The thing about rumours, for better of worse, is that unless they are addressed convincingly, they tend to persist.
For example, I think there will continue to be a lot of talk about Manohara until she herself comes out and states her case in her own words.
When Raja Nazrin, formerly the darling of so many people, starts talking about ‘political books with destructive themes,’ I think a good majority of people will now simply make cynical comments that he is merely taking a pro-BN line and tone (his words really ring some unpleasant bells), similar perhaps to comments that might be made concerning his father.
We should all always be reminded that respect must be earned, and cannot be effectively demanded. Such respect may be hard to come by after the perception that the rakyat was denied the very essence of democracy, added to the abounding rumours and conspiracy theories.
By the way, if you haven’t read Pratamad’s quote on some background regarding the Perak monarchy, it’s interesting, and mirrors some things I had heard discussed verbally.
Being a bit of a blur case, I wasn’t really aware that there’s more than one purported photograph of Najib and Altantuya speculated to exist – one in Paris, and one in Singapore.
Just putzing around, I came across this transcript from a long time ago detailing Gobind’s questioning of Insp. Gan during the RPK’s sedition trial (reproduced below), which still is compelling reading, and once again demonstrates that you can put at least some parts of a rumour to rest just by asking the appropriate people the simplest of questions.
The reluctance of Insp. Gan to ask Najib even such very basic and simple things cannot help but reinforce the notion that in Malaysia, some people are above the law.
Under such circumstances, with so many unanswered questions, I think we can expect rumours to persist and persist.
Transcript:
The counsel then asked whether the cops had recorded statements from the Malaysian embassies in Mongolia, France, United Kingdom and Beijing during the span of the murder trial. Gan again replied that the police did not peruse for their statements.
“If the statement (in the article) that there is a letter from the deputy prime minister which supports Altantuya’s visa application was not investigated, you are not in the position to tell whether it is true or not,” said Gobind but Gan disagreed.
Gobind: Although it was not investigated, you said the statement in the article in your police report that it was fabricated?
Gan: Yes, it is fabricated by Raja Petra because during Altantuya’s murder investigation, there was no witness who came forward to testify on that matter. Therefore, in my opinion it was fabricated.
Gobind: You expect it to fall on your laps is it? As the investigating officer, shouldn’t you investigate the statement?
Gan: I got this fact when I was browsing the article which was written by Raja Petra, and I find that the facts were fabricated.
Gobind: Do you agree with that it would have been easy, to ask Najib whether he had written such a letter?
Gan: I don’t agree, that is not the issue. I found it to be fabricated.
Gobind: How did you know Najib did not write the letter, given the fact that you neither asked him nor officers from the various embassies?
Gan: The facts surfaced on the website before the fact came up in Altantuya’s murder investigation and no witness testified and therefore I supposed that the facts were fabricated.
As Gan repeatedly insisted that the part of the article was made up, Gobind cornered Gan saying that the report was false as Gan stated that the facts were fabricated but testified that he assumed the facts were indeed made up.
Another point that was also stressed by the defence was the statement by Altantuya’s cousin Burmaa Oyunchimeg, who divulged the existence of a photograph.
Gobind: There is a statement that there is a photo taken during Altantuya’s birthday party in the Mandarin Hotel, Singapore. Do you agree you did not investigate this fact at all?
Gan: We did not investigate.
Gobind: At any point of time did you investigate the truth of the statement?
Gan: No.
Gobind: I put it to you are in no position to say that Najib did not attend Altantuya’s birthday party in Mandarin Hotel as alleged?
Gan: I don’t agree.
Gobind: You agree with me that it could have been easy to confirm this with Najib by merely asking him?
Gan: I don’t agree.
Gobind also asked Gan whether he had personally asked Oyunchimeg for a copy of the photograph, and Gan said that he did but it was not produced in court.
“I put it to you that you are lying when you said you asked the witness for the photograph … you are a compulsive liar,” accused Gobind.
This is Bolehlandly thrilling. Now somebody must scrutinise the arm forces to see whether any C4 has been issued recently to UTK or other police personnel to silence illegal immigrant Monahora in some remote Kelantan belukar for no reason at all.
Apa dah jadi dengan polis?
Wayang dalam kes ni lebih trajis dari wayang polis dalam kes liwat tahun 1999 pasal kes ni kes bunuh.
Kes ni memang berbau politik dari awal. Mana mungkin polis tak siasat:
1) mana datang c4
2) siapa padam rekod imigresen Altantuya
3) siapa memberi arahan bunuh?
Hai UMNO…. nasib baiklah rakyat ada blog !
What? first we got a frog assisted MB in Perak and now another twist. Hey! are we living in some sort of fantasy land. I must stop watching the mega serials. This contains move twists and turns then I can imagine.
isnt the apex court is above the law by poking thier noses into the proceedings of an assembly?
dear or dear, arent they supposed to be guardians of the Constitution? I guess UMNO comes first, aint it?
[...] By muslim786malaysia 0 Comments Categories: Uncategorized The persistence of rumour: Manohara, Perak Royalty, Najib/Altantuya Posted on April 23rd, 2009 by Nathaniel [...]
Fairdinkum ,
our country a developed nation by 2020 wishful thinking with our current judiciary’s predicament Malaysian will be the laughing stock for generations to come.
These are the real “Untouchables”…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How now..???
All we can do is blog. What else……………????
All people have to realize that they are not the one who have authority to judge whatever real evidence or just mere fabricated evidence. Since this case is against the one in power, I guest there’s nothing much ordinary people can do in Malaysia court.
Remember Anwar’s sodomy case during Chedet time? Even the statement from witnesses were so inconsistent and illogical, but then their Judge had accept it blatantly and reject everything what Anwar’s side were saying.
History would repeat itself as long as Bee End is in power. Let’s throw them out in next GE13 !!! That’s the best we can do to reveal the truth later !!!
http://nmjnh.wordpress.com/2009/04/20/blogger-raja-bahrain-hina-raja-perempuan-kelantan-malaysiakini/
There’s also this rumour about a prominent male politician like to eat ice-cream and play play backside. Is it true?
rayal family can ask immigration department to stop someone from entering malaysia….truly amazing malaisia
off topic…beware that fairus will be used by bn for the penanti buy-election
Tatkala siapa kuat dialah kudrat.Akan sampai masa yang kuat pun akan jatuh menyembah.We wait that time. Until than just prey to God.In bolehland kangroo court we cannot get justice expecially the case involving the person in power.Malaysian are not stupid or dump. We know the one who in power with their underdogs are main wayang and bodohkan rakyat for they think the rakyat is bodoh.In fact in the eye of the rakyat they are bodoh and a laughing stoke.Arent They?
Nat, where’s your post about the removal of the 30% Bumi equity requirement on key industries by our PM?
Eh sorry, this blog’s objective is to demonize Najib and spread baseless lies about him, not to let people know about the good things he done for the country. LOL.
sorry. My bad.
:)
@bowl,
well if you can defend Najib, please go ahead. Enlighten us. For now, he is mere “no action talk only” in defiance of his “Performance First”.
Is it true the Perak sultan’s ancestor was the great Alexander (the great)? Wow…see http://www.geocities.com/aizaris/genealogy
>>Nat, where’s your post about the removal of the 30% Bumi equity requirement on key industries by our PM?<<
What? Just one pronouncement and zero indication on performance makes you happy? My, you are really easy to please ! You are probably the type who jumped for happiness when Pak Lah promised reforms. Where is he now? Talk about making mountains out of molehills!
This may yet turn out a red herring. What about UMNO’s biggest gravy train – government contracts? This open tender thingy was promised by Pak Lah. See anything significant on that front? In fact, he announced open tenders and then a few days later government gave out multi-million ringgit contracts pertaining to the Penang bridge through negotiated tenders. Ditto for APs – the NAP calls for them to be abolished by 2010 I believe. You think the UMNO members would give up this licence to print money?
Some people are really from the “mudah lupa” group I guess…..
We are already disappointed with the ACA and judicial appointments “reforms”. And IPCMC would never materialise under the corrupt.
I expect further disappointments on this front under Najib.
@ Eric
Have you seen the stock market lately? Or do you just read blogs like these? Obviously Najib isn’t the only one inducing positive changes but he sure is helping.
Besides, its not about defending Najib, its about giving him a chance. He’s been the PM for what, 21 days? Slowly lah. PR state governments one year already, no difference only. Funny that PR voters aren’t demanding why their electorate promises have not been fulfilled.
Anti-bloggers only know how to criticize. I don’t know, apparently its trendy these days to be rebelious and anti-government.
And anti-government bloggers only know how to write and sensationalize Altantuya. Boring.
Nat,
I suggest we just ignore this clown called Raja Nazrin. He is like the many evangelist in the US who preach about poverty and hunger but travel around in private jets and live in posh homes with a swimming pool to boot.
I call them conman.
@ mut
“I expect further disappointments on this front under Najib.”
Thanks for proving yet another point of mine again, mate. Some (you know who you are) of the “open-minded and righteous” folks of PR are really very much the opposite. Najib can do no right.
Besides, you’re missing the point. I didn’t say that Pak Lah was any good.
Some people really are from the “mudah miss the point” I guess.
:)
>> bowl // Apr 24, 2009 at 2:23 pm
>>Have you seen the stock market lately? Or do you just read blogs like these? Obviously Najib isn’t the only one inducing positive changes but he sure is helping.<>Besides, its not about defending Najib, its about giving him a chance. He’s been the PM for what, 21 days? Slowly lah. PR state governments one year already, no difference only. Funny that PR voters aren’t demanding why their electorate promises have not been fulfilled.<>Anti-bloggers only know how to criticize. I don’t know, apparently its trendy these days to be rebelious and anti-government.<>And anti-government bloggers only know how to write and sensationalize Altantuya. Boring.<<
It is already sensational before the bloggers got their hands on it. Still the questions remain. For a rejoinder :
1) who erased the immigration records?
2) where did the c4 come from?
3) who ordered the killing as the 2 convicted did not know the victim?
4) why didn’t the defence call for Bala to testify? (a no brainer!)
Simple questions but some people can’t get their minds around this. And they include the PDRM, AG and the judges (who surely could have managed the case better !) Contrary to your assertions, this case is drawing an international audience !
How I wish your postings would be more factual in content rather than assertions and rhetorics. I am sure you can do better.
bowl // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:51 am
**Have you seen the stock market lately? Or do you just read blogs like these? Obviously Najib isn’t the only one inducing positive changes but he sure is helping. Besides, its not about defending Najib, its about giving him a chance. He’s been the PM for what, 21 days? Slowly lah. **
Funnily enough in one posting you manage to contradict yourself. Najib has been premier for 21 days and you are implying he has been responsible for the stock market rally.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/business/24425-asia-stocks-snap-6-week-winning-streak-while-gold-jumps-on-china
Fact is, there has been a rally in Asian markets for the last 6 weeks. What did Najib actually do in that 21 days to take credit for this?
On the other hand, you fend off criticism of Najib saying he has been in office for only 21 days.
Make up your mind lah !
**Funny that PR voters aren’t demanding why their electorate promises have not been fulfilled.**
They do make themselves heard, and are demanding PR state governments preform. That is par for the course. In fact, TV stations have been giving these voices in the wilderness a voice now that many states are in PR hands.
But what does the now opposition-BN do? Sabotage! (in the rakyat’s name?!)
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=329228
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/nation/20641797&sec=nation
**Anti-bloggers only know how to criticize. I don’t know, apparently its trendy these days to be rebelious and anti-government. I don’t know, apparently its trendy these days to be rebelious and anti-government. **
Bloggers being pro and anti-government is par for the course, except in small BN dominated minds. See Rais Yatim for example. Pity his mind not a of nasi lemak seller (apologies to nasi lemak sellers) but a cabinet minister! They think the alternative media should go the way of the dinosaur and join Malaysia’s infamous mainstream media.
More important for voters is a government which can’t govern. We now have a new set of “reforms” it seems under Najib’s administration. But nothing has changed since Pak Lah’s time and his so-called “reforms”.
If it’s only a trend of criticism as you say, then BN doesn’t have anything to worry about. Trends have a way of shifting and changing, so maybe the people will see BN in a positive light soon. PR meanwhile would be focused on the trend of voters rejecting BN at the ballot box. They see it as a work in progress not something fickle. So these bloggers are actually finding their teeth to put any hanky panky in government in the spotlight. PR governments seem to be handling this scrutiny better than their BN counterparts. No wonder as there are simply too many scandals and skeletons in their collective closets ! Scandals come and go under the BN and authorities turn a blind eye. For example PKFZ still stinks to high heaven as BN politicians hem and haw about the release of the full report to the public.
So much for criticism of bloggers. At least they are not paid a salary out of taxpayers fund like the Transport Minister is.
@ mut
1) who erased the immigration records? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s Najib call?
2) where did the c4 come from? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s from Najib?
3) who ordered the killing as the 2 convicted did not know the victim? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s from Najib?
4) why didn’t the defence call for Bala to testify? (a no brainer!) Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s Najib call?
You talk about using facts. But you’re just giving me questions that even you don’t know the answers to.
:)
Heard from some friends earlier that the government is actually paying some intellectuals to go to anti-gov blogs and webs to say something good for them…hrm….maybe our friend here is one of them?
Like I said, you’re funny ! :) Du you actually sit through your postings a second time and read them through? Or are you just output based without having to think about the logic of your postings?
***@ mut
1) who erased the immigration records? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s Najib call?
2) where did the c4 come from? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s from Najib?
3) who ordered the killing as the 2 convicted did not know the victim? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s from Najib?
4) why didn’t the defence call for Bala to testify? (a no brainer!) Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s Najib call?
***
Nice one, but this distraction thingy won’t work. The case went to trial and the verdict was already delivered. The statutory declarations that mattered were that of Bala, and they were already collectively ignored.
The police, AG, the judge and even *gasp* the defence lawyers studiously IGNORED all the questions I mentioned earlier during the course of the case, when the question arising are as clear as day.
Every single one of them were paid to ask these questions or investigate them in the course of their duty. None of them did.
I wonder why. Even Bala is missing till now. Now you ask ME to make a statutory declaration. How not-so-clever ! ;)
***You talk about using facts. But you’re just giving me questions that even you don’t know the answers to.
***
That is customary. The questions I pose are the questions I would like to have answers to. ;)
Imagine if I were the police, AG, judge or the defence lawyers in that case; I would even be MORE interested in the answers if I am doing an honest job. Now, there are actually more questions raised in the form of their conduct during the case in ignoring the obvious!
So according to your thinking, in lieu of them not doing their jobs, I am supposed to make a few statutory declarations. This kind of logic sounds to me like killing someone I do not know ;)
Maybe you can explain this BN way of thinking to me!
*****
@ mut
1) who erased the immigration records? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s Najib call?
2) where did the c4 come from? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s from Najib?
3) who ordered the killing as the 2 convicted did not know the victim? Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s from Najib?
4) why didn’t the defence call for Bala to testify? (a no brainer!) Dare make a statutory declaration that it’s Najib call?
*****
You think this will work here? Let’s see. Between
1) the police
2) the AG
3) the judge
4) the defence lawyers
They collectively ignored those questions during the course of the investigations. The verdict has been delivered. The two will hang; even the accused claim a conspiracy on the witness stand. Bala is missing till now.
So what makes you think a statutory declaration will do? Hark ! They will reopen the case? NOT ! :)
**You talk about using facts. But you’re just giving me questions that even you don’t know the answers to.
:)**
That’s customary. I ask questions I do not know the answer to. :o
What do you think this is, truth or dare? :)
Are you just an output type of guy? You seem to make your posts based on “get the last word in” without paying attention to the content.
@ mut
Flattered you wasted so much time to defend yourself. LOL.
You’re AGAIN missing the whole point. This all started in defence of giving Najib a chance to fix the mess that you were going on and on and on about.
Thanks though for a thorough education. From all Malaysians. You make our country a better place.
:)
@bowl
“Have you seen the stock market lately?”
Are you kidding yourself? Most stock markets worldwide went up, I wonder what impact does Najib have on the Dow Jones and the the EuroStoxx… Interestingly, you take the stock market as an indicator of “positive changes”. I am sure this is of interest to most Malaysian people whose livelihood depends on the KLSE; a few thousand people perhaps. Remember the 5 or 10 billion of Malaysians’ retirement money given to a fund with no track-record nor transparency, is it also linked to KLSE’s sudden strength? Besides, handing out money to cronies, what concrete acts (not promises please) has Najib delivered so far?
“its not about defending Najib, its about giving him a chance. He’s been the PM for what, 21 days?”
How long has Najib been in govt? 20+ years, right? For god’s sake, the guy never had to make a living or meet a payroll. How long has he been DPM? 5+ years, right? How long since he knew he was the next PM? Around 8 months, right? How long since they brought forward the handover? Around 6 months, right? In all these times, what changes did Najib bring about? Any policy to his name? What long-term policies or acts did he commit to ever since, besides airy slogans. Najib has done pretty much an Abdullah so far. However, there is a big difference between tidurPM and Najib, the latter has no popular mandate, the former had the largest in Malaysian history. Sorry, NO giving chance to a man who dares not face: the Rakyat, journalists and investigations.
“Slowly lah. PR state governments one year already, no difference only. Funny that PR voters aren’t demanding why their electorate promises have not been fulfilled.”
I recommend you actually start reading opposition blogs. They are filled up with people’s complaints. Case in point, look up my MP Tony Pua and see the number of times he is asked about the third vote.
Besides, you have to remember, in one year we have seen more imporvements than in the last two decades. In Selangor, where I live and own businesses, I can now pay licenses and other administrative crap 7 days a week. with no queue. I own a place in KL, still the same crap of queuing for hours in a place where the local government is infraction with democracy (10 PR Wakil Rakyat and 1 BN Wakil Pos). Selangor set up a retrenched hotline with Jobstreet for laid-off people with Jobstreet. I meet my MP at the Pasar Malam and my ADUN in the LRT. My previous BN Wakil Rakyat used to be chauffeured around in ministry’s/ Selangor official cars to run their private businesses with their own ministry/ Selangor. If anything, say we admitted BN=PR, the main reason to still vote PR is this added scrutiny BN cronies put on the PR guys: BN cyber-troopers, MSM, MACC, PRDM, etc. The PR knows they have to walk the straight and narrow. BTW, any progress on the BN’s electoral platform, don’t you guys hold the federal and 8 state governments (exclusing the one Najib putsched of course)? You can either use 2004 or 2008, they are the same as BN slept in power for the durationof the 11th parliament.
“Anti-bloggers only know how to criticize. I don’t know, apparently its trendy these days to be rebelious and anti-government.”
I have had the same conversation with Idzan Ismail (your colleague?). You BN bloggers are trained at the same place, is it? Being in BN makes people filthy rich. It beats being trendy, right? I went through PWTC car park last UMNO AGM. It beats any Mercedes showroom hands down: Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercs, BMWs, hardly any Proton!
Go back to Tony Pua, Chi Cheong, Haris Ibrahim and you’ll see that they propose more than they criticise. Case in point, DAP’s proposal to nationalise the highways is so good, MCA pretends it is theirs. Look at Malaysian Malaysia, stolen by Najib under 1Malaysia. Try a better argument, the dearth of ideas is in BN nowhere else.
“And anti-government bloggers only know how to write and sensationalize Altantuya. Boring.”
I agree with you on this up to a point. I hate unsubstantiated statements and uphold the presumption of innocence. Problem is till the day BN brings us back an independent Judiciary, PRDM, AG, no one will trust these fortwith BN components, hence the persisting rumours. You know what to report to your bosses now. If BN wants to stay in power come next GE, it just has to clean up the institutions.
Would Gan say it is a fabrication if we called him a stupid fool? And I’m sure no one will testify that it is NOT true.
>> bowl // Apr 27, 2009 at 1:45 pm
You’re AGAIN missing the whole point. This all started in defence of giving Najib a chance to fix the mess that you were going on and on and on about.<<
Actually it was no more than a few minutes – after all it was rather obvious. Sorry for the double posting – actually the I did not get the usual notification of my original post hence a repeat. But the substance is the same.
If that means I am missing the point, maybe you can point it out. I am not one to put myself above instruction; there is something new to learn every day. And what was I defending myself against? The best defense is a non-existent offense is something new to me. :)
I thought you were the one in defence of Najib; of his reforms and fixes. I am just stating my opinion that before he endeavours to put Malaysia in order, he has to put his house in order first. He was a liablility even before he assumed his DPM post. Many scandals even dated to his stint in the Ministry of Defence.
The latest reshuffle of UMNO positions further undermines his position as a reformer/fixer.
:)
@ Eric
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20090427094523/Article/index_html
Why are you going on and on about his time before he was ever PM? I’m no BN blogger. I am only compelled to comment because of the stubbornness of others to allow Najib a chance to prove his worth as PM.
These cynics masquarade themselves as righteous people and use his “underachievements” to lament their arguments when in fact, the simple reality is that they don’t like him.
The rakyat must be pretty blind to not see that he is serious about change. Dude, he’s not stupid. If he craps up, GE13, he gets booted out.
Like I said he’s been PM 21 days (actually 24 days now). You can come here and sound your grouses 341 days after.
@ mut
The point that I was trying to get through to you is that Najib deserves a chance. Instead of getting whacked by anti-BN bloggers (then again, that is their purpose anyway so no running away from that). I never once said that the current government is our ideal government. A lot of changes needed.
Again, let me reiterate, it’s been only 23 days. Lets see what he can do. Like I was telling our bro, Eric, Najib’s not stupid to know GE 13, he’ll be shown the door if he doesn’t perform.
Well, you took great pain to avoid answering my points, but I guess it is the rule of the game.
Well, the KLCI actually went down today. So much for the Biz Times. What does this benchmark mean anyway? It’s not about Najib, whether he is convincing or not. I do not know why you see this trivial index as anything relevant.
“I’m no BN blogger.”
I’ll take your word for it. Funny though, you’d give one-sided comments everywhere you comment. Why is it hardly anybody is ever admitting to being a BN blogger? Are they ashamed about it?
“I am only compelled to comment because of the stubbornness of others to allow Najib a chance to prove his worth as PM.”
Come on, the guy had decades to show anything and months to prepare for the job. What do we get: no programme and a recycled cabinet. If you work in the private sector, how do you treat a CEO doing the same after his boss got sacked for underperformance? Another lame duck. It has got nothing to do with being cynic or anti-this or that.
“These cynics masquarade themselves as righteous people and use his “underachievements” to lament their arguments when in fact, the simple reality is that they don’t like him.”
Sorry, I beg to differ, as a taxpayer (and believe you me a lot), I have every right to complain. Najib works for me and you, not the other way around (well I do not really know about you actually). I am fed up that one of my costliest supplier (the Malaysian federal government) is sucking so much. Whom do I get to blame? The top guy, right?
You get a supplier, who is changing head mid-stream, blurts out nonsensical slogans, but won’t give you any dateline or commitment to solve your issues, what do you do? Besides, he now has the gall to come asking for more time and trust, and you are telling me you won’t kick his butt (but you can still pay income tax, excise, AP full price BTW)? I do not know if you’re Christian, but since like die-hard one to me!
“Dude, he’s not stupid. If he craps up, GE13, he gets booted out.”
Been there, heard this every month since last March. Still waiting. Abdullah was doing the same February 08, “I’ve only been around for 4 years, my objectives have to be realised over the next 12 years”. The trick Abdullah played on the voters has dried any further patience for the people who have been in power for 54 years! Come on, stop playing it as if the cabinet is getting any younger or tidurPM was the one running the show.
There is something which you appear to fail to understand, PRU12’s mandate was not given to Najib but to BN! If BN is unable to work under pressure, then let others run the show. Time for them to demonstrate and us to be convinced, not the other way around.
“The rakyat must be pretty blind to not see that he is serious about change.” “the simple reality is that they don’t like him”
Well, I am the one talking about “Performance Now”? Please explain what good we can expect from Najib and when exactly. I have been to his 1Malaysia website, to the PM’s website, UMNO’s webiste: there is no dateline, no commitment, no action plan anywhere whatsoever.
Is this the BN strategy now? Change PM everytime the incumbent has become has-been and ask for more time.
I fully agree with you Najib is not stupid. This is where the problem lies actually. Less of time spent on the Perak coup, talking loftily of press freedom, bumi quota and actual action would definitely qualify him for PRU13. However, we have to understand ValueCap, Crooked Bridge and nonsense about by-election costs (all courtesy of BN and affiliated agencies) take precedence under Najib.
I did not wait for one year to complain to my MP, ADUN and councillor. I certainly won’t for the PM.
1. KLCI went down due to swine flu scare. KLCI rallied last week from Najib’s decision to liberalise several keys sectors within the service industry. The KLCI is a gauge of our economy’s well-being. A healthy market promotes better income for companies and hence more jobs created.
2. Definitely not a BN blogger. I have many qualms about the administration. Please just get the point that my argument is to give Najib a chance. I never said that we had the best goverment in the world. Our current PM, at the helm of the government, should be allowed an opportunity to whip up the topsy-turvy ship that Pak Lah’s left him with.
3. What does months to prepare and years as DPM count for? Simple fact is, he wasn’t PM in the time frame you mentioned. His decision were capped by Pak Lah (whom I think is a nice guy but not a very good PM).
4. Blaming the top guy is understandable. But you’re not even giving the top guy a chance to fix the problem. And its not a corporation to just axe the top guy. You’ll have your say at the next GE if Najib continues to disappoint you.
5. You seem like an educated person. Please ask yourself if it’s fair to judge two different persons on the back of the traits of the other?
6. Answer to your question, wait and see. He’ll delightfully surprise you I’m sure. :)
You’re being pretty vague about the time line issue. Here’s one though, http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/28/nation/3785823&sec=nation
7. “we have to understand ValueCap, Crooked Bridge and nonsense about by-election costs (all courtesy of BN and affiliated agencies) take precedence under Najib.”
Are you saying that PR leaders have never made bad calls?
At the end of the day, I guess I can understand your qualms with Najib. Apparently, his mantle as the PM of this country is affecting your livelihood and I’m sure you have mouths to feed.
I sincerely hope Najib will take steps and strong actions to further improve the quality of your life, that of your family and all Malaysians.
:)
**Why are you going on and on about his time before he was ever PM? I’m no BN blogger. I am only compelled to comment because of the stubbornness of others to allow Najib a chance to prove his worth as PM.
These cynics masquarade themselves as righteous people and use his “underachievements” to lament their arguments when in fact, the simple reality is that they don’t like him. **
His “under achievements” as you mentioned is a MASSIVE understatement. (you must have your reasons for that). The issues that he has been embroiled in are more appropriately called scandals. Why try to downplay them? To what ends? If a person taking a RM50 bribe can be sentenced to jail, why the double standards for a RM500m bribe?
And what’s liking/not liking Najib got to do with the above? This sounds desperate (I am not going to even dignify that as an “argument”!) And my contention would be that Najib should not have become PM until he has cleared his name. The fact that the authorities are playing ball to cover up underscores this. If he stays on the straight and narrow (no doubt something he will be exhorting the rakyat to do) then there is no issue. The question is in my eyes he is found wanting long before he assumed the mantle of PM.
The running theme of your postings seem to be to ignore my point that he has to clean up his act first. He is dogged by so many issues, even more so than Pak Lah (beat that!)
And please don’t put the blame for such on Pak Lah’s door. Unless of course you can show us that Pak Lah pocketed some of the money swindled from the Defence Ministry. As far as I know, nobody put a gun to his head to endorse the EUR 114m commission to Perimekar. This and the way the helicopter deal was bulldozed without the requisite evaluations raises eyebrows. The fact that this “oversight” was cleared of any element of wrongdoing by the PAC more so. And this was just months before he became PM.
Your news item doesn’t mean a thing it is only about new licenses being issued. Hell, APs are being renewed everyday.
After all, Pak Lah promised a lot of things that fell flat as well (even Mahathir – his Bersih Cekap Amanah slogan became the longest running political joke in Malaysia that I can recall – fitting cos he became the longest serving PM!) Let’s face it. the last 2 BN administration has been a farce, of wastage and missed opportunities. I don’t see any different.
So, as Eric said, why should we tolerate this just because there is a change in PM?
***
The point that I was trying to get through to you is that Najib deserves a chance. Instead of getting whacked by anti-BN bloggers (then again, that is their purpose anyway so no running away from that). I never once said that the current government is our ideal government. A lot of changes needed.
Again, let me reiterate, it’s been only 23 days. Lets see what he can do. Like I was telling our bro, Eric, Najib’s not stupid to know GE 13, he’ll be shown the door if he doesn’t perform.
***
That’s not very convincing. His recent reshuffle of the Cabinet (even lost Shahrir) and UMNO does not inspire confidence. I see you steered clear of Najib’s recent reshuffles. I wonder why? :) I see more of the same.
And why are you equating non-performing PMs to rejection at the ballot box? You mean Najib gets free reign for 5 years? Pak Lah didn’t get to see out his term; why is Najib so special? Just because UMNO says so?
Lame and deceitful; the general elections are rigged to the max to ensure BN wins. Pak Lah won a clear majority despite the BN vote in the Peninsula only 50-50. When Yong Teck Lee lost his seat in Sabah, the BN government saw it fit to pass a law making it impossible to challenge the electoral roll in court (never mind the burden is already on the accuser). In 2007, even the Constitution was amended to allow Rashid Rahman to preside over GE 2008 as he was already 66 and ineligible for the SPR Chairman’s post! So much for BN respecting elections as a voice of the people… and don’t start on the other aspects of Malaysia’s flawed elections!
**
You seem like an educated person. Please ask yourself if it’s fair to judge two different persons on the back of the traits of the other?
***
Why are you saying that? Najib is held in odium and contempt because of his own scandals.
Compared on the basis of traits, Najib can’t hold a candle to Pak Lah. If I had to make a call, Najib as the successor has even more baggage than Pak Lah. And your point is?
****
Are you saying that PR leaders have never made bad calls?
At the end of the day, I guess I can understand your qualms with Najib. Apparently, his mantle as the PM of this country is affecting your livelihood and I’m sure you have mouths to feed. I sincerely hope Najib will take steps and strong actions to further improve the quality of your life, that of your family and all Malaysians.
***
PR leaders may have made bad calls. Sure, they are human. But do you recall them being saddled with the kind of baggage that Najib has? Let’s hear them. We’ll be fair of course. Corruption will not be tolerated.
So what are these bad calls you would like to discuss? Seems Najib has got his own fish to fry. Nobody here is asking for handouts, but Perimekar must have eh? Najib tossed a multi million ringgit commission package their way…. I am sure Razak Baginda’s quality of life needs no further improving now :)
He doesn’t care for the rakyat, as far as BN PMs are concerned, slogans should be enough to sustain the rakyat! That would explain the new slogans and the same old attitudes.
1. “The KLCI is a gauge of our economy’s well-being.”
Do open any book on economics and check this out for yourself. If stock markets and economies were closely correlated, we’d know about it.
2. “Please just get the point that my argument is to give Najib a chance.”
Thing is, we have no choice but to give him a chance. No one asked the voters if the guy was wanted at all, which is why he is simply riding on somebody else’s legitimacy. Face it, 8 million Malaysian voters voted Abdullah in, 2000 UMNO delegates voted Najib in. So long as the latter does not face the Rakyat in the next GE, I believe he has no moral mandate, though he is the legal PM. So long as he does not submit himself to voters’ scrutiny, it strikes me he won’t be given any goodwill of any sort.
3. “What does months to prepare and years as DPM count for? Simple fact is, he wasn’t PM in the time frame you mentioned.”
Are you kidding yourself? Do you give a clean slate to anyone who changes positions? If you were my client, I’d know how to handle you: I’d give you the same staff but with a new title every month so you have give my staff another chance, right?
Imagine the following, you promote someone from deputy to prime after months of official transition, the someone keeps more or less the same team around him, and you tell me you are going to consider him as new on the job as it can get. Najib has a track record issue, the guy has never done anything but for himself over his entire life.
4. “You’ll have your say at the next GE if Najib continues to disappoint you.”
Well, this is the whole point. I am shooting now, so guys like you won’t tell me (just like they did in March 08) “give the guy a chance, he’s just started, he is running for long-term”. Again, I am not the one humming along “Performance Now”.
5. “Please ask yourself if it’s fair to judge two different persons on the back of the traits of the other?”
Huh? Care to explain? Why don’t you tell him that for the ISA, Emergency Ordinance, Dangerous Drugs Act detainees? These guys are in jail not because they were sentenced guilty by a judge, but because some policeman/ home minister decided so on no evidence at all. Fairness and the Malaysian government are 2 worlds apart, do not confuse them.
6. “You’re being pretty vague about the time line issue.”
I see, being a voter and a taxpayer, I have to explain myself…
Let me explain time line for you. For instance billions of our retirement money have been lent to ValueCap. When is the loan term? Another one, if you promise to amend the law and possibly the constitution on conversion issues for instance, shouldn’t you say when this will materialise.
Abdullah said the Lingam tape RCI recommendations would be implemented, right? Nothing ever came up. Abdullah said the Auditor General’s report recommendations would be followed up on, right? Nothing ever came up either. Quite simply, Najib is acting like his former boss. Review of the ISA, when? Media freedom, how and when? Etc. Read 1Malaysia website, the Stimulus package website, UMNO’s, no dateline or objective is ever provided. It is all about lofty comments on how things will improve… someday… somehow. Do you buy any of this? Well, if you do, give me your contacts and I’ll sell you a lot of services that will improve your life… someday… somehow.
I have to believe you are in finance since you seem to like banks and KLCI. This is indeed a good move, however you do realise the dateline is not Malaysian-made? This market opening has little to do with Najib, it is merely a result of international trade agreements Malaysia signed. Sorry to open up your grateful eyes on this, it has nothing to do with helping the Malaysian economy, but all to do with potential WTO litigation with US and EU.
7. “Are you saying that PR leaders have never made bad calls? ”
Would you please read my comments? Unlike yours I believe they hit both sides. I did say it and will say it again, PR leaders made bad calls and will make bad calls. What I am saying is if the BN just cannot get their act together, then let PR have a go.
“I sincerely hope Najib will take steps and strong actions to further improve the quality of your life, that of your family and all Malaysians.”
Don’t worry for me, unlike many unfortunate Malaysians, it has been long since I do not expect anything from the federal government except taxes (and especially not an efficient police, a fair judiciary and transparent procurement etc.).
If Najib improves the quality of life of Malaysians it will be fine enough for me to support him. An idea, why doesn’t he drop the national service, which killed over 25 kids in its short existence, he does not need that money anymore now.
Good day!