When he became Prime Minister more than four years ago, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pledged that integrity and good governance would be the hallmarks of his premiership and towards this end he also launched the National Integrity Plan.
This is the time for Abdullah to set an example of integrity and good governance and I call on him to emulate Bapa Malaysia and the first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman by taking leave as Prime Minister for two months for him to go on a nationwide tour as Chairman of Barisan Nasional to prepare the 14-party coalition for the 12th general election.
The mainstream media have reported that after his return from Spain, Abdullah “kicked off his second nationwide tour in what many coalition members believe is the prelude to a soon to be called general election”. (New Sunday Times 20.1.08)
Abdullah should set an example of understanding and respecting the important distinction between government and party, as it is the abject failure of Barisan Nasional Ministers and leaders to appreciate and uphold this important distinction which is the root cause of the rampant corruption, abuses of power and rank lawlessness in the country.
As Prime Minister, Abdullah has no business to conduct any nation-wide tour to galvanise the 14-party Barisan Nasional to prepare for the next general election expected within 50 days. When he goes around the country to rally and mobilize Umno and the other Barisan Nasional component parties to shape up for the 12th general election, he is acting in his capacity as Chairman of Barisan Nasional which is completely different and separate from the office of Prime Minister.
As Abdullah wants integrity and good governance to be the hallmarks of his premiership, he should emulate the precedent set by Tunku Abdul Rahman who took two months leave as Prime Minister before the 1964 general election to go round the country to prepare the Alliance for the polls – with Tun Razak as the Acting Prime Minister during Tunku’s leave of absence.
Abdullah should do the same which will demonstrate his seriousness about integrity and good governance.
(Media Conference Statement in Tawau on Monday, 21st January 2008)
#1 by HJ Angus on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 4:54 pm
You are too polite.
This is STEALING, pure and simple.
http://malaysiawatch3.blogspot.com/2008/01/malaysias-general-elections-scam.html
#2 by Godfather on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 4:56 pm
“Integrity and Good Governance”. What’s that ? Where’s the evidence for lack of integrity and lack of good governance ? The ACA, the Police, the AG’s Chambers – they all say there is no evidence of wrongdoing. No case.
#3 by optimuz on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 5:09 pm
You think ‘sleepy hollow’ knows the difference??
#4 by budak on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 5:25 pm
any different…???
give him another 24 months also no use…
dont waste our bloody $$$…
maybe good to give him another 2 months break to make baby… :-)
#5 by ahkok1982 on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 6:00 pm
please, that is a 2 months tax payer paid trip around Malaysia. Well, it is much cheaper than his overseas stint but still he is using Tax payer’s money! let’s see if he tows his wife along.
#6 by anak_malaysia on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 6:01 pm
travel as the capacity of PM Malaysia, going around and rallying in the capacity of Chairman of BN.
Hey, this is abuse of power. He is subject to be integorated by the ACA. Just like the poor fella police man that is subject for investigation when he is found abusing his power using the government asset (aeroplane) for own interest use.
#7 by Saint on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 6:34 pm
Good grievance Saudara Kit
He may not get back his seat when he comes back
#8 by Leo on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 6:46 pm
Whatever it is.. He is not working.. makes no difference…
My friends car just broken into fews day back in JB…
Normal police responce… Tak boleh buat apa apa…
Where’s peace and security Mr. Internal security minister…
Never hear him speaks..
What about the portfolio for Minister of Finance???
His deputy doing all the job.. he is busy sleeping…
#9 by Libra2 on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 9:57 pm
Every Minister, menteri besars and exco-councillors travel during elections season in official cars. In some case with police outriders.
Can this be tested in court.
#10 by HJ Angus on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 10:39 pm
How about this meeting in the PM’s office during office hours on a working day?
Did the officials use their own cars and did they apply for leave to attend a personal matter?
Or are all Malaysians so forgiving and understanding…..
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/77285
#11 by Godson on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 10:50 pm
Aiyah uncle Lim, dont disturb him lah. Let him continue sleep thru the GE. He is old and tired already after all those corridors. When the oppositions win, he will wake up again and say ” I’m shock ……….” Malaysia boleh corridors. :) :) :)
#12 by undergrad2 on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 11:21 pm
“As Prime Minister, Abdullah has no business to conduct any nation-wide tour ….. When he goes around the country to rally and mobilize Umno and the other Barisan Nasional component parties to shape up for the 12th general election, he is acting in his capacity as Chairman of Barisan Nasional which is completely different and separate from the office of Prime Minister.” KIT
The fact that Malaysians are unable to distinguish the government from the party that runs it is testimony to the abuse by BN. It uses government resources to campaign and uses government machinery to mobilize popular support behind it. Its coffers are flushed with funds the result of kickbacks in arms deals.
The short notice given provides a small window to the opposition parties, and with very limited resources the opposition parties are fighting an uphill battle from day one. What then does opposition parties have if not the undying dedication and loyalty of its supporters and the belief among working class Malaysians that the time has now come for ‘change’?
#13 by KS R on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 - 12:31 am
Hi Lim
Time to change Goverment, If not corruption will go on, Police is control by Badawi Goverment and they are not arresting the real culprit. Firstly all malays ,chinese and indians should relize who they selecting. BUKA LAH MATA JANGAN JADI BUTA .
#14 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 - 8:11 am
Put Najib in charge for two months? That is like letting the fox into the chicken coop? Najib is the most corrupt politician we have right now. His goal is to accumulate more wealth than Daim because unless things are aligned including early retirement for Badawi, he is not going to be PM and wants to be at least kingmaker if he is not.
Tour is a good idea but put Najib in charge for 2 months? No.
#15 by Jimm on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 - 8:15 am
Let UMNO keep on driving the Malays off this land of them and become the real owner one day.
After all, it’s always to fool the Malays when you dressed like them.
That’s what UMNO are good at …
#16 by HB Lim on Wednesday, 23 January 2008 - 2:21 am
In today’s STAR, page N4, “Parties told to spread word on government projects”.
A country’s development has to be seen in the context of body, mind and soul much like the individual. In fact, the individual is a microcosm of a country.
The problem with our country is that too much emphasis is placed on the body – hence the perenial pre-occupation with projects.
There is little or no emphasis on the mind and soul of the country.
For the soul, Islam, with all its rigid rules and laws, is pushed. Rigid rules and laws do not enlighten the soul. For the mind, it is materialism through and through which is passed on. Unarguably, the mind is expanded in the wrong way if the emphasis is on gaining material things.
Right mental mindset like right thinking about humanity and inalienable human rights, common destiny, fairness and justice…all these are relegated to be less important than mega projects.
The soul of the country, like reverence for immutable natural law of cause and effect, action and consequences…are all swept under the carpet.
The tenets of the Rukun Negara which embody the basics of the needs of the body, mind and soul of Malaysia, have all been forgotten or given lip service.
Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan – we have made God’s love and faithfulness to us subservient to man-made laws and rules. The police helps to snatch away a dead body claiming that the dead is of a certain faith without any thoughts about the trauma that would cause to the grieving widow. What kepercayaan kepada Tuhan is that? Where is the love and compassion that must have been required of a loving and faithful God?
Kesetiaan kepada Raia dan Negara – we let a lawyer manipulate with the highest affair of the state and we set up a Royal Commission to investigate and we have past PM and CJ coming to tell lies before it. What kesetiaan kepada Negara? If the leaders do not care about the rot and damage they would do to the country by their lies and phoney, what can you teach or lead the people about loyalty to our country?
Keluhuran Perlembagaan – what respect for the Constitution when we have taken liberty with it and have been amending it left, right and centre, since Independence and ignoring its spirit? The Constitution has been amended willy-nilly until it is now no longer recognisable by its original framers.
Kedaulatan Undang-undang – what respect for the Law when we can just take away a citizen’s liberty when we are at a loss of evidence to charge him in court? The Law has a spirit and soul too but we just look at the words. What respect for the Law?
Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan? We now have an arrogant race and religious group who are not showing any kesopanan to the others.
Race relation and tolerance are at their worst.
And we had such high hopes for Badawi. Finally we have a PM who can see the Light of Truth. But after four years, it is all the same. There is no political will to change. Ther cronies are still being protected. New ones are enlisted. There is still no hesitation to enrich the First Family. The spirit of the Social Contract is compromised. The religious zealots are still allowed to rampage through with their shallowness. The election date is still kept a secret for campaigning unfair advantage. Piece-meal legislations and patch-work to correct social wrongs are still the order of the day.
When are we going to tend to the hurt of the mind and soul of the country? When are we going to set right the wrong attitude, mind and beliefs of the people? When are we going to see a harmonious Malaysia without the need for enforced tolerance towards each other? When are we going to stop suspecting each other’s intent and motives?
To be fair, physical and economic development and growth are important. But we must not be divided in mind and soul. We must not be so focussed in winning elections and in between elections screw the country in all directions. There must be a political will to tend to the spirit and soul of the country. They are crying out for attention. But their voices are lost in the wilderness and quest for the wrong priorities. Status quo, material gains, political hegemony and permanence….Is there a hope?