After a marathon meeting, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee has received endorsement by SAPP supreme council for his call for a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Up to now, Parliament has not received any notice from any Member of Parliament for a no-confidence motion.
However, it is not necessary to have a proper motion of no confidence to create a “no confidence” vote in Parliament on the Prime Minister and the government-of-the-day.
I have been informed that the first item of parliamentary business after the 90-minute question time on Monday will be a motion by the Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad seeking support for the measures taken by the government over price increases of food, oil and commodities, including reduction of oil subsidies.
This government motion on price increases in Parliament on Monday can be turned into a no-confidence motion if there are enough numbers in Parliament to defeat it.
The motion on price increases to be moved by Shahrir reads:
“Bahawa Dewan ini,
Prihatin akan kenaikan mendadak harga minyak, makanan dan komoditi lain di pasaran dunia, yang merupakan fenomena global di luar kawalan Kerajaan.
Menyedari bahawa fenomena kenaikan harga ini membawa impak negatif yang besar kepada kesejahteraan rakyat serta kemajuan ekonomi negara.
Memahami dan menyokong langkah Kerajaan untuk menstruktur sistem subsidi minyak dan gas yang menjejas kewangan Kerajaan dan tidak dapat ditanggung tatkala harga minyak di pasaran global terus meningkat tinggi, agar beban ke atas ekonomi negara dapat dikurangkan dan subsidi dapat diagihkan dengan lebih saksama kepada mereka yang benar-benar memerlukannya yakni golongan miskin dan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana.
Menyokong langkah-langkah yang dilaksanakan oleh Kerajaan untuk mengurangkan beban ke atas rakyat yang disebabkan oleh kenaikan harga minyak, makanan dan komoditi, agar kesejahteraan hidup rakyat terus terjaga.
Menyedari keazaman dan usaha Kerajaan untuk terus mempertingkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi dan memperjuangkan agenda pembangunan nasional, walaupun persekitaran di peringkat global semakin mencabar.
Bahawa Dewan yang mulia ini menyeru kesemua lapisan rakyat Malaysia, para peniaga dan pengilang serta parti-parti politik agar tabah dan bersatu padu dalam menghadapi cabaran global ini serta memelihara keamanan, kestabilan dan kesejahteraan kita bersama”.
#1 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 7:39 am
Raise the issue of conflict of interest of the Whip – and request for someone else to take the whip and decide whether to crack it on this issue to be raised in Parliament!
#2 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 7:39 am
Tengku Li : Now it is your chance!
#3 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 7:45 am
Only you, amongst all, have the stature, guts, experience to raise such a motion!
#4 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 7:53 am
To those of you dreamers who think that the country’s top 2 leaders, plus the extremely ambitious Kera Jantan, could be toppled by RPK’s allegations – think again. Investigations will go into a black hole. RPK will be laughed at as being of unsound mind.
Remember in 1983 when Mak Foon Than appeared in a Hong Kong court charged with the murder of a Malaysian banker, and he “confessed” that he was sent there by the then Malaysian Finance Minister to commit the crime – as the Malaysian banker was going to unravel the link between Carrian and UMNO ? The press laughed at the “preposterous” allegation and no investigation commenced.
#5 by passerby on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:07 am
In view of RPK’s SD, AAB is now caught between a rock and a hard place and we must force the AAB to taken action so that the integrity of the gov. ( as if there is one ) may be restored, failing which all honourable MPs should walk out and declare that they can not sit in the same house with thieves and criminal suspects.
#6 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:09 am
The Malaysian Da Vinci Code will forever remain buried.
#7 by taxpayer on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:15 am
Mr. Clean is now Mr. Dirty, using ACA to punish his opponent. Thank you, Dato Sri Yong, you have lighted the fuse to the bomb that will blow BN to pieces.
#8 by oknyua on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:23 am
“To those of you dreamers who think that the country’s top 2 leaders, plus the extremely ambitious Kera Jantan, could be toppled by RPK’s allegations – think again.” Godfather.
Why not?
The SD is not on specifically on the matter of crime and criminals, but a direct challenge on one Royalty, the Prime Minister and KJ.
What is the PM going to do? Quiet and 10 yrs down the line the truth revealed, what would he say?
Forget about PM, what about your Kera Jantan? He is in his low thirties and be in politics for the coming 20-30 yrs. Would he risk his political career for a guilty man who he knows cannot help him now?
What about the Royalty? Would he tranish himself, and sacrifice his office (so to speak) for a criminal?
Political situation is presently very unstable. UMNO MPs are starting to distance themselves from PM. Look at Nazri’s comment on SAPP dissent.
I can agree with Jeffrey’s comment.
#9 by oknyua on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:28 am
Raise a motion? Jeffrery
I suppose PR wait for both Najiba’s and Rosa’s response to the SD. RPK’s SD must have taken into account that there will be not one with the stature and gut to raise this motion. Just we wait.
“Their crimes will find them out.” The Good Book says.
#10 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:41 am
Failure to report a crime or suppression of information relating to a crime is a criminal offence. RPK’s declaration clearly implicated Badawi and the Kera Jantan in suppressing information relating to the purported criminal act. His objective is to take everyone down – no prisoners. This won’t happen in LaLaLand.
#11 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:44 am
Aside from the obvious blogs, no one else has carried the story so far. The mainstream press won’t even bother to mention it. What importance ?
#12 by limkamput on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:47 am
I think someone here ought to have his head examined. When did I ever doubt the sincerity and capability of Sdr Lim? My concern is the endless politicking with no end in sight who really have the better mandate to govern this country now. I wonder is there any “real” effective government since March 8. There are already so much uncertainties and challenges the country is now facing. We already have an inept government and coupled with all these “ding-dong”, don’t you think it is making the situation here very precarious?
I think most of us want the opposition held states to be left alone to govern the states with minimum “politicking” by the Federal govt. The same goes for federal govt – it should be left to govern with minimum harassment (which by the way is different from opposition providing checks and balances to the government).
With regard to Malaysians now settling abroad and from time to time making their two cents worth comments, my view is that they usually just want to have the best of both worlds. Of course they are entitled to make comments. I am also entitled to comment on their comments. When we have yet got opportunity to venture abroad, we would usually say how things were different and better in the old. The reality is this country was never different and better in the past. We are scr*wed right from the beginning and we have all contributed knowingly or unknowingly to its demise. Lee Kuan Yew saw it in 1964 and Sdr Lim started fighting against it before 1969, but we are still debating it today. That to me is nincompoop. I know who is Lin.
#13 by Bigjoe on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:52 am
This is an intelligent attempt at moving the motion. However, the problem is attention is focussed not on the issue but the power play. This is all about what Yong and Badawi wants and not real issue because people know the issue will not be solved until this is worked out.
As the Malays says, the elephant plays, its the grass that gets killed.
#14 by PSM on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 8:56 am
These are indeed testing times for Malaysia & Malaysians.
After RPK’s SD, the BN (Read: UMNO) WILL HAVE to do something! They are not going to be allowing this to go further! They WILL DO something!
God help us because if what RPK is saying is true (& I’m sure it is)the whole lot of them are involved & once again proven to be not only corrupted but also downright EVIL to the core!
#15 by Bigjoe on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:33 am
I have a question. Badawi said that he could not give Yong a seat (not sure its stake or Parliament) because they were taken by PBS. Why can’t UMNO or MCA seat? Either the man mind is limited which we have suspected OR its OK for him to give away someone else’s house but not his own?
And don’t even start that he can’t win in UMNO seat. They could have put a songkok in some seats and it would still win..
#16 by AhPek on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:34 am
Yeah, I think Godfather has a point there.First he has cited a parallel case pertaining to the ‘confession’ of Mak Foon Than who said that he was sent by the then Minister of Finance to murder a Malaysian banker who was going to spew out the link between Carrian and UMNO.Second both the PM and Kera Jantan have committed a criminal offence for not reporting the offence which RPK said they know.And RPK wants no prisoners….all must come down.
What’s more we are in Lalaland!! So what do you think?
#17 by harmanamri on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:34 am
Jeffrey,
Moving a motion under Standing Order 18 (1) is pointless. The Speaker will simply reject the motion, either in Chambers or by saying that the matter is “not urgent.” Even if the Speaker allows the matter to be debated, there is no voting at the end of it. The time allowed is just for speeches concerning the topic. It is not in the form of a motion where you vote “yea” or “nay”.
YB Kit Siang’s idea is correct. The Shahrir motion can be turned into a no-confidence motion if the majority of the House votes against it. Better still if the Opposition were to move an amendment to the motion, worded in such a way as to express no confidence in the present government’s ability to implement the measures it is proposing
#18 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:42 am
Again here the issue is missed and discussion here derailed: no one is debating the issue of whether country’s top 2 leaders, plus the extremely ambitious Kera Jantan, could be toppled by RPK’s allegations.
The relevant issue here under discussion is raising a relevant motion in parliament based on objective to test waters on the question of majority and what is the best motion to raise that is a “definite matter of urgent and of public interest” as an alternative to opposing Sharir’s motion “seeking support for the measures taken by the government over price increases of food, oil and commodities.
#19 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:50 am
The issue here is not missed. You are asking Kit to p!ss into the wind, and I am suggesting that isn’t the smart move.
#20 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:51 am
“…definite matter of urgent and of public interest” is a subjective term but in the eyes of the majority in Parliament, it is what they say it is. Not you and not Kit.
#21 by rainbowseahorse on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:54 am
1) Everybody, including SAPP, knows the chances for tabling that motion in parliament, under normal circumstances, is next to nil.
2) Everybody, including SAPP, knows that the two insignificant SAPP’s MPs will not topple the BN government.
These are undisputed facts which raises the question as to what SAPP really hope to accomplish by that apparently pre-empt announcement of the motion of no confidence against Pak Lah?
In pre-empting the motion, SAPP gave Pak Lah ample time and opportunities for a counter attack.
1) It allows Pak Lah time to call for an emergency BN meeting to discuss the issue, decide on course of actions against SAPP, and to consolidate unity in the BN coalition.
2) It allows plenty of time, before Monday parliament sitting, for the BN, especially UMNO, to react and to neutralize the intended motion of no confidence.
However, apparently with very bad judgment and timing, Pak Lah (through MDTCA Shahrir) intend to motion for another price hikes on food, oil, & further reduction of government’s subsidies. Talk about suicidal! On the heels of so many very unpopular price hikes & policies, Pak Lah must have a death wish high on his list of priorities. He must really be ignorantly stupid to think that this is the way to win back the Raykat’s support. Even his own mother would have turned against him with such badly timed policies!
So who, what, & why are the game plans of all these duly elected people’s representatives??
SAPP:
1) With such noble reasons geared towards the heart of Sabah’s problems, SAPP knows they have the support from all Sabahans, and Sabah BN MPs will find it impossible not to agree with SAPP. These other BN MPs have the option not to support the no confidence motion, but not the reasons for SAPP’s motion.
2) In the event UMNO decides to kick out SAPP from the BN, this issue will be a potent political tool in re-election strategy. SAPP, especially Yong whose political fortune has been waning, will be portrayed as a martyr for Sabah’s cause and the BN an evil oppressor. This is certainly not lost to the BN and UMNO in particular.
3) By pre-empting their intention for that no confidence motion against the PM, SAPP is testing the water to see who would come calling. It’s like slapping water to attract sharks and other big fish. SAPP gave four days for those within the BN to mull over SAPP’s actions before Monday’s parliament sitting.
Looks like it will be a long and busy week end for all concerned!
#22 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:57 am
In what way is this pissing at the wind than opposing Sharir’s motion “seeking support for the measures taken by the government over price increases of food, oil and commodities”???
RPK’s allegations have domestic and international repercussions on image of the country regarding what needs to be done and addressed next in light of the disclosure by Statutory Declaration.
It has nothing with prejudging – or the separate issue – of the allegations and whether they could lead to the toppling of those implicated.
We are talking at cross purposes here.
#23 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 9:58 am
“….It has nothing TO DO with prejudging…the VERACITY of the allegations and further whether they could lead eventually to the toppling of those implicated”.
#24 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 10:10 am
“…in the eyes of the majority in Parliament…”?
In relation to “majority” in respect to the subjective question of whether RPK’s SD is a “…definite matter of urgent and of public interest”, that has already been prior addressed : You are not following the points raised earlier about (1) RPK sources leaked from BN quarters with a motive that could be manifested when such a potion is raised (2) on issue of it being defeatable by BN’s majority due ordinarily to the party discipline of “Whip”, the exception in this case based on conflicts of interest.
#25 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 10:10 am
“..such a Motion..”
#26 by kingkenny on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 11:01 am
“”To those of you dreamers who think that the country’s top 2 leaders, plus the extremely ambitious Kera Jantan, could be toppled by RPK’s allegations – think again. Investigations will go into a black hole. RPK will be laughed at as being of unsound mind.
Remember in 1983 when Mak Foon Than appeared in a Hong Kong court charged with the murder of a Malaysian banker, and he “confessed” that he was sent there by the then Malaysian Finance Minister to commit the crime – as the Malaysian banker was going to unravel the link between Carrian and UMNO ? The press laughed at the “preposterous” allegation and no investigation commenced.”"
GodFather
=================================================
Very good point Godfather. And that is the whole point of Malaysian politics.
As I always believe, there is no ethics in politics when the Rakyat is suffering. We can be dead sure, the current government officials are NOT playing by the rules.
Politics is politics, the opposition can’t forever be thinking of ways/methods that is in line with the law to counter everything the government do “unlawfully”. We know who always win.
#27 by kingkenny on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 11:38 am
What will “instill” discipline and make changes to this country is the Rakyat’s power, and it alone.
That is why the government is reluctant to abolish ISA, it did not protect the Rakyat, it protect them (government) from the Rakyat. Hundreds of Rakyat they can happily detain and put in jail, but not the whole nation!
They do afraid of us, but with ISA, they have a shield that they can use conveniently against us, against righteousness. Malaysians are peace loving people, we don’t need ISA. We have still our security forces. What we need is less corruption, justice and a good standard of livelihood, if “possible”, then who will protest on the streets??!
Change first and then reform, let DSAI have his ‘meal’.
We must remember, our PR pals consist of PAS and PKR (a Malay dominated party) + DAP. PAS & PKR has done this country a favor by building a strong Malay based party to challenge UMNO.
Now with the fuel price hike and RPK’s unconfirmed SD, the time is now DSAI. We have significant support of the people and must build on this.
Yesterday somebody commented about DSAI being a dictator and denying it later when rebuffed, today it is: “Tengku Li, this is your chance”, reviving semangat 46?
UMNO/BN must go indefinitely, this will show the Rakyat’s power and that the people have a say in this country. I get the notion that some people here in this blog assume that by changing the leadership of the party will help Malaysia, if there is such righteous person, he should stand up now, for the country, expose and challenge. Don’t just make a few statements in the press to “test water” and see whether got people support or not – and dissappear altogether. Give us your case and let us, the people decide.
For me, I say we just grab its head and pull it out together with its roots!
SEPT16 OR PRU13!
ONCE AND FOR ALL!
#28 by harmanamri on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 11:42 am
Jeffrey,
I said it above and I say it again: Trying to move a motion under SO 18 (1) is pointless. An exercise in futility. The Speaker will simply reject it on the ground that it is not “urgent” or “sub-judice”!! Furthermore, even if allowed to be debated (probability 0.0000000001%) there is no voting at the end of it. I repeat: NO VOTING. If the Opposition wants to introduce any motion, then it has to give 14 days’ notice and the Speaker will put it at the bottom of the list of motions and bills to be dealt with, giving priority to government business. As always the case, the motion will lapsed because there will be no time for it. So the only way to show that the present government does not have the support of the House and the people is to defeat any motion that comes to be voted in the House. Such as the Shahrir motion. On Raja Petra’s SD, wait until Pakatan Rakyat comes to power before any action will be taken on it to pursue the real criminals!!
#29 by kingkenny on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 11:49 am
Aiyo Admin,
what’s wrong with my comment…very ‘normal’ what?! :)
#30 by dawsheng on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 11:54 am
Everyone wants to know whether the first lady in waiting was there enjoying the fireworks. On Monday, there has to be at least two motions of no confidence vote for the PM and D_PM.
#31 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 11:54 am
harmanamri, I must say that you are right about the first major barrier that needs to be crossed (before any motion may be accepted for debate) that is not expected to be easy to cross – the all important Speaker, upon the assumption that he favours the government, and has not changed his stance in light of the recent developments in Sabah from SAPP/Yong Teck Lee.
#32 by dawsheng on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 11:55 am
Is parliament going live this Monday?
#33 by yhsiew on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 12:00 pm
To turn the “motion of price increases” into “motion of no confidence”, SOMEBODY must be daring to come forward to unite every individual opposition MP and “would be” defectors to speak with one voice on Monday.
There is no point in sitting back and expect the “motion of no confidence” to take place automatically Monday! SOMEBODY must do something now to plan and get the MPs agree to participate in the no confidence motion – it is action that counts.
#34 by oceanruby on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 12:05 pm
majority rule with minority rights and we can predict what’s the result on this Monday
#35 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 12:14 pm
Having said that, it must however, be pointed out that the other assumption made (yet to be tested) is that the Speaker’s ruling – that RPK’s SD should not be entertained for reasons of sub judice or not urgent & of public interest – cannot be immediately challenged by Opposition in the precence of media/observers there or that there is no political gain at all from challenging it and even losing in the process.
Is this true???
Challenging the Speaker’s rulings on points of order and occasionally dissenting from a ruling is itself the arsenal in the political battle – regardless of his decision.
Here we’re making an important asumption – that dissenting from his ruling cannot be put to a vote : is that true?
Because if Opposition could put that ruling to a vote, then the question of majority power could be tested with equal facility as opposing Sharir’s govt motion!
Except with added bonus that it deals with a relevant and sensational issue of confidence in govt than an extraneous issue of “measures for food, oil and commodities etc”.
If the above premises were correct then what Dawsheng said Today at 11: 54.22 will be relevant – there has to be at least two motions of no confidence vote….on Monday.
#36 by sotong on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 12:25 pm
The poor and ordinary people should not be made to pay for the decades of bad leadership and governance of the country!
#37 by riversandlakes on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 12:51 pm
Go, Uncle Lim, go!
#38 by lew1328 on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 12:53 pm
Greetings! YB Kit
You and DSAI absolutely look handsome & yours talk yesterday in Shah Alam Stadium. (The 100 days Selangor new government celebration)
Best regards.
#39 by NG on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 12:54 pm
DEAR ALL READERS.THERE IS HOPELESS TO USE THE MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINSTTHE PM.I GOT AN IDEA.Y NOT ASK ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE MCA,GERAKAN,MIC,AND OTHER BN COMPONENT WHO R NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PM N BN TO RESIGN N FORM A PAKATAN.
#40 by k1980 on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 1:04 pm
Will this serious allegation be answered by Rosemary and co?
http://bigdogdotcom.wordpress.com/2008/06/20/is-this-statutory-declaration-true/
#41 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 1:40 pm
“RPK’s allegations have domestic and international repercussions on image of the country regarding what needs to be done and addressed next in light of the disclosure by Statutory Declaration.”
What a naive statement ! Show me an instance in the past 30 years where Parliament have allowed a bipartisan motion relating to “what needs to be done and addressed”. Show me an instance where the majority in Parliament have taken into account “domestic and international repercussions”.
Pure hogwash.
#42 by mybangsamalaysia on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 1:45 pm
A change in government is long waited for. As chinese said, whether a black cat or a white cat, the cat the can catch a rat is a good cat.
YB, go for it, the old cat can sense no rat anymore.
#43 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 1:48 pm
It is easy for others to propose exercises in futility as these people are not facing the wind when the p!ss starts to flow.
#44 by bolehlandor on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 2:19 pm
YB Kit Sir
This vote of no confidence against the retarded sleepy idiot is long overdue. Please try your best to table it as well as get it passed in collaboration with all the other sane, non-corrupt & wise MP’s. My reckoning is that this vote will still not wake the delusional bodohwi up. Only the Almighty perhaps can perform this miracle. However at least then si-bodohwi may stop his day dreaming and commit less downright stupid deeds against our beloved country.
#45 by dawsheng on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 2:19 pm
Looks like someone got experience standing in the way of wind and p!ss.
#46 by rainbowseahorse on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 2:20 pm
Well, all BN MPs have the weekend to mull over what they want to say & do on Monday.
Who knows? Perhaps we Rakyat might suddenly discover that some of our elected…no, no. no I did not vote for any of them.. these elected MPs might suddenly discover they have balls…with some even gluing on their balls!
If anything else, we Rakyat at least have a glimmer of hope!
#47 by Godfather on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 2:45 pm
For over 30 years, the DAP has been standing downwind, and getting their own p!ss, and now some hardcore supporters believe that the DAP should continue to do that as Opposition barking dogs. Trouble is that these so-called DAP supporters are not facing downwind, and they prefer to shout at some distance away. Get closer to the action, then talk.
#48 by rainbowseahorse on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 3:17 pm
Godfather, as we aged, we have to learn to let slide some foolish & idiotic views. No point in argueing with people who are convinced they are right.
Like the olding saying goes, “If you argue with a fool, people might not know the difference”.
I am writing this because..hehehe.. I can actuall feel the “heat” coming from your posting.
#49 by Rakyat Teraniaya on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 3:20 pm
YB Lim, I would like to stress,that the new Political Tsunami has taken strength, after the first March 8th Tsunami, now SAPP has added fuel to a new and more important Tsunami, to topple our worthless and corrupt BN government! Badawi’s days are numbered as they should be,and the Pakatan Rakyat must do it’s all to end BN’s 50 years corrupt as soon as possible!
Pakatan Rakyat must rally the BN reps who are going to jump ship so that the PR can govern Malaysia as soon as possible!
Long Live DAP! Long Live PKR! Long Live PAS!
LONG LIVE PAKATAN RAKYAT!
#50 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 21 June 2008 - 3:44 pm
The validity of the statement “RPK’s allegations have domestic and international repercussions on image of the country” is separate and has nothing to do with the second statement made by Godfather that the majority in Parliament have never been shown to have taken into account “domestic and international repercussions”. The question of “what needs to be done and addressed” is, as a matter of strategy of testing majority in Parliament what we put into motion to challenge them which again is seprate and has nothing to do with whether we expect them to do anything. You always confuse the issues.