Umno and Barisan Nasional leaders should end its post-March 8 schizophrenia – claiming to have finally heard the voice of the people and yet still refusing to “walk the talk” of reforms like closing down the Tamil daily Makkal Osai, continued detention of Hindraf leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and stonewalling the proposal for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to create an efficient, incorruptible, professional world-class police service to keep crime low and make the country safe for Malaysians, visitors and investors.
Such political schizophrenia seizing Umno and Barisan Nasional has become a daily staple in the mass media, as illustrated by the following two headlines today:
• Najib tells BN: Win over support from non-Malays (NST);
• Makkal Osai loses licence – Tamil daily’s application rejected (The Star)
Has it occurred to the Umno and Barisan Nasional leadership, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, that the best way to ensure that the Barisan Nasional will lose even more support from the non-Malays are high-handed, arrogant and undemocratic actions like the closure of Makkal Osai, the refusal to release the five Hindraf leaders, P. Uthayakumar, newly-elected Selangor DAP State Assemblyman for Kota Alam Shah A. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and T. Vasantha Kumar or refusal to give Uthayakumar the best medical treatment while under ISA detention?
In fact, such political arrogance and contempt for human rights will also offend all right-thinking and justice-loving Malays, as illustrated by the March 8 “political tsunami” which saw Malaysians voting across racial and religious divides.
New Straits Times announced today that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to announce several measures to reform the judiciary at a dinner organized by the Malaysian Bar at Hotel Marriot, Kuala Lumpur tonight.
I will attend the dinner. While DAP and Pakatan Rakyat will support judicial reforms to restore national and international confidence in the independence, impartiality, integrity and quality of the judiciary after two decades of “judicial darkness”, however belated, they are merely first steps in a journey of a thousand miles of major national reforms whether in mindsets, institutions, laws or governance if Malaysia is to rise to the challenges of globalization where the competition is not between Malays and non-Malays but between Malaysians and the rest of the world.
#1 by PSM on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 9:52 am
Sorry, Unless UMNO is finaly kicked-out!
#2 by Godfather on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 9:54 am
It’s business as usual, folks !
#3 by Godfather on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 9:55 am
“I have big ears.” AAB, 2007
“I have two ears.” AAB, 2008
#4 by ktteokt on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 12:11 pm
Godfather, what good are two big ears which are not equipped with eardrums?
#5 by wag-the-dog on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 1:02 pm
Under threat? What threat?
BRAVE NEW WORLD By AZMI SHAROM
Since the recent general election, voices have risen up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now ‘under threat’. But perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony.
AND so it begins. Race-based rhetoric has raised its ugly little head in response to a democratic process. Over 49% of the people of Malaysia have voted for parties that have rejected race-based affirmative action in favour of a needs-based platform.
VIsit http://www.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com for details
#6 by max2811 on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 2:03 pm
Dear Hellokitty,
She wasn’t given a course of her choice in the first place. But she went anyway, hoping to change the course midway. Her course requires her to do many subjects, some of which, she doesn’t like at all.
NTU doesn’t give automatic hostel places to international students after the 2nd semester. A single room outside comes to about RM900. The bus fare and food will really burn a hole in your pocket.She was given 80% tuition grant. The balance 20% and the living expenses come from two other loans. The short stint she had in Spore costs me around RM60K.
Studying hours were like up to 4 or 5 in the morning! She has to compete with the best in Asia. A 6 hour sleep is a luxury. I have considered the after graduation working conditions. There is no life in Spore. They live their lives to work. Not work to have a comfortable and meaningful life.
She’s so happy now. Contributing so much to the coursemates with her experience from NTU. The learnng enviroment in UTAR is very good. Practically everybody studies very hard, not like the IPTAs. The lecturers are very knowledgeable and helpful. The hostel near UTAR is also well managed. Try it. You won’t regret.
#7 by Godfather on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 4:25 pm
Jeffrey:
We have been conned yet again. There is no apology, no commission of inquiry into the events of 1988, no truly independent judicial commission for the appointment and promotion of judges (since the PM has the final say).
Nothing has changed with this bunch of thieves. The only cosmetic difference is the cash paid out to Salleh Abas and his ex-colleagues.
#8 by cheng on soo on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 6:40 pm
“Najib tells BN: Win over support from non-Malays”, how to??, when u hv madmix n penang soul daughter cases,
I also hv a relative who graduated with a first class honour in Engineering from UM, and yet when he apply to do research in engineering at UM (for master in a subject with his professor recommendation), he got a reply from UM is “Kurang sesuai”, i.e he was rejected
#9 by cheng on soo on Friday, 18 April 2008 - 6:43 pm
no need moderation, just throw away my comment lah!
#10 by TTDI_KL on Saturday, 19 April 2008 - 4:16 pm
Nothing has changed with this bunch of thieves. The only cosmetic difference is the cash paid out to Salleh Abas and his ex-colleagues.
But paid by us the taxpayers. I thought those responsible should pay.
#11 by Evenmind on Saturday, 19 April 2008 - 5:24 pm
Before elections , it has been always race based politics for UMNO , after election its even more hardcore race based politics, these moronic parasites would not change , i’m longing for the day when they will go into oblivion.
#12 by mysinSing on Saturday, 19 April 2008 - 10:36 pm
To Max 2811,
I think people have a clear misconception about studying in Singapore.I am a Malaysian student studying in NUS honestly don’t remember a single day where I have to wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning to study.Yet,I am still a top student there.The issue is really about understanding what you are studying.If you really grasp the concept well,you can score in the exams with ease,frankly speaking.People are studying more than 10 hours per day because they have to memorize every single question to be able to answer their exam questions,but they are seldom in the dean’s list.Also, you need to demonstrate your capabilities to be able to stay in hostel as there are many students vying for the hostel places.If a student is active in ECA’s and demonstrate leadership capabilities,there is no reason why they would not let you stay in the hostel.Personally,I think your statement that they have no life is very far-fetched, just because of your daughter’s experience.By the way,SPM is no way to measure a person’s success, so please don’t think that by having 11A’s or 12A’s means that you must get a scholarship.5 years ago,I was in that position.But now I am glad that I didn’t receive any Malaysian government scholarship and get tied down by them.I am grateful for the scholarship that Singapore has given me as well as selected me for many enhancement program that gave me the chance to improve myself.
#13 by lakilompat on Tuesday, 22 April 2008 - 10:35 am
There are so many A’s in Malaysia, do u know why, look at the multiple choice questions, who owned these printing companies, if I’m not mistaken most of the education publishers belong to the UMNO members.