“This is what the public wants. We want the same, too…What we want is to be independent in carrying out investigations with no interference.” – Director-General Ahmad Said Hamdan, ACA director-general.
Is this response by the ACA director-general to the proposed revamp of the Anti-Corruption Agency into the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption, announced by the Prime Minister yesterday, an admission that there had been interference all this while into the ACA investigations, resulting in its inability to nab the 18 “big fishes” targeted at the beginning of the Abdullah premiership four years ago and the country’s plunge in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index rankings from No. 37 in 2003 to No. 43 last year?
If so, the time has come for the ACA to open its books to fully account for all cases of interferences into all past corruption investigations into high-profile personalities, political or otherwise.
#1 by limkamput on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:15 am
“had “we” followed…. been different”
Who is “we” here? The civil service, the political masters, the rakyat, the cuontry? Who decide on civil service neutrality? You think it is something given – i.e. happening naturally?
It does not matter my second sentence does not make any sense to you. It makes a lot of sense to me and hopefully to others who read this blog. The doctrine of civil service neutrality, to me, will only happen so long as the political masters allow it.
#2 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:19 am
You may know it but here you’re writing about precisely what I mentioned i.e. civil service neutrality. Are you naïve in mentioning it in the context of corruption? No.
“Civil service and enforcing agencies, to the best of my knowledge, have always worked hand in glove to the government leaders of the day. If the majority of the government leaders have chequered past, it is almost impossible for the civil service and enforcement agencies to do the right thing.”
#3 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:21 am
“The doctrine of civil service neutrality, to me, will only happen so long as the political masters allow it.” limkamput
From this sentence it is clear that you do not understand what you are talking about.
#4 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:23 am
Previous posting. It should read
“You may NOT know it…”
#5 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:25 am
Since you are only interested in being your usual self i.e. personal, confrontational and abrasive, I have no further interest in pursuing the ‘debate’ – if you could call it that!
#6 by limkamput on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:36 am
Just let others judge who is being cocky, abrasive and confrontational here. Our feeling is mutual. You write what you deem right, and i shall write mine.
#7 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 2:19 am
If Abdullah Badawi is serious about stemming corruption, the head of the body to replace the ACA should be given prosecutorial powers of its own.
#8 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 2:51 am
If the doctrine of civil service neutrality is adhered to, the decision to prosecute or not to prosecute would not have to depend on the prior approval of the Prime Minister. Similarly, the decision to investigate any individual should not require his prior approval.
The decision to prosecute must depend solely on the evidence available to it. If the prima facie evidence made available to it consequent upon its investigation is insufficient or weak to win the case, then perhaps it could wait. To prosecute based on weak prima facie evidence is to waste taxpayers’ money. The file, however, should remain open.
What is of paramount importance is that the head of this new body must have his own prosecutorial powers, coordinating only with the Attorney General on matters of law and not policy.
#9 by pwcheng on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 3:02 am
I am excited and at the same time not very convinced of what our PM said with regard to the overhauling of the Judiciary and ACA. He is loosing power very fast and he is trying to play the same game as he had played in the 2004 Gen. election which gave him an overwhelming majority by singing the same songs and hope to get the people support again. To me is once bitten twice shy.
The train which we all know is having some mechanical problem and moving so fast will certainly end up being derailed. We all know that more than 90% of the politicians in BN, especially those from UMNO and the civil servants are corrupt and they will do everything to derail him. If he cannot or do not make an effort change all these at the peak of his power, how is he going to do these now that he is almost like a lame duck. Yes the rakyat are hungry for all these changes, but can he withstand the torrent of all those who had been enjoying these tasty fruits for so long.
To me I think it is the just like a sick man who try to pop in some pills and hope to have an immediate cure. On the other hand if this guy is hale and hearty ( say if he has repeated the 2004 victory), we will have to swallow those pills instead of him.
My verdict is (never mind if you brand me as a pessimist), do not expect too much. It is easier to change the government than to change the mindset of UMNO and its civil servants. If you are lucky you will only get a watered down version of what we are expecting.
The happenings in the last four years do not have any indication or any positive impact that he is a statesman but a staleman. Hear me, this is a playback of his stale stories.
#10 by ChinNA on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:22 am
Hmmmm…. thinking about this.
Will we need to change the government before we can see independent bodies? Take the case of US, be it Democrat, Republican or others, things don’t change much.
Can it be the same for Malaysia?
#11 by boobear on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:44 am
ENDANGERED hornbill has put forward a pertinent point… it may be the 11th hour, but there’s still the remaining hour (60 minutes) or even the remaining 12 hours of the day, weeks, months, years and decades to come…
Better late than never… and if it makes Malaysia a better world for ALL RACES… then so be it.
YB LKS went past the half century mark to see a tsunami… one day there will be an earthquake to rattle the timbers of the “palatial bungalows” build on the foundations of CORRUPTION & OPPRESSION.
#12 by boobear on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:48 am
To ChinNA, do we need to change the govt in order to have an independent commision ? NOT NECESSARY.
In fact, a COMMISION “sanctioned” by the BN will be better received eventually if we do have a change in govt. Then the PRakyat won’t be blamed of setting up something that will go on a witch-hunt.
In fact, if there’s any witch-hunt, it will start with the associates “exposed” in the Lingam case.
#13 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 7:03 am
A snapshot of the ACA before the April 21 announcement:
The Anti-Corruption Agency began as a small unit under the Prime Minister’s Department. Investigation was carried out under a unit of the Police Department, while prosecution of corruption cases fell under the Ministry of Law.
Now how independent can an ‘independent’ ACA be given that it functioned as a unit of the PM’s Department in its early years and has had to depend on the special crime unit of the Police in its investigation?
The ACA is claimed to be independent from any political interference, but it falls under the Prime Ministers Department though for financial and human resource matters only. So how independent could a body like the ACA be?
What has changed since?
——————————————
The answer has already been given by our PM himself –
“There’s always a minister, anywhere in the world, responsible
for any institution set up. And I will be responsible for the
institution,” said the PM.
So folks! It looks like it is business as usual.
#14 by kickbutt on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 7:34 am
I thought as much. It is too good to last!
#15 by winsoontan on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 7:34 am
Delaying of Penang Second Bridge is really a shame for BN. Abdullah kept on announcing the NERC, IDR…. So many plans? But what he has really done? A person who really put an effort won’t simply stop or delay a plan. BN should stop spending so much money for what it has claim the “aerospace project”. By spending 100 million just for sending a tourist into space! Infrastructures are very important to lure foreign investment, Federal government stop or delaying Penang Second Bridge will bring a bad impact to the Penang economy. At the end, collection of taxes reducing. What benefit that federal government can gain? Bear in mind, building materials price are going up significantly. By delaying of important project will increase the cost in the future. Abdullah never learnt from what he did for Ipoh-Padang Besar Double Tracking Project. He postponed the project from the initial cost of less than 10 billion and resumed it at cost of 12 billion. If Abdullah did it wisely, he can save of 2 billion for Penang Second Bridge!
#16 by Jimm on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 8:25 am
We all are to be blamed …. all these while we took such a long time to realise our future have been ‘sold’ by UMNO.
TDM took advantage of every single opportunity to rule this country without fear the moment Sultan Johor did mistakes back then. The rest are history … Malaysian ngihtmares ..one after another.
When we look at all these ‘unchecked’ events, NEP have been taken advantages by making Malays believe that their future as land owner are protected. Another ‘unchecked’ event that sold the Malays moral and putting them backwards with religion beliefs.
All those holding portfolio with government agencies are merely cronies from UMNO.
Even Stevie Wonders can clearly see that these people are ‘puppet’, taking advantage of the situation where opportunities abundance.
ACA, all those that were there before and retired and all those that still with this agency …you have sold your soul right and deceived all Malaysian of our future because … you are just carrying your bosses balls to keep you job.
To me, a wrong is always a wrong …
To ACA , a wrong can always make more monies and power.
Incentive trips, family holidays paid for, education advantage, massive bank accounts .. all these are what you have traded for to keep Malaysian future look good …
Worst, you still pretend to pray 5 times each day and seen in public to pray in grand occassions with VVIP.
We, Malaysian are truly sad because you all are only having short memory and cannot see future despite of having advantages over Stevie Wonders.
Shame on you all and all your family members and all generations to come …
Traitors to all Malaysian.
#17 by alancheah on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 9:04 am
If they can really do something like HK’s ICAC,
I will cut all my hair to BOTAK….!!
#18 by lakilompat on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 9:31 am
Hello opposition state? do u guys have enough celebration? don’t just ask question, we need more action, what’s opposition state been doing while Pak Lah continue to prevent Malaysian to become 1st world country.
Malaysia development has been further hindered by the BN govt.
1) Second bridge delay due to costs and design issues
Who will be interested to come Penang to invest if the Federal Govt. failed to delivery 1st class infrastructure looking at current situation? Penang belong to opposition state.
2) KL-Singapore bullet train derailed by high cost
The future investment has been stop, now, any foreigner will be interested to come Malaysia? KL belong to opposition state.
Are opposition just going to sit there and ask question, without any action?
#19 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 9:49 am
It’s not as simple as trying to resurrect projects that the Federal government has either cancelled or delayed. The basic tenet for the federal government’s decisions is always “we have no money”, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the real reasons will be:
1. the cost has gone up so high with the inept dilly-dallying by the bureaucrats; or
2. why benefit states that are under Opposition rule;
3. there’s not a lot of money to be made by fellow UMNOputras because of the increased scrutiny nowadays.
The states don’t have the money to proceed with grandiose projects that cost billions. In the case of Penang, what Guan Eng can do is to commission a study for the second bridge that emphasises on the lowest cost option, and make that option public. If the cost is, say, between RM 2 – 3 billion, when the Federal government’s option costs RM 4.3 billion, then there will be the usual public outcry with the demand to build the bridge at the lowest cost option.
#20 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 11:18 am
I think it is quite easy for the DAP to ask for advice from engineering advisors on the best alignment for the bridge, plus the estimated costings. The only issues are whether or not the new bridge can be implemented without federal government consent, or tolls to be collected without federal government consent.
#21 by HJ Angus on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 11:30 am
If you just look at the proposed bridge on the map, you can see that a much shorter bridge can be constructed , about 10km north of Georgetown.
In an way, this project reminds me of the other “Crooked Bridge” in JB. Both launched with much gusto but without final designs and open tenders.
http://malaysiawatch3.blogspot.com/2008/04/penang-2nd-bridge-decide-in-haste.html
#22 by HJ Angus on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 11:36 am
Here is a quick way for Penang to do the project:
If 1000000 citizens buy RM1000 shares in the project, they can raise RM1b. Penang government can issue state bonds to raise the balance, say another Rm1b at 5% interest.
This way, the state owns the bridge and can charge toll say 80% of the competition?
#23 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 11:51 am
Can the opposition controlled state government of Penang tap into the international capital markets? International borrowing requires the guarantee of a sovereign state. Penang is not.
#24 by procol on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 12:00 pm
“The decision to prosecute must depend solely on the evidence available to it. If the prima facie evidence made available to it consequent upon its investigation is insufficient or weak to win the case, then perhaps it could wait.”- undergrad2
Of coz,that is the ideal situation. How long should they wait? In some cases,it’s not possible to keep it open for a long time. For eg in offences criminal in nature,ur not entitled to keep in custody d accussed until u hv sufficient evidence.Do understand as well that from the investigation stage right up to prosecuting stage,the police,ACA n AGdpt are severely short of staffs.To wait may not always be ideal as well.For eg, Y committed Criminal breach of trust,Y could already be in Timbaktu after the ‘wait’. I’m not saying that AG should prosecute without strong pf case, perhaps extending ACA’s prosecuting powers only solves part of the problem because u can have all the powers u want but if u don’t have the manpower to carry out investigation n prosecution,in the end,u end up with more shoddy charges.
The other point is, it also may not be ideal to allow unchecked prosecuting powers.Prior consent/sanction does to a certain extent operate as a filter to eliminate frivolous charges.Already the police,AG,ACA are burdened by the backlog of cases.
#25 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 12:08 pm
HJ Angus:
You can’t build a bridge that span for RM 2 billion. You may be able to do a pontoon bridge, but certainly not a steel and concrete structure. I estimate that the least cost option is probably going to be around RM 3 – 3.5 billion.
Also, you can raise long term debt at 5 pct, not when the banks’ base lending rate is still above 6 pct, and private debt securities of 15 – 20 years are yielding around 9 – 10 pct.
You can finance the bridge on a PFI basis, which is to ask the private sector to build it, take the ridership risks, and have the state agree to a fixed subsidy over a period of 20 – 30 years. That way, the state has no liability over the debt incurred by the private sector, and its only liability is a fixed amount which ought to be manageable.
#26 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 12:08 pm
sorry, second para should be “…you cannot raise…”
#27 by pwcheng on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 12:20 pm
alancheah Says:
Today at 09: 04.29 (3 hours ago)
If they can really do something like HK’s ICAC,
I will cut all my hair to BOTAK….
Cutting your hair is no big deal. I can assure you that you will still maintain your manhood (if you are a man) even if you dare them that you will cut that something else.
If you really have a peep inside the whole government, you will know what I mean, they really have phobias for transparency, the civil servants blaming the government for certain absurd policies and the government blaming that little Napoleon for some distasteful policies. They have been bluffing us for far too long and in reality this is all the making of UMNO.
#28 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 12:22 pm
The most recent RM 4.3 billion estimate from the government on the cost was because they had to tally up what the bumiputra subcontractors want in terms of “toll” on the subcontracts from UEM. If you were to offer the deal directly to China Harbour Engineering, without the immediate subcontract to UEM, and without pre-conditions on subcontractors, then I think the Chinese company can do it for less.
It is this “tolling” mentality within UMNO that is constantly keeping project costs high. The higher the cost, the higher the tolls, hence UMNO has never really looked at the lowest cost options.
#29 by HJ Angus on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 12:43 pm
Godfather
thanks for the critique.
Was just thinking aloud.
Maybe property owners in that part of the island may take on this project? I am thinking of a much shorter bridge as no point building one that will qualify as “the longest one in SEA” just for that title.
Suggest Penang look at an alternative so that there is some competition for tolls.
Imagine if the toll is 80% of the first bridge, more traffic may flow this way and maybe the federal government may have to compensate. That would be sweet!
#30 by grace on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:03 pm
pwcheng wrote this:alancheah Says:
Today at 09: 04.29 (3 hours ago)
If they can really do something like HK’s ICAC,
I will cut all my hair to BOTAK….
Cutting your hair is no big deal. I can assure you that you will still maintain your manhood (if you are a man) even if you dare them that you will cut that something else.
You are 100% correct. Whatever commision the government, BN can form, the same old people would be manning them. They are somewhate connected to one another. Thus they would just got off by claiming ‘member sama member’.
I DO NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ANY COMMISSION FOR ANTI_CORRUPTION HERE!!!
#31 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:20 pm
“Of coz,that is the ideal situation. How long should they wait? In some cases,it’s not possible to keep it open for a long time.” procol
Certainly not forever!
In certain jurisdictions like the United States, there is a statute of limitations on each type of crime.. It becomes statute barred after a fixed number of years. That number is determined by statute depending on the crime. I believe in Malaysia there is no statute of limitation pertaining to crimes committed. It refers only to civil proceedings – six years if my memory serves me, after which it is statute barred.
The rationale behind it is evidence deteriorates over time, witnesses die or would no longer be able to recall the events twenty years after the fact. But more important is the issue of fairness to someone alleged to have committed a crime. It would not be fair to him or her to have to live under such suspicion, feeling that he or she could be called again and again to answer questions.
Since Malaysia has no statute of limitation (the last time I checked) for crimes, your question is how long should such files be kept open? My answer is it should depend on the circumstances of each case. Corruption cases leave behind a long paper trail which does not deteriorate over time though memories of witnesses do – but then I am not head of the ACA.
#32 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:36 pm
“The other point is, it also may not be ideal to allow unchecked prosecuting powers.Prior consent/sanction does to a certain extent operate as a filter to eliminate frivolous charges.Already the police,AG,ACA are burdened by the backlog of cases.” Procol
If there is a very strong prima facie case against the person investigated, I see no reason why it should require the prior approval of a politician like the Prime Minister for the case to proceed to trial. If the head of the ACA is a former judge, he or she would know if the evidence on file is strong enough to proceed to trial.
Abuse of prosecutorial powers is always a serious matter and the head of the ACA should be made personally responsible. Prosecution is sometimes punishment in itself. It need not result in a conviction.
#33 by lakilompat on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 1:43 pm
With all the savings by delaying the 2nd Penang bridge and shelving the KL-Singapore bullet train, and with smaller cabinet where is our country money goes?
#34 by ADAM YONG IBNI ABDULLAH on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 2:05 pm
can we please remember that YAB Lim Guan Eng, was jailed for an offence in defence of an underaged malay girl. remember the photo of the grandma of the underaged age begging @ that time guan eng to help and seek justice. the vvip is untouchable even till today.
can we please remember that mohamad taib got a very good alibi, and the australian court found him ” not guilty” . and the malaysian attorney general office cleared him of any criminal offence. and now this super rich man is a senator minister.
can we also remember that the ap queen and the list of beneficiaries of the permits distribution.
and remember that when zulkipli was the head of bpr, the second man, exposed all the corrupted issues, properties and also police reports of intimidation against zul, but the attorney general office cleared him too.
remember only last year that the head of commercial crime at bukit aman was charged for being on the wrong side of the warlords. among the charges was a helicopter ride to view his estates. When parliament was dissolved, remember that the deputy pm, najib, was also using government jet for campaign purposes.
KERAJAAN YANG TERPILIH TERHUTANG BUDI KEPADA PEUNGUNDI DAN RAAYAT DAN BUKAN SEBALIKNYA. HANYA BILA KERAJAAN MEMAHAMI KONTRAK PILIHAN RAYA UMUN DENGAN RAAYAT, ( IA ITU, TIADA RAAYAT TIADA KERAJAAN, HARUS LAH RAAYAT SAHUT CABARAN PEMIMPIN.
JUSTERUS, GAJI DAN LUMAYAN YANG DI BAYAR PADA PERDANA MENTERI DAN MENTERI MENTERI NYA ADA LAH DARI HASIL SUMBANGAN RAAYAT. DAN SEKALI GUS , HAK MINYAK, TANAH, DAN SEGALA NYA ADALAH JUGA HAK SETIAP WARGANEGARA MALAYSIA. TANPA KIRA BANGSA DAN AGAMA. KEWAJIPAN KERAJAAN TERKINI ADA LAH MENJAGA KEPENTINGAN RAAYAT , DAN BUKANNYA, KEPENTINGAN DIRI SENDIRI DAN KELUARGA.
#35 by shortie kiasu on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 2:13 pm
Wah! This is a real revelation into the working of ACA all these while that it is interfered, and supposedly by the politicians and influential personalities in this countries!
The cat is slowly being let out of the bags now, and we are seeing the blatant cheats to the public as far as the fighting of corruption is concerned, all these while.
Instead if fighting corruption, especially in the high place, ACA becomes a tool for the corrupted to protected themselves, to scratch one another’s back, to allow them to further fatten their pockets.
Look like there is not end to the corruption in the high place of the country!!
#36 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 2:37 pm
Lets not forget about IPCMC with all these ‘promises’ of reform. [deleted]
#37 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 3:18 pm
lakilompat:
The bullet train wasn’t part of the 9MP. The Penang bridge is. These BN goons are cutting their noses to spite their own faces because the projects are in all cases benefitting the cronies of the BN government. The government is also caught between a rock and a hard place – the system of subsidies for petrol, flour, sugar, rice, etc has meant that the government has to pump more money into subsidizing these commodities, and they don’t have the cash to spend on “luxuries”. They reckon that increasing the price of petrol, diesel, etc will have a really negative impact on their political support – and rightly so, because we are now being made to pay for the billions that have been siphoned off for the past 25 years or more.
#38 by k1980 on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 3:33 pm
Malaysia Export-Import Bank— the next scandal?
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1162&Itemid=32
#39 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 3:45 pm
The ACA had been sitting on the auditors’ report for more than 4 years. And we still expect the ACA to reform and be transparent ? It isn’t just the Export-Import Bank, it is the total lack of transparency of Bank Islam, Bank Pertanian, Bank Rakyat, SME Bank that allows millions to be siphoned off. And every few years, the government has to recapitalise these financial institutions with the rakyat’s money.
There will be no closure of this sort of scandals until and unless there is a total change of government.
#40 by lakilompat on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 3:45 pm
Guys don’t expect a clean management in everywhere. Even Samsung Korea recently, the CEO step down to protect the image.
#41 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 3:50 pm
lakilompat:
No, foreign investors will not look at Malaysia for precisely the reasons you outlined – no transparency, plenty of corruption, no coordination between the state and federal governments now that they are on opposite sides, no cost advantages.
Penang can do well in one particular area – and that’s tourism, but we need to clean up the place (something for the state government to ponder) and we need better public transportation. The state should quickly install a tram system which should not be too expensive, and which can be cost-efficient. The main problem facing the new government is probably that the administrative machinery has been so pro-BN for so long that there is no wilingness to work to help the new government. Short of firing everyone in the state administration, what else is Guan Eng going to do ?
#42 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 3:52 pm
The CEO of Samsung Group, probably the most powerful businessman in Korea, was brought down by a team of dedicated anti-corruption professionals. Here in Bolehland, we have the resources to catch ikan bilis only.
#43 by ADAM YONG IBNI ABDULLAH on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 4:54 pm
in as much , as the aca may try to be independent,but i hope the punishment meted out must be a deterrent for others ( corrupted ) guys too.
if the punishment is merely a fine or a short term jail, like the mat rempit, no one really fear. follow icac hongkong, but follow china in death execution.
#44 by ADAM YONG IBNI ABDULLAH on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 4:58 pm
YB LIM.
now that the 12th general election is over, DAP must also be relevant to malays and those who are fluent in bahasa malaysia.
maybe, you can have a dual language blog. because many malay friends of mine may like to comment.
just a suggestion.
#45 by ADAM YONG IBNI ABDULLAH on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 4:59 pm
godfather.
i think hyundai boss was also charged before.not too sure.
#46 by Godfather on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:11 pm
Yes, Mr Chung of Hyundai Group was also charged and jailed.
#47 by JDoe on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:15 pm
agreed with Adam Yong. DAP must be relevant to all race. you should have bahasa blog as well. It is time DAP should put more effort to woo the malays and sabah/sarawakians.
#48 by lakilompat on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:36 pm
JDoe, how abt tamil?
#49 by lakilompat on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:36 pm
English is relevant the whole world, why not use it?
#50 by ADAM YONG IBNI ABDULLAH on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - 5:48 pm
Dear lakilompat. Namastes.
Bahasa malaysia is quite relevant in our country Malaysia. if you remember, one whole generation miss out on quality english education. any many could only write and read BM well.
Being realistic, if dap is to win the hearts and minds of malays electorates, what better way than to use their language. Certainly, dap cannot depend solely on pkr and pas to spread the alternative news that blogslimkitsiang provides, and also the many constructive comments.
Its like malaysiakini, it started with english medium,than onto chinese and malay to cater for the masses. and this is merely a suggestion. because the PERCEPTION is still dap is chinese party.
If it is good , no harm trying,especially the young malays generation. and i dont dispute that english is international language, but somehow, it works with the raayat.
sorry i digress again.
terima kasih.