Of Public Protests, Pondans and a Pea-Brained Minister


by Martin Jalleh

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has trouble in understanding why 40,000 people took to the streets recently to submit a memorandum calling for electoral reforms, to the King.

The Minister is actually quite consistent in his lack of understanding especially when it comes to the right of assembly. Well, he had found it difficult to comprehend why 2,000 lawyers walked to Putrajaya to submit a memorandum on judicial reform to the PM.

Nazri displayed his sterling ignorance when he asked in parliament recently: “The opposition has won seats in the previous elections, especially in Kelantan, why are they calling for the Election Commission (EC) to be freer and fairer?”

The answer is rather simple — if they do not press for an electoral reform, they may even lose all their seats in the next coming general elections due to the farce, flaws and fraud that has been and still is increasingly evident in the electoral system.

Nazri told parliament: “… it would be pointless to try and understand the reason behind the rally as the brains of opposition members do not function well… the wires in their heads are severed. I don’t understand why they claim that the EC is unfair.”

Nazri was over-confident of the “wiring” in his own brains, for it was only recently that he had in fact quite loudly told opposition MPs “not to get over-excited about the ‘independence’ of the EC, when it does not exist” (Malaysiakini, 23.10.07)!

Nazri had added: “We all know that we have the EC Act. If you take that into account, the EC is bound to the legislature and it is also tied to what we would approve… So, don’t get too excited when discussing the EC’s independence because it cannot act freely — it is tied to the legislature.”

Contrary to what Nazri had claimed, the EC is established and given a specific mandate by the Constitution. It is not answerable to the Executive nor to the Legislature. In other words, Nazri’s brains are not functioning as well as he would like us to believe.

Nazri should not confine himself in the comfort of his air-conditioned office in Putrajaya. He should join the rakyat in the next walk for justice or electoral reform — get a feel of reality. It would enhance his short memory and prevent his thinking faculties from short-circuiting.

Dull brains

Nazri showed his ignorance further by taking a shot at PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim: “I would understand if he (Anwar) says that the EC is unfair after losing an election, but he hasn’t even contested to say that the EC is unfair and that’s why I say that his head does not function well.”

Does one have to contest in an election to make a critique of the EC? What about his (Nazri’s) very own admission that the EC is not independent. Talk about the head of others not functioning well?

Nazri added that Anwar realises that he will lose in the coming elections should he contest for a seat — not just lose, “but lose terribly… That’s the reason why Anwar is trying to create a smoke screen so that he can say the EC is not fair when he loses.”

Nazri should prove his point by speaking to his boss to ensure that Anwar gets a chance to contest in the next general elections. Nazri should stand against Anwar and make him “lose terribly” so that Anwar’s political future will go up in smoke amidst his “smoke screen”!

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang told Nazri that he was being “very irresponsible” with his tirade. Nazri retorted and added “Don’t try to drag the King into this. The King and the people are behind us. They (the opposition) are afraid to face the next elections. If you’ve no courage, don’t become a pondan (wimp).”

If there is anyone who has made use of the King — it is Nazri himself! In April 2005, Nazri told parliament that the Cabinet’s plan to form a select committee on water privatisation was dropped because ‘the King wanted water privatisation to be in place by the end of the year’.

Kit Siang had then rebuked Nazri: “It is most irresponsible for a cabinet minister to try and drag the King into a public controversy, as the Royal address is the policy pronouncement of the government of the day.”

Alas, Nazri should not worry too much about Lim Kit Siang, whose, according to Nazri, “wires in the head have severed”. He should worry about his own head being all wired up and ready to explode at any time into diatribes which require little or no brains.

Courage to Change

If only Nazri were to use his head a bit more, he would be aware of the fact that what the opposition-backed Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) has been calling for is very similar to what EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman had advocated early this year!

Abdul Rashid had called for an independent commission to be set up to oversee changes in the election laws and regulations — changes should be made in the electoral system to bring it up to date and relevant to the present social order (Star, 9.01.07).

He had also said that the laws had been almost unaltered for the past 50 years despite the country having undergone tremendous changes in its social order and development — the EC requires a review of the electoral laws.

“It should also be given the powers to allow the media to report freely and fairly, as well as prevent corruption and vote-buying… the EC should be able to make decisions on party funding and penalise those who misused public facilities during campaigning.”

Nazri, responded in parliament very predictably and pathetically: “As I’ve said, there is no need to revamp the EC. In the past 50 years we have not revamped any ministry. So why must the EC be singled out (to be revamped)?”

It takes courage to change — the kind of courage displayed by the 2,000 lawyers and 40,000 people who risked marching to send home a message. In contrast, the chant of change by Pak Lah has become a mere charade. The promise of transformation has been turned into taunts, threats and theatrics by ministers like Nazri.

The Government hides behind a gamut of harsh executive powers to contain, cripple and crush legitimate dissent by the citizens of this country. It resorts to selective prosecution of political opponents for its self-preservation. It has no guts. Yet it has the gall to call others “pondan”.

The country has turned 50. Please grow up, Nazri.

  1. #1 by St0rmFury on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 1:36 pm

    Bodowi: I wanna hear da truth, even if its not nice.

    40k: Election is not fair! Clean up or else we march!

    Bodowi: Don’t challenge me!

    +++++++

    Khairy: Don’t monkey around ok?

    40k: What about you?

    Khairy: I got permit so I can monkey around all I want.

    +++++++

    Hypocrisy much?

  2. #2 by sj on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 1:47 pm

    SO anymore reason to keep this parasite that sucks away taxpayer’s money? I say zero, zilch. Give him the boot. We dont want dumb and stupid people running the country. Nazri is definitely stupid beyond believes.

  3. #3 by siudidi on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 1:52 pm

    Nazri should deserved a “penyapu” award for his stupidities…

  4. #4 by burn on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 1:56 pm

    ministers tu patut jaga kata kata diaorang.
    aku sendiri tak suka mengutuk/memanggil orang lain dengan kata kata yang tak sesuai digunakan.
    kamu tu minister, bukan budak sekolah lagi.
    please lagak like one, don’t be a clown!
    patutlah, ramai orang kata, we have clowns in parliment!

    bila anak menantu PM buat demonstrasi kat US embassy, ianya lebih 100% buruk dari yang di buat pada nov 10. tapi, water cannon tak keno. pihak polis memang hipokrit dan berat sebelah! tugas kamu, melindungi rakyat, bukan hentam rakyat! lainlah kalau nov 10 tu buat kecoh, tapi sebaliknya, si polis yang buat hal.

  5. #5 by motai on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 2:11 pm

    Origins of pondans ( Siapa Sebenarnya)

    The English word eunuch is from the Greek eune (“bed”) and ekhein (“to keep”), effectively “bed keeper.” Servants or slaves were usually castrated in order to make them safer servants of a royal court(Barisan nasional) where physical access to the ruler could wield great influence. Seemingly lowly domestic functions such as making the ruler’s bed, bathing him, cutting his hair, carrying him in his litter or even relaying messages could in theory give a eunuch “the ruler’s ear” and impart de facto power on the formally humble but trusted servant. Similar instances are reflected in the humble origins and etymology of many high offices (e.g. chancellor started out as a servant guarding the entrance to an official’s study). Eunuchs supposedly did not generally have loyalties to the military, the aristocracy, or to a family of their own (having neither offspring nor in-laws, at the very least), and were thus seen as more trustworthy and less interested in establishing a private ‘dynasty’. Because their condition usually lowered their social status, they could also be easily replaced or killed without repercussion. In cultures that had both harems and eunuchs, eunuchs were sometimes used as harem servants (compare the female odalisque) or seraglio guards.

    Make your own conclusion- Dedicated to Nazri

  6. #6 by grace on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 2:55 pm

    “Nazri should prove his point by speaking to his boss to ensure that Anwar gets a chance to contest in the next general elections. Nazri should stand against Anwar and make him “lose terribly” so that Anwar’s political future will go up in smoke amidst his “smoke screen”!

    Hi Martin,
    You really got the point. Ask Nazri to contest against Anwar!
    Oop! The very thought of the contest has made Nazri balls disappear! He is the REAL PONDAN NOW!

  7. #7 by akarmalaysian on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 4:07 pm

    u think these monkeys are just gonna give up their comfortable life in putrajaya?becareful with wat they are gonna come up with…these scumbags stink like hell.with the money and their “protection” they are enjoying now…they cud just do anything.we knw its a fact they are the dirtiest and the most useless lot.they will do anything to win in the election…just anything.or else these monkeys wont be fuming mad abt the peaceful BERSIH rally.

  8. #8 by toyolbuster on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 7:28 pm

    Those pea-brained morons are products of TDM. Difference is that TDM did all the talking and walking and kept his morons in cages. Now, AAB is not the talker nor walker, if fact, he’s the sleeper. So much so that these pea-brained morons have been let loose to display their stupidity of the highest degree. Malaysia is now famous Internationally for having morons running the country, one such moronic act was being performed live on Al Jazeera. Please don’t mention anymore names, we may have underaged kids reading.

  9. #9 by LittleBird on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 9:36 pm

    Let’s settle this in a civilized way. Hold next election after April 2008. Let Anwar contest against Nazri and Badawi against LKS.

    Any takers?

  10. #10 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 9:45 pm

    “Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has trouble in understanding why 40,000 people took to the streets recently to submit a memorandum calling for electoral reforms, to the King.”

    This guy refers to wire “putuihhh” apparently little realizing that it is his wires that have “putuiiih” !

  11. #11 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 9:48 pm

    “The answer is rather simple – if they do not press for an electoral reform, they may even lose all their seats …” Martin Kalleh

    Not to mention their pants when they lose their deposits.

  12. #12 by Malaysiacorrupted on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 9:52 pm

    Guys, just to let you know that there are MCA flags all over Bidor town at the moment.
    I don’t know why are these flags planted all over the town, but did they have permit on this matter? I don’t know if there is any meetings or gathering organized by them, perhaps someone can verify on this?

    If there is no gathering or what so ever, then I believe these act are illegal, and in fact they have commited an offense for launching an early election campaign.

  13. #13 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 9:52 pm

    “Nazri was over-confident of the “wiring” in his own brains…” Martin Jalleh

    Usually we get to read of women being “wired” differently than men so we could understand where the fairer sex is coming from – in an attempt to understand the different perspectives. With this guy Nazri, doesn’t being wired differently make him a ‘pondan’?

  14. #15 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 10:10 pm

    “Nazri had added: “We all know that we have the EC Act. If you take that into account, the EC is bound to the legislature and it is also tied to what we would approve…So, don’t get too excited when discussing the EC’s independence because it cannot act freely – it is tied to the legislature.”

    This hardly qualifies as an argument – less still a legal argument. The EC Act may be flawed with lots of loopholes which were taken advantage of by the ruling party all these years. When matters fall between the cracks the BN dominated legislature would pass laws to ‘correct’ those ‘anomalies’ and ensure victories for themselves. That is the abuse of process we are referring to.

    But he is right about one thing though i.e. it is unrealistic to expect the BN dominated Parliament to amend any law with amendments going against their interest.

    Sadly this touches on the constitutional issue affecting the supremacy of the Constitution vis-a-vis Parliament.

    But doesn’t all this make the public protest on 10th November ‘legal’ in the sense that with the supremacy of the Constitution gone the only avenue is to publicly appeal to the Agong who has sworn to protect the Constitution?

  15. #16 by Old.observer on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 10:29 pm

    I watched the youtube video twice to make sure I understand the tactics used by the ruling party.

    To me, it is obvious that the ruling party simply doesn’t want to address the real concerns of rigged election process.

    BN prefers to divert the issue by name calling and any means at all. Anything from having to address the charge of rigged elections. Notice how it needs several labels to press one’s hot buttons. To just call “pondan” alone is insufficient. It must be repeated several times, and it must be added with many more cheap shots such as “wires in their heads are severed’, ‘bodoh’, ‘racist’, ‘perkauman’, etc.

    And then, it must be delivered with anger and insults. In general, delivered in a manner similar to a mad man infected with rabid. The stronger the emotions, the better, since it makes it more likely to be successful in diverting the issue. One must bark, shout in the heat of one’s arguments, but yet, make sure to open the speech in a calm and respectful manner first. Build the emotions up slowly but carefully, and surely.

    And don’t forget to accuse the opposition Ministers of committing illegal acts …. don’t just say it once, say it as many times as possible. And have a few dogs ready to bark in support at the right time. Oh, timing and support by numbers are just so crucial …

    Bottom line, all these are diversions. You could say irresponsible behaviour, but bottom line is to avoid discussing and to avoid admitting that the elections are rigged. Notice how they never discussed issues like “phantom voters”, “postal ballots”, how 60%+ voters can result in 91% seats, etc.

    So, any ideas or suggestions on how our small number of opposition ministers should reason calmly in cabinet in light of these dogs barking continuously without reason? How does one discuss rationally and calmly, when the ruling government has persistently showed that they are not people of honesty and integrity, as well as having not an iota of intention to change what they already have?

    Old Observer

  16. #17 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 10:36 pm

    “To me, it is obvious that the ruling party simply doesn’t want to address the real concerns of rigged election process.” old.observer

    Yeah, tell me about it!

  17. #18 by Filibuster on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 11:08 pm

    Old.observer Says:

    So, any ideas or suggestions on how our small number of opposition ministers should reason calmly in cabinet in light of these dogs barking continuously without reason? How does one discuss rationally and calmly, when the ruling government has persistently showed that they are not people of honesty and integrity, as well as having not an iota of intention to change what they already have?

    ———————

    Didn’t the Zam case teach us a very good lesson? The battle doesn’t have to be in Parliament; they think they can be big shots because of the majority and speak like they own the place – but should the video of such a show go out to the people, I’m sure it’ll cause more than just an uproar. We are clearly using the wrong tactics – winning the hearts and minds of the people is more important. The only problem here is distribution … maybe our friends at PAS are willing to help?

  18. #19 by raven77 on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - 11:42 pm

    Nazri’s staement indicates that the next election has already been fixed for the BN to win a massive majority……….

  19. #20 by Man_of_Honour on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 1:10 am

    IMO, Nazri’s brain got short circuit liao.. or OTC (Otak Tak Centre). Such words can only come from rubbish brained animals.

    Our parliament sounds like ZOO only… With the Oppositions as the animals keepers?

    What’s so different between human beings and animals? Well, human thinks and filters. Animals dun even know how to think, how to filter?

    No offence. Just for those that are guilty!

  20. #21 by boh-liao on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 3:14 am

    Recent events have clearly shown that Nazri and Zam are suffering from IQ less than school children who could clearly see that there were more than 4000 participants in the Yellow Tide on 10 Nov 2007. They know not what they were saying.

    No point cursing and swearing at them for they are frothing at their mouths and do not understand simple, succinct logic. Instead, we should all take pity upon these two individuals and pray for their souls so that the father in heaven will forgive them.

  21. #22 by smeagroo on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 6:48 am

    The scums will drag the EC reform like how they managed to drag the IPCMC for so long. Once GE over they will say they will look into it again.

    I say let Al-Jazeera get hold of the video of KJ acting like a MONKEY in front of US Embassy and let the world decide if the police hasnt practiced double standards. Let the world decide if KJ’s monkey antics was more peaceful or BErsih’s Nov 10 rally. Maybe Al-Jazeera can interview KJ this time and ask him if his previous antics were acceptable.

  22. #23 by Bigjoe on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 7:34 am

    Martin Jalleh piece gives reasons why Malaysian should really be worried about the state of this country in the long run. Nazri behaviour, we all know, is despicable self-serving and has nothing to do with truth or the issues. He plays a despicable role that he knows he will be rewarded for by his political masters, not for the duties he is suppose to play for the people he represents.

    What is worrying is Martin Jalleh, by virtue of being a critic and cannot imply the ulterior motive of the likes of Nazri, have to answer his dishonest words and by default fails to deal with the dishonesty itself. If he explore that possibility he puts himself in danger of the overwhelming police power of the government.

    In other words, Malaysian are denied the truth by the likes of Nazri and others like disinformation minister Zam as well as many more. And the issue of the EC is about the truth. Everybody knows its filled with fraudulent voters. Who believe the MCA has 1million members? Anyone who is privy to UMNO machinering have heard how easy it is for them to put a thousand fraud votes in any parliamentary constituency.

    This is about the truth, but it begins with the truth about the likes of Nazri.

  23. #24 by k1980 on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 8:53 am

    How about arresting those demonstrators shown in the following photos?
    http://mariasamad.blogspot.com/2007/11/lesson-in-history.html

  24. #25 by wantonhead on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 9:51 am

    The reality did not catches up with him … or the other way … maybe … i guess it is the same for him

  25. #26 by lupus on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 10:15 am

    According to the Malaysia Star paper report( 15 Nov 2007), Najib has claimed that “the EC is an independent body” in response to European Commission ambassador to Malaysia Thierry Rommel comments about a police state. The main question is we have two official comments from senior Govt minister telling us two different things.

    Would the Govt like to inform us if the EC is independent or not ? Using the Govt words “Show proof” otherwise, the EC is NOT INDEPENDENT!!!! and Nazri is right and Najib is wrong, otherwise, Nazri should say sorry to Malaysian for lying in Parliament

  26. #27 by Short-sleeve on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 10:31 am

    This is what happen when we put power in the hands of thugs and racists.

  27. #28 by Man_of_Honour on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 10:50 am

    Has Zam updated his Media Baru website? I’m waiting la… they’re like turning Parliament into a ZOO?

    Hope they don’t insult the ZOO

  28. #29 by messy on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 11:49 am

    haizzz…here comes another not-so intelligent minister…
    the most talkative of the lot…

  29. #30 by wizzerd on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 2:09 pm

    As a minister, Nazri has run out of ideas to counter the arguments made by LKS. So, he had no choice but to show his samseng/thuggish attitude to drown whatever the Opposition had to say. No valid arguments, no justification, no rational discussion, incessant yelling..Is that Parliament or what? Sounds like some coffee shop shouting and banging tables..Frankly speaking, although Uncle Kit’s BM was not of the highest standards but least it has more substance and contained reasonable arguments. But Nazri’s..:wayar putus, bodoh,..takde otak,…sigh..words used are terribly unbecoming of an elected MP and a Minister..
    In short, a disgrace to all Malaysians!!!

  30. #31 by Bigfoot on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 7:10 pm

    I am amazed by the quality of Ministers and others who lead the rakyat.

    We have Nazri, the man who calls people “pondans”. We have the ever incoherent Zam. We have tunnel-vision Badruddin. The list goes on.

    Is this what the rakyat voted for in the last National Election?

    The PM should have given the permit for the BERSIH rally. Afterall, the rakyat was simply asking for free and fair elections. If he did, he would have proven BERSIH organizers wrong, that there was no democracy here. He would have also come out smelling like roses. Instead, the PM saw it as a challenge and ordered a crackdown, with full knowledge that the rakyat was determined to have its say no matter what. By doing so, the PM and his advisors put everyone in harms way.

    Now we hear that the Education Ministry wants to send children who were nabbed at the BERSIH peaceful rally for re-education.

    Zis must be a God send for Deputy Education Reichsführer Herr Noh Omar. At long last he gets to rehabilitate more people via nude squats. This time its kids.

    In der end ve vill haf more rehabilitated but gut and totally obedient youth like zis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2dnJQKu2mI

    Seig Heil!

  31. #32 by Tulip Crescent on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 7:52 pm

    Let us name Nazri Aziz Chi Sin Pu Chang. Chi Sin means wayar dah putus. Pu Chang means Minister.

    At last, Umno has produced a Chiu Sin Pu Chang.

  32. #33 by Filibuster on Thursday, 15 November 2007 - 10:28 pm

    Seems the elections are coming after all; coming to limit the time for the Yang di Pertuan Agong to speak.

    http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=296402

  33. #34 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Friday, 16 November 2007 - 12:28 am

    I wouldn’t engage with Nazri directly for his dull brains and his bad breath!

    I watched Nazri tonight on Al JAzeera 101 EAst @ 10.30 pm. All I can do is to confirm that Nazri has ‘dull brains’. Just to quote 2 trademark Nazri comments in response to questions by AlJAzeera anchor:

    1) Nazri: “The (Malaysian) newspapers are free to report anything.”
    (HA, ha, Nazri, you should have looked at the ghost in your face when you said that!)

    2) Nazri: “There is no need for institutional reforms”
    (This was in the context of questions related to charges of corruption and the judiciary).
    Then, when asked further on wheether there was any validity to the demands for institutional reforms:
    Nazri said: ” …to improve, yes.”
    Hello Nazri, to improve is an admission of weakness or of systemic rot & therefore, institutional reforms need to be instituted to improve the processes-lah! Aiyah. Minister (of Law?).

    Nazri came across on Al JAzeera before an international TV audience as fumbling, fudging, finagling and foraging for answers in his dull cranium! Another bad show for Malaysian Ministers!

  34. #35 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Friday, 16 November 2007 - 12:41 am

    As for KJ on AL JAzeera – impressive verbosity & vocabulary.

    But as for his sincerity and trustworthiness, his integrity on points raised, sense of fair play & democratic values….well, one point sums it all:

    “Sham arguments and empty speech do not a saint make!” Oops, I forgot, you are not an ulama nor have the virtuous fibre of one.

    One BIG SURPRISE: ZAM was never invited to be on the panel for the interview. He would not have made sense….that…that… that’s for sure!

  35. #36 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Friday, 16 November 2007 - 12:43 am

    As for Imtiaz on Al Jazeera:

    Cool as a cucumber;
    Collected and composed;
    Clear and concise;
    Conscientious and conciliatory.

    Bravo, Imtiaz. May the good LORD bless you.

  36. #37 by wizzerd on Friday, 16 November 2007 - 8:46 am

    I missed that on Al Jazeera..really hope someone post it on YOutube

  37. #38 by ktteokt on Friday, 16 November 2007 - 8:46 am

    It’s no surprise what BN MPs and ministers can do, even in the solemnity of parliament. Remember the issue on “monthly leak”? And now we have this. It goes to show how civilized these BN people are!

  38. #39 by AhPek on Monday, 19 November 2007 - 1:38 am

    Endangered Hornbill, I agree wholeheartedly with you. Imtiaz was absolutely brilliant and his argument against Nasri’s boast that Umno has the majority behind and there is no necessity for reform was illuminating stating that UMNO is able to have this commanding advantage stems principally from the fact that people in the heartland are not well informed at all cos of the various dragonian acts to curb information dissemintion plus poor NET penetration, and thus therefore are not in a position to make a good choice.

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