What To Wear On 16 September?... Not?!

16 September, or Malaysia Day, was declared a new public holiday by DS Najib soon after he came to power. It was supposed to be a sign of solidarity with Sabah and Sarawak that the day we supposedly joined as one nation should be commemorated in this way (the 2 states gained independence on different dates, but in Najibite politics, who cares?!). It turned out to be a popular move, but till today this blogger wonders if this was more because we Malaysians got a new public holiday rather than what it was supposed to commemorate!

 

This year, a section of our community has decided to redefine Malaysia Day as a day to celebrate Malay Unity, Solidarity, Dignity, Power, ... all sorts of things Malay! I understood originally it was an idea of some Silat groups to do some sort of gathering partly in response to the Bersih 4.0 rally on Merdeka eve, with red being their preferred colour. However, the 'RED-shirt' movement was soon hijacked by elements of UMNO, led by Dato' Jamal Yunos, Head of UMNO Sungai Besar Division in Selangor and famous for his Sekinchan Ikan Bakar chain!

 

Since then, the 'red-shirt' movement has evolved into new heights of confusion. It is understood that the police have forbidden the 'red-march' from taking place, especially with its rather provocative plans to march from Low Yatt Mall at Bukit Bintang, recently a scene of racial tensions and typically dense with foreign tourists! However, the original silat groups involved are claiming that they were not planning any marches, but just gathering at Padang Merbok and performing activities there!

 

At the same time, adding to the confusion as is the norm of late, according to DS Najib, whilst UMNO's leadership is not supporting it, it has no objections to UMNO members joining it! So, I suppose UMNO's leadership is agreeing with the police... but they just don't mind if their members join the 'red-march'! The UMNO President's opinion on this may change though if rumours of #UndurNajib red-shirts being distributed like hot-cakes for the 16 September march rings true! And what if Tun Dr M decides he wants to join the reds at Padang Merbok?

 

Of course, RED is not your only option if you want to make a fashion statement on 16 September. Last week, a new group emerged, protesting against continued demos happening in KL, citing the negative impact to hawkers, small businesses, daily affairs of city-folk and the national image. They are now calling for ALL MALAYSIANS to wear BLACK on the 15th & 16th September in protest of these demos, especially the reds! It was interesting to note that this group is also led by Malay grassroots leaders from their own NGOs!

 

Not to be outdone, this blogger has seen yet another social media message doing the rounds citing a man with a family concerned about the state of the nation and his future descendents, wanting people to wear WHITE on 16th September! In the meantime, someone from among the Silat groups planning to gather at Padang Merbok is now claiming there is no colour code! i.e. they will be multi-coloured in their gathering!

 

Ironically, with the Haze, besides the risk from breathing, one should be worried about visibility when going around the city. And any Health and Safety professional worth their salt will inform you that the safest colour to wear in situations of poor visibility is... YELLOW! So will we see safety conscious Malaysians wearing yellow as well in the Haze if it persists to 16 September? Of course, 'safety' in wearing yellow on the day may be relative...

 

So, we appear to have choice in what we can wear in KL on Malaysia day... Red if you wish to champion or celebrate Malays or if you support #UndurNajib (arguably the same thing!), Black if you wish to protest against demos, with a bonus that you can start wearing black on the 15th, White if you are worried about your kids' future, Yellow if you wish to be safe... or unsafe... depending on where you think the danger may be coming from, or just wear anything you like even if you wish to join the gathering at Padang Merbok!

 

Much as we would like all this colour to mingle, or not, in good fun on 16 September, one fears the propect of Dato' Jamal's reds and the #UndurNajib reds actually clashing on on the day, bringing to life the 'Melayu bunuh Melayu' fears of ANY Malay community leader, turning the city streets red... with blood! At the same time, if the reds descending on 16 September are a nasty lot, maybe we should wish the Haze on them... not so they would choke to death... just so they get lost in it with screams turning into fits of coughing!

 

As an aside, science-fiction fans would be particularly alarmed by the presence of so many red shirts, knowing the fate that befalls most of these characters!

 

Either way, DS Najib's apparent indifference, bordering on subtle support to the reds on 16 September have the hallmarks of another failure of leadership; with the risk of the day turning from a day of commemoration raised by him as a public holiday signifying national unity, into a potential black date on our history much like 13 May! And even if it does turn to bloodshed, will the man finally realise that it is well past time for him to resign? ... one despairs...

Beranikah Najib ... ?

Penulisan hari ini bukanlah perlian mahupun sindiran, tetapi sesuatu persoalan ikhlas berlandaskan pemerhatian jurublog ini terhadap musibah politik yang terkini melanda Malaysia, kepimpinan Melayu dan kerajaan DS Najib khususnya. Ia juga berunsur penilaian prestasi kumpulan pro-Najib menangani cabaran terhadap kepimpinan beliau... pada amnya gagal lah, sebab kiranya mereka menuju kejayaan, sudah pasti warkah ini akan bernada lain. Maka yang dipersoalkan di sini adalah, beranikah DS Najib meneruskan perancangan seterusnya untuk mempertahankan dirinya?

Apakah perancangan yang dimaksudkan? Ia termasuklah agenda mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi (MKT) UMNO pada 9 September 2015 dikhabarkan akan membawa usul pemecatan beberapa orang pemimpin UMNO, termasuklah Timbalan Presiden, TS Muhyiddin Yassin, dan Naib Presiden, DS Shafie Apdal, yang kedua-duanya kelihatan selesa kekal dalam jawatan-jawatan parti mereka walaupun setelah dipecat dari kabinet kerajaan tempohari. Kedua-dua tokoh ini kini terus mendesak agar isu 1MDB dan derma RM2.6B diperjelaskan dengan lebih baik oleh Perdana Menteri dengan cara sopan serta tertib, melalui ucapan-ucapan di majlis-majlis parti.

Selain dari itu, ada juga ura-ura yang ada lagi tokoh UMNO yang rapat dengan TS Muhyiddin serta DS Shafie yang bakal dipecat. Di antaranya, DS Mukhriz Mahathir, MB Kedah, YB Dato' Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir, Wakil Rakyat Kulim Bandar Baharu, DS Ahmad Said, mantan MB Terengganu, Datuk Hamidah Osman, bekas Ketua Penerangan Wanita UMNO serta Datuk Jumat Idris, Wakil Rakyat Sepanggar. Jurublog ini lebih suka ketengahkan jawatan Parlimen tokoh-tokoh tersebut dan ini akan difahami pembaca kemudian, sekaligus memberi petanda kenapa perbincangan nasib tokoh-tokoh ini diketepikan.

Persoalan keberanian DS Najib, menjadi tanda-tanya kerana di antara pertimbangan yang kelihatan kurang diperberatkan oleh kem pro-Najib dalam mempertahankan ketua mereka adalah:

1 : TS Muhyiddin serta DS Shafie tidak boleh dipecat dari jawatan mereka kerana mereka dipilih mengikut perlembagaan parti oleh perwakilan semasa pemilihan tahun 2013. Maka, sekiranya mereka mahu dikeluarkan dari Majlis Tertinggi, atau lebih penting lagi kepada DS Najib, jika beliau mahu mengecualikan TS Muhyiddin dari kedudukan yang secara serta-merta akan memangkunya sama ada sebagai Perdana Menteri atau Presiden UMNO, tokoh-tokoh ini harus dipecat! Tetapi, tokoh-tokoh ini tidak melanggar apa-apa peraturan parti, maka apakah alasan yang akan dapat diterima akar-umbi, mahupun ahli-ahli MKT yang harus mengundi persetujuan kepada apa-apa usul pemecatan ahli?

2 : Yang hairannya, lebih mudah bagi MKT memutuskan untuk memecat Tun Dr Mahathir hasil dari penyertaannya dalam perhimpunan Bersih 4.0. Walaupun Tun Dr M berjaya meng'hijack' pentas perhimpunan tersebut dan jelas menyokong BN sebagai parti pilihannya dalam PRU14, pengaruhnya telah mendefinisikan Bersih 4.0 bukan sebagai perhimpunan anti-kerajaan BN tetapi anti-DS Najib dari kekal sebagai Perdana Menteri, yakni perhimpunan #UndurNajib. Kerana ia menyerang kepimpinan seorang Presiden UMNO, Tun Dr M boleh diusulkan pemecatannya di MKT, cuma beranikah DS Najib melakukan demikian? Dan jikalau dalam kes ini tak berani, kenapa boleh berani pula mepertimbangkan pemecatan TS Muhyiddin dan DS Shafie?

3 : Kedua-dua tokoh tersebut merupakan Wakil Rakyat Barisan Nasional. Pemecatan kedua-dua Ahli Parlimen ini dari UMNO akan sekaligus mengeluarkan mereka dari susunan wakil-wakil rakyat BN di Parlimen di mana DS Najib memegang majoriti yang amat kecil sekali! Dengan pemecatan tersebut juga, ia mengenepikan halangan bagi tokoh-tokoh ini bersekongkol dalam undi tak percaya terhadap kerajaan... dah kena buang kan? Pada masa yang sama, ia membuka jalan bagi kedua-dua tokoh tersebut dilantik ke PAC sebagai wakil bukan BN untuk bukan sekadar terus mendesak akan ketelusan isu 1MDB, tetapi juga terlibat secara langsung dalam siasatan di peringkat Parlimen!

4 : Pembuangan TS Muhyiddin juga akan semakin memperkuatkan kedudukan DS Zahid Hamidi yang sekaligus menjadi orang nombor 2, bukan sahaja di dalam kerajaan, tetapi di dalam parti! Pada masa ini cita-cita DS Zahid untuk menerajui parti bukan sekadar hasil 'kesetiaan' beliau kepada DS Najib, tetapi kerana adanya penghalang yang nyata dalam jawatan Timbalan Presiden yang sedia ada. Walau sebelum pembuangan TS Muhyiddin dari jawatan Timbalan Presiden, populariti DS Zahid jelas melonjak di kalangan orang-orang besar UMNO, terlihat sekali pada kehadiran di majlis-majlis beliau walau berbanding dengan majlis-majlis DS Najib sendiri! Apakah DS Zahid akan kekal setia apabila sudah menjadi no 2? Beranikah DS Najib mengujinya?

5 : Sekali lagi dinyatakan di sini bahawa jurublog kehairanan dari manakah datangnya keyakinan pada pihak DS Najib jika benar ada rencananya memecat TS Muhyiddin serta DS Shafie dari UMNO, mememandangkan tiada pun strategi DS Najib untuk menyelamatkan dirinya menjadi setakat ini. Malah walaupun pemecatan TS Gani Patail serta tindakan ke atas para pegawai SPRM dan Polis tempohari berjaya melambatkan pengadilan beliau dari salah-guna kuasa, dari segi politik, ia semakin melenyapkan apa-apa sisa keyakinan rakyat terhadap ketelusan pentadbirannya. Dalam senario dikelilingi kegagalan berulang-ulang, wajarkah DS Najib berani lagi mengambil tindakan yang drastik?

Akhir kata, wallahualam apa tindakan yang bakal diambil MKT nanti terhadap tokoh-tokoh UMNO yang disebut di atas. Tetapi pada jurublog ini, agak menghairankan jika DS Najib berani bertindak demikian, sehingga ia menimbulkan tanda-tanya, ide siapakah usul pemecatan tokoh-tokoh ini dan adakah ia berniat untuk menguntungkan tokoh UMNO selain dari Presiden UMNO? YANG NYATA, ADALAH LEBIH WAJAR DAN POPULAR DI MATAHATI RAKYAT AGAR MKT MEMPERTIMBANGKAN PEMECATAN SEORANG TOKOH, YAKNI DS NAJIB SENDIRI, DARI KEAHLIAN SEKALIGUS JAWATAN PRESIDEN PARTI DEMI MENYELAMATKAN NEGARA DARI MUSIBAH YANG BERTERUSAN... ATAU SETIDAK-TIDAKNYA MENGESYORKAN DENGAN SEBAIK-BAIKNYA AGAR DS NAJIB BERUNDUR SAHAJA... WALLAHUALAM...

Tun Dr M Blames DS Najib For Bersih 4.0

Tun Dr M at a function in Pasir Gudang, Johor on the afternoon of Saturday, 29 August 2015, as the Bersih 4.0 gathering gains momentum at and around Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka Square, lays the blame squarely on the shoulders of DS Najib Tun Razak for the most recent Bersih demonstration. In his keynote speech, he laments that he does not usually agree with street demonstrations as there are more proper channels to resolve issues. However, in the case of Bersih 4.0, it has arisen and gained support as all channels to resolve issues have been blocked!

In Malay, Tun declares,"You report to the police to have crimes investigated, suddenly the one reporting is investigated!" Continuing in this vein, Tun Dr M decries the recent moves by DS Najib to shore up his political position, including the sacking of the AG TS Abdul Gani Patail and forced holidays, movements and retirements of members of the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission and the Police Special Branch to curtail efforts to prosecute the Prime Minister for financial crimes, linked to the 1MDB scandal.

Explaining the anger resulting in such strong support for the Bersih 4.0 rally, he encapsulates the anger and shame brought upon the nation by DS Najib's confession of receiving RM2.6B into his private accounts as a 'political donation', a claim thoroughly disbelieved by a majority of Malaysians. Reflecting on the suspicions in the minds of most Malaysians, he says,"Never before has a Prime Minister stolen any money... oh no, not steal, 'donation'." This anger towards blatant corruption at the highest levels of government Tun Dr M fears will lead to BN losing the next General Elections (PRU14).

Tun Dr M clearly zooms into the need to remove from office the person at the centre of the country's political and currency crisis, referring to DS Najib's use of the vulgar Malay word Bangsat recent,"Yang nak membangsatkan bukan UMNO, tetapi orang ini! ... Anda pergi, maka selesai segala-galanya..." In line with this, replying to a question by a retrenched MAS stewardess on whether she should continue to vote BN at the next elections, Tun Dr M replies,"Kita nak BN menang, tapi kita nak Najib kalah", laying the responsibility of rejecting DS Najib on his constituencies in Pekan, Pahang to 'save the country' from the sitting Prime Minister.

As DS Najib frets about Bersih 4.0, it is the gathering in Johor that will likely snowball towards his eventual removal from office, as UMNO's stalwarts plan to gather in KL, in growing wrath, for its General Assembly in the hundreds of thousands later in the year...

Saya Rasa Tak Bangsat, Anda Bagaimana?

Setelah memberi pengertian baru kepada istilah 'derma' beberapa bulan lepas yang telah menjadikannya sensasi tak diingini sekali lagi di peringkat antarabangsa, DS Najib tempohari di Perasmian Mesyuarat Agung Bahagian Padang Besar, Arau dan Kangar mengisytiharkan pengertian baru bagi terma 'bangsat'. Bangsat menurut beliau adalah mana-mana orang Melayu yang tidak bernaung di bawah pemerintahan kerajaan yang dipimpin UMNO...

Kita tolak ke tepi dahululah terjemahan yang keterlaluan kerana tidak mahulah kita memikirkan DS Najib mengisytiharkan seluruh bangsa Melayu di Indonesia, Thailand, Filipina... seluruh nusantaralah, termasuk Madagascar, di mana UMNO tak pernah bertapak sebagai bangsat! Pada masa sama, orang-orang Melayu yang di perantauan seperti Australia, Eropah, Timur Tengah, Amerika... takkanlah semua ini dibangsatkan beliau! Tambah lagi, kita yakin beliau tidak menganggap Melayu yang hidup sebelum UMNO tertubuh atau yang sebelum Merdeka bangsat!

Yang membuat kita berfikir sedikit adalah senario di Singapura di mana dahulunya ada UMNO tetapi ternyata sekarang organisasinya tinggal puing-puing sahaja... adakah ini membangsatkan Melayu Singapura? Hmmm...

Kemudian blogger ini cuba benar-benar memahami kebangsatan menurut DS Najib dengan membuat refleksi terhadap diri sendiri. Blogger ini berdarah Kedah dan Indonesia, lahir di Selangor dan sudah lama tinggal di Segambut, Wilayah Persekutuan. Makanya, ikut darah Kedah, pernahlah blogger ini bangsat pasca PRU12, tetapi kini sudah tak bangsat lagi. Tetapi berdasarkan negeri kelahiran, blogger ini masih bangsat! Namun, lebih mengelirukan lagi, berdasarkan tempat tinggal di mana blogger mengundi, wakil rakyat bukan UMNOnya membangsatkan, tetapi kerajaan persekutuan pimpinan UMNO tidak membangsatkan!?

Macam nilah, blogger ini agak yakin yang kita tak bangsat. Lagipun, DS Najib banyak cakap tak tentu hala sekarang... jadi kalau pembaca merasakan diri juga tak bangsat, jangan risau, kita tak bangsat. Jangan risau tentang taraf kebangsatan anda walau pengundi Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Kelantan, Sarawak (!!!) ... Cuma kita kena betul-betul fikir sekarang siapa yang bangsat... macamlah kita termenung dulu mikir derma ke tak derma... dan 1MDB ni apakebendenya? ...

UMNO Bahagian Langkawi Usul Percepatkan/Batalkan Penundaan Pemilihan Parti

UMNO Bahagian Langkawi pada Mesyuarat Agung Tahunannya semalam, Sabtu, 15 Ogos 2015, telah meluluskan usul yang mendesak agar pemilihan parti dipercepatkan agar dilangsungkan pada 2016 seperti dijadualkan pada asalnya. Usul tersebut sebagai usaha membatalkan keputusan Majlis Tertinggi UMNO (MKT) tempohari untuk menunda pemilihan tersebut selama 18 bulan ke tahun 2018 yakni selepas Pilihanraya Umum ke 14 (PRU14).

Usul Politik yang dibentangkan oleh Hj Basri Hashim, AJK Bahagian Langkawi dari Cawangan Bayas pada asalnya hanyalah menyokong tanpa bebelah bagi menyokong kepimpinan parti. Kemudian apabila menyokong usul tersebut, Marwas Aziz, Setiausaha Cawangan Taman Huma telah mencadangkan penambahan kepada usul, mendesak agar pemilihan parti dipercepatkan. Desakan mempercepatkan pemilihan hujahnya adalah berniat menunjukkan keutuhan sokongan akar-umbi terhadap kepimpinan UMNO Bahagian mahupun Kebangsaan.

Walaupun pada awalnya ada pembahas yang menggesa perwakilan menolak cadangan tambahan usul tersebut, suara tersebut ternyata sumbang apabila para perwakilan berderetan untuk menyokong penambahan usul politik agar pemilihan dipercepatkan. Akhirnya, Pengerusi Tetap terpaksa menasihatkan perwakilan yang masih ingin berkongsi pendapat berkenaan usul tersebut membawa hujah mereka ke penangguhan dan usul politik diluluskan sebulat-suara dengan penambahan usul yakni agar pemilihan parti dipercepatkan.

Mesyuarat Agung Bahagian Langkawi telah dirasmikan oleh Datuk Hj Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Ahli MKT UMNO merangkap Menteri Kesejahteraan Bandar, Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan pada sebelah pagi. Dalam ucapan perasmian, beliau telah memberi sedikit-sebanyak penerangan kedudukan kerajaan bersabit skandal 1MDB, isu derma politik RM2.6Billion serta rombakan kabinet tempohari. Namun penjelasan beliau tidak dapat meleraikan kemusykilan perwakilan yang terus meluahkan kegusaran mereka tentang isu-isu tersebut di sesi ucapan penangguhan pada penghujung mesyuarat.

Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan tidak menyebut tentang apa-apa hubungan di antara pemecatan Peguam Negara, TS Abdul Gani Patail dengan usaha mengelak DS Najib dari dicaj tentang apa-apa jenayah dalam ucapannya di Langkawi.

Kubu kuat UMNO Barisan Nasional tersebut baru-baru ini dilanda kontroversi apabila klip rakaman ucapan penangguhan di Mesyuarat Agung Wanita Langkawi yang menyerang integriti Perdana Menteri dan Presiden UMNO, DS Najib menjadi viral ke seluruh negara. Mesyuarat Agung Pemuda Langkawi pada 7 Ogos 2015 pula telah meluluskan Usul Politik yang menyarankan DS Najib bercuti rehat sementara isu-isu seperti 1MDB disiasat sehingga selesai demi kebaikan parti.

Mampukah Najib Bertahan Sehingga Perhimpunan Agung UMNO 2015?

Sudah semakin maklum bahawa DS Najib menerima sambutan sopan namun dingin dari perwakilan di Mesyuarat Agung Bahagian Pasir Gudang yang dirasmikannya pada semalam. Walaupun nasihat Ketua Bahagian Pasir Gudang merangkap Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin agar perwakilan berlaku sebagai tuan rumah yang baik terhadap DS Najib sebagai tetamu kehormat amnya dipatuhi, namun ini tidak menghalang para perwakilan untuk menunjukkan rasa tidak puas hati mereka terhadap Perdana Menteri serta Presiden Parti paling dilanda musibah dalam sejarah UMNO.

DS Khaled sendiri telah dengan penuh hormat membuka jalan menunjukkan rasa kurang senang rakyat terhadap kepimpinan BN serta UMNO dengan 3 perkara benar disarung pahit yang disampaikannya sewaktu mengalu-alukan kedatangan DS Najib. Tetapi kejutan terbesar kepada DS Najib sendiri berlaku sewaktu beliau menyampaikan ucapannya, yang tidak disahut walau tepukan gemuruh apatah lagi sorak ketawa seperti pengalaman sebelumnya. Hanya tepuk sopan melayan sahaja dapat diumpannya, malah apabila beliau menanyakan kepada perwakilan sama ada mahukan BR1M diteruskan, ada sahutan,"Tidak!"

Tenyata teori "Cash Is King" yang diamalkan pentadbiran DS Najib hasil nasihat kolot punahsihat-punahsihatnya termasuk dari luar negara sudah mula diisytihar GAGAL oleh akar-umbi UMNO.

DS Najib yang juga nekad mencabar perwakilan sama ada sedia jika beliau mendedahkan segala pekung di dadanya pasti terkesan sekali lagi apabila cabarannya disahut pula dengan laungan,"Dedahlah!"  Tak puas dengan itu, pada penghujung perasmian majlis tersebut, sebuah memorandum yang memintas benteng pengawal peribadi serta punahsihat-punahsihat PMO, telah diserahkan kepadanya. Melalui memorandum tersebut, akar-umbi UMNO Pasir Gudang mengesa agar DS Najib 'berehat' dari jawatan dan mendesak supaya pemilihan parti disegerakan, bukan dilambatkan lagi selama 18 bulan seperti diputuskan MKT UMNO.

Kegelisahan yang disampaikan secara terbuka di Pasir Gudang pasti akan dihadapi berulang-ulang oleh DS Najib dengan nada semakin meruncing sepanjang musim mesyuarat Bahagian UMMO. Malah blogger ini merasakan sudah menjadi hampir terlalu sukar untuk melindungi DS Najib di luar mahupun di pejabat dari suara akar-umbi UMNO seluruh negara yang merintih terhadap kepimpinannya. Di Kedah pula, DS Mukhriz Mahathir, Menteri Besar Kedah, telah menimbulkan persoalan sama tentang perlunya kelancaran siasatan ke atas 1MDB selain mempertahankan TSMY! Sayap-sayap UMNO Langkawi juga mendesak percutian DS Najib!

Soalnya sekarang, sejauh manakah DS Najib sanggup bertahan sebagai Perdana Menteri jika suara-suara halus ini semakin bergabung menjadi tempikan desakan #UndurNajib menjelang turunnya berduyun-duyun ahli-ahli UMNO ke Perhimpuman Agung UMNO (PAU) tahun ini? Berani serta cukup kentalkah jiwanya menghadapi kemungkinan di boo secara terbuka dari luar hingga ke dalam dewan? Sediakah beliau digelar lembap serta 'wajar undur' dari pentas oleh para pembahas usul di PAU mahupun menghadapi laungan "Undur Najib!" yang termungkin menggegarkan Dewan Merdeka PWTC nanti?

Tidak boleh dipersoalkan lagi bahawa Rakyat ternanti-nanti pemergian DS Najib serta yang terdekat dengannya dari tampuk kepimpinan. Tak hairanlah apabila mendengar sambutan Hari Raya DS Najib di Pekan yang kononnya dihadiri 60,000 pengunjung jauh lebih kecil jumlah pengunjungnya berbanding dengan ratusan-ribu yang membanjiri Rumah Terbuka Kementerian Dalam Negeri yang bertuan-rumahkan DS Zahid Hamidi, Timbalan Perdana Menteri baharunya. Rakyat mahukan orang baru sebagai Perdana Menteri dan akar-umbi UMNO kini mendesak mewakili mereka. Kenapakah DS Najib bertahan lagi bila orang dah tak sudi?

Saya syorkan, siapa-siapa yang kebetulan atau tidak bertemu nanti dengan DS Najib, pesan-pesanlah kepada beliau... sudahlah, rehat sahaja... berundur... selagi kami Rakyat masih sedia memaaafkan salah-silapmu..

RM2.6B Confirmed In Najib's Account In Eagerness To Prove Innocence?

The trials and errors in defending DS Najib's position vis-a-vis 1MDB continues with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) inadvertantly confirming through the media that RM2.6B was deposited in what was DS Najib's private account at AM Bank in an apparent rush to prove his innocence! SPRM in a media statement first reported by state media agency Bernama stated that the monies allegedly deposited in DS Najib's account was not from 1MDB but were instead from 'donors'. The faux pas committed here of course if that it is clearly implied that RM2.6B WAS DEPOSITED INTO DS NAJIB'S ACCOUNT... BY DONORS!

It is of interest to some that the statement from SPRM came soon after raids by the police on the offices of the Director and Deputy Director of SPRM itself to investigate so called 'leaks' in the investigation. However, any questions on the timing of the media statement soon after the raid was swiftly and strongly overtaken by accusatory questions across social media, which this blogger believes is mirrored by discussions among Malaysians across every household, coffeeshop, office and cars in traffic jams across the nation such as:

1 - So confirm lah DS Najib got RM 2.6 Billion deposited in his personal account?
2 - From donors? Which donors are these?
3 - Are the donors local or foreign donors?
4 - Donors for what? To fund for elections ka or something else?
5 - If from donors, then why did they deposit it in his personal account?
6 - WHAT DO THE DONORS WANT IN RETURN FOR BEING SO GENEROUS TO DS NAJIB?
7 - Etc
8 - Etc
9 - Et al...

What makes this latest furore even more ridiculous is that it came in the wake of denials from none other that Malaysia's 'favourite' politician Datuk Ahmad Maslan on such monies acknowledged by DS Najib as being in his personal account in response to a viral video alleging such (see graphic at bottom for details). The original accusations came from an article in the Wall Street Journal in early July to which DS Najib has responded to with an investigation which is, like everything else to do with 1MDB, is still on-going... DS Najib himself is of course as usual ... silent ... about the whole matter.

This blogger has time and again stated, a little here, but also in other media that there is really something wrong with DS Najib's media and communications management... of course, there lots of other stuff wrong about his administration, but the comms weakness is appalling! To compound that now, even new members of his new '1MDB Cabinet' appointed to shore up support for him have begun showing their own 'foot-in-mouth' problems! In the end, DS Najib's problems continue to be mainly his own fault, either through his own actions or those who continue to make mistakes whilst trying to 'help'.

Perhaps this is yet another signal that it is time for DS Najib to leave office... whilst there may still be some scrap of dignity left to his name... and whilst Malaysians may still be convinced that he is worth forgiving...

From Jho Low To Low Yatt, A Nation In Leadership Crisis Well Before #1MDB

The Tragic Irony Of 2 Lows

 

Even before the 27 July 'pogrom' which saw the sacking of our Deputy Prime Minister, a senior Minister critical of the #1MDB scandal and the Attorney General actually investigating the same said scandal, our country was already at a low. This was exemplified by the 2 Lows that has had a hand in showcasing this, the first being Jho Low, the man who led the #1MDB experiment down a path of destruction, the second being Low Yatt, the iconic shopping centre that is the site where the illusion of our racial harmony under 1Malaysia has been laid bare over the space of 1 evening in Ramadhan!

 

Leadership is about many things, among them, moral courage, the realisation of ideas, and for a leader to be seen as successful, it is the results of his actions that is judged. And so we see 2 great ideas that have been the cornerstone of the Najib government in judgement in the week Ramadhan came to a close. The first, 1Malaysia, is deserving of its prominence, the second, #1MDB, has the distinction of being elevated now as a tragedy of an unwanted child from the 1Malaysia concept.

 

The basics of 1Malaysia are pretty straightforward, and with racial disharmony being felt in the undercurrents leading towards the fall of the previous Prime Minister, Pak Lah, one would be forgiven that with it, DS Najib had brilliantly chosen an easy aim of reuniting the nation as the cornerstone of his first years in power. However, in the great excitement of pursuing 1Malaysia, its notion as a spirit or guiding principle for the next stage of nation-building somehow got lost in the 'branding' of it. It was almost as if 1Malaysia got away from DS Najib such that it was...

 

And so when the results of the 13th General Election or PRU13 rolled in as one of the most polarised since 1969, one would be forgiven for thinking that was the death of 1Malaysia even as a concept. Unfortunately, 1Malaysia and its many 'acronyms' had been so synonimous to DS Najib's administration, more so than the economic transformation program which continued to prove unpopular with UMNO's core Malay support base, the loss was explained away as due to a 'betrayal' of Chinese voters or a 'failure' of BN Chinese component parties.

 

And so DS Najib persisted with 1Malaysia post-PRU13, only the slogan or brand now rang hollow as a cry for unity, and its 'acronyms' marched into greater prominence. Regretfully, it is not BR1M or PR1MA that has since grown to such prominence as to likely now be the one that define's DS Najib's legacy, but 1MDB... readers will not however that this posting is not about the great scandal being the potential demise of the Najibite regime, but that it was already doomed even before...

 

Weaknesses Post-PRU13 Not Addressed

 

Months have passed since the 1MDB scandal gained prominence in the minds of Malaysians. It is interesting to note that issues of 1MDB was first raised by Malaysia's opposition, but failed to gain traction. To many observers, including this blogger, the lack of response by the Rakyat to PR's attacks on 1MDB was just confirming our view that the PR opposition's strong performance was not due to its strength but as a result of BN's continued weakness under DS Najib's leadership. In the end, it took the attentions of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to spark concern.

 

It would be worth noting here that whilst PRU13 showcased the failure of the 1Malaysia concept as DS Najib's cornerstone agenda, DS Najib's subsequent reaction to its results strengthened the hand of none other than Tun Dr M! BN and UMNO was saved in that elections by a firm return swing of the Malay vote to a majority of its MPs. This was exemplified in the state of Kedah in particular where Tun Dr M showed his enduring love for the party, campaigning harder that leaders half his age to return BN to the state capital. Was it not UMNO though that drove Malay voters back to BN?

 

It was not! If anything, the 'Asal Bukan UMNO' or ABU campaign had taken root among many  younger middle-class urban Malays. This was at the root of surprise losses by leaders like Dato' Raja Nong Chik at Pantai as well as many parts of Selangor that did not seem to benefit as greatly from the Malay swing. The swing though was much stronger in the rural Malay heartland where pro-Malay and Muslim NGOs such as Perkasa and ISMA were highly influential. There UMNO benefitted as the NGOs decided to support BN in order to reject Anwar Ibrahim's bid for Prime Ministership.

 

And so the one part of the UMNO strategy that worked was the demonisation of Anwar Ibrahim, where at long last, even many of his old friends from his younger ABIM began denouncing him for his loose morals and inconsistent as well as compromising political stands. However, it was the Malay NGOs that held the greatest sway in convincing Malays that BN was still worth voting for if anything to protect Malay rights from the risks of Anwar's immorality and political ambition, despite many Najibite policies prior to PRU13 being decidedly no longer pro-Malay.

 

A political strategy based on demonising your greatest enemy of course is not sustainable and became outright defunct the moment Anwar was convicted for another substantial jail term that effectively marks the end of his political career. Rather bizzarely, despite the support of Malays and their NGOs as well as the rejection of Chinese voters, DS Najib's government continued to pursue policies that moved away from the 'Malay Agenda', with only token almost rhetorical crumbs thrown their way. UMNO's mainstream was also then encouraged to alienate Perkasa, Isma and co as potential rivals!

 

It is this persistence of a failed strategy that has continued to weaken UMNO and BN's position under DS Najib's leadership post-PRU13, added to it the botched implementation of the GST, PRU14 was a sure-lose proposition! In desparation, many BN strategists talk of a major win during PRU14 due to the apparent disunity in and among the opposition Pakatan Rakyat parties. However, this is a false hope as firstly, as mentioned above, BN's losses over the last 2 elections have been more about its weaknesses rather than PR's strength and secondly, one this unites the opposition always, hate of BN!

 

The False Hope Of Peace At Ramadhan

 

Of course, DS Najib now continues to contend with the #1MDB scandal. There was much hope in his camp, apparently partly fueled by premonitions by bomohs and gurujis believed by those by his side, that his #1MDB problems would be over by the end of June or come mid-Ramadhan. Even as this was being predicted, DS Najib himself did not believe it, and so the plan to quash any internal opposition or any risk of conviction of him or his close allies on #1MDB was hatched.

 

Ironically, despite Tun Dr Mahathir honouring his word to his close associates to be less provocative and be more reflective in Ramadhan, other parties stepped into the breach. The attack by WSJ for instance, despite the belief of pro-Najibite social media activists, have noting to do with Tun Dr M, but has more to do with certain parties in the United States wanting to keep the pressure up on DS Najib in order to compell him to sign the Tran Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA)... or at least that is what this blogger believes.

 

And so no peace has settled in the Najib camp, but this should not surprise anyone. DS Najib's government was well on the way to losing PRU14 anyway before #1MDB. His 27 July progrom will at best help him to survive UMNO's efforts to topple him till the general elections - and even that is not a sure thing as calls to reject the posponement of UMNO elections gain voice at UMNO Division meetings. And one then wonders, why bother at all with all these political shenanigans if in the end he will lose his Prime Ministership with little to no dignity left to his name?

 

And will Malaysians ever forgive a Prime Minister that has showcased such selfishness to retain power even as we continue to suffer his leadership? ...

Was AG TS Gani Patail Termination Another Move To Protect DS Najib

It seems it came as a shock to even TS Abdul Gani Patail to hear that he has been 'terminated' or in ither words SACKED from his Attorney General position as according to the Malay Mail:

"Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail today expressed ignorance over the announcement that his service as Attorney-General has been discontinued due to health reasons." - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/gani-says-in-the-dark-over-sudden-termination#sthash.E2H0vhzA.qDZa2eOp.dpuf

And so why was TS Gani Patail sacked so quickly and unceremoniously when if he was really ill, it would make more sense for him to be allowed to graciously resign from the job with honour? Is it just me or does it not seen suspicious that TS Gani Patail is one of the 4 key senior government officers charged with investigating the 1MDB scandal or more pointedly, the Prime Minister DS Najib's involvement in it!

It should also be noted that the former AG is also famously hated by a section of the Malaysian population for his guts in persistently pursuing the much more popular former Deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim. If he was so determined to prosecute Anwar Ibrahim before, is it not likely that he has been pursuing the 1MDB investigation with just as much zeal? Is it possible that that he is bejng removed as he has shown himself now to be a threat to DS Najib's continuation as PM?

This Blogger admits this is speculation, but it is not wild, it is educated and informed speculation. Surely this shows exactly why DS Najib should step aside until the 1MDB scandal is fully investigated and resolved with his prosecution of exoneration. At least take leave as Prime Minister! Otherwise, any significant event such as the above will raise questions to continue to undermine DS Najib's leadership...

Race, Trade And The GST

It is GST-day in Malaysia, and whilst the shops are mostly yet to open, this blogger has not as yet experienced any signs of meltdown, at least not between my home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and the Brickfields area where I work.

 

As usual, there has been an eruption of user generated material on social media, thankfully most in jest or poking fun at the GST... it is a new tax after all, and no one likes any tax, however good it is supposed to be! Back at home, I only had to suffer my wife returning from last minute pre-GST shopping at about 11pm last night. I have a couple of new belts and a new pair of shoes as well bought 2 nights ago. Interesting to note Malaysians NOT rushing to buy stuff pre-GST either, at least not at OU or Masjid India where were!

 

So are we seeing the normal storm in the teacup or have all partisan sides and the social media now been so discreditted that Malaysians have just decided to wait and see first before judging which side of the 'GST is good for you' vs 'KitaLawan GST' debate is right?

 

What this blogger does find distrubing though is the racial slant that the GST debate has taken especially in the last few months. We have social media material flying around claiming that the UMNO/Malay-led government is using GST to get more money from the rakyat to buy private jets and other nonsensical items of expediture. All unsubstantiated of course, and conveniently forgetting the much lauded PAP/Chinese-led Singapore government introduced GST 3 decades ago... can be trusted ka? Coz... ?

 

Then there is the reverse rhetoric about how Chinese businesses are using several strategies to 'dodge' GST, like breaking up firms into smaller enterprises, each with revenues less than the RM500k GST threshold - also not making sense as such an action results in other costs to escalate for the broken up enterprises and ignores other elements like loan liabilities. Still, this plays to the mantra of GST being good as it supposedly will make the 'Chinese traders' more 'honest' when dealing with 'Malay consumers'!

 

Now we hear that there is a 200,000 strong volunteer force out there to help authorities monitor against businesses profiteering from GST. So this volunteer force comprises of... multi-racial group ka? Got target businesses for them to 'monitor' ka... multi-racial owned also?

 

This can get really ugly very quickly, but this is what it is coming to in multi-racial Malaysia. So, the real risk to GST may end up being racial tension and disharmony escalating! Brings the hatred of taxes to new levels!  

Learning To Let Go In A Week Of Significant Political Change

It seems Winston Churchill's wisdom that 'A week is a very long time in politics' rings true in Malaysia this week, with the loss of DS Anwar Ibrahim's final appeal being closely followed by the passing away of arguably the most popular PAS Leader-Ulama, TG Nik Aziz Nik Mat. The departure of these 2 leaders from the political scene will likely result in a significant shift in the political landscape. However, whilst both were fast friends and allies, there is a marked difference in how they have chosen to conduct themselves as politicians, in particular when it comes to 'letting go'.

 

In the case of DS Anwar Ibrahim, it is plain to see that he himself has never been prepared to 'let go' of his political aspirations. This behaviour is what has more than anything resulted in the shaping of a political legacy where those closest to him apparently are also unable to 'let go' and move away from a struggle centred around DS Anwar as an icon. Whilst there would be some call to admire such loyalty and determination, this inability to let go and move on is not constructive and ultimately unhealthy, and may risk many brilliant leaders groomed by DS Anwar squandering almost 2 decades of political struggle.

 

In this regard, TG Nik Aziz has certainly been better prepared in letting go and in supporting his party as well as those he has groomed to move on with PAS' struggles. A sincere acceptance of Allah's will is undoubtedly key to TG Nik Aziz's success here, and with his health failing even whilst he was still politically strong and in the Menteri Besar's office. It should have come as no surprise when a new leadership line-up, with a new MB too boot, was announced for the state of Kelantan after the 13th General Election (PRU13); but apparently a surprise to all but the most senior Leader-Ulamas in PAS.

 

This change of guard in Kelantan could not have happened without TG Nik Aziz's tacit support and blessing. And in letting go, TG Nik Aziz also demonstrated his open-mindedness and ability to avoid from imposing his own preferences on the future, hence laying a stronger foundation for PAS in Kelantan and better securing his legacy. For rather than continuing to support his non-Ulama favourite, Husam Musa, who would struggle to survive TG Nik Aziz's departure, the erstwhile 'rogue' son, Nik Abduh Nik Aziz was given the opportunity to seize a political platform as MP of Pasir Mas.

 

For letting go means that there has to be an acceptance that your will as a leader cannot and should not even be attempted to be imposed on the future, for a leader has to be relevant for the now and for the coming future. The best past leaders can do is in grooming successors that carry the same values and the right skillsets to lead into that foreseeable future. And in this, TG Nik Aziz has presented his final gift to PAS, allowing it to build for the future UPON the legacy that was his time as its FORMER leader. Very unlike DS Anwar, who now leaves a set of loyal supporters that will be increasingly lost and confused...

 

Underpinning all this is a message to all leaders, past, present and future, that letting go is a normal and necessary part of each individual's journey through life, such that even any leader will eventually come of his peak of power and influence. Securing the right legacy or something lasting when in power hence does not translate to building anything physical that can be brought down, or constructing power edifices or policy structures which can easily crumble or become outdated. A leader's most lasting legacy are the leaders they groom that carry and champion the right values for the benefit of all...

PRK Teluk Intan Miss-Step Of A Legend

It has not been a good few months for YB Lim Kit Siang (LKS). The impact of the loss of his staunch colleague in the trenches, YB Karpal Singh, will only tell in the coming months, as his beloved Democratic Action Party, DAP, still remains at the tipping point of illegality, a scenario that will surely put pressure on the status of YB Lim Guan Eng as its Secretary General.

 

Dyana at the Founding of Perkasa

One would then have expected the choice for candidate for PRK Teluk Intan to be a prudent one, rather than an ambitious gamble! Certainly the candidacy of Dyana Sofea Mohd Daud, the first ever Perkasa-linked election candidate for the party, appears at times very much a gamble. For one, the candidate is far from ideal, relying really on sentiment, be it for being young, hence 'fresh' and apparently brave for being a Malay DAP candidate.

 

Dyana the First Perkasa DAP MP?

At times, especially early in the campaign period, Dyana's candidacy appeared to be another masterstroke by LKS, adding to his legend as an opposition figure who has survived, almost through sheer force of will, the ebb and flow of support for DAP. From his flagpole pissing days at the eve of 13th May, through failures of various Tanjung projects, massive loss in 2004 to arguably its strongest position today, LKS and DAP are inseparable.

 

However, one wonders whether Dyana's candidacy was not so much a decision made from a position of strength, but one taken in desparation.

 

Implications Of A Mah Win In Teluk Intan

 

There is a common misconception that DAP is the opposition alternative to the MCA. Actually, this is not true. There is no real opposition alternative to the MCA. The MCA champions Chinese rights in a specific context, that is the jus soli and other rights that are trade-offs against Malay Rights in the Malaysian constitution. This is why MCA finds itself bound to the Chinese Education lobby and over time has also evolved to champion Chinese commercial interests.

 

The DAP hence is very comfortable in taking a moral and 'pluralist' high ground against the MCA. Never mind the claims over the DAP's chauvinist policies, these are also inaccurate as the DAP is really not pro-Chinese, but rather it is anti-Malay and Malay Rights, hence it is anti-UMNO. In a scenario where Chinese education is secure and irrelevant in the political debate, DAP leaves MCA, with its other image of being a 'taukeh party' far in the dust.

 

Gerakan is another matter. It is Gerakan as a party that is the real problem for the DAP. Gerakan is a party formed by community leaders seeking more than a race-based approach to politics in Malaysia, with 2 strong intellectuals in the late Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu and arwah Prof. Dr. Syed Hussein al-Attas as its founders. Whilst as Chinese dominated as the DAP, Gerakan always had a moral advantage as it was truly open to all races... it was NOT anti-Malay!

 

The problem with Gerakan since the 2004 elections has been with its former leader, TS Koh Tsu Koon. Whilst TS Koh was leader, he practiced a less open form of leadership. Whilst many claim him to be racist based on his supposed actions as Chief Minister of Penang, he is actually equally rejected by Chinese in Gerakan, especially intellectuals such as YB Jeff Ooi and YB Dr Ong Kian Ming who left Gerakan for the DAP soon after TS Koh took over Gerakan's Presidency.

 

It is Gerakan's sunset period and near political demise actually that has assisted in the DAP's rejuvenation over the last 2 elections. The DAP suddenly found itself hardly challenged as a multi-racial party that champions Malaysia Malaysia, with only DS Najib's 1Malaysia approach only serving to confuse rather than truly erode its growing strength. The coming of age of a new generation of non-Malay Malaysian political activists that did not see a convincing pluralist representative among BN's parties flocked to DAP.

 

Mah Being Congratulated As New President

Hence, a rejuvenation of Gerakan, under a new leader with credibility and a willingness to return it to its pluralist roots is a real threat to DAP's future. Whilst Datuk Mah Siew Keong's actions since becoming President of Gerakan, such as appointing his rival for the Presidency into his committee to unite the party and beginning steps to limit the terms of Presidency, points to a return to old Gerakan values. All Datuk Mah lacks is polical credibility as a winner at the polls... which is what PRK Teluk Intan could deliver!

 

The Error Of Dismissing Mah As A 2-Time Loser

 

And it is a mistake to assume Datuk Mah could not win this PRK due to his losing twice before! Despite his loses, Datuk Mah still remains personally quite popular. If there was ever a victim of 'Tsunami Melayu' against Pak Lah in 2008 and 'Tsunami Cina' against BN in 2013, he would be it! Coming from a mixed electorate makes Mah especially vulnerable to disaffection by either one of the 2 major racial groups in Teluk Intan.

 

To make matters worse for the DAP is the reason why the Chinese voted so overwhelmingly against BN in PRU-13. Many an UMNO leader and activist, even this humble blogger, had Chinese friends and neighbours coming up to apologise for voting Pakatan during that election. The reason given? The Chinese voters then were convinced that Pakatan would win, believing DS Anwar Ibrahim's lie that the majority of Malays would also vote Pakatan!

 

In the end, the majority of Malays chose to support BN again, as many were at last convinced of the immorality of DS Anwar Ibrahim, with PAS also being rocked by disunity due to the pro-Anwar 'Erdogan' group. With BN now in power, the reason for voting against BN thinking Pakatan is to take power disappears, and with Datuk Mah likely to join the cabinet if he won, Chinese voters were likely to swing back to BN, maybe not in majority, but enough...

 

... and it would seem extremely vicious for an electorate to reject a candidate that will have the resources to develop Teluk Intan from a cabinet position should he win, as the Prime Minister himself has promised! 

 

Enough to bring credibility to Datuk Mah's leadership and potentially Gerakan to the forefront of pluralist politics in Malaysia! Hence, DAP and LKS was facing the reality of a real threat to its current pre-emminence in its political history.

 

The Real Gamble With Dyana

 

So, in truth, LKS choice of Dyana as candidate was in full consciousness of the real risk of Chinese voters if not swinging to support Datuk Mah, at least choosing not to vote at all such as shown in Kajang and Bukit Jelutong recently.The choice not to vote by the Chinese in particular would hurt DAP more as even if the Chinese supported Datuk Mah, it was not expected to be a swing to a majority position. So LKS needed a way to attract the Malay votes in Teluk Intan. 

 

Enter Dyana, a Perakian, with Perkasa credentials to boot! Young, educated, attractive and surely loyal to LKS as one of his personal entourage. The problem with Dyana though is that she would be a surprise choice for everyone in Pakatan, especially as she is, whilst unknown, was a relative novice, well away from it being her 'turn' to even be considered as a candidate. She wasn't even from Teluk Intan! Hence, her choice would appear to be to pander to LKS' own ideas for maintaining control of the party, especially so soon after the loss of Karpal and against the power of the Ngeh-Nga axis in Perak.

One notes the absence of many Pakatan Heavy Hitters on the ground in Teluk Intan, especially among their younger leaders. And I am not talking about potentially disaffected PAS leaders shying away due to DAP's and Dyana's opposition of Hudud, but also the absence of YB Hannah Yeoh, YB Nik Nazmi and their entourage continued with their scheduled tour of Australia. There were even rumours of YB Nurul Izzah being forced to campaign in Teluk Intan!

To make matters worse, Dyana's potential role as a Trojan Horse, especially after the revelation of how close her mother was to Datuk Ibrahim Ali who appeared to 'bless' her candidacy over a dinner just prior to her nomination as DAP's candidate cannot be dismissed. With Karpal gone, LKS may well see the risk of revolt in DAP from his choice of Dyana, even if she wins. And if she losses...?

Teluk Intan A Gamechanger?

Many believe that Teluk Intan is a potential gamechanger for BN should Datuk Mah win, but this blogger already believes it is. For one, this election confirms that the trend of BN promising gifts and largess to the Chinese community specifically, via its temples or Chinese vernacular schools, is truly over. Should Mah win, it also spells the return of Gerakan to centre-stage, as a real alternative for the pluralists among the young of parties in the BN line-up.

So next... will we see former Gerakan intellectuals such as YB Ong Kian Ming returning to gerakan?

Will we see the demise of the LKS legacy in DAP...?

This posting was written after votes had been cast at PRK Teluk Intan to avoid accusation of it being a campaign piece. This is an analysis of the ramifications of the results of the PRK, potentially regardless of who wins!

Mencatur Kejayaan Di Myanmar

Ramai yang tertanya-tanya tentang nasib serta pergerakkan blogger ini sejurus selepas pemilihan UMNO tempohari. Sejak Oktober fokus blogger berubah ke arah rezeki, yakni kembali ke kerjaya di bidang Pengurusan Syarikat Minyak, dan keluarga, khususnya memajukan projek 2 tahun yang diusahakan bersama di antara beberapa keluarga pemain catur di bawah latihan pemain no 1 negara kini, Mok Tze Meng.

Alhamdulillah,  projek catur yang blogger ini maksudkan kini sudahpun mencapai hampir kesudahan diharapkan cemerlang. Semalam, kontinjen catur Malaysia ke Sukan SEA di Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, telah beraksi buat kali pertama dalam permainan Catur Tradisional Myanmar. Walaupun pemain Malaysia tidak berjaya meraih pingat lagi, ia sekadar selangkah ke hari ini yang memberi 2 peluang keemasan untuk meraih pingat melalui acara Catur Tradisional Myanmar berpasukan. Kita doakanlah kejayaan pasukan kita bersama-sama.

Dengan penyertaan Malaysia ke semua acara Catur pada Sukan SEA ini, yang melihat 18 acara di pertandingkan, sekaligus 18 peluang meraih pingat emas, Malaysia adalah di antara hanya 4 negara yang menyertai kesemua acara pada pertandingan ini, walaupun 8 negara telah menghantar kontinjen Catur ke Myanmar. Sambutan Persekutuan Catur Malaysia di bawah pimpinan YBhg Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib terhadap peluang mempertingkatkan prestasi dari 1 Gangsa yang dimenangi pada Sukan SEA ini amatlah dihargai.

Ada yang mungkin tertanya-tanya pula sekarang, kenapakah blogger mengatakan ini projek keluarga? Ini kerana 3 dari anak-anak kami terlibat! Setakat ini, anakanda Aqil sudahpun mula beraksi dalam acara Catur ASEAN Standard Individu dan semalam berjaya seri dengan GM Eugene Toray. Anakanda Ayesha pula terlibat dalam acara Catur Berpasukan pada hari ini. Pada masa ini, kami sudah cukup berbangga dengan keupayaan mereka mewakili negara. Diharap berkat doa dan usaha, bakal bertambahlah sebab untuk kami meraikan mereka.

Alhamdulillah, pasukan Catur telah memenangi pingat pertamanya yakni Gangsa bagi acara Catur Tradisional Myanmar Berpasukan Lelaki. Semoga ini mencetuskan semangat kemenangan berterusan bagi pasukan Catur negara di Sukan SEA ini.

Kenyataan Calon Ketua Pemuda Malaysia, Akhramsyah Sanusi, Bersabit Keputusan Pemilihan 2013

Saya ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk merakamkan rasa terima kasih kepada semua pihak yang telah membantu pada pemilihan ini. Jalinan hubungan serta persahabatan baru yang terjalin dari Masjid Tanah ke Penampang, JB ke Bachok, Pokok Sena ke Kuantan, serta banyak lagi, amatlah dihargai.

Saya juga ingin merakamkan rasa puas hati bahawa setidak-tidaknya sepanjang tempoh 3 minggu lepas, laungan Hidup Melayu kembali ke bibir Pemuda setelah meninggalkannya begitu lama. Jelas Pemuda mahukan laungan tersebut kembali dan saya harap pemenang-pemenang pemilihan menyedari hakikat yang masih perlunya ada peranan Pemuda sebagai pendesak, bukan beraktiviti liberal dan progresif semata-mata.

Terdapat pelbagai perkara boleh dipelajari dari pemilihan ini, yang banyak sekali perlu diperbaiki. Contohnya, tata-etika berkempen yang berubah-ubah sehingga terlalu memberi kelebihan kepada penyandang mana-mana jawatan, jelas terlihat pada keputusan sayap-sayap Pemuda dan Wanita. Pengalaman saya dalam melalui pertandingan ini insya Allah akan saya rakamkan dalam sebuah buku untuk diamati oleh semua yang berminat.

Di sini, saya ingin merakamkan juga rasa syukur saya yang mahkamah rayuan telah menolak rayuan majalah Kristian Herald untuk membolehkannya menggunakan Kalimah Allah. Ini merupakan kejayaan gabungan NGO Islam serta Melayu dalam mempertahankan hak serta aqidah ummah. Saya juga ingin mengucapkan 'Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha' kepada semua umat Islam.

Akhir kata, saya ingin mengesyorkan semua perwakilan UMNO yang layak memilih barisan kepimpinan UMNO yang baru pada 19 Oktober ini, pilihlah Datuk Paduka Mukhriz bin Tun Dr Mahathir sebagai salah seorang Naib Presiden kita. Terima kasih.

Ikhlas, Akhramsyah Sanusi
Di Perkarangan Kompleks Mahkamah Putrajaya

Kenyataan Akhramsyah Sanusi, Calon Ketua Pemuda, Tentang Tohmahan Tony Pua Terhadap Utusan Dan Pendaftar Pertubuhan (ROS)

KENYATAAN AKHBAR
Tarikh : 10 Oktober 2013Masa : 9.00 pagiTempat : Sunway Hotel, Seberang Perai, Pulau Pinang

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamualaikum WBT dan salam sejahtera.
Terima kasih di atas kesudian rakan-rakan media untuk hadir ke sidang media hari ini.
Sidang media ini diadakan dengan tujuan untuk menyatakan pendirian saya mengenai isu penghinaan Ketua Publisiti DAP, Tony Pua ke atas Pendaftar Pertubuhan (ROS) dan akhbar Utusan Malaysia.


Anjing Yang Setia

Tony Pua mungkin tersilap merujuk gelaran "anjing" kepada ROS dan akhbar Utusan Malaysia itu, yang sebenarnya ditujukan kepada dirinya sendiri kerana beliau dilihat begitu setia dan konsisten ‘menyalak' demi mempertahankan tuannya dalam parti DAP. 

Sebagai graduan salah sebuah universiti tersohor di dunia, adalah agak meragukan sekiranya Tony Pua tidak faham punca sebenar (root cause) tentang isu pemilihan CEC berbanding dengan pemikiran seekor anjing.

Untuk makluman semua, yang buat pemilihan CEC adalah parti DAP, yang tidak menghantar surat jemputan kepada perwakilan adalah di kalangan pengurusan tertinggi DAP, yang tidak tahu menggunakan perisian Microsoft Excel adalah juga di kalangan pengurusan DAP dan yang paling penting aduan yang dibuat kepada ROS adalah dari kalangan ahli-ahli DAP sendiri.

Justeru itu, mengelarkan ROS dan Utusan Malaysia sebagai ‘anjing' UMNO dan mengaitkan ketiga-tiganya adalah satu perbuatan yang bertentangan dengan logik akal manusia. Ini berbeza dengan tabiat dan pemikiran seekor anjing yang pasti akan menyalak setiap kali tetamu datang ke rumah tuannya, walaupun sebenarnya tetamu tersebut adalah daripada kalangan saudara terdekat tuannya.

Perlu diingat UMNO dahulu pun pernah diharamkan ROS pada tahun 1988. Ini menunjukkan kewibawaan dan profesionalisma ROS dalam menjalankan tugasnya memantau pertubuhan-pertubuhan termasuk DAP juga.

("Maybe Oxford grads are just good to be barking dogs", which I believe it is not true)


Kesimpulan

Saya secara peribadi serta mewakili rakan-rakan Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO dari seluruh pelusuk tanahair ingin mengucapkan syabas dan tahniah kepada pihak ROS yang telah menjalankan tugas mereka berdasarkan aduan-aduan yang dibuat oleh ahli-ahli DAP. Ini menunjukkan bahawa walaupun sebagai agensi kerajaan di bawah pentadbiran parti Barisan Nasional yang ditunjangi UMNO, ROS tidak memilih bulu dalam melaksanakan tugas yang telah dipertanggungjawabkan kepada mereka walaupun aduan-aduan tersebut dibuat oleh ahli-ahli parti pembangkang sekaligus menunjukkan ketelusan, kepercayaan dan kebergantungan rakyat kepada agensi kerajaan yang selama ini dilabelkan dengan pelbagai persepsi negatif.

Kami juga ingin menzahirkan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada akhbar Utusan Malaysia yang berterusan melaksanakan tanggungjawab sosialnya dalam membawa suara akar umbi ahli DAP yang mahukan satu proses pemilihan parti DAP dijalankan secara telus, walaupun selama ini Utusan Malaysia seringkali dikaitkan sebagai milik parti UMNO dan hanya membawa suara orang Melayu sehingga dituduh sebagai akhbar bersifat rasis. Kini terbukti tuduhan tersebut tidak benar kerana Utusan juga menjadi penyambung lidah dan keluh kesah ahli-ahli akar umbi DAP yang majoritinya bukan Melayu.

Sebagai seorang ahli UMNO, sebuah parti yang meletakkan kesucian agama Islam sebagai salah satu asas penting dalam penubuhan dan perlembagaannya, saya mendesak Tony Pua memohon maaf secara terbuka kepada seluruh ahli UMNO, kakitangan ROS dan kakitangan Utusan Malaysia di atas tindakannya yang begitu biadap dan celupar sehingga melangkaui batas serta nilai-nilai murni kehidupan masyarakat yang selama ini hidup harmoni dan memahami serta menghormati pegangan agama masing-masing serta sensitiviti antara pelbagai kaum.

AKHIR SEKALI, SAYA INGIN MENGESYORKAN AGAR SETIAUSAHA AGUNG DAP, YAB LIM GUAN ENG, MELETAK JAWATAN ATAS KEGAGALANNYA MENTADBIR DAP SEHINGGAKAN MENGAKIBATKAN DAP KINI DI AMBANG PEMBATALAN PENDAFTARANNYA. MUNGKIN TUGAS YAB LIM SEBAGAI KETUA MENTERI PULAU PINANG TERLALU BERAT UNTUK DIPIKUL BERSAMA DENGAN TUGAS SETIAUSAHA AGUNG PARTI DAP, WALLAHUALAM PUNCA KEGAGALANNYA, TETAPI JANGANLAH BIARKAN PEMIMPIN PARTI DAP LAIN MENJADI MANGSA SEMATA-MATA UNTUK MENUTUP KECACATAN PERLAKSANAAN TANGGUNGJAWAB YAB LIM SEBAGAI SETIAUSAHA AGUNG DAP.

"Demi Agama, Bangsa dan Tanahair"


Yang Ikhlas,

AKHRAMSYAH MUAMMAR UBAIDAH BIN SANUSI

Kenyataan Akhramsyah Sanusi, Calon Ketua Pemuda UMNO, Tentang Kontroversi Enchant1MST

Blogger dan Pemuda UMNO ini ingin menggesa kerajaan Malaysia untuk menyiasat dengan seberapa segera pelan membina pusat 1Malaysia Spiritual Tourism di Negeri Pahang oleh kumpulan Enchant (Enchant1MST). Ini kerana usaha tersebut pasti akan mencetuskan kemarahan pelbagai pihak, sekaligus mencemar wadah 1Malaysia yang dibawa oleh kerajaan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, terutama sekali dengan pengakuan pemaju yang projek tersebut telah menerima kelulusan bantuan peruntukan kerajaan Malaysia!

Dalam sejarah Islam, perlumbaan penarikan pelawat ke pusat-pusat keagamaan semata-mata demi menjana ekonomi sesuatu tempat telah terbukti mencetuskan rasa tidak puas hati sehinggalah berlaku peperangan. Menerusi Surah Al-Fil, umat Islam diajar bagaimana Abrahah, seorang pemimpin Habsyah telah menempa kemusnahan apabila beliau menyerang Mekah kerana pusat keagamaan yang dibangunkannya gagal menyaingi Ka'abah di Mekah sebagai daya tarikan para saudagar pada zaman itu.

Ternyata, niat adalah penting dalam pembinaan bangunan-bangunan keagamaan. Ianya haruslah pertamanya berlandaskan niat menunaikan kehendak keagamaan, bukan berdasarkan kehendak perniagaan yang ternyata begitu keduniaan! Sebagai pemimpin beragama Islam, saya bukan sahaja terpanggil untuk mengkritik projek Enchant1MST ini kerana ia tidak sesuai dengan kedudukan Islam sebagai agama rasmi negara, tetapi kerana niat pembinaannya yang melencong jauh dari nilai keagamaan.

Apabila kita melihat penggunaan 1Malaysia serta imej YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sendiri diputar-belitkan untuk mempromosikan, malah seolah-olah menghalalkan program Enchant1MST ini, yang dirisaukan bakal menempah keaiban, saya terpanggil untuk membuat gesaan ini kepada pihak berkuasa; siasatlah program Enchant1MST dan ambilah tindakan dengan seberapa segera terhadap mana-mana pihak yang didapati bersalah dalam memajukannya.

HIDUP MELAYU!

Calon Anda... Akhramsyah Sanusi

Rujukan: http://enchant1mst.com/index.html

Pergerakkan Pemuda Lari Dari Halatuju

Setelah menapak ke 10 negeri setakat ini dalam usaha memahami masalah Pemuda di peringkat Cawangan, suatu yang jelas terbukti adalah ramai di kalangan Pemuda, terutama sekali dari golongan lebih berpengalaman, merasa gelisah tentang halatuju kita. Ramai yang menimbulkan isu-isu perlaksanaan seperti terlihat pada projek BL1M, tetapi dalam keselesaan berteh-tarik, isu halatuju pasti timbul.

Ramai tidak memahami kenapa Pemuda pada peringkat pusat begitu membisu walaupun dalam isu yang membabitkan akidah ummah seperti tuntutan penggunaan Kalimah Allah oleh pendakwah agama lain! Bukankah tugas Pemuda untuk mempertahankan hak ummat Islam di negara kita ini selain dari memajukan Agenda Melayu ke hadapan? Kalau bukan, apakah halatuju yang ingin dibawa oleh kepimpinan Pemuda yang sedia-ada?

Inilah sebabnya kebanyakan perwakilan Pemuda yang sempat bertemu-bual agak sedia untuk menerima wadah Hidup Melayu! Tiada yang salah tentang wadah tersebut. Ia sesuai walau pada zaman ini kerana ia wadah perjuangan parti UMNO, yakni Persatuan Kebangsaan MELAYU Bersatu. Perwakilan Pemuda gembira ada yang saya ingin menumpukan diri serta Pemuda ke arah perjuangan Agenda Melayu, bukan seronok beraktiviti sahaja dengan rakan-kongsi Barisan Nasional.

Teks Ucapan Pada Sidang Akhbar Mengumumkan Tawaran Diri Untuk Dipilih Ke Jawatan Ketua Pergerakkan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia Oleh Akhramsyah Sanusi

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah i Wabarakatuh,

 

Salam Sejahtera, Salam Satu Malaysia,

 

Terima Kasih atas kehadiran semua di sini pada hari ini, baik dari kalangan wakil media dan terutama sekali kawan-kawan yang sudi melepaskan diri dari tugas harian untuk bersama-sama.

 

Nama saya Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah bin Sanusi, lazimnya dikenali sebagai Akhram sahaja. Sebagai pengenalan, saya seorang anak kelahiran DEB (Dasar Ekonomi Baru). Pendidikan awal saya di Maktab Rendah Sains MARA Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang sehinggalah berjayanya saya menggenggam segulung ijazah Sarjana Kejuruteraan Kimia dari Imperial College, London semua hasil dasar kerajaan pimpinan UMNO yang berlandaskan Dasar Ekonomi Baru.

 

Dengan bermodalkan ilmu tersebutlah, saya berjaya menarik perhatian sebuah syarikat minyak antarabangsa yang terkemuka mengambil saya sebagai serorang profesional. Selama 16 tahun saya bertugas sebagai seorang jurutera, konsultan sehingga kini mencapai peringkat pengurusan syarikat tersebut. Dalam masa itu, saya berpeluang bekerja di luar negara, menimba ilmu serta pengalaman teknikal mahupun organisasi, untuk kemudian di bawa pulang demi memajukan negara bangsa. Segala peluang serta kejayaan ini bertitik-tolak dari perjuangan UMNO, dan saya bersyukur atas pengorbanan pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu yang berjasa terhadap kami generasi muda.

 

Namun, sejak kebelakangan ini, telah tertimbul rintihan pada peringkat akar-umbi parti, terutama sekali pada golongan muda, yang UMNO terlihat seperti tidak dapat lagi menjaga kebajikan mereka. Segala usaha serta dasar kerajaan yang baik dilancarkan, tetapi kurang mengena sasaran, dan ini menimbulkan kerunsingan. Rintihan akar umbi Pemuda juga timbul tentang sentuhan kepimpinan yang dikatakan tak cukup kerap sampai ke bawah. Dan lebih parah lagi, ada orang muda yang kini menuduh Pemuda sebagai tidak lagi mendesak, tidak lagi menjulang obor perjuangan Agenda Melayu.

 

Oleh itu, memandangkan rintihan kawan-kawan, jiran-jiran serta penyokong tentang perlunya perubahan kepimpinan Pemuda, saya dan keluarga saya telah mengambil keputusan mengorbankan kerjaya saya untuk menawarkan diri, dengan rendah diri, sebagai calon Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia. Agenda yang akan saya bawa insya Allah sekiranya terpilih sebagai Ketua Pemuda yang baru adalah menghidupkan kembali agenda perjuangan Melayu yang seharusnya menjadi tanggungjawab Pemuda UMNO. Oleh itulah, laungan Pemuda haruslah tidak lain dari HIDUP MELAYU!

 

Terima Kasih. Saya membuka majlis kepada soalan...

 

Ikhlas dari Calon Anda, Akhramsyah Sanusi

Salam Hari Malaysia: Pemimpin Harapanku

Blogger ini agak terkejut apabila penulisan tentang niat bertanding jawatan Ketua Pemuda UMNO Malaysia semalam mencetuskan perbincangan rancak di Media Sosial Malaysia sehingga melonjak ke Media Arus Perdana. Syukur alhamdulillah, niat saya agar perbincangan demi menempatkan Pemuda  UMNO sekali lagi sebagai penggerak agenda Melayu sudah bermula. Ini memperteguhkan lagi niat untuk menjadi calon pemilihan Ketua Pemuda.

 

Semalam saya telah mengunjung ke Pasir Salak untuk menyertai program Ambang Hari Malaysia yang dimajukan oleh teman akrab saya, penyandang gelaran Juara Sajak Patriotik Gapena sekarang, saudara Azmi Ismail. Berikut sajak yang saya sampaikan...

 

Pemimpin Harapanku

 

Pemimpin,

Padamu Ku Amanahkan Masa Depan Negara Bangsa,

 

Tak Ku Peduli Warna Kulit Mu,

Asal Melayu Di Jiwa,

Asal Malaysia Di Hati,

Bukan Sekadar Manggis dan Pisang,

Yang Gelap dan Kuning Di Luar,

Tetapi Putih Penjajah Di Dalam...

 

Tak Ku Peduli Tubuh Mu,

Kurus, Gemuk atau Sasa,

Asal Tubuh Mu Sedia Berdiri,

Menahan Bedil dan Peluru,

Menahan Dari Tertimpa Anak Cucu Waris Ku...

 

Tak Ku Peduli Asal Mu,

Miskin, Kaya, Bangsawan Atau Jelata,

Asal Yang Makmur Rakyat Semua,

Bukan Yang Rakus-Rakus Di Sisi Mu Sahaja...

 

Tak Ku Peduli Ilmu Mu Dari Mana,

Biar Pondok,

Mahupun Dari Menara Gading Nun Jauh Di Sana Datangnya,

Asalkan Minda Mu Diperah Untuk Kesejahteraan Kita Semua,

Bukan Ilmu Menjadi Selendang Riak Semata-Mata...

 

Ku Ingin Pemimpin...

Yang Mendengar Apabila Ku Merintih,

Ku Ingin Pemimpin...

Yang Lantang Bila Diri Ku Terkedu,

Ku Impikan Pemimpin...

Yang Tegak Benar Di Lautan Kepalsuan,

Ku Rindukan Pemimpin...

Yang Berjuang Untuk Ku Mati-Matian!

 

Pemimpin,

Pada Mu Terpikul Harapan Negara Bangsa,

Jangan Kau Sia-Siakan Amanah Ini,

 

Untuk Ku, Untuk Mu,

Ku Mahu Pemimpin Bangun!

Ku Mahu Pemimpin Gagah Ke Hadapan!

Ku Mahu Pemimpin Ikhlas, Berani,

Sedia Mengabdikan Diri

Demi Memimpin Ku Ke Malaysia Jaya...

 

Ikhlas Nukilan,

Akhramsyah Sanusi

Pasir Salak, 15 September 2013

 

Calon Anda...