SOME REFLECTIONS ON WAYS TO HEAL THE DIVISIONS – By PM Abdullah Badawi of Malaysia.

“First, we have heard the voice of our citizens…”

Which is why I gave a position of ministerial rank to one of my Ministers who was rejected by the voters; which was why I smuggled a couple of my supporters through the back door so they could be part of my Cabinet. Which is why I took on board my supporters and detained others facing allegations of corruption. Who says we did not hear the voices of our citizens??

“…with a 7.3% GDP growth rate in the last quarter, nearly full employment, more than US$100bil in foreign exchange reserves, and a flood of foreign direct investment in manufacturing and services that last year reached a record US$13.7bil.”

Which is why I booted out Malaysia’s Fat Lady.

“…powerful attractions for international investors who, over the past 12 months, have included General Electric of the United States, Britain’s Virgin Group, and important groups from the Middle East and China.”

So powerful that the MIDA offices in these countries have been flooded with enquiries and long lines of “potential investors” have been seen as early as 5.00 a.m. surpassed only by crowds you see on Black Friday in the U.S.

“The same is true of the need to make additional progress in battling corruption, which is both immoral and distorts competition in free markets.”

Yes, tenders will now be “open” tenders – so open that the ‘sponsored’ bidder knows what the other is bidding and bids the ‘lowest’.

But what of the other kind of corruption which does not distort free markets but nevertheless lines the pockets of politicians and their supporters? What of the AP type of corruption? What of the Altantuya type of corruption? What of the “pom, pom, pom” and “correct, correct, correct” type of corruption?

“Although the size of our majority would be considered a landslide in most countries…”

But hey! Who says landslides in Malaysia cannot be artificially engineered?

“Although some quarters have called for me to step aside, my party has given me solid support…”

Yes, the latest Jeanne Polls show that he is still riding high!

Certain factions within the party may be able to halt the inevitable and deflect calls for him to take an indefinite leave of absence – but only because he continues to be useful to them. Should these ripples grow into a wave, surfing the wave remains a skill acquired by senior UMNO politicians through the years and is not so rare that makes death by drowning an inescapable consequence.

“As with any election in any democratic country, there is debate, sometimes heated; there can be divisions, sometimes fierce; then people make their own choices and democratic politicians have to live with the outcome”

Then people forget. Then they all go back to their families, girlfriends and their jobs – not necessarily in that order. Those in power will go back to abusing their power. It is business as usual. It is “pom, pom, pom” all the way to the bank. Politicians with their wives will continue to be seen strolling along the Champs Elysees accompanied by the spouses of businessmen and their children. Some may just go fishing.

“I will work hard to create more of a national consensus following our national democratic conversation…”

Yes, Abdullah Badawi the “consensus” seeking Prime Minister! Could there be anything better than a Prime Minister who so love the rakyat that he seeks consensus every time he makes his decision? Could there be anything better than a Prime Minister who not too long ago introduced the world to a new and hitherto unheard of management style – management by ‘ilham’ which saw Harvard Business School professors scurrying to look for its western equivalent?

Without judicial review there is only the writ of habeas corpus.

It does not matter who plays it. It is still racial politics.

limkamput,

If you don’t mind my saying so, you tend to read meanings into what is written which is not there. It would help if you don’t. If at all it is a stinging criticism of anything, it is at the role played by the sultan. The role of the sultan(s) is to protect Malay customs and their religion! Could it be said that the sultan is playing just such a role when he says that the composition of the EXCO should reflect the racial composition of the state?

“Is without judicial review part of the legislation?” limkamput

Yes, it was part of the Act before it was amended in 1985. Please read my posting in its entirety. The Minister’s discretion was then subject to judicial review. Parliament did not mean to give the Home Minister absolute discretion.

Like I wrote earlier, the ‘evil’ is not in the legislation as originally drafted and passed by Parliament but in its arbitrary use and abuse. Its complete repeal would deny the government (which one day could be the same government that now governs the state of Selangor) of an effective and important tool to fight terrorism.

It would also not be in sync with developments in many other countries which have adopted similar legislation but with much more safeguards built into it. The U.S. is but one example.

Even if the right to judicial review was removed, it does not mean the government must use it in an arbitrary way or/and abuse it to stifle political dissent. Under a benevolent form of authoritarian rule, the use of such a legislation should be as a last resort and to protect national security – and not stifle political dissent.

Let us not forget that we are living in a post 9/11 world.

The cynicism if any is directed to all who claim they are not playing racial politics.