Malaysians should expect a change for the better


by Richard Teo

Malaysians should not accept what the govt say in the media as gospel truth.Of late we hear DPM Najib say that the opposition is not capable of administering the country.This is not only misleading but a blatant lie.

The present govt have shown that it is not capable of properly governing this nation.The last 22 years of Mahathir’s tenure and 4 years of Pak Lah’s administration have seen the country degenerating towards a failed state.

The litany of failures in the various govt department is shocking.The Police Dept is in dire straits with crime surging to unprecedented heights. The Judiciary is not only tainted with dubious appointments but it has practically lost the
confidence of the people.Religious conflict arising from conversion of non-muslims and the practice of ‘body snatching’ of muslim converts have stretched racial tolerance to breaking point.

In addition the govt has wantonly wasted public funds in compensation for the crooked bridge and the Broga incinerator project. The PKFTZ cost the govt a few billion of tax payers money which was siphoned off by UMNO cronies.

The Defence Ministry headed by our DPM, Najib saw fit to purchase inferior quality Sukhoi air planes from Russia and Scorpene Submarines from France. All these dubious purchases were done through the front companies of his close friend Razak Baginda who is now charged with the Mongolian model’s murder.

Are the above catalogue of failures what Najib would call a success of the B.N govt?

Surely an opposition govt given the same opportunity could not have fared worse than this.

A regime change can only offer a refreshing start to a new era of governance which can only be better. It has the benefit of learning from B.N’s mistake and this hindsight experience should enable the opposition to make a better alternative government for the people.

  1. #1 by ktteokt on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 12:29 pm

    This is the typical “Made in Malaysia” success! The word “failure” has never appeared in their dictionaries and even when big mistakes have been committed, they still claim glory of being “successful”. That is what Malaysia Boleh is all about.

  2. #2 by pwcheng on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 12:42 pm

    We definitely share your thought Richard, but the opposition must come up with the right menu and strategy for all the races of the country. We all know the difficult part of breaking the camel’s back of UMNO who had strategize by divide and rule methodology which result of to-days racial polarization, religious intolerance and suspicion and wittingly sending a message of “the majority rules” by branding “Melayu Keutamaan” and special privileges as an icing for the majority race. This obviously had served their agenda very well.

    Also do not forget that UMNO will go for broke to continue running the country, and without an iota of doubt even it the country were to end in ruins because they have too much shit on them and all these shit must be hidden as long as they can, by hook or by crook.

  3. #3 by cheng on soo on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 12:44 pm

    BN had wasted billions ringgit in many projects, buy things at grossly inflated prices as reported by auditors report. So if they claim opp. not capable of administer msia, then can BN??
    Any honest, average persons would waste all those billions?? surely NO! so say NO! NO! NO! to BN

  4. #4 by Jeffrey on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 12:48 pm

    //Surely an opposition govt given the same opportunity could not have fared worse than this// – acceptable as statement of faith or hope but if asserted as a fact, what is the basis you would know this? :)

  5. #5 by jus legitimum on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 1:04 pm

    Hahaha,during their last 38 years of administration,the BN have created one scandal after another until the nation’s coffers are dry.Still claimed to be very capable of administering the country.Damn cheeky n thickskinned.

  6. #6 by limkamput on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 1:12 pm

    Yes yes, and don’t forget the oil related revenue and profits. Petronas made about RM45 billion a year. How much is RM45 billion, it is like more than the total profits of ALL companies listed in Bursa Malaysia. Where does all the money go? This country is rich beyond belief, but BN is gradually but surely making it into a pauper. Singapore has nothing, no oil, no land, no sand and no water, but today she is buying UBS, Citigroup and Merlyn Lynch. Oh, I forget. PM said, don’t compare with Singapore. Ya, sure, how can we compare with Singapore – a retard can’t compare with a normal person.

  7. #7 by ChinNA on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 1:21 pm

    PM said don’t compare to Singapore and Hong Kong, because it is not a multi-racial country like Malaysia.

    I don’t understand why Singapore is not considered a multi-racial country. Hong Kong, I don’t enough to comment.

    Thoughts anyone on the rationale used by our PM?

  8. #8 by Thegame on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 1:42 pm

    Malaysians should expect a change for the better….for sure but please dont say in the same breath DAP cannot topple the BN.Iron out a workable formula.YOu have the experience to go with and you can do it.To topple the BN you need the malay votes.How are you going to get that….thats the question.Be smart this is your time…

  9. #9 by lakshy on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 1:49 pm

    Richard,

    You are right. There must be a change of government. And I agree that the current opposition will not and cannot do as bad a job as BN has done. The BN guys know all the loopholes of the system, so they will employ an eagle eye to catch the opposition guys if they try to do the same things. No, it wont happen. With BN in the opposition, it wont happen.

    BN has squandered the wealth of this nation, and is still not ashamed! Our founding fathers must have already been reduced to pulverized dust from turning helplessly in their graves as they see the nation that they concieved, being outrageously raped. And yes, they will hold you and me accountable for it for we are as guilty for allowing such a thing to happen. We are all traitors to this land we call home!

    What we must do is reduce BN to less than a third in Parliament so they cannot obstruct what the current Opposition tries to do to set the nation back in the right direction.

  10. #10 by toyolbuster on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 2:03 pm

    TAR said the same thing about Lee Kuan Yew when Singapore was separated from Malaysia.

  11. #11 by scorpian6666 on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 2:36 pm

    If Penang is separated from Malaysia.. we all know dammmmn well, it would be Singapore No1. Want to bet ?

  12. #12 by k1980 on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 2:47 pm

    If Penang is separated from Malaysia, then the “Emperor” wouldn’t be getting any new clothes bcos he would be busy tapping rubber in his Kepala Batas small-holding.

  13. #13 by Bigjoe on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 3:03 pm

    This message to sent to the converted. Its already certain that
    70% of Indian votes and 60% Chinese vote will be opposition. The problem is 78% Malay vote is still with BN. Most of them don’t read Lim Kit Siang web page or Malaysiakini

  14. #14 by jus legitimum on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 3:39 pm

    It is rather difficult for DAP to win Malay votes simply because they are confused and bewildered by the racial and religious biased policies plus the NEP for too long.When will they come to their senses? That exactly is the crux of the problem.

  15. #15 by limkamput on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 4:09 pm

    “Counter filth and lies on Internet”, says Keng Yaik
    The Barisan Nasional should find ways to challenge the anti-government “filth and lies” now spreading in the Internet, said Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

    I say bring it on and come here anytime – 24 hours a day there will be people entertaining you.

  16. #16 by shortie kiasu on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 5:33 pm

    We have been expecting change for the better for the last 50 years. People are immune all the same. People are indifferent to the slogan of change to come for the better in every next general election.

    People will cast their votes discreetly.

  17. #17 by StevenT on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 7:22 pm

    This is why we need Keadilan to get the progressive Malay votes and PAS to get the conservertive Malay votes in the east coast. Only then can we break the 2/3 majority. But judging by how things are going right now… i don’t see much hope for the opposition parties.

    The problem with our opposition parties is that they are still playing with the 1960s mentality. It is now the 21st century. Priorities are different now. Picking and choosing issues that will come occasionally will not work. Our opposition parties need to have a vision and a stand and stick by those. Then only will the public see a clear difference between BN, DAP, Keadilan, PAS. So far i know that PAS stands for making Mas to become like Saudi Arabia, but Keadilan and DAP has not yet taken a stand. There will be no victory without making sacrifices by alienating some voters who disagree with the policies.

  18. #18 by boh-liao on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 8:07 pm

    Change, change, change!
    Talk, talk, talk.
    Are the opposition parties ready?
    ? ? ?

  19. #19 by HB Lim on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 8:17 pm

    The non-Malays can all shout and vote for change. It will probably dent the BN a little. But if the majority of Malays do not want changes or do not understand why we need changes, nothing big is going to happen in this GE. They got everything right from the beginning starting with the “procreate, procreate” plan until they are overwhelming the non-Malays in numbers. Now, they have been so spoilt by so many affirmative policies. Do you think they want to get out of the comfort zone and vote for change?

    The ‘se gelintir orang-orang Melayu” who want to see changes are mostly those who are disgruntled because they don’t get to share the cake or have been abandoned by UMNO. Not because they have become enlightened.

    The only force that can force changes in Malaysia is the globalisation process. Non-Malays should continue to become more and more citizens of the world and be savvy and independent there. The Malays would soon find if they have not already found out that they are living in a modern-day digital kampong and unable to compete. Eg, university standards and rankings, command of other international languages, etc.

    Generally speaking, we are still stuck at that political maturity level where the voters can still be swayed by a little election gimmicks and goodies and trickeries. Generally speaking, a very small percentage of voters are in for or understand human rights, democracy, good governance, aacountability, transparency etc, etc.

    There are so many scandals happening in very quick succession that generally speaking we do not have enough time to analyse an issue long enough or let it sink down to a broader section of the voters before we move on to the next. Or we are just so overloaded that we become numb and just give up. What the heck, just go on with life..nothing is going to change even if we try.

    How many are still following the Alyantuya’s trial? Even this fantastic LKS blog is a little too congested with issues after issues. We just skip over the surface of one and get on to the new one. Just notice how the comments in one thread abruptly stop and new ones fill up a new thread.

    We skip to the next one before the general public is acquainted with the previous issue. A few of us follow the blogs and we get all heated up with the excesses and the iniquities of the BN government. We are fed-up with the MCA for bluffing all the time by using the Chinese schools in every GE. We get sick with the antics of unruly Samy. We get nauseated with the kaki-bodeks, especially the Chinese and Indian politicians who are selling away our rights and the future of our children. But how many aunties and uncles and the young ones are aware of, understand or share our frustrations and concerns?

    I think it has to do with the strength of our opposition parties. It is undeniable that they have good and very capable people. LKS and DSAI, KArpal etc immediately come to mind. But I think they are financially very weak. I know for sure that the DAP is very financially strapped. I do not know about the PKR. But I can see that despite 50 years, none of the opposition parties have come out with any shadow cabinet that can inspire and fire the imagination of the people of an alternative government. It is not like we have a choice between Labour and the Conservatives or between the Democrats and the Republicans. Even very educated and fearless people question – can the opposition be able really to govern if they win?

    If there is going to be any big political changes, the opposition parties have to speed up the political education process of the people and fire up their imagination of the possibility and viability of an alternative government. It is not an easy task at all but we have to start with financial capability. We cannot be stuck with criticising or commenting on or joking about or laughing at or scoulding the government. Politics is business through and through. See the amount of money that is involved in the American presidential campaign.

    We have to have big plans to educate or re-educate the people, not just dinners and ceramahs which attract only the die-hard supporters. They don’t need any more convincing.

    The LKS blog is a fantastic innovation to get to the people. I salute the far-sightedness of LKS to use this medium to get across his message. What about clubs and associations, cooperatives and night schools or educational gatherings and groups? PAS is more effective on the grass root level with their religiuos schools and gatherings. Eg the Rocket, how big a circulation has it got? What are the plans to increase its circulation? Has it got a specialist paid editorial team? What are the DAP’s plans to increase its membership? I am not trying to interfere into DAP’s internal affairs but just rambling in my thoughts. My apologies to LKS and DAP. All I am saying is that big plans need big money to be formed and implemented.

    We accuse the BN of getting into actions and promises only when it is election time. We can say the same about the opposition parties. Most things are quiet on the opposition front during normal times but noises and even internal squabblings become audible and heated near election time.

    I hope I have not been offensive or too critical.

  20. #20 by limkamput on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 8:40 pm

    All I am saying is that big plans need big money to be formed and implemented. HB Lim

    Ok, HB Lim, let’s cut the long story short. Can each blogger here gvies RM200.00 to DAP Party fund. I am serious.

  21. #21 by darnielng on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 9:00 pm

    The main problem with this country is not about RACE. It’s about individual GREED.

    When someone either seats in a position of power for too long. There will definately be corruption and dictatorship will always show. They don’t have the heart to stop their own relatives and personal friends from using his/her good name to build some fortune over it. Over time people get greedy. Because threy will think they are untouchables!

    They forget they are also Civil Servants, elected by the people for the good of the country. What does it mean by Civil Servants in their terms?

    This incumbant monarchy system should be changed! A Maximum of two terms must be the policy. If they can’t perform, they will be voted out, if they perform also they will need to step down.

    This will allow fresh minds that are yet to be corrupted by GREED and SELF PRIDE to contribute to the country.

    Hi. HB Lim –>
    I agree with you partially. We must know the objective. If we stick to the same rules by voting the wrong incumbent parties, things will be the same.

    What is wrong with change. They have the pass 50 years to prove themselves. Non Bumi’s can’t get in to government Universities only very limited seats. They will get the first choice even though the don’t meet the aggregated grades. Those non-bumi family that can afford to send their Children will always send them overseas.

    I have Malay friends, and they are my good friends. The problem is only the government. The internal greed, “untouchables” mentality is what I don’t like.

    Equal competition promotes positive progress.

  22. #22 by HB Lim on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 9:05 pm

    Of course!! Where do we give?

  23. #23 by lakshy on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 9:13 pm

    Can, More than that we can give!

    How many here have decided to join DAP? or PKR or PAS? and volunteered their services for the coming elections?

  24. #24 by limkamput on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 9:15 pm

    click contribution at DAP web site, it will show you how. Just bank into the bank a/c, number given.

  25. #25 by BlackEye on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 9:57 pm

    “This is not only misleading but a blatant lie.” Richard Teo

    I’m sorry? How could it be a lie let alone a blatant lie when there is no record of an opposition rule to compare with??

  26. #26 by shaolin on Friday, 1 February 2008 - 10:34 pm

    We DEMAND to change for the BETTER Governance

    AAB’s Administration is a TOTAL Failure in terms of
    Corruption, Mismanagement, Arrogant, Ignorance
    and last but not least, Hopelessness…!!!

  27. #27 by freedom to speak on Saturday, 2 February 2008 - 3:20 am

    YB
    Why can’t the opposition work together/compromise for straight fights at all constituents? Why must our opposition fight each other, knowing very well they are breaking up a sure win. This is not helping people decide to vote. Look at the way opposition parties cannot decide on who sits where. Maybe YB, you have done your part but what about the others? Is it going to be a free for all. Voters are not convinced that this bickering will not carry into Parliament and turning it upside down. YB, the sooner the opposition decides to work together, only then they will have a chance. YB, this is your opportune time.

  28. #28 by BlackEye on Saturday, 2 February 2008 - 7:00 am

    “The Defence Ministry headed by our DPM, Najib saw fit to purchase inferior quality Sukhoi air planes from Russia and Scorpene Submarines from France.” Richard Teo

    What’s wrong with the Sukhoi jets?? Is its wing a little too short than the other. What’s wrong with the French submarine. Would you rather have the yellow submarine?

    You’re naive in assuming that United States would sell us their F18s.

  29. #29 by Evenmind on Saturday, 2 February 2008 - 8:37 am

    Change , how ? We’ve a mentally retarded govt. All they know is race based polytics, they thrive on it just like bacteria thrive on living matter. How many of the UMNO puteras are truely academic ? They’ve pushed their way forcefully to the Universities via NEP., and then ,all we get is GOONS for leaders. They no nothing but harp on trivial issues . The breathe race politics (RP ) , they eat RP , drink RP ,sleep RP , and wake to RP.each day , and Know of nothing else,.

    Common people , vote them out this time , the world has changed but not them. believe in one nation- Malaysia , and one race – Malaysian , and we’ll be way forward, only IF.

  30. #30 by scorpian6666 on Saturday, 2 February 2008 - 8:49 am

    Kenya is one fine example waiting to happened in Malaysia.

  31. #31 by alaneth on Sunday, 3 February 2008 - 1:45 am

    It will take a young kid to say “Look, the Emperor is not wearing any clothes!”.

    Maybe we should listen more to our children.

  32. #32 by alaneth on Sunday, 3 February 2008 - 1:49 am

    Sorry – wrong post above from topic “Emperor’s new clothes”.

    ————————————————
    Malaysia will never change for the better. United we stand, divided we fall. But luckily for S’pore that they have divided/parted fr Malaysia in 1965.

    Just look for yourselves, the success. Don’t need further explanation here…

  33. #33 by alaneth on Sunday, 3 February 2008 - 2:14 am

    # scorpian6666 Says:
    If Penang is separated from Malaysia.. we all know dammmmn well, it would be Singapore No1. Want to bet ?

    Which is why Sabah & Sarawak wants to maintain their distance fr West-Malaysia with it’s 20-Point Article on autonomy. If Penang cannot become S’pore. it can become like Taiwan PRC also good enough.

    But unfortunately, many of Malaysian professional & smart/intelligent people do not choose to fight. They rather chose flight – Migrate. I will do so too if I got no choice in future & will advise my children to do.

  34. #34 by ktteokt on Sunday, 3 February 2008 - 1:52 pm

    It would not be a bad idea for the opposition to grab Penang and then declare it to be a “free port” once again. I remembered in my younger days, Penang use to have lots of trade with ships coming to its harbour but since it lost its free port status, things have definitely slowed down.

    If Penang were to be made a free port, ships from all over the world can come and trade. And this will definitely bring in more revenue to the nation. It does not matter if Penang can be compared to Singapore, at least it will be generating income for the nation.

  35. #35 by Loh on Sunday, 3 February 2008 - 6:08 pm

    NEP was the result of race politics. NEP now represents race politics. Race politics knows not right or wrong, but might and strong. Race politics gives cover to the leaders to steal and plunder with impunity.

    UMNO has a reason to remain a race-based party when it can still show people of the people opporunitically group as ‘Malays’ to have unfair advantage over the others classified outside the group. MCA and MIC only organised their people or people similarly classified to meekly submit to the tyrany of UMNO rule so that the fwe political-brokers were able to enrich themselves. They sell out people of their race in giving the exccuse for UMNO to claim that all those discrimanatory policies were accepted by the non-Malays. That was as though non-Malays were sadistics against themselves.
    When UMNO as a race party were able to do more for Malays when compared to what MCA and MIC did for their communities, though together BN has actually cheated people of all races of their potential for a higher standard of living, including protection and security as evidence by the high crime rate that is getting worse by the year, MCA and MIC should be demolished in the coming election. That would then make UMNO the only race-based party in the country, and perhaps in the world.

    PKR has called for the abolition of NEP. It shows that though the party has Malays as the backbone for the party, as like the country has Malays as the majority, it is willing to head a government without race politics, and is willing to be judged by its results rather than by ensuring a return to party based on corruption and divide and rule. The declining standard as a nation of Malaysia is caused by race politics out of the greed of the governemnt to arrange for perpetual rule. Over the years, Malaysia has become more polarised than when the country gained independence. And worse, the poeople are trained and has gained experience that by showing hatred against other races, they could actually gain unfair advantage, even though the practice in fact went against the teaching of the religion.

    Never before had a party who can attract support from Malays against UMNO. While the Chinese and Indian shall have no way to prevent Malays voting for UMNO, but it is time for the non-Malays to ensure that MIC and MCA are wiped out in the coming GE. UMNO Malays would of course rally behind the running dogs in MCA and MIC to make them the curtain to hide their ugly acts, the non-Malays will only have themselves to blame if they keep MCA and MIC viable.

    PJ has the highest rate of internet connectivity, and should be aware of the real situation in the country. If MCA can still win in the Chinese majority areas, then UMNO is right to trample non-Malays. Since they then are proven to be selfish and care only for themselves, because they do not fight NEP when they have gone through the dircrimanatory cluthch.

  36. #36 by Richard Teo on Sunday, 3 February 2008 - 7:27 pm

    Black-eye,
    You are really naive.If Sukhoi fighter planes are a good buy, the Russian would not have offered a free ride costing $100 million for our tourist spaceman.Try asking U.S for a free ride in their NASA spaceman program in exchange for purchasing F18s.Ask our govt why U.S dont want to sell their F18s to Malaysia while they are prepared to sell it to Singapore?
    Why is it a blatant lie?Because in your own words, the opposition have no record to compare with, so how did Najib conclude that the opposition is not capable of administrating the country?

  37. #37 by boh-liao on Monday, 4 February 2008 - 1:57 pm

    Malaysians are already experiencing a change for the better.

    Didn’t you see in the last few days BN parties were literally giving out big ang pows to Chinese and Indians, and promising them this and that? People were ecstatic and yelling “We love you” and “We want more” at Umno, MCA, and MIC!

    What can the opposition parties do? Why should people vote to change from BN to DAP/PK/PAS, strange bed partners who have contradictory principles?

  38. #38 by BlackEye on Saturday, 23 February 2008 - 8:55 pm

    Richard Teo,

    You have a pathetic control of the English language, able to write your views but not able to understand those who criticize them. We see that in another poster limkamput.

    I find you extremely naive in all your views posted on this blog which prompted me to make the following the following statement:

    “You’re naive in assuming that United States would sell us their F18s.”

    And what is your response to that?? This is your response:

    “Try asking U.S for a free ride… in exchange for purchasing F18s. Ask our govt why U.S dont want to sell their F18s to Malaysia while they are prepared to sell it to Singapore?”

    Putting words in the mouth of those who criticize you and then having a quarrel with yourself is a pathetic response to any argument. You’re constantly tripping over your ego to be able to separate the chaff from the grain.

  39. #39 by BlackEye on Saturday, 23 February 2008 - 9:10 pm

    Of course everyone could understand why the Malaysian government opts for the purchase of Russian fighter planes which are paid from the proceeds of the sale of the country’s palm oil to Russia which is facing economic woes and at a time when Malaysia is facing a decline in the price of commodities.

    Everybody knows the problem pertaining to avionics which comes with the investment in Russian instead of U.S. fighter planes – no doubt a radical departure from earlier practice.

  40. #40 by darnielng on Monday, 17 March 2008 - 7:18 pm

    DAP,

    The election is over, the results is known to all. Without the votes manipulation, without the EC system implemented, AND if there is no postal votes (from the military personnels), to the BN members.

    The Oppositions would already be the “Ruling Party Now” and the sides would have changed indefinitely with BN being the opposition.

    The points we need to make is, we have to practice moderation and not implement stupid policies, like abolish all the summons in Penang. Does this imply, that we support law breakers? Instead, give a 50% or 20% discount on those who pay up in the first month after the election.

    Secondly, please act like a proper government, be very diplomatic when dealing with the Federal Government, in the state level, you are not the opposition ANYMORE!! GOOD!. If you don’t get the funds and support from Federal Government for Penang then let the people to take this to the next level in the next election. Make sure this time it is complete take over. Unless the government can enroll every single citizen to be a soldier and force them to vote for BN in the camp.

    Four years is not a very long time, for results.

    It is unfortunate for Pak Lah to inherit the country at its current status in 2003. Already too many incumbents. You can’t blame him entirely. There are power-lords within BN. And also his mistake with Khairy, a young boy who behaves like a monkey in an armani suit.!

    DAP, Prove yourself to the people, NOW is your chance!

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