In his speech to the Federal Territory (FT) Gerakan Wanita and Youth delegates conference yesterday, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon rightly called for a meeting of the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council to discuss the candidacy for the Umno President.
Koh said that although Umno party elections and post allocations are internal Umno matters, as Umno is the backbone of Barisan Nasional and the UMNO President is the Prime Minister, there is a need for the Barisan Nasional component parties to participate in the discussion and to give input on this issue in order for a consensus to be reached.
I commend Koh for giving a correct analysis on what should be the respective positions of the other Barisan Nasional component parties vis-à-vis the power struggle in Umno.
This is not an interference in the Umno internal party affairs, as Malaysians as a whole have an equal stake and interest as to who will become the Umno President as he will also be the Prime Minister so long as the federal government comes from the Umno-hegemonised Barisan Nasional.
The position taken by Koh should be the position for all other BN component parties, whether Gerakan, MCA, MIC, SUPP or other BN parties from Sabah/Sarawak.
The only question is whether Koh and political leaders from all the other BN component parties apart from UMNO are prepared to take a stand and declare whether they agree with the ousting of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister by March next year by the Umno Supreme Council “926” emergency meeting.
It is clear that at the Sept. 26 emergency meeting of the Umno Supreme Coucil, Abdullah was given an ultimatum that unless he agrees to abandon his mid-2010 power transition plan and relinquish his premiership by March next year, and make clear that he would not to seek re-election as Umno President by October 9, he would be summarily and ignominiously evicted from the Putrajaya corridors of powers by his erstwhile Umno colleagues and subordinates!
Let MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP and Sabah/Sarawak BN component parties declare whether they agree with the ousting of Abdullah as Prime Minister by March next year by the Umno Supreme Council “926” emergency meeting or are they totally irrelevant, impotent and non-existent on such a crucial and critical matter concerning who is to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia?
Will the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council have any say as to whether the Umno Supreme Council “926” decision to oust Abdullah as Prime Minister by March next year should be endorsed or rejected?
[Speech (2) at the DAP “Abolish ISA” ceramah at Serdang, Selangor on Sunday, 28th September 2008 at 9 pm]
#1 by highhand on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 1:46 pm
aiyah endorse lah, kongsi depa raya maaaaaa………….
#2 by mata_kucing on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 1:52 pm
Agree with you, Uncle Kit. The position of PM affects all BN component parties, not just Umno. But as usual, what Umno wants, Umno gets. Who give a damn about the others. They are just there just to make up for the number and quite handy when apples need polishing. Maybe it’s time we should follow the American electoral system where the whole nation is involved in the selection of the President.
#3 by penang308 on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 1:54 pm
Where did Koh Tsu Khoon found his “GUT” to speak something like that?
To Tsu Khoon….”Ko Si Kwei Kwei chay Tiow lah!” (in Hokkien).
We don’t call them “GELAKan” for nothing, stop fooling around and continue be “a clown, joker or comedian” to UMNO lah!
#4 by boh-liao on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 1:55 pm
Since when all other BN component parties like Gerakan, MCA, MIC, SUPP and other BN parties from Sabah/Sarawak have a say in who is to be Umno’s president and Malaysia’s PM?
Cakap banyak kena kick out of BN. As Ong Ka Chuan reiterated recently: Umno is the best partner for MCA. ‘Pak si boh chow’ – mana want to risk to be booted out? Kwai, kwai, diam, diam.
#5 by yhsiew on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 1:58 pm
I do not think UMNO Supreme Council will give consideration to comments/suggestions by the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council.
#6 by yhsiew on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:05 pm
boh-liao Says:
Today at 13: 55.36 (2 minutes ago)
Since when all other BN component parties like Gerakan, MCA, MIC, SUPP and other BN parties from Sabah/Sarawak have a say in who is to be Umno’s president and Malaysia’s PM?
Cakap banyak kena kick out of BN……………….
====================================================
MCA has to remain silent and low-key because they know that once they are kicked out, they will not be able to share in the goodies and perks that UMNO enjoys (e.g. contracts, entertainment allowance etc).
#7 by just a moment on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:06 pm
Nice try KTK, your first supporter Ku Li lah. Anything else? OK, Sit down and shut -up. Next.
#8 by pulau_sibu on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:25 pm
Before 26 Sept, Abdullah said he will stay on until 2010. So he should just stay on….. An attempt to change the leadership will end up with a disaster for BN, because Pakatan will put up a different candidate and to have a majority vote. In the mind of Umno, they are the one owning the BN and the government. The views of other component parties are unimportant. All other parties are just the yes men and women. Gerakan was able to make some voice, but because of that, Kho’s photo was torn apart. MCA? I doubt. SUPP? no voice. MCA and SUPP are afraid that their pants will be taken down.
#9 by boh-liao on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:29 pm
Don’t laugh at others. In future, will DAP have a say on PKR’s choice of its president? Or on the choice of who is Malaysia’s PM?
Already Perak Tengah district councillor Zul Hassan is behaving like BN’s elected and appointed officers by accepting sexual bribes but justified his action by saying he was induced to have sex with Chinese nationals in Penang.
#10 by taiking on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:30 pm
Demi-leaders of demi-parties telling leaders of umno what to do? How dare they? And there are simply no stools in the world which could be used to raise oneself above one’s demi position.
Besides, pm and, by a practical and necessary extrapolation thereof, dpm are the privileged possession of two sub-groups of people in the inner circle of umno.
Those in umno who are outside that inner circle too have no right to ask questions. What more, for those who are not only outside the circle but outside of umno as well?
But nonetheless, its good for Dr Koh to say what he said – to say what the majority of us have been saying.
I hope that ahmad ismail’s have re-wired and re-program his “The Pendatang” missile. I hope that he will soon launch his “The Pendatang” missile (ver. 1.01).
#11 by pakmang on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:34 pm
Still” Ka ki kong, ka ki tiar, ka ki song” policy will demise the BN component soon. Let more voters desert them…..
#12 by k1980 on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:36 pm
Should koh tk ever dared to take gerakan out of bn, c4 grenades will land inside his bedroom in the middle of the night. (molotov cocktails are for babies to play with.)
#13 by Cinapek on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:36 pm
“..I commend Koh for giving a correct analysis on what should be the respective positions of the other Barisan Nasional component parties vis-à-vis the power struggle in Umno…”
Absolutely agree with you YB. But this only happens if the BN component parties are treated as equal partners. For long we know for a fact that UMNO has treated their BN counterparts as subservient to them and exist only to rubber stamp UMNO’s decisions and policies, however unpalatable they may be.
This mindset is part and parcel of UMNO’s culture and it will take a very insightful statesman to understand and realise the significance of this relationship. Such a statesman has yet to emerge in UMNO.
The fact that Koh has to remind them is clearly indicative of the type of master-slave relationhip that exist in BN.
#14 by sweetiec on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2:42 pm
in the first place, can this issue be accepted as an agenda in the coming BeEnd meeting?
haha
#15 by ch on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 3:03 pm
Dear All,
We have been reminded in the past by several opposition big wigs that the UMNO Supreme Council decides most of the important policies of this country. This statement would in a way insinuate that UMNO disregards the views of other component parties in Barisan Nasional. This insinuation becomes more glaring when BN put up a dismal performance in 308 general elections as more leaders from BN component parties came out and took UMNO to task, accusing UMNO’s big brother attitude and arrogance towards them as the result of their failure to perform to expectations in the election. Even Lim Keng Yaik said that they were treated like beggars. Now, several leaders from MCA and Gerakan are coming out voicing similar antics by claiming that they represent voices of the grassroots. If we care to look deeper, we will realize that both parties are going into their respective internal party elections and contenders for top party posts must be seen as bold and able to bring about change, particularly in the relationship of master(UMNO) and beggar/s.
It has been years that certain UMNO warlords had preserved this culture of master/beggar relationship and they are unwilling to adopt a more give and take approach. For example, how they reacted when ASLI came up with a report that Malays had actually achieved and surpassed the 30% equity? One must remember that the most vocal voices in condenming ASLI were the voices representing the UMNO Supreme Council. It is the same voices that worked out AAB’s early exit as Prime Minister. If we care to further analyse as to why the earlier ouster was worked out, we will soon realize that simply because the UMNO warlords are trying very hard to preserve and further consolidate its position on Ketuanan Melayu platform.
Should Gerakan or MCA voiced its intention of leaving Barisan to join Pakatan, the same group of people will twist and distort the fact that Malay supremacy is under severe threat. That would be the last ingredient into the bubbling stew and present certain people the best platform to unite the Malays.
Let’s face it, these antics are being played as Gerakan and MCA are going for internal party elections and the candidates are trying very hard to show the Chinese that they are fighting very hard like tigers against UMNO for their future. They will turn out to be just paper tigers after securing their respective positions in the party elections.
#16 by gofortruth on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 3:22 pm
Ku Li is correct in saying that our nation has become an international laughing stock with our 2 top leaders of the country playing childish “yours & mind” game under the noses of their 27 millions citizens and in full view of internationl community. What a shame!
Its most unbelieveable that apart from KTK the rest of the component partners are mum over it.
MCA’s Ong Ka Chuan has to be the biggest opportunist for his baby remark. How on earth this MCA member who could not even match against a frail lady Fong Po Kuan in Batu Gajah has managed to climb to such a high position in MCA? MCA is courting future troubles to allow such personality (UMNO’s perfect dog) to lead their party.
#17 by wanderer on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 3:33 pm
Ideally yes, it should be decided by BN Supreme Council, but would you think, UMNO creeps will give a damn?
KTK could not even handle a little nobody in UMNO, let allow his voice be heard by the power crazy leaders of UMNO. Nice try, all for glorifying self importance…achieve zero result. Equally, the same can be said, of the other ‘Beggar’ political parties, MCA and MIC. These ‘pretender leaders’ from the racial parties, have only one thing in mind, “How to be a billionaire”
#18 by Compass on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 4:09 pm
Let it all be known, that whoever sits in the PM chair, is not my Prime Minister as the reason being, when did I voted him to be my PM!!!
Honestly speaking a bunch of UMNO goons gonna choose on behalf for 27 million citizen is a farce.
What we need is direct election of the PM to be implemented and only after this I can proudly says, this is my PM.
#19 by homeblogger on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 4:12 pm
penang308 Says:
Today at 13: 54.41 (1 hour ago)
Where did Koh Tsu Khoon found his “GUT” to speak something like that?
====================
Perhaps prior to March 8, his bola were held in a vice grip by UMNO – do what we tell you or else you will lose Penang. Well whatddya know – they lost Penang anyway, so KSK’s bola are free again.
You know, I am a very stupid man. For the whole of my life, I never looked at it this way – that I CANNOT vote for my PM. A few select people control who will be my PM. And they are in the racist elite called UMNO.
They think to themselves “Who the hell are you. You are just a little insignificant nobody. WE ARE UMNO. WE ARE YOUR TUAN”…
Well, this insignificant idiot is starting to grow up. No more BN. No more UMNO. No more ketuanan.
#20 by Johorean on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 4:18 pm
KTK grand speech is surely not reported in gomen newspapers. This has become another case of “self satisfaction” by BN’s component parties by talking big, chanting slogans and feeling good with oneself…than life will be back to normal…slaves and master relation continues.
#21 by wanderer on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 4:36 pm
If I were to base my a simple calculation on the last GE, BN received only just over 50% of the votes. Taking away the votes from all the component parties, inclusive of the the 2 Eastern states, UMNO would not have got 30% of the popularity votes. Therefore, who gave UMNO the God damn right, to decide who should be the next PM of Malaysia. Make your stand, you spineless leeches from the component parties of BN, or, forever be doomed!
#22 by ktteokt on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 5:31 pm
Remember – BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER!
#23 by dawsheng on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 6:29 pm
Ong Ka Chuan declared that UMNO is the best partner MCA has ever had, and forever they will be. Bravo!
#24 by rahmanwang on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 6:49 pm
MCA MIC Gerakan are all useless spineless bedridden parties in BN.They do not practice what they preach.Corrupted and short sighted in enriching oneself while in power.Look at all the politician be it UMNO MCA MIC Gerakan & the rest from Sabah & Sarawak.All the ruling ministers are filthy rich in a couple of years.No doubt they were well to do earlier but they enrich themselves alot more in order to be in BN.Look at all the international bodies monitoring transparencies,corruption and all other indexes.
We lag behind Singapore.Both Malaysia & Singapore were like twins.Where are we now?Our ringgit can’t even buy singapore 50 cents.We used to be at par.The Singaporean PAP rule with an iron fist like BN.Putting people in ISA, making politician bankrupt and sending them to prison, but singapore succeed in their ways.Why not Malaysia?
It is because BN ministers are there to enrich themselves not the country.Singaporean ministers enrich the country which in turn will enrich them too.
#25 by RKP on Monday, 29 September 2008 - 10:25 pm
As for the temple demolition issue in Ampang by MPAJ,if YB Manicavasagam wishes to take responsibilty of all Hindu temple matters for Pakatan in Selangor, then let him do it. Maybe,he is trying to say he can take charge of temple matters better than YB Jeyakumar.Let him have it,if misunderstandings arise let him answer them too. Arrest the case by giving him responsibility when he seems to be asking for one.
#26 by AsalUsuLMalaysia on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - 2:37 am
Who let the DOGS out? lol..
The dogs already start offensive mode distract issue, yes but no…
(YES) the answer to the temple should be broadcast and answer asap regardless PK nor MIC, just bringdown the culprits who discriminates and misused their power as authority.
(NO) to allegedly accusation for spreading lies and broadcast in local media. The question is, who was the authority that assign MPAJ carry forward their job and when or why? Is there any miss management or MIC tries to accused without fact to be in middle of limelight?
#27 by m.r.ang on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - 7:18 am
YB Lim,
This Koh has no balls and he has an onion skin attached to his face.Why he is still hanging on to the Babi Neraka party? Oh I see his balls is actually being kept in the locker of the Najis and company. If he open his mouth they will squeeze it.The leader of MCA and MIC is also having the same problem with Koh.
#28 by KennyGan on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - 8:31 am
Ong Kah Chuan follows in the footsteps of his subservient brother, Ong Kah Ting who took over from the ever subservient Ling Liong Sik. These MCA eunuch leaders know that the reward of their subservience is personal wealth.
However, by declaring his hand too early, Ong Kah Chuan may have buried his candidacy in the MCA elections. This eager lapdog should have waited until after the party elections to show his fawning attitude to his Umno masters but too bad he jumped the gun.
#29 by Malaysia For ALL Malaysians on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - 9:11 am
BN component parties will never stand up against UMNO but what they fail to realise is that after 51 years of ruling the government BN has not learned that it needs two hands to clap!!!! Without the support of the Rakyat BN is no where…..
Gone are the days when they can use MAY 13 as a reference to stop justice being not only seen but also applied.
As we can recall that was TDM favourite way of suppressing the minority. Now we are looking towards BANGSA Malaysia where all races inmaterial of their race, religion or up bringing can live in peace with a fair share of the wealth.
No pain no gain! as the saying goes and no one in BN should enrich themselves at the cost of the Rakyat.
So all you die hard fans of BN please wake up, what is good for BN should also be good for all Malaysians let alone the so called puppets of BN ( component ) parties!!!!!
#30 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - 9:29 am
OK. We know BN component parties will not be allowed to vote who is PM. So the issue is what are BN component parties faced with in view of the inevitable Najib-Muhiyiddin partnership. Najib actually a decent relationship with BN component parties despite his historic ‘blood of Chinese call’ in his UMNO Youth days.
BUT its not the same for everyone. For example. Gerakan leaders particularly KTK actually had the best relationship with Badawi and Najib is NOT inclined to be as close to them, just at the time when they need the relationship to remain strong.
The outgoing leadership of MCA has a good relationship with Najib and will likely be a bridge for the new leaders coming in. So MCA is in pretty good shape.
MIC is hopeless.
Sabah and Sarawak parties have a good relationship with Najib.
Muhiyiddin does not strong relationship with any component parties but he could make it up and likely will court them.
But all of it depends on how the Najib-Muhiyiddin dynamics works out. Most will not want to he seen to be on side or another because they know the relationship will fall apart at any time. Given their own need to push UMNO to reform, what do they do? Can they push their agenda given that the duo will fall apart anytime? If they push too hard, the duo would fall apart even sooner or they both agree to push back together.
However, after the party elections, the BN component parties could tone down and not push their agenda waiting until UMNO is more firmly in control. But by that time, it may be too late for them going into the next GE.
No matter what its full of tough choices and bleak outlook for BN component parties..
#31 by lofuji on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - 2:44 pm
MCA,MIC,GErakan,etc bo lampa.How to leave BN? It is never a tough choice when the concensus show that people reject racist gomen! When keris-wielding minister spews raciist remarks,these socalled guardians-MCA, Gerakan,MIC- kept quiet.When the BKT Bendera racist tore his photo apart,KTK should have step up to UNmo and say charge him for sedition!did he? Yet when the Sin Chew reporter was put in the slammer where were they? Looking for the lost balls?
#32 by ekans on Wednesday, 1 October 2008 - 4:53 pm
UMNO will always flex its ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ muscles as if they are still stuck in 1946, fighting against Malayan Union..
Gerakan should just heed the wishes of the majority of its members to leave BN and return to its roots as an opposition party.
Dr. Khoo should know very well that enough is already enough when followers of that Bukit Bendera rabble rouser tored up his picture, and BN’s master, UMNO, only saw fit to suspend that rabble rouser for his misdeed(s)..
#33 by ekans on Wednesday, 1 October 2008 - 4:55 pm
Sorry.. ‘Dr.Khoo’ should read as ‘Dr. Koh’.
#34 by docjitra55 on Wednesday, 1 October 2008 - 10:08 pm
A drastic change is needed in order to make our country once again, STANDING TALL. At one time, we were proud to be Malaysians travelling abroad, even as far as the middle eastern countries, African nations and even the western nations; knowing that Malaysia is a nation of high integrity and nobility.
After the sodomy allegation against DSAI, the country took a tumble, the world was stunned; Malaysian by majority is in a state of disbelief. They showed it in the PRU10, where a majority of the malays voted for the opposition. The stepping down of TDM, has somewhat gave Malaysian a new lease of life and hope. In droves, Malaysians voted BN and gave DSAAB a big margin of victory in PRU11. A leader, noted to be “Mr Clean”; he wasted no time in establishing Islam Hadhari and called Malaysians to work with him, there goes the tagline. A cabinet was installed but surprisingly the members were the same. No new blood was injected in the line up.The initial sign was further tainted by the cancellation of many sound mega projects and replaced by many wasteful and non rakyat friendly ones. Nepotism and cronysm creeped in and that was the starting point where the rakyat began to realise that this was the same brand of leadership and the promised new land is just a myth. Government machinery were utilised to optimize their desired goals. DSAAB did not understand that the rakyat wanted total revamp of the previous regime.
Based on facts, TDM started off superbly after taking office from our late beloved TAR. He has forthrightly instilled fear to his appointed ministers and government servants. Malaysia progressed from agric. based nation into technology acquired nation. We were even referred to as the young dragon of the South East Asia. All these were achieved when TDM’s children were still schooling and attending universities. Later on his family involvement in businesses and Malaysian politics started to take a toll on our nation. Our neighbouring leader was also indulging in this kind of policy and practices ( not sure who adopted this practice initially and who was the copycat. Please note that our current neighbouring leader has barred his children from politics and business totally and he is fighting corruption at national scale). Businessmen started to take advantage of the so called connections. Thus, many government contracts were awarded without open tenders, but through negotiations. Hell broke lose when Asian currency were attacked by the western nations designed specifically to check the bullish growth of this particular region. This is the point where TDM and DSAI clashed on bailouts and monetary management of our country’s assets. The rest is history. A well-groomed PM-to-be was banished for the crime that is only understood by TDM and DSAI. It should not have taken place because the vacuum was so big that no UMNO vice president at that point in time was capable of fitting into DSAI’s shoe. After thorough thought TDM chose ‘Mr. Clean’ who is currently coming to an end of his era notably due to his own doing. Will history repeat itself ? Base on the current scenario, it is just in the making.
BN has never learned and will never learn. PRU12 is the most deadly blow to BN where the rakyat voted against the BN giving the opposition a big parlimentary representative in the history of Malaysia. BN lost 5 states. It is a wakeup call for BN. A revamp was initiated by DSAAB to put BN on the right track. However, due to his weak leadership, where decision makings were based on concensus of UMNO supreme council members, many of his promised revamp issues did not materialised due to majority rejection and disagreement. Judiciary reform and many other reforms relating to security were not well addressed and merely underwent superficial and cosmetic changes. Furthermore, challenges spearheaded by DSAI has rattled the elite UMNO members; loosing power means loosing everything, loosing basic human needs to personified lifestyles, and the list of needs goes on and on. Sodomy allegation is mooted, but has gone awry due to improper planning I suppose? The rakyat by majority doubted it as proven by medical report and unwarranted photos appearing in the internet; suggesting a conspiracy.
DSAAB is viewed as a liability and has to be removed immediately. TDM initiated the moves and many joined his bandwagon. A new leader in UMNO was identified and other hopefuls were eyeing the post too . A transition of power was reached but due to threat by DSAI the plan was brought much forward – 9 Oct 2008 or March 2009? No mention of any manifesto or what is in store for the rakyat by the new PM hopefuls. Many predicted that the rakyat will be given the same kind of soup but in a different bowl?
The rakyat has sufffered enough. The hike in foodstuff, the loss in FDIs, existing FDIs are closing shop, eroding KLCI index by nearly 500 points means that billions of $ is being wipeout. The hike in petrol price has doubled the inflation rate to its highest in Malaysian history. A rich nation like Malaysia is propelled by a budget of which half comes from petroleum reserve fund. This money was supposed to be used when Malaysia is in difficulties. But now, it is used to propel BN out of the doldrums. God knows if this is the correct move that will save the nation and the rakyat? But to many observers , it is suicidal.
Last but not least let us pray that a new leader is born who will save this beloved nation of ours. Currently, BN offers no quality leadership capable of steeing this nation out of the woods. Allegations against them in terms of personal values, corruptions, nepotism, cronysm and misused of power have made them unfit for top office.
The million $ question now is who will be the personality best to govern the country? Based on the current political climate and uncertainty of the country’ economic future, a
strong and persuasive leader of international standing is required. He must be ‘clean’, able to totally reform the country, restore law and order and capable to unite Malaysians of all races and beliefs. The parliament has the legal right to appoint that personality and The Yang Dipertuan Agung has a role to play. The future of our young generation is in your hands. If not, our beloved country will be doomed forever and will never recover from the mess that were self inflicted. We must help those leaders to make that right choice, DON’T WE?