Gerakan Youth leader Lim Si Ping yesterday hailed the Gerakan President, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon as the “Super Minister” in the Najib Cabinet who is tasked with monitoring the performance of the other 28 Ministers.
Is Tsu Koon a Super Minister or Superfluous Minister in the Najib Cabinet?
If one is to strike out the most superfluous Minister in the 29-member Najib Cabinet without causing any ripples of having to find a replacement, it will be difficult to find another candidate than Tsu Koon and his portfolio.
How pathetic – to end up as a Superfluous Minister when he should be a Super Minister after 18 years as Penang Chief Minister, especially as he is the most senior Barisan Nasional government leader in the Najib Cabinet after the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyideen Yassin and Information, Communication, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Rais Yatim.
He is even more senior as Barisan Nasional government leader than the other Umno leaders including Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Rural Development and Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamad and Minister in PM’s Department (Law and Parliament) Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, not to mention the MCA President and Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, the MIC Minister for Human Resources, Dr. S. Subramaniam or the Minister for Agricultural Development and Commodities, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.
As a flyweight in the Najib Cabinet, who will believe Tsu Koon can wield the powers and influence to monitor the performance particularly of Umno heavyweights like Muhyiddin, Hishammuddin, Zahid or Shafie Apdal – when as Penang Chief Minister, he could not exercise authority or influence over Penang Umno divisions or branches, as illustrated by the “Chinese are squatters” political scandal precipitated by the Umno Bukit Bendera division chairman, Ahmad Ismail during the Permatang Pauh by-election last August?
However Gerakan national leaders are not so naive like the Gerakan Youth chief as to believe that Tsu Koon has become a Super Minister, which is why the Gerakan Central Working Committee in its statement on April 10 welcoming the Gerakan President’s appointment into the Cabinet through the “backdoor” of Parliament was careful to touch only on Tsu Koon’s role to monitor the performance of the 40 Deputy Ministers, omitting all reference to Ministers.
Clearly even the Gerakan CWC knows that it is ludicrous to expect a flyweight like Tsu Koon to monitor the ministerial performance of Umno heavyweights like Muhyiddin, Hishammuddin, Zahid or Shafie Apdal.
Never mind about being the “monitor” for the other Ministers on their Key Performance Indicators to gauge their respective ministerial performance and achievements.
Is Tsu Koon prepared to set a KPI example for the rest of the Cabinet by being the first to make public the framework and structure of the KPI to evaluate the success or otherwise of his carrying out of the Ministerial portfolio to promote national unity?
Najib had said when announcing his new Cabinet that he has created a separate portfolio in the PM’s Department to oversee national unity which will “adopt creative approaches towards promoting national unity, in line with the concept of One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now.”
In other words, whether Najib’s slogan of “One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” succeed or fail as miserably as those of his predecessors, like Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s “Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang” and Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s “Amanah, Berseh, Cekap” , will be on Tsu Koon’s shoulders.
Is this what Gerakan Youth leader meant when he said Tsu Koon is the Super Minister in the Najib Cabinet?
How can the Malaysian public evaluate Tsu Koon’s KPI to assess the success or failure in ensuring that Najib’s “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” is instantly the overarching philosophy of the Najib government in all fields and not just empty rhetoric?
Is Tsu Koon able to come out with a website without any delay so that Malaysians who have complaints about the failures of the government in measuring up to Najib’s “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” slogan can lodge their complaints and seek immediate redress?
#1 by Taxidriver on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 2:23 am
Why the hoo-ha over this ‘backdoor’ business? It is not something new as using backdoors is ‘protocol’ to UMNO/BN govt. We know contracts are awarded via the backdoor. Judges and Lord Presidents also prefer to use backboors. So, where is the wrong if KTK choses to enter using the backdoor????
Do you know what is ‘backdoor’ diplomacy? It got Muhkriz a deputy minister’s post. Thanks to the top ‘Backdoor’ Diplomat in the country, Tun Dr Mahatir Bin Mohammad.
#2 by Taxidriver on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 2:39 am
Muhyidin & Mahatir memang ‘adik-beradik’, very racist and very quick to use threats and scare tactics. When the former was Menteri Besar Johor, and once after one GE he said he would find out not why but “who are the Chinese who did not vote for BN”,
#3 by klaikw on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 2:58 am
SUPER MINISTER ??????? the rakyat rejected KTK due to a reason, but our new P M handpick him for his personal reason. we raykat bukan bodoh my friend.
#4 by Taxidriver on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 4:52 am
ekans says:
“to be fair to KTK, he has done a lot for Malaysians in general and Penangites in particulrar”
ekans,
While I concur with you on that, I don’t think the people who critisize KTK are being unfair to him. On the contrary, it is precisely pepole see that little ‘something’ in this man that they wish he not accept this post as it is all too obvious that UMNO is making use of him, knowing he is ‘reliable’ and will obedient to them.
Nobody will expect the present ministers and deputy ministers to perform to the people’s expection, given their questionable integrity, intelligence ( the PM and Deputy PM came from “half-past-six” cabinet under Badawi ) and lo! their past failed track records. That being so, how the hell is poor KTK going to write and submit his KPI reports?
If KTK were to offer a truthful assessment of their performance, which nobody thinks he dares anyway, he will be damned by them. Is KTK mentally prepared to work without fear or favour? If the answer is ‘NO’, then he will be damned by the people. ( Damned if I do and damned if I don’t )
KTK is still young, politically. He can have the consolation that his defeat in the 12th GE is not wholly the voters rejection of him. Protest votes against the arrogant and corrupt UMNO leaders contributed largely to the result.
KTK’s resignation from his post now may be the first step to salvage his fast-dwindling political career. And I believe many out there, like me, do have a soft-spot for this gentle doctor. Having to feel sorry to see his political demise later on is the last thing we want happened.
He cannot be considered to be bad. Just that he happens to be aligned to the wrong Camp.
#5 by Taxidriver on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 5:23 am
correction: Just that he happens to be aligned with the wrong Camp
#6 by limkamput on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 7:19 am
Lousy Ball says: Prof Limkamput will start off saying nice things for us to read….and end up accusing PAS and PRK what UMNO and BN are.
He has learn an art to twist and turn…with no class.
Usually this shows one with a big mouth with no experiences…no wisdom…simply hot air uttered the mouth…of no values.
————————————
I am merely stating the DNA of this country today. Unless this is changed, there will be no reform come what may – UMNO, PAS or PKR. The domineering culture is already in them. It is their birth right to govern, to plunder and to mismanage. Any other way is to challenge their supremacy. Therefore reform must inevitably start with dismantling the ketuanan culture. Of course I don’t expect someone who only has attap school education to see beyond his nose. Talking about big mouth, I wonder who among us here has the biggest mouth (with no tooth) of all.
#7 by Godfather on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 7:25 am
The correct term for Koh Tsu Koon is SUPER SHAMELESS MINISTER.
#8 by limkamput on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 7:30 am
Novice says: I think Muhyddin is faking ignorance because in his very next breath, he issues a veiled threat by asking if the Chinese and the Indians are beginning to think they are now the kingmakers. With this type of arrogance how can you win the hearts of the non-Malays.
Why are Chinese so apologetic when accused of being kingmakers? What is wrong of voting for our enduring interests when we see the system we are supporting is no longer working? There is nothing wrong being kingmakers. At least we were not abusive kings the last 50 years. As I said earlier, their arrogance is due to their ill-conceived culture – their right to govern, plunder and mismanage come what may.
#9 by Godfather on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 8:13 am
Limkamput:
There’s no need to hit out at PR at this stage. Wait till the next GE to remind them of what we want, what we expect. PR is fighting on too many fronts at the moment with the BN thieves trying to undermine them at every opportunity.
when PR comes to power and should it prove that it is another version of BN, then Limkamput, monsterball and Godfather will come together to form the next alternative front. We will walk the talk.
#10 by blablowbla on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 8:27 am
KTK,how are you going to handle UMNO warlords like tajudin,bung mokhtar,hamidi,ali rostam,nazri,tengku adnan,hishamudin,they will ask you to fly kite!
i know,some of them are not ministers,but you will get ppl like ahmad ismail to … you like hell!
muhyidiin,i think KTK is more accurate to describe as shadow minister,right?
#11 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 8:44 am
KTK is superannuated and will be superseded soon.
#12 by taiking on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 9:09 am
“Ta Chap” “Ta Chap” “Ta Chap” that is what he was entrusted to do. Its official “Ta Chap”. Its “Ta Chap” with a portfolio. Its “Ta Chap” performed in style – in suit and tie.
What is “Ta Chap”? “Pa Chap” is the hokkien version of that cantonese word. They are those little insignificant chores about the place where no one else bothers to do or wants to do.
Before umno party election najib asked umno party members to “GIVE ME A GOOD TEAM”. After umno party election najib said: “Nah na na na na” and ignored party members’ wishes.
#13 by blablowbla on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 9:12 am
godfather,
you all must learn the lesson from bkt. selambau by-election,where suddenly 13 ‘bebas’ surfaced,even you are miliionaire,so what?
politic is just like agriculturing,you put the seeds into soil,add fertilizers,make sure enuff water and no insects!and you still have to wait,wait and wait,if along the harvest process,you dont have bad climate,then only you get the crops!
what i mean is all of the frequent n famous ”dependent”(bcos u dun have your own blog) bloggers like limkamput,ah-pek,mandela,monsterball,blablabla……………you all must come out from the box and meet the ppl,dun quarrel among yourself,have a strong shadow line-up of cabinet(i dun mind),tell us your solid agenda,jeffry can be the ‘chairman’,i will support you!
will it happen?
haha,god knows!
#14 by disapointed86 on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 9:23 am
i agree with uncle KIT that KTK could not even handle AHMAD ISMAIL’s case well what to say managing the whole country?…ridiculous..can anyone let me know what has been done by him after being appointed as the cabinet minister??
#15 by ekans on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 9:55 am
On 13/4/2009 at 04:52.39, Taxidriver said:
ekans says:
“to be fair to KTK, he has done a lot for Malaysians in general and Penangites in particulrar”
Taxidriver,
Actually, that comment was posted by ctc537, not me.
Anyway, I also do concur with your opinion.
If Dr.KTK wishes to find ways of salvaging PGRM’s political standing within the majority of this nation’s constituents, he should first have a real serious look at the party’s actual current position/status within UMNO’s BN.
Maybe, he should consider having PGRM return to its origins, which is as an opposition party…
#16 by k1980 on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 10:39 am
Najib’s cabinet has the most number of political failures (i.e. senators) appointed as ministers. What is the use of democracy if those lowlifes rejected by the people can end up in the highest echelons of power? Waiting for the day when Lim Guan Eng’s “good” friend Rahim Thambi Kecik will be appointed Justice Minister
#17 by taikohtai on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 11:32 am
Actually, KTK doesn’t really want the Unity Minister post but he too ‘pai say’ or embarrassed to turn Najis down. Since when does the spineless one known to be decisive?
Now he is cornered once more and shall have to take the blame if Malaysians fail to unite. If I were KTK, God forbid!, I would do a BALA so fast that even RPK would be impressed!
#18 by taiking on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 11:50 am
Najib’s objective (superficial objective) is to remove those who are apparently unpopular or are tainted by corruption investigations like syed botak, azalina etc etc. He has no (absolutely none) suitable half-decent alternatives to pick from. So he has to recycle some old ones and some already expired ones and some political deadlogs. That is why his objective is only a superficial objective. If he is really serious about ridding his team of unworthy people, then what about kerismuddin. He is really unpopular amongst the chinese for reasons to well known to mention here. He is also very unpopular amongst the malays for his uncertain stand on english for maths and science policy – of course he is now relieved of this duty. And what about himself? He cant get rid of himself. He may resign. That is still possible. But the alternative to clear his name. That he surely can do cant he?
BTW KTK really ought lead Gerakan out of the BN fold and join pakatan. That is where the future of the country is.
#19 by ryan123 on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 12:55 pm
The syllabus in our primary and secondary school curriculum has long instilled the mindset that malays are the master of this piece of land (just flip the history, BM and pengajian am textbooks). It illustrated that non-malays were granted citizenship under the so-called “prinsip jus soli”, and thus non-malays owe coalition at that time a big favour. Anything more than the citizenship is considered a gift from BN, and non-malays shall not ask more. That is the mindset of our BN political elites.
As for KTK’s case, I would say that he is subjected to criticisms regardless of what he chose. If he rejected the offer, he will be lambasted by Gerakan members for putting the party interest below his personal reputation. The opportunity to enter the cabinet serves as a platform for him to revive the party. I am not saying that I am a supporter of him. My simple point is that – if you were him as a leader of a party, what will you choose?
*i am amazed on some1 keep harping on personal attacks in order gain personal gratification. wise? nah~
#20 by monsterball on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 1:39 pm
Limkamput is a chow kar commentator.
A twister he is..carrying the balls of MCA.
Why don’t he put out his opinions on so many loosers appointed as ministers and deputies?
hi idiot…degrees and studying more does not make you smarter than fifth grade student. Heard that before?
You have acquired more knowledge like Mahathir…able to twist and turn…treating Malaysians like h is the King and less smarter than him.
You are so cunning..but your childish and shallow minded personality betrays you.
What other knowledge that matters in life that you know…besides bragging how smart you are in politics?
World history..geography…religions…cultures?
Maybe good in maths and science…..to teach?
What about the birds and bees.
Each time..he must say..he is smarter than a fifth grader.
No one believe in your so call logic….all dressed up to carry UMNO balls.
But it is good…the more you talk…the more votes BN will loose.
Keep it up.
#21 by Jong on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 3:04 pm
Monsterball, limkamput et all,
Please guys, let’s not get personal. Say something constructive, whether others agree with you is immaterial, that’s freedom of speech and expression.
Do give some respect to our host YB Kit who has been so patient all these years. OK? Thanks.
#22 by ryan123 on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 3:09 pm
yea, i sincerely hope that all of us can refrain from launching personal attacks in the present of opposig views.
The holier-than-thou attitude has really driven many readers away.
Thanks!
#23 by ryan123 on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 3:11 pm
*…presence of opposing….*
#24 by Bigjoe on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 3:25 pm
The Geek is asked to be the monitor his classroom called the Cabinet. Unfortunately the class is full of misfits and unruly students and will give him the wedgie if he is too earnest in his job. So The Geek will have to go back to his ‘teacher’ (i.e., Najib) to do his job. Unfortunately the teacher is a bad teacher and really all he is hoping the Geek do is spy on the students for him, don’t do much and be convenient to take the blame if anything goes wrong.
So the question is, has The Geek forgot he was and still a geek and expected to be one? If he forgot who he is, watch what happens when he gets hammered. Otherwise, we can pick on him when we are done with the reat of the bullies and misfits in his class….
#25 by Jong on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 3:45 pm
Guess the Geek tries to impress knowing Najib has his men all well positioned with cousin waiting nearby at the Home Ministry. If he’s not careful he’ll be shown the exit door.
I’m surprised that Krisman got the Home Ministry portfolio, not the deputy PM, should he(MY) not afterall he’s more senior in politics and government? Why upset and remove his cousin from Education Ministry?
It’s like a chess game, Najib has his men all well positioned to his needs.
#26 by frankyapp on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 3:53 pm
KTK like , all the rest of the non umno ministers could not do much as both his hands are been tied to his back. I think all these guys are umno’s superfluous and also it’s a great waste of rakyat’s money.
#27 by ringthetill on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 5:39 pm
The Star – “Khaled: KPI may be misinterpreted if made public”.
Already a false start? Transparency should be the order of the day. We must admit that our administrations are not the most efficient by international standards. Year in year out still harping on the same old things.
OTK confirmed this in The Star -”“When I go to the ground, I see with my own eyes that there are long-standing issues that have been ignored and left unresolved.”
#28 by limkamput on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 5:48 pm
I am only reminding PAS and PKR that they must never waver from their cosmopolitan outlook. May I know what is wrong with that? Check my posting records before condemning. I can’t expect much anyway because I doubt this odd ball can understand what others are saying.
YOU want me to condemn the backdoor cabinet members? It is too simple for me. Besides, we can reliably depend on this simpleton to do the job.
Didn’t you fellows see that I am already looking beyond the 13th GE. But be careful, it may well be a pyrrhic victory.
#29 by Thomas Lee on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 6:22 pm
I don’t think Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon can walk with his head up or talk straight into anyone’s eyes as he has lost credibility in accepting the backdoor way to become a minister.
Koh has during the 12th general election campaign last year stated that he would not accept a senatorship to qualify to be a cabinet member. What happened to that pledge?
Any little respect we have for him is gone, now that he has shown himself to be one who lacks integrity and credibility.
And the irony of it is that his job as minister now is to monitor the credibility and performance of other ministers. How can he do it when his own credibility is in doubt, having accepted the post through becoming a senator when, during the election campaign, he had said that he would not accept a senatorship?
Even Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu kept to his word not to take up a senatorship to join the cabinet. Or, was he not offered a ministership?
#30 by ctc537 on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 8:12 pm
Let us stop criticizing KTK for a brief moment and look at the brighter side of things. It could be that PM Najib really wants to emulate his late father Tun Razak. In the early 70s, the May 13 incident was still fresh in the minds of Malaysians and he badly wanted to mend race relations and win back the Chinese support for his government Tun Razak broke the ice in Malaysia-Singapore relations by taking the initiative to visit Singapore. There he told his mainly Singaporen audience that “Malaysia and Singapore are willy-nilly bound together by the facts of our geography, history, language and culture. Which path shall we take; the path of confrontation or the path of cooperation?’ In 1974, he made Malaysia the first country in ASEAN to establish diplomatic relations with China. He shook hands with Mao Zedong, and the ubiquitous posters of the two shaking hands became the newly-formed BN’s most effective campaign posters in the 1974 GE. Tun Razak and the then CM Dr Lim Chong Eu became close friends. He was so impressed ith Penang’s development plans drawn up by Dr Lim Chong Eu that he reportedly said somethig like this: If every MB were as able as Dr Lim he would take a rest” Chong Eu is grateful to his friend to this day. He renamed his pet project in Pg Complex Tun Abdul Razak, or popularly known as KOMTAR, so that Penangites can remember our 2nd PM for generations to come. That’s how PM Najid’s father Tun Razak won the confidence of Chinese voters by playing the China card well and by being friendly towards Chinese-majority-Singapore. Needless to say, the 1974 GE was a BN landslide. I was then too young to understand all this but later found out by reading old newspapers.
Coming back to PM Najib. The situation in the country today is so much more complicated. Unlike his father’ time, there is no more China card to play. Chinese have become much more Malaysianized compared to the 1970s. Malays are now much friendly towards non-Malays. Much more rampant corruption today than 30-40 years ago. PM Najib probably wants the help of KTK to further strengthen relations and cooperation with China, which means killing two birds with one stone in the long run – improving economic situation and with it improving political climate for BN. He could be also trying to renew his father’s role by giving the green lights to the various big development projects in Penang. Or is CM LGE in for a (pleasant) surprise? To most of us, PR is still and will always be the better choice for Penang and Malaysia simply because race-based policy itself is irrational.
#31 by monsterball on Monday, 13 April 2009 - 10:55 pm
Now Limkamput call me oddball!!
Why can’t you make up your mind…say a spade is spade?
Why all the merry go round…analyse…give your worthless advises. No balls to come to the good side …clean and simple?