so what is the truth?

from: thestar.com.my (thursday, 17 july 2008)

Najib: I am not weak or scared

ALOR STAR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said his outstanding track record of giving priority to the people cannot be denied.

Stressing that he was neither a weak nor a scared leader, Najib said his achievements reflected his credentials, capabilities and commitment to safeguard the interests of the people.

He said his track record should not be disputed.

“Look at my track record. I am not neglecting the people’s interests.

“I would not have clinched such high votes in the (recent general) election if I had disregarded public interest,” he told reporters after a meeting with Kedah Umno division leaders and the state Umno liaison committee here.

He said this in response to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that people were disenchanted with Najib whom they perceive as a weak leader who could not make his own stand.

Najib said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s decision to hand over the mantle to him by June 2010 was made with the consent of the Umno supreme council.

“It was not a decision that was reached between me and Pak Lah (Abdullah) but it was a plan accepted by the Umno supreme council.

“Transfer of power should be done systematically,” he said.

On Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s plan to challenge Abdullah for the party president’s post, Najib said those vying for the post should have enough support.

On the PAS-Umno talks, Najib said there should be no pre-conditions for the muzakarah (dialogue).

He said such dialogues could be used as a venue to discuss what is best for the country and the people.

Najib said this in response to PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s statement that such muzakarah could only be held if the request came from Umno grassroots during the branch and division AGMs.

However, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had reportedly expressed interest in discussing with Umno issues related to the Malays and Islam.

my thoughts:

first thing came to mind - this must be a mistake. surely the reporter misquoted DS Najib. coz not too long ago, PM Abdullah Badawi said that he and DS Najib have both agreed on a transition plan. and last week, he announced that he would hand over the leadership to DS Najib in June 2010.

these are two reports on this matter:

KOTA BAHARU, June 13 (Bernama): Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak have reached an agreement on the right time for a leadership change, the prime minister said Friday. Reiterating that he and Najib enjoyed good working relations, Abdullah said they have mutually agreed on the "best time" for a leadership transition. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=339171

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (The Star): Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will step down as Prime Minister in June 2010 and hand over power to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak....Abdullah made the announcement after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting and a briefing with division chiefs and leaders from the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/11/nation/21799421&sec=nation

so i read the article again a few times. just to be certain of its content and meaning. i then searched in other newspapers and nobody else reported this portion, although they carried the same interview with him.

ok. the easiest conclusion is that we assume the reporter made a mistake. there is nothing to it. the transition plan was indeed agreed by both of them. and the transition plan is still intact.

but what if DS Najib did say that and it is the correct version of what did transpire? simple interpretation - there was no agreement between them at all. no discussion and communication between them. one side is not aware what the other side is doing and planning on this matter. if this is the case, i foresee a contest between them for the no. 1 post in UMNO.

so what is the truth? or rather, who is telling the truth? one thing is certain. the liar is not fit to lead our country.

any guesses?

Minister Zaid...again!

from: thestar.com.my

Wednesday July 16, 2008

Zaid has hectic day at Dewan

MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim had a hectic day at Parliament yesterday.

Not only was he in the Dewan to reply on points raised during the debate on the Judges Remuneration (Amendment) Bill but he was also busy at the lobby, where he gave a press conference on matters concerning the Judiciary Appointment Committee, the ex-gratia payment to three former judges who were sacked during the 1988 judicial crisis, and his “absence” from the Dewan on Monday night.

On the Judiciary Appointment Committee, the de facto Law Minister said he had tabled the proposal to the Cabinet but it was not accepted.

“The proposal will be revised,” he said, adding that he did not know when it would be ready.

“I am not a magician. I cannot make things work overnight.”

On the goodwill ex-gratia payment, Zaid said he had agreed with the family members of the judges not to reveal the sum.

“I have to respect my agreement with them,” he said.

Several MPs, debating on the Mid-Term Review Motion, had asked about the quantum of ex-gratia.

Zaid also said that as a senator, he was not expected to be in the Dewan Rakyat all the time.

“I only come to answer, I can’t lepak (loiter) in the Dewan the whole day. I have work to do.

There are people trying to discredit me,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

“I have no problem to reply but my name was not listed to give any reply. I am aware that several MPs raised issues related to the judiciary but I have answered some of the queries before.”


my thoughts:

what nonsense is this. and it came from our de-facto Minister of Law. and a lawyer who is supposed to understand the law and fundamentals of democracy.

you are the government of the people. for the people. the rakyat put you there to administer and manage this country to your best ability. there exists a tacit agreement between you and the rakyat. you are answerable to the rakyat. and must be accountable for everything you do. and this agreement must be uphold at all times. at all cost. well, that is the concept anyway.

in this case, you acted arbitrarily and made payments to the judges. and you have refused to disclose the amount for reasons only known to you. and now you said you could not disclose the amount because you have agreed with the judges' family not to reveal the amount. and you have to respect your agreement with them.

Minister Zaid, what about your agreement with the rakyat then?! you have used the rakyat's money. and yet you refuse to tell the rakyat how much you have given away for something that was decided arbitrarily. and not based on proper legal procedure and merits.

if you want our trust, please respect our agreement.

otherwise, go back to law school!

Hail to the Chief!

from: thestar.com.my

Penang State UMNO Division Chiefs pledge to nominate PM for Top Post

GEORGE TOWN: All 13 Penang Umno division chiefs have pledged to nominate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for the party president and deputy president's posts respectively.

The pledge was made to Abdullah at the state Umno liaison committee closed-door meeting at Menara Umno here yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Abdullah thanked the grassroots leaders for their support, saying that he hoped all division and branch meetings would be conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution.

Abdullah said the Umno supreme council had identified steps to strengthen the party and it would be implemented at all levels.

“This will be a new era for Umno. We will be stronger,” he said.

Abdullah said that the closed-door meeting discussed current issues relating to the economy, inflation and measures taken by the Government to address the problems.

“We also discussed internal party matters and party activities,” he said.

The nominations for party posts will take place when the divisions convene their AGMs between Oct 9 and Nov 9.

Earlier, when he arrived at the venue, Abdullah received an appeal letter from state Wanita Umno secretary Marina Puteh requesting that 18 Jelutong branches not be closed.

Out of the 42 branches in the Jelutong division, the 18 were deemed to be “problematic”.

After handing over the appeal letter to Abdullah, a brief argument broke out between party members on the Jelutong issue.

State Umno liaison committee deputy chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah said recommendations had been made to the party leaders.

“Let them decide what to do.”

my thoughts:

alhamdullilah. UMNO Penang is the first state to have completed its annual branch and divisional AGMs. and they had done so before the actual dates set by UMNO's Supreme Council. the sheer speed and 'semangat' shown by them must be commended. congrats. UMNO should reward the divisional chiefs for their efficiency and leadership.

what utter nonsense! i find this ridiculous. the branches have yet to hold their AGMs, let alone the divisions. and the divisional chiefs have come out pledging to nominate PM Abdullah Badawi and DS Najib as president and deputy president respectively.

this is reckless and irresponsible leadership. done with clear disregard to the democratic process in UMNO. or is there such thing as democracy left in UMNO? this is another example of leaders trying to appease their political bosses, rather than be answerable to their true political masters - the members!

why did they come out with this pledge at this point of time? just before the start of branch AGMs. simple. this is done to send signals to all branches and divisions in Penang - you must toe the line. there is no other reason. if there is, i must be the next Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Pulau Pinang jauh ke tengah
negeri yang maju lagi mewah
sudah lah jatuh ke tangan pembangkang
dapat pula pemimpin yang b**g**g (sila isi mengikut kesesuaian)

Pulau Pinang jauh ke tengah
negeri berjiran dengan Kedah
ke hulu ke hilir mencari maruah
rupanya dicalar pemimpin murah-an