Showing posts with label Khairy Jamaluddin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Khairy Jamaluddin. Show all posts
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Greenhorn Amirsham answers amid taunts
The Edge Daily (16/5/08): New kid on the block Datuk Amirsham A Aziz, minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, had to dodge a slew of jibes yesterday after he was spotted reading the answer to a supplementary question in parliament.
The former Maybank chief, a greenhorn in the august house, was treated to heckling by the opposition MPs as he was answering the first supplementary question on the New Economic Policy (NEP) posed by Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau–BN) from what appeared to be a prepared text.
All hell broke loose when Lim Kit Siang (Ipoh Timur–DAP) said the answer to the supplementary question was already prepared.
“Planted question. The answer is all ready,” shouted Chong Eng (Bukit Mertajam–DAP), while shouts of “Crony! Crony!” were heard in the background.
“Siap jawapan sampai dua muka! (The answer was so prepared it runs to two pages!),” said Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena-PAS).
Although the MPs pounced on him mercilessly, they all had smiles on their faces. And,
to his credit, Amirsham didn’t waiver but continued to read his answer.Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee tried to calm the house but to no avail.
Khairy had asked Amirsham on the remark by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-DAP) who vowed to abolish the use of the National Economic Policy in the state administration because “it breeds corruption, cronyism and systemic efficiency” .
“Is it fair for Lim to make a general conclusion that people who benefit from the NEP, regardless of race, millions of students and bumiputera professionals like yourself — a product of the policy and became the CEO of the biggest bank in Malaysia — as if we are all cronies and corrupt?” Khairy asked.
Amirsham, in his answer, said he found Lim’s statement inaccurate and that Lim did not understand the objective of the NEP.
“If that is his conclusion, then anyone who got assistance from it whether in loans, job opportunities, scholarships, entrepreneurship opportunities and others are cronies and corrupt,” he said and proceeded to provide figures while the ruckus continued.
He concluded that the NEP was generally a fair and good policy that had evolved with the country’s development.
Amirsham said the government had no plans to change the policies that evolved from the basic spirit of the NEP into the National Development Policy, the National Vision Policy and the National Mission under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
“The policies are not only aimed at raising the socio-economic status of the bumiputeras but also the Indians, Orang Asli and minorities in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He said the government would continue with its commitment to implement the basic NEP strategies of poverty eradication regardless of race, and restructure the society to eradicate ethnic identification through economic function.
“If the objectives are realised, especially with a fairer distribution of wealth between and within ethnic groups, between states, and in urban and rural areas, it will speed up our efforts to ensure balanced participation amongst all levels of society,” Amirsham said.
He also said that based on the National Mission, the government had agreed to extend the timeline for realising several objectives of the distribution policy, such as eradication of poverty and achieving 30% bumiputera equity by 2020.
Prof Dr P Ramasamy (Batu Kawan–DAP) was allowed to ask the second supplementary question on whether the NEP had diverged from the original principle behind the affirmative action, which was meant to benefit the minority instead of majority as was practised in Malaysia.
“Affirmative action is to help the people who are left behind like the poor and the lower income community. That is the NEP’s aim and its policies are to help overcome and reduce poverty as well as to give equal opportunities to all Malaysians,” Amirsham replied without any reference to text.
The ruckus continued when the deputy speaker called for Mohamed Azmin Ali (Gombak-PKR) to raise his question to the minister in the question-and-answer session. However, Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Ghapur Salleh (Kalabakan-BN) called for a Point-of-Order in Standing Order 44, asking the Speaker to take control of the situation.
“This is like a market, Speaker! People watch us on television! Can we ask for control?” he said, to which Kiandee assured him that the house was under control.
Azmin who had the floor then took a potshot at Khairy. He said: “Dewan jadi pasar sebab Rembau pengerusi pasar (The House turn into a market because Rembau MP is a market chief)!”
At this point Khairy stood and called for Point-of-Order on Rule 36 (character assassination) and asked for Azmin to retract his statement. Peace descended when Kiandee asked Azmin to ask his question.
Khairy who was met at the parliament lobby later denied that his supplementary question was planted. “It is not planted. It is a supplementary question. The minister is a very intelligent man. He was the CEO of Maybank. I am sure he had anticipated what would be the supplementary question. Maybe he was looking at the facts and statistics in front of him.
“For me what is more important is substance. It was clear that the opposition was causing trouble because they were afraid of substance,” he said.
Related: Amirsham: Straight man but something is suspicious (A Voice)
Khairy: Opposition is scared of substance
Courtesy NST
Uproar over 'planted' question
NST (16/5/08):A supplementary question on the New Economic Policy triggered complaints from Pakatan Rakyat MPs that it was "planted".
It didn't help that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Amirsham A. Aziz seemed to be reading from a prepared text.
The question was posed by Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau).
Usually, answers to supplementary questions require ministers and their deputies to answer on the spot.
The minister had earlier answered a question on the NEP, also posed by Khairy.
In his supplementary question, Khairy said Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng had said that the NEP bred corruption, cronyism and systematic inefficiency.
"Is this a fair statement or just a general conclusion?
"Doesn't that statement imply that all of us are cronies and 'kaki rasuah' (corrupt)? Is this fair?" the Rembau MP asked.
He pointed out that the system had produced millions of successful students and Bumiputera professionals.
"You are among those," he noted.
By all accounts, it was a good point to counter what Lim had said.
But, when Amirsham started speaking, the opposition bench cried foul.
Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) protested that the answer was prepared, while Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) shouted that it was a "planted question" as the House erupted with laughter and catcalls as Amirsham continued.
Other MPs who joined in the fray included Khalid Abdul Samad (Pas-Shah Alam), who said "soalan bocor!" (leaked question) and Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) who noted "mana boleh ini macam" (how can this be).
Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena) added by saying "siap jawapan sampai dua muka!" (the answer was so prepared, it ran into two pages).
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee tried to control the situation with little success, while an oblivious Amirsham continued reading from his prepared text.
Dr P. Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan) then asked another supplementary question on whether Amirsham understood the true spirit of affirmative action policy.
"In other countries, affirmative action is enjoyed by the minority, but here in Malaysia, it is enjoyed by the majority," he said to claps from opposition colleagues, prompting Ronald to rebuke them for their antics.
"Please don't clap in the House," he chided.
"The affirmative action is to help the poor and lower-income group. It eliminated poverty and gave equal opportunities to all," Amirsham said tersely.
His answer did not please the opposition, who reacted with jeers, prompting Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) to remark that the House had turned into a market.
The excitement would have died if not for Azmin Ali's (PKR-Gombak) dig at Khairy.
He quipped that the House had turned into a market because the "pengerusi pasar" (market chairman) is from Rembau.
This caused the backbenchers to kick up a storm with Khairy demanding that Azmin retract his word.
Later at the lobby, Khairy denied his supplementary question was planted.
"The minister is an intelligent man. He was the former CEO of Maybank and I'm sure he anticipated my question."
Khairy said the minister was looking at his facts to answer the question.
"It's not important whether (it's planted), but what's important is the substance.
"It's clear the opposition is trying to create trouble again because they are afraid of the answers."
It didn't help that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Amirsham A. Aziz seemed to be reading from a prepared text.
The question was posed by Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau).
Usually, answers to supplementary questions require ministers and their deputies to answer on the spot.
The minister had earlier answered a question on the NEP, also posed by Khairy.
In his supplementary question, Khairy said Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng had said that the NEP bred corruption, cronyism and systematic inefficiency.
"Is this a fair statement or just a general conclusion?
"Doesn't that statement imply that all of us are cronies and 'kaki rasuah' (corrupt)? Is this fair?" the Rembau MP asked.
He pointed out that the system had produced millions of successful students and Bumiputera professionals.
"You are among those," he noted.
By all accounts, it was a good point to counter what Lim had said.
But, when Amirsham started speaking, the opposition bench cried foul.
Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) protested that the answer was prepared, while Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) shouted that it was a "planted question" as the House erupted with laughter and catcalls as Amirsham continued.
Other MPs who joined in the fray included Khalid Abdul Samad (Pas-Shah Alam), who said "soalan bocor!" (leaked question) and Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) who noted "mana boleh ini macam" (how can this be).
Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena) added by saying "siap jawapan sampai dua muka!" (the answer was so prepared, it ran into two pages).
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee tried to control the situation with little success, while an oblivious Amirsham continued reading from his prepared text.
Dr P. Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan) then asked another supplementary question on whether Amirsham understood the true spirit of affirmative action policy.
"In other countries, affirmative action is enjoyed by the minority, but here in Malaysia, it is enjoyed by the majority," he said to claps from opposition colleagues, prompting Ronald to rebuke them for their antics.
"Please don't clap in the House," he chided.
"The affirmative action is to help the poor and lower-income group. It eliminated poverty and gave equal opportunities to all," Amirsham said tersely.
His answer did not please the opposition, who reacted with jeers, prompting Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) to remark that the House had turned into a market.
The excitement would have died if not for Azmin Ali's (PKR-Gombak) dig at Khairy.
He quipped that the House had turned into a market because the "pengerusi pasar" (market chairman) is from Rembau.
This caused the backbenchers to kick up a storm with Khairy demanding that Azmin retract his word.
Later at the lobby, Khairy denied his supplementary question was planted.
"The minister is an intelligent man. He was the former CEO of Maybank and I'm sure he anticipated my question."
Khairy said the minister was looking at his facts to answer the question.
"It's not important whether (it's planted), but what's important is the substance.
"It's clear the opposition is trying to create trouble again because they are afraid of the answers."
Reply sparks shouting match
The Star (16/5/08): “Soalan bocor!” shouted an MP in the Dewan Rakyat when Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Amirsham Abdul Aziz read out a prepared text during Question and Answer time on Thursday.
“That is not the right answer!”
Opposition MPs were quick to create a stir when they realised that Amirsham was reading from two pages of text in reply to Khairy Jamaluddin's (BN – Rembau) supplementary oral question.
While it is normal for a minister to read from a prepared text for an original question, it is not so for a supplementary question as it is asked on the spot.
Khairy’s original question touched on whether the Government was planning to change existing policies which were based on the New Economic Policy (NEP) , especially those related to assisting bumiputras, in reaction to the Opposition’s call to reject the policy.
After Amirsham answered from a prepared text, Khairy then asked him what he thought about Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s statement that the NEP breeds corruption.
“Does he mean that every poor Malaysian regardless of their race, the millions of students, bumiputra professionals like the minister are all cronies and corrupted?” he asked.
To this, a visibly upset Amirsham said he felt that such a statement was inaccurate.
“His conclusion also means that everyone who gained from the NEP are actually cronies and corrupted,” he said before he was interrupted by shouts from the Opposition MPs when they saw that Amirsham was reading from a prepared text.
“The answer has been prepared!” said Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timor).
This prompted other Opposition MPs to join in the fray, with Chong Eng (DAP – Bukit Mertajam) calling it a “planted question” and Khalid Abdul Samad (PAS – Shah Alam) shouting that “the question was leaked!”
When Mohd Azmin Ali (PKR – Gombak) stood up to submit his next question, he said: “This House is like a market because the market chairman is Rembau.”
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee told Azmin to stop the remark after Khairy protested.
“That is not the right answer!”
Opposition MPs were quick to create a stir when they realised that Amirsham was reading from two pages of text in reply to Khairy Jamaluddin's (BN – Rembau) supplementary oral question.
While it is normal for a minister to read from a prepared text for an original question, it is not so for a supplementary question as it is asked on the spot.
Khairy’s original question touched on whether the Government was planning to change existing policies which were based on the New Economic Policy (NEP) , especially those related to assisting bumiputras, in reaction to the Opposition’s call to reject the policy.
After Amirsham answered from a prepared text, Khairy then asked him what he thought about Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s statement that the NEP breeds corruption.
“Does he mean that every poor Malaysian regardless of their race, the millions of students, bumiputra professionals like the minister are all cronies and corrupted?” he asked.
To this, a visibly upset Amirsham said he felt that such a statement was inaccurate.
“His conclusion also means that everyone who gained from the NEP are actually cronies and corrupted,” he said before he was interrupted by shouts from the Opposition MPs when they saw that Amirsham was reading from a prepared text.
“The answer has been prepared!” said Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timor).
This prompted other Opposition MPs to join in the fray, with Chong Eng (DAP – Bukit Mertajam) calling it a “planted question” and Khalid Abdul Samad (PAS – Shah Alam) shouting that “the question was leaked!”
When Mohd Azmin Ali (PKR – Gombak) stood up to submit his next question, he said: “This House is like a market because the market chairman is Rembau.”
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee told Azmin to stop the remark after Khairy protested.
Dewan Rakyat: Syed Hamid: Don't sell out for quick gain
NST (16/5/08): Home Minister and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said MPs who switched sides would not help in the effort to create a healthy political climate where integrity was paramount.
"I don't think it is right to switch. If we are bought, it will be the worst political corruption. I hope no politician will think of selling himself for short-term profit."
Speaking on the same issue, Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaludidn (BN-Rembau) said claims by BN members they were lured with money was serious.
"It has reached such an extent that it created questions among the people whether it will undermine democracy in Malaysia.
"I hope the people will think twice when they hear about claims BN reps will jump and question the motive (of the news)," he said.
Khairy also rebutted Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claim that Pakatan Rakyat was not buying MPs but there were Barisan MPs who wanted to cross because they were disappointed with BN.
"Don't tell me within two months they all lose hope with the BN," he said.
Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Azmin Ali reiterated that the pact will form the government by Sept 16 but not through "buying over" BN backbenchers.
"They are not coming to us because of monetary gain.
"They will come to us because of our policies," he declared in the Parliament lobby.
Azmin called on Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) to prove his claim that he was offered millions of ringgit to cross over.
"Tell us how much, the date and who was the person who made the offer."
Azmin also took a swipe at Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
"How many times did he move? He moved from Pas, Semangat 45 and then to Umno," he said of Shabery's labelling of leaders.
In a press statement, DAP chairman Karpal Singh also took Shabery to task over the remarks, reminding the minister that he himself was once with Semangat 46.
"I don't think it is right to switch. If we are bought, it will be the worst political corruption. I hope no politician will think of selling himself for short-term profit."
Speaking on the same issue, Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaludidn (BN-Rembau) said claims by BN members they were lured with money was serious.
"It has reached such an extent that it created questions among the people whether it will undermine democracy in Malaysia.
"I hope the people will think twice when they hear about claims BN reps will jump and question the motive (of the news)," he said.
Khairy also rebutted Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claim that Pakatan Rakyat was not buying MPs but there were Barisan MPs who wanted to cross because they were disappointed with BN.
"Don't tell me within two months they all lose hope with the BN," he said.
Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Azmin Ali reiterated that the pact will form the government by Sept 16 but not through "buying over" BN backbenchers.
"They are not coming to us because of monetary gain.
"They will come to us because of our policies," he declared in the Parliament lobby.
Azmin called on Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) to prove his claim that he was offered millions of ringgit to cross over.
"Tell us how much, the date and who was the person who made the offer."
Azmin also took a swipe at Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
"How many times did he move? He moved from Pas, Semangat 45 and then to Umno," he said of Shabery's labelling of leaders.
In a press statement, DAP chairman Karpal Singh also took Shabery to task over the remarks, reminding the minister that he himself was once with Semangat 46.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Amirsham blunders by reading from text
The Sun (15/5/08): Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Amirsham A. Aziz – a newbie in the administration – was caught with his pants down when he was spotted reading the answer to a supplementary question in Parliament today.
Ironically, the topic was the New Economic Policy (NEP) – already a controversial subject – and the first supplementary question was posed by Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau).
Amirsham was meat to the prey when the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parliamentarians pounced – all with a wide grin on their face – on his antics of bowing his head to read from his prepared text.
Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) was the first to let all hell loose in the House, saying the supplementary question was already prepared.
"It was a planted question. The answer is all ready," charged Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam).
"The question was leaked!" shouted Khalid Abd Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) and in the background someone was heard screaming "Crony! Crony!"
Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) also rose to add to the ruckus by accusing Amirsham of having his answers ready.
"Siap jawapan sampai dua muka! (Prepared answers run to to pages!)"said Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena).
Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee tried to calmly take charge of the ruckus by saying: "Cukup lah Yang Berhormat (enough Yang Berhormat), Yang Berhormat sila duduk (Yang Berhormat, please sit down). Sila duduk Yang Berhormat (Sit down Yang Berhormat),". However, he seemed to have had little control over the situation as the shouting continued while Amirsham went on reading his answer.
Khairy asked if he (Amirsham) thought Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan)'s vow to abolish the use of NEP in the state administration is because "it breeds corruption, cronyism and systemic efficiency".
"If that is his conclusion, then anyone who got assistance from it whether in loans, job opportunities, scholarships, entrepreneurship opportunities and others are cronies and corruptors," he said, going on to provide figures while the ruckus continued.
Allowing the second supplementary question by Prof Dr P Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan), someone was heard saying: "Tengok boleh jawab tak (let’s see if he can answer)."
Ramasamy asked whether the NEP had lost its original principle of affirmative action which is widely known throughout the world to be giving to the minority instead of the majority.
"Affirmative action is to help the people who are left behind like the poor and the lower income community. That is the NEP's aim and its policies are to help overcome and reduce poverty as well as to give equal opportunities to all Malaysians," Amirsham replied.
Amirsham said the government did not plan to change the policies evolving from the basic spirit of the NEP, the National Development Policy, the National Vision Policy and the National Vision under the 9th Malaysia Plan.
Kiandee then called for Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) to take the floor to raise his question.
But just before Mohamed Azmin took the floor, Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) called for a Point-of-Order in Standing Order 44, asking the Speaker to take control of the situation.
"This is like a market, Speaker! People watch us on television! Can we ask for control?" he said to which Kiandee assured that it was under control and Lim stood up to call for no "extreme control to the point that the minister has answers (to the supplementary question)".
When Mohamed Azmin had the floor again, he said: "Dewan jadi pasar sebab Rembau pengerusi pasar (The House is like a market because Khairy is the market chairman)!"
Khairy did not take it sitting down, calling for Point of Order on Rule 36 (character assassination) and asked for Mohamed Azmin to retract his statement.
The peace in the House ws restored when Kiandee asked Mohamed Azmin to proceed with his question.
Ironically, the topic was the New Economic Policy (NEP) – already a controversial subject – and the first supplementary question was posed by Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau).
Amirsham was meat to the prey when the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parliamentarians pounced – all with a wide grin on their face – on his antics of bowing his head to read from his prepared text.
Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) was the first to let all hell loose in the House, saying the supplementary question was already prepared.
"It was a planted question. The answer is all ready," charged Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam).
"The question was leaked!" shouted Khalid Abd Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) and in the background someone was heard screaming "Crony! Crony!"
Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) also rose to add to the ruckus by accusing Amirsham of having his answers ready.
"Siap jawapan sampai dua muka! (Prepared answers run to to pages!)"said Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena).
Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee tried to calmly take charge of the ruckus by saying: "Cukup lah Yang Berhormat (enough Yang Berhormat), Yang Berhormat sila duduk (Yang Berhormat, please sit down). Sila duduk Yang Berhormat (Sit down Yang Berhormat),". However, he seemed to have had little control over the situation as the shouting continued while Amirsham went on reading his answer.
Khairy asked if he (Amirsham) thought Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan)'s vow to abolish the use of NEP in the state administration is because "it breeds corruption, cronyism and systemic efficiency".
"If that is his conclusion, then anyone who got assistance from it whether in loans, job opportunities, scholarships, entrepreneurship opportunities and others are cronies and corruptors," he said, going on to provide figures while the ruckus continued.
Allowing the second supplementary question by Prof Dr P Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan), someone was heard saying: "Tengok boleh jawab tak (let’s see if he can answer)."
Ramasamy asked whether the NEP had lost its original principle of affirmative action which is widely known throughout the world to be giving to the minority instead of the majority.
"Affirmative action is to help the people who are left behind like the poor and the lower income community. That is the NEP's aim and its policies are to help overcome and reduce poverty as well as to give equal opportunities to all Malaysians," Amirsham replied.
Amirsham said the government did not plan to change the policies evolving from the basic spirit of the NEP, the National Development Policy, the National Vision Policy and the National Vision under the 9th Malaysia Plan.
Kiandee then called for Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) to take the floor to raise his question.
But just before Mohamed Azmin took the floor, Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) called for a Point-of-Order in Standing Order 44, asking the Speaker to take control of the situation.
"This is like a market, Speaker! People watch us on television! Can we ask for control?" he said to which Kiandee assured that it was under control and Lim stood up to call for no "extreme control to the point that the minister has answers (to the supplementary question)".
When Mohamed Azmin had the floor again, he said: "Dewan jadi pasar sebab Rembau pengerusi pasar (The House is like a market because Khairy is the market chairman)!"
Khairy did not take it sitting down, calling for Point of Order on Rule 36 (character assassination) and asked for Mohamed Azmin to retract his statement.
The peace in the House ws restored when Kiandee asked Mohamed Azmin to proceed with his question.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time running out for Abdullah
Aliran (13/5/08): Abdullah Badawi has declared his determination to ensure efficiency, commitment, service to the people and an end to corruption and to pay special attention to the people’s problems. But does he have enough people in Umno to help him? Can he push through meaningful reforms before he is shown the door, wonders K George.
We have already gone through several analyses and comments. I too wish to add to them.
Bersih consisting of DAP, Pas, PKR, PSM and several NGOs called upon the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that the 12th general election would be free and fair, emphasising that some of the past elections (even including by-elections) were neither fair nor free. The Commission responded with certain assurances, one of which was the use of indelible ink.
The Aliran Monthly election issue published a few days after Nomination Day carried a cover story that strongly urged the people to vote for a change. Its editor, P Ramakrishnan, did not mince his words in emphasising the importance of drastically reducing the Barisan Nasional’s long-standing two-thirds majority.
For my part, when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi started setting up corridors in every nook and cranny of Malaysia, I wrote a couple of articles highlighting his grandiose promises to the people, his shortcomings as Prime Minister, and the drastic increase in corruption and crime in the country.
Ethnic harmony
I am sure that most of the people in Malaysia are happy with the way they voted. The Barisan Nasional has been finally denied the two-thirds parliamentary majority. Besides that, there are now unbelievably five states under the control of the opposition. In spite of the changed political scenario, by and large there is a feeling of unity and harmony among Malaysians. The strident voices of the few fanatics failed to unsettle the peace and harmony of the nation.
Coming back to the election result, I believe there will be harmony amongst the ethnic groups, less competition, improvement in democracy and human rights and very clear setbacks for cronyism and nepotism.
What about open tender? Mahathir and Abdullah both promised open tender but hardly practised it. I hope and pray that the government henceforth will practise social justice, which will remove marginalisation and ensure eradication of poverty.
Parliamentary democracy
Malaysia has chosen parliamentary democracy for its system of governance - but are we really practising it? The system has three separate entities – the Executive, the Legislature (Parliament) and the Judiciary.
In 1988, the then Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and two other senior judges were dismissed by a kangaroo tribunal, manipulated by the Executive. Later, Lim Guan Eng, the present new chief minister of Penang , was imprisoned for 18 months, having been found guilty under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) and the Sedition Act. What was his crime?
As a Member of Parliament, he was approached by a Malay grandmother for help. She claimed that her 15-year-old granddaughter was raped by a Chief Minister, who was not even questioned by the authorities. When I came to know that the girl had given birth to a child, I suggested in one of my articles that a DNA profile be performed to determine paternity. But who cares!
How many of you are aware that more than 950 journalists had appealed to Dr. Mahathir to repeal the PPPA but in vain. The PPPA empowers the Minister concerned to cancel, withdraw or suspend the licence permit at any time at his sole discretion. His decision cannot be challenged in a court of law. If you go through our statutes, quite a number of the laws have such ouster provisions.
Please bear in mind that we the people elect our representatives to Parliament and the respective State Assemblies to run the country/state. This is basically what democracy is all about. Instead, our elected representatives are controlled by their respective party ‘whips’. Yes, the whip can make you vote against your conscience. Our first PM, Tunku Abdul Rahman, enacted the Internal Security Act (ISA), an atrocious piece of legislation, in 1960. The ISA allows the police to enter a person’s house even at an unearthly hour to arrest him, take him away and lock him up.
Our new Chief Minister of Penang was a victim of the ISA in 1987. His father, not knowing where in heavens his son had been taken to, went to the police station in Kuala Lumpur. A smiling police officer arrested the father and imprisoned him. The officer thanked the father for voluntarily surrendering!
Talking about the most undemocratic and cruel ISA, five Hindraf leaders have been detained under this notorious ISA. One of them, lawyer, S A Manoharan, stood for election and won without personally campaigning. He is now an Assembly member, which means the people’s representative. This was a clear rebuff to Abdullah and a total rejection of Abdullah’s reason for undemocratically detaining the five Hindraf leaders.
Peaceful demonstration is everyone’s right. But for organising a very successful mammoth demonstration these five leaders have been put under ISA on unproven charges. Please, Mr. PM, start your second term of premiership by releasing them, and redeeming your tarnished reputation.
Malaysia's new Cabinet
The new cabinet consists of 32 ministers including the Prime Minister and his deputy. Malaysia’s progress, prosperity, reputation and ethnic harmony all depend upon the Cabinet’s ability, commitment and honesty.
The name of a well-known woman is missing from the list of cabinet ministers. She was investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), which concluded that there was a prima facie case against her for illegally giving out 28.7 million shares to five persons who are closely connected to well-known politicians. For reasons unknown to me, she was also under investigation for giving away thousands of Approved Permits (AP). The value of just one AP is anywhere between RM15, 000 and RM30, 000. There was a government announcement before the elections that anyone under ACA investigation would not be allowed to contest in the elections. Would she have come under that category, I wonder? Anyway, she appears to be upset.
Corruption and crime
In 2004, a few months after Abdullah became the PM, I mentioned in an article that our fourth premier, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was seen as the God-sent saviour of Malaysia. But now he is no more ssen in that light! Corruption and crime seem to be the order of the day. The PM himself mentioned over a year ago that increasing corruption is hurting our economy.
It is our duty to fight against the serious menace of corruption and crime.
The scourge of money politics
During elections in Malaysia, money politics spreads its ugly wings – though hard evidence is hard to come by. Nonetheless, there were a few instances of candidates mysteriously withdrawing from contests, leaving his only opponent to claim victory uncontested.
During the recent elections, a PKR candidate did not turn up to file his nomination papers. He just disappeared; his house was locked; his family was not to be seen anywhere. Days later he was discovered holidaying in Port Dickson. It must have been a well-earned holiday! Is this not another form of money politics? If so, it must eradicated so that our election can be free and fair.
After the election, when I tried to find out whether my PKR friends who had contested the election had won, I was informed that they were all locked up in hotels purportedly for brainstorming and that they could not be reached. I was not only shocked but became worried. It was only later that I came to know that there were attempts to buy some of them.
The Suara Keadilan of the PKR published after the election carried a story on page 6 alleging that Khairy Jamaluddin had lost the election by 83 votes on the first count but the result was reversed with a bundle of postal votes on the second count. Khairy won by 5,746! I was told that the result would be challenged in the court but this is left to be seen.
Many believe, rightly or wrongly, that the BN resorts to such illegal and shameful practices through the postal ballots to tilt the balance in favour of the BN.
U-turn on indelible ink
A few months ago, the Election Commission chairman gave us something to cheer about by announcing the use of indelible ink to stop phantom voting. A few weeks before the 8 March election, it was reported that the EC had ordered nearly 50,000 bottles of the indelible ink costing about RM2.4 million from Mysore, India. But days before the election, the Chairman rudely shocked the nation by stating that the Commission overlooked the enactment of the necessary legislation to permit the use of the indelible ink! But the BN remembered to amend the Constitution to extend the Chairman’s term of tenure to ensure that he was around for the election.
I doubt anybody believed him. The talk is that the election analysts of the Barisan Nasional would have come to the conclusion that the BN was going to face an unimaginable electoral setback. Was this the reason why the BN government extended the service of the Chairman for another year? The net result was that many believe that bus-loads of phantom voters were transported to voting centres.
Abdullah's change of style
The 12th general election had opened the eyes of the people. They now know they have the power not only to change state governments but to teach the arrogant BN a lesson that will not be easily forgotten. They will no longer be pushed around and taken note of democratic countries where ordinary people have brought about effective changes through the ballot box.
Abdullah must have taken note of the peoples mood. On 19 March, a day before Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Abdullah declared his determination to ensure efficiency, commitment, service to the people and an end to corruption and to pay special attention to the people’s problems. But does he have enough people in UMNO to help him?
There are many Malays who are educated, intelligent, honest, humble, capable and incorruptible. But hardly any of them get elected to the Umno leadership because of rampant money politics. Good people without money and connection cannot get into leadership position in UMNO. That is why UMNO is in such a bad shape. Eventually money politics will destroy UMNO. This is also Dr Mahathir’s prediction. Just imagine, Mahathir himself was not able to get elected as a delegate (a simple post) for the Kubang Pasu division to enable him to participate in the Umno general assembly last year. He and others say money politics was the reason why he did not win enough votes to be elected. Even an ex-PM who had ruled the country with absolute authority for 22 years can be a victim of money politics.
Now that the elections are over, Abdullah should concentrate his energy in running the country effectively.
Here are a few pressing issues that need the urgent attention of the BN:
* IPCMC - The PM was largely responsible for the establishment of the Royal Commission on Police. He promised to implement the Commission’s recommendations, one of which was to establish an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). It is going to be three years or so but there is no sign of IPCMC. Please implement without any further delay.
* Attorney General - The A-G must be answerable to Parliament. Let us not have another Mokhtar Abdullah.
* Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) - The ACA must be independent and their investigation report of crimes must be made public.
* Local Council elections - Please re-introduce elections for Local Councils as recommended by the Athi Nagappan committee years ago. Councillors must be accountable to the people.
* Freedom of Information - It is time Malaysia enacted a Freedom of Information Act instead of hiding their misdeeds under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
I hope and pray that PM Abdullah will fulfil all the promises he made way back in 2004.
We have already gone through several analyses and comments. I too wish to add to them.
Bersih consisting of DAP, Pas, PKR, PSM and several NGOs called upon the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that the 12th general election would be free and fair, emphasising that some of the past elections (even including by-elections) were neither fair nor free. The Commission responded with certain assurances, one of which was the use of indelible ink.
The Aliran Monthly election issue published a few days after Nomination Day carried a cover story that strongly urged the people to vote for a change. Its editor, P Ramakrishnan, did not mince his words in emphasising the importance of drastically reducing the Barisan Nasional’s long-standing two-thirds majority.
For my part, when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi started setting up corridors in every nook and cranny of Malaysia, I wrote a couple of articles highlighting his grandiose promises to the people, his shortcomings as Prime Minister, and the drastic increase in corruption and crime in the country.
Ethnic harmony
I am sure that most of the people in Malaysia are happy with the way they voted. The Barisan Nasional has been finally denied the two-thirds parliamentary majority. Besides that, there are now unbelievably five states under the control of the opposition. In spite of the changed political scenario, by and large there is a feeling of unity and harmony among Malaysians. The strident voices of the few fanatics failed to unsettle the peace and harmony of the nation.
Coming back to the election result, I believe there will be harmony amongst the ethnic groups, less competition, improvement in democracy and human rights and very clear setbacks for cronyism and nepotism.
What about open tender? Mahathir and Abdullah both promised open tender but hardly practised it. I hope and pray that the government henceforth will practise social justice, which will remove marginalisation and ensure eradication of poverty.
Parliamentary democracy
Malaysia has chosen parliamentary democracy for its system of governance - but are we really practising it? The system has three separate entities – the Executive, the Legislature (Parliament) and the Judiciary.
In 1988, the then Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and two other senior judges were dismissed by a kangaroo tribunal, manipulated by the Executive. Later, Lim Guan Eng, the present new chief minister of Penang , was imprisoned for 18 months, having been found guilty under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) and the Sedition Act. What was his crime?
As a Member of Parliament, he was approached by a Malay grandmother for help. She claimed that her 15-year-old granddaughter was raped by a Chief Minister, who was not even questioned by the authorities. When I came to know that the girl had given birth to a child, I suggested in one of my articles that a DNA profile be performed to determine paternity. But who cares!
How many of you are aware that more than 950 journalists had appealed to Dr. Mahathir to repeal the PPPA but in vain. The PPPA empowers the Minister concerned to cancel, withdraw or suspend the licence permit at any time at his sole discretion. His decision cannot be challenged in a court of law. If you go through our statutes, quite a number of the laws have such ouster provisions.
Please bear in mind that we the people elect our representatives to Parliament and the respective State Assemblies to run the country/state. This is basically what democracy is all about. Instead, our elected representatives are controlled by their respective party ‘whips’. Yes, the whip can make you vote against your conscience. Our first PM, Tunku Abdul Rahman, enacted the Internal Security Act (ISA), an atrocious piece of legislation, in 1960. The ISA allows the police to enter a person’s house even at an unearthly hour to arrest him, take him away and lock him up.
Our new Chief Minister of Penang was a victim of the ISA in 1987. His father, not knowing where in heavens his son had been taken to, went to the police station in Kuala Lumpur. A smiling police officer arrested the father and imprisoned him. The officer thanked the father for voluntarily surrendering!
Talking about the most undemocratic and cruel ISA, five Hindraf leaders have been detained under this notorious ISA. One of them, lawyer, S A Manoharan, stood for election and won without personally campaigning. He is now an Assembly member, which means the people’s representative. This was a clear rebuff to Abdullah and a total rejection of Abdullah’s reason for undemocratically detaining the five Hindraf leaders.
Peaceful demonstration is everyone’s right. But for organising a very successful mammoth demonstration these five leaders have been put under ISA on unproven charges. Please, Mr. PM, start your second term of premiership by releasing them, and redeeming your tarnished reputation.
Malaysia's new Cabinet
The new cabinet consists of 32 ministers including the Prime Minister and his deputy. Malaysia’s progress, prosperity, reputation and ethnic harmony all depend upon the Cabinet’s ability, commitment and honesty.
The name of a well-known woman is missing from the list of cabinet ministers. She was investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), which concluded that there was a prima facie case against her for illegally giving out 28.7 million shares to five persons who are closely connected to well-known politicians. For reasons unknown to me, she was also under investigation for giving away thousands of Approved Permits (AP). The value of just one AP is anywhere between RM15, 000 and RM30, 000. There was a government announcement before the elections that anyone under ACA investigation would not be allowed to contest in the elections. Would she have come under that category, I wonder? Anyway, she appears to be upset.
Corruption and crime
In 2004, a few months after Abdullah became the PM, I mentioned in an article that our fourth premier, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was seen as the God-sent saviour of Malaysia. But now he is no more ssen in that light! Corruption and crime seem to be the order of the day. The PM himself mentioned over a year ago that increasing corruption is hurting our economy.
It is our duty to fight against the serious menace of corruption and crime.
The scourge of money politics
During elections in Malaysia, money politics spreads its ugly wings – though hard evidence is hard to come by. Nonetheless, there were a few instances of candidates mysteriously withdrawing from contests, leaving his only opponent to claim victory uncontested.
During the recent elections, a PKR candidate did not turn up to file his nomination papers. He just disappeared; his house was locked; his family was not to be seen anywhere. Days later he was discovered holidaying in Port Dickson. It must have been a well-earned holiday! Is this not another form of money politics? If so, it must eradicated so that our election can be free and fair.
After the election, when I tried to find out whether my PKR friends who had contested the election had won, I was informed that they were all locked up in hotels purportedly for brainstorming and that they could not be reached. I was not only shocked but became worried. It was only later that I came to know that there were attempts to buy some of them.
The Suara Keadilan of the PKR published after the election carried a story on page 6 alleging that Khairy Jamaluddin had lost the election by 83 votes on the first count but the result was reversed with a bundle of postal votes on the second count. Khairy won by 5,746! I was told that the result would be challenged in the court but this is left to be seen.
Many believe, rightly or wrongly, that the BN resorts to such illegal and shameful practices through the postal ballots to tilt the balance in favour of the BN.
U-turn on indelible ink
A few months ago, the Election Commission chairman gave us something to cheer about by announcing the use of indelible ink to stop phantom voting. A few weeks before the 8 March election, it was reported that the EC had ordered nearly 50,000 bottles of the indelible ink costing about RM2.4 million from Mysore, India. But days before the election, the Chairman rudely shocked the nation by stating that the Commission overlooked the enactment of the necessary legislation to permit the use of the indelible ink! But the BN remembered to amend the Constitution to extend the Chairman’s term of tenure to ensure that he was around for the election.
I doubt anybody believed him. The talk is that the election analysts of the Barisan Nasional would have come to the conclusion that the BN was going to face an unimaginable electoral setback. Was this the reason why the BN government extended the service of the Chairman for another year? The net result was that many believe that bus-loads of phantom voters were transported to voting centres.
Abdullah's change of style
The 12th general election had opened the eyes of the people. They now know they have the power not only to change state governments but to teach the arrogant BN a lesson that will not be easily forgotten. They will no longer be pushed around and taken note of democratic countries where ordinary people have brought about effective changes through the ballot box.
Abdullah must have taken note of the peoples mood. On 19 March, a day before Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Abdullah declared his determination to ensure efficiency, commitment, service to the people and an end to corruption and to pay special attention to the people’s problems. But does he have enough people in UMNO to help him?
There are many Malays who are educated, intelligent, honest, humble, capable and incorruptible. But hardly any of them get elected to the Umno leadership because of rampant money politics. Good people without money and connection cannot get into leadership position in UMNO. That is why UMNO is in such a bad shape. Eventually money politics will destroy UMNO. This is also Dr Mahathir’s prediction. Just imagine, Mahathir himself was not able to get elected as a delegate (a simple post) for the Kubang Pasu division to enable him to participate in the Umno general assembly last year. He and others say money politics was the reason why he did not win enough votes to be elected. Even an ex-PM who had ruled the country with absolute authority for 22 years can be a victim of money politics.
Now that the elections are over, Abdullah should concentrate his energy in running the country effectively.
Here are a few pressing issues that need the urgent attention of the BN:
* IPCMC - The PM was largely responsible for the establishment of the Royal Commission on Police. He promised to implement the Commission’s recommendations, one of which was to establish an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). It is going to be three years or so but there is no sign of IPCMC. Please implement without any further delay.
* Attorney General - The A-G must be answerable to Parliament. Let us not have another Mokhtar Abdullah.
* Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) - The ACA must be independent and their investigation report of crimes must be made public.
* Local Council elections - Please re-introduce elections for Local Councils as recommended by the Athi Nagappan committee years ago. Councillors must be accountable to the people.
* Freedom of Information - It is time Malaysia enacted a Freedom of Information Act instead of hiding their misdeeds under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
I hope and pray that PM Abdullah will fulfil all the promises he made way back in 2004.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Give prosecution powers to MCAC, says Khairy
The Edge Daily (13/5/08): Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau-BN) has called for the Malaysian Commission for Anti-Corruption (MCAC) to be given prosecution powers as part of the country’s efforts to combat corruption.
“The implementation of the suggestion will allow the commission to focus on the prosecution of corruption cases and lift the burden off the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which is facing a backlog of cases,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Debating the motion of thanks on the royal address, Khairy praised the government’s effort to fight corruption by restructuring the Anti-Corruption Agency into an independent MCAC and to provide protection to whistleblowers.
“I also hope the government will continue its effort to combat corruption through the use of modern technology,” he said, adding that this would allow for money spent on anti-corruption efforts to bring the best value.
He said the government could use information technology to lower the cost of procurement and channel the savings to development projects.
Citing the example of electronic procurement, Khairy said it could ensure that goods would be sold to the government at reasonable prices, adding that this system had lowered the costs to giant corporations by up to 25%.
In his speech, Khairy also welcomed Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s proposal to review the annual licensing requirement for the print media, which would eliminate the bureaucratic restriction on print media’s freedom.
According to him, an open, responsible and credible mass media was a pillar of democratic system and there should be an integrated effort to increase the credibility of all forms of mass media.
He said new journalists, including journalists for weblogs and Internet news portals, should also enhance their skills by undergoing professional training like new journalists in the mainstream media. “This will expose them to the basics of journalism such as ethical journalism and laws regarding sedition and false news, to produce responsible journalists.”
Once the media industry could demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, including a greater sense of responsibility, the government could transfer its role of regulating the media to an independent body, Khairy said.
Khairy also highlighted that there were models for a commission of complaints on the media in several countries to prevent seditious news reports which could incite public anger.
“If this mechanism can be established and the regulation of the media can be done independently without affecting public peace and security, and if the industry is serious about building up their capability and skill for ethical, fair and responsible journalism, then the Printing Presses and Publications Act can be abolished,” he said.
Khairy also criticised the opposition for promising to lower oil prices by tapping Petronas’ coffers to win support during the general election.
He said the government received RM48.3 billion, representing 66.2% of Petronas’ gross profit, which went straight into the government’s budget for development purposes in 2007.
“Among others, the balance of the profit is used for exploration and production activities in foreign countries. Is it wrong for Petronas to look after our future to ensure we can at least share these foreign oil reserves when our reserves dry up?”
Khairy also called for Petronas to hold a special briefing and table its complete financial report in parliament to prove that the government and the national oil company had nothing to hide.
There was a commotion when he touched on the issue of food crisis and accused the Selangor state government of giving top priority to “Projek Khinzir Raksasa” (mammoth pig project) or PKR, which is also the acronym of the largest opposition party.
He was referring to the decision of the PKR-led Selangor state government to proceed with the centralised pig farming project in Kuala Langat.
Khairy also claimed that PAS had lost its “teeth” as it failed to take DAP to task on issues such as the social contract and the Malay monarchy.
Dismissing Pakatan Rakyat as just a public relations ploy among those with different ideologies, he said PAS did not even bring up the Islamic state once it became a “junior partner” in Pakatan Rakyat.
A shouting match with name-calling ensued as Khairy refused to ,allow other members of parliament to interject his allegations and questions posed to the opposition.
At one point, Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena-PAS) responded by saying that the pig farming project in Selangor was actually approved by the previous state government led by Umno.
Retaliating to Khairy’s twist on PKR’s acronym, he said it was “Projek Babi Negara” (national pig project), which is a play on Barisan Nasional’s (BN) acronym.
“The implementation of the suggestion will allow the commission to focus on the prosecution of corruption cases and lift the burden off the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which is facing a backlog of cases,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Debating the motion of thanks on the royal address, Khairy praised the government’s effort to fight corruption by restructuring the Anti-Corruption Agency into an independent MCAC and to provide protection to whistleblowers.
“I also hope the government will continue its effort to combat corruption through the use of modern technology,” he said, adding that this would allow for money spent on anti-corruption efforts to bring the best value.
He said the government could use information technology to lower the cost of procurement and channel the savings to development projects.
Citing the example of electronic procurement, Khairy said it could ensure that goods would be sold to the government at reasonable prices, adding that this system had lowered the costs to giant corporations by up to 25%.
In his speech, Khairy also welcomed Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s proposal to review the annual licensing requirement for the print media, which would eliminate the bureaucratic restriction on print media’s freedom.
According to him, an open, responsible and credible mass media was a pillar of democratic system and there should be an integrated effort to increase the credibility of all forms of mass media.
He said new journalists, including journalists for weblogs and Internet news portals, should also enhance their skills by undergoing professional training like new journalists in the mainstream media. “This will expose them to the basics of journalism such as ethical journalism and laws regarding sedition and false news, to produce responsible journalists.”
Once the media industry could demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, including a greater sense of responsibility, the government could transfer its role of regulating the media to an independent body, Khairy said.
Khairy also highlighted that there were models for a commission of complaints on the media in several countries to prevent seditious news reports which could incite public anger.
“If this mechanism can be established and the regulation of the media can be done independently without affecting public peace and security, and if the industry is serious about building up their capability and skill for ethical, fair and responsible journalism, then the Printing Presses and Publications Act can be abolished,” he said.
Khairy also criticised the opposition for promising to lower oil prices by tapping Petronas’ coffers to win support during the general election.
He said the government received RM48.3 billion, representing 66.2% of Petronas’ gross profit, which went straight into the government’s budget for development purposes in 2007.
“Among others, the balance of the profit is used for exploration and production activities in foreign countries. Is it wrong for Petronas to look after our future to ensure we can at least share these foreign oil reserves when our reserves dry up?”
Khairy also called for Petronas to hold a special briefing and table its complete financial report in parliament to prove that the government and the national oil company had nothing to hide.
There was a commotion when he touched on the issue of food crisis and accused the Selangor state government of giving top priority to “Projek Khinzir Raksasa” (mammoth pig project) or PKR, which is also the acronym of the largest opposition party.
He was referring to the decision of the PKR-led Selangor state government to proceed with the centralised pig farming project in Kuala Langat.
Khairy also claimed that PAS had lost its “teeth” as it failed to take DAP to task on issues such as the social contract and the Malay monarchy.
Dismissing Pakatan Rakyat as just a public relations ploy among those with different ideologies, he said PAS did not even bring up the Islamic state once it became a “junior partner” in Pakatan Rakyat.
A shouting match with name-calling ensued as Khairy refused to ,allow other members of parliament to interject his allegations and questions posed to the opposition.
At one point, Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena-PAS) responded by saying that the pig farming project in Selangor was actually approved by the previous state government led by Umno.
Retaliating to Khairy’s twist on PKR’s acronym, he said it was “Projek Babi Negara” (national pig project), which is a play on Barisan Nasional’s (BN) acronym.
Play on PKR acronym draws sharp protests
NST (13/5/08): What's in an acronym? Quite a lot, judging from the reactions of some MPs in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
It started with a play on PKR, the acronym for Parti Keadilan Rakyat, by the BN backbencher for Rembau, Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy, who had been talking about food self-sufficiency, said statistics showed that apart from chicken and pork, all other food was imported to meet local demand.
"But this is not enough, and a state government has made it its priority to approve a monster pig breeding project or, Projek Khinzir Raksasa or, in short, PKR," he said.
This remark brought a sharp protest from the PKR member for Kulim Bandar Baru, Zulkifli Nordin, who demanded a retraction.
But Khairy refused and maintained that his use of the acronym was not aimed at anyone and that it was merely an abbreviation.
Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena) shouted that pig breeding programmes could be named project Babi Negara or BN.
After all, he said, the BN government too had provided assistance for the project, which was initiated by the previous Selangor BN administration.
This brought howls of derision from the backbenchers who felt that unlike Khairy, the opposition had deliberately coined an abbreviation which rhymed with Barisan Nasional.
Deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee had his hands full keeping order and the shouting abated when Khairy ended his speech.
Khairy's run-in with the opposition was the culmination of repeated attempts by the opposition to get him to allow them to seek clarifications.
He had steadfastly refused as he was running short on time.
"You make allegations against everyone, but you don't want to give way to us," chided Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong), but Khairy refused to budge.
Earlier in the debate, Khairy called on the government to review its fuel subsidy programme which he said was not benefiting the target group.
He also called on the government to provide a special briefing in Parliament on Petronas and its financial position.
Khairy said the briefing was essential to show that the government was not hiding anything from the public.
It started with a play on PKR, the acronym for Parti Keadilan Rakyat, by the BN backbencher for Rembau, Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy, who had been talking about food self-sufficiency, said statistics showed that apart from chicken and pork, all other food was imported to meet local demand.
"But this is not enough, and a state government has made it its priority to approve a monster pig breeding project or, Projek Khinzir Raksasa or, in short, PKR," he said.
This remark brought a sharp protest from the PKR member for Kulim Bandar Baru, Zulkifli Nordin, who demanded a retraction.
But Khairy refused and maintained that his use of the acronym was not aimed at anyone and that it was merely an abbreviation.
Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena) shouted that pig breeding programmes could be named project Babi Negara or BN.
After all, he said, the BN government too had provided assistance for the project, which was initiated by the previous Selangor BN administration.
This brought howls of derision from the backbenchers who felt that unlike Khairy, the opposition had deliberately coined an abbreviation which rhymed with Barisan Nasional.
Deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee had his hands full keeping order and the shouting abated when Khairy ended his speech.
Khairy's run-in with the opposition was the culmination of repeated attempts by the opposition to get him to allow them to seek clarifications.
He had steadfastly refused as he was running short on time.
"You make allegations against everyone, but you don't want to give way to us," chided Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong), but Khairy refused to budge.
Earlier in the debate, Khairy called on the government to review its fuel subsidy programme which he said was not benefiting the target group.
He also called on the government to provide a special briefing in Parliament on Petronas and its financial position.
Khairy said the briefing was essential to show that the government was not hiding anything from the public.
Khairy's debate turns into a 'piggy' affair
The Sun (12/5/08): The maiden debate of Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau), the son-in-law of the prime minister, on the motion of thanks for the royal address in Parliament today, turned into a name-calling affair.
Khairy riled the Opposition MPs when he gave a new definition to the acronym PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat). He called it Projek Khinzir Raksasa (monstrous pig-farming project) -- an apparent reference to the Selangor government's approval of the pig-farming project in Sepang..
Not to be outdone, Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) defined the project as Projek Babi Negara (national pig project) -- a reference to BN.
The name-calling started soon after MPs from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) – defined as the 'Public Relations' alliance by Khairy -- were not allowed to seek clarification despite being hurled various accusations by Khairy in his speech.
Khairy had declined to allow any MP to have the floor during his debate, giving the 30-minute time limit as his reason for doing so.
Matters heated up after Khairy accused the Opposition of fishing for votes in the general election when it promised to reduce fuel prices.
Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) then called for Point-of-Order referring to Rule 36 of the Standing Orders and refused to divulge its provision until Khairy sat down.
"This is not a reading lesson," Karpal Singh explained, to which Khairy said there was no point to his Rule-of-Order and continued reading his speech, calling for a briefing to be organised so Petronas and the government can clarify about the monies and to clear any impression that there were funds that could be used to reduce the price of fuel.
At this point Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping) was also refused to seek clarification as Khairy quipped: "What? You don’t understand? I’m not giving way, please sit down."
In his debate, he congratulated the government on its steps of reform to the administration, including the announcement of the Judicial Appointments Commission, the Malaysian Commission of Anti-Corruption, the government’s ability to maintain a low price of fuel as compared with other Asean countries.
"The Opposition alleged that BN leaders are arrogant and elite and ask us to look at ourselves. However, just two months after being called Yang Berhormat, who is arrogant in the house and brags that they will be in power of Putrajaya in a few months?
"Who is actually setting the democratic principles in the back seat by offering BN members a place in their party through the back door to shape the government?" Khairy questioned.
"They do not dare see their own reflection of a brittle coalition and that is why I say it is a Public Relations Alliance which looks nice in the eyes of the people, attractive and looks strong but actually, has nothing fundamental," he charged.
This then erupted into a loud war of words between the numerous PR and BN MPs who shouted insults at each other simultaneously, almost throughout the remaining of Khairy’s debate.
When Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee finally took charge of the situation several minutes later, he held that he was limiting the next parliamentarians to debate on their motion of thanks to 20 minutes only.
Khairy riled the Opposition MPs when he gave a new definition to the acronym PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat). He called it Projek Khinzir Raksasa (monstrous pig-farming project) -- an apparent reference to the Selangor government's approval of the pig-farming project in Sepang..
Not to be outdone, Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) defined the project as Projek Babi Negara (national pig project) -- a reference to BN.
The name-calling started soon after MPs from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) – defined as the 'Public Relations' alliance by Khairy -- were not allowed to seek clarification despite being hurled various accusations by Khairy in his speech.
Khairy had declined to allow any MP to have the floor during his debate, giving the 30-minute time limit as his reason for doing so.
Matters heated up after Khairy accused the Opposition of fishing for votes in the general election when it promised to reduce fuel prices.
Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) then called for Point-of-Order referring to Rule 36 of the Standing Orders and refused to divulge its provision until Khairy sat down.
"This is not a reading lesson," Karpal Singh explained, to which Khairy said there was no point to his Rule-of-Order and continued reading his speech, calling for a briefing to be organised so Petronas and the government can clarify about the monies and to clear any impression that there were funds that could be used to reduce the price of fuel.
At this point Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping) was also refused to seek clarification as Khairy quipped: "What? You don’t understand? I’m not giving way, please sit down."
In his debate, he congratulated the government on its steps of reform to the administration, including the announcement of the Judicial Appointments Commission, the Malaysian Commission of Anti-Corruption, the government’s ability to maintain a low price of fuel as compared with other Asean countries.
"The Opposition alleged that BN leaders are arrogant and elite and ask us to look at ourselves. However, just two months after being called Yang Berhormat, who is arrogant in the house and brags that they will be in power of Putrajaya in a few months?
"Who is actually setting the democratic principles in the back seat by offering BN members a place in their party through the back door to shape the government?" Khairy questioned.
"They do not dare see their own reflection of a brittle coalition and that is why I say it is a Public Relations Alliance which looks nice in the eyes of the people, attractive and looks strong but actually, has nothing fundamental," he charged.
This then erupted into a loud war of words between the numerous PR and BN MPs who shouted insults at each other simultaneously, almost throughout the remaining of Khairy’s debate.
When Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee finally took charge of the situation several minutes later, he held that he was limiting the next parliamentarians to debate on their motion of thanks to 20 minutes only.
Monday, May 12, 2008
'Pakatan' merely a PR exercise - Khairy
Bernama (12/5/08): A backbencher said Monday that the opposition coalition comprising PAS, DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) known as `Pakatan Rakyat' is merely a public relations (PR) exercise.
Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) said the coalition was actually fragile, weak and suspicious of one another and were afraid of being stabbed in the back by each other.
"The coalition is purely a PR exercise. PAS and DAP are only putting up a show so that they will look impressive and strong in the eyes of the public. But in reality, there is clearly no mutual understanding basically," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the Royal address at the Dewan Rakyat Monday.
He questioned the PAS stand on the social contract raised by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) so that it would be reviewed as well as the issue on the Islamic state pursued by PAS.
The lack of response to the issues raised by Lim portrayed the Islamic party as a `toothless lion' and afraid of the mastermind that PAS was collaborating with, Khairy said.
"We in the ruling party are also not ideal and have our weaknesses. But for as long as the Barisan Nasional (BN) is helming the federal government, we will defend the social contract that is enshrined in the Constitution," he said.
Khairy also questioned why Pakatan Rakyat could not give a commitment to do away with the New Economic Policy in all the states under its administration for greater uniformity and consistency.
He said the inconsistency was apparent in the five states administered by the Pakatan Rakyat where in Kedah and Kelantan it was an Islamic State, a Malaysian Malaysia in Penang, a puppet government in Perak and the pig breeding project in Selangor.
He also asked for a special briefing to be held in Parliament where a detailed statement would be tabled so that the financial position and where the Petronas profits were being channelled to would be clearly understood by all members of Parliament.
According to the Petronas financial statement 2007, the government received RM48.3 billion in terms of taxes and royalty and this amount represented 66.2 per cent of the gross profits of Petronas while the balance was utilised for oil explorations in foreign countries.
Khairy also suggested that the government adopted the `e-perolehan' system which was capable of saving as much as 25 per cent in terms of cost for the purchase of items as was being practised by mega companies in the world.
He also proposed the `track and trace' system in the government administration so that the public could obtain immediate and current feedback on their applications which would improve the delivery system and reduce corruption.
In his speech, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) defended his statement which touched on the rights of the Malay Rulers, which he said had not violated the law.
"So far, 20 police reports had been made against me, even 2,000 police reports can be made, but what I had stated (on the issue of the transfer of the Perak Islamic Religious Department Director Datuk Jamry Suri) did not breach the law," he said.
He hoped the Attorney-General would give appropriate consideration when the investigation reports on the case were sent to him very soon.
The Dewan Rakyat will sit again Tuesday.
Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) said the coalition was actually fragile, weak and suspicious of one another and were afraid of being stabbed in the back by each other.
"The coalition is purely a PR exercise. PAS and DAP are only putting up a show so that they will look impressive and strong in the eyes of the public. But in reality, there is clearly no mutual understanding basically," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the Royal address at the Dewan Rakyat Monday.
He questioned the PAS stand on the social contract raised by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) so that it would be reviewed as well as the issue on the Islamic state pursued by PAS.
The lack of response to the issues raised by Lim portrayed the Islamic party as a `toothless lion' and afraid of the mastermind that PAS was collaborating with, Khairy said.
"We in the ruling party are also not ideal and have our weaknesses. But for as long as the Barisan Nasional (BN) is helming the federal government, we will defend the social contract that is enshrined in the Constitution," he said.
Khairy also questioned why Pakatan Rakyat could not give a commitment to do away with the New Economic Policy in all the states under its administration for greater uniformity and consistency.
He said the inconsistency was apparent in the five states administered by the Pakatan Rakyat where in Kedah and Kelantan it was an Islamic State, a Malaysian Malaysia in Penang, a puppet government in Perak and the pig breeding project in Selangor.
He also asked for a special briefing to be held in Parliament where a detailed statement would be tabled so that the financial position and where the Petronas profits were being channelled to would be clearly understood by all members of Parliament.
According to the Petronas financial statement 2007, the government received RM48.3 billion in terms of taxes and royalty and this amount represented 66.2 per cent of the gross profits of Petronas while the balance was utilised for oil explorations in foreign countries.
Khairy also suggested that the government adopted the `e-perolehan' system which was capable of saving as much as 25 per cent in terms of cost for the purchase of items as was being practised by mega companies in the world.
He also proposed the `track and trace' system in the government administration so that the public could obtain immediate and current feedback on their applications which would improve the delivery system and reduce corruption.
In his speech, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) defended his statement which touched on the rights of the Malay Rulers, which he said had not violated the law.
"So far, 20 police reports had been made against me, even 2,000 police reports can be made, but what I had stated (on the issue of the transfer of the Perak Islamic Religious Department Director Datuk Jamry Suri) did not breach the law," he said.
He hoped the Attorney-General would give appropriate consideration when the investigation reports on the case were sent to him very soon.
The Dewan Rakyat will sit again Tuesday.
Is KJ the young and the restless ‘Prince of Darkness’?
NST (12/5/08): At the prime age of 32, Khairy Jamaludin has somewhat effortlessly elevated himself as perhaps the most maligned political operative-turned-elected representative in the Malaysian political orbit, more so in its riotous blogosphere, next to the dominating presence of a certain ex-Prime Minister and a certain ex-Deputy Prime Minister. Placing his name in the same stratosphere as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for this dispatch is also certain to attract a dense level of malignancy.
No matter. Khairy is always a good news item, even if the news adds a little more notoriety for him. He is finger-licking good copy for political commentaries, star character in the sensationalistic stories of Raja Petra Kamarudin’s ‘Khairy Chronicles’ for a mix of hair-raising parables and seeming truth, fodder for gossip at all levels of society, punching bag for the Pakatan Rakyat in their crowd-pleasing ceramahs and more recently, zesty prey for opposition MPs to grind razor-sharp axes for the chop in their Dewan Rakyat debates and rejoinders.
Endlessly battered and scapegoated, he’s still a bothersome presence for many of his critics and he is, amazingly, still in one piece, more energised than before. His ascendancy to MP for Rembau is not long and not arduous, though he weathered a national onslaught that befell the sturdiest of Barisan stalwarts in the March 8 polls. He also scored huge political merit points when Malaysiakini apologised to him for misreporting that there was a recount against him during counting for the Rembau parliamentary seat on polling night.
Khairy is a dream “babe magnet” for all forms of political discourse and the man seems to be absorbing the fire arrows with a singular, “come-and-get-me” youthful temerity. He is blamed – fairly or unfairly, rightfully or wrongfully – for all that is wrong with this country, from cronyism, interference in the conception and running of Government policies due to his filial proximity to the PM, blanket dominance of major mega Government contracts.
But if the pejoratives are believable, is Khairy the new “Prince of Darkness”, the boy who may soon be king? Not if the raucous crowd of political bloodhounds dogged in their collective efforts to bring him down, or at least, cut him down a notch or two, can help it. Yet, he is not without charm, persuasive powers and sophistication (not to mention a dapper in a stylish suit), a slick marketer capable of presenting a well-structured sales pitch and a self-advertiser of his own untrammelled talent for timing and opportunity. Within meteoric parameters, he rose to power as Umno Youth deputy chief and won a deputy presidency in the Football Association of Malaysia in October last year, all within four years.
The timing and opportunity to unleash his aspirations, vision and ambition arrived when he stood up to deliver his maiden Dewan Rakyat speech in support of the royal address. And what an explosive, not-safe-at-any-altitude speech it was – cogent, forceful and constructive on pressing social, economic and political issues of the day, when he was not rudely interjected by rival MPs. And yet, he was mockingly and derisively contemptuous of rival MPs, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) in particular, and scathing in his attacks against Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat. In a sense, Khairy was releasing months, if not years, of frustration of being unable to freely respond to all attacks for fear of political reprisals.
Khairy, while supporting the PM’s move to set up the Judiciary Appointments Commission which he believed would not erode the Prime Minister’s prerogative or the monarchy’s sanctity to give consent to new judges, called for commission representatives to be also filled by ex-judges and legal intellects of “knowledge, experience and integrity.” But his more urgent call was for the commission to have indictment powers, more so to release the burden of backlog piling up at the Attorney-General’s chambers.
He supported withdrawal of red tape conundrum to license the print media but his proposal that bloggers be given the same professional training as mainstream media journalists would likely raise heckles among the more boisterous bloggers while suggesting that if the media can agree to emulate a neutral Media Complaints Commission to check slander and defamation, and agree to self-imposed ethics, fairness and responsibility, the tough printing presses act can go the way of the dodo. By this time, he also deflected three interjections, refusing to give way to rival MPs to seek clarification.
Excitement and incitement brewed after Khairy articulated the need to reform national subsidies for a truer target and while he was elaborating on the oil/petrol price crises, he launch the first of his well-prepared attacks against Anwar Ibrahim, accusing the ex-Finance Minister of conveniently forgetting that during his eight-year Cabinet tenure of zero petrol price hike, oil was a lowly US$16-26 a barrel, unlike the current prices that have surpassed US$120 a barrel.
“What was so difficult about his era? Oil prices were extremely low,” Khairy thundered. “Don’t be self-congratulatory when you are actually fooling the people…the Government’s handling of the oil prices now to be the lowest among Asean nations is far more praiseworthy. This is not even opening the story of the PKR adviser’s absolute failure to check the 1997 financial crisis!”
You can sense the blood boiling at the PKR end of the House and still Khairy won’t budge from his refusal to allow a single clarification to his attacks. Emboldened by the momentum of his speech, Khairy kicked in the booster rockets. As he outlined efforts to contain the food crisis and offered some pointers on reducing the burden of production, he pointed out that chicken and pork were the only food production that were a 100 per cent self-sufficient, so much so that a certain State Government had made pig rearing a priority project that he handily coined as “Projek Khinzir Raksasa” (Mammoth Pig Project), alluding to the PKR acronym and the fact that the word ’khinzir’ to replace ‘babi’ was Anwar’s doing when he was DPM. Here’s the irony: for his entire rebuke against Anwar, Khairy reminded veterans in the august hall of a 1970s Anwar Ibrahim at the peak of his fire breathing grandiloquence, doused somewhat when he joined the Government in 1982.
The ruckus that followed was predictable but the intensity wasn’t. A dozen indignant PKR, DAP and Pas Mps sprang up like multiple jack-in-the-boxes, demanding clarification but only Zulkifli Noordin (PKR-Kulim Bandar Baru) was given the floor for his point of order, demanding that Khairy withdraw the acronym under Standing Orders 36 (4) as words that were improperly uttered.
Khairy steadfastly defended his ground while under the virulent attacks of rival backbenchers, refusing to give way when a slew of DAP, PKR and Pas MPs demanded clarification on his attacks. Sensing that Khairy was never giving way, other rival MPs used an alternative tact to deter Khairy by invoking various point of orders: that Khairy was reading (BN backbenchers shouted back that even the Opposition leader read while debating), MPs had the right to seek clarification (the Speaker stated that KJ had the right not to give way), uttering words that cause pain (it wasn’t clear what the Speaker ruled but the this triggered titters from Barisan backbenchers who shouted back that Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) uttered far more worse improper words).
Lim took the liberty of elaborating his point of order by an off-tangent demonstration – a newspaper report that Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik had spoken improperly and misbehaved. You should have heard the pure cacophony of clashing human voices that erupted – Khairy and BN backbenchers shouting at Lim to stand down while the DAP adviser continued droning while opposition backbenchers launched collective shouts and screams, including a high-pitch vent by Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) that summarised the verbal orgy.
While the verbal free-for-all hurtled towards a free fall, Khairy literally played to the gallery: he turned to the public gallery directly behind him filled with secondary school students of the Malacca High School, smirking at the confusion and mockingly pointed with his hand to the rival MPs side as if he was saying: “See…this is the kind of MPs you have for the Opposition.”
In between the vocal vents, verbal wrestling and trash talk, out came this epithet from N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai): “Babi negara!” and in unison, Khairy and a dozen BN backbenchers jumped, shouting: “Who is babi negara? Say it! Say it!”
When the Speaker managed to douse the fire breathers who threatened to inflamed proceedings, Khairy found a little bit of peace to continue with his speech, slamming Lim Kit Siang’s personal attacks he endured last week (“richest unemployed man in the world”), lambasting Pas’ fear of DAP, fear of raising the Islamic state struggle and fear of chiding Karpal when the latter questioned the powers of the Sultan of Perak in the state’s state religious director’s transfer fiasco, inferring that the Pakatan Rakyat acronym of PR actually stood for “public relations” where policy-making by opposition parties were PR stunts.
But KJ hit sonic boom when he lashed out the following: “Although you sleep in one bed, one mattress, one pillow but you dream differently! There are some who dream of flying carpets, some who dream of flying rockets and some who dream of flying pigs!” Eight indignant opposition MPs stood up like marionettes strung up by a puppeteer but Khairy insisted that no one gets a chance to seek clarification. “Get your clarification on your own time. My time is precious,” he barked back.
With time running out and sensing that the agitated rival MPs will not allow him a landmine-free passage to conclude his seven-page speech, Khairy abruptly ended his speech one page less by debunking Pakatan Rakyat’s boast that they were better administrators than the previous Barisan State Governments, especially belittling the Selangor Government’s exclusive allocation of RM500,000 only to PR assemblymen after demanding that the Federal Government spread allocation justly to all elected reps.
“Is that fair? You don’t walk the talk,” Khairy contended. “This is just two months of ruling and you have cleverly lied and manipulated. If the Kuala Krai MP claim that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, the Pakatan Rakyat’s action proves that even a little power corrupts very quickly….”
No matter. Khairy is always a good news item, even if the news adds a little more notoriety for him. He is finger-licking good copy for political commentaries, star character in the sensationalistic stories of Raja Petra Kamarudin’s ‘Khairy Chronicles’ for a mix of hair-raising parables and seeming truth, fodder for gossip at all levels of society, punching bag for the Pakatan Rakyat in their crowd-pleasing ceramahs and more recently, zesty prey for opposition MPs to grind razor-sharp axes for the chop in their Dewan Rakyat debates and rejoinders.
Endlessly battered and scapegoated, he’s still a bothersome presence for many of his critics and he is, amazingly, still in one piece, more energised than before. His ascendancy to MP for Rembau is not long and not arduous, though he weathered a national onslaught that befell the sturdiest of Barisan stalwarts in the March 8 polls. He also scored huge political merit points when Malaysiakini apologised to him for misreporting that there was a recount against him during counting for the Rembau parliamentary seat on polling night.
Khairy is a dream “babe magnet” for all forms of political discourse and the man seems to be absorbing the fire arrows with a singular, “come-and-get-me” youthful temerity. He is blamed – fairly or unfairly, rightfully or wrongfully – for all that is wrong with this country, from cronyism, interference in the conception and running of Government policies due to his filial proximity to the PM, blanket dominance of major mega Government contracts.
But if the pejoratives are believable, is Khairy the new “Prince of Darkness”, the boy who may soon be king? Not if the raucous crowd of political bloodhounds dogged in their collective efforts to bring him down, or at least, cut him down a notch or two, can help it. Yet, he is not without charm, persuasive powers and sophistication (not to mention a dapper in a stylish suit), a slick marketer capable of presenting a well-structured sales pitch and a self-advertiser of his own untrammelled talent for timing and opportunity. Within meteoric parameters, he rose to power as Umno Youth deputy chief and won a deputy presidency in the Football Association of Malaysia in October last year, all within four years.
The timing and opportunity to unleash his aspirations, vision and ambition arrived when he stood up to deliver his maiden Dewan Rakyat speech in support of the royal address. And what an explosive, not-safe-at-any-altitude speech it was – cogent, forceful and constructive on pressing social, economic and political issues of the day, when he was not rudely interjected by rival MPs. And yet, he was mockingly and derisively contemptuous of rival MPs, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) in particular, and scathing in his attacks against Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat. In a sense, Khairy was releasing months, if not years, of frustration of being unable to freely respond to all attacks for fear of political reprisals.
Khairy, while supporting the PM’s move to set up the Judiciary Appointments Commission which he believed would not erode the Prime Minister’s prerogative or the monarchy’s sanctity to give consent to new judges, called for commission representatives to be also filled by ex-judges and legal intellects of “knowledge, experience and integrity.” But his more urgent call was for the commission to have indictment powers, more so to release the burden of backlog piling up at the Attorney-General’s chambers.
He supported withdrawal of red tape conundrum to license the print media but his proposal that bloggers be given the same professional training as mainstream media journalists would likely raise heckles among the more boisterous bloggers while suggesting that if the media can agree to emulate a neutral Media Complaints Commission to check slander and defamation, and agree to self-imposed ethics, fairness and responsibility, the tough printing presses act can go the way of the dodo. By this time, he also deflected three interjections, refusing to give way to rival MPs to seek clarification.
Excitement and incitement brewed after Khairy articulated the need to reform national subsidies for a truer target and while he was elaborating on the oil/petrol price crises, he launch the first of his well-prepared attacks against Anwar Ibrahim, accusing the ex-Finance Minister of conveniently forgetting that during his eight-year Cabinet tenure of zero petrol price hike, oil was a lowly US$16-26 a barrel, unlike the current prices that have surpassed US$120 a barrel.
“What was so difficult about his era? Oil prices were extremely low,” Khairy thundered. “Don’t be self-congratulatory when you are actually fooling the people…the Government’s handling of the oil prices now to be the lowest among Asean nations is far more praiseworthy. This is not even opening the story of the PKR adviser’s absolute failure to check the 1997 financial crisis!”
You can sense the blood boiling at the PKR end of the House and still Khairy won’t budge from his refusal to allow a single clarification to his attacks. Emboldened by the momentum of his speech, Khairy kicked in the booster rockets. As he outlined efforts to contain the food crisis and offered some pointers on reducing the burden of production, he pointed out that chicken and pork were the only food production that were a 100 per cent self-sufficient, so much so that a certain State Government had made pig rearing a priority project that he handily coined as “Projek Khinzir Raksasa” (Mammoth Pig Project), alluding to the PKR acronym and the fact that the word ’khinzir’ to replace ‘babi’ was Anwar’s doing when he was DPM. Here’s the irony: for his entire rebuke against Anwar, Khairy reminded veterans in the august hall of a 1970s Anwar Ibrahim at the peak of his fire breathing grandiloquence, doused somewhat when he joined the Government in 1982.
The ruckus that followed was predictable but the intensity wasn’t. A dozen indignant PKR, DAP and Pas Mps sprang up like multiple jack-in-the-boxes, demanding clarification but only Zulkifli Noordin (PKR-Kulim Bandar Baru) was given the floor for his point of order, demanding that Khairy withdraw the acronym under Standing Orders 36 (4) as words that were improperly uttered.
Khairy steadfastly defended his ground while under the virulent attacks of rival backbenchers, refusing to give way when a slew of DAP, PKR and Pas MPs demanded clarification on his attacks. Sensing that Khairy was never giving way, other rival MPs used an alternative tact to deter Khairy by invoking various point of orders: that Khairy was reading (BN backbenchers shouted back that even the Opposition leader read while debating), MPs had the right to seek clarification (the Speaker stated that KJ had the right not to give way), uttering words that cause pain (it wasn’t clear what the Speaker ruled but the this triggered titters from Barisan backbenchers who shouted back that Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) uttered far more worse improper words).
Lim took the liberty of elaborating his point of order by an off-tangent demonstration – a newspaper report that Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik had spoken improperly and misbehaved. You should have heard the pure cacophony of clashing human voices that erupted – Khairy and BN backbenchers shouting at Lim to stand down while the DAP adviser continued droning while opposition backbenchers launched collective shouts and screams, including a high-pitch vent by Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) that summarised the verbal orgy.
While the verbal free-for-all hurtled towards a free fall, Khairy literally played to the gallery: he turned to the public gallery directly behind him filled with secondary school students of the Malacca High School, smirking at the confusion and mockingly pointed with his hand to the rival MPs side as if he was saying: “See…this is the kind of MPs you have for the Opposition.”
In between the vocal vents, verbal wrestling and trash talk, out came this epithet from N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai): “Babi negara!” and in unison, Khairy and a dozen BN backbenchers jumped, shouting: “Who is babi negara? Say it! Say it!”
When the Speaker managed to douse the fire breathers who threatened to inflamed proceedings, Khairy found a little bit of peace to continue with his speech, slamming Lim Kit Siang’s personal attacks he endured last week (“richest unemployed man in the world”), lambasting Pas’ fear of DAP, fear of raising the Islamic state struggle and fear of chiding Karpal when the latter questioned the powers of the Sultan of Perak in the state’s state religious director’s transfer fiasco, inferring that the Pakatan Rakyat acronym of PR actually stood for “public relations” where policy-making by opposition parties were PR stunts.
But KJ hit sonic boom when he lashed out the following: “Although you sleep in one bed, one mattress, one pillow but you dream differently! There are some who dream of flying carpets, some who dream of flying rockets and some who dream of flying pigs!” Eight indignant opposition MPs stood up like marionettes strung up by a puppeteer but Khairy insisted that no one gets a chance to seek clarification. “Get your clarification on your own time. My time is precious,” he barked back.
With time running out and sensing that the agitated rival MPs will not allow him a landmine-free passage to conclude his seven-page speech, Khairy abruptly ended his speech one page less by debunking Pakatan Rakyat’s boast that they were better administrators than the previous Barisan State Governments, especially belittling the Selangor Government’s exclusive allocation of RM500,000 only to PR assemblymen after demanding that the Federal Government spread allocation justly to all elected reps.
“Is that fair? You don’t walk the talk,” Khairy contended. “This is just two months of ruling and you have cleverly lied and manipulated. If the Kuala Krai MP claim that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, the Pakatan Rakyat’s action proves that even a little power corrupts very quickly….”
Pig-farming takes centrestage at Dewan
The Star (12/5/08): Pig-farming projects took centrestage in the Dewan Rakyat as MPs from both sides of the House got into a mud-slinging fight on Monday.
"A state government had put its priority in approving the Projek Khinzir Raksasa (Gigantic Pig Project) or its short form PKR," said Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) when highlighting the issue of self-sufficient commodities - rice, beef, vegetables and mutton.
This riled the Opposition, especially members of PKR, who stood up and defended their party.
But none of them was given a chance to interject as Khairy had been refusing to allow anyone to seek explanation since the beginning of his speech.
Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena) then took a pot shot back at Barisan Nasional by saying that PBN was meant for Projek Babi Negara (National Pig Farming Project).
Khairy demanded to know who was the person who shouted and asked for a retraction.
However, he did not manage to find out the “culprit".
Despite the long and heated argument, Khairy managed to finish reading his five-and-a-half page speech.
So far 25 MPs had taken part in the motion of thanks, which left 128 more MPs to give their speech.
The debate session will resume at 2.30pm.
"A state government had put its priority in approving the Projek Khinzir Raksasa (Gigantic Pig Project) or its short form PKR," said Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) when highlighting the issue of self-sufficient commodities - rice, beef, vegetables and mutton.
This riled the Opposition, especially members of PKR, who stood up and defended their party.
But none of them was given a chance to interject as Khairy had been refusing to allow anyone to seek explanation since the beginning of his speech.
Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena) then took a pot shot back at Barisan Nasional by saying that PBN was meant for Projek Babi Negara (National Pig Farming Project).
Khairy demanded to know who was the person who shouted and asked for a retraction.
However, he did not manage to find out the “culprit".
Despite the long and heated argument, Khairy managed to finish reading his five-and-a-half page speech.
So far 25 MPs had taken part in the motion of thanks, which left 128 more MPs to give their speech.
The debate session will resume at 2.30pm.
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