How can Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam be barred from contesting to be the Umno Deputy President for involvement in money politics (euphemism for corruption) but yet be fit to continue as the Malacca Chief Minister?
The same question applies to Khairy Jamaluddin, who was given a warning for being involved in money politics – as to how he could continue even as MP for Rembau.
I posed these questions in Parliament during the 2008 Supplementary Estimates after the announcement by the Umno Disciplinary Board this evening.
In my speech, I quoted the interview by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz in Sunday Star (8.3.09) on money politics in the Umno elections, where he admitted:
“It’s still quite rampant except that it has gone underground.”
In response to the question: “Why do you think members have gone to the MACC rather than the Umno disciplinary board?”, Nazri replied:
“Actually, a corrupt act cannot be settled at the party disciplinary board level as it is not an offence just against Umno that can be sorted out internally. It goes beyond Umno. It is an offence against the state so nothing can stop MACC from coming in because all these complaints are made by Umno members.”
When will MACC move against Ali and Khairy?
#1 by Toyol on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 2:23 pm
All this just for show. Just looking at the STAR today make me want to purge my lunch! UMNO’s version of guilty is a joke!
#2 by KennyGan on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 2:47 pm
Now Zaid Ibrahim calls on the Agung not to appoint Najib as PM. Do you think His Majesty is above politics? After what happened in Perak, I have no confidence.
To forestall the Agung appointing Najib as PM, the opposition must take the initiative to call for a vote of confidence in Badawi. With full support from all opposition MPs and 30+ from BN, the vote can carry.
This will certainly give His Majesty pause in appointing Najib as PM as this is a clear indication that Najib does not command the confidence of majority of the Assembly, If HRH goes ahead and appoint Najib, a vote of no confidence will bring him down.
This is the best option to stop Najib becoming PM. Petitions and appeals have only a slim chance of working.
#3 by Loh on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 3:32 pm
///Badawi could call a vote of confidence on himself to stop Najib becoming PM and if he loses he could advise the Agung to dissolve Parliament for snap elections.///– Kennygan
AAB must have been stronger when he was forced to change the date of departure than he is now, two weeks from the deadline when he is dead as PM. He was unable to stand his ground to stick to date he had agreed. He chose to follow the order of UMNO MT when he had nothing to lose by insisting to keep the date. In fact, even if the MT should pass a vote of no confidence he needed not seek royal approval to stay as PM. If the MT could remove him then, they can remove him now that a new UMNO president will be installed on 28th March. We saw what happened in Perak, and it is going to happen in Kuala Lumpur should AAB fail to toe the lie, and in good rhythm.
#4 by Godfather on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 6:16 pm
If I were Najis, I would tell Ali Rusty this:
Be a good boy, and accept the decision of the Disciplinary committee. I will give you a part of the stimulus package that I just announced, and you can spend the rest of your days in real comfort.
#5 by KennyGan on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 6:31 pm
Loh,
If Badawi refuses to resign as PM, he can only be removed by a vote of no confidence in Parliament and not by Umno MT. Note that MT did not remove him, he was pressured to resign. There is also no constitutional requirement for the PM to be the Umno President.
Passing a vote of no confidence against the sitting PM has its risks for Umno. The PM can request the Agung to dissolve Parliament if he loses and call snap elections.
#6 by Yee Siew Wah on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 9:59 pm
This bum has already been found guilty of “CORRUPTION” and was barred from UMNO election, but yet he can still be a CM. What a bunch of circus clowns.
BTW, where are all these super fast MACC heroes??? If these guys are opposition, you can bet they are already investigating their cases NOW.
Hmmm..just wait and see what these super dupers going to do that their masters are found to be corrupted… Just wait and see.
#7 by depressman on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - 10:28 pm
It’s obvious who is the boss of MACC… :(
#8 by HJ Angus on Thursday, 19 March 2009 - 11:15 am
I don’t believe that AAB is going to do the brave thing and change the course of history.
It will be totally against his past behaviour and MO but of course miracles do happen.
But I agree that UMNO cannot operate in isolation from the laws of the nation.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2009/03/malaysiakini-readers-suggest-umno.html
#9 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 19 March 2009 - 11:59 am
The chances of AAB staying on against his own word (albeit justified on interest of country) are zilch!
He cannot go back on his word. If he had any reservations about retiring he would not have first announced and reaffirmed it repeatedly. The pros and cons on his personal scale of weigning is more pros to retire than to stay on.
He cannot remain as PM on a vote of confidence made possible on the back of an enbloc opposition vote in his favour. It is as good as asking him to defect and join Pakatan Rakyat.
In fact it is odd that any warlord from BN could become a PM based on majority of Parliamentary support structured upon and inclusive of solid Opposition’s support. It is not an option unless a unity government is first in place. Even then AAB may not want to stay on. Retirement, less stressful activity like farming and fishing here or golfing in Perth beckon instead of having to counter opposition charges and having to tame an unruly bunch of warlords more ruthless and having a greater war chest of money than him, and aspiring to take his place.
Calling Tun Mahathir to come back as PM, no matter how unlikely, would still stand a notch better chance than AAB’s coming back!