Lee Kah Choon saga - opportunity lost for BN leaders after March 8 “political tsunami”
The Lee Kah Choon saga is an opportunity lost for Malaysian leaders to emulate the Malaysian voters in the March 8 “political tsunami” to rise above race, religion and political differences to work single-mindedly for the good of the people, state and country.
In the last Parliament, in keeping with the perverse notion of “Support Barisan Nasional, right or wrong”, a new rule was formulated for all Barisan Nasional MPs that they cannot support Opposition motions whether right or wrong and cannot vote according to their conscience but must toe the party line.
As a result, the then Chairman of the Barisan Nasional BackBenchers Club, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (now Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister) was forced in May 2006 to resign from his post to avoid disciplinary action against him for speaking up in favour of my privilege motion in Parliament to refer the then MP for Jasin, Mohd Said Yusuf to the Committee of Privileges over the impropriety of an MP asking the Customs and Excise Department to “close one eye” in a case involving the import of sawn timber in Malacca.
It was in disgust at such obtuse and petty-minded mentality where individual and party interests were placed above parliamentary, public and national interests that the Malaysian voters rose as one to teach the Barisan Nasional a salutary lesson in the March 8 “political tsunami”, depriving the BN of its hitherto unbroken two-thirds majority in Parliament and power in five states.
In the March 8, 2008 general election, Malaysian voters crossed ethnic, religious and even party lines to vote for change and the Lee Kah Choon saga would have been one opportunity for Barisan Nasional leaders to demonstrate that they have heard the voices of the people and are prepared to emulate the voters’ example to put aside personal and party differences for the betterment of the people, state and nation.
Initially the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sent out the right signals in his first public reaction on Tuesday on Lee’s appointment and acceptance of the posts of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) director and InvestPenang executive committee chairman – that for him, “it’s okay as long as there is no clash in policy”.
However, in a matter of a few hours on the same day, Abdullah was prevailed upon to ignore the voices of the people in the March 8 “political tsunami” and to come out with a hardline stand declaring that Lee’s decision was “against the spirit of BN” and requiring action from the Acting Gerakan President, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon.
The latest pronouncement on the matter came from Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday that Lee’s acceptance of the two Penang state government positions was against the “clearly stated policy of BN” – making it the most unknown “clearly stated” BN policy as the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and BN leaders had not known about it for 48 hours!
One important reason why Malaysia had lagged behind other countries in economic development and international competitiveness in the past four decades is because of the country’s failure to give top priority to meritocracy and excellence in nation-building.
The Lee Kah Choon saga shows that the Barisan Nasional government and leaders have yet to hear the voices of the March 8 “political tsunami” who want Malaysian leaders to emulate the voters in transcending ethnic, religious and political differences to work for the betterment of the people, state and nation by creating a new culture of talent and merit unsullied by partisan considerations.
April 25th, 2008 at 15: 12.18
Only a total defeat for the BN will make them learn for sure!
April 25th, 2008 at 15: 42.18
Pak Lah’s initial reaction is the right one but, as in other occasions, is prevailed by the anti-reform faction to make a turnabout.
However, no matter. From Pakatan Rakyat & DAP’s standpoint, if Gerakan’s Lee Kah Choon were a qualified person for appointment to InvestPenang and PDC’s board, so be it.
His appointment is consistent with Opposition parties’ policy to appoint the most suitable person based on merits for the job beneficial to rakyat and country transcending extraneous barriers of race, creed, religion and political affiliation.
The BN’s position to enforce the whip (discipline) not to allow its member Lee Kah Choon from accepting the position in Opposition state government only shoots its own foot and undermines its own position relative to the Opposition.
You should offer more positions in Opposition run state governments to BN MPs of merits and capabilities and see what happens : BN cracks its whip, these people resign as members of BN component parties and contest under Pakatan Rakat in the ensuing by-elections resulting in more and more cross-overs based on acceptable reasons of service to country and result of BN’s whip.
In a political paradigm shift as that witnessed on 8th March 2008, it would serve Pakatan Rakyat’s interest to secure crossovers in such manner of BN’s members esp members if parliaments with qualifications and capabilities.
If this process gains momentum, there will be more defections and cross overs from BN of its capable and qualified people representing a brain gain for Pakatan Rakyat and brain drain for BN, a process that also saps and drains the BN or reactionary factions thereof off the vitality and strength to further resist the momentum for reform under Opposition’s banner generated by the 12th Malaysian General Election.
Opposition parties are not afraid that BN uses the whip : they are afraid that BN does not crack it. So don’t teach them the better!
April 25th, 2008 at 15: 45.53
Sorry typo in 3rd para from bottom, rectified in capital : - “…of BN’s members esp members OF parliaments with qualifications and capabilities…”
April 25th, 2008 at 15: 50.51
An opportunity loss to BN is an opportunity gain to the PAKATAN. What is wrong with the fact that Datuk Lee is doing all this for the betterment of RAKYAT!!! In addition, what is wrong to change for new “employer” if the existing “employer or(BN)” can’t even pay!!!
April 25th, 2008 at 15: 57.41
It is very clear now that BN has not learnt and nor will it learn from the lesson of the 12th GE.
Come 13th GE, we shall give them the boot.
April 25th, 2008 at 15: 59.35
The BN’d be digging its own grave and lose with bigger margins if the same, dilapidated, and outdated policies remain. (eg. ISA, 7% Discount, etc.)
April 25th, 2008 at 16: 08.00
After 8th March BN’s position is reduced to such a position that its divide and rule policy may now be used against it by the Opposition subject to one difference : the Opposition does not adopt BN’s divide and rule strategy based on race card of pitching Malays against non Malays or the religious card of Non Muslim versus Muslims.
The Opposition’s divide and rule strategy is based on, firstly, the merits criteria of the meritorious and capable as against those who are not and secondly the reform criteria of those who support institutional reform to make the country a better place and those who are not and who are comfortable with the political milieu handed down by TDM.
If the above is correct, Opposition parties will – and should - offer positions in state governments controlled by it to all BN members esp BN’s members of parliament who satisfy the criteria of (1) merits and capability and (2) reform minded inclined to help change the existing political order for the better.
That this should be the case is obvious because there is no way Pakatan Rakyat can materialise its agenda to rule this country with comfortable majority except if and when it could secure significant sections of support and switching of camps from those within the BN ruling coalition. The Opposition may as well absorb those who have brains and capabilities from the other camp and who are not resistant to reform for the higher interest of the country.
I say you should do whatsoever necessary to execute this divide and rule policy beased on criteria of merits and reform to facilitate and accelerate this “brain drain” from BN and “brain gain” by PR for its agenda.
For these reasons we need the BN then to enforce its whip, so we will not discourage or teach them the better not to do so!
April 25th, 2008 at 16: 26.35
It is nauseating to hear the shrill voices of those BN morons who had forgotten the Rakyat completely through their overstaying in power for the last 50 over years.
The scenario of Lee Kah Choon (LKC) makes me believe that they had taken the Rakyat to be fools when they themselves acted like fools in punishing LKC for wanting to do a good job for the people and the state of Penang, but protecting their political brothers of wrong doings like Zakaria and the One Eye Jack, two of the many notorious characters of the Bangsat National. They do not know what is right and what is wrong but only sing the same song, “skin, religion and political affiliation” is only the prerequisite and a norm.
They can never and will never hear the voices of the people because they had been trained to be arrogant and will never subscribe to the philosophy of “the best wins” but to them the best is what is best for UMNO only. Unfortunately component party like Gerakan played into their hands and in spite of the clear message from the Rakyat Gerakan has not learned its lesson. I pity the old fox LKY for in spite of his years of experience in politics has not become an inch wiser. He needs the most pity now, instead of pitying others like LGE but LGE is a CM today and now he pitied LKC. We all should pity him for leading his party to almost a completely wiped out.
From all these we all know they will never want to hear the voices of the Rakyat. Perhaps they will only hear us when we put them into the coffin. Period
April 25th, 2008 at 16: 36.37
The cracking of the “whip” by the BN (or rather, UMNO) has produced a crop of conscienceless government MPs who will do whatever the top echelons wanted of them instead of doing what is good and right for the people and the country.
Therein lies the rot!
The earlier we dump the BN, the better it is for the country.
April 25th, 2008 at 16: 39.13
hi, first time submitting comment. have been reading comments but never give one.
after the GE-12, i sincerely believe there is a new political paradigm. Majority of Malaysians, Malay-Chinese-Indian-Etc.. are able to decide above racial based politics. Or we just really feel the incompetency of the government led by BN.
Share my view….let’s compare Malaysia and Singapore after 50 year to present….
1. Singapore have to import water from malaysia..(This is basic human requirement)
2. Singapore do not have petroleum (to my knowledge)
3. SIngapore do not have natural resources such as rubber, palm oil, tin and etc….
So, how on earth that Singapore currency value is around 2.3 times higher than Malaysia.
SOmething is wrong somewhere for this 50 years. Mismanagement??Corruption????Mediocare intelligence of our leaders???
With this reasoning, therefore I decided to vote for a change. Vote Pakatan Rakyat during the last March 8 GE.
April 25th, 2008 at 16: 49.46
It’s always actions that speak louder than words. The people in the BN are still stubbornly clinging onto the distorted notion that ruling the country their birthright. They are still refusing to change. Poor fellows, they are digging deeper into their own graves.
They refuse to change their mindsets and still cling to the dying gravy train, hoping that it can be restarted. The PR state governments should continue coming up with such innovative moves and put sealed to BN’s gravy train!
LKS and Karpal, Lim Keng Yaik is seeking your help - he is saying Guan Eng couldn’t have consulted the both of you when he offered the job to Kah Choon. Would you two be kind enough to tell him that G. Eng is doing what the rakyat wants.
Tell him also that the 2 of you, though old, like him, are more realistic and have also heard the rakyat’s wish. Tell him, you are prepared to put the interest of the nation first!
April 25th, 2008 at 16: 55.20
Pathetic, panicky (cowardice), distasteful.
How can a country like Malaysia who already have its own “astronauts” produce such “excellent” politicians with such high “character”.
This only proves how big this dragnet of “corrupted individuals and creatures” are.
While many would say that corruption is something that is unavoidable in politics, the pressing concern here is that there is a high probability there are none good men, capable men, men of justice, men of principals and God fearing men in the BN & UMNO!
We are talking about the future of Malaysia here! We can’t be kidding ourselves by letting them lead this country!
AAB’s about turn in many of his decisions shows he is really sombong & bodoh! And that goes to all BN & UMNO MPs!
So, instead of pointing out the areas where they can improve, we should go on and degrade them and let them continue to be arrogant and stupid. If we are serious about changing Malaysia, they should be taken off the upper echelons of Malaysian politics for goodness sake.
It’s now or never. They must be changed not because of the political parties they represent, but because their moral & character are irreparable.
If they bow easily to the peoples’ demand for reforms now, it will just show that they have been committing crimes all this while, sure they will carry on dallying and trying to make it look hard to change certain policies as if they have no control over!
YB KS, do all you can to pour petrol into its wounds now that it is exposed and full of gangrene!
Apply more pressure!!
Kick out all these creature bas****s!
April 25th, 2008 at 17: 01.34
PK Penang has the right to appoint Lee Kah Choon or anybody to the posts. However, within the context of present political environment, why add another factor to an already complicated equation. Is Lee Kah Choon the only one best available for the job? If so, so be it. If not, may be PK Penang should appoint someone as capable but less controversial given the very difficult situation now. We all know the Federal Government is playing politics. The PK states, to my mind, must give them the least opportunity to do so. Whether we like it or not, bringing investment to Penang and managing the activities of PDC may require lots of complementary support from the Federal Government. Lee’s appointment may add further complication, at least for the time being. However, I do agree that in the long run, Malaysians must cross racial, religious and political lines when come to development efforts.
April 25th, 2008 at 17: 09.03
Sorry to digress-
Why bother waking up at 3am to study?
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/81940
———
It happened to me back in 1974 and after 34 years they are still at it. How sickening! Who is the Education Minister now, he ought to be fired immediately!
April 25th, 2008 at 17: 15.38
Lee Kah Choon should have joined DAP long time ago. It’s just a waste of talents if you can’t work effectively under the dictatorship of UMNO/BN. ‘Working for the Rakyat’ is never the culture of UMNO/BN, they only look after their wealth.
I hope more clearn and capable BN politicians like Chua Soi Lek will join DAP. This crossover is just the beginning of the end of UMNO/BN.
Time is running out for UMNO/BN unless it implements drastic reforms like those suggested by YB Kit. Else DSAI will become our PM very soon I predict.
April 25th, 2008 at 17: 44.00
This UMNO guys think that we Malaysia owe them everything we have ,Without UMNO the country will go to the dogs…Please you people in MIC ,MCA, PPP, GERAKAN and all the other parties in SABAH and SARAWAK…It is because of UMNO that corruption is so high.
This UMNO guys are so arogant that they openly flaunt their ill gotten wealth infront of every body to see .Their children drives BMW and Feraries .Only ACA can,t see .ACA is blind to all this.One good example is the palace in KLANG.
April 25th, 2008 at 17: 47.43
If I am LGE, I will not engage LKC but seeing the senario now, its a good move.
Here we have a leader who is not revengful but go all out to accomodate all. BN should learn from LGE.
For that matter, I believe Teng, Speaker of Sel, will also be acting on fairness to all when on duty.
This is what we Malaysian want…FAIRNESS for all irrespective of what race, party or upbringing…
Only being fair to all will Malaysia progress and we shall then be among the progressive countries rather than regressive one.
PR carry on…..practise what you preach and we shall see to it that you shall be our Govt for a long long long time
Kam Siah
April 25th, 2008 at 17: 54.16
gofortruth Says:
Today at 17: 09.03 (41 minutes ago)
Sorry to digress-
Why bother waking up at 3am to study?
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/81940
———
It happened to me back in 1974 and after 34 years they are still at it. How sickening! Who is the Education Minister now, he ought to be fired immediately!
____________
Dear gofortruth
It happened to me too… it is pay back time. Now we know why BN lost. Inequality.
April 25th, 2008 at 17: 57.32
Pak Lah was only doing what he does best i.e. flip-flopping.
April 25th, 2008 at 18: 05.08
Perhaps, it has never crossed the minds of our so-called leaders that their job is to serve the country and the rakyat and not their own interests.
April 25th, 2008 at 18: 12.34
Is it not a blessing for rakyat that BarangNaik top-tier leadership never learn their lessons, continue to repeat those narrow-minded, unpopular and flawed acts and on path to david-copperfield from the surface of this bolehland in a not-too-distant future?
In the pea-sized cell-like matter between the 6-inches of the 2 ears, the only computable option for these walking piece of meat is control - party members that cannot be controlled has to be repositioned to next planet.
April 25th, 2008 at 18: 36.57
Without resorting to race,religion, party interest, these BN politicians are politically bankrupt.
To me, it is not that they did not hear the voices of the people. The hardline stance taken now smacks of personal vested interests towards safeguarding their positions in their respective political party.
They do not want to be seen as ‘agreeing’ or ‘conforming’ to the Pakatan Rakyat. Otherwise, their political foes within their own party will use that to attack them.
In a nutshell, too much politicking will ruin the country!!
April 25th, 2008 at 19: 10.54
I am a little ashamed that LKY is an old boy of my school. He seems to speak sense sometimes but in this case, he is quite wrong.
If we follow “BN policy”, at any time 50% of the population cannot be working with you. So the PM cannot be claiming to be PM of “all Malaysians” etc.
If political leaders behave like this we should scrap NS that costs RM600m plus - we cannot hope to instill racial tolerance with such bad examples of nation-building.
http://malaysiawatch3.blogspot.com/2008/04/if-so-called-mature-leaders-behave-like.html
April 25th, 2008 at 19: 36.04
Could fellow bloggers please expose who is masquerading as ’sonialee8888@yahoo.com . Would appreciate your help?
April 25th, 2008 at 20: 13.32
Test
April 25th, 2008 at 20: 30.17
The offer by the Chief Minister to someone albeit from another party which used to run the government is a recognition of the need to work on a non-partisan basis for the betterment of the island economy.
However, the fact that the offer appears to have been made to someone without the relevant experience is bound to raise eyebrows. I think it is a smart political move!
Here’s another matter which appears to have gone relatively unnoticed, an issue over which RPK wrote extensively on his blog. But I must admit it does not appear to have much relevance to the topic of this thread - or does it?
“The new Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly finally wore a songkok when he went before the palace to take his oath of office. Earlier, this Chinese State Assemblyman from DAP wrote in his Blog that he will never wear a songkok and that he will boycott any function that requires him to wear one.”
April 25th, 2008 at 20: 32.56
I must congratulate YB LGE & gang on achieving something virtually unprecedented in Malaysian political history! Why, they’ve even outdone the PAP of Singapore! That paradigm shift was such a shocker to those UMNOputras that their tiny pea brains just imploded!
Admittedly, it’s really tempting to offer such a plum job to your own backers/supporters/mah chai as reward for their faithful support all these years, but look. Sure, I gather some DAP supporters aren’t happy at “the enemy” being “rewarded” like this, but I hope we can all see beyond the superficial. It’s really an opportunity to demonstrate what’s this thing called meritocracy. I’m sure the rakyat will appreciate this far more than those UMNOputra
April 25th, 2008 at 20: 34.41
As for Mr. Flip Flop, what else is new?
April 25th, 2008 at 20: 51.51
Guan Eng: What’s the fuss?
Guan Eng was right. What’s the fuss? UMNO-led BN are being too fanatic.
April 25th, 2008 at 20: 54.02
Lim Keng Yaik called Kah Choon a opportunist.
Lim Keng Yaik’s move from MCA to Gerakan - the rakyat called LKY a opportuinist.
Not accpetable - chided Najid.
Equally not acceptable - chided Mahathir to Najid on his silence.
With Kah Choon’s total break with from Gerakan, what is the gain for Gerakan?
No gain but further batterings to an already batttered image.
Further confirmation that Gerakan can’t handle matters on its own - Gerakan still subservient to the dictates of UMNO.
Further confirmation of Gerakan’s failure to accept the rakyat’s expressed wish.
Further confirmation of Gerakan’s fixation on narrow political interests.
Further confirmation of the rakyat’s impression of Gerakan’s inability to transcend race-base politics.
Further confirmation of Lim Keng Yaik’s influence over Koh Tzu Koon.
Further confirmation of Gerakan’s inability to transform to stay relevant in this new political environment.
A sad commentary!
April 25th, 2008 at 20: 57.16
….and these jokers are still searching high and low for the reasons why they lost 5 states.
This exposes to one and all the arrogrance that they think the country owe it to them to run the country. Even Mercedes need to be send to the scrap yard one day and now that their time has arrived, they are still going round thinking that they are the flavour of the month!
April 25th, 2008 at 21: 09.21
BN should be ashamed of themselves,DAP has taken a very brave and crossed-political-interests’ steps for the sake of the Penangites,which would be impossible for the BN to do!
LGE is a true leader,all the votes casted to DAP were worth-while,i urge LGE to built Pinang as another Singapore,be independant,be highly productive,and be the best developed province in Malaysia!
April 25th, 2008 at 21: 18.01
…don’t, even for a moment, think that these ppl doesn’t know the
reasons why the debacle was handed to them this GE. By seemingly
looking for the answers and at the same time throwing wild accusations
of sabotage, they are quietly setting up the stage for the next big
show$. They are not lay mans at playing the political game and no one
should think that they are push overs.
All through the 5 decades, they have been using the same tactics to
pull wool over the ‘rakyat’s’ eyes and ears, even the brain took a good
dose of detergent. But the rakyat’s blessed with so many intellectuals
coming to the rescue. Talking them to death takes ages, like what the
blogs are doing but real action is still needed to put nail to coffin…
April 25th, 2008 at 21: 23.20
There has been a proliferation of bodies over the years under BN with each duplicating the functions of the other. Besides being a waste of scarce public resources, it is often the subject of complaints among foreign investors. The One Stop Center concept under Rafidah Aziz helped clear up some of the confusion and expedite the processing of investment proposals when federal and state bodies all get together to discuss the problems encountered by foreign investors.
SEDCs for example were set up in the 70s not only to counter the inevitable bureaucratic red tape (that is one area MIDA does best) but SEDCs provide the catalyst in many of the projects by allowing the state to take up equity in industries where foreign investors are hesitant to enter – either because of the huge capital outlay, the low return to investment, the long gestation period or all of the above.
Given the above scenario, the Chief Minister must know that cooperation and coordination with federal bodies like MIDA is crucial and one which the state government cannot afford to ignore. Land is about the only matter over which the state government has complete control.
The problems that the state government is now facing is precisely the reason why Penangites have in the past chosen to let the national coalition have control over the state assembly and run the state government, and the DAP to safeguard their constitutional rights as citizens by representing them in the federal Parliament. They have been ridiculed for their choice and are now about to be given a lesson in where the balance should lie.
April 25th, 2008 at 21: 30.45
The appointment of LKC to the board of PDC is best understood and appreciated within this context.
April 25th, 2008 at 21: 45.31
You all notice how Barisan Nasional is on her knees, apologizing. Dato Hishamuddin apologizing for his keris act. However on the other side in Kelantan, they still want the Ketuanan Melayu to be around. MCA apologizing to the Chinese community but look at the way they cast out one of their own. Prime Minister admitted not doing what he had said. Till today, nothing much is being done. Barisan Nasional itself should change, should undergo a big reformasi.
April 25th, 2008 at 21: 57.33
NotProudToBeMalaysian Says:
Today at 15: 12.18 (6 hours ago)
Only a total defeat for the BN will make them learn for sure!
========================================
You sum up all the points in ONE. That is just too RIGHT!
Pakatan Rakyat. I hope that you people really can
form the new Federal Government SOON!
TOO SICK with BN’s policies!
April 25th, 2008 at 22: 09.37
One thing which we can learn from the American Politics is that even though the Democrats and Republicans are at loggerheads on many issues but when it comes to things which are beneficial to their Citizens and loyalty to their country, they will come together and forget that they are in opposition camps.
April 25th, 2008 at 22: 16.35
Kit,
Well done! This is the way to initiate reforms in a pluralistic society in which its stone-heart government shuns reforms. The Opposition, by opening opportunities to BN’s capable leaders and politicians, would provoke BN’s jealousy and cause them pain. Hopefully, they, for fear of losing out, would reciprocate by opening opportunities to Opposition’s people. In this way, we will eventually have a Malaysia where race, language, religion, culture and ideological beliefs are no longer a stumbling block in national integration.
Tonight’s Sin Chew Daily (page 6) reported that Lee Kah Choon’s big boss (T. K. Koh) lamented over the former’s resignation from the party. Koh said Lee Kah Choon should not have RASHLY taken such action. Obviously, Koh was in big disappointment and feeling the “loss” of a capable assistant.
I think by now, Koh and BN should understand what COMPETITION is all about. Basically in Malaysia we now have a two party system (albeit in its infant stage). If one party does not do well, its politicians or the rakyat can flock to their other party to find shelter and comfort!
A two party system would probably speed up the nation’s progress as both parties attempt to outperform each other and win support from the rakyat.
April 25th, 2008 at 22: 28.50
Whipping members into line and what it means – lest the annoying character that lurks around the threads here thinks it is about girls dressed in cat woman outfit cracking their whips on men who pay them to do it!
“The political party officer in the Congress of the United States charged with “whipping” the members into line, enforcing attendance, and voting discipline is called the whip. Each party has its own whip in each house. The office was formally initiated in the House of Representatives of the United States in 1899 and in the Senate of the United States in 1913. The office and its name originated in the British Parliament, where failure to follow the whip on important votes is tantamount to withdrawing from the parliamentary party.”
The use of the whip so to speak to threaten MPs to vote as a bloc is a restraint on the consitutional right to free speech.
April 25th, 2008 at 22: 46.14
BN have reached a point of no return….period
April 25th, 2008 at 23: 16.59
“…. Abdullah was prevailed upon to ignore the voices of the people in the March 8 “political tsunami” and to come out with a hardline stand declaring that Lee’s decision was “against the spirit of BN”…”
What is the spirit of BN?
April 25th, 2008 at 23: 36.00
In reply to:
“…. Abdullah was prevailed upon to ignore the voices of the people…”
Abdullah’s co-partner (compared to Abdullah) is even more hardline and less likely to engage in reforms (from what I observed in his speech to the news reporters). I hope he won’t become the next PM.
April 25th, 2008 at 23: 37.26
Would appreciate if YB raise the question in Parliament when Petronas will be under the
preview of Parliament rather than under the PM
office.
April 25th, 2008 at 23: 57.51
Among some of the spirits of BN are its bodyguards and its political adviser who murdered a mongolian. Is that the spirit Abdullah is talking about?
April 26th, 2008 at 00: 04.25
Among some of the most significant spirits of BN we can see are the leaders who raped the country in every way possible and what is left over for the Rakyat is more and more burden. Is that the spirit Abdullah is talking about?
April 26th, 2008 at 00: 10.04
The spirit of BN has long been laid to rest in peace and ever since they built the most admirable tombstone visible from miles away, one of the tallest in the world, the Petronas Twin Tower.
April 26th, 2008 at 00: 16.48
I don’t care if Lee Kah Choon can do the job, but at least I know he have conscience.
April 26th, 2008 at 00: 19.43
After ‘operating’ Malaysia as a ’sdn bhd’ for 50 years, BN thinks they own not only the country but also the people!. They expect every malaysian to kowtow to them because they are the ‘MASTERS’. These bunch of bankrupts do not have their hearts for the country. They only have time to plan to ‘cow’ the people. Of course the saddest part is the largest majority of the population is so ‘cowed’ by them,they purposely and willingly forget all the day-light robberies committed by BN.
Just look at the actions of Mrs.Toyo. She had the audacity to transfer funds which belong to the State Gomen AFTER her husband had already lost the election! What mentality she has!!
Is it out of desperation? or mere stupidity? or after 50 years, it has to be mine, taken for granted??
Let’s not waste time on such nimcoompops! PR just act rationally and you all will surely take control by the 13th GE!
April 26th, 2008 at 00: 53.24
“against the spirit of BN”……yes for all i knw….the spirit of bn is to korek the people and the spirit of bn are all full of liars,cheaters,actors,plotters,schemers,bodohans,good for nothing sssholes,racists,clowns,barbarians,suckers and god knws whr has all the peoples money gone to and how they distribute the nations wealth among themselves without even getting caught.
April 26th, 2008 at 01: 01.18
p/s: do u see any leaders in bn who has really contributed and benefit the people of malaysia in this present government?the only thing i really see we common people get fr this present government are taik lembu.
April 26th, 2008 at 03: 00.10
Weak BN leadership shows up again !! All top BNs are selfish lots. They only choose their own kind, corrupt, narrow-minded and not far-sighted. I shiver when I think of Malaysia in the next five years under their rule.
April 26th, 2008 at 06: 44.45
The Lee Kah Choon saga will not be the last. The BN goons are already asking the civil service not to cooperate with opposition state governments.
The sorry state of affairs can only end with a change of government at federal level. I am hoping that Anwar will act sooner rather than later, for this country is going to the dogs.
April 26th, 2008 at 07: 40.37
Must congratulate LKE and LKC.Both are gentlement enought to break the ice and becomes icon of statementship working for the betterment of the nation.
The Malaysian at large must ensure BN be buried in peace. Hishamuddin like Pak Lah tendered his apology on the ‘kris’ issue. Basically being an ordinary malaysian apology not accepted. All UMNO including other BN component parties must also be armed with the “kris” to face ‘mungkar nangkir’.The ‘kris’ hopefully protect them from being further harrass and questions.
April 26th, 2008 at 08: 08.02
How come the “new” ACA is not investigating this? Or it is waiting for the mullah to give the go-ahead?
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21761
April 26th, 2008 at 08: 17.00
As penangite, I fully support the appointment of LKC. It is a wise move by LGE.Penang state government should keep those who really can serve the people and can help for the development of the state. I have confident that LGE can manage the state well. We penangites like him so much. All should give him full support.
April 26th, 2008 at 08: 54.27
When I watched Koh Tsu Koon comment on TV that he talked to Lee Kah Choon about bigger role in Gerakan and implied he was not patient enough, I realized why the smart people that I know think he is in fact boot-licking idiot.
At this hour, without proof, they are trying to paint him badly - crass negative campaigning at a time when the electoral is looking for actions and leaving politicking behind. How out of touch is that?
Its one thing for crazy doctor to go ALL negative on Lee Kah Choon, he is suppose to be retired and can wax lyrically about anything. And even then he is being compared to Dr. M which the chinese don’t take too kindly now.
KTK should really just go. He is an embarassing geek now only.
April 26th, 2008 at 09: 48.24
Wonder which is more important?
Spirit /Interest of BN /UMNO or
Spirit /Interest of Malaysia n her citizens.
April 26th, 2008 at 10: 13.13
As a former Penangite myself, I feel it was a smart political move in more ways than one.
The offer by the Chief Minister to someone albeit from another party which used to run the government is a recognition of the need to work on a non-partisan basis for the betterment of the island economy. PR would need all the cooperation it can get from the federal government.
However, the fact that the offer appears to have been made to someone without the relevant experience is bound to raise eyebrows.
In any case I think it is a smart political move by DAP.
April 26th, 2008 at 10: 47.31
As a Penangite, I sokong what you said! Yes, for Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, that was a smart political move, magnanimous gesture!
As for retiree Lim Keng Yaik, he and Dr Mahathir should spend time throwing saliva at each other, for all we care.
April 26th, 2008 at 12: 30.21
I think those againts LKC move must be ppl afraid of LKC may expose their loop-hole……
April 26th, 2008 at 12: 53.57
Yes do not stop doing it. Get the best from wherever they are to lead and and manage the State and very soon Singapore will start to look up to us even. This is simply because we have about 26 million strong to choose from. They only have about 5million. Congratulation to LKC. You did the right thing. Although the whip has been on you and you faced all type of pressure, you should realise now that in the eyes of the people of Malaysia, you are a hero, well respected and beyond petty politics. Please continue your good work and make us even more proud by catapulating Penang into a new league of development and expansion to rival even Singapore.
Thank you also to LGE for making a fantastic move. Perhaps he should recruit somebody like Zaid Ibrahim next to come over to serve PR. BN is now at its last phase of existence. Get their best to serve the country before they are eclipsed. Also can somebody or some company volunteer to fix the roof of the CM’s official residence so that the CM does not need to stay in his father’s house. We owe him at least that much.
April 26th, 2008 at 13: 14.56
Yes, I fully agree with you on this matter. The bird-brained, corrupt, selfish and racist BN members are too wrapped up in their own warped invention to know what is happening despite the results of the recent GE. As one contributor has pointed out it is only when the rakyat totally vote these unsavoury characters out of power then maybe they will wake up & out of their drug-induced stupor. Let us all do that in the next GE. Insyallah.
April 26th, 2008 at 14: 15.29
Just as a demonstration of the idiocy of the BN’s perverse notion of “Support Barisan Nasional, right or wrong”, where all Barisan Nasional MPs that they cannot support Opposition motions whether right or wrong -
WHAT IF during the opening session of the next Parliament, a rookie MP were to propose a motion of confidence in Abdullah Badawi?!
IF the BN MPs are bound by the BN order NOT to support any Opposition motion, THEN it would be seen as having NO confidence in Pak Lah!
IF ON THE OTHER HAND, they were to actually support the motion of confidence, then it would show that they had violated the stupid BN notion of NOT supporting any Opposition motion!
Of course, the other Opposition MPs need not support the motion either, but then this will have no effect, since there is no similar Opposition order to vote against their beliefs and conscience.
This motion by a rookie MP would serve only to demonstrate the idiocy of the BN order.
April 26th, 2008 at 14: 35.15
Spirits of BN :
1)Apolozise with your mouth but not with your heart . Hishamuddin
said sorry to all Malaysian for kris incident however next UMNO
youth meeting will leave the kris infront-on the table .
2)When BN lost the state , wives and supports of BN transfer all
accounts to ” swiss bank “.
3)Any BN wrong doings exposed , ACA spring into action , results not
enough or concrete evidences proved-Woman Minister is there to
cut ribbons and have a few dishes of abalone , bird nest soups .
I am sure you guys can add more……….
April 26th, 2008 at 15: 33.04
Before the election, I did know much about Lim Guan Eng regarding his leadership, except that he is the son of LKS, and who has been detained under the ISA. One of qualitites of a good leadership is being original, creative, innovative. LGE was shown this superb quality by appointing someone outside his party to an impotant post. This simple idea of recruiting the best person who is from a different party to do a job for a better nation has never occurred to the BN leaders since their 50 years of ruling. (This reminds me of Lee Lam Tye but then it’s a different story.) Never mind if DAP has its own agenda, what is important is that this person is very qualified to hold the post. It’s a normal pratice in some countries like in America, but still, to do this in Malaysia is quite something out of the original and to be proud of.
I believe more to come from LGE.
April 26th, 2008 at 17: 22.42
After reading and hearing Hisammudin apologies for the kriss waving incident.He still sounds arogant to me.All in all he still blame the rayat for not looking at the kriss as a symbol.
Yes he can raise the kriss ,Yes he can kiss the kriss but must he treaten the other BN component party members not to touch on Malay rights with the kriss.This UMNO bigots are not protecting Malay rights but the rights of UMNO to go on cheating the raayat.
April 26th, 2008 at 17: 24.20
In any practice of “Talent Management ” one need to find balance between ” internal and outside ” recruit…. that the way most of the success and powrerful country keep their competitiness eg…. US ,,, a migrant country and also increasing trend in EUR countries …. nearest country .. Singapore , recruiting “Talent ” irregardless of race and religious …. some of your brother or sister may be working there … right…
DAP/ LGE , You hv done a Great Job on this….
Pls continue with this strategies ,, BN sure Kaput…
April 26th, 2008 at 19: 08.34
“In the last Parliament, in keeping with the perverse notion of “Support Barisan Nasional, right or wrong”, a new rule was formulated for all Barisan Nasional MPs that they cannot support Opposition motions whether right or wrong and cannot vote according to their conscience but must toe the party line.” Kit
With their majority whittled down, and BN leadership in disarray, don’t expect BN leaders to change the rules.
BN MPs have always been programmed by their leaders to believe that conscience is their enemy, that conscience is not God’s presence in Man but the Devil’s – or worse the DAP’s. So do not expect BN MPs to suddenly realize on whose side the Devil is really with!
April 26th, 2008 at 19: 50.57
No money to carry out the project say so lah, don’t blame others!
http://themalaysianinsider.com/mni/federal-government-threatens-to-scrap-penang-monorail-project.html
April 26th, 2008 at 19: 58.23
If Singapore sneezes, then Malaysia would be having terminal cancer
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/343843/1/.html
April 26th, 2008 at 19: 59.13
Those of us in the private sector knows that their good staff are always been headhunted by others, and usually come bonus/increment time, management wait in anxiety who among them will tender their resignation. In most cases, the immediate superiors are always the last person to know.
If Keng Yaik expect to be consulted BEFORE his staff is pinched, that is unrealistic. Job offers are two-way processes, and its always between interviewer and candidate. Either can accept or reject
April 26th, 2008 at 21: 15.13
k1980,
We all know they were playing poker games of “bluff” the with the rakyat before the GE-12 that was all.
Just observe, very soon all their corridors will one by one collapse, except Johor Iskandar the only one might possibly remain standing. They have no money!
April 26th, 2008 at 22: 17.05
This proved that DAP is very open minded unlike the BN who are too selfish, boastful and greedy.
Unlike other countries, when the opposition were to win, the losing party is willing to hand or co-operate with the winning party without any problem.
If Umno were to lose completely, I’m 100% sure that there were be chaos in the country.
As for the Johor Iskandar project, I’ve a feeling that it will fail for good ‘cos it’s too ambitious.
As the chinese saying goes, “If you don’t have a big head, don’t wear a big hat”.
April 26th, 2008 at 22: 48.16
Umno den of thieves on tongkat have always been living beyond their means, 22 years of training under the former dictator - no money, no proble just use tax-payers’ lah and who are the tax-payers?
Re “corridors”, I mentioned ‘except Johor Iskandar’, not that I have faith in it but, just bagi muka lah, out of the 5(?) correct me if I’m wrong, if they can’t get one to work, then they are doomed!
April 26th, 2008 at 23: 27.23
The offer to a Gerakan member Lee Kah Chuan to sit on the board of Penang government’s corporations reflects the magnanimity, forward-looking and progressive stance of DAP, in the interest of the nation in general and the people of Penang in particular.
It is therefore extremely disappointed that BN leaders do not consider the interest of the nation above its partisan interest!
This episode and other post-election behaviours of BN should prompt the leaders of Pakatan Rakyat to make a more serious consideration of gaining control of the federal parliament earlier than it heretheto intends.
April 27th, 2008 at 01: 01.55
It is SAD that “opportunities” are taken to gain “political points” with their own “kakis”. All they know is how to tembak, tembak and tembak.. even with blanks…
That’s why I say, it AMPLIFIES the need to have political earthquake and bring in PRakyat at Federal level !!!!!
CHANGE the TOP… then the rest will fall into place… and the “kakis” will just become a footnote in our history books!!
April 27th, 2008 at 01: 09.36
Let me offer my contrarian opinion.
I am from the electronic industry and I am very familiar with the situation in Penang.
Most people here obviously have no clue on the situation and just elect to pass opinion on matters they have little, if any knowledge on.
If you talk about selecting the best qualified for the job, I can easily name a dozen Malaysians who would fit the bill. But LKC won’t be nowhere near the list for the simple fact that he has no qualification whatever for the post.
I can only conclude that LGE has politics rather than meritocracy in his mind for selecting LKC. And it is also rather transparent that this has been in planning for some time, seeing the actions of LKC after the 12GE.
If I were LGE I would have de-politicised the position by having apolitical candidate to fill it. However, LGE is bent playing on political upmanship and try to weaken Gerakan/BN by enticing their top leaders to defect.You can expect LKC to join DAP when the heat is off in the near future.
What is going to happen is that LKC will be dead on water by the time he starts to work since he has antagonised both side of the political divide.
The sentiments of the Penang investors is one of caution, or more accurately cautiously negative. There has been too many statements by DAP senior leaders and mid-level leaders during the 12GE and after that upset them .The meeting held between the Penang new govt and the investors apparently didn’t go well, according to some of those who were present. The investors apparently unimpressed by LGE and his team and to make matters worse a few new exco members made some ill advised statements that betrayed their lack of knowledge. And Jeff Ooi in particular appears to be a rather unpopular figure, I wonder why….
April 27th, 2008 at 02: 01.27
[…] of our judiciary 5. Reformation of ACA that would take too long, if ever takes place at all 6. Continuing of stupid policy by BN 7. Desparate housewives of BN politicians 8. Unjust punishment on Penang state by BN federal […]
April 27th, 2008 at 02: 43.56
The opposition parties can consider filing a motion of confidence in PM AAB. If BN’s parlimentarians do not support the motion of confidence in PM AAB which is filed by the opposition parties then PM AAB should resign as he obtains no confidence from the 140 parliamentarians of BN.
April 27th, 2008 at 04: 27.06
I’m on all fours with Killer and I’m not even in the electornics industry!
Foreign investors are right in wanting to steer clear of local politics. Bodies like MIDA, Ministry of Trade & Industry, Bank Negara, Customs and Immigration are relevant to their needs.
Guess where prospective foreign investors go to get their project approvals and guess who help them identify local partners and decide on foreign equity participation and matters like tariff protection? Guess where they go to negotiate for a waiver of import duties for machineries they bring in, and which banks they go to to negotiate for their import and export letters of credit, trust receipts and bills discounting facilities and term loans and overdrafts? Guess where they go to get their work permits for their expatriate staff? These are federal bodies.
What is left is the issue of land and infrastructure.
April 27th, 2008 at 05: 03.51
It show how bad BN stand on matter’s concerning members choice to work with opposition goverment they should instead support and appreciate the post offered to them.By pressure they lost a good members.Poor BN please change your mindset see the benefit for the whole people of penang and not otherwise..
April 27th, 2008 at 05: 30.49
Excerpt from NST Online:
GUAN ENG: WHAT’S THE FUSS?
PETALING JAYA: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday said he was surprised by the negative responses to his appointment of Datuk Lee Kah Choon as director of Penang Development Corporation and investPenang.
“Lee was appointed because he fulfilled the requirements outlined in our principles of competence, accountability and transparency.
“The Penang government welcomes all Penangites who share this philosophy regardless of race, background or political beliefs.”
Asked why Lee was selected when he had no experience in a similar capacity, Lim said he had his own reasons.
- NST Online 2008/04/25 -
HERE’S THE FUSS:
IF the article by NST Online is accurate, then here’s the fuss:
The last line of the NST excerpt above reads:
Asked why Lee was selected when he had no experience in a similar capacity, Lim said he had his own reasons. - NST Online
Notice this statement: “…Lim said HE HAD HIS OWN REASONS.” This is my biggest worry.
I don really care about the politics behind it cos end of day, the politicians and govt administration (whoever they are or what chop they carry on their foreheads) are there to do only one thing for me: make me a Malaysian that can improve my quality of life here in Malaysia now so that I can improve the quality of life of Malaysians to come.
As such, the decision on any national-serving post must solely rest on Meritocracy, nothing more, nothing less. Dont care what colour or creed the person who fill it, he or she must not only be competent but must be super-duper excellent in knowledge and delivery of results by exceeding all Malaysian and International accepted standards of achievement in order to fill the said post.
Malaysians all smart people, sure got those who can exceedingly fit the bill one.
LGE’s “I have my PERSONAL REASONS” dont guarantee that LKC can deliver anything at all.
Sounds to me more like a: ‘i help u then u help me’ kinda deal man.
Or maybe it’s a: ‘I show BN what I can do man” thingy.
Or maybe wan to show Sabahans how to: ‘defect’ gracefully and legally, and stil hold your head up high.
Mr Penang CM, i can suggest:
1. Articulately (no ambiguity please, dont be a Pak Lah) state the exact and detail nature of the responsibilities of a Director of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and investPenang.
2. Match your choice, LKC’s credentials alongside the Job Responsibility so that all Malaysians know how he measures up.
3. Stop using the lines: “I HAVE MY REASONS” or ‘”I will explain to DAP members and hopefully they will accept my decision..
YOU DONT OWE AN EXPLANATION TO YOURSELF OR TO DAP, YOU OWE THEM TO THE PUBLIC WHO VOTED YOU. PLS DONT BE A MAHATHIR AND GO ‘THIS INFORMATION IS PRIVY’ BECAUSE IF IT IS, THE PUBLIC DONT NEED THE PDC. WE NEED TRANSPARENCY SO GET USED TO PRACTISING IT DILIGENTLY.
Btw, I voted DAP so you better listen!
April 27th, 2008 at 06: 20.01
I’ve taken a crushed course on the subject of “paradigm shift”. The last 12th GE clearly demostrated that the rakyat have exercised their rights either consciously or unconsciously on the concept of paradigm shift. BN was once too powerful that they were locked up in their own set of rules which now backed fire within their own “box” . I believe PR has taken a right step towards that shift to propell and steer the country towards a better future for all .
April 27th, 2008 at 10: 09.36
undergrad2,
Spot on !
Investors want political and macroeconomic stability and they don’t care about politics. The situation in Penang previously was very different. The relationship between Federal and state government was very strong and the policies were consistent. What was promised by the Federal government in terms of legislation, incentive and infrastructure would be delivered without any questions by both Federal and state authorities.
In Penang the situation was unique since Koh Tsu Koon had such a close knit relationship the investors. He was held in much respect by the investor community and in fact he would have been the Federal MITI Minister had he won in the 12GE.
In fact many investors decided to stay in Penang rather than move to another low-cost country purely due to the personal touch of KTK.
However, the DAP govt has shot themselves in foot before the 12GE by raising issues such as Intel and Motorola. In fact the case of Motorola raised by that idiotic Jeff Ooi made international news and harmed the global image of Motorola. I was in the US at that time and the publicity did the company a lot of damage especially when it is performing poorly at the corporate level.
Many other “populist” statements by the DAP leaders since the 12 GE also had frightened the investors. There are a lot of worries about the future of the 2nd Bridge and the Monorail projects and all these contributed to much negativity in the Penang investor community.
To make matters worse, the meeting between the new state govt and the investors didn’t go well. Some foolish exco members made ill-advised comments that offended the investors. Though the investors were polite upfront to the new govt but they were seething inside.
Expect some major annoucements of closure / downsizing in Penang by some major MNCs in coming months, likely in Q3/Q4. As for Samsung deal that KTK almost secured, well, kiss it goodbye…
April 27th, 2008 at 10: 53.31
mybangsamalaysia Says:
April 25th, 2008 (2 days ago) at 17: 54.16
gofortruth Says:
Today at 17: 09.03 (41 minutes ago)
Sorry to digress-
Why bother waking up at 3am to study?
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/81940
———
It happened to me back in 1974 and after 34 years they are still at it. How sickening! Who is the Education Minister now, he ought to be fired immediately!
____________
Dear gofortruth
It happened to me too… it is pay back time. Now we know why BN lost. Inequality.
……………………………………………………………..
Dear godortruth and mybangsamalaysia.
to be honest with you… i also feel sick about this… i am malay and i am very sad to see all my chinese classmate that sat beside me, go to canteen together, study together, play football together, march in band together… and suddently he is the one who unable to get to university although i admit that his result is better than mine. When i got my uni result, he went to my house….and told me his bad news… i dont know where should i put my face when i got the offer.. i dont know what should i said to him when he ask me my uni application result… i dont feel happy or proud at all when i get the offer from the uni when i see my friend that are better than me being discriminated politically….
but thank god he understand.. that i am not the reason of him not going to uni…. UMNO and the kroni are the one that made this stupid law!!! and try their best in giving as much ‘prasangka’ to hate the non malays… what the hell are they UMNO thinking????
i just want to let you know that we are also not happy with this kind of treatment…we also dont want to see non bumi being discriminated etc…. because of this, we are separated, i really pissed of with BN racist goverment that keep playing this kind of game…
we are the generasi muda are not stupid! now its time to change!
April 27th, 2008 at 11: 48.50
the BN agenda is crystal clear,and worst still,supported by the ‘blind’ component parties like MCA,GERAKAN,MIC,BERSATU,PPP and so on,so lets see wat’s their AGENDA:
inorder to promote fairness in certain sectors,like Economy and Education,a quota has to be set to achieve ‘equality’!
i was thinking,my as well quote everything in ‘quota’,so wat’s the point of having free- competitions in business and examinations in education?didnt BN know tat tis is damn contradicting?tat means inorder to achieve your so called ‘quota’,we must have equal number of professioanals like lawyers,accountants,doctors,engineers,scientists and etc for Malays,when these protected- unqualify species go into their profession,could they perform professionally?who the hell dares to engage these ‘ppl’ to be their lawyer,or the worst thing,doctor whom will conduct surgical into their body?DIDNT YOU KNOW TAT WHEN COME TO THE ISSUE OF PROFESSIONALISM,THERE CANT BE ANY COMPROMISE?
throw your agenda to the garbage-bin,nobody wants it anymore!go for MERITOCRACY!then only Malaysia can prosper!
April 27th, 2008 at 11: 58.44
we dun hv to spent million of rm to go overseas for ‘lawatan sambil belajar’ kind of non-sense trips,the Rakyat knows alredy,these are merely excuses to spend tax-payers’ money to go for ‘makan angin ‘percuma!
You local councils must be humble,just learn something from small tiny red-dot,then we will definitely see some improvements!
April 27th, 2008 at 12: 20.55
Dear Mohammadharrisjalil,
Thank you for your frank opinion.
I am in the ‘uncle’ age category, not ‘anak muda.’ And I am Chinese. But I was once ‘anak muda’ like you, and like your friend, I couldn’t get back to continue my studies in A Levels even though I qualified on merit. My place was taken by a Malay. Now, my children are ‘anak muda’ and they are studying overseas.
In truth, what has happened to Malays, Indians and Chinese has hurt all three races BUT strengthened us as well:
- the non-Malays were deprived of places in pursuit of education even as far back as 30 years ago; what it has made us is simply TOUGHER! Those who can study went to alternative institutions (today, you call this off-campus, twinning etc). Those who couldn’t/can’t study went to work. And most gravitated to the commercial centres (today, key market centres have huge concentrations of non-Malays)
- the flip-flopping of policy on Malay language hurt Malays more than it did non-Malays. Chinese have good command of either English (my era) or Mandarin (increasingly today). Indians have good command of English since they don’t have Tamil as an alternative mainstream language. Malays? Unlike Chinese and Indians who expose themselves to a minimum of 3 languages and/or dialects, Malays are NOT forced to expose themselves beyond Malay. We lost 13 years of good solid base in English when the kids were forced to switch to Malay in schools. The Chinese medium schools continued to teach in Mandarin. English is lingua franca for 60% of the world, Mandarin for at least 30%. Malay? Some will argue Malay-speakers are more populous than Japanese (250mil to 150mil) and therefore a ‘world’ language. That’s speaking with the heart, not the brains. Indonesians are Malays who laugh at how Malaysian Malays speak ‘Malay.’ You don’t see Japanese in the north laughing at how Japanese in the south speak the language, do you? Malay is a fragmented language even in Malaysia. How can a fragmented language become a ‘world’ language? It will take time, a long time. But not now, not even in your time.
So, ‘generasi muda’, spend some time to analyse what the heck went wrong. You are not stupid for sure. And it’s time to change! For the better, for Malays and all races. Competition is good otherwise you get the Dr whathisname on the NTV7 panel reviewing the GE12 results. He was such an embarassment. he didn’t have a point-of-view. He couldn’t express himself well. He had lousy command of English, and basically he was just POSTURING! In the real world, posturing won’t last.
April 27th, 2008 at 13: 03.56
IF DAP Penang wants the Rakyat to trust its principle of CAT, should not ALL vacant positions be advertised and the BEST candidates be selected from the respondents. Dont fall into the same trap of BN’s croneyism that violated all principles of openess in filling public statutory poistions. There could have been a better way of filling in this tax payers funded public position.
April 27th, 2008 at 14: 01.35
anak sungaisiput
I am with you. The post should be depolitised and open for all Malaysians and best man/woman irrespective of race or political affiliation.
LGE has made the situation worse not only continuing the tradition of appointing the person but also using it for political machinations. Either way LKC is dead on the water…
As for LGE, Penangites’ eyes will be on him and LKC on to see how much investment they bring in or, looking at the current situation, how much they can keep from leaving Penang.
Perhaps LGE being a non-Penangite and non-businessman does not understand the importance of the electronics industry to Penang. His political career could be over before it started if he fails to address the issue of foreign investors….
It would be interesting for him to know that he is already been compared unfavourably with KTK by the Penang investors community….
April 27th, 2008 at 14: 24.18
Fifty years of bondage under the ketuanan UMNO in the coalition of convenience, the component parties will find it hard to grow up and mature, judging from the talks and statements given by these so called leaders, especially after the debacle of the recent general election, they remained defiant to what they held as truth for the last 50 years.
If they do not grow up and out, then their political obituary is just a matter of time, and soon.
April 27th, 2008 at 15: 11.34
From what our PM said, it should not be a right move for Kah Choon to accept the positions. Why? Because the state government is not a BN government? Even, it is a Bn government, has the RAKYAT interest in the first place of his list? Nope, UMNO’s interest is in the first place of the list. This is the government of the RAKYAT not the Umno’s. If the person is capable and has the purpose to serve the people, why not?? Kah Choon, please accept the position in good faith and ensure perform beautifully and woe more investors to Penang and proof the PM is wrong 100%. Take up the challenge and proof that they (BN) are all wrong!
April 27th, 2008 at 19: 26.23
“In fact the case of Motorola raised by that idiotic Jeff Ooi made international news and harmed the global image of Motorola. I was in the US at that time and the publicity did the company a lot of damage especially when it is performing poorly at the corporate level.” Killer
Killer,
This guy has a lot to learn. His background has been in journalism and that is never good with potential investors when he is also an opposition politician at the national level. He should know better. Investors basically do not like change because it creates instability. It makes for difficult planning – certainly in the medium and long term.
Deteriorating federal and state relationship is a cause for concern for these foreign investors who do not understand local politics and do not wish to be embroiled in it - especially so in the case of Malaysia which has had the same party ruling it for some five decades. True they have no choice and has to accept reality but the DAP has to tread very carefully. Deteriorating federal and state relationship certainly is not something that could be marketed to potential foreign investors.
BN will try and punish Penang Chinese for voting for the opposition but just how they are going to do it remains to be seen. A loss to Penang and is also a loss to the country.
The Penang government has to organize a trade investment mission to countries like Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Europe and the United States. Among their objectives would be to explain to them that they should have no cause for concern as investment policies and guidelines remain the same, and that the new state government will work hand in glove with the federal government to ensure that their requirements will be looked after. Expect some tough questioning. Included among those participating in the mission should not just be those from bodies like PDC but also MIDA officials, officials from the Ministry of Trade etc.
I would suggest Jeff Ooi be dropped from the mission.
April 27th, 2008 at 19: 58.28
dear kerishamuddinitis
thanks very much for your opinion as well…. i totally agree on all your opinion.
Harris
April 27th, 2008 at 22: 31.27
I can say that the chance of Penang mission succeeding in any overseas mission is close to a big fat zero. So LGE might as well save the money and time to retain investors from leaving.
The world’s competitive landscape has changed very much in the last few years and sadly, the political developments in Malaysia, especially in Penang has damaged the attractiveness as a location for FDIs.
There are a few companies in the pipeline for investments in Penang from the KTK regime and especially promising were his efforts to woo companies from the photonics and bio-tech sectors. I see that the Penang Science Park in Bukit Minyak is almost ready. But sadly, all these likely to go waste…
Another danger is the lurking Singapore. Even during KTK’s time these Kiasu folks literally “stole” the investors under our nose by “bribing” them. Singapore is well aware of the situation and will maximize the uncertainties by scaring and then luring the potential investors aware.
And btw talking about Motorola, expect some announcements from them as a response to the Jeff Ooi Fiasco. The price that Penang going to pay for this a moment of idiocy of self-proclaimed most influential blogger in Malaysia will be very heavy.
April 27th, 2008 at 23: 46.33
Opposition has just formed the state govt in less than a month, LGE & Opposition in Penang are new kids in the block, there’s always a learning curve on how to run the state government in a way attractive to and not inimical to foreign investments. It is just too early to make the call that they will not be doing things right Penang mission will fail etc just because of some ill advised highlighting by Jeff Ooi of issues relating to Motorola and Intel before the election or appointment of LKC as director of Penang Development Corporation and investPenang.
Whilst I have no doubt that Koh Tsu Koon had a close knit relationship with investors and held in respect by the investor community, are Penangnites and Malaysians as a whole prefer the BN to continue ruling Penang state government for this reason? If we believe that principles wise transparency, accountability and meritocracy are the right compass and the way to go in the long haul which will serve in longer term the cause of attracting FDIs, then we should give the Opposition a chance – at least some time to show what it could do.
Anyway, is there any objective data (other than the anecdotal) thus far that shows initial reaction of FDIs being uncomfortable with Opposition running Penang or for that matter Perak & Selangor based on concerns like that of deteriorating federal and state relationship??? Take the case of Singapore, which has been said to be maximizing on uncertainties by scaring and then luring the potential investors away – what I have heard (from S’pore bankers) is that some Singapore companies are beginning to invest in Penang precisely because of the change of State government to Opposition.
April 28th, 2008 at 00: 41.23
If there are concerns by foreign investors coming to Malaysia, I think it is the general concern vis-à-vis the whole country, and not just the PK states. Malaysia’s declining competitiveness, competition from other countries as well as present uncertainties hovering over the global economy all play a part. The PK states may not be perfect and probably still have lots to learn. By all means be critical, but we should also be acutely aware of the obstacles faced by these states, particularly Penang. I believe if the leaders are smart, honest and willing to work untiringly for the people, the PK states can outshine the rest. The most important thing is the PK states must cooperate and confront the Federal Government jointly on issues relating to Federal-state relations.
April 28th, 2008 at 00: 56.17
Having read some of the comments above I must say that some commentators here have very exacting standards and high expectations of the opposition now running Penang. So Jeff Ooi has become an idiot shooting his mouth off about motorola and LGE is just playing petty politics by selecting LKC for the post, overlooking many others who are more suitable with more impressive credentials. It is so easy to criticize and condemn isn’t it. Oh come off it. Give these guys a chance and some time. One cannot realistically expect Penang to be like Singapore in 5 short years. If they made mistakes point it out to them. It is not necessary to call somebody an idiot just because what he did wasn’t to your expectation. If you think that there are others who are more qualify than LKC why don’t you just name them here. I am sure LGE will be more than happy to have more good men working for him and the country. Also if you think that you can do better than Jeffrey and LGE why don’t you just volunteer to take over or at least help them out. I do not know whether what has been said about their performance here is accurate or deserving as I do not belong to the inner circle but one thing I know well and that is these guys are there working their butts off to realise a dream which we all share.
I think it is high time we help them with more constructive comments than wanton condemnation.
April 28th, 2008 at 01: 13.07
“And btw talking about Motorola, expect some announcements from them as a response to the Jeff Ooi Fiasco. The price that Penang going to pay for this a moment of idiocy of self-proclaimed most influential blogger in Malaysia will be very heavy.” Killer
Again I’ll have to agree with you!
April 28th, 2008 at 01: 19.16
Confront the Federal Government jointly on issues relating to Federal-state relations??
This is the kind of populist garbage we can expect to hear from someone standing on the soap box in some park somewhere. “Confronting” the federal government when the federal government has control over your purse strings??
The key word has to be “cooperation” and not “confrontation”.
April 28th, 2008 at 01: 51.26
“..what I have heard (from S’pore bankers) is that some Singapore companies are beginning to invest in Penang precisely because of the change of State government to Opposition.” Jeffrey
They must have known that you are a DAP supporter, and told you what you needed to hear.
In truth potential foreign investors are not interested in local politics and avoid them like they would avoid the plague. They are not about to drag the government to courts, for say, changing the rules mid-stream. They are not in the business to sue anybody – certainly not the host government! They are in the business to make returns to investment which would make their shareholders happy.
What are transparency, good governance and accountability if not empty words to foreign investors. Political stability is the word. The fact that the Penang has fallen into the hands of a party which has no control in Kuala Lumpur should be a cause for concern to me as a foreign investor. As a foreign investor I could be caught in the cross fire so to speak. Project approvals would be slow to come. Guidelines may be harder to meet. Rules may change mid-stream.
April 28th, 2008 at 02: 37.43
“Confronting” the federal government when the federal government has control over your purse strings??
Precisely for someone who can’t think outside the box; for someone who can’t see cooperation is two ways street; for someone who will docilely accept dominant and subservient relationship. This is the type of personality who should rightly be engaging in gossip blogs than a serious blog like this.
April 28th, 2008 at 02: 47.15
In truth potential foreign investors are not interested in local politics and avoid them like they would avoid the plague.
In truth, what truth? Who got the truth, you?
If the arguments of undergrad2 hold, I think there is no need for state election or state governments. Or may be he moronically assumes that the state governments will always be within BN family. Bunkum again.
April 28th, 2008 at 03: 01.30
“Again I’ll have to agree with you!”
Agree based on what? What Killer told you? You think what Killer said was nothing but truth? You think others are all idiots? Before election, both of you probably were supportive of what was disclosed by Jeff.
April 28th, 2008 at 03: 03.00
It has nothing to do with telling me what I liked to hear. One of the reasons FDIs all along have given Malaysia a pass for other countries is not just corruption of bureaucracy and delays in issuance of licenses – because these are something that these other countries too have in varying degrees – but much of it is the unfair policy of 30 per cent Bumiputera equity required by the Foreign Investment Committee in giving approval to foreign acquisitions. Which is why the government, acknowledging this, decides to ease enforcement of NEP in its favoured Iskandar Development Region. It has been said that Kuwait Finance House and other Middle East companies agreed to invest in a property project that includes homes, a medical center and a financial district in the Iskandar Development Region in part obecuase of this easing of NEP. In Penang’s case some Singaporean investors are probably thinking that LGE’s state government would ease the NEP restrictions as touted in the Opposition’s electoral campaign. Apart from that whilst political stability is important, so are transparency, good governance and accountability in governance to many FDIs, which BN’s administration is not exactly renowned for. In his first meeting with Business Council’s members, it was reported by those attending that Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim got the business executives tickled – and charmed - by his opening remarks that “from now onwards, no more bribes”.
Although many investors would take wait-and-see attitude on how BN federal government would work with Opposition state govt, many would not just dismiss that confrontation is inevitable. Selangor, Perak and Penang are economically important states contributing substantially to the country’s Gross Domestic Product which the Federal Government is not expected to just simply shut off the funding to these states without jeopardizing ongoing infrastructure projects or those in pipelines, and compromising official projections on national growth.
April 28th, 2008 at 04: 19.53
“…but much of it is the unfair policy of 30 per cent Bumiputera equity required by the Foreign Investment Committee in giving approval to foreign acquisitions.” Jeffrey
When I was liaising with MIDA on behalf of some of the foreign investors (which was one life time ago) I believe the 30% foreign equity participation was for those relying on the domestic market. Something like up to 100% foreign equity was allowed for those 100% export oriented. You find most of these located in the FTZ in Penang and Malacca and Johor.
“In Penang’s case some Singaporean investors are probably thinking that LGE’s state government would ease the NEP restrictions as touted in the Opposition’s electoral campaign.” Jeffrey
MIDA a statutory body under federal government control, deals with this issue of equity participation allowed to foreign investors, and project approvals will have to come from them. I believe the state government has minimal input on the matter. MIDA conducts the feasibility studies needed, and in many cases try to match the local partners to the foreign partners with the foreign partners, of course, having the final say. It is after all their capital and their risk to take.
I believe conditions have since changed and MIDA has loosened some of its requirements including the strict requirement of 30% foreign equity participation in their guidelines. The restriction to the 30% of foreign equity participation was meant for those using depleting natural resources and those which depended 100% on the local market. The foreign investors that I had the opportunity to deal with had no strong opinions about the 30% guideline. They understood where it was coming from and were too happy just to be allowed to operate locally.
However, it is very much a different story it comes to the local Chinese investors or the local partners of a joint venture company whenever there is a bumiputra requirement. Privately they would resent the restriction when they cannot identify the kind of bumiputra partners they want. But the more innovative ones would always find a way out. I don’t want to go into this because it is an entirely different ball game. Suffice it for me to say here that invariably you find family members of politicians and members of the royalty taking up the bumiputra portion but with the equity provided by the foreign partner! How about that for NEP, huh?
No more bribes? Bribery takes many forms and rears its ugly head where you least expect! We can never get rid of corruption entirely but we can control it. A corruption free environment only exists in the minds of those with an attap type education.
“Although many investors would take wait-and-see attitude on how BN federal government would work with Opposition state govt, many would not just dismiss that confrontation is inevitable.”
Yes, “cooperation” is the key word and not “confrontation”. Whoever suggests that the state governments under opposition control “confront” the federal government must have his head checked. What is there to confront the federal government with?? Potential foreign investors choosing say Indonesia over Penang, or Thailand over Penang or Philippines over Penang, is a loss to the country as much as it is a loss to the state of Penang. It is still a major loss in foreign exchange. Not to mention import and export duties and taxes which are all revenue, and of course employment.
The state governments are in no position to demand. Nothing much to negotiate either. Not when investment guidelines are under MIDA, licensing under the Ministry of Trade and financing by banks under the control of Bank Negara. - not to mention immigration and customs and of course the ubiquitous Prime Minister’s Department.
For someone who has been in government service for 20 years, he should know better.
April 28th, 2008 at 09: 06.52
You are right that Federal MIDA is in charge of issuance of many sorts of licences – manuficaturing, pioneer status, import and export of controled comercial products etc and FIC (Federal) under EPU sets/changes guidelines on bumi equity, relaxing on those exporting and earning foreign exchange and higher value goods. However states too play a significant role, for example how Tsu Koon & Penang state govt then, for example, used PenangIndustrial Council and the Human Resource
Development Council to bring together members from the public sector, the private sector and the academia to explore ways and means to assist economic development; and used InvestPenang to set up a Penang Pavilion to provide opportunities for Penang-based technology companies to showcase their products and services, and working closely with the Penang Tourism Action Council to market Penang as a tourist destination. Land is under state per our constitution and state investment corporations play a role to provide available land. Besides under our National Land Code, besides FIC approval, foreign acquisition of land would additionally require state authority approval. The state government could give cheap land. Queensbay mall in Penang for example was originally joint venture between Penang State Development corporation and private sector. It is probably true that the promotion of FDI(s) and economic development is a function of efforts of both Federal and state governments acting in coordination without one frustrating the other, the former’s policies are something that investors know from advices of consultants whereas the state policies (besides resources and infrastructure) too play a part, for example FDIs are keener on (say) Penang and Selangor than Kelantan. As regards bribery, it is true only the naive believes that corruption can be curbed substantially but say what you like, whatever Khalid said - and the Opposition’s platform of reform to bring more transparency and acountability (& open tenders) as compared to BN’s existing record - do, like a breath of fresh wind, revive hopes that the problem of corruption and its more blatant manifestation will be confronted in ways better than just lip service, not to mention that they may also believe or at least perceive that the state governments (at least those not run by PAS) may recruit more capable administrators based on ability than just kulitfication or religiosity. Take for example and comparison peresent Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim and his predecessor Toyo, the former evinces more promise in both busines sense and experience considering his resume, experience and record in running a conglomerate like (then) Guthrie Berhad.
April 28th, 2008 at 09: 16.37
Undergrad2
I am relatively new to this blog and one thing that struck me the most is the propensity for people to offer their opinions on matters that they have zero knowledge on. Their complete lack of knowledge but a high proclivity to shoot from hip never failed to amuse me. Perhaps these guys are from the new generation of DAP supporters are in their twenties but even then it is still no excuse…
As such I am pleasantly surprised to see your comment, which for clearly showed that you know exactly what you are talking about in regards to investment /FDI.
There have been much said about how the 30% bumi requirement scaring the investors away. Of course this is complete rubbish but unfortunately many people actually believe this. Foreign investors are exempted from many of the regulations that govern the local businesses if they are export-orientated they are allowed to have 100% ownership. Of course if they are targeting the local markets, different rules apply.
To say that the NEP and the bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption had made Malaysia less attractive is another myth without a factual basis. Today China remains one of the top destinations for FDI despite horrendously inefficient bureaucracy, lack of transparency, poor human rights records, endemic corruption and complex ownership rules. India embracing the western style democracy is far behind in terms of attracting FDI. Countries like Vietnam and Myanmar continued to be attractive to investors despite their poor human rights and administrative inefficiencies.
That the Singaporean investors that Jeffrey is talking about, it could be true but perhaps he has confused investment in manufacturing with those buying properties. The Penang property market has been red hot in the last year or two mainly driven by the new infrastructure projects (Penang 2nd bridge and the monorail). The areas in both mainland and the island where the new bridge connects have been the hot spots for property developments. The industry has been given a major impetus due to the arrival of blue chip Klang Valley developers. Many Singaporean are keen to jump on the bandwagon, in fact some of my personal friends even asked me for recommendations.
However, the market has cooled down significantly since the 12GE with many players are taking a cautious stance, not helped by some populist garbage that being mouthed by LGE and his team. In fact some people are already bracing for a crash in the Penang property market.
As for administrative efficiency and corruption free rule, well LGE’s actions unfortunately have not kept up with his talk. Like his father he is still in “Opposition” mode, merely contend to bash BN and go around on a witch-hunt. While he is spinning stories about clean governance, it is amusing to see that PR folks already embarking on a vicious fights among themselves to get state contracts by dislodging the previous ones.
LGE is in a very precarious position. Since he has no power base in Penang, he will be undermined by the Penang DAP leadership if he fails to “reward” them through plum governmental positions or lucrative contracts. Already his decision to give LKC this senior position has infuriated many Penang DAP leaders.
Watch closely if LGE keeps his promise of open tenders, for I believe he will not. It is amusing to see that the very same DAP supporters who accused the previous BN state government of cronyism are now demanding that they are rewarded with state contracts for their loyalty to the party.
April 28th, 2008 at 09: 51.59
Killer posted:
“I am relatively new to this blog and one thing that struck me the most is the propensity for people to offer their opinions on matters that they have zero knowledge on. Their complete lack of knowledge but a high proclivity to shoot from hip never failed to amuse me. Perhaps these guys are from the new generation of DAP supporters are in their twenties but even then it is still no excuse…”
I am not sure if they are DAP supporters but I do know UMNO supporters such as yourself do exactly that - spout opinions based on thin air.
An excellent example would be you stating that Malaysians standard of living is almost as good as Singapore’s.
DUH!
April 28th, 2008 at 09: 53.53
Killer posted:
“It is amusing to see that the very same DAP supporters who accused the previous BN state government of cronyism are now demanding that they are rewarded with state contracts for their loyalty to the party.”
Where is the evidence? Kindly state them here or did you pull that out from your rear orrifice?
April 28th, 2008 at 09: 58.30
Truth is, in Msia, Fed govt had much bigger power/ authority than state govt, Fed govt can “bully” state govt.
Only a change a Fed govt policies (by same BN Or New Govt) can really improved FDI in Msia.
Soneone quoted Myanmar is attractive to investors, Had to disagree with this statement, maybe only to investors from China?
April 28th, 2008 at 09: 59.11
Ichk, yes i agree with you completely. Like his opinion on Hindraf detainees. Killer, I hope whatever you said was based on facts, which will make you a very knowledgeable insider. Otherwise, please have some respect for those whose freedom has been deprived. Please don’t think you have lots of supporters here. They are nothing but gullible fools consumed by big fat ego!
April 28th, 2008 at 10: 15.41
limkamput posted:
Killer posts personal opinions which he claims are facts.
I have challenged him repeatedly to provide evidence to back his so-called claims and he has NEVER once did that.
Which goes to show the type of slimeball we are dealing with here.
April 28th, 2008 at 10: 20.34
Someone said, “There have been much said about how the 30% bumi requirement scaring the investors away. Of course this is complete rubbish”
So, he is saying that Mr Rommel from E.U is talking rubbish?
If this “30%” thing do not apply to certain F. Investor, than, why should local investors (even if the product is for export) be required to comply with this??
Some local investors in fact went over to Thailand to set up factories (which could hv been set up in Msia, like rubber based etc). Why? U guess lah!
April 28th, 2008 at 10: 49.52
Jeffrey,
You are right about states having a role.
But seen within the context of worsening federal and state relations, and looking from the perspective of prospective foreign investors rather than local investors, it is a cause for concern. And for someone to be calling for opposition controlled states to “confront” the federal government without so much as an indication on what it is they need to confront the federal government with is to engage in useless rhetoric when time could be better spent calling for both federal and state governments not to let bipartisan politics dictate their every move.
April 28th, 2008 at 11: 11.00
Land is a state matter. Like it or not foreign investors setting up business need to get approvals for land/properties, whether for factories, offices or even residence of their expatriate staff. And we should not selectively talk only of high end value added export manufacturing entities the likes of Motorola, which I assume will easily get a Manufacturing licence from MIDA exempting it from NEP’s equity specifications. FDI(s) comprise a whole range of other activities : Eg Singaporean investor wanting to invest in a chain of retail malls in KL, Penang and Ipoh. The foreign investor will need to comply with NEP requirements of Bumi equity ownership. To say that 30% bumi requirement scaring the investors away is rubbish not only implies Mr Rommel from E.U is talking rubbish but also the NEP government does not know what it is doing in trying to promote Iskandar Development Region by (in principle) easing of NEP’s application at political costs. To say it is all a myth that the NEP and the bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption had made Malaysia less attractive by comparing China misses the entire point. China remains one of the top destinations for FDI despite horrendously inefficient bureaucracy, corruption and poor regulatory and legal system because of over compensating factors of huge market and cheap labour, something that either countries like Singapore or Malaysia have - so this is poor comparison – and if one looks at bureaucracy in terms of efficiency or inefficiency, corruption or accountability and transparency or consistency of application of laws and regulations, Singapore wins hands down, no prize for the best guess why.
April 28th, 2008 at 11: 12.18
“….something that Neither countries like Singapore or Malaysia have”
April 28th, 2008 at 11: 33.13
This is for Cheng On Soo…
From the US State Dept’s 2007 Report…Data for the FY 2007 is not yet out…may be by mid-2008…
“According to government figures, at the end of October 2006 cumulative foreign investment approved by the MIC totaled 401 projects, valued at $13.9 billion. This is 79 percent higher than the cumulative total listed at the end of March 2005.
Extrapolating from the latest government statistics on FDI flow for Burmese FY 2005-06 (April-March), the U.S. Embassy estimates a 2832 percent year-on-year increase in the value of new FDI approvals ($6.066.billion) in three leading sectors compared with total new investment approvals in FY 2004-05 ($158.28 million). Potential investments from Thailand ($6.034 billion in power and oil and gas), India ($30.58 million in oil and gas) and China ($0.70 million in mining) received approvals. The amount of FDI investments approved in FY 2005-06 were the highest-ever reported. The approved FDI amount significantly rose in the end of the fiscal year in March with Thailand’s planned investment of $6 billion in the Ta Sang hydropower project.
The vast majority of approved new investment since 1997 has come from Asian countries. Western countries have largely stayed away from the Burma market, largely due to the abysmal investment climate, including an absence of rule of law, economic mismanagement and endemic corruption. New U.S. investment ceased in 1997 when the U.S. government imposed an investment ban.”
April 28th, 2008 at 11: 36.15
In Penang and other state govt’s contexts, discussion is a bit hay wired here because of the need but failure to distinguish between two things : (1) Opposition avowed policies to infuse meritocracy and to mitigate corruption by more transparent and accountable policies (say) of open tender and at the same time investment friendly and (2) experience or inexperience of novice Opposition MBs or state councilors running the state governments.
In long run, and also in principle, as far as (1) goes, the investment climate should be more positive than under BN’s.
The problem is (2). If Penang state government and state exco make immediate policies like for examples:-
o immediate declaration of abolishment of NEP giving occasion for opportunist and trouble makers to take to street demonstrations;
o adopt too idealistic a position of catering for the agenda of every NGO in town
o seek to disrupt status quo and change main contractors or turnkey contractors of existing Federal projects – second link or monorail – on grounds of idealistic principles striking down any outfit tainted with cronyism or nepotism, of course the Federal government would strike back either by way of cutting funding or aborting the whole project to detriment of Penangnites.
In respect of (2), as I said, the Opposition boys are new kids on the block and there’s a learning curve of how to balance idealism as against pragmatism; how and where to overlook certain things and where to take the stand against…..It is a maturing process. I mean to tell Federal government that it should not award to Scomi when it was already legally awarded before 8th March, what do you expect Federal to do – be led by the principles of LGE’s State government??? If Federal pulls back projects in what way Penangnites benefited? Running a state government is a different mode from being in Opposition just opposing! Can Jeff Ooi afford keep hammering at Motorola in same vein he did before 8th March???
When we discuss the issu