A Death Wish Dangling Above To Get Justice

Kuala Lumpur, 16 Feb. (AKI) - Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin has vowed to die in silence as a sign of protest if he is re-arrested on what many believe are politically motivated grounds. His pledge came as a court was due to rule whether he is to return to prison under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA).

Raja Petra, who has risen to prominence as a pro-opposition blogger, was arrested on 12 September after accusations lodged by several religious groups who claim that he offended Islam in an article published on 8 August.

He was released on 7 November last year but the government has appealed the court decision and a verdict is expected on Tuesday.

“I shall no longer open my mouth or utter one word during my detention. I shall maintain the silence of a mute person. I shall not sign any documents of the so many documents that they make you sign when under detention,” he said.

“My signature is not going to be placed on a single shred of paper,” he wrote in his blog, ‘Malaysia Today’ acknowledging that the move could have dire consequences.

”I shall refuse all medical treatment and visits to the hospital. I shall refuse to accept any food and water supplied by the authorities.

“I shall refuse to leave my cell or to meet any of the prison authorities. In short, I shall shut myself out from the world and keep to my own world of my eight feet square cell.

“This action will mean I shall survive at the most seven to eight days,” he added.

Raja Petra blamed deputy prime minister Najib Razak (picture above) for his arrest and for what he calls his political persecution.

Najib has been among Raja Petra’s main targets in his blog.

In his most controversial article “Let’s Send Altantuya’s Murderers to Hell”, published on 25 April, Raja Petra said that Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, were involved in the killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Translator and former model, the Mongolia-born Shaariibuu, 28, was shot twice in the head, and her body was blown up with explosives, in a jungle outside Kuala Lumpur in October, 2006.

“I am totally sure that Najib (Razak) is involved. And at the very least, he should be investigated,” Raja Petra told Adnkronos International (AKI).”

“I am aware that I have raised the stakes with this article and I am prepared to go all the way,” he added.

Najib has denied any involvement in the case and has sworn at a mosque that he never met Shaariibuu. He has also denied any involvement in the arrest of Raja Petra.

The ISA was inherited by Malaysia after it gained independence from Britain in 1957. In essence, it allows for the arrest of any person without the need for trial in certain circumstances.

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Why on earth would Pete think like that? Some of us think that is a death wish from him. But I understood that there is a point behind it, which is basically that Pete wants to show to the world that if something terrible goes wrong to him, it is to say that the gerombolan United Malays National Organisation and Bik Mama Najib are responsible for his "death wish" if it comes true.

I shall refuse all medical treatment and visits to the hospital. I shall refuse to accept any food and water supplied by the Kamunting authorities. I shall refuse to leave my cell or to meet any of the prison authorities. In short, I shall shut myself out from the world and keep to my own world of my eight feet square cell.

When I was in Standard Four, my class teacher, Ramlah told me of how a person would behave unusually than ever. She told me that in Muslim belives, behaving unusually is a tell-tale sign that a close call or death would happen. It's just like the oranges in those Godfather movies.

This is to say that Pete will not blame the detention camp authorities nor the hospital guys, but the blame and hate is on Bik Mama. For him, Pete has been a 'thorn in the flash' but many can safely believe that Pete hit the jackpot since the truth is that the identity of who killed Altantuya Shariibuu is revealed.

Was Syed Hamid "asked" To Do It or Otherwise?

Syed Hamid Albar is a known Abdullah's man. When Pete wrote:

Anyway, I know for a fact that it was not Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who ordered my detention. He was not even aware I had been detained. The order came from Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and since I am bent on making sure he never becomes Prime Minister on 1 April 2009 I really do not blame him for wanting to get me out of the way.

I had a suspicion that Albar was asked or more specifally "ordered" by Najib given that Abdullah Badawi loses his power and authority after the March 8 elections to get rid of Pete at whatever costs, of course the first tool that they craved to use is ISA. When he said that the reporter's detention is for security purposes, I thought whether was he thinking like that or was he ordered to give another excuse at the expense of saving his ass.

My guess that since Albar wants to stay in a Cabinet posting, he could see not much of option but to follow the new leader, not Abdullah Badawi.

You Bet He's Ordering It, Indirectly

I actually stumbled upon a few blogs which provides some commentary on why the Election Commission would do the by-election after the UMNO elections. It seems that UMNO has legal advises (similar to Zaki in his past years) by the name of Hasnizam that goes to the Election Commission and instructed them to hold the two by-elections after the UMNO assembly, perhaps as to save Najib's embarassment.

Another reasoning is that, as according to state speaker V. Sivakumar, is that this Hasnizam was also responsible of ordering the EC not to agree to a bye-elections of three places in Perak when Sivakumar came out with the resignation letters of the renegade three.

"Dalam mesyuarat SPR untuk membincangkan tentang surat perletakan jawatan dua ADUN di Perak yang dihantar oleh Speaker DUN itu terdapat "seseorang yang dikenali sebagai Hasnizam" telah mengarahkan SPR untuk melakukan apa saja, asalkan pilihanraya kecil dikedua-dua DUN ini dapat dielakkan. Dan itulah sebabnya, mengapa SPR menolak surat perletakan jawatan tersebut, sedangkan SPR sebenarnya tidak mempunyai kuasa untuk menjadi hakim, dalam menentukan sama ada surat perletakan jawatan itu sah atau tidak."

My suspicion is that this guy could be used again to tell the three judges (two according to Pete seemingly hostile including Augustine Paul) to send Pete back to ISA. Well, for Najib it's obviously the cliche "good riddance".

Now You Don't Need Military Intelligence To Know.

I'm going to keep things short here. If you understand the history of the two characters that is Rosmah and Najib, you can get a guessing of who actually killed her.

At one time, Najib is known to have affair with a few women, while Rosie is known to have tracking down women (gathering intel, spying, etc.. via third party services). Hate is there on the women who dares to take the man from her.

And then you can fill in the blanks, provided if you understand the characters of both people there. And of course, there are a small number of people who document their missteps carefully.

The Last Word

D-Day is tomorrow, and we are about to see whether if the order from Shah Alam High Court stays or not. If the order stays, then good, Pete can live on to go further. He had to be ready for the worst. That's why there was an unsual farewell party at the Wharf just now. But I am sure he'll pull through. The team of lawyers are not going give the judges a thing to win on. And perhaps some intervention from Camp Abdullah could halt the unscropulous antics of Bik Mama.

Pete, don't go too ambitious. There are people that could need you in the next few years or so. You may never know that making that death wish gesture could be a mistake that you might regret later on.

Where Have The Big Wigs Gone?

This week was unusual, the police was way ahead of the participants. They were there before people came and they told us that they want to see a letter of endorsement from the City Mayor before they can issue a permit.

Two letters have been sent to the MBPJ but with no replies.

I remembered back during the night of the November 9 incident Lau Weng San said of having no fear to show up and assemble. But in this past few weeks, support from the big wigs have began to wane. Now, we don't know whether are they still supporting people or not given of their clear "No To ISA" stance.

Time to wake up guys. You said it, you endorsed it.

If most are not bothering, the people are coming to knock at your doors for some answers.

Learning From Perak Part I: Is the PR Coalition Officially Recognized?

The other day, we are able to see the Sultan of Perak's rationale behind why he'd give the government to Barisan Nasional instead of calling for another fresh snap state elections.

The sultan saw Barisan Nasional as an official coalition via their official logo and insignia. Whereas in Pakatan Rakyat, he sees it as a loose coalition that comprises of three entities via three party logos of PKR, PAS and DAP. What he saw is that DAP having 18, DAP 6 and PKR 7, not as whole, but separately.

So far, the Pakatan Rakyat coalition exists, but unofficially. Therefore, there is some doubt over whether a loose coalition can last if the nod is given to form a government.

PR should consider establishing the coalition officially. The logo, insignia, but the parties that formed it are able to keep their own identities. But if the coalition is established, the hudud thing that PAS intends will have to be dropped totally. Of course, the squabbling between the three main parties there will have to be stopped.

There's one lesson to be learned.

Past History Can Guide Who Can Win Bukit Gantang

Bukit Gantang is somewhere before Taiping and if you are from that village, you must be aware of the history of that place.

In Ipoh, the main road running along the government offices is called Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab. It is named after Abdul Wahab Toh Muda Abdul Aziz. A son of one of the Four Noblemen in Perak, he is known as the first MB of Perak followed by Tan Sri Ghazali Jawi (Tajol's father) from 1957.

As the Malay version of Wikipedia said, he is also a university-mate of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman. He was ousted from UMNO in 1953 by Tunku because he was found to be forming a party that also supports the aspirations of former UMNO founder Dato Onn Jaafar. Many of the followers in UMNO though, showed a great support for Datuk Panglima Bukit Gantang Abdul Wahab and there was a mass exodus from UMNO Perak at that time.

It was this time that the mass support coupled with his forming of new party after the sacking no doubt reveals the Datuk's anomisity against the then ideals of "gerombolan United Malays National Organisation".

This could be a tell tale sign of which front might win the by-election on April 7.

Four More Defections In Perak?

An UMNO insider has confirmed that talks are underway for the four assemblymen in Perak in considering to crossover to Barisan Nasional. The assemblymen are from Hutan Melintang, Buntong, Port Weld and Malim Nawar.

As Hisham Rais said today in his posting "Jangan Salah Nilai":

"Apabila pembelotan terbongkar dan dilakukan siasatan rapi akan terbukti semua yang belot dan bersubahat dengan regim Zionis ini dibayar dan di upah. Mereka memiliki masalah pribadi seperti mencari makan menjual dadah, menjalankan pelacuran atau menggelapkan harta Majlis Tempatan. Tidak ada seorang pun warga Palestin yang belot bekerja untuk Zionis Isreal seorang yang jujur, ikhlas dan berperinsip. Ini samalah seperti wakil-wakil rakyat Pakatan yang ‘mencampuri’ gerombolan Untited Malays National Organisation – mereka memiliki masaalah."

There could be problems, not reported that the four assemblymen faced that Pakatan heads have not found a solution to solve the problem.

This means of adding to an insult of Pakatan. Pakatan should have done the earlier rather to have Nizar shooting down saying that everything was under control. For that hesitation, Pakatan paid the consequences of getting mired into this constitution crisis.

But there is a tug of war in selection of MB. Najib was seen entering Istana Kinta twice on that day to decide who would be the MB and Abdullah entered only once to say that the choice would be Zambry. It means that BN also has its internal brewing with also the problem of deciding the candidate for the Bukit Selambau seat.

A hint of possible crossovers was mentioned and pre-empted by Penang CM Lim Guan Eng both Malaysiakini and Bernama covered what he said of four exco posts still remaining vacant:

“How can six people handle all the tasks because the previous government, whether the BN or PR, had 11 Exco members including the menteri besar. Why only six (Exco members) now...?

“They think they are supermen...obviously it is a political reward to strengthen the position of the illegal BN (government) in Perak. It will encourage more Assemblymen to defect to the BN,” he said at a media conference at his office, here today.

Over 35000 people have responded to a survey disagreeing that Sultan Azlan handed the government to Barisan Nasional . That is 88% of the 40000 people who answered the survey.

Eventually, a state level snap-election could be called if some unsual events could crop up, particularly with the Bukit Gantang by-election coming on.

Mi No Spik Inglis!

At around 4, Vasem came and asked me to help him translate what the caller said.

So, I had to understand what the caller said. The caller was a Malay girl claiming that they are promoting those membership privilege cards that requires no annual fees and for life...blah..blah. I told Vasem and he hung up. I did asked the operator whether they have brochures for me to go through and know what is about. I also asked her how did they get the phone number. Answer was random picks.

But I'm not trying to say about the "membership thing". The first problem I recognized the moment I picked up the phone is primarily about the girl having the hard time to speak English to an expat working in Kuala Lumpur.

GAPERNA and some NGOs would want to reconsider thinking about making noises about teaching back things in Bahasa Melayu. And there's the problem. When my parents were in school back in the late 60s to the mid 70s, the medium of instruction was primarily in English. To them, most of the people, even the Malays themselves score better grades in education when answering in English.

After 1974, the medium of instruction was switched to Bahasa Malaysia, with other subjects in that medium too, the grades scored by students from that time on until now dwindle. Many teachers now particularly those falling under ("guru Melayu", rural schools, "bumiputra" students), being a product of what they learned back in the 80s have a problem of conveying what they intend to say to students when they try to teach students Science and Maths in English.

Indeed it was a mistake at that time. And secondly, learning in English via Science and Maths is not good enough. It has to be learned through daily living. Look at the exam papers. First condition to pass SPM is that you must pass BM or you fail SPM. It should be the other way round. When you go to university, be it private especially, what they teach is in English. If you have learned most of it in Malay, you will need to relearn but in a different medium, which is a waste of time and possibly a struggle to cope up because of unfamiliarity with the language.

I don't really know what to say about the girl except that the system was wrong already.

Someone told me before that if I am a dictator of a "banana republic" nation, I would do that to make sure that a person's intellectual level is never up to the level of a leader fearing of "overthrow". If you look at those nations falling under that description, those nations can never prosper, the people being duped by their own leaders.

Being Offered Money For Nothing

When I was a little boy, Money For Nothing by Dire Straits was the first "rock" that I heard when going around town in a car.

Someone mentioned of Sultan of Swing, another track from that group and I remembered this track. Funny, the chorus line Money For Nothing Chicks For Free echoes what is happening now.

On the renegade three, they were offered monies for crossing over and well funny, they could get chicks (for men) for free. But chicks doesn't happen here.

In Permatang Pauh, a UMNO man was promised 100K of monies for the work in the by-election by Big Mama Najib. But until today, he was not paid.

More By-Election Galore!

We can expect a few more by-elections soon.

We can see 2 Parliamentary seats. One of them is Pensiangan, which is declared vacant when the High Court declared that Joseph Kurup's winning without oppose is null and void.

The second parliamentary seat is at Bukit Gantang where it was reported that MP Roslan Shaharum was found dead from a heart attack in Batu Gajah. Shaharum defeated incumbent Azim Zabidi (UMNO treasurer Bukit Bintang, BSN chairman, alleged connection with underworld figures) in the 2008 general elections and a independent candidate.

These two seats will definitely be on. The High Court is slated to give date of election for Pensiangan and in Bukit Gantang, the by-election will be held in the next 60 days.

The vacancy for this Parliamentary seat should give a hint that a snap-election should be held in Perak. Interestingly, Changkat Jering is falls under Bukit Gantang parliamentary.

These are the two Parliamentary seats slated by-election.

Meanwhile, there could be four state-level by-elections soon.

The three seats held by the "renegade three" could be declared vacant if the Ipoh High Court agrees that the letters by them handed by Speaker V. Sivakumar are accepted.

The other one is the Arumugam seat, which could be empty if he resigns. But MB Azizan Razak clarified that Arumugam only relinquished the exco position in the state government.

Of course, the series of by-elections could be a nightmare for Barisan Nasional. If the number of failures continue to be up after Permatang Pauh or Kuala Terengganu, Najib's reputation as PM could be cut off very short. After all, people don't really want an alleged murderer running the country right? That's why there are shouts of Altantuya all around...:D

A Sultan Entering Blogosphere!

Sultan Azlan Shah has just entered blogosphere a few days ago.

Stumbled upon the blog hosted by Blogspot a few days ago. It was setup a few days following the state constitutional crisis.

The official statement said this was setup as the alternative to the Dreambook guestbook which was disrupted.

I am not sure whether there's some sense of sincerity in this top first posting:

"His Royal Highness understands there are a lot grouses, grouches or even grievance on the recent BN/PR switchover debacle. It's hoped that a win-win-win (NB: It has to be TRIPLE WINS) solution can be attained through a direct dialogue such as this blog in the not too distant future.

Please therefore speak your mind freely, without fear or favour here."

The URL for the blog is here.

Nasruddin WAS...FORCED back to UMNO!?!

Certain quarters in Perak revealed that Bota's Nasaruddin Hashim rejoined UMNO perhaps not because of seeing how political situation but was instead apparenthly forced back to the UMNO camp by Raja Nazrin.

If you remember a few days ago, MB Nizar told the press that he had made contact with the family of Nasaruddin and the wife told him that Nasaruddin was "kidnapped".

The malay blog Perisik Rakyat has the excerpt that hints that he was forced to go back. Excerpt:

"Apa yang mungkin tidak diketahui mereka, Raja Nazrin memainkan peranan utama untuk memaksa Dato Nasrudin kembali kedalam Umno. Malah Dato’ Nasarudin menangis kerana dipaksa kembali kedalam Umno."

V Arumugam Quits!

Tukar Tiub has confirmed Malaysiakini's suspicision that PKR's V Arumugam has decided to relinquish his state assembly seat of Bukit Selambau following personal and family threats by the Barisan Nasional camp.

A by-election will be held in the next 60 days.

This has confirmed suspicions by certain quarters, that Barisan Nasional, led by Big Mama Najib intends to regain the state with crossovers, trying to repeat their pirate success in Perak. Currently in Kedah, the Pakatan Rakyat has 21 of 37 state seats.

In Perak, Najib's proxies including Hamzah Zainuddin and Kenneth Eswaran are believed to be responsible on offering monies to the "renegade three" to crossover to Barisan Nasional.

This is a "safety" measure to force a by-election, picking a much stronger candidate to fill in for Arumugam in event that a by-election is declared.

Employee Daily Work Limit?

The other day, when I was told of Markus' sudden death, I was brought to the attention of this piece in the memorial page:

Markus started working with UNICEF in November 2008. He had been working almost non-stop in the past week, sleeping only 3-4 hours a day. He came back from the office at 3am the night before his death and was found dead on his bed the next morning. His computer was still switched on. Obviously he had continued working even after coming home.

After much discussion with doctors, our theory is that his acute stress could have caused some biochemical (electrolyte) imbalance which triggered a cardiac arrythmia (sudden disarray of heart rhythm) and cardiac arrest. The whole thing is at the biochemical level and therefore, there are no organ changes to be detected at post-mortem.

As I said in the previous post, Farewell Markus! I admitted that I came close to the kind of thing that poor Markus had to suffer. The thing of the poor kid was that at the age of 23, he was put to working overtime and without rest. Imagine, from 9 to 3 am in the morning and then coming back to office again at 9 a.m, don't that employee feel that he / she would feel restless if this prolongs for quite some time? Don't you find that working for too long and hard is taking a physical toll on a human being? We have to remember that we are not robots after all.

In Australia and England for example, the government is very concern on the physical and social aspects of an employee. They encourage employees to have more time with their families. In America, they do not. That is why in those countries, they have stricter labor laws whereby a private company must stop at no later than 5 or 6 p.m, regardless of the status of work.

That is why the average amount of medical leave for employees working in Europe is just one day every year compare to 4 at the rest of the world.

There are actually a few variations of this particular labor law as there are number of sectors to consider off, for example, in government, those working in essential sectors like hospitals or those working at portsides, there are separate clauses and exceptions.

Malaysia should start introducing that labor law. It may affect business or something, but this episode in which a poor kid never had a proper rest and resulted in his death is the responsibility of the organization that brought him in. That is beyond proportions.

So let's get the ball rolling, and hey, Subramaniam, the HR minister - start proposing the law. Where is the worker welfare? What about you MTUC? Actually, at this time, there should be a daily work limit for an employee. If minimum of 40 per week is there, than maybe it's changing to the range of 40-45 hours. Anything more, and it is either leave compensation or overtime pay. Period.

DO IT HR MINISTRY!

Pics From Pavillion CNY

The open house at Bukit Bintang (national level) coincides with the first anniversary of Pavillion, which was opened on 31st January 2008.

Originally to be held last week, it was postponed due to the Federal Territory day which falls on the 1st.



I was deliberately there just to see if Big Mama and Dr. Ayam were there or not. Neither both of them were there, although Mr. Flip-flop, MaCai ministers were there as well.

Hosting minister for this occasion was Shafie Apdal. If you look carefully, there are few ministers as well there, the yellow shirt is Ong Tee Keat, and partly hidden next to Shafie is Abdullah Badawi the PM.

More pics at my Facebook picture gallery. The URL is here.

CNY National Open House - Want To Crash?

I thought it might be interesting for readers who do not read the papers to get some info on this.

I am told that there will be the national level Chinese New Year Open House at Pavillion Bukit Bintang tonight from 8 to midnight.

I bet that big dignitaries like Ong Tee Keat as well as their BN partners like Abdullah Badawi or Najib with their wives would be coming as well. And let us not forget that Bukit Bintang's own "Dr. Ayam" Lee Chong Meng would be there as well.

I just hope that my guessing would be right and if anyone wants to crash the party just as what happened in Hari Raya open house in PWTC, be my guest!

Farewell Markus!

I was alerted to a post by delCapo saying that Markus Ng, a vigil attendee that was seen in Sunday vigils was found dead all of the sudden.

When I saw the picture of Markus then I realized who he was exactly.

Back somewhere in November or December, a young man, perhaps younger than myself went to me and introduced himself as Markus. I shook his hand in reply and introduced myself. I remembered of both of us joining the usual gang in having our weekly drinks at Fisherman's Wharf.

Sadly we didn't get to know each other well as what Duke said the other day.

It was a shock though. And when I read an interesting post on the memorial page I came to realize how close was I to facing that similar situation.

Markus started working with UNICEF in November 2008. He had been working almost non-stop in the past week, sleeping only 3-4 hours a day. He came back from the office at 3am the night before his death and was found dead on his bed the next morning. His computer was still switched on. Obviously he had continued working even after coming home.

After much discussion with doctors, our theory is that his acute stress could have caused some biochemical (electrolyte) imbalance which triggered a cardiac arrythmia (sudden disarray of heart rhythm) and cardiac arrest. The whole thing is at the biochemical level and therefore, there are no organ changes to be detected at post-mortem.

I realized that there has been a lack of control over employee welfare by employers and Human Resources Ministry and I felt that this was the toll of working too hard. I will blog on this matter some other time.

Unfortunately, due to unusual circumstances, I am unable to go to the wake but instead I will say a little prayer to this young man who deserves to live longer but his life being robbed short. I remembered a saying that a slave is truly free when he dies as he feels the pains and slavery.

Farewell, and rest in peace pal!

Tuanku, Rakyat Sudah Marah! Kalau Tak Dengar, Negeri Akan Kena Padah!

Before King Louis XIV of France died, he left something to his great-grandson Louis XV on one explicit instruction which the King referred after Cardinal Fleury's death in 1743:

"Listen to the people, seek advise from the Council but decide alone."

Many people have expressed their anger at His Majesty for he did not listen to the grouses of the people. It was giving the platter to the devil in blue. And as the result, everyone in Ipoh threw their hands to support the present Pakatan government. But then again, the present exco and MB have not been issued papers of dismissal or voted out in the emergency assembly as what the Speaker was intending of.

The first part of the quote was totally disregarded by His Majesty. Many had regarded him to be a wise ruler for he had been a law scholar and a former Lord President before taking up the call to rule the state.

As the result many citizens went to the palace vicinity in Kuala Kangsar or at the MB's house in Ipoh to show the displeasure at Big Mama Najib's gang penyamun by protesting saying that the ruler had gone against the wishes of the people. Many people have showed deep appreciation to Nizar's administration for they had improved on things that Barisan Nasional did not do when they govern the state. In the entire year since taking over following the previous general elections, the state economy and social level boomed up to new heights with every races enjoy from the new title deeds issued by the government. In the city alone, there has been plenty of infrastructure changes that I have observed compared in a very fast pace compared to the pace that was done when BN run the government.

An economical highlight that I would like to point out is that investments have opened up tremendously both local and foreign. Many business parties have expressed their happiness for they are allowed to do trade in better conditions compared to when it was in BN administration. When in BN, the discriminiating NEP policy has hindered them to do trade here.

I have 24 years of fond memories of Perak and I am simply ashamed to see such incident could happen in my life - something that I wish it was not supposedly to be. I will not point fingers to anybody but I have the big suspicion that what the BN pledged this afternoon could be a lie in the next few months or so. After that, the regime could go back and plunder all the fruits of the labor that the present government did successfully. Cancelling title deeds, reverting back to old policies and etc.. that will kill the state entirely or in better phrase, going back to square one.

I have read certain legends of when evil deeds done by a despot, the nation will suffer a curse that could last for seven generations. Take the legend of Laksamana Bentan or the Mahsuri legend as the example of what would befall to this great state if people regard His Majesty as despot instead of benevolent and a wise man. Even the fall of a Roman empire could illuminate a lesson for all to see.

Since I am a Perakian myself, I am quite unhappy of how things in future could go against the will of the people. I have seen what BN can do that is lying to certain people with false promises recently. In recent years, what has been exposed about the malpractices of Barisan Nasional have gave the people an eye-opener of what really happened. Since DPM Najib is acting as BN head in Perak, giving the existing government to BN is actually giving the reins to a man whom many are aware that this man is in connection to the Altantuya murder and corruption cases.

Some aware that it was his agent Hamzah Zainuddin that offered the two independed ADUNs $10 to $15 million on his behalf to cross over and drop of corruption cases against them!

Well, Your Majesty, if you really want to find out whether what I am saying is true, then please consent to a snap election and let us proof to you that this choice is the right choice after all. If crossover is acceptable then it means that it is possible to see the eye for an eye response, like MPs crossing over to either coalitions, if you understand what I mean.

Tuanku, Rakyat Sudah Marah! Kalau Tak Dengar, Negeri Akan Hancur!

Big Mama's Coup De Tat in Perak

After a day of consideration, Sultan Azlan Shah has given the nod for BN to form a government with Zambry Kadir as the new Menteri Besar. His Majesty has turned down the request to dissolve the state assembly and has decreed that Nizar and the exco resigned. The Sultan wanted a more unity government formed by BN but Pakatan wanted a fresh election to let the people judge who is the better of the two coalitions.

Some BN-bloggers, for instance, an acquitance of mine, Big Dog have said that Anwar Ibrahim who wanted a defection of MPs by September 16 got his own taste of medicine. Similarly, Taib Mahmud has echoed the same sentiment as well. A friend of mine, Duke, who is covering the Ipoh event with some Barisan Rakyat bloggers think that this gives the eye of an eye treatment: if the change of government by defection still stands by end of this week, this means that Anwar Ibrahim can do that do in federal level but much to the chagrin of DAP who prefers a snap election over crossovers.

Excerpt:

The people of Perak have been robbed and shortchanged and I can assure you that there will be serious repercussions come the next general elections if the BN is allowed to govern Perak in this way.

It is hoped that in this darkest hour, the Perak sultan in his wisdom will call for the dissolution of the Perak state assembly to make way for state elections.

If His Highness does not, then the rakyat will surely protest and will return with a vengeance at the next general elections.

Either way, the Barisan Nasional government is nearing its end. They are about to be checkmated.

Pakatan Rakyat has an insurance in form a lawsuit filed by speaker V. Sivakumar to have the High Court declare that the resignation letters by the renegade 3 valid and force a by-election most.

While most of my hardcore blogging buddies covered Ipoh today, I have advised my mother not go through Brewster Road on the way back home from her work. I told her to use Tiger Lane to go back home instead, which goes through RPGC there. Brewster Road starts from Padang Ipoh and goes all the way to the MB's house after Sam Tet school.

This apparent 'coup de-tat' as called by Nizar at Big Mama Najib as also triggered sense of sympathy from non-Perak people and the people in Perak are screaming in fury for the Barisan regime that if taking over could reverse the accomplishments that are enjoyed by everyone. Secondly, given that TOL was the main success, a reversal could spark anger at people. Finally, the majority of Excos could be Malay majority which would not satisfy the Perak people as the composition of races are mostly Chinese first then Malays. A free section in Malaysiakini that shows people opinions show that most people think that Big Mama's engineered crossover is robbing and shortchanging Perakians.

Even in the Barisan camp, Mahathir and Ku Li thinks otherwise. Mahathir obviously thinks that bringing the two PKR men who is accused of corruption charges into the fold will bring an effect that could trigger in the next general elections in 2013 at most. Ku Li on the other hand thinks BN with the Sultan (once admired on law) is using the law of the jungle instead of rule of law.

For now, we may have to hear what the High Court would say. It is indeed a hollow victory if BN takes over only to have the High Court declare that the state seats vacant. Then what? Another by-election in those places and it will be a waste of money and Big Mama's efforts if BN loses those three places again.

Now then, people are very angry and most do not like Najib and if for God's sake His Majesty listens to the grouses of the people, and do the more proper thing, people would be happy. Just look at how much people came to the MB's house to show support because of what PR government did in the space of one year. If Pakatan Rakyat can show proof to the Sultan that Hamzah Zainuddin acted on behalf of Najib to buy these renegade 3 at $10 - 15 million each, then there could be a sense of reconsideration.

The Man Who Bought Perak

This is the man that is representing Big Mama Najib in going around Perak with a trunkload of cash and offering these state assemblymen to crossover to Barisan Nasional and the four did. And yes, after this the next target state is Kedah.

Hamzah Zainuddin or Mr. Felcra is a partner of Najib since 1987 when Najib was the UMNO Youth leader. On Anwar, he fingered Anwar in 1998 on having an affair with his trophy wife (he actually divorced the first to marry the trophy to gain contracts). In the recent week prior to today's event, he had been running around Perak and offering the range of $10-$15 million for at least three assemblymen from Pakatan Rakyat to defect to Barisan Nasional.

It is very tempting for a PR assemblyman to take the $10-$15 million offer and join the camp.

According to Malaysiakini, Najib has repeatedly denied that he "offered money" to the four assemblymen to crossover to Barisan Nasional. But he is doing indirectly. Hamzah did most of the job.

Nasarudin Hashim is more of a wait and see approach thing. Just like when he rejoins Barisan Nasional because of the politcal uncertainty surrounding Perak. But some people claimed that he was assured of the next Menteri Besar post if he rejoins UMNO. Another candidate Zambry is also considered for the next post.

What Now?
Sultan Azlan Shah is having a tough choice to consider whether to hand the platter to Najib and Barisan Nasional or considering dissolving the state assembly for snap elections.

Typically base on the Westminister system or the state constitution:

When parliament votes no confidence, or where it fails to vote confidence, a government must respond in one of two ways:

* resign

* seek a parliamentary dissolution and request a general election

As the wise Sultan, it is good to give a snap election. Almost 80 percent of people in Perak want fresh snap elections. And Raja Nazrin has said of a ruler being neutral and non-partisan, right?

Perak Should Consider Fresh State-Level Elections

The ding-dongs surrounding the Perak state government went like buzzing bees when both government and opposition claimed they had ADUNs crossing over and so on.

Newspieces:

1. The Star - MB Meets Sultan, Speaker Meets EC
2. Malaysiakini - Duo Have Resigned - Speaker

By-Election or Snap State Election?

I don't really favor much on by-election, since of the unstable situation and there could be anytime that assemblymen could jump left and right. The more appropriate would be to hold fresh snap election. The numerous reasons and benefits of having a snap election would be:

1. Allows the Pakatan Rakyat government to determine who has been performing well and removing those who are not performing well. In fact the PR were unaware that they could win the state that they field some candidates that could be weak. Instead they won.

Dear MB Perak, dissolve the Perak State Assembly and hold fresh state elections. Then, once and for all, embark on a house-cleaning exercise and get rid of the riff-raff. After that you can settle down and concentrate on running the state instead of constantly looking over your shoulders, wondering who is going to next cross over to Barisan Nasional. - Santa Claus (Corridor's of Power)

2. Allows the Perak people (including myself) to assess the performance of the PR government in the past year. So far, the intelligence shows that the minority races gave thumbs up to the government with Nizar's leadership. The strongest suit would be that Nizar gave TOL land titles. Penang emulated and Negeri Sembilan is asking why Mohammad Hassan is not giving TOL titles. Of course, these actions have angered Mike Tyson Taib but the federal government has no say on this.

3. DAP and PAS are ready. And they are proponents of winning fairly instead of hopping over.

4. On the other hand, this gives a test to see if Barisan Nasional would play dirty or whatsover to win back the state government. Here's your chance, and it can also be Najib's Waterloo. Supposed if Pakatan wins say 40 to 50, which is almost 40-50% more seats than before, this will be the crushing defeat for Najib as this shows that it is not Abdullah leading the election campaign for Barisan.

5. If the election is to be held in March, it could force the UMNO elections be postponed.

6. Since Perak has 59 state seats, Barisan Nasional could be spending up to $1 billion ringgit of election campaign and read: people's money just for the election period. Whereas Pakatan, who could not afford lot of money.

Somehow some remarked that Nizar Jamaluddin is playing very smart.

7. The snap elections, if victory could bring a domino effect to three states, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and in future in Sarawak. In Negeri Sembilan, BN's number of state seats majority is quite a small number. Word is that there could be three state assemblymen crossing over to PR. If that happens we can see a split in Negeri Sembilan (government / opposition). And the people in Negeri Sembilan are asking for title land deeds...mana TOL, Hassan? as what the MB feared.

Anwar and BN Might Say No

I was discussing this matter with a few friends yesterday while fishing and at that time, Anwar was sweating over this matter. Seems that my assessment is that Anwar is not in favor of having fresh snap elections. It was believed that it could be because of saving the embarassment if PKR has the least number of seats (assuming if PR wins again)

After checking Anwar's personal entry in his blog, it seems that he is reluctantly and accepting the fact that they had to be ready for snap elections.

"Akhirulkalam, kita yakin inshaallah dengan suara rakyat. Jentera kita harus bersedia bertarung di gelanggang Perak."

BN is banking on the crossover from PR to BN or winning the two state seats in by-election with hopes of taking over without much of fuss. I believe that this is what camp Najib is counting on. But then it seems that the plan is backfiring and this could force them to spend a lot of money in enticing state assemblymen to cross over to Barisan Nasional.

Big Mama Attempting To Buy Men In Perak

A PKR assemblymen has filed a SD claiming that Najib Razak had approached him and a few PR assemblymen with money ranging from $5 to $15 million per person to get them crossover to Barisan Nasional. Do you see how dirty that Barisan Nasional would play?

According to Malaysiakini, he was taken to Putrajaya to Najib's house and was offered $50 million total to get a few ADUNs to cross over.

More drama could be unfold later, so sit down and wait.

I Came To Meet My Friends. But They Said "Tak Boleh".

For me, it's just a weekly gathering of friends just to say hello, extend CNY greetings and make pleasantries and a variety of things.

I anticipated that in the last few weeks the police will come and make noises even at a private property which is totally unacceptable.

The first tell-tale signs occured when they start writing parking fines for cars parking at yellow lines.

Some of the Special Branch personnel including one woman is always there to spy on people. And then came the men in blue. But I was told that there they might arrest without warning so I stayed out. Later, everyone came out, relieved that the SOP of telling people to disperse - minus bullhorn was still there.

And then came something that I can't seem to understand why. Well, while people chat and have drinks and the cops even come and surround Lotus and the cinema? Even the aneh-aneh will be wondering why the men in blue are coming over for nothing. Even the SBs are at one table wanting to spy on normal people do. And so most of them had to find out, many chatted with the head honcho DSP Ong.

Isn't this like Nazi Gestapo?

And people are wondering what is PJ city council doing after three weeks of writing mail?

And what about the men in blue? Permit was applied weekly with no replies?

Where are you ADUNs and MPs of Selangor in this time of need? Are you leaving the good people out to dry?