NEM). He has told his Umno colleagues to “prepare the ground” and explain his policies but recently decided to rope in more experts to spell out his message.
The new appointments also come on the back of a recent uproar from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers over escalated operational costs in the PM Department this year.
The Najib administration had revealed on July 15 in Parliament that it had allocated RM3.956 billion this year alone to finance operations in the Prime Minister’s Department.
At the time, Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said in a written reply to DAP MP Nga Kor Ming that the increase in operational costs were due to the “creation of new agencies” within the department as well as the addition of posts in a few existing agencies.
The number of civil servants in the Prime Minister’s department has increased from 21,045 in 2003 to 43,544 in 2010.
Six new agencies in the PM’s department this year include the Implementation and Coordination Unit (Pemandu), and the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC). Six existing agencies which include the National Security Council (MKN) and Islamic Development Department (Jakim) have also seen increases in manpower.

The high profile additions will likely provide new fodder for Pakatan Rakyat’s campaign against Najib’s departmental spending.

The latest addition to prime minister’s public relations team will likely dram more flak from the federal opposition, who have waged a campaign against Najib for engaging the services of APCO Worldwide to boost his administration’s flagging international popularity. The Malaysian Insider had reported on July 6 that the Najib administration had renewed its contract with APCO for another year, despite the firm’s alleged links with Israeli intelligence operatives.
PR lawmakers have made the public relations consultancy’s work for the government a major focus point, as any link with Israelis is taboo in Muslim majority nations.
It is understood that APCO has hired more local consultants for the new contract, which sources in the Prime Minister’s Department say is not as lucrative as the RM76.8 million paid for the first year from July 15, 2009 to June 4, 2010 in exchange for its public relations services to boost Malaysia’s image internationally.
The government’s hiring of APCO dominated the previous parliamentary sitting where Pakatan Rakyat (PR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had accused the global consultancy of having Zionist ties.
Anwar claimed that several prominent Israeli army officers were working as high-ranking APCO officials. APCO was also forced to deny its links with One Israel and said that the 1 Malaysia initiative was conceived prior to the company’s appointment.
Najib announced the 1 Malaysia concept when taking office on April 3 last year, pledging to listen to the people and declaring that “the era where the government knows best is over.”
He is due to speak later today at the Yayasan 1 Malaysia’s one day seminar entitled “Living in a Multi-Ethnic society” at the Securities Commission building in Bukit Kiara in the city.

Malaysia Day Speech

Decision to form Malaysia helps Sabah, Sarawak: Najib

Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak (3rd L) presenting an award to Gani Gilong during the Malaysia Day celebrations at the Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu, yesterday.Picture: Bernama

KOTA KINABALU

Friday, September 17, 2010

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Najib Razak said the decision of the leaders and people in Sabah and Sarawak to join in the formation of Malaysia was a wise move which had seen significant changes in both states in terms of development.

However, he conceded that the path leading to the formation of Malaysia was not easy because of the many challenges that had cropped up including the claim by the Philippines on Sabah and the ensuing confrontation with Indonesia.

"When the claim made by the Philippines (on Sabah) did not materialise because of our stand to defend the sovereignty of Sabah in Malaysia and when Indonesia launched the confrontation against Malaysia in Sabah, the people from the peninsula and Sarawak had fought in Sabah to defend the state's sovereignty," he said at the Malaysia Day 2010 Celebration, at Padang Merdeka, here yesterday.

Also present were Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

Similarly, Najib said the situation before the formation of Malaysia was also not easy, where history had shown that leaders in the two states then had to work hard to convince the people to the extent that the Cobbold Commission was formed.

"The journey leading to the auspicious date of Sept 16 was not easy because the Cobbold Commission had been formed and the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and my father, Tun Abdul Razak had played a role to convince the people of Sabah and Sarawak that their future would be more secure, and their prosperity would become a reality if they became independent in the federation of Malaysia.

"In the efforts to convince the people of Sabah and Sarawak, more than 80 per cent had agreed that Sabah and Sarawak became independent in the federaton of Malaysia," he said.

The Prime Minister said he was also attracted to the statement by a citizen which was published in a local newspaper which he had read by coincidence, which stated that according to the observation by the writer, Aug 31 was independence day, while Sept 16 was a day of hope for a bright future for the beloved nation.

"In terms of the federal government, the continuity to champion the cause of the people of Sabah will be maintained, for example, under the NKRA (National Key Result Area), RM6.1 billion (2.62 billion) was allocated to Sabah to construct roads, provide electricity, water and houses for the poor excluding the allocation for other programmes and projects. "All these initiatives were taken so that the people of Sabah will benefit from the independence gained through Malaysia so that Sabah develops, Sarawak develops together with the progress achieved in the peninsula. Insyaallah, in the next few years, this will become a reality. Bernama