Najib’s cabinet. You loike?

My observations, comments and aspirations about Najib’s cabinet.

1) Najib is again also the Finance Minister, taking a cue from Mahathir and Pak Lah. This is a very good strategy so that the PM can control the finance and be more accountable for the country’s financial matters. And nobody else more qualified to take up the post but the great Prime Ministers himself. With 8 ministers under his department, an additional of 3 more ministers compared to previous cabinet, Najib definitely will do wonders. Especially that he has not named the responsibilities of those ministers, meaning they probably will do everything under the sun, as the boss says. The department with the most number of ministers, surely going to be the most efficient one. 8 ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department, you no loike?

2) Hishammuddin Hussein is back and now as a Defence Minister and acting Transport Minister. Based on his great track record in his previous portfolios as Education Minister under Pak Lah and then as Home Minister under his cousin, we should expect only the best from him. His spot on analysis on ‘crime surge is just a perception’ and his unwavering focus on the approach of ‘managing public perception about crime instead of fighting crime’ was one of the most brilliant idea a Home Minister could come up with. After all, if public perception about crime can be managed, we should not worry about the crime itself.

He was right when he dismissed the Sulu invaders in Lahad Datu as bunch of old men having a picnic, because they left after they got bored and starved after running out of food supplies. Hishammuddin acting as Transport Minister is a genius idea, we looking forward to borrow some Hummers when we need it to solve the public transportation issue, while waiting for MCA to make up their mind about accepting any cabinet position or not.

3) Zahid Hamidi is now the Home Minister, exchanging his portfolio with Hishammuddin Hussein. His expertise at purchasing things at higher price than market price will be very useful when it comes to tackling crime, because with that logic he will also spend more efforts than necessary to get the job done. He was arrested under ISA before so he can appreciate the usefulness of ISA under its ‘new skin’ called Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 and put it to good use when needed.

4) Muhyiddin Yassin is continuing as Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister. He will bring our education system to another level, no doubt. His accurate grading of Kedah’s state government performance before GE13 helped BN to win back the state, so he has good grasps of how important a good grading system is for our education system. Hopefully we will not be still talking about using English or Malay as medium for teaching Science and Mathematic. He has the great Idris Jusoh to help him with the portfolio. Idris Jusoh’s experience dealing with collapsed buildings will be put to good use to ensure our schools will not have similar problem in the future.

5) Ismail Sabri as the Agriculture and Agro-base Industry Minister and Douglas Uggah as the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister will be doing things that are uniquely different so that is why we need two ministries. This also applies to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (Palanivel) and Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water (Maximus Ongkili).

6) Malaysians must be grateful for having Shabery Cheek as the Communications and Multimedia (previously Information, Culture & Heritage) Minister. His experience when he was with Information Ministry will be put to good use and not leaving Malaysians foaming at the mouth like what his predecessor Rais Yatim did. Oh yeah, Shabery also cheekily remarked that some “high paying Malay executives” were being ungrateful for not voting BN in GE13. I hope he will take this opportunity to make use of his ministry to knock some senses into these ungrateful “high paying Malay executives”.

7) Sarawak & Sabah now have a combined number of 13 ministers in the cabinet, thanks to its stellar performance in the GE13 that Najib has to reward them handsomely. Sarawak now has 8 cabinet ministers and some holding important portfolios covering women, family and community development, human resources, public works and rural development which the state will benefit greatly. Sarawak will be in the good hands of Rohani Karim (Women, Family and Community Development Minister), Richard Riot (Human Resources Minister), Fadillah Yusof (Minister of Works), Alexander Nanta Linggi (Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development). Let’s start on the construction of the 2,300km Pan Borneo Highway immediately!

The appointment of Paul Low, the president of Transparency International-Malaysia as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department is a sign that Najib is serious about combating corruptions and promoting transparency in the government. Now he can continue his unfinished work of convincing the government to fight and end corruption as it is more effective and proven to work when you… reform from within.

9) Great news to hear Abdul Rahman Dahlan being appointed as the Minister of “Urban Well-being”, Housing and Local Development. “Tanpa berbelit-belit dan membuang masa”, his ministry should start immediately on the construction of 1,000,000 affordable housing for Malaysians because it has to be completed in a short 5 years period. The Malaysian urbanites are counting on you to look for their well-being, so all the best brah!

10) Waythamoorty also appointed as a Deputy Minister, and this is in line with the Nambikei’s spirit by Najib. Nambikei! Nambike! Nambikei berjaya!

I cannot continue anymore… LOL.

A People’s Election by Lim Kit Siang

Speech by DAP MP for Gelang Patah Lim Kit Siang at the 13GE Election Fraud Rally at Kelana Jaya Stadium, Selangor, on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 10 pm:

A People’s Election

In the aftermath of this historic election, we would like to thank all Malaysians for their support of DAP and Pakatan Rakyat. To all Malaysians, including those who did not support our coalition, we are indebted to the public for their extensive involvement in the campaign and commitment to the future of Malaysia. All races of Malaysians are united in one purpose to make our country strong and people stronger.

It is in this spirit of strengthening our country that we need to turn our resolve into the tasks that can move our country forward.

Foremost is the need to properly account for all of the irregularities during an election that was not only the dirtiest election in our country’s history, but also the most marred in its process. We support Bersih’s people’s tribunal as an essential step for justice and transparency. We call on all Malaysians to come forward to share their experiences and help us get to the truth.

We also will be supporting the electoral petitions to challenge the flawed contests where we have credible reports of tampering, electoral fraud and manipulation. The process for reform in Malaysia is ongoing, and we need to carry on.

We are heartened by the public’s support for justice and fairness in elections, as it is ultimately their will that has been thwarted. We are proud and humbled by the responsibilities we face to represent the majority of Malaysians.

In our initial assessment, we can point to multiple seats where serious irregularities occurred – Labis, Tapah, Segamat and Bentong, to name just a few. We believe that the irregularities are extensive and nation-wide and minimally affect up to 30 seats.  As the irregularities impact more than 21 seats, the margin for which we would have won government, and involve at least two state governments – Perak and Terengganu. The DAP, working in collaboration with our partners in Pakatan Rakyat, will work to gather and present the evidence. If Malaysia had free and fair elections, we would be in Putrajaya and many other state capitals across the country. Malaysians know this, and the BN knows it.

A victory that is earned through money, lies and manipulation is not a victory at all. It is not a true Malaysian victory.  The Malaysia I know is one that believes in fairness. The Malaysia that I know is one that believes in decency. This election shows how far we are moving away from our moral compass, and it is important to continue to set the course towards the ideals that founded our nation.

I firmly believe that the results show that a majority of Malaysians want better governance and a system that is not corrupt, feeding off greed and abuses of power. Pakatan’s majority of support from the electorate reaffirms hope in our country and fellow Malaysians.

Every one of you should be proud. Look around, these are your brothers and sisters, your family that is vested in building a better country. We are all here for a shared dream of a better tomorrow. While many of you are disappointed, frustrated, and some many even be angry, please take a moment to relish the shared community that has been built in this election and the reaffirmation of the ideals for a better Malaysia.  

The Malaysia that I know is one that believes in respecting all Malaysians from every community. One of the reasons the BN is afraid of Pakatan Rakyat is because we represent all communities. It is impossible to win higher majorities in Selangor and Penang, for me to win my seat in Gelang Patah without multi-racial support. We are grateful to all Malaysians who supported Pakatan, but I would especially like to thank the Malays who voted for change, for national reconciliation and for a stronger country. We will continue to reach out to you and assure that you and all Malaysians receive our honest and hardworking commitment for the people and reform.

We call on all leaders in UMNO to act responsibly. This race baiting is another form of old politics, and we strongly condemn these tactics. It is an old story that when UMNO is fighting within itself, and when the government wants to distract the public from the real things that matter, they take to politicizing race. It is wrong and should stop immediately.

This election has brought to the fore the serious problems we face as we move forward. The Election  Commission abysmal performance, the complicity of other government agencies and others in interfering in the will of the people and failing to carry out their professional responsibilities ethically is of real concern. We have had years of weakening institutions, and the election has brought them to the fore. We also saw in this campaign the open links between crony companies and the incumbent government as funds poured in through rampant vote buying.

We turn now to the people for help, to channel their energies into exposing abuse and corruption, but to reach out to each other, across communities, with decency and respect. The time for mutual understanding and rebuilding hope is upon us. Malaysians will never forget GE13, as it has shown the common will to move the country forward, and exposed the desperate measures to hold onto power. We need your continued support to keep hope alive, to turn the disappointment and frustration into constructive efforts and building community and improving governance.

This was a people’s election – an election that has denied the will of the people, but at the same time reminded us of the need for community and to continue to put people first. The path ahead will not be easy, but the fight for justice, democracy and a better Malaysia is one that we must all strive ahead. We do so with confidence and commitment.

Lim Kit Siang

An open letter to undecided voters by Nathaniel Tan.

Hikayat Tesco dan Giant: Surat Terbuka Kepada Pengundi Atas Pagar

Saudara-saudariku,

Andalah penentu segalanya.

 Ramai yang sudahpun memutuskan undi mereka akan ke siapa. Hanya segelintir lagi yang masih belum berbuat demikian, dan di tangan andalah terletak masa depan kita semua.

Dalam mempertimbangkan pilihan kita, izinkan saya bandingkan situasi yang kita hadapi dengan menggunakan perumpamaan pasaraya Tesco dan Giant.

Apabila hanya ada Tesco di kawasan kita, adakah Tesco mempunyai motivasi untuk rendahkan harga mereka atau memberi perkhidmatan yang baik?

Sekiranya kita tiada pilihan dan selalu terpaksa pergi ke Tesco, pemilik Tesco boleh bertindak sesuka hati, dari segi penentuan harga barang dan cara pelanggan dilayan.

Pelanggan yang tiada pilihan adalah pelanggan yang tiada kuasa.

Semakin lama Tesco sahaja yang dibenarkan menjual barang di kawasan kita, semakin buruklah layanan mereka terhadap kita, para pelanggan. Akan tetapi, sekiranya Giant membuka pintu di kawasan yang sama, situasi akan jauh berbeza.

Pada peringkat awal, mungkin pelanggan segan untuk mencuba benda yang baru. Tetapi, sekiranya semakin ramai pelanggan pergi ke Giant, Tesco pasti akan terasa.

Sekarang, Tesco tidak boleh lagi bertindak sesuka hati, kerana pelanggan yang tidak puas hati dengan senangnya boleh sahaja pergi ke Giant untuk mendapatkan barang keperluan mereka.

Selagi ada lebih daripada satu pilihan, kedua-dua Tesco dan Giant akan selalu bersaing antara sendiri untuk merendahkan harga, melayan pelanggan dengan lebih baik, memberi tawaran serta ganjaran yang lebih menarik, dan sebagainya.

Mana-mana pihak yang gagal berbuat sedemikian sudah tentu akan kehilangan semua pelanggan mereka.

Dalam sejarah Malaysia, kita hanya pernah ada “Tesco”. Walaupun mungkin baik pada awalnya, jiwanya sudah semakin tercemar akibat terlalu lama menikmati monopoli kuasa.

Pada saat bersejarah ini, bakal muncullah pesaing yang baru.

Sekiranya Tesco dipilih dan kita menolak permohonan Giant untuk membuka kedai mereka, apa yang akan Tesco faham adalah: kita boleh buat sesuka hati, rakyat akan tetap pilih kita.

Sekiranya Giant dipilih, apa yang Giant akan faham adalah: rakyat telah beri satu peluang pertama ini kepada kami. Jika kami gagal, sudah pasti mereka tidak akan pilih kami lagi.

Rakyat yang tiada pilihan adalah rakyat yang tiada kuasa.

Giant ini bukanlah sempurna, dan pemimpinnya bukanlah semua alim dan berintegriti.

Walaubagaimanapun, mereka telah membuktikan diri dalam pengurusan beberapa negeri yang telah mula nampak ada pembaharuan dan pembaikan. Semakin banyak diberi balik kepada rakyat untuk memenangi hati dan minda, dan persaingan antara Tesco dan Giant semakin sengit. Hasilnya, rakyat yang untung.

Siapa pun yang kita pilih, kita mesti selalu mengingatkan Giant mahupun Tesco: “Kuasa di tangan rakyat – siapa yang kami angkat, kami boleh turunkan kembali, sepertimana yang kami turunkan kali ini. Sempurnakanlah amanah dan peluang yang diberikan, atau sediakanlah diri untuk dipecat lagi.”

Demi anak cucu kita, kita mesti sedia dan berani mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mematangkan demokrasi Malaysia, dan mengembalikan negara kita ke tangan rakyat.

Nathaniel Tan

*

Of Tesco and Giant: An open letter to undecided voters

My fellow Malaysians,

You hold the future of our nation in the palm of your hands.

Many of us have already decided who we will be voting for, but those few of us who have not will be the ones who really determine our future.

It’s understandable if in this mess that is Malaysian politics, no clear choice emerges.

For an undecided voter at this point, we might perhaps assume that both coalitions have some measure of appeal.

There are a large number of differences between the two coalitions, but if we think about the bigger picture, the biggest difference between the two is that one has been in power for all of our nation’s existence.

It is as if for all time, our neighbourhood has had only one Tesco, and no other supermarket. As in all monopolies, the lack of choice for the consumer inevitably means higher prices and terrible service.

Today, for what is in effect the first time ever, we have the opportunity to allow Giant to open its doors in our neighbourhood.

Viable competition creates immediate ripples: both competitors suddenly trip over themselves in trying to reduce prices, offer rewards, and provide better service.

Customer satisfaction means nothing to a business without competitors, it means everything to a business that must beat its competition to survive. A consumer without options is a consumer without power.

As we face the upcoming choice between Tesco and Giant, let us reflect on the message our vote sends.

A vote for Tesco communicates to the powers that be that no matter how bad things get, we will stay with you. The more votes Tesco gets, the more complacent we can expect them to be in the future.

Giant, being the new kid on the block, cannot be expected to have the same outlook. They know that those who vote for them are taking a big leap of faith, and will very, very quickly reverse their support should they fail to perform. Even if they do not come to power, a vote for Giant also signals to Tesco that they should not take their customers for granted.

A citizen without options is a citizen without power.

Tesco is probably not all evil. It is no longer the same Tesco it was when it opened 57 years ago however. Being a monopoly for too long changes anybody and anything.

I think all of us have experienced in some form of another what happens when any person or group is left in power for too long.

Power is a being onto itself. The wise understand that power shapes us more than we shape power. The longer we ride the tiger that is power, the more it is that the tiger decides our course, not us; and that course is usually the course of increasing internal rot.

If there is hope for Tesco to reform, they must dismount their mad tiger first, and those who have sat too long in power must be pushed out, for it is not something given up easily.

We do not expect Giant to be all saintly and a model corporation every step of the way. We can however expect them to bring a fresh approach and a more ardent desire to do right by their customers. When they do wrong, it will fall to us to give them sharp reminders of how to do right.

Change can always be frightening, but the time has come for Malaysians to abandon their fears and take charge of their own fates.

Now is the time – the time not to install one tyrant in place of another, but to affirm our democratic right to change the government whenever we see fit. Malaysians need to feel that their ability to do so is real, and not paper theory.

Once we empower ourselves, there will be no turning back – never again will our governments take us for granted, and never again will we surrender to an unworthy few our power to form a better Malaysia.

Nathaniel Tan

Sarawak, my home state. How’s the performance of the state government?

Setelah meninjau Laporan Ketua Negara untuk negeri Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Johor dan Sabah tempoh hari, sekarang marilah kita melihat prestasi kerajaan BN di negeri Sarawak berdasarkan penemuan oleh Ketua Audit Negara. Sarawak, sebuah lagi negeri “deposit tetap” BN selain Sabah. Lebih 50 tahun di bawah pentadbiran BN.

1. Pungutan hasil Sarawak meningkat RM1 billion pada 2011 berbanding 2010. Positif. 

2. Prestasi pengurusan kewangan kementerian, jabatan dan agensi baik.

3. RM1 billion peruntukan projek pembangunan khas untuk Sarawak oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan.

4. Perlaksanaan projek infrastuktur jalan bawah peruntukan khas RM1 billion. Jom tengok mana pergi RM1 billion ini.

5. Sampel audit mendapati pada keseluruhannya pengurusan projek infrastruktur jalan kurang memuaskan.

6. Sebab apa prestasi pengurusan projek jalan kurang memuaskan? Kontraktor tak layak diberi tender.

Bagaimana boleh kontraktor yang tidak layak boleh mendapat tender?

7. 4 projek membina jalan bernilai RM86 juta dikategori sebagai projek sakit.

8. Projek jalan tak siap-siap. Orang kampung demo sebagai tanda protes.

Kenapalah orang kampung pergi demo. Itu kan bukan budaya kita.

9. Kemajuan kerja kontraktor yang tidak layak. projek lewat siap dan sakit.

10. Jalan baru siap mengalami kerosakan dan kecacatan. Mendap, berlubang dan tidak rata. Sungguh menyedihkan.

11. Projek jalan bernilai RM188 juta ditender secara rundingan terus (direct nego) kpd Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd. Tahu Naim Cendera siapa punya?

Naim Cendera, milik sepupu Taib Mahmud, Hamid Sepawi.

12. Projek jalan ditender kepada Naim Cendera; Penemuan audit: Lewat disiapkan dan kos meningkat RM14 juta.

13. Hasil binaan jalan kerja Naim Cendera; cerun tidak dilindungi. Kerja tidak lengkap tetapi kos naik?

14. Pencapaian fizikal projek jalan di bawah peruntukan khas RM1 billion. 50% dikategorikan sebagai TENAT.

15. Jalan baru dinaiktaraf berlubang dan sistem perparitan tidak sempurna. Hasil tender rundingan terus. (direct nego)

16. Lagi kerja pembinaan jalan yang pelik-pelik. Projek puluh juta tapi? Rujuk gambarajah.

Naim Cendera siapa punya? Sepupu Taib Mahmud. Orang Sarawak mungkin kenal dia. Boleh dapat tender runding terus (direct nego), projek tak siap, sakit, kos meningkat dan bayaran tetap dapat.

17. 432 buah sekolah luar bandar Sarawak tiada bekalan elektrik sempurna.

18. Kerajaan umum projek membina alat janakuasa (generator) bernilai RM1 billion di sekolah-sekolah luar bandar.

19. Kementerian Pelajaran lantik 11 kontraktor secara rundingan terus (direct nego) utk memasang alat janakuasa.

20. RM10 juta dibayar tetapi kerja dan perkhidmatan tidak disempurnakan. Amalan biasa.

21. Projek bekalan air Sabah dan Sarawak diperuntukkan hampir RM1 billion masing-masing tiap-tiap tahun.

Sekian ringkasan Laporan Ketua Audit Negara untuk negeri Sarawak. Boleh nampak apa hasil RM1 billion untuk jalan, RM1 billion untuk bekal elektrik, dan RM1 billion untuk bekal air bersih?

Berbillion peruntukan tiap-tiap tahun, tetapi masih ada 400 buah sekolah tiada bekalan elektrik sempurna, dan jika kita lihat semula Laporan Ketua Audit Negara untuk negeri Sabah tempoh hari, beratus sekolah Sabah tiada bekalan air bersih.

Jadi sebenarnya peruntukan billion-billion ni siapa yang dapat manfaat? Naim Cendera? CMS? Rakyat biasa? Kalau rajin belek lagi Laporan Ketua Audit untuk negeri Sarawak, Ketua Audit Negara ada tegur pemberian tanah negeri dengan bayaran premium sangat rendah.

Tanah beratus ekar tapi yang dapat tanah bayar premium kurang RM1,000 sahaja. Siapa ini yang boleh dapat tanah dengan premium murah? Dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara tiada beritahu siapa. Kalau Laporan Ketua Audit Negara tegur masalah bagi tanah pun SPRM tidak ambil tindakan, apatah lagi video Global Witness?

Memanglah Sabah dan Sarawak tu besar. Tetapi kalau peruntukan berpuluh-puluh billion sejak tahun 90-an tiap-tiap tahun, tidak patut dan tak kan lah tiada kemajuan?

20-30 tahun jalan tidak siap-siap. Kalau siap pun berlubang, cacat, mendap. Dah tahu ini masalah sebab kontraktor tak layak, dapat rundingan terus (direct nego) tetapi amalan ini masih diteruskan.

Kita sudah melihat Laporan Ketua Audit Negara untuk negeri-negeri di bawah pentadbiran BN seperti Melaka, Johor dan Sabah, antara kelemahan yang sama adalah memberikan kontrak kepada kontraktor yang tidak layak, malah ada yang tidak berdaftar dan yang paling ketara adalah pemberian tender secara rundingan terus (direct nego). Begitu banyak masalah yang berlaku kepada projek dan ini sudah acapkali ditekankan oleh Ketua Audit Negara tetapi tiada usaha ke arah pembaikan.

Sarawak tiada pilihanraya DUN 5 Mei ni. Tetapi tidak apa, kita boleh ubah di Kerajaan Pusat. Bagi SPRM kuasa penuh siasat mana perginya billion-bilion duit peruntukan.

Berbillion peruntukan untuk membekal air bersih. Tetapi yang orang pedalaman Sabah Sarawak dapat apa? Tangki biru 1Malaysia tadah air hujan!

Di pedalaman, ada anak-anak Sabah dan Sarawak menyabung nyawa meredah sungai pergi sekolah, tetapi sampai sekolah tiada air bersih, tiada elektrik. Adakah ini #BetterNation yang dilaung-laungkan?

Tak kan lah kita nak lagi 50 tahun tengok jalan tidak siap-siap, sekolah daif, kontraktor tak layak dapat projek, billion-bilion bocor?

Tak rasa nak menangis tengok anak2 Sabah Sarawak macam ni? Dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara beritahu kantin pun tak ada!

Peruntukan bina sekolah beratus-ratus juta tetapi kemudahan asas macam kantin pun tak ada. Orang waras mana yg tak nak ubah?

Sabah dan Sarawak adalah negeri-negeri yang kaya, dengan hasil minyak, gas, balak beratus-ratus juta malah berbillion hasil tiap tahun. Tetapo hendak bagi kemudahan asas pun tak boleh dan tak mampu? Cuba fikirkan di mana silapnya di situ.

Ini kalilah!