Position of PM’s special officers in government-linked firms criticised

The Star (28/5/08): The presence of the Prime Minister’s special officers as board members in government-linked companies came under heavy criticism in the Dewan.

Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR – Machang) questioned why the Prime Minister’s special officers and political secretaries should be appointed as board members of these companies when such posts could be given to government officers from ministries, whose activities were related to the agencies.

Citing Malaysia Resources Corp Bhd, Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd, Malaysia Biotech Corp and Inno Bio Ventures Sdn Bhd as some of the companies which had the Prime Minister’s officials as directors, he said:

“They are there not because they are outstanding figures in the industry. They can influence the board’s decision and compromise the respective boards' decisions.

“This is an unhealthy practice which creates a conflict of interest and makes a mockery of the Government’s push for integrity,” he said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill.

He also questioned how it was possible for the Terengganu Government to not know anything about projects being implemented in the state after they were approved by the Federal Government.

The projects, he said, seemed to “come down from the sky”, adding:

“The Federal Government should also explain the differences in oil revenues paid to the Federal Government and those that had been allocated for Terengganu.”

Saifuddin questioned how a mentri besar had to bow to pressures and influence-peddling from “big towkays” who got big projects funded by oil money slotted for the state.

Marang MP Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who debated the bill later, said the Auditor-General’s report revealed that the expenses to organise the Monsoon Cup race was not reported to the Government.

“There is an element of concealment in the event’s finances and I hope the Government will reply on this and take action if any improprieties had occurred,” he added. (Comments)

Who can replace Abdullah?

‘Good numbers’ ready to defect to PKR, says Azmin

The Edge Daily (16/5/08): Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice president Azmin Ali (Gombak-PKR) insisted that good numbers of MPs on both sides of the South China Sea would be defecting to the party.

“We have good numbers. Credible numbers. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said many times that we need a strong and credible government. If we only have 30 then there is a lot of risk because it would be a fragile government.

“We do not want to form a fragile government. We want to form a strong government and want the transition to be smooth. That is also an important element that we have to consider,” he said in Parliament lobby yesterday.

When told that the Sabah MPs had said they were not going to cross over, Azmin said: “Wait and see.”

He said Anwar and PKR were approached by the MPs first instead of the other way round. He also challenged Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan to prove the allegations of attempts to buy him over by PKR.

On Wednesday, Abdul Rahman said that “friends”, who had good connections in both Umno and PKR had approached him and asked if he wanted to create history by bringing down the Barisan Nasional government.

Azmin said the MPs knew they need a strong leadership. “We have a leadership issue in the country, which is weak leadership. Do not underestimate the MPs’ wisdom.

“They need a strong person who can call the shots and offer good development package,” he said, adding his party did not offer any monetary enticement but development packages for the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the MPs’ anger was real, as they had to go back and face their constituents.

Asked on the date that Pakatan Rakyat would be forming the federal government, Azmin said Anwar had mentioned September 16. “It would be formed latest by September 16.”

On Information Minister Datuk Shaberry Cheek labelling of leaders who pleaded for crossovers as ‘political prostitutes’, Azmin said: “Who was Shaberry Cheek before this? From PAS to Semangat 46 and then to Umno. He is the political prostitute if he wants to use the term. I didn’t use it. Tell him to remember the history.”

On the 20% oil royalty that PKR is offering, he said rational people would accept that as compared to the 5% offered by BN.

As for the complications in adjusting the oil royalty agreement between Petronas and the government, Azmin said: “They cancelled the one between Petronas and Terengganu. Umno converted the oil royalty into Wang Ehsan. How do you explain that?”

He also reiterated they would reduce the petrol and gas prices upon forming the federal government. They would return the royalty to Terengganu while abolishing the Federal Development Department (JPP) in Kelantan and Sabah, he added.

Azmin also told reporters that the shadow Cabinet would be announced in due time.

Asked if Anwar would contest in a by-election he said there were several options available for Anwar, including a senatorship and by-election.

Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili yesterday denied that some BN MPs had switched parties. According to a Bernama report, Ongkili said the matter was an old story and the speculation had been spreading since the 12th general election concluded.

“The rumour from the opposition is actually to undermine the existing political stability. I feel it is also to undermine the mental stability of politicians from Sabah and Sarawak,” he told reporters after officiating at Mimos Bhd’s portal eBioChem at Seri Kembangan near here.

Barisan has until August to resolve Sabah issues, says Yong

The Star (14/5/08): Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee has given Barisan Nasional an ultimatum to resolve Sabah’s issues by August.

After that, there will be no guarantee that SAPP members will remain in Barisan, he told reporters at Parliament lobby here yesterday.

He said, however, that the 16 Sabah MPs speculated to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat today were not from SAPP.

He said this did not mean that Barisan leaders should rule out the possibility that his members could leave the coalition in the near future.

He said now was the opportunity for Sabah to push its requests to the Federal Government.

“This is the best time for Sabah but it is also the most important time for Barisan to do something for Sabah because if we do not do something, Sabah will be returned to its subservient role after August, as September is the fasting month, October is Hari Raya and December is the Umno general election.

“If nothing happens, an explosion will take place in January, where the Opposition will come into play,” he said.

Asked if he was approached by Pakatan Rakyat or Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said it was not necessary to be approached as Anwar had already announced an attractive offer during the election campaign.

“Anwar is clearly a factor, the announcement of Sabah getting 20% of oil royalties means we will get RM2bil a year,” he said.

Yong also said the real question in Sabah was not whether Barisan MPs would cross over but the actual problems that Sabah had been facing.

“Crossovers only concern the central government because they are worried about their own stability,” he said.

He also said if nothing were to happen until next January, Barisan leaders would “come after those Sabah MPs who are speaking up now”.

Earlier, Yong met up with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and asked him to resolve the issues in Sabah.

He said Abdullah was concerned and agreed that the Government would look into the issues.

Yong also said that issues such as illegal immigrants and cooking oil subsidies were not new but Barisan had not been doing anything to resolve them.

Citing the example of the Cooking Oil Subsidy Scheme, he said it was not fair for the Government to force Sabah oil palm growers to bear the subsidies since June 2007, when cooking oil is consumed by the whole country.

“Sabah planters make up two-thirds of the (total) number in the country so basically they are paying two-thirds of the subsidies.

“We have raised this subject but the Government said they will look into it, and they have been looking into the matter for 11 months already,” he said.

Anifah: Once the defections start, there's no stopping

The Sun (14/5/08): If and when East Malaysian Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians defect, the ruling coalition cannot do anything anymore (to stop the defections), said Datuk Anifah Aman (BN-Kimanis).

Anifah, one of the many Sabahan and Sarawakian MPs who voiced their concern and dissatisfaction over BN’s lack of attention to issues in the two states in debates on the motion of thanks on the royal address, did not discount himself from doing the same.

"I will do it (defect) if it is in the best interest of the people," he told reporters in Parliament lobby today.

However, Anifah defended that the Sabah leaders were actually trying to stop the people from defecting.

When asked about the up till August time frame given by Datuk Yong Teck Lee (Sabah Progressive Party President and Gaya MP), Anifah said people were getting impatient and were drawn to the 20% oil royalty offer by Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

"It makes a lot of difference for Sabah. Whether it becomes a reality, is debatable. What we are saying is 'look into our grievances', the problem of illegal immigrants.

"If you can set up the Judicial Appointment Commission and the Malaysian Commission against Corruption, why can’t you set up a commission to look into this matter," he lamented.

Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan likened the situation to the government being the doctor who is not treating the aches and pains of the people, the patient.

"It is just like when we are sick, the doctor doesn’t treat you to get rid of that pain in the body, you will continue to feel sick and unhappy and miserable. The aches and pains have been expressed in the Dewan and the patient has been talking and telling the doctor they need treatment," he said, adding that Sabah MPs were merely protecting the country and its sovereignty.

"This means illegal immigrants must be sent away. We have laws which must be enforced. Who are you choosing, your citizens or the illegal immigrants? Of course your citizens must be protected," said Pairin.

On the oil royalty, Kitingan said it needed to be considered "as I see it as a lopsided agreement".

"It is also being fully exploited by the Opposition and the agreement has to be studied. You can’t just dismiss it as not being lopsided but there must be a discussion with all the MPs and leaders to look at the facts and figures so that the people are satisfied," he added.

Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) denies any knowledge of MPs "jumping ship" and says he isn’t one, for now.

However, he quipped: "If I am not satisfied, I will form my own party. Why should I jump? I don’t want to jump because the other party will also tie my legs, like BN". "All I am saying to the leadership is we don’t want to be second class citizens."

Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) said the election gave the people a chance to change the political model of country and he is all for a two-party system in the country.

On Yong’s ultimatum that his party may leave BN in August if the state issues are not resolved, Abdul Rahman said he believed Yong said it in good faith as he was only presenting the views of the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

What’s the party got to do with it?

The Star (1/5/08): The other day, a friend of mine asked me to write a blurb for his new book. It is an honour of course to be asked to do that. A demanding honour, because you have to read an entire book and then try to write about it in one paragraph, but it is an honour nonetheless.

But what if the book is really crap? What do you do? After all, this is your friend you are talking about, and he has asked you to help him by endorsing his work. How do you deal with having to do something unpleasant to someone you like?

Alternatively, sometimes you have to do something positive for someone you personally can’t stand. To separate the personal from the professional is a hard thing to do. But ethics and professionalism demand it.

In Malaysian politics, this does not seem to be the case. There is confusion on the difference between party political interests and the interests of society. And the best interest of society is what good governance is about.

Take Penang, for example. The Tourism Minister has decided to dissolve the Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) and reconstitute a new one. The difference between the two is that the new PTAC has no state government representative.

It appears that the Tourism Ministry will only work with the state government if the latter is in Barisan Nasional hands. This was illustrated during the minister’s visit to Penang a little while ago when there was no involvement with the state government at all.

It would seem, therefore, that the PTAC and the Tourism Ministry want to have nothing to do with the state authorities.

So now the state Cabinet has a tourism portfolio and the Federal Government has the PTAC. I am not sure how having two tourism bodies not working in tandem is going to help Penang.

Perhaps the minister has a cunning plan to somehow make it all work. Or perhaps this is just a way of putting Barisan Nasional interests above the country’s interests by making sure that the DAP state government faces as many obstacles as possible.

After all, when the tourism players get confused as to which body they have to turn to, it would be very convenient to lay the blame on the “incompetent” state exco.

I should not be surprised, really. The minister is the same person who defended the stopping of oil royalty payments to Terengganu when the state fell into PAS hands by saying that the situation was equivalent to not being nice to a lover who has rejected you. A very personal analogy for a very public issue.

Further down south, there is a big hoo-ha about the First Wives Club, or Balkis or whatever it is called. While the legality of the transfer of Balkis funds and the request to disband it are debated, it would be interesting to wonder why they did such a thing in the first place.

Balkis, a body consisting of the wives of the Selangor state exco members, has the primary objective of doing community work. All very noble, certainly.

However, I did not realise that you had to be the wife of a Barisan Nasional state exco member in order to do good work. If that was the case, then perhaps it should have been made clear that this organisation was limited only to Barisan wives.

But then when one’s husband has been boasting about expunging the Opposition from the state completely, it is easy to forget that in a democracy, political parties win and they also can lose.

It all looks very childish to me. Like the spoilt kid who takes away the ball when his team is trailing.

Balkis is a charitable organisation. It is supposed to be peopled by the wives of Selangor legislators. The institution is what is important, not the people who make it up.

If the new bunch of wives can’t do the job properly, expose them and shame them and maybe that will cause the downfall of their husbands. Then your own handsome men can come back and you can continue where you left off.

Institutions should not be confused with the personalities that people them. Those who by the rules of the institution could be there are the ones who should be there. Unless otherwise stated, their political affiliations should not matter.

Back up the North-South Expressway, we see this confusion affecting the appointment of Datuk Lee Kah Choon, ex-Gerakan strongman, as director of the Penang Development Corporation and the executive chairman of InvestPenang.

Both are bodies concerned with the economic development of Penang and both are under the control of the state government. A great hue and cry rose up from both sides of the political divide.

The ex-president of Gerakan foamed in the mouth as he normally does, and even the mighty Lion of Jelutong (or wherever he is now) raised his mighty head to roar disapproval.

Lee is working for the state government (albeit he is getting paid nothing), and that makes him a servant of the people.

Sure, the state government is now run by the DAP, but this does not detract from the fact that his new job is to serve the people of Penang.

Just because his political affiliation differs from that of the ruling party, it does not mean he should not be allowed to do the work he is entrusted with.

If that were the case, all the state government civil servants in the five Pakatan Rakyat states who are Umno, MIC or MCA members should resign because their political views differ from those of their new bosses.

What Lim Guan Eng is doing is risky. Not because Lee is an ex-Gerakan man, but because he is unproven in the field of economic development. That should be the people’s concern.

The right thing to do in this country is to see everyone working for the interests of the nation in tandem.

Politics is one thing and it is an important thing. It is a creature borne of necessity in large modern societies, and it is through politics that we choose our leaders.

But cheap politicking should have nothing to do with the way we run the country.

Motion to debate T'ganu oil royalty shot down

Malaysiakini (30/4/08): "If the government is willing to admit its mistake in sacking (former Lord President) Salleh Abas, then what is wrong if the government today admits its mistake in robbing the people’s money?" asked Salahuddin.

He said the oil royalty should not only be returned directly to Terengganu but increased by at least 10 percent.

"My colleagues in PAS conceded that Terengganu is now governed by Barisan Nasional, but in the name of the people, we seek the money be returned to serve the people," he said (Full story).