When Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became the fifth Prime Minister on 30th October 2003, he made the famous pledge to “hear the truth, however unpleasant”, which he had infamously dishonoured in the past four years.
Recently, Abdulah’s pledge to “hear the truth” was ignomiously revised by the Information Minister, Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin as applying only to Barisan Nasional leaders and government officials but not to the media , the civil society or the ordinary Malaysian public!
In the past four years, however, Barisan Nasional Ministers and leaders had been afflicted by the “Dare not speak the truth to Pak Lah” syndrome.
This has resulted in the least hands-on Prime Minister in the nation’s history but with the most Ministerial portfolios (trebling as Minister for Finance and Minister for Internal Security) setting a new record in Malaysian political history as a Prime Minister who has lost touch with the national pulse in the shortest time ever since assuming the highest political office of the land.
It is refreshing that in this ocean of distortions, half-truths and downright lies passing off as “truth”, Gerakan Penang State Executive Councillor, Dr. Toh Kin Woon has gloriously broken ranks in a letter to Malayaiakini yesterday declaring that it is the people’s “discontent and unhappiness that will be a greater threat to our country’s peace and stability, rather than the marches, pickets and demonstrations”.
I call on Barisan Nasional Ministers and leaders to have at least 30% of Toh Kin Woon’s sincerity and honesty to speak the truth to the Prime Minister whether about the “Walk for Justice” of 2,000 lawyers organized by the Bar Council for restoration of the independence and integrity of the judiciary; the 40,000-strong Bersih rally in support of electoral reforms for clean, free and fair elections; the 30,000-strong Hindraf demonstration on the socio-economic and cultural plight of the Malaysian Indians particularly the lower strata; or the numerous pickets by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress and trade unions for higher salaries to meet rising costs of living so burdensome to the workers.
So far, there is only one Barisan Nasional leader — a state Exco from Penang -who is prepared to call a spade a spade and tell Abdullah the truth.
Are there no other Barisan Nasional leader, occupying higher and more important government and party positions whether at the national or state level, who could back up Toh Kin Woon to start the process of telling the Prime Minister the truth?
What about MIC’s Samy Vellu, Gerakan’s Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik and Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, MCA’s Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and the other three MCA Ministers? Is there none from the Barisan Nasional component parties in Sabah and Sarawak? Is there not a single Umno Minister or leader who could be relied upon to speak the unvarnished truth?
That the syndrome of “Dare not tell Pak Lah the truth” is very advanced and even terminal is highlighted by the refusal of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz yesterday to withdraw and apologise for his offensive and unwarranted slur of the supporters of the Hindraf demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday as “penyangak” when he said on Tuesday:
“Some 20,000 penyangak (crooks) who participated in the rally would not jeopardise our viewpoint of the entire community.”
Nazri not only compounded the offence he committed by repeating the slur of “penyangak” but also in claiming that his action was vindicated by the Cabinet which discussed the Hindraf demonstration yesterday.
Are there no shadows of Toh Kin Woon among the Ministers and leadership of the Barisan Nasional component parties — or is Toh a completely lone voice in the Barisan Nasional wilderness?
#1 by oknyua on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:29 am
YB Lim,
Now that is a word of wisdom from Toh Kin Woon.
Secondly YB Lim, I read a new word from Nazri today, “Samseng.”
May I propose that coarse and vulgar words be limited to parliament, or to the homes of the users ONLY. If such words are uttered, or proven to have been uttered and directed to an individual, group or party, such action must be viewed to act tantamount to slander or seditious.
Thank you.
#2 by malaysia_mana_boleh on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:32 am
Toh Kin Woon is no different from lim kheng yek or oh kah teng.
He is only voicing all these out because he is about to retire.
He was also a lap dog while he was in office.
toh kin woon is nothing but a coward like the rest.
#3 by oknyua on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:35 am
YB Lim,
That is a word of wisdom from Toh Kin Woon.
#4 by greenacre on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:37 am
I would quote beloved Ghandi on the seven sins :-
1. The politics without principles
2. The wealth without work
3. The pleasure without conscience
4. The knowledge without character
5. The commerce without morality
6. The Science without humanity
7. The worship without sacrifice
Before calling others crooks look at your pointing finger (index) the other two are turned towards you.
#5 by malaysia_mana_boleh on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:38 am
word of wisdom my A – S – S
Isn’t it 20 years too late????????
why only say now???????
coz he is going to retire and has nothing to lose that’s why!!!!!!
#6 by oknyua on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:42 am
malaysia_mana_boleh,
give him grace friend. It’s never too late. It takes one to break rank from the rest to follow. Devamany broke rank too. Now we have this man, I don’t him, that for sure. Who knows we might have another from MCA an finally an open revolt from within UMNO.
It takes one spark to ignite a fire.
#7 by malaysia_mana_boleh on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:49 am
oknyua, please don’t be so naive.
Devamany “broke rank too”? You must be joking.
that joker made a boo boo during the interview with al jazeera and to amend his mistake he is acting as if he is defending his comrades.
in actual fact he is trying to defend and save his own political lifeline.
see the bigger picture my fren!
#8 by malaysia_mana_boleh on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 10:51 am
had he not try to act as if he is the Hero, i would say that is the end of his political lifespan. you think any indian would vote for him after he label them as “the type of people�?????
think about it.
#9 by poisonjay on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 11:02 am
Special Coverage on Times of India.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/specialcoverage/2576923.cms
post your comments there too.
#10 by sj on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 11:15 am
I agree that the BN politicians are unforgivable. They must be let off the hook. Just a simple sorry after 2 decades of destroying the nation, you think that would suffice? No way man. If the Malaysians still think “Boleh lah, Ok lah, Tidak apalah”, then Malaysia really deserves more half past six governance. These are inhumane crooks, who are corrupted to the core. You think they would have compassion for the people? You would think they have integrity? You think they would have the courage to tell the truth ? You think they actually care for the welfare of starving poor people in the country regardless of their race ? If your answer to these question is a big NO, then no they dont deserve it, they deserve to be investigated and prosecuted.
#11 by sj on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 11:17 am
Oh and the Prime Minister himself is one of the people that said that people that are involved in the rally should be arrested. So much for “telling me the truth”. Be wise and think, how many times have Malaysians been lied to. Are you people really that stupid ? Rakyat BODOH?????
#12 by HJ Angus on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 11:27 am
Now if all the BN MPs tell the PM the truth like the BN guy from Penang we could have a new PM.
That happens in the developed nations like Australia or the UK.
#13 by sani on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 11:46 am
YB
Sometimes senior crooks can have some influence on the junior recruits.
Keep our fingers crossed….. but don’t how your breath
#14 by sani on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 11:47 am
YB
Sometimes senior crooks can have some influence on the junior recruits.
Keep our fingers crossed….. but don’t hold your breath
#15 by grace on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 11:50 am
Dr. Toh is very much liked by the people.
He is very well-known for his sincerity and honesty. He is specklessly clean, unlike many ruling assembly men in penang.
OKT, SAMY VELLOO OR KOH TSU KOON to have 10% of Toh’s sincerity?????? Must be asking for the moon!!!
#16 by k1980 on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 12:12 pm
Will malaysia end up like uncle mugabe’s wonderland?
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22838055-2703,00.html
“Professional people are being made to lie by the Government because the data is so scary. We have a Government that would prefer to change the data than change the reality.”
#17 by madmix on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 12:29 pm
Nazri talks to Tamil Nadu CM in the same manner he talks to Malaysian Indians: shut up, mind your own business, get out if you do not like it here.
Dewan Rakyat in brief: Nazri chides Tamil Nadu’s CM
Email to friend Email to Friend Print article Print Article
TAMIL NADU Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has been told to worry about problems in his own state and not on what is happening in Malaysia.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz warned Karuna- nidhi to keep out of Malaysian politics.
“His place is in Tamil Nadu, not Malaysia. He should worry about his own state. His own state has got problems.
“This has got nothing to do with him … lay off,” said Nazri in the lobby yesterday when asked about reports in the Indian media on Karunanidhi’s outburst against Malaysian authorities on their handling of the illegal rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
According to The Hindu newspaper, the Tamil Nadu chief minister had written to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the rally.
He reportedly urged Manmohan to employ the necessary measures regarding the “suffering and bad treatment” of Tamils in Malaysia.
The subject was also raised in the house, with Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek having to handle queries from the opposition.
He told opposition leader Lim Kit Siang that Wisma Putra did not receive any formal complaints from the Indian diaspora outside Malaysia on the rally.
Lim raised Karunanidhi’s unhappiness over the way the rally was handled when Shabery was replying to Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (BN-Pulai) on the millennium development goals (MDG).
Shabery told the house that Indians in the country were better off than those in India based on the eight millennium development goals set by the United Nations.
He said all races in the country benefited from the country’s development which had attracted an influx of foreign workers.
“We have many workers from India here and their presence is a testimony that the situation in Malaysia is far better than in India,” he said to jeers from opposition MPs.
On the MDG, Shabery said Malaysia had successfully met seven of the goals.
Later in the lobby, Lim said newspapers in India reported that Indian leaders were unhappy over the Malaysian government’s handling of the Hindraf demonstration.
#18 by grace on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 12:43 pm
OKT, Ling Lion Sik, Samy elloo, Koh Tsu Khoon belonged to a special breed of “invertebrates”
#19 by oknyua on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 12:44 pm
At my age, I can’t be considered naive. I have been involved in elections a number of times and event a worker for the BN – an election agent and the money-bag carrier. I could say I know many ins and outs of BN people.
From there, I know there are many sincere and honest BN men. And Grace’s comment seemed to confirm this. We just hope Dr. Toh perservere.
If we look back at history, it is the bravery of a single man that started revolution. Martin Luther started the reformation. Deng Sio Peng started the modernisation of China, despite being threatened twice. It was one man Gandhi that broke the British stronghold in India. Nelson Mendela is still alive in South Africa.
Let not sentiments sway us to be judgemental before we hear the whole story. Dr Toh is a BN man. He may be set to retire. But just because of his affiliation he is considered a corrupted man; that is not right. The fact YB Lim gave his name as an example speaks volume to the intergrity of the man. If you don’t trust Dr Toh, at least respect YB Lim.
#20 by chloo on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 12:57 pm
I will hear the truth
Tell it to me now
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
#21 by budak on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 1:04 pm
indeed there are good and sincere leader among Barisan Penyangak (BN), usually there are left behind as they have difference with the greeds…
why must they hide behind the PENYANGAK(s)..?
come out and tell us the whole truth…! :-)
as a Citizen & Taxpayer to the PENYANGAK GOV, I have a rights to know…!
#22 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 1:15 pm
“…//….To me, it is this discontent and unhappiness that will be a greater threat to our country’s peace and stability, rather than the marches, pickets and demonstrations…//…†– Dr. Toh Kin Woon.
One must go behind the root cause of such discontent and unhappiness. The government says street demonstrations is not Malaysian Culture and exhorts all to play by the law and the rules. But for people to do that – play by law and the rules – the government has to do first by example and play fair by these rules and law and hold them sacrosanct instead of selectively enforcing them in the interest of power and self preservation instead of the common wealth and interest of the larger society?
You don’t withhold permit and send the FRU in some cases whilst in others you ‘tutup’ the eye when the assembly was against Condeeleeza Rice in which some political bigwig could show he was champion!
How to take grievance peaceably to the court to seek redress if judges are implicated in Lingam video clip for which the first instinct was to whitewash with a lame duck panel with no powers to call witnesses and provide protection for testimonies? When every call for attention to one’s grievance is threatened by the Sedition Act for breach of the so-called “Social Contract†– and Ministers admitting not knowing the limits of their ministerial authority could issue letters of support committing public funds to over RM4 billion for which the government far from holding them accountable ratify their ultra vires acts?
Basically one can’t reasonably expect the disgruntled and marginalized to play by the rules and abide by law – and take to the streets – if the other side shows little respect for the rules and the law save and except when they may be cited for their partisan interest and there is no other avenue for seeking redress!
And when they do take to the streets instead of addressing their legitimate concerns the law of sedition and Police Act is thrown at them and their leaders.
This is a dangerous situation : because bottled up discontent and unhappiness that finds no vent for expression and release will by the physics of pressure build up to the point of explosion. There will no winners here.
Government leaders are also Malaysians who happen to do well and rise to position of power and eminence in their chosen career in politics : there is no reason, when up there, you turn around at your other less fortunate countrymen and women and instead of listening, negotiate and bargain, threaten to make their lives unbearable and miserable by arrests and punishment for the preservation of vested interests over the truth, common decency and fair play.
#23 by k1980 on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 1:18 pm
So who are the real racists?
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=906&Itemid=31
Malaysia is second only to the US as a home for overseas Indians. So it does not take long for Indians to wonder why their immigrants to the US have been so successful – top of the migrant league in terms of income – while their fellows in Malaysia languish at the bottom of the pile despite having been there for a century.
#24 by izrafeil on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 1:28 pm
LKS,
from AWSJ today….. Tokyo – Vice Def Minister T.Moriya was arrested on suspicion he accepted a dozen free golf trips valued at USD35,000/-
Wish our ACA is as tough as the Japanese anti corruption agency!
#25 by k1980 on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 1:30 pm
Shabery told the house that Indians in the country were better off than those in India based on the eight millennium development goals set by the United Nations.
Why not compare the Malaysian Indians with the Indians in the US or the UK?
#26 by cheng on soo on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 1:46 pm
k1980, i think compare with indian in spore most appropriate, in both countries, they are a less than 9% minority, both countries were ruled by Brit. been independent for 40+ years (Msia is still below 50 yr) etc.
Indian friends pls say been Indian Msian is better or Indian Sporean is better
#27 by lucia on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 1:50 pm
malaysia_mana_boleh
you are wrong about toh kin woon. this was not the first time he spoke up (like you said only when he wants to retire). he had spoken up a few times before.
like grace said, he is a very nice friendly humble man, very well like by penangites. and like LKS said here, he IS the only BN leader who is prepared to call a spade a spade.
#28 by Anti_NEP on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 2:05 pm
YB Lim, you are asking the O K Nothing and semi value to go against their Umno master? You must be kidding. Who’s going to look after their welfare like the former lord president once said if they go against the master that feed them.
#29 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 2:09 pm
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Asia/STIStory_181660.html
Excerpt:
“US defends peaceful protests in Malaysia
WASHINGTON – THE United States underscored on Wednesday the rights of Malaysians to hold peaceful protests, after Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s government swiftly suppressed mass rallies and threatened to use a law to detain protesters indefinitely without trial.
‘We believe citizens of any country should be allowed to peacefully assemble and express their views,’ a US State Department official said when commenting on the crackdown of unprecedented street protests in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur this month.
#30 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 2:22 pm
“Hindraf demo – BN Ministers and leaders should have at least 30% of Toh Kin Woon’s sincerity and honesty”.
Whilst I get the drift of this, I do not think BN Minisiters can ever match up either by telling the truth, being honest & sincere 30% of the time (i.e. frequency) OR share even a lowly 30% of the truth, honesty, sincerity (i.e. quality).
The fact is leopards don’t change spots & tigers don’t shed their stripes. Mostly, BN leaders sweet-talk, con, deceive etc.etc. etc. I mean just look at PM’s empty promises! Do you believe Nazri, Zakaria, Zam Bung Kinabatangan etc can either tell the honest & sincere truth 30% of the time or tell 30% of that truth? Might as well ask for the moon & moo for the cows to come home!
There is only 1 way to deal with such rot – kick them out at the next GE! How can Malaysians tolerate such ‘garbage’ in Parliament?
#31 by Bigjoe on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 2:22 pm
The truth is Hindraf is a test of the ultimate promise of BN – the removal of NEP supposedly by 2020 and creation of Bangsa Malaysia. Many ask why Hindraf now although it has been decades things have been this way? Well because there is a danger that the NEP will extend beyond 2020 which the Indian finds intolerable.
Abdullah came into office with promise of greater equity but the right-winger of UMNO, led by his SIL, became even more vocal and talk fo 2057 instead of 2020 and such as well as the not wanting the Bangsa Malaysia concept. The demolition of temples was just a trigger of this right-wing voice in the administration.
There is a simple solution for Badawi – just keep the promise by starting now to have something in place that ensured that NEP will be replaced by a race-blind anti-poverty program by 2020. he can do this by 1) Have 10% of the development budget being totally race blind purely on meritocracy. 2) 10% of university places based on 1 exam and based on poverty level. 3) 10% of scholarships based on poverty level and pure meritocracy. 3) Complete meritocracy of portfolio for anti-poverty from minister to funding. In fact have an anti-poverty minister that is to be contested as publicly as possible.
The solution is not difficult, keeping the promise is.
#32 by oknyua on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 2:25 pm
Hornbill, that will not prevent our PM from flying to the US at the end of the year and once again gloat in front of the US congress that democracy and freedom of political expression is well and alive in Malaysia.
#33 by SivajiTheBoss on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 2:49 pm
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
I am a Malaysian citizen, and I am a subscriber of ASTRO Satellite TV Broadcast here in Malaysia. Recently I have subscribed to the ASTRO News Package which contains Al Jazeera and other foreign news media.
I was highly looking forward for the international news broadcast on all of the stations provided by the package when I had shocking news from our local news station claiming that the foreign news broadcasters are lying and making stories without properly acquiring the real facts and they are very good actors !!! Furthermore these claims were also made by our government’s politicians.
Now, this is rather disturbing and disappointing for me as I have only subscribed for the service for just a few days and I’m being bombarded with such claims. This eventually made me to think:
Am I an IDIOT to subscribe, pay and end up watching acts and lies
OR
Is there is any conspiracy going on here????
I clearly understand the fact that Al Jazeera has a strong principal called the Code of Ethics and you strictly follow it. But the claims by the politicians and local media here make me to think otherwise.
The claims below were broadcasted on 27-November-2007 in TV3 news station. Similar claims were also made in other local newscasters. This is just a few of the claims.
1. TV3 news station claimed that the foreign media cannot be trusted as they do not report the actual news.
2. YAB Datuk Sri Samy Velu claims that there were only 4,600 demonstrators on 25-November-2007 and NOT 50,000 or any other number as claimed by the foreign media.
3. TV3 news station said that the questions thrown at the Information Minister of Malaysia by Al Jazeera (Al Jazeera’s name was mentioned) was to purposely create a scene to show that Malaysia is in kiosk situation and Al Jazeera purposely built up the story from the real one. They also mentioned the criticism made by the Information Minister to Al Jazeera.
(Prior to sending the mail, I did some research on the net and actually found the video clip of the above Interview in Youtube. And I actually laughed myself out listening to the reply given by our Minister. Pity him for his language. But in the Malaysian news channel TV3, they only provided the “CLEAN” version of the transcript and the actual call was not aired. This makes me even more confused!!! Who is telling the truth here???)
Now, if Al Jazeera is telling lies,
It is high time for Al Jazeera to review back their Code of Ethics and provide the truth for the people. If you can’t do it then don’t cheat the entire world. And don’t broadcast your news at all. I am not a fool to keep paying for acts and lies.
And if Al Jazeera is NOT lying,
Well, what the heck. The damage has already been done. No one in Malaysia is going to listen to your news anyway due to the “VERY GOOD” publicity done by the Malaysian politicians and the local media. By the way, did I mention that our local media could also be received by our neighboring countries like Singapore and Thailand?
FINAL CONCLUSION
It is not my intension to insult Al Jazeera, other foreign media, our local media or the politicians. If you feel offended by this email, I sincerely apologize to you. Whatever the scenario is, all that I want (and the rest of Malaysian citizens who are in my situation want) is the truth. Since Al Jazeera’s and other foreign media’s names have been badly damaged here in Malaysia, Al Jazeera and the other foreign media’s SHOULD do something to fix it back or you may start loosing your viewer in Malaysia.(and its surrounding countries too)
I hope you could keep my details confidential and properly investigate on this issue (just incase if you don’t trust me) and find out the real truth behind such a drastic claims by our local media. That is if you still follow your Code of Ethics.
Yours truly,
A concerned viewer.
PS:
1. i am also forwarding this mail to other foreign media for their response.
2. i will be posting this transcript in the internet via blogs so that the viewers around the world will be aware that this matter has been brought to your attention and for them to express their views.
#34 by wantonhead on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 3:05 pm
In the Star today; Nazri says “Don’t challenge the Government. They can try and hold rally again and see what will happen”
#35 by Cinnamon on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 3:35 pm
I have never seen a stupid and arrogant bastard like Nazri.
When the Bar Council staged a walk, Nazri said only 1000 lawyers participated. Therefore the walk is not reflection of the ~ 10,000 lawyers in the country.
On Nov 25th, there were at least 30,000 at KLCC, and this stupid minister is saying, that doesn’t reflect the sentiments of majority of Indians. If that is the case, why did you locked the front gates of Batu Caves Temple, thus preventing another ~5000 joining the crowd. Why the LRT, monorails, taxis, buses were prevented to ply towards KLCC. It is a historical event on Nov 25, 2007. It will go down in the history. Indians are usually tolerant people. For decades this race has been suffering.
Nazri,
You called these people as ‘penyagak’.
The people attended the gathering is only the tip of iceberg. These people will show their power in the coming general election.
Nazri, you stupid bastard, enough is enough, you already known as the law minister who don’t care about law, don’t make it worse.
To all the non-Malay MPs of BN, please stand up and say sincerely what is in your mind. Otherwise you will go down in the history as the people who sell the race for pseudo glory. STAND UP, HAVE SOME BACKBONE!!!!!!!
God bless this country.
#36 by sani on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 3:39 pm
YB
After much thoughts about DR TOH, i’ll like to retract + restate my position, that i took this morning.
After much thinking over, I must give credit to him for his effort in community issues, education + role in making Penang, once the Silicon Valley of the East.
After much debate with myself, whether people of his capability should work within an unfortunate system or to continue contributing to the people from the outside? Whether putting himself on the payrole of these distasted goverments, federally or other wise, would not only lend legitmacy to them or not?
After many strong stands that he took over the years, yet the space he envisioned for us, “was not fully utilized”, to quote himself. Does this breaking of ranks, at the end of his career, make a different? Yes it does. After all he could just shut up + be a retired pondan, couldn’t he? Yet he took a stand + this might just inspire more to speak the truth.
Ater all i had said, i still thought he would had done much more, would he had not taken political shelter within the BN. So to him + his fans, i appolgize for calling him a crook, when he is only half a crook. My appologies..
#37 by justiciary on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 3:57 pm
We should give due respect to Dr.Toh for upholding his conscience as a politician.Unlike his counterparts in BN,he has on many occasions spoken against some unfair practices of the government.His action has shamed many of the invertebrates found in MCA,GERAKAN,MIC and also those in East Malaysia who are still hiding and licking under the gigantic sarong of Umo.
#38 by messy on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 3:59 pm
aiyo zam just got to say something doesn’t he?
when PM says he wants to hear the truth means he wants to ear TRUTHS from all parties…let it be BN or BA or even the public…
as long as it is the truth PM would want to hear it
but anyway BN never tell the truth…to ZAM,
you have already brought shame to yourself in aljazeera with your KAMPUNG-ENGLISH…so lease i reckon you to go home and brush up your english…your english just makes me roar in laughter and at times i’ll have tears flowing…
your rap in aljazeera will always be remmebered by everyone!
#39 by mwt on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 4:12 pm
It looks like the defacto Law Minister is waging an all out war on all the Hindraf leaders. One of them Ganabatirau was arrested in th morning and now Uthayakumar is next on line with his seditious memo to the Queen via the PM Brown. And Nazri has vowed to see them pay the price of “challenging the Governmentâ€Â.
A chorus of supporters from UMNO are calling for the immediate use of ISA to curb further street demos. More details from
http://powerpresent.blogspot.com/2007/11/war-on-hindraf-leaders-ganabatirau.html
#40 by Libra2 on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 5:12 pm
Nazri talks and acts like the PM. He makes all the decisions. He is also a discipline Master to see that MIC MPs don’t sides with the Indians.
He can even scold India.
He is the only one in the country who thinks and acts differently. probably he came from Mars.
#41 by gsuku on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 5:28 pm
why no action was taken in 2006.During Umno AGM,Hishamudin wow to bath his keris with blood..why never chrge him under Seditious Act…just becoz same party…they can do anything…khairy N gang jammed up nKLCC during condoleeza visit 2 submit memo,no permit needed,no tear gas,no water canon,no force,no was beatenup /arrestedno reports on traders lost business,no report on traffic problem….SUCH HYPOCRISY
#42 by fish_talk on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 5:35 pm
Syabas to “Bersih” and “Hindraf”.
Despite all Threats and Obstacle. You dare to “SPEAK UP”.
Speaking up needs courage, and comittment to your cause.
Those lap dogs ln MIC’s Samy & Deva, in MCA’s OKT and the likes, by nature are expected to fence for their Master even B4 the Master ask them to do so. That is the way to guard after their positions and interest. And for those comming to the end of the road, and realising no more benefit available for tapping, may at time either due to conscience or frustration, begin to “Spek Up” too.
Dr. Toh Kin Woon, thanks for voicing out now, although it is about 20 years late. Sorry for the wrong timing, some may call you a Hero nw, but others may call you a Hero in Suspicon.
#43 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 5:38 pm
Nazri says there were 20,000 “Penyangak” (Crooks) marching.
Devamany says there were 50,000.
Semi-Value says there were 4,600, according to the Police.
Proved: More than one liar in BN!
What did the Police say the number was?
IGP says “there was no body contact”. What a stupid liar that makes of him. That was why I said in another thread he sounded like a PMR dropout!
And, Nazri – has he reduced his syllables? He is the guy with the trisyllabic fame: “Racist! Racist! Racist!” “Stupid! STupid! Stupid!” Now, just “Penyangak” once. Seems like he has lost his voice with all those raucous, irrational shouting. Did he lose his brains too? I don’t kNow. Never knew he had any!
#44 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 5:52 pm
I’ve heard Dr. Toh KIn Woon only once in all his career in politics. But I was deepy impressed by his humility, sincerity and honesty. He came across as one who is deeply concerned about social justice and egalitarianism. It is certain that he is hamstrung by the severely lopsided BN system. Yet, Dr Toh had sought to push back the obstacles against those hopeless odds.
It is noteworthy that Dr Toh’s contrarian views with his BN counterparts are well known. Yet we also know that they hold him in high respects. Further, he enjoys the respects and confidence of a large part of the Penang population. Any attempt to rope him in to be ‘hanged’ by those less-than-sensible BN party cadres would not go down well with the population and would risk further loss of votes. That, I believe, is why BN daren’t touch Dr Toh.
But, my question to Dr Toh is: why stay & be labelled as part of a corrupt & immoral grouping like BN. Since it is obvious that it has been impossible to change BN from the inside after all those precious years, it’s time to bid farewell to an equally hamstrung DR Koh Tsu Koon & Gerakan & move over to DAP or PKR at a time when the country needs Dr Toh to do this more than anything else.
At a time when there is a significant groundswell for justice, democracy and egalitarianism, Dr Toh, the nation needs you at this critical hour to join the fight on this side of TRUTH, HONOUR AND INTEGRITY.
Amen.
#45 by AnakTiriMalaysia on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 5:56 pm
Come this General election,
the RAKYAt must send a LOUD & CLEAR signal to BARISAN NASIONAL…..[ you are not indispensable...... YOU ARE FIRED!!!!!]
#46 by madmix on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 6:00 pm
New immigrants are not considered new-comers, are not asked to go home, but counted as the same class citizen with equal rights regardless of race or religion:
A former rock star and an Asian-born woman were named to spearhead the new Australian government’s environmental policies, which include ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
Former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett was appointed Minister for the Environment by prime minister-elect Kevin Rudd, whose centre-left Labor Party ousted John Howard’s conservative government in elections last weekend.
Malaysian-born Penny Wong will be Minister for Climate Change and Water, with responsibility for international negotiations on the Kyoto treaty, which aims to curb the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.
Rudd has pledged to reverse Howard’s policy and ratify the UN treaty, leaving US President George W. Bush isolated as the only major world leader to refuse to do so.
Rudd told a news conference that both new ministers would accompany him to a key UN conference in Bali next month which aims to produce plans for action on climate change beyond 2012, when current Kyoto commitments expire.
“Penny will have responsibility for our international negotiations on Kyoto and Kyoto plus, she will have responsibility for the negotiations of our domestic emissions trading regime,†he said.
Rudd said Garrett would be responsible for delivering key climate-change programmes within Australia, including “solar programmes, water-efficiency programmes and general energy efficiency programmesâ€Â. Climate change became a major issue in the Australian election campaign against the backdrop of the worst drought in living memory and Rudd pledged to make the environment one of his government’s top priorities.
“A core part of Labor’s agenda for the future is climate change, water and the environment,†he told the news conference.
“When I attend Bali in just a couple of weeks time, I will be attending that conference with Peter and Penny.â€Â
Garrett, 54, was for 26 years the vocalist for Midnight Oil, named by Rolling Stone magazine as “one of the most significant bands ever to emerge from Australiaâ€Â.
The band was known for its active support of a range of contemporary concerns including the plight of homeless youth, indigenous people’s rights and protection of the environment.
He was elected to parliament in 2004 and became shadow minister for climate change, environment, heritage and the arts, but lost climate change to Wong after making a few gaffes during the election campaign.
Wong, who moved from Malaysia to Australia as an eight-year-old in 1977, was elected as a Labor Senator in 2001.
She was the first Asian-born woman to enter federal parliament, and says she believes that “the fundamental national political challenge of our day is to renew Australia’s underlying value of a fair go for everybodyâ€Â.
In the outgoing parliament, she had held the posts of shadow minister for Employment and Workforce Participation and for Corporate Governance and Responsibility. – AFP
#47 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 6:08 pm
This is yet another reason why I often think Nazri is so irredeemably stupid!
MAlaysiakini:
Nazri: I stand by the other 2 mil Indians
Nov 29, 07 5:14pm
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz today said he stands by the two million Indian Malaysians who did not participate in the Nov 25 rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
Firstly, the 50,000 who took part in the Rally is part & parcel of the 2 million of protestors. AFter all, the 50,000 is representing the 2 million others who are groaning!
Secondly, the Police roadblocks & harassment is the reason why the 2 million others did not come out to demonstrate!
Thirdly, the 2 million others are the reinforcements if BN or the Police wants a further demonstration of strength and a show of their cohesiveness.
Fourthly, come the GE, the 2 million will show BN the exit door and place their votes for the Opposition. Samy Vellu will slink away sheepishly like John Howard when he loses his seat in Sg Siput.
#48 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 6:20 pm
madmix Says:
November 29th, 2007 at 18: 00.54
New immigrants are not considered new-comers, are not asked to go home, but counted as the same class citizen with equal rights regardless of race or religion:
MAdeleine Albright was an immigrant from then Czechoslovakia, was granted US citizenship in the 1950s and rose to be the No.3 in the US Administration under President Bill Clinton.
Malaysian Indians and Chinese, millions of whom are 3rd, 4th, 5th generations Malaysians. They are all “Pendatangs” still.
Vote for DAP & PKR to get full citizenship rights and to erase all forms of racial labellings!
#49 by Godfather on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 6:42 pm
This corrupt government will continue to harrass us. They will continue to bring people in for “questioning”, without legal representation. They will keep you for hours without food or water. Then they will let you go, particularly if your relatives or friends start making noise through whatever media that is willing to lend you a voice.
This is modern-day Gestapo tactics and we have to document them one by one, and present a dossier to foreign news channels.
We must continue to rally in support of any just cause.
#50 by mata_kucing on Thursday, 29 November 2007 - 7:13 pm
Much that I agree with what Toh Kin Woon says, I want to ask him, where were you when the rakyat needed you? Like the rest of the eunuchs from MCA, MIC and Gerakan, he has been keeping quiet when UMNO went on rampage. He now only speaks up because he is retiring and presumely nothing to loose. The unfortunate part is that he seems very articulate and intellegent but chose to keep quiet like a mouse like his colleages from the minor parties. I like to tell him, “Too late, my friend”. Too much damage has been done and present and future generations will not forgive you. History will remember people like you as UMNO slaves. My only hope is that your statement will rub on some of your fellow politicians and give them courage to speak their mind. I don’t have much faith they would but will be quite happy to be proven wrong.