Too busy to blog since the media conference in Parliament at 11 am yesterday on the letter to the Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia on Teresa Kok’s detention under the Internal Security Act, with several events crammed one after another including the following events:
1. Habeas corpus application for the release of Teresa at the Kuala Lumpur High Court;
2. First visit of Teresa by her parents at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur since her ISA detention on Friday (Sept. 12) night at 11.18 pm.
3. Candlelight vigil at Kinrara, Teresa’s state assembly constituency.
4. Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia Day rally at Kelana Jaya Stadium.
Before rushing off to airport, must blog about the convening of a meeting of MPs from all political parties which I announced in Parliament House yesterday to form a “Free MP Teresa Kok” Parliamentary caucus.
The inaugural meeting of this parliamentary caucus will be held in Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday, 17th September 2008 at 3 p.m and I hope that regardless of race, religion or political affiliation, MPs (and Ministers) will come together tomorrow to demand MP Teresa Kok’s immediate release in our capacity as a parliamentarian.
MP for Batu Gajah, Fong Po Kuan is the co-ordinating secretary convening the inaugural meeting tomorrow for the establishment of the “Free MP Teresa Kok” parliamentary caucus.
Let all MPs (including Ministers) come together for the first time in the nation’s history as an MP transcending race, religion or party.
Hope to see Datuk Zaid Ibrahim at the caucus meeting tomorrow!
#1 by Lee Wang Yen on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 7:37 pm
I support Anwar’s move to topple the BN government. That’s our only hope.
Many commentators here argue that we should not emphasise too much the exact date of 16/9. Many also think that we should be patient as taking over a government is not easy. I must say that I completely agree with these sentiments. I would even say that Anwar should not have repeatedly claimed that he is confident of overthrowing the government by 16 Sept in the first place.
We must not forget that no one forced the deadline on Anwar. It was entirely self-imposed. His repeated claim raises a serious question: either he was too careless to have neglected the technical difficulties (as many of you have pointed out) in his past reiteration of his confidence of achieving his goal by 16 Sept or he was simply bragging. Either way it does not go down well with the people. We have had enough of a flip-flopping PM who often goes back on his words and has great difficulties honouring his promises. We’ll be wary of a potential PM who starts to behave like this. If someone could repeatedly claim (on his own accord) that he is confident of achieving X by a certain date, but then give you a list of explanations on why X has to be postponed, what would you think of his promise to reform this and replace that and abolish this? Wouldn’t it be reasonable to think that he is quite likely to furnish excuses when he couldn’t fulfil his promises?
You may say this to me: ‘Come on, do you think changing the government is easy? There are too many unforeseen circumstances and unexpected turns of events. Be realistic! It takes time. Be patient!’ Strangely, this is the sort of ‘reason’ provided by Abdullah (and the would-be principled politicians in MCA and GERAKAN) for BN’s inability to fulfil its promises to reform.
My point is this. Anwar shouldn’t have made a repeated claim of being confident of achieving his goal by a specific date. But when he has chosen to impose such a deadline and to reiterate his confidence of achieving it by the deadline, the last minute backtracking is simply irresponsible.
#2 by Lee Wang Yen on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 7:47 pm
To summarise, it’s not very wise to promise something too difficult to achieve. But once you have chosen to make the promise and to reiterate it (for many, many times), then you must take up the responsibility to see to its fulfilment. This seems to me an essential quality of a good leader.
#3 by Old.observer on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 8:11 pm
Lee Wang Yen Says:
Today at 19: 47.40 (13 minutes ago)
To summarise, it’s not very wise to promise something too difficult to achieve. But once you have chosen to make the promise and to reiterate it (for many, many times), then you must take up the responsibility to see to its fulfilment. This seems to me an essential quality of a good leader.
***************
Dear Lee,
Let’s not be quick to judge.
Remember – in the last 50 years – no one (i.e. NOBODY) else has successfully done what DSAI is trying to do.
Calling this task “difficult” is hugely under-estimating it.
More appropriate to label it “Impossible”. Or “An impossible task of Herculean proportions”.
Yes, that “impossible”.
And yet, it’s not over yet. Who says he doesn’t have the numbers? Can anyone say this at this point in time?
What’s a few more days?
If you are looking for a perfect leader – the one that can do the impossible – with no mistakes or downside, I can tell you he doesn’t exist in this world.
If you think you can do better than DSAI, then, let me know so that I can vote for you to be the next PM of Malaysia.
#4 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 8:16 pm
I respect the views expressed by Loh & Old Observer.
However it should not be forgotten that although out of respect Anwar has asked for an audioence with the PM, the PM has however declined to see Anwar and PR’s leaders unless as a pre-condition the names of MPs and ministers defecting are first disclosed. Now Anwar & Pakatan have given some plausible reasons why their names should not be disclosed first in fear that they might be subject to either inducement or pressure to retract their commitment to PR. I can understand that.
However we canot have a chicken-egg situation of which comes first: which is why I suggest Anwar seks an immediate audience with the King if he really hasdocumentary proof of the numbers defecting. This is because time is of the essence : if this chicken & egg situation persists, there will be time for reactionaries, vested interests and mischief makers within BN that will use the delay to concoct nefarious schemes to bring the country into precipice of violence just so to provide an excuse for a clampdown.
I wish to underline the point that the sooner he “legitimises” and proves his numbers to either PM or the King, whoever the earlier, the better for it will cast any clamp down, if imposed, as on the light of something artificially created to thwart Anwear’s plans, and hence unjustifiable.
If Anwar dillies dallies and procratinates, and such a clamp down were earlier imposed before he proves his numbers (to King or PM), such a clampdown may well be justified by its perpetrators based on Anwar being deceptive and telling lies without concern to harm on economy and stability of the country by such lies.
On this ground I say Anwar should see the King (if he really has the numbers) rather than the PM who has no reason to see him since Anwar is the one evicting him from his position.
To the extent that Anwar does not see the King fast when the PM has already made known that he doesn’t want to see Anwar unless Anwar first identifies the defectors, an adverse inference will be drawn against Anwar in playing this delaying chicken & egg game, that he actually does not have the numbers but lied about them….
#5 by Lee Wang Yen on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 8:31 pm
Many argue that Anwar did not reveal the number and names for fear of some repercussions (arrests, pressures on the MPs to change their mind, etc)
Anwar sent the letter to PM yesterday. Had the PM agreed to meet him today, he would still have to reveal the names and even the signed documents to convince the PM that he has lost the support of the majority of MPs. And this is exactly what Anwar said he would do if and when he meets the PM. Couldn’t those repercussions happen in this case?
So I still don’t see why he couldn’t reveal the names.
#6 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 8:35 pm
YB Kit, can you please advise Anwar that his approach is untenable.
If I were PM Abdullah Badawi I have everything right and force of reason to tell Anwar:-
1. I have no reason to see him to accelerate my own ouster, exit and departure. I have every right to self preservation to stay in my seat.
2. So if Anwar wants to push me out he has first to convince the King that he has the numbers. Why? Simple : the King is empowered by the Constitution to appoint me as PM and therefore with it the corollary right to dismiss me as PM and dissolve Parliament. So Anwar should seek audience with King – and not me, knowing that I don’t want to vacate my position and hence will not grant him an audience without him first proving to the me or more importantly the King that he has the numbers.
3. His persistence in wanting to first talk to me – knowing fully well my precondition that he proves his numbers first that he has already explained why he won’t do so – is a deliberate attempt to create a chicken and egg dilemma that camouflages the fact that he really never has the numbers by 16/9 and merely finding away to cover and hide that repeated misrepresentation to his suporters and rakyat.
Come on, I am not unreasonable, you prove to the Agong first you have the numbers – then you can talk to me about transistion.
This is the position I will take if I were Badawi. I think it is a reasonable position.
#7 by Lee Wang Yen on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 8:41 pm
What makes us think that the defecting MPs won’t be pressured, lured, or even arrested after the names are revealed to the PM in his meeting with Anwar (presumably today), when we think that these would happen to them if their names were revealed in the media conference a while ago?
Can’t the PM request to consider Anwar’s ‘offer’ for a few days while trying to lure, pressure and even arrest those MPs in the meantime?
#8 by Lee Wang Yen on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 8:46 pm
Jeffrey’s thesis that ‘Anwar’s failure to show the evidence of intention to defect to the right person (he thinks it should be the king) as soon as possible gives the “injured tiger” (Abdullah) an excuse for clamping down’ sounds very plausible to me. This thesis has to be taken seriously, if PAKATAN is serious about the well-being of the people.
#9 by lopez on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 8:48 pm
When arrogance is overrun by stubborness it is all over.
Bodohwi can start planning his getaway in a yacht and carribean perhaps or a trip to fremantle.
It is all over and all he does is give his losers smile and try laugh his way out.
It is the same to the wananbe pm and the “saya yang mingikut perintah”
Speeches with Smiles and ridicule is an escape act from a loser on the stage
manned the exits points and bid farewell and dont ever come back.
#10 by Kasim Amat on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 9:47 pm
Zaid is Malay’s traitor, and what a wrong decision on his appointment to reform the Law in Malaysia. He has not contributed anything to this country and now he is using this as an excuse to join PKR? Zaid, I wish you all the best and hope you will treat your own race better in the future.
#11 by wifeejane on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 11:07 pm
At least I can see a smart and leader of principal in ZI. A big salute to you. Your are a man of your words. I pray Malaysia should have more leaders like you. But we should also give credit to AAB for opening up the media and more democratic ways of governing Malaysia as well as releasing DSAI. Credit also have to be given to him for closing up the Che det slanderous, racist outrage in his website to stir racial hagemony. Only weakness in him is he is too honest and soft hearted to be manipulated and make use of by all those around him.
#12 by wifeejane on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 11:13 pm
Kasim Amat if your daughter Tan Hoon Cheng and sister is Teresa Kok and father is RPK what would you say? Let say you are put under ISA by the botak for your call of traitor to ZI. Then would you dare to call ZI traitor?
#13 by lopez on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 11:17 pm
Judging others is easy, judging someone you dislike or you feel had betrayed you is so much easier.
But it is even easier to blame and usually quite often than nought you yourself is to blame…
why the hell you chose him in the first place are you not smart enough or you have taken a present.
If sterotyping is in vogue then we can say these nkp and cronies have brains of mud and dung for not knowing their opinions are lacking in substance of basic intelligence.
#14 by japstrat81 on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 11:28 pm
Kasim Amat,
Believing in something to be the right thing does not automatically make you a traitor.
He believed it to be. So who are you to say that it was awrong decision.He was the Minister of Law kawan.You are Minister of what?
Now you say he has not contributed anything to the country.What may I ask has been your contribution.
When did he say he is joining PKR? Ehmmmmmm.I can’t hear you!!!!
What is the excuse? I cant hear you!!!!!.
By the way, what exactly is it that makes him a traitor of the Malays?
Grow up lah Kasim.Anything that does not fall in line with what your belief is anti-malay,anti this ,anti that.This is the 21st century.
Time for you all to grow up.This world has had enough of your racism.
#15 by japstrat81 on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 11:42 pm
You all can just see for yourselves the result of this gomen’s brainwashing of people like Kasim.Suddenly they all feel threatened by every action, remark or political shift.
Very insecure people.
Dato Zaid, don’t worry about your own people.They have well survived for hundreds of years and will continue to do so hereafter.
It’s only the politicians who have told them that they are weak and need the big brother’s protection.
And then they keep on feeding them this theory from the day they start understanding the political language of the party.
People like Kasim, we should feel sorry for.
#16 by wifeejane on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 - 11:51 pm
What is most important to the rakyat is minimal disturbance and no bloodshed during the transition. I am sure saudara LKS has sufficient experiance on that in 513. If u r a good leader the change of power sooner or later is not important compare to minimal or no casulty during the pass over period(minimal or no casulty in term of financial, asset, capital and human resources). Nobody likes to see bloodshed like in Paksistan, financial turmoil like in Mexico, spate of asset and properties loss-bank raided, shops looted and supermarket robbed during a change in leaders. And finally the rakyat need to built up from scratch. So pls LKS advice our leader that as a respectable leader make sure that the transition is smooth and do not force the injured tiger to spring back and attack everyone -the nation as a whole. Give him some space to run and hide for his asylum.
#17 by badak on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 - 12:24 am
KASIM the real traitors are UMNO LEADERS who had been robbing from the poor MALAYS for over 30 years.
#18 by Orangasing on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 - 1:56 am
kentutoyol Says:
Yesterday at 18: 54.11
IF YOUR LIFE IS AT RISK….
APPLY TO BE ARRESTED UNDER ISA.
WHAT A CARING GOMEN!
************************
Very FUNNY! Good one.
Ok, let’s apply for ISA protection when Ah Long (illegal loan sharks)chasing for money! HAHAHA……..very funny!
#19 by tourman53 on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 - 5:42 am
It’s not easy to find sincere and honest people like Zaid in UMNO.
#20 by lopez on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 - 6:22 am
once in a while you get someone like zaid from the crowd, whether he is up to full credit for his deed remains to be proven.
It is the nature of such people, so far he only dare to speak up to his master , and is a good sign but not the final person of a steadfast people’s hero yet.
whatever lies in his intention remains to be seen, yes he is still a club member and like their club , it is a cave man club.
And caveman club is going to have new office bearers, who knows he is advertising himself as many of them are confused that when they acted , they tends to assume they have acted for the nation as well.
So as many readers who read blindly and accept blindly from people like these and self acclaiming de facto status that never was.
So we will know who is a blind follower and who are the destiny creators.
that coconut has expound himself as a keen defender of cave men thoughts but he does not know he has thoughts and opines of a follower.
Most expound themselves here in solidarity of beliefs and values of a unique kind and most of them have genuine and originality of creators of thoughts …..deriving from thinkings outside the box..unlike thinkings derive within cave clubs within whims and fancies of mad arrogant men.
#21 by shamshul anuar on Thursday, 18 September 2008 - 2:04 am
Dear Lee Wang Yan,
I agree with your view. If I were to be PM, I would do the same like what pak Laah did. Why must I entertain Anwar’s request. Who is Anwar to force his ambition on me.
Anwar made the claim to topple PM by Sept 16. But until today PM is still the PM. So, who is the idiot here.
Anwar claimed he has the numbers. No need to have PHD in nuclear physic to understand that Anwar would have sought the audience with Yang Dipertuan Agong should the claim is true.
The truth is that he does not have the numbers. That is why BN still rules Malaysia.
As for the Malays, this is a typical of “orang tak beriman”. He refuses to accept”Qada dan Qadar. In Malay language, he refuses to accept Allah’s wishes that Bn won the election but Pakatan won 5 states.
BN won the election. that is the choice of the rakyat. As Anwar claimed of championing “Ketuanan Rakyat” , he should honour the decision of rakyat even if it is not in his favour.
#22 by shamshul anuar on Thursday, 18 September 2008 - 2:18 am
Dear Jefrey,
May I enlighten you on Malay tradition. Pak Lah is the PM of the day and it is his duty to explain any major govt policies to Yang Dipertuan Agung.
Whatever question His Majesty has, the King will have to ask the PM. It is improper to grant an audience to Anwar who in turn ( at the audience) will ask His Majesty to “sack” the PM of the day.
PM can sack the Agong . Not the other way around. Please understand that is the position of PM in Malay culture. One Arab diplomat was speechless when our first Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman said that to him.
Unless His Majesty is satisfied that PM has lost control of the Government( meaning like UMNO MPs in droves join Pakatan), he cant dismiss the PM.
Besides, there is another alternatives, PM can advise him to dissolve the Parliament. and those who betray the trust by “frogging” to Pakatan will learn the unforgetable lesson; that is losing the election.
#23 by justintime on Thursday, 18 September 2008 - 12:48 pm
I think Anwar really made a fool of himself at the pres conference the other day. Sad to think that the head of the opposition is loosing his charm, bits by bits.