Bernard Dompok’s resignation as PSCI chairman – red-light warning that Abdullah’s anti-corruption campaign run aground


Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has dropped a bombshell with his sudden and shock resignation as Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity (PSCI) yesterday.

Yesterday at 5.23 pm, I received a faxed letter from Bernard on his resignation, which reads:

15 Mei 2007
YB Tuan Lim Kit Siang
Ahli Parlimen Kawasan Ipoh Timur

Yang Berhormat,

Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Dewan Rakyat Mengenai Integrity

Dengan rendah hati, saya dengan ini ingin memaklumkan kepada Yang Berhormat bahawa saya telah membuat keputusan untuk meletak jawatan daripada Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Dewan Rakyat Mengenai Integrity.

Saya rasa sebagai salah seorang ahli Kabinet, saya mungkin tidak dapat berlaku adil terhadap tanggungjawab yang dimandatkan oleh Parlimen kepada Jawatankuasa. Saya sudah memberitahu keputusan saya ini kepada Yang di Pertua Dewan Rakyat.

Saya ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan terima kasih yang tidak terhingga kepada Yang Berhormat atas kerjasama penuh yang telah anda berikan kepada saya semasa saya menjadi pengerusi Jawatankuasa itu.

Yang ikhlas

(Tan Sri Bernard Dompok)

Earlier at 4.40 p.m. Bernard had informed me by phone that he had tendered his resignation as Chairman of the PSCI.

Bernard’s shock resignation as PSCI Chairman yesterday must be regarded as a red-light warning that the national integrity and anti-corruption campaign of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has run aground after 42 months.

Bernard’s resignation as PSCI chairman is not a matter which merely concerns him, because of his invidious and unenviable position of chairing the parliamentary select committee on integrity while being a Cabinet Minister.

This mix-up of the separate executive and parliamentary roles undermining the doctrine of the separation of powers of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary has created complex and grave conflict situations, as the role of parliamentary select committees is to present viewpoints and proposals which are independent and distinct from those of the Executive for consideration and adoption by the Cabinet.

This is why the situation of Cabinet Ministers chairing parliamentary select committees is completely unheard-of in other Commonwealth parliaments, as it creates inherent conflicts and contradictions which has resulted in situations like Bernard’s resignation and statement: “I feel that as a member of the Cabinet I may not be able to do justice to the tasks assigned to the committee by Parliament”.

After the 2004 general election, I had met the Prime Minister twice to urge him to agree to the adoption of a general select committee system as an important feature of parliamentary reform to transform the Malaysian Parliament into a First World Parliament.

In the event, only three parliamentary select committees had been set up which had functioned, i.e. on Criminal Procedure Code and Penal Code Amendment Bill, Unity and National Service and the third one on Integrity. A fourth parliamentary select committee to draft a code of ethics and integrity for MPs headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had been set up in December last year but it had not even held its first meeting after half a year.

A Parliamentary Select Committee system with Ministers as Chairmen can only work efficaciously if the Prime Minister and the Cabinet are fully committed to make such a hybrid system work despite its inherent problems and contradictions between the executive and parliamentary functions.

But the Prime Minister and the Cabinet lack the political will to give the PSCI full support to ensure it could be really meaningful and not just be a “windrow-dressing” about national integrity and anti-corruption efforts in the country.

That this is the sad case can be seen from the following self-explanatory letter which I had sent to Bernard on 13th February this year:

The National Integrity Plan envisaged all Ministries, government institutions, departments and agencies will enhance the practice of good governance, modernize their administration and enhance the effectiveness of the public delivery system all-the-year-round.

In the first Cabinet meeting of YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister on 5th November 2003, the Prime Minister directed every Minister to set up a task force to cut red tape, fight corruption and deliver quality public service.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity should call up every Ministry, government department, agency and institution to give a progress report on public service reform, modernization and enhancement of public service delivery programme in the past three years.
In view of current public interest issues and concerns, I will like to suggest that priorities be given for the summoning of Prisons, Police and Public Works departments.

News report quoting you as saying that the seven-point plunge from 37th to 44th position in the past three years in Malaysia’s ranking of Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is “not too bad” when the target is at least 30th position next year will cast an adverse reflection on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity.

As Feb. 26 and 27 have been fixed for the next meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity, a clear position must be taken that this does not represent the stand or position of the Select Committee. I propose to ask the Select Committee to formally record its shock and concern at the continuous backsliding of Malaysia’s TI CPI in the past three years, which represents a failure and setback for the country’s efforts to promote integrity and combat corruption.

The lack of support by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for the PSCI could be discerned from the immediate reason for Bernard’s resignation – the boycott of the PSCI by the Director-General and top officers of the National Registration Department for its hearing last Tuesday into the protracted and grave problem of the issuance of false identity cards in Sabah — what had variously been termed as “Project False I/Cs” or “Project Mahathir”.

It is still to be tested whether the PSCI has the powers to summon and subpoena members of the public as witnesses to its hearings, but when public servants could defy with total impunity as to boycott the PSCI hearings, clearly with the support of the highest authorities in the government, it makes a total mockery of the PSCI, its members and Chairman who is also Cabinet Minister.

It also makes a total mockery of the recent statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak that “fighting corruption remains a national mission and the Government is all out to eradicate graft”.

This is what Najib said in his key-note address on the third anniversary of the National Integrity Plan (NIP) and Integrity Institute of Malaysia last month:

“Some people might be quick to say that the Government is not serious in fighting corruption or that the Prime Minister is the only person speaking on this subject.

“But let me remind every one that this is not just the agenda of the Prime Minister. The Cabinet is firmly behind him on this.”

Bernard’s resignation as PSCI Chairman has proved Najib wrong!

The question all remaining PSCI members should wrestle with is – Should they all follow Bernard’s example and resign if the PSCI cannot be effective and play any meaningful role in the National Integrity Plan to promote public integrity and push back the rising tide of corruption?

The Prime Minister should meet with all the members of the PSCI to give concrete assurance that he and the Cabinet will give full backing to the PSCI to carry out its mandate and terms of reference to promote integrity and roll back the rising tide of corruption in the country and that those who in the public service who defied or boycott the PSCI hearings would be immediately disciplined — whether suspension or expulsion from public service!

  1. #1 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 1:54 pm

    The National Integrity Plan (NIP) has been NIPped in the bud…

  2. #2 by Jong on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 2:30 pm

    Yes, it all boils down to the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. As Prime Minister he has the power to move things. If he so decides, who dares to oppose him?

    One word from him will send those idiots running in circles but no, he chooses to distance himself from the reality of things, they are of no concern to him. He prefers to enjoy his daydreams. Btw, he was caught on tv about to doze off, bored by Krishamuddin Tun Hussein’s long speech on Teachers Day!

    Mr Prime Minister, please resign. We will leave you in peaceful retirement to enjoy your deep slumber.

  3. #3 by Loh on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 3:01 pm

    ///The lack of support by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for the PSCI could be discerned from the immediate reason for Bernard’s resignation – the boycott of the PSCI by the Director-General and top officers of the National Registration Department for its hearing last Tuesday into the protracted and grave problem of the issuance of false identity cards in Sabah – what had variously been termed as “Project False I/Cs” or “Project Mahathir”.///

    Why cannot PM AAB direct his KSN to instruct all DGs of all government departments and KSU of all ministries to appear before all Cabinet committes. Is AAB anserable to these Napoleons, or the other way round?

    I think AAB is afraid to know the truth about Project Mahathir, or he wants the public to beleive that he does not know the truth. He hopes that the issue will die a natural death.

    Tan Sri Bernard Dompok will have to answer to the people of Sabah for not participating in the enquiry of an issue which is most important to the locals of the state of Sabah. Is he afraid to indicate whether he is a Sabah leader or a UMNO servant?

  4. #4 by ihavesomethingtosay on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 3:10 pm

    don’t worry, new chairmans comming soon :Bung & Said, clown annonymous.

  5. #5 by Orangutan on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 3:25 pm

    I think PSCI was set up just to satisfy and pacify certain quaters who were constanly making noices (sorry DAP). It has never functioned effectively because it was never intended to. It was just a window dressing effort to show to the whole world that Malaysia was “DOING SOMETHING” to improve the integrity of its system. Nice try AAB, but Transparency International was too smart to fall for that.

    If AAB can only talk and never serious about taking any action or never able to, you can set up ten more such commissions and Malaysia will still get nowhere. Some connected people can still get away with murder, just wait and see.

    Being a member of the cabinet, how can BD be so ignorant of the broadway dramas that was being played and directed by AAB and BN? And some more stupid enough to take up the lead actor role?

    And by resigning now, what is the message he is trying to send out? He is different from the rest??

  6. #6 by sotong on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 3:32 pm

    If you cannot properly carry out an important job assigned to you for various reasons in the best interest of the country and her ordinary people – if you have real pride, integrity and honour – you should resign immediately.

    Well done Minister…….this is what real leadership is all about! The country needs more politicians like him to ensure her interest is properly protected and her good name not tarnished beyond salvation.

  7. #7 by AsIseeit on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 3:41 pm

    The resignation of the PSCI Chairman is certainly a blow to the government’s integrity. To salvage its integrity and if the government is serious about it, then it should give clout to the PSCI that no government department can flout or ignore the ‘summons’ of any Parliamentary Select Committee. If any top government official does so, then there must be a stiff penalty that should be implemented quickly (say within a month) so as to serve as a deterrent. Otherwise, the ‘tidak apa’ or ‘arrogant’ attitude of top servants will filter downward and infect the whole government service machinery which is already prevalent. Drastic action is needed to change such bad attitude.

    Is AAB serious to walk his talk?

  8. #8 by dawsheng on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 4:04 pm

    As the chairman of PSCI, his resignation only sent one signal. Stay away from the truth or else…

  9. #9 by Cinapek on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 4:22 pm

    Bernard Dompok was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. I think he did the honourable thing and resigned. There may be some who may accuse him of evading the Sabah “Project False IC” scandal by resigning. But what can he do? His boss is clearly not supporting him even though the civil servants are thumbing their noses at him with impunity. By resigning, his actions speaks volumes. In one fell stroke, he has, to quote YB Kit, confirmed that “….a red-light warning that the national integrity and anti-corruption campaign of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has run aground after 42 months.”, something which he could not say so in words but his actions has thundered out.

    By his resignation, he has also signalled the inherent rot within the Govt. that has made it untenable for him to continue with his role with dignity and sincerity. He has sent a clear message to all Sabahans that indeed there is truth to the false IC scandal and there are attempts to block the truth. Of course it would be ideal if he could do what CKK did and resign from the Cabinet or better still, from BN. It would be more effective. But I think Sabahans has received the message and should know what to do in the coming GE.

  10. #10 by Jimm on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 4:33 pm

    Thank you, TSBD. You have done what is best for you and your loved ones. At times, risking everything for sake of gaining power may look like a good move. However, when you caught in the act with such a big whirlpool of ‘painting up’ to cover up for so many decades. The most hurting issue whereby you weren’t aware of and now you become a part of them even if these can means putting your own birthplace ‘up for sale’.
    I know you still have to stay in your other position and seats as other ‘hidden’ interests are accountable for.
    Keep a clear mindset each day as you pray to Almighty to bless you and your family. Forgive you for all the things that you failed to do or cannot ‘change’ (for the time being). That’s the price that you never thought can ‘chew up’ your own belief and values.
    Thank you once again. May the good GOD continue to shower HIS blessing to you and family as what you have been praying for each time.

  11. #11 by Bobster on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 5:34 pm

    I might be wrong but I see BD as a man of principle whom relinquished his post due to the inability and failure of the ministries and cabinets to support PSCI’s role to enhance national integrity and anti-corruption efforts. Many (especially those in BN) would have chosen to cling on to their power as long as ‘nobody disturb them’. It takes certain amount of guts and conscience to go against the flow as one’s future political life will be at stake. Stepping down as a Chairman of PSCI without any reason meaning sending a very strong message to the Cabinet that national integrity and corruption campaign has been shaken and failed miserably. Also, to show his integrity as an honorable chairman of PSCI unable to lie to his fellow country men how 1.75 millions of false IC being issued to the illegal immigrants in Sabah.

    TDM and AAB own we fellow Malaysians an explanation about the truth of “Project False I/Cs”. This is a SERIOUS CASE that needs to be scrutinized carefully.

    FELLOW MALAYSIANS, please listen attentively to what TDM and AAB got to say about this. Continual silence from the government meaning IT IS TRUE THAT 1.75 MILLIONS FALSE IC HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN SABAH!

  12. #12 by dawsheng on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 5:42 pm

    Abdullah’s anti-corruption campaign is officially come to an end. When nothing is done during the allegations of “freedom for sale” scandal, the curtain was drawn. With Bernard resignation, it was closed.

  13. #13 by Orangutan on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 6:01 pm

    I have got an idea, appoint Khairi as the next chairman of the PSCI !!

    Adbdullah once said, “Don’t work for me, but work with me” to fight corruption. I can’t wait to hear his new slogan for the next GE.

  14. #14 by undergrad2 on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 6:37 pm

    Well, it should be obvious to us all that this Dompok guy has had his views vetoed, his opinion has gone all but completely ignored. Anybody in his position as chairman would have done the same i.e. do the honorable thing left open to you and resign to save whatever is left of your dignity.

    But to issue a statement like:

    ““I feel that as a member of the Cabinet I may not be able to do justice to the tasks assigned to the committee by Parliament”.

    is something else. That could be read as you not being up to the job.

    Most disappointing.

  15. #15 by justice_fighter on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 7:02 pm

    Pak Lah has failed miserably to fight corruption, and indeed has done the opposite!! This has proven once again that “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

  16. #16 by Godamn Singh on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 7:08 pm

    “I think AAB is afraid to know the truth about Project Mahathir, or he wants the public to beleive that he does not know the truth. He hopes that the issue will die a natural death.” Loh

    This issue is larger than himself. It was there before he became DPM and it is there since he became PM. He is not about to open the can of worms especially that would mean a mutiny against him personally. He is not the Party but only represents the Party, remember?

  17. #17 by k1980 on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 8:08 pm

    http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=497&Itemid=31

    “Declassified Documents on the Malaysian riots of 1969” by Dr. Kua Kia Soong, the principal of New Era College, is based not directly on Malaysian sources but on now-open British documents held at the Public Records Office in Kew Gardens, near London. These consist of contemporary British diplomatic and intelligence reports which suggest that the riots were not spontaneous acts of communal violence, as is constantly alleged by UMNO, but were fanned by Malay elements, with support from the army and police, wanting to discredit the accommodating prime minister and impose a much more rigorous Malay agenda. One British document concluded that the goal was to “formalize Malay dominance, sideline the Chinese and shelve Tunku.”

  18. #18 by humanly on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 9:02 pm

    YB Kit,

    The fact that Tan Sri Bernard Dompok showed courtesy to you means he acknowledges your campaign on behalf of Sabahans.

    I don’t like arm-chair critics simply finding fault with any feeble attempt to be true to conscience. This is kinda intellectual arrogance by the sophistication of language.

    If the likes are so good why are they not in the playing field? Some people have not played football but good at shouting instructions to the players.

  19. #19 by Jeffrey on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 9:20 pm

    YB Kit,

    Two issues puzzle me.

    First, in relation the power of the Executive: It is the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, which waved the banner of integrity governance, arising from which the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity (PSCI) was formed.

    When the Director-General and top officers of the National Registration Department (“NRD”) refused to attend the PSCI’s meeting, isn’t it true that there can only be two interpretations to this unusual development – that (a) the NRD is defiant of or insubordinate to the Executive and for this reason the top officers should be sacked OR (b) the Executive instructed the Director-General and top officers not to attend, in which case the raison de etre of PSCI for integrity is no more and hence should be dissolved or you should resign rather than remain to lend credence to a charade? Ask them which is the case (a) or (b)?

    Second, in relation to the power of the Legislative (Parliament): when NRD’s Director-General and top officers refused to attend the PSCI’s meeting, doesn’t this constitute contempt of Parliament for which they should be punished?

    It is trite that :-

    · PSCI’s inquiries are conducted to seek information and opinions from persons who possess the information and whose views are likely to be significant.

    · In order that information-gathering process of Parliament through PSCI be effective, either Parliament or PSCI would have the residual power to require persons like NRD’s Director-General and top officers to attend and give evidence and to produce documents;

    · following from which Parliament or PSCI has the inherent power to punish such default of attendance as a contempt of Parliament.

    I suggest to you Parliament may have that power.

    Please take another closer look at Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 (Act 347).

    I understand that each House (Dewan rakyat and Dewan Negara) has jurisdiction under sections 4-5 of Act 347 to convert itself into the “High Court of Parliament” and to try members or outsiders for breach of privilege or contempt.

    Section 9 in particular defines broadly the scope of what constitutes “contempt” of Parliament.

    You may want to consider the refusal of NRD’s Director-General and top officers to attend PSCI hearing as contempt of Parliament.

    After all, the PSCI is empowered to investigate and report to the House and is carrying out the work of Parliament.

    To defy PSCI is to defy the will of Parliament!

  20. #20 by bbtan on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 9:41 pm

    Bernard’s resignation as PSCI chairman has proved Najib wrong! – YB Lim.
    Of course, don’t we know Najib? But then Churchill would say, “he could fool some of the people most of the time”.

  21. #21 by undergrad2 on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 9:49 pm

    How could a committee be “empowered” to investigate anything without having the power of subpoena?

    It is like asking the police to investigate without giving them the power of arrest and detention!

  22. #22 by Alvin on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 10:09 pm

    Jeffrey,
    Your comment well analsyed…. keep it up
    AAB is circumvent with fire all round
    Seriously….. Do we all expect him to be able to manage the circumstances confronting the country.
    Realistically….. It’s Fat FAT hopes
    AAB only knows how to keep his schedule and enjoy his afternoon naps
    Anything esle can take the back seat
    Henceforth…..
    There is ONLY one Solution
    CHANGE…..

  23. #23 by WFH on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 11:27 pm

    Some commentors above have said that what Tan Sri Bernard Dompok did to resign was the right, dignified and principled thing to do. I suggest that it is none of that, but actually an act of weakness, uselessness and utter despair and wilting under the enormity of contradictions between pronouncements and action, emanating from the PM and within the Cabinet.

    With the handfull of Parlaimentary Select Committees on Integrity, Unity, Gender Equality, what nots, these are all akin to scarecrows in the padi fields, initially frightening off the crows. But after even just a short while, the crows know enough to disregard the lifeless scarecrows, and them birds even sit on the head or shoulders of the scarecrows and SHIT on them.

    The PM and Cabinet be the crows, them PSCs be the scarecrows…. ineffective, and being shat (Huh? Bad English??) upon..!!!

    With 92% BN-held seats, what Parliament, if not a SHAM Parliament? With that majority, Parliament cannot be expected to function differently from the Executive, particularly with the low-level, dimwit MPs from the BN.

  24. #24 by pariahmen on Thursday, 17 May 2007 - 11:54 pm

    one thing for sure…. we can’t go on letting Ammo to decide our fate.

    from nude gate, botak gate, klang gate, flood gate, bomb gate, heaven gate and recently leak gate………………..what solved?

    MCApek and MICkey and other mosquitoes please wake up and stand up to voice out loud what is not right!!!!

    our future is at stake!!!!

    compromi compromi compromi……….apa jadi?

  25. #25 by dawsheng on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 1:28 am

    The people are not blind as we can see what is wrong with the country, it is decaying. It is already truth to the people that the govt is corrupt even without PSCI, you can throw PSCI into the rubbish dump. To prove all the corruption allegations need another type of strategy, trying to pursue the truth in parliament is only a mockery of justice to the rakyat as Abdullah’s govt has yet to table any white paper on corruption since he became PM. BN’s govt under Abdullah will collapse.

  26. #26 by 4th_wife on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 6:08 am

    Is sad to see Bernard Dompok and his people having suffer under Malaysia, the land below the wind has lost the whole forest and the Kandazan being systematically marginalized by the selfish UMNO Nationalist, 3rd world administration who claim that they are capable of leading Boleh land to 1st world by 2020. If I am a Sabahan I will kick those UMNO out of Sabah.

  27. #27 by ahkok1982 on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 7:23 am

    to dawsheng: sad to say, there actually are many people who are blind and also those who can see but rather close both eyes.

  28. #28 by Jeffrey on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 8:12 am

    This is an interesting bit – page 2 of The Sun May 18th reported that according to Nazri, Bernard Dompok’s resignation was influenced by Lim Kit Siang’s misconceived views that PSCI had “wide powers to investigate issues raised by the people”. As such there “was a wide gap” between Bernard Dompok and “other ministers” understanding of the PSCI’s work.

    “He said most ministers understood that the duty of the committee was to meet people, get feedback and formulate programmes on integrity”.

    He likened the PSCI’s work to be akin to that of Select Committees on Penal and Criminal Procedure Codes and National Unity and National Service. According to him calling for ACA Director General Zulkipli Mat Noor to answer allegations of corruption was wrong. So was calling the NRD director-general & top officers. In his words relating to the controversy of forged ICs in Sabah, “the matter should be channeled to the Ministry concerned. They (meaning Bernard, Kit and PSCI) want to get to the bottom of the matter but it is nothing to do with their responsibility”.

    Asked to comment on Nazri’s statement that he was influenced by LKS, Bernard said, “it was a cheap shot. What else can I say?” “We have different opinions all the time. This one, he chose to go public”. Bernard Dompok said “the duty of the committee was to ask questions to the relevant government departments on issues raised during the committee hearing held nationwide including in Sabah and Sarawak”.

    I don’t know whether Nazri is trying to ‘bodek’ you but he is certainly not saying nice things about Bernard. It is as if Bernard has no mind of his own as regards the issue of right or wrong.

    How does one meet people, get feedback and formulate programmes on integrity as Nazri said when people like ex ACA Director General and present NRD Director in the center of the storm and who possess the information and whose views are likely to be significant are exempted from the fact gathering hearings?

    Besides the Select Committees on Penal and Criminal Procedure Codes and National Unity and National Service are not PSCI because the issues pertaining to “Integrity” are different by nature from those of crime or national unity. More important, the people and their independence of mind in these committees are also different.

    On the matter of ICs in Sabah for foreigners, what is the point of “channeling the questions to the Ministry concerned” as if the Ministry people didn’t know? Does the head of Ministry of Home Affairs/ Internal Security (also the PM) answer these questions?

    It looks like Nazri formed the PSCI to play a very limited role : He does not expect it to probe and get to the bottom of integrity issues. He expects it to just get feedback here and there to suggest programmes with the view of just doing the requisite amount of public relations for the Government to show that it is concerned with Integrity issues : in short, an appearance but not the substance of getting to the bottom of things to the embarrassment of the administration.

    With a clear indication from the relevant Minister in charge of Parliamentary Affairs of what he conceives or rather misconceives of the role of PSCI, I repeat, I think the time has come for YB to seriously consider whether YB would want to lend your credibility to add to this gloss and pretension of what the PSCI stands for!

    The public disclosure of the differences of opinion between Nazri and Bernard – and the lines drawn on where they lie – has clearly made it an Integrity issue now whether to serve on the PSCI.

    I am sorry I have to say again : if a Minister of BN government like Bernard Dompok would deem it fit, as a matter of integrity, to resign from the PSCI, how could the Leader of Opposition with an unblemished record of integrity of over 30 years of service to the nation stay?

  29. #29 by Jeffrey on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 8:55 am

    Put in another way, Nazri as relevant Minister in charge of Parliamentary Affairs and on whose iniative, the PSCI was first formed has now come out explicitly to state what the parameters of inquiry of PSCI are. He says Bernard Dompok misconceives the parameters thinking they are wider; he says Bernard Dompok is influenced by you ie implying that you are the main misconceiver of the parameters. If the government does not relent to change the parameters to dignify the PSCI with more powers to do its proper function, what choice have you got? The situation has made your continuance in PSCI untenable because it would mean that you agree with Nazri’s defined parameters of what the PSCI sould do or cannot do, something which his own BN cabinet colleaque could not agree and has resigned on that basis. Kit, given the situation, what elbow room have you got left? If Nazri does not retract those parameters, you would have little choice but to back Bernard on principle by giving them your resignation. Maybe some of the other committees may also resign. You’d never know. Lets put an end to this integrity sham and give it an appropriate burial!

  30. #30 by Jimm on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 9:15 am

    Let TSBD go and have his own peace. Thank you, YB LKS for your comments that make known to us about the real reason of setting this PSCI and what’s fails it.
    There are more things that Malaysian should be told , happening within our country that questionable or ‘unfair’.
    Do assist us in these matters and let us decide and share our opinions from there. Thank you.

  31. #31 by bbtan on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 10:44 am

    YB Lim, don’t resign from the PSCI. The PSCI may be “akin to a scarecrow in the padi field”, according to WFH, but it is still useful because we can take pot shots at the crows that perched on its head. Soldier on YB Lim, just like what you are doing now in parliament.

  32. #32 by Jong on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 10:49 am

    Jeffrey said:
    “Lets put an end to this integrity sham and give it an appropriate burial! ”

    Well that’s what they want, for YB Kit to resign. Why make it so easy for Nazri? He’s the one who should be buried! Stay on, embarrass them. The ball is in their court.

  33. #33 by Jeffrey on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 11:16 am

    As Opposition Head and MP of Ipoh Timur, YB Kit could still take potshots at the crows, as he has always done. Without a position in the PSCI, does it mean that he has a lesser or lost a valuable platform – a sham platform masquerading as effective to fight corruption – to do so? I don’t think so. Obn the other side of the scale, they are using the Opposition Head being in the PSCI to give the impression that there is sincerity to promote integrity governance. Nazri has come out now to say in terms that all of you will have doubt about that sincerity. On top of that even a BN Minister (Dompok) has deemed it fit to resign in terms almost to say that the PSCI, so muzzled, strains credulity that it can ever do the job it is supposed to do. What additional potshot can Kit deliver from the platform of PSCI that he cannot do, without, except to lend credence and prestige to a muzzled committee that does not deserve this image?

  34. #34 by cherasusie on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 3:07 pm

    i am confused, very confused….

    is nasri the government spokeman or is he the defacto pm?

    never filters anything from his big gap.

    he seemed to cover the sky with his hand… very bossy, very l.c.l.y

    or is he alone and speaking his own mind… and the rest are looking on just like a pengamuk running with a machete…scary but funny.

    note: don’t ambil berat…..joke aje!

  35. #35 by Jong on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 4:00 pm

    That rascle Nazri, he just wants attention. He’s another umno rempit – rude, crude and badly brought up.

  36. #36 by DiaperHead on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 7:46 pm

    “I am sorry I have to say again : if a Minister of BN government like Bernard Dompok would deem it fit, as a matter of integrity, to resign from the PSCI, how could the Leader of Opposition with an unblemished record of integrity of over 30 years of service to the nation stay?” Jeffrey

    Boycotting does not solve anything. You might as well call for a boycott of the general elections!

  37. #37 by accountability on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 8:01 pm

    i hope mr dompok goes back and rallies his people against BN, especially UMNO

  38. #38 by bbtan on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 11:47 pm

    Like WFH said the PSCI is like a scarecrow. If YB Lim were to resign the PSCI might cease to exist. Then there would not be any scarecrow for the crows to perch on, for us, not YB Lim, to take pot shots at.

  39. #39 by dawsheng on Saturday, 19 May 2007 - 12:43 am

    The existense of PSCI itself is ridiculous because it wans’t made to function at all. There is nothing in the Abdullah’s govt that can be taken seriously at this juncture, let PSCI cease to exist and see Malaysia’s TPI ranking slides further to oblivion.

  40. #40 by sheriff singh on Saturday, 19 May 2007 - 3:20 am

    What took you so long Dompok? You have been in the government for so long you did not know what was going on?

    What else will you do now?

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