‘Whilst the changes appear promising, some quotes indicate that these changes may be merely window dressing attempts to plug a serious leak of integrity.’
On PM unveils 'trimmed-down' cabinet
Franklin Morais: External change is the easiest to confess and shows how difficult change truly is. Whilst the cabinet changes appear promising, the government-sponsored media and their reported quotes attributable to the PM, Muhammad Muhammad Taib and other BN leaders indicate that these changes may be merely window dressing attempts to plug a serious leak of integrity.
Internal change springs up from the well of values and principles in our core essence. Will a zebra really change its stripes? However, we must allow humans the gracious opportunity of the second chance.
Alberto C: Pak Lah's new cabinet is evidence of his diffident approach to real politics. He is all for the middle ground that avoids facing the hard questions everyone else knows he has to face, in the wake of the drubbing and bloody nose he received at the just concluded General Election. It's Pak Lah's mixture of denial and oblivious indifference that somehow things would just turn for the better when evidence all around suggests otherwise.
He is a defeated PM and a vanquished Umno's president, the scepter of power relinquished, yet he acts and speaks as if he was basking in the glory of his 2004's electoral landslide and euphoria. Even at the last opportunity to exercise his real power in forming surely his last cabinet, he opted to please the orchestra than the audience. He is too unreal to be even Malaysian Prime Minister.
So the knifes and daggers are out and the darts will now fly. Umno's Youth under Hishammuddin Hussein Onn is first to kick off the new power struggle as he removed his kiddy gloves by daring Pak Lah to sack Mukhriz Mahathir - that is a throw of dice to formally mark the beginning of the end of Pak Lah, the Umno way.
Let's hope the transition to the next PM will be as peaceful as how we have witnessed Pak Lah's political passage.
Lau Sue Chau: A few days ago before naming his new cabinet, the PM has announced that there will be no ‘back door’ to his cabinet. But what has happened with the newly named cabinet? Not only there are several newly-appointed senators finding their way into the cabinet, but one unfit past politician with a bad track record in Australia had also managed to wriggle in.
If we recall, this same PM had also tried to fool the nation that there would be no dissolution of Parliament but in the very next day, he announced the dissolution of the parliament.
Was he sleepy of just absentminded? Whatever the case may be, can Malaysians trust him?
KK Nantha: Doesn't Pak Lah have the backbone to say ‘No’ to corrupted politicians? Muhammad Muhammad Taib was caught with a bag full of money (in the millions) in Australia. In spite of this, he has been appointed a minister. What a shame. Was Pak Lah pressured to appoint him a minister? Worse still, he has been appointed to look after the poor.
Sean Kan: Though the number of ministries have been slashed from 32 to 27, it is still a super-sized cabinet. More of pie-sharing rather than effective management. By integrating the still-overlapping portfolio, it can be reduced to 17 ministries as follows:
Prime Minister's Department
Housing and Local Government + Rural and Regional Development
Energy, Water + Natural Resources and Environment
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry + Plantation Industries and Commodities
Women, Family and Community Development + National Unity + Youth and Sports
Information + Communication + Science, Technology and Innovation
Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development + Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Defense, Internal Security & Home Affairs
Tourism + Culture, Arts and Heritage
International Trade and Industry
Education + Higher Education
Human Resources
Foreign Affairs
Transport
Finance
Works
Health
Just compare us with the US, a country 30 times larger than Malaysia, with a population more ethnically diverse and 12 times more than ours. In US, there are only 15 ministries.
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Department of Commerce (DOC)
Department of Defense (DOD)
Department of Education (ED)
Department of Energy (DOE)
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Department of Labor (DOL)
Department of State (DOS)
Department of the Interior (DOI)
Department of the Treasury
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Chuacj: Congratulation to Pak Lah for finalising the list of cabinet ministers and their deputies. Let us hope that there is a wind of change (for the better) for Malaysia. But Pak Lah, the main reason BN lost its 2/3rds majority is because the rakyat doesn’t trust it anymore. The following is what most of us want from you if you want to regain our trust:
1. Judicial reform
2. An incorruptible police force
3. An independent ACA which reports to Parliament
4. Respect for human rights
If you can do this, I may vote for BN next time.
On Ministers, deputies to declare assets
HL Too: Transparency International chairperson Ramon Navaratnam may be greatly impressed with the PM's directive to ministers and deputy ministers to declare their assets. However, I (and I suspect, many Malaysians) distinctly remember how we were all hoodwinked by the promises that the PM made in 2004 as to how he as going to fight corruption. Oh, how I loved Pak Lah then. At last, at long last, we are going into what must be a new watershed; a day of reckoning for all the corrupt politicians that have been feeding at the public trough.
My more sceptical (and I thought cynical) friends laughed at me for hero-worshiping Mr Clean. You are sooo naive, they said. Well, they were right! Navaratnam may think this is a watershed. However, the image of the PM and the deputy PM dutifully going to the Istana Klang to pay their respects to the late Zakaria Deros while nobody, least of all, the ACA, seemed to asking about where the late Zakaria Deros got his money to build this palace, makes me wonder whether this is a watershed or are we still at sea.
I would recommend that Navaratnam contain his excitement at this ‘directive of historical importance’ in this ‘new drive to fight corruption with a stronger political will’. Perhaps in time, Navaratnam will become like me - a curable optimist.
Billy: It is to be reminded that such a directive was made before but what actions were taken? This is just another ‘feel good’ stunt by the prime minister to hoodwink the public that he is now doing something to curb corruption. If the ministers and deputies are to declare their assets, then shouldn't the prime minister and his deputy do the same?
For these two, they will have to declare their assets to the rakyat via full page advertisements in all the mainstream newspapers so as to enable our scrutiny. This is leadership by example. The prime minister has forgotten - we are the bosses and we, the rakyat, want him to declare his assets as well.
Del Capo: Is this the real reason why Khairy and Rafidah are not in the line-up? Muhd Muhd Taib's declaration should be interesting....
Jim James: Does this mean that ministers like Rafidah, Samy Vellu, and all the others in the previous cabinet get to walk away scot-free without having to declare their assets for fear that the truth will be known? By getting in new faces and asking them to declare their assets now, the inference by the public that the previous spring cleaning was not ‘springy’ enough.
The former cabinet ministers (outgoing) should also have their assets declared. So long as this mindset which says they shouldn’t rules at BN and Umno, then I don’t see why we should support the government of Abdullah. He has lost the respect of our community who had thought that he would change the landscape of Malaysia.. This he has done but by destroying the last 50 years of trust and belief.
Without a belief system in place, the public at large will never ever consider the sincerity of the Abdullah or the BN administration as they have proven with their sheer arrogance and belligerent behaviour to all. Declaring their assets has never been on their agenda for 50 years
PNie: Congratulations to our PM for the announcement of such a positive directive. To gain public confidence in BN again, this will mark the first chapter of the story. But this is just the beginning. What is more important is whether this can be enforced and carried through efficiently, transparently and continuously. With the vow of a stronger will to combat corruption, there is a need to call for an independent committee to ensure this entire exercise is carried out in the most efficient and ‘clean’ manner.
As Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) chairperson Ramon Navaratnam has requested, all MBs and CMs in BN-controlled states should follow the suit, and we hope that those in non- BN-controlled states will also take up the challenge. I personally feel that this should be made a compulsory event for all whether BN or not. The reason is simple. All the state governments work for all Malaysians and the people wants an efficient and transparent governance.
On Pa k Lah and Hang Tuahs must quit
True Blue Malaysian: I was just wondering whether the title for the above article should be phrased as ‘Pak Lah and his Hang Tuahs must quit’ or Pak Lah and his Hang-Hang Tua Must Quit’ or ‘Pak Lah and All His Han(g) Tu Han(g) Tu Must Quit’?
In these days of great uncertainty regarding BN, and most of all Umno’s future, all the three topics must be considered seriously because Umno and their Hang Tuahs, Hang Tuas and Hang Tus have really tormented, haunted and psychologically tortured Malaysians for too many long years. All these Hang Tuahs, Hang-Hang Tuas and Hang Tus must go. Just GO!
On Bersih: Opposition could have won gov't
Netty E Komattu: I am deeply shocked and disappointed to hear that despite the assurance by EC that the 12th general election will be transparent and clean, there are 72,058 ballot papers unreturned. This being 41,564 for parliamentary ballot papers and 30,494 for state ballot papers.
What in the world did the EC think they were doing? Is this what they call transparency? I strongly urge that a royal commission be set up to check on fraud, misconduct and irregularities during the 13-day election period up to March 8. Both the EC chairperson and secretary must be taken to task and a recount of the ballot papers must be carried out to ensure transparency lives.
Lame excuses given by EC are unacceptable and I for one am disgusted with the way the EC chairperson (being a one-sided man in favour of BN) has carried out the general election.
He is totally unprofessional and unfit to be the head of the EC. I demand for his immediate resignation and the royal commission must take him and his cronies to task.
Deric Chang: Since this issue is brought up, I would like to share my story. For the last two elections, my family and I have been sent to three different polling stations when we all share the same address. Fishy?
On Should voters apologise to Penang Umno?
FPH: Why should we apologise to them? No way. The people in Penang have exercised their right and chosen BR (DAP, PKR, PAS). Sorry BN guys ( Umno, MIC, MCA, Gerakan ) but the time says change. Fool us once, shame on us, fool us twice, shame on you.
If this is the way Umno Penang or whoever is going to react, than certainly it's not a good level of education they have. Well, if they wish to stop all the projects planed by the former BN government, please go ahead. You will see more from us at the next elections, as simple as that.
If Umno cares for the people of Penang, they should stop such reactions in the first place. Such wild reactions don't reflect their professionalism at all.
This only shows that they care for themselves and not for others. Common guys, wake up. Isn't this called threatening the people of Penang? If you keep up with this trend, than the people will double their People’s Power.
Om Prakash: I refer to the incidences of demonstrations in front of Komtar Penang. How could the police say they used the ‘discretionary powers’ to allow the demonstration. Obviously, the organisers of the events have breached the law. Why are the police not consistent with their action? Afer all, they had no qualms using violence to break up the peaceful Hindraf rally.
The law seems to be sidelined to suit BN interests and this is what is all about. Well, this is truly the age of the renaissance of Malaysian politics.
On Give the five our wholehearted support
Kluang: I fully support the five new state governments on their initiatives to help the poor irrespective of race. At last, we are beginning to see a new beginning and hope for all Malaysians. DAP and PKR leaders should just do the right things for the people but be careful of the Umno troublemakers.
I can see that they are creating trouble in these states by illegal demonstrations. They are hoping that the situation will take a turn for the worse and the government will then be ‘forced’ to step in and run these states under emergency rule.
On Samy Vellu: Did he speak up or not?
Sham: Well, I think he did try to tell the people very loudly the things that MIC and he did.
However it was too late as by then the Hindraf had already ignited a fire so deafening that all other factors didn’t matter. The community self-destructed.
Why? At the end of the day even the opposition didn’t recognise the Indian factor in the elections. Where is the Indian MB? I ask this as the opposition was fighting for a Malaysian Malaysia.
Gandhi: Whatever framework of crisis management or planning Samy comes up with, it is not going to salvage the supposedly Indian representative political organisation, the MIC. It's beyond repair in my opinion but perhaps with some earth-shattering changes, its reincarnation could help the frustrated Indians.
Firstly, Samy Vellu should leave the party so that the ‘Yes, boss’ mentality is eradicated completely. He failed our trust in him when he conveniently avoided settling the Maika issue. Only people who have a sound education, new ideas, independent thinkers and are bold in questioning the wrongs happening in the party may give some hope. Intimidation must be history.
A new group like Hindraf must take over and instill a new culture with accountability, decency and humility. Choose potential leaders who are willing to serve the community without any desire of becoming rich overnight.
PapaRazzi: After the victory of the opposition at the recent polls, it's now the time to question the profits made by state-owned Petronas. Billions of dollars have been invested in the partnership between BMW-Sauber and Petronas for the Formula One Grand Prix but does this have any benefit for the rakyat ?
The Petronas logo displayed on F1 cars is meant for advertisement purposes to attract worldwide viewers to use of Petronas fuel and gas. Can anybody tell me which other country has Petronas kiosks or uses its petrol and gas other than Malaysia itself? It's good if the amount invested by Petronas in Formula One is channelled back to the rakyat rather than going for expenses that don’t make any sense.
Azhar Talib: Let’s assume that the rise of fuel prices is inevitable. Then what can the government do for us? Let me offer a solution. I am not sure whether it's practical or not but here it is anyway. If the government needs to increase the fuel price, then why not increase it up to a point where they can actually subsidise the cost of public transportation for us?
Free public transportation does need to be free all the time but only at certain times like in the mornings and evenings where we usually go to work. But somebody really needs to do the calculation for this. What other solutions that the government can offer us if the fuel price hike is inevitable?
On Khalid: Water agreement to be reviewed
Silent Majority: I wish to draw your attention to an interesting experience in trying to get a water meter reinstalled by Syabas to a premise which was vacant since I received the keys in October 2001. Most of the small shop lots around this area remained empty till that day. Sometime in November 2007, I finally managed to get someone to rent my lot for RM500 and went to Syabas on Nov 23 last year to get the water supply reconnected.
To my horror Syabas demanded RM420 for ‘Buka Ferrule’ and another RM30 as ‘ caj ’. The terminology ‘Buka Ferrule’ is only there to confuse and mislead the public. When I asked what ‘Buka Ferrule’ meant they explained that they have to send their contractor with a ‘JCV’ (an excavator) to reconnect the meter - .what nonsense! After much argument they finally agreed to give a 50% discount on the RM420 ‘Buka Ferrule’ charge. To me, this is still daylight robbery. To reconnect the meter does not take more than 10 minutes!
Further, they demanded a ‘ tunggakkan ’ (arrears) of RM490 on top of the deposit of RM500 which they have forfeited. There was practically no water consumption since the key was handed over in October 2001! So in total they wanted me to pay them RM940 plus a new deposit of RM500 which means I have to fork out RM1,440 just to get my meter reinstalled! So now you know how the rakyat suffers in silence.
