The UMNO Information Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has proved that he is a cheapskate, low-class and irresponsible politician when he offered RM10,000 for the best essay or social media posting entitled “LKS is a racist, anti-Islam and a dictator of 51 years, is it true?”.
Responsible and respectable politicians only make serious allegations against others when they have proofs and evidence, but Annuar Musa does the opposite and belongs to the dishonourable category who hurl allegations at others and then look for evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Annuar’s proposal of a RM10,000 essay contest is the strongest proof that Annuar had no evidence whatsoever when he alleged that I am “anti-Malay and anti-Islam” and he is now trying to look for evidence to substantiate his allegations.
Annuar must be condemned by all right thinking Malaysians, whether in government or in Opposition, for it is such people who bring disgrace and dishonour to politics and strengthen the popular belief that politics is dirty, when it is dirty politicians like Annuar who are prepared to go to any lengths to achieve political mileage, regardless of how irresponsible, unscrupulous or immoral the means they employ.
However, I want to thank Annuar for the idea of an essay or social media posting, which should not be misused or abused as in Annuar’s case, but should be used to promote a good national cause.
I will officially write to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak to propose that the government should sponsor an essay or social media posting competition on “Is Malaysia a global kleptocracy and what we should do about it?” – offering RM500,000 to the best essay or social media posting, RM300,000 to the second best and RM100,000 to the third best, with RM50,000 consolation prize to the next ten best essays or social media posting.
I believe that the national essay of social media posting contest on ““Is Malaysia a global kleptocracy and what we should do about it?” will have the positive effect to promote patriotic feelings among Malaysians, as I do not believe that there is any patriotic Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, age or political affiliation, who want Malaysia to be regarded or ridiculed by the world as a “global kleptocracy”.
I had asked Barisan Nasional Ministers and Members of Parliament in Parliament last November whether they understood the meaning of “Kleptocracy” especially as the US Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuits to confiscate over US$1 billion 1MDB-linked assets in the United States, United Kingdom and Switzerland arising from US$3 billion 1MDB international money-laundering scandal was made under the US Kleptocratic Assets Recovery Initiative.
I told Parliament that kleptoracy is a government of 3Ps – Pencuri, Perompak and Penyamun.
Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad said there is a 4P in kleptocracy – Penyangak.
A government sponsorship of a national essay or social media posting competition on “Is Malaysia a global kleptocracy and what we should do about it?” will re-ignite the sense of patriotism among Malaysians, as it will be a test of the extent of patriotism among Malaysians.
In my letter to Najib, I will outline the arguments why the Federal Government should take the initiative to sponsor such a national essay or social media posting competition on “Is Malaysia a global kleptocracy and what we should do about it?”
(Speech at the DAP Voters Registration campaign at Simpang Kuala, Alor Setar on Friday, 24th March 2017 at 9.30 am)