Happy Kaamantan & Gawai!
sorry a bit belated, thanks to polytikus for the heads-up, i strongly recommend her latest analytical piece, btw :)
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sorry a bit belated, thanks to polytikus for the heads-up, i strongly recommend her latest analytical piece, btw :)
Tags-little notesI’m unfortunately too far away to write too many intelligent things, but I note with some amusement TDM’s “No, I’m not racist what, where got” post.
The thing I found twistedly funny about it is his use of the ‘i’m not racist, hindraf is racist - those indians, i tell you’ line, which too my overly active imagination might have been a double entrende to prove his Malay, as opposed to Indian, credentials (probably notlah).
I have been amused by, but never given much credence to people who say TDM should shut up about Malay rights because he is supposedly a mamak and not a Malay - after all, I always believe anyone can (moreover, should!) speak up for the rights of anyone else.
Is he getting a bit defensive though? Trying to prove his true ‘loyalty?’ I dunno, probably just silly overreading :)
In any case, I remain committed regarding the need to improve the welfare of Malays, but still think that Mahathir is playing a dangerous, selfish game.
Tags-Malaysian PoliticsI read polytikus’ Malaysiakini article about Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Zaid Ibrahim with interest.
I have to say the rivalry between the two men are in fact of little interest; it is, however, an interesting microcosm.
To me, the manner in which backbenchers appeared quick to back Tajuddin in his tirade about how backbenchers reserve the right to criticise the government too is symptomatic of the increasing warlordism that is taking over BN. (They are right about the backbencher’s right to criticise of course, but completely wrong about trying to block judicial reforms)
This is an exceedingly natural progression in any situation where the center of power is weak.
The result in our case is an increasingly free for all situation within Malaysian politics where loyalty evolves quickly into a commodity - sometimes one to be whored out.
Such displays by Tajuddin and gang are mere reminders to those in power, those who seek power, and even those who seek reforms that those who were once weak, silenced and disciplined now find themselves in a position of strength.
I spent a lot of time thinking and writing about possible futures for Umno (of course, everyone seemed to prefer the written in 5 minutes hantam Mahathir article :P :).
In addendum, I opine that the current chaos and power vaccuums in Umno and BN are descending down a path that was determined over the last few decades.
Everyone shares responsibility for this almost equally; by the time Mahathir and gang were done abusing the system, the set in motion events that have irrevocably led to the current situation.
The damage done was so bad, that I think there is no real way out for Umno/BN except to effectively self-implode. The structural reprecussions of systematic abuse over years and years are nothing to be trifled with, and may have already determined the end to this sad drama.
ps- another great victory for the conscientious! Lee Kah Choon was brave, Dr. Tan Kee Kwong (my former MP no less) follows suit :) It’s far from just a Chinese thing however, Dr Nik Mohd Zain Nik Mohd Yusof, the land ministry’s former DG, is co-chair of this new Selangor land committee with Dr. Tan.
Tags-DespairI’m deeply angered by the continuing BMC violence, and by what happened to Chang Jiun Haur:
I hate police brutality so much, and can’t seem to find anything ‘rational’ to say about it. I will note with great suspicion this passage tho:
A high-ranking police officer at the scene claimed that Chang had run over a FRU personnel with his car.
“He asked for it. He ran over a policeman and he got what he deserved,” the officer told Malaysiakini a few minutes after the incident.
Asked to identify the person who was hit by the car, the officer had initial difficulty in persuading the individual to come forward.
When he did so, the man - who appeared unscathed - claimed: “He tried to run me over… look at my baton, it is broken. What more evidence do you want?”
However, a police officer who took Chang to the Kajang Hospital said none of the personnel had been hit by the car.
Sound frikkin’ familiar? I am personally VERY dubious that any such runover took place.
And what’s this bloody nonsense that a broken baton is proof that someone was run over?! As someone commented, more likely broken because you stupidly whacked someone with it!
Actually, screw all that - even if he did run someone over (which he so obviously didn’t! even the cops say so!), is that ANY reason to treat a man like that? WTF kind of gangster outfit is this?!
Sigh. I’m seeing some ok signs from Selangor gov’t, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more. And I’ve still got very suspcious eyes on that Zainal guy. (Read comments for links to info about Grand Saga)
Will There Be Action?!
also see polytikus
Tags-Law EnforcementI was disturbed no end to read that the Executive Director of Grand Saga is none other than a former Dang Wangi police chief (incidentally a station I know about than I wish I did).
I’ve experienced enough to know that networks between former and present cops run pretty deep, and strongly suspect a person like Zainal Abidin can exert a lot of undue influence within the force.
That would certainly account for such excessive use of force in attempting to pursue corporate interests in Bandar Makhota Cheras.
I wish I was still doing the kind of analysis I used to do in the Kg Berembang case - I’m sure there are more worms to investigate in this distressing saga.
Anyone out there willing to take up the mantle? Checking out their company reports is a great place to start unravelling what all the connections are.
Tags-Integrity, Law Enforcementupdated: Thanks for responses all; I wanted to note that I do not under any circumstances whatsoever, support the use of ISA against anyone, incl TDM. Those who object to the ISA usually do so on basis of principle, not on basis of who is victimised.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has warned of possible unrest in multi-racial Malaysia, accusing his successor, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, of failing to assert his authority.
“Now we are seeing the different races making demands on the government, which they perceive as a weak government,” the former premier told reporters in Tokyo yesterday.
He said “extremists” among different communities had begun to voice their opposition and make unfair demands on the government, trying to “divide rather than unite.”
Round two of Mahathir’s racial fear mongering. This is too much, and (using a moral definition, rather than the ones used under our Sedition Act), seditious - ie, it is inciting hatred.
I couldn’t care less if the old man wants to pull his ridiculous political stunts in Umno. But if he wants to stoke the flames of racial hatred along the way, he can damn well take his game somewhere else.
We already know that Mahathir doesn’t know when to quit. I take his recent abysmal failure to inspire any loyalty whatsoever in leaving Umno to mean that his political career is as dead as a doorknob.
If he doesn’t want to retire with whatever dignity is left, fine, but I feel it is our duty to speak out against and condemn in no uncertain terms any racial incitement - and make no mistake, that is EXACTLY what this is.
This is even more true when such incitement is all because a grumpy old man idiotically cannot stand another.
With statements like this, Mahathir proves once again that he not only cares nothing for the true welfare of the Malays, but that he is ever willing to gamble the entire nation’s harmony on a hateful personal vendetta.
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i’m travelling in the US for about 2-3 weeks (sister’s graduation & college reunion - found out Obama is speaking at former, fun :P ), and i miss polytikus immensely. i humbly ask that common friends help watch over the most precious thing in the world to me..
i might write occasionally, depending on internet access. try to keep the country in one piece meanwhile :P :) miss you sweetie! <3
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