|
We have already gone through several analyses and comments. I too wish to join them.
Call to the electorates BIRSIH consisting of DAP, PAS, PKR, PSM and several NGOs called upon the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that the 12th General Election will be FREE AND FAIR which indirectly meant that some of the past elections (even including by-elections) were neither fair nor free. The EC responded with certain assurances, one of which was the use of indelible ink. Aliran Monthly in its issue published a week before the day of nomination contained a cover story that strongly urged the people to vote for a change. Its Editor-in-chief, P. Ramakrishnan, never minced words to emphasise the importance of drastically reducing the two-thirds majority of the Barisan Nasional during the past half of a century. On my part, when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi started setting up corridors in all nooks and corners of Malaysia, I wrote a couple of articles in which I highlighted his false promises to the people and his shortcomings as the Prime Minister, the drastic increase in corruption and crime etc. Post- General Election Situation I am absolutely sure that most of the people in Malaysia are very happy with the way they voted. Barisan Nasional has been denied of a two-third majority. There are five states under the control of the opposition. With the exception of a few fanatic BN leaders, by and large there is a feeling of unity and harmony among Malaysians. In the cover story of the Aliran Monthly, the editor (Ramakrishnan) asked for “one people, one nation”. I must say it was the same concept that the late Dato Onn bin Jaafar, one of Malaysia’s great sons, aspired in 1950, but in vain. Coming back to the result of the 12th General Election, I am of the view that there will be harmony amongst the ethnic groups, less competition, improvement in democracy and human rights, setbacks in cronyism and nepotism. Well, what about open tender? Mahathir and Abdullah both promised open tender but hardly practised it! I hope and pray that the government henceforth will practise social justice, which will remove marginalization and ensure eradication of poverty. Parliamentary Democracy Malaysia has chosen Parliamentary Democracy as the system of governance but are we really practising it? The system has three separate entities – Executive, Legislature (Parliament) and Judiciary. I am not a lawyer but I can write an essay on it. Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and two other senior judges were dismissed by a Kangaroo Tribunal, manipulated by an Executive. The new Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, was imprisoned for eighteen months, having been found guilty under the Printing Presses and Publication Act (PPPA) and Sedition Act. What was his CRIME? As a Member of Parliament, he was approached by a Malay grandmother for help. She claimed that her 15 year old granddaughter was raped by a Ketua Menteri, who was not even questioned by the authorities. When I came to know that the girl had given birth to a child, I suggested in one of my articles to perform a DNA profile. But who cares! How many of you are aware that more than 950 journalists had appealed to Dr. Mahathir not to enact the PPPA but in vain. Finally I wrote an article highlighting most of the obnoxious provisions in the PPPA and sent it to a number of opposition publications. None of them published it. The PPPA says that the Minister concerned has been empowered to cancel, withdraw or suspend the license/ permit. His decision cannot be challenged in a court of law. If you go through our statute, quite a number of the laws have such prohibitive provisions. Please bear in mind that we the people select our representatives in the Parliament and State Assemblies to take care of the community. This is basically what Democracy is all about. Instead, our selected representatives are controlled by WHIP. Yes, WHIP can make you twist your conscience. Our first PM, Tunku Abdul Rahman, wanted to enact the Internal Security Act (ISA), an atrocious piece of legislation in 1960. The law allows the police to go to a person’s house even at an unearthly hour to arrest him, take him away and lock him up. Well, one of our new Menteris Besar was a victim of the ISA. His father, not knowing where in heavens his son had been taken to, went to a police station in Kuala Lumpur. A smiling police officer arrested the father and imprisoned him. The officer thanked the father for voluntarily surrendering! I am quite sure that some of you know who the abovementioned are. Still, let me disclose their identities – Lim Kit Siang and his son. Talking about the most undemocratic and cruel legislation (ISA), we are aware that five advisors of Hindraf have been detained under the ISA. One of them, lawyer, S.A. Manoharan, stood for election and won. He is now an MP which means people’s representative. Peaceful demonstration is everyone’s right. Please Mr. Abdullah, start your second term of premiership by releasing them. Malaysia’s New Cabinet The new cabinet consists of thirty-two ministers including the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. Malaysia’s progress, prosperity, reputation and ethnic harmony, all depend upon the ability, commitment and honesty of the cabinet. The name of a well-known lady is missing from the list. She was investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) which announced that there was a prima facie case against her for illegally giving out 28.7 million shares to five persons who are closely connected to well-known politicians. For reasons unknown to me, she was also under investigation for giving away tons of thousands of Approved Permits (AP); value of one of it is between RM15, 000 and RM30, 000. There was a government announcement that anyone under investigation by ACA would not be allowed to contest in any election. Does she come under that category, I wonder? Anyway, she appears to be upset. Corruption and Crime In 2004, a few months after Abdullah became the PM, not only did I think but also mentioned in my article that our fourth Prime Minister, Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the God-sent Savior of Malaysia. But now no more. Corruption and crime have been increasing. The PM himself mentioned over a year ago that increasing corruption is affecting our economy. It is the duty of all of us to fight against this serious menace of corruption and crime. Money Politics In Malaysia, during political elections, money politics spreads its ugly wings. I have no evidence. Nonetheless, there were a few instances of candidates withdrawing from contests, leaving behind the only opponent to claim openly that he or she has won uncontested effortlessly. Is this not another form of money politics? If so, it must be stopped in order to achieve the goal of a free and fair voting. After the election, when I tried to find out whether my PKR friends who contested the election had won or otherwise, I was informed that they were all locked up in hotels purportedly for brainstorming and that they could not be reached. I was not only shocked but became worried. At the end of the day, I came to know that there were attempts to buy some of them. Suara Keadilan which was published after the election carried a story on page 6 that Khairy Jamaluddin lost the election by 83 votes but the result was reversed with a bundle of postal votes. I was told that the matter would be referred to the court of law but this is left to be seen. It is well known that the BN used to resort to such illegal and shameful transactions. This time, according to rumours, the price was RM1 million. Indelible Ink A few months ago, the Chairman of the Election Commission agreed to the use of indelible ink to stop phantom votes. A few days before the March 8 election, the EC bought nearly 50000 bottles of the ink costing about RM2.4 million. Then the Chairman shocked the nation by saying that the EC overlooked the enactment of the necessary legislation. I doubt anybody believed him. They believe that the election analysts of the Barisan Nasional would have come to the conclusion that the BN was going to face an unimaginable setback in the 12th General Election. At the same time, the Chairman wants his service to be extended. The net result was busloads of phantom voters who were transported to voting centres. Some of them were apprehended, I understand. Abdullah’s Change of Style On 19th March, a day before Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Abdullah declared his determination to ensure efficiency, commitment, service to the people, NO MORE corruption and to pay special attention to the people’s problems. He showed his courtesy by personally contacting those ministers whom he had decided to leave out. Some of them were promised different designations. The 12th General election of Malaysia has opened the eyes of the people. They now know they have the power. They have made critical observations and taken note of democratic countries making effective changes as and when deemed necessary. There are many Malays who are educated, intelligent, honest, humble, capable and incorruptible but hardly any of them get elected to the leadership of UMNO because of rampant money politics, which will eventually destroy UMNO, the party that rules. It is not my prediction but that of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Just imagine how Mahathir himself was not able to get elected as a delegate (a simple post) for the Kubang Pasu Division to enable him to participate in the UMNO general assembly last year. All those who did not vote for him received ang paus of RM200 each. Both parties (if necessary the agent too) must be referred to the ACA, NOT to the Disciplinary Board. May I also make a few more proposals? IPCMC - You were responsible for the appointment of the Royal Commission on Police. You promised to implement the Commission’s recommendations, one of which is IPCMC. It is going to be 3 years or so. Please implement without any further delay. Attorney General - Attorney General must be answerable to Parliament. Let us not have another Muktar Abdullah. Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) - Report of the ACA’s investigation of crimes must be made public. Local Council Election - Please reintroduce election of Local councils as recommended by the Athi Nagappan committee years ago. Freedom of Information - It is time Malaysia enacted a legislation of Freedom of Information.
I hope and pray that you will fulfil all promises made. K. George
 |
The Blogs 
