— The Malaysian Insider
Aug 24, 2011
AUG 24 — When all else fails; when policies flounder; when rumbling from within grows louder; when the reform agenda stutters in the face of resistance from interest groups, throw money around in the hope of hushing up the protestations.
This strategy was used by Tun Abdullah Badawi after his fitness to lead Malaysia was questioned by Tun Dr Mahathir Muhammad and after his early promise of reforming the country dissipated into flip-flops, missteps and pandering to his party’s demands.
He increased the salary of civil servants and even put cash in the pocket of Malaysians through a one-off RM600 payment.
Underlying this move was the view that even though the ground had soured on him considerably by 2007, putting money into the hands of Malaysians would make them put their bitterness aside and vote him in again.
We know how that strategy played out.
By March 2008, he called elections and Malaysians dealt his Barisan Nasional (BN) its bloodiest nose and paved the way for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to take over the reins.
Maybe what’s disappointing about politicians or leaders using money as the panacea of weak rule is that it reflects a belief that we can be bought.
Najib is doing the same now.
His advisors have probably told him that the ground has probably soured a bit from earlier this year.
The PM’s position has not been helped by flip flops, the mishandling of Bersih, and the inability of his administration to rein in chauvinism, etc.
He has now announced that RM1.4 billion will be given to around 500,000 underprivileged recipients, including senior citizens, the disabled and widows of army and police personnel.
The allocation, to be disbursed monthly under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s newly-launched initiative called Program Kebajikan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (KAR1SMA), was increased by RM200 million from last year’s RM1.2 billion for 424,000 identified recipients.
So here’s the thing.
It is only RM200 million more than the year before.
Will this make a real difference to those in need?
Expect more largesse from the government as the prime minister tries to sweeten the ground ahead of snap elections expected soon.
The question is will history repeat itself?
#1 by dcasey on Wednesday, 24 August 2011 - 8:42 pm
Santa Claus is coming to town….
#2 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Wednesday, 24 August 2011 - 9:47 pm
Najib, know this one thing. Taxpayers have no qualms about taking back the money the govt taxed.
Only this time, we will all vote for the opposition.
BTW, give us a big tax break and remove all those price increases in the same breath during bugdget 2012; then we will have more reason to vote for the oppsoition. If you can do it, the opposition must be able to do better-lah. See Penang under LGE and compare with poor Koh tsu Koon-lah.
#3 by yhsiew on Wednesday, 24 August 2011 - 10:06 pm
///The question is will history repeat itself?///
Najib is hoping that his motto of “I help you, you help me” will spring up to life after the money is given out.
#4 by bruno on Wednesday, 24 August 2011 - 10:07 pm
The electoral reforms are all talk and no action.It is just a cheap turning tricks thrill to get the opposition to shiok sendiri(orgasm).All
the goodies throw around can only mean one thing.The Umno GOM election machinery is just getting into gear.
#5 by Loh on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 1:05 am
///Mohd Yusof: If sperm contaminated the exhibit, the person who contaminated the sample must have possessed the sperm of the person?
Wells: (Long pause). This is unusual. I would ask the DNA expert though it is possible the DNA is different from that of the sperm.
Mohd Yusof: But if someone has planted the sperm sample, that person must have had on him that sperm?
Wells: Yes///
The crux of the matter is whose DNA that was used for the testing, and which ‘good morning towel’ was used to extract the DNA for comparison.
When DNA samples except the one case reported in 1982 which was not verified, or reconfirmed with new cases, DNA did not survived longer than 36 hours. How then did the government chemist get the DNA profile? She must have got a fresh sample, and that did not come out of Saiful’s anus.
#6 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 5:46 am
///I would ask the DNA expert though it is possible the DNA is different from that of the sperm./// – Dr David Wells.
He said that? Its common knowledge that sperm (spermatozoa) is always different from the DNA from it.
Just so there’s no confusion seminal fluid or semen is the organic fluid, also known as seminal fluid, in which spermatozoa swims. Depending on conditions spermatozoa may survive certain no. of hrs. After that its dead – like a lifeless tadpole that no more swims. Its DNA can be extracted from a dead sperm. Its always extracted after its dead because one has to use chemicals to burst the sperm cell to extract its DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), the nucleic acid consisting of two long polymers that contain the genetic instructions. Dr Well said to reporters (after court) “If you keep DNA specimens not in a freezer, especially organic specimens, or don’t air-dry them or don’t give space for ventilation, then within hours the DNA sample will turn mouldy and the DNA protein is destroyed by bacterial action.” We don’t know that as a act – whether DNA could be destroyed by bacterial action within that time to the extent that it cannot be used for matching. Right now we know that DNA from fossils and bones of human ancestors and other hominids who died up to one million years ago could be extracted and determined.
#7 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 5:49 am
Sorry – “We don’t know that as a ‘Fact’…”
#8 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 6:05 am
In sodomy II the DNA extracted from towel, toothbrush & mineral water bottle that Anwar used when he was detained for a night in lock up in 2008 is used by prosecution to match against DNA from sperm samples allegedly taken via swab from Saiful’s anl regions. It appears that contrary to what Wells said DNA can last far longer – contamination or no contamination. How else can they use it to detrmine fossils eons ago? Or Bill Clinton’s ejeculate on Monica Lewinsky’s blue dress (that she kept for months in her closet as souvenir) to nail him?
Sorry to all for this digression from topic in response to point raised by Loh .
#9 by undertaker888 on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 7:52 am
I guessed it depends on where the DNA is extracted from. Some parts of the body could last longer like bones and hair even after we die. But for fluids like sperm and saliva probably their “half life” are shorter, susceptible to degradation by bacteria.
In this full of Sai case, the sperm was inside his a$$ for days. Not only that, he did not shower or SH!t. His a$$ was swimming with godzillion of bacterias. Any sperm would be annihilated beyond recognition for DNA analysis. Well unless Anwar left a bone fragment inside or his pubic hair.
#10 by k1980 on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 9:16 am
Saifool Bookhari, the university dropout, is working as a travelling magician to supplement his meagre income. (The cheque promised by jibby still had not arrived).
In front of his audience of kindergarten kids, he dropped his pants and poked a plastic tube up his behind. Then he took it out and holding it in front of the kids, he asked, “What do adik-adik see?”
The answer came roaring back– “Anwar’s dee-enn-ehh!”
Those kids will be appearing in court as witnesses to Anwar’s trial.
#11 by boh-liao on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 9:32 am
Dis HRAidilfitri will b d most corrupt event b4 GE13: $$ flying every which way 2 buy votes
#12 by Bigjoe on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 10:45 am
Actually its very telling of Najib’s predicament because the doling out of money is entirely defensive. Polls have shown that only the Malay heartland and UMNO stalwarts will say that they believe in Najib’s leadership. That Najib is pouring such money and effort into the same constituency that is still with him shows how little confidence he has of his position.
The man is under seige and using the state to defend himself. The signs are all there of desperation. It does not take much to knock him out and would have happened already if not for the fact that UMNO stalwarts are fearful that removing him would further already weakened UMNO and lead to their own demise..
In other words, there is NO merit to Najib’s leadership, just fear of self-interest. The issue is how long such unmeritorious state can continue before it naturally collapses..
#13 by Godfather on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 11:41 am
This is standard UMNO modus operandi. First they bribe with money and promises. They throw money around like there is no tomorrow – never mind that the kitty is empty. Just borrow some more. The next step is to bully – threaten with religion, threaten with communism, threaten with national security, whatever that means. Then, if bribery and bullying fails – which is what is happening now – they turn to cheating. More instant voters, 90 pct of whom would vote BN, more postal votes.
UMNO is soooooooo predictable.
#14 by cemerlang on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 11:57 am
The difference is you know and they do not know. Money is the deputy boss.
#15 by monsterball on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 12:13 pm
Besides using money to please Malaysians…to buy votes and promoting dirty race and religion politics…what do you expect them to do?
Look at them ….contradicting themselves.
UMNO B is a corrupted party and will never change.
Change means admitting terrible crimes.
Which crook ever admit anything?
All the so call agree to to this …do that…are calculated to fool Malaysians…without actions……just talk.
#16 by Comrade on Thursday, 25 August 2011 - 1:39 pm
Santa Claus is coming to town
Desperate not to lose his PM crown
The GE13 must be round the corner
Malaysia needs PR as the winner