The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is guilty of the height of Ministerial irresponsibility in Parliament when he defended the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Datuk Johari Baharum from RM5.5 million corruption allegations while admitting that he knew nothing about the outcome of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) investigations which have been sumitted to the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Gani Patail.
I am shocked that Nazri could also turn Ministerial responsibility to Parliament “upside down” when he retorted to my query as to the Attorney-General’s decision on the ACA investigations into the RM5.5 million corruption allegations at Johari, by asking why he was being asked in Parliament about the Attorney-General and why I could not ask the question outside.
This is the first time in my experience in Parliament where a Cabinet Minister could be so brazen in his irresponsibility as to challenge an MP why he is posing a question to him on a matter which comes directly under his Ministerial and parliamentary responsibility and why he did not pose the question to the officer concerned outside the House.
This is a most deplorable precedent in the development of parliamentary democracy and accountability on the occasion of the nation commemorating 50th anniversary of nationhood.
I want to make it clear that I am not making any judgment as to whether Johari is guilty or otherwise with regard to the the RM5.5 million “Freedom for Sale” allegations that the Deputy Minister had released three men held under the Emergency Ordinance.
I am fully in support of Johari’s repeated public calls for the outcome of ACA investigations to be made public, especially as the ACA completed its investigations into the RM5.5 million “Freedom for Sale” allegations “shortly after” the deputy minister was questioned by ACA officials on March 19 and the investigation papers had been in the hands of the prosecution division.
What is the cause of the delay of over three months for a decision to be made one way or another by the Attorney-General with regard to the corruption allegations against Johari or the former ACA Director-General Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor?
It is most regrettable that my urgent motion to debate the procrastination of investigations over corruption allegations against Johari and Zulkipli on Monday had been rejected.
But why did Nazri take the extraordinary step of pre-empting both the ACA and the AG’s Chambers about the investigations into the allegations against Johari by virtually clearing him of the allegations, when he should have clarified with the Attorney-General as to the status of the investigations so that he could inform the House when asked?
Or are we seeing a government in great disarray where the Minister responsible to Parliament on the AG’s Chambers is not in good communications with the Attorney-General, Gani Patail while the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Johari, who is the de facto Police Minister, is waging a running war with the Police leadership?
What type of a government is the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leading?
#1 by dawsheng on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 2:38 pm
//What type of a government is the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leading?//
The type of govt where its citizens got raped and robbed every minutes, first by the govt itself and now by the criminals.
#2 by Boneka on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 2:48 pm
This bagger thinks he owns Parliament. In all his comments, not only on this matter, but in all matters, have been “arrogance personified”. YB you are very right- AAB, the PM is leader to a government in disarray. He has not taken any action against all the wrong doers of his government-“the close one eye” MP, the ‘Kalang Mansion’ builder in Klang, Kanabatanagan MP for his disgraceful comments IN Parliament, corruption allegations against the Deputy Minister of Internal Security- and the list goes on.
If fellows like Johari are in charge on Internal Security, should we be surprised at all that gang-land activities and rapes that take place in JB almost everyday. The present leadership and the goverment is “SHAME! SHAME” But are we brave enough to show our disgust at the polls, lets see.
#3 by k1980 on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 2:55 pm
What type of a government is the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leading? Answer: An dictatorial, authoritarian regime that even communists wish to emulate!
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=268458
The Communist Party of Cuba is impressed with the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional (BN) government in administering the country and uniting its multi-racial population, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said
#4 by Godfather on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 3:28 pm
Kit, “so what?”
#5 by Winston on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 3:30 pm
This episode is one more reason why the BN government must be booted out.
Visitors to this blog must go all out to ensure that this happens.
#6 by HJ Angus on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 3:52 pm
The PM started off with very good intentions but it seems the task of getting Malaysia on a more stable path to progress needs another authoritarian type person but someone who will also restore a proper democracy to the nation.
For example many feel that the Judiciary has still to recover from its past trauma and many have lost faith in the police, especially with the feet dragging to implement the IPCMC.
And the problems of money politics and corruption still have not been resolved.
People consider corruption to be like a cancer in society. You may survive a few cells but once the growth become too big your very existence is at risk.
No doubt some bodies have been created to reduce the problems but when a patient is diagnosed with serious cancer you cannot hope to save him by doing stem cell research. Surely a major operation is required.
http://malaysiawatch2.blogspot.com/2007/06/not-so-easy-to-restore-public.html
#7 by Utopia on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 4:15 pm
Badawi is the new PUPPET PM! It is already so evident! UMNO controls Badawi, not Badawi control UMNO! *Sigh*
#8 by smeagroo on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 4:27 pm
AAB is the most travelled PM in history i think. He is hardly in the country. ALways on the move as if he is so busy. NO wonder he needed a luxurious jet. To travel in styel and comfort while the country rot and die. With 4th floor boys running the country, we are all doomed!
Thank you Mr Prime Minister.
We will remember you always!
#9 by shiver on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 4:27 pm
everyday i see same people comment.
i wonder how many actually read this blog.
and before you scream and curse, yes i have told many people of this blog and whether they came in or not, i dont know.
i just hope that the silent readers here have seen this and will vote wisely next election.
badawi? my goodness, he tengah relaxing at italy now i suppose.
go there for honeymoon la.
#10 by Cinapek on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 4:29 pm
“when the cat is away the mice will play” so say the nursery rhyme.
Only in our case they are not mice but RATS. And as for the cat, it will be getting its new plane on 17.07.2007 and you can count on it being away even more. Makan angin while the sun shines!!!! whoeeee!!!
So, what is this thing about “leadership” you are talking about, YB?
#11 by terencesgk on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 6:02 pm
“What type of a government is the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leading?”
I don’t know… maybe a dreaming government. PM dream about Malaysia becoming this and that 50 years into the future while we rakyat don’t even know if we can survive for another 10 years. We have rising crimes, escalating cost of living, static income (except for the ‘government blessed’ lot of civil servants), uneasiness over various allegations against government personnels etc etc but our PM still find so much time travelling here and here (maybe having his honeymoon at the same time).
Years back (during my university day, during the Asian financial crisis day), we can live quite comfortably with a monthly budget of RM1500. Graduates get a starting salary of RM1800 then but can get a decent meal out for about RM4. Roti canai then was RM0.50, Milo ice was RM1.00, Milo 1.5kg was RM12 max., Jalan Kuching toll was only RM0.50 while a 2 storey house in BU was about RM300k. As for today, graduate salary is still RM1800 but roti canai is RM0.80, Milo ice RM1.70, Milo 1.5kg almost RM20 and LDP toll is RM1.60 while RM300k can’t get you a similar house in Puchong Kinrara. Road was resurfaced yearly then, in most areas (whether there is GE or not) which made me wonder whether we’re wasting resources then but I haven’t seen much road resurfacing work in my area since AAB take over. Cracking roads with potholes are common and even if they do resurface the road, the work is so shoddy (uneven or potholes appearing very soon after the work) that I would rather they leave it as it is.
I used to feel that my basic rights are well protected by our judiciary system and by this I mean the civil law. However, after recent developments (cases such as the religious authority seizing someone’s dead body, khalwat raid on a American couple, government rejecting ASLI finding without giving acceptable reason or alternative finding, etc etc) I am not so sure about it anymore. In school, I used to learn that we’re living in a secular democracy system but now it seems like our system is more theocratic than the former. We now have Islam Hadhari as a guideline for moving the country forward, something that even Mahathir don’t understand, so how do you expect us non Muslim to understand. Even if the Muslims can understand what the government want, formulating policies for only Muslims is a betrayal of the non Muslim. Well, unless moving the country forward means moving the Muslims forward while leaving the non Muslim behind. I might, and I hope, my perception here is wrong but unless with clearer communications from the government, I would never be able to understand what does they mean.
More disappointing is the attitude of some of our lawmakers who are more interested with what happen to a woman monthly than finding solutions to the crimes in Johor. I remember that years back, when Lee Kuan Yew made a statement regarding crime rate in JB, the reaction on our side of the causeway was so intense. I just hope that the same ‘intensity’ prevails today, not towards Lee Kuan Yew but towards the criminals in Johor. It’s good to hear that the police would mobilized another 400 personnel south but I do hope that this doesn’t mean neglecting the other areas. It would be interesting to see what they would achieve with these extra personnel. With all these said, why would I care what would Malaysia be in the next 50 years if I don’t even know how would I be in the next 10 years.
#12 by kurangajah on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 6:06 pm
Kit, my heart goes out to you. You have my absolute support because you have brought up a valid matter that is of concern to all of us. It is another sad day for Malaysia. I am utterly shocked by this kind of irresponsible answer, and the World is watching too. Your tenacity and perseverance have given us much hope. Keep it up, Kit.
#13 by pongsakling on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 6:31 pm
I have no surprise of what Nazri said, which cat didn’t eat fish?
#14 by pongsakling on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 6:46 pm
Big money, big house, big car and beautiful mistress, where are all the money come from? From our hard earn tax money!
And they will show us that they are all very innocent, very religious and helpfull wakil rakyat! Shit!
The rakyat become poorer, and the wakil rakyat become richer because we ask for it, we vote for them to get richer.
Now the question is how are we going to vote them out in next GE?
Can DAP and gang tell us how?
#15 by silhouette on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 7:16 pm
It goes to show what sort of people we have in the present cabinet. At least he should have the courtesy of replying ‘Saya belum terima lapuran or kes ini akan di siasat’ which is the usual standard answer.
Mr Lim, I appeal to you to even work with the ‘devil’ in order to win more parliamentary seats from the BN. Dont bother too much on the state seat as it wont be of much consequence to the nation. Trade off seats among your opposition parties if you need to. The idea is to win more seats in parliament. Never in my mind that any of the opposition parties can form the government (not in the near future at least). So worry not as to where the other opposition party intend to shape the nation should they win cos the most they can do is just to be in the opposition.
Just for once listen to Raja Petra’s rantings that as long as the opposition is divided due to whatever reason, you cannot make a dent on the BN come the GE. Time is not on your/our side. Just win more seats from the BN and only thru this tat we can teach BN a lesson. This is one of the better time to bring about change as the rakyat is fed up with the present government. I cant imagine how my children and their will fare when the the SIL is PM. Dont expect UMNO to stop him from becoming the PM because as it is he is alreading having them in his pocket.
Please Mr Lim heed my small voice.
#16 by ihavesomethingtosay on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 9:55 pm
Bodowism, a new cult, a term that defines a blind unconditional loyalty to mr bodohman, the god head of umo, hence no opposition is permitted, bodoman is most certainly view as god in which he is always right and we, the taxpayer is always wrong, simply means that no mistakes can be linked to him and is always the fault of the opposition.
reflect a moment on what Kit, and Ronnie has written, then go to :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Germany#Nazi_ideology
Scaring, a new form of woggish Nazism emerges in Bodohland.
Long live Bodohman………… errrrrr, I meant the Führer.
#17 by ihavesomethingtosay on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 10:23 pm
Characters
Pigs
Napoleon, a Berkshire boar, is the main villain in Animal Farm. After Napoleon begins to gradually build up his power, using puppies he raised to be vicious dogs as his de facto secret police. After driving Snowball off the farm, Napoleon usurps full power, using false propaganda from Squealer and threats and intimidation from the dogs to keep the other animals in line. Among other things he gradually changes the Commandments to allow himself privileges and justify his dictatorial rule. By the end of the book Napoleon and his fellow pigs have learned to walk upright and started to behave similar to humans. Orwell gave him the name of the French military leader Napoleon, both of whom set up dictatorships whose repression and despotism was similar to or worse than that of the governments they supplanted. In the French version of Animal Farm, Napoleon is called ‘César’ (the French spelling of Caesar).
Snowball, a white boar, is Napoleon’s rival. He agrees the pigs can have the apples. He wins over most animals. He gets driven out of the farm in the end by Napoleon’s dogs (like Trotsky). He is blamed for everything after he is exiled, and though he fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed, Napoleon convinces everyone he was a coward and a double agent for the humans.
Squealer, a small fat porker, serves as Napoleon’s public speaker. Squealer twists and abuses the language to excuse, justify, and extol all of Napoleon’s actions. In all of his work, George Orwell made it a point to show how politicians used language. Squealer limits debate by complicating it, and he confuses and disorients, making claims that the pigs need the extra luxury they are taking in order to function properly, for example. However, when questions persist, he usually uses the threat of Mr. Jones’s return as justification for the pigs’ privileges. “If this doesn’t happen Jones will come back etc. etc.”. Squealer uses statistics to convince the animals that life is getting better and better. Most of the animals have only dim memories of life before the revolution so they are convinced.
Minimus is a poetical pig who writes the second and third national anthems of Animal Farm.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm#Pigs
In Bodohland, there’s :
Snowball, who is being C-4ed out of proportion.
Napolean, and who coined the term “Napolean” in Bodohland? that goes to the “father of” all Napolean.
Squeeler, no need to further elaborate; squeeler is a porker and porker is a pig.
Minimus Maximus the romatic plagiarist fool; minimus for job done, maximus for toll collection.
#18 by Winston on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 11:00 pm
# Utopia Says:
June 21st, 2007 at 16: 15.01
“Badawi is the new PUPPET PM! It is already so evident! UMNO controls Badawi, not Badawi control UMNO! *Sigh*”
You could be right.
Remember, during AAB’s quarrel with the previous PM?
His whole cabinet were very vociferous in defending him.
Now, if he were to take action against any of them for wrongdoing, the whole pack may turn on him!
#19 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 21 June 2007 - 11:36 pm
More on the clown Nazri in The Sun:
”
Nazri: M’sian Muslims not ready for religious dialogue
Pauline Puah
KUALA LUMPUR (June 21, 2007): The majority of Muslims in the country are not ready for open dialogue on religious issues, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said.
“Our intention is to have dialogues. However, religious issues are something sensitive. Dialogues need (the communication) of both sides.
“If the majority of Malaysian Muslims do not want to take part (in dialogues), we can’t do anything more. So we can only continue (with) our efforts without inciting any sensitive feelings by holding closed-door dialogues,” he said in reply to Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) today.
Nazri also took Chow to task for accusing the prime minister of double standards on inter-religious and cultural dialogue by saying one thing in the international arena and taking a different stand at home.
“In foreign countries, the premier does not have (decisive) power. He can only propose something. And the matter of sensitivity does not arise abroad, so he is free to say anything as it will not offend anyone.
“At home, although he has power, there is religious sensitivity (that should be taken care of). In our history, there was racial clash. Therefore, we have to be extra cautious,” he said.
“Accusing the premier as having double standards is not only incorrect, but also unfair and disrespectful to the head of the government. This question was intentionally asked by the Opposition to fish votes.”
Earlier, Nazri said the premier and other cabinet ministers had meetings to discuss issues concerning Malaysians who have different religious and cultural background from time to time.
“We hold closed-door dialogues. Having debates openly in newspapers is not the choice for the government. The closed-door dialogues do not mean that they are less efficient than open dialogues.”
On a supplementary question from Baharum Mohamad (BN-Sekijang) who said he was “offended” by Chow’s question, Nazri said many other Malay Muslims out there shared the same feeling.
“I hope the opposition will be careful in raising questions like this. We practise democracy so we allowed this question. Next time, you must be careful,” he said to cheers from some backbenchers.
”
What stupid reasonings. What low-class behaviours. And we say we follow the Westminister model. Westminister ada bocor kah? Ada banjir?
#20 by Godfather on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 7:21 am
The word ‘leading’ is totally inappropriate. There is no leadership, only muddling through. Sad that the majority still don’t see it as the mainstream press is completely muzzled.
#21 by Bigjoe on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 7:43 am
Even Dr. M has said that Nazri is a barking dog for Badawi. We know what he is there for. Lets not fool ourselves on the usefullness of someone like Nazri to the weak leadership of the PM.
#22 by k1980 on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 8:53 am
Now it’s “India Boleh” — Malaysia Memang Tak Boleh
http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,,2108883,00.html
…a schoolboy in Manapparai town in Tamil Nadu state, was filmed by his proud father, a general surgeon, while performing the surgery on a 20-year-old woman to deliver her baby…”What is wrong in my son performing surgery when a 10-year-old can drive a car and a 15-year-old can get a medical degree in America?”
#23 by FuturePolitician on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 9:33 am
It seems to me very clearly AAB doesnt get updates from his crew. He doesnt read the newspaper nor surf the internet for news or follow the developement of the country..Since he is always away from the country during crisis or snoozing away, he doesnt get much information that way.
Probably till today, he ponders WHY TDM chose him…trying to reason to himself, this mysterious decision made by TDM..
#24 by sheriff singh on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 9:57 am
He’s always away from the country “promoting business” and “promoting Islam Hadhari” which no one seems interested even from Arab muslim countries. Maybe he does not have much here leaving the country to be run by idiots. God, what can we expect for the future?
Wait till he get his executive jet next month. Then he will even fly to the moon.
#25 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 10:35 am
NAZRI and his STUPIDITY. Read today’s screenshots by Jeff Ooi:
“From Racist! Racist! Racist!, the de facto law minister cum super-grade Parliamentary office boy Nazri Abdul Aziz changes his jampi to Bodoh! Bodoh! Bodoh!
Apparently, the Opposition’s questions on corruption in Malaysia has irked him.
Other quotable quotes from Nazri, via Malaysiakini:
NO BRAIN
“Malaysia will never develop as long as we have people like (Parliamentary Opposition Leader) Lim (Kit Siang). All these (corruption allegations) are lies. Why are you so stupid? Where are the allegations? You have no brains. Stupid, stupid, stupid!… ”
SINGAPORE NO COMPARE
“Singapore is not a real country, it is a small island. Singapore’s population is just three to four million and there are no opportunities for corruption, unlike in our country.
FREER MEDIA
“We have a freer media now that allows many voices to be heard. That is why we have many people making unfounded allegations in the media,†responded Nazri.
Citing the Johari Baharum case (for allegedly receiving RM5.5 million in bribes to free several criminal suspects held under the Emergency Ordinance (EO) as an example, Nazri said the allegations had appeared on blogs and anybody could create a blog.
He called for tighter control of the media.
The Lower House Speaker, Ramli Ngah Talib, said he can’t cite Nazri for using unparliamentary language because “such language was used all the time”, The Star reports.
Don’t complain, folks. You get the government you deserved.”
Jeff, I agree NAzri sounds stupid. Surest sign is when he contradicts himself.
With his first breath, Nazri said: “All these (corruption allegations) are lies. Why are you so stupid?”. Well, that makes the PM AAB a liar because he acknowledged the stench of corruption, if not the substance, everywhere in the civil service. That also makes the Chief Justice a liar. He acknowledged that even some judges are corrupt! (despite their very high pay! So salary increment is not the answer, AAB!). That also makes IGP Musa a damned liar because he said with the salary increments, there is no excuse for policemen to be corrupt! (meaning, before the increment, police have a good excuse to be corrupt to fill up the spending slack in their pockets.)
Now, Nazri – who is stupid. Tun Dr. M must also be stupid, eh. He said corruption is worse and more open now than during his time!
Then, with his 2nd gasping breath, Nazri said: ““Singapore is not a real country, it is a small island. Singapore’s population is just three to four million and there are no opportunities for corruption, unlike in our country.”
Ugh..let’s see. Firstly, it was stuopid of Nazri to pick a squeaky clean country for comparison. Choose Bangladesh or Zimbabwe next time! Secondly, “S’pore is not a real country” (Nazri – katak di bawah tempurong. Want an all-expenses paid trip to S’pore!). Thirdly, “…unlike in our country” is an abject admission that Malaysia is corrupt. Hoi, Nazri, mana dapat law degree anda? Can’t even reason logically; thought processes all muddled and muddied.
So, now, Nazri -who is STUPID?
#26 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 10:42 am
Thirdly, “…unlike in our country†should read : Singapore… there are no opportunities for corruption, unlike in our country.†is an abject admission that Malaysia is corrupt. Hoi, Nazri, mana dapat law degree anda? Can’t even reason logically; thought processes all muddled and muddied.
So, now, Nazri -who is STUPID?
#27 by moong cha cha II on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 10:45 am
ahh, like Pak Pandir would say “Yan Tow, Chee Low”
#28 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 11:59 am
From Malaysiakini:
Re-look NEP, urges EC ambassador
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz | Jun 22, 07 11:35am
The lack of a level playing field for foreign companies, even those with Bumi partners, is one of the reasons for Malaysia’s poor standing as a destination for FDI. ”
My forecast : 2010 (not 2057, ok, Pak Lah!), Vietnam will outstrip Malaysia in every economic indicator.
Now, Pak Lah – you & your Cabinet can go back to sleep.
#29 by awesome on Friday, 22 June 2007 - 2:31 pm
All is not gloom incomparison to other nations. Thai has internal crisis. Indon is vulnerable to bombing and internal strikes. Singapore is a concrete jungle. Philippines has bad road system. Brunei is such a fanatical Islamic country. Her king is good but extravagant. Vietnam is not that great either. Neither is China and India.
But Terencesgk, I like what you wrote. Yeah I wished that our good old years of love and unity among races prevailed. We have a lot of teh tarik and kopi susu (kids out of mix marriages) but the tolerance level is quite unhealthy.
Perhaps the salaries scale of employees in non government org should increase. Have any of you realised that Malaysia is one of the most economical places to shop and eat in the world? It is! So It is not all gloom and doom! Food is in great variety and much cheaper than our counterpart, Singapore.
Nevertheless, we have to work hard to see to it that Malaysia come back to peace loving and caring nation that is efficient in every aspect.
The question is How? Voting for DAP , does it help? If DAP gets the majority vote, can DAP run the government effectively? How are we to know? There are so many uncertainities and unless we know for sure it is hard to vote. An known devil is better than an unknown angel.
Mr. KIT we need your assurances and your vision, your goals for us to think through and decide. So tell us. Thanks
#30 by DarkHorse on Saturday, 23 June 2007 - 8:31 am
“What type of a government is the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leading?”
Abdullah Badawi now that he is happily married has other things on his mind. In any case he never led the government but it was the government that was leading him. By being led rather than lead he brings new meaning to the word ‘leadership’.