Only in Malaysia,

1.CORRUPTION CAN KILL: Cyberjaya flyover awarded during BN's time & to a crony.

Embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak and his BN administration are working overtime to contain the political damage from a flyover that snapped into two in Cyberjaya.

Already, the word 'corruption' is on the lips of many Malaysians as the overhead bridge is merely the latest in a long list of failed public projects undertaken by the BN government, which has come under fire for endemic corruption and abuse of power.

Hey,Rosmah is saying that she is not to be blamed,Umno/BN are saying its the work of Ultraman,the crony contractor is blaming the collaspe on UFO and Najib,says the 'Scorpene' Submarine were not to be blamed to the flyover collapse.

To repair the collapsed flyover,its going to cost RM6 - RM8 million,what the original cost of constructing the flyover would have cost,RM20 million?,if that is not corruption,than I don't know,what is.Plus is blaming PKNS and PKNS is blaming Plus,and we,the tax payers will have to foot the bill. WTF, "CHANGE/UBAH".

2.Ex-Umno Member: 500,000 Blue ICs Issued To Immigrants Under Mustapha Harun’s Orders.

About 500,000 blue identity cards (ICs) were given to Filipino and Indonesian immigrants in Sabah in the early 1990s under the orders of then-Sabah Umno chief Tun Datu Mustapha Harun, a former Umno member said today.

Now we know the reason why the the police/army are reluctant to act on the 200 or so armed militants and Najib/KrisMOOddin's 'kid glove' approach against the transgressors.

Our government is not afraid of the 200 armed militants but afraid that the thousands of illegal Filipinos made citizen in exchange for their votes,may join the armed rebels to fight against the Malaysian police/army.Can our police/army come out winners in a war of attrition with the armed militants backed by 100K/200K Filipinos already in Sabah?.

Najib/KrisMOOddin must surely be cursing Mamak Mahathir,left right and center,for his Project IC evil scheme.The chicken coming home to roost or is it Karma?

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/36-local2/269482-ex-umno-member-500000-blue-ics-issued-to-immigrants-under-mustapha-haruns-orders.html

3.Nik Aziz brands Umno as communists.

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who has branded Umno as an apostate and infidel party, is now branding the party as communists.“what is the difference between Islam and the communists? The communists also built mosques, just like Umno, which is famous for building mosques. Hence, there is no difference between Umno and the communists,” 

Where are the ,Ibrahim Ali,Hassan Ali,Zulkifly Nordin,Ustaz Harussani Zakaria,Tunku Aziz,Umno Youth,Pekasa and the Mamak 'bobek' gang fron Penang?,why no police reports,why no demonstration yet?.Tada bola-kah?

4.Today, its the 80th Anniversary of the malaysian Armed Force(Tentera Darat) and I'm lost for words to wish them.Should I say congratulation or admonish them for being cowards,afraid to defend our country from the 200 or so armed Filipinos militants illegally squatting in Sabah and refusing to leave and giving ultimatum to our Umno/BN government not to provoke them.

PI Bala: A lot of hot air but no 'bomb',

If Paktan think that toppling Najib/Umno/BN will be easier with P.I.Bala and Deepak Jaikishan's sordid revelations.I believe they are in for a surprise.Sooner or later PR is going to learn that both these opportunistic scums had played them,high and proper.The earlier Pakatan ditch this two morons,the better it would be for them.

Do you think that without Mamak Mahathir and DPM MOOheddin's protection,P.I.Bala and Deepak Jaikishan will be brave enough to parade their charade about "revealing something "big" about Najib and Mrs,related to Altuntuya?",when Bala made the first SD,he and his family was harassed by the police,so much so that he had to run away and operating incognito but now no arrest at the airport,better still Bala and Deepak will be going on a whirlwind tour,on the guise of exposing Najib/Rosmah,at the expense of Pakatan Rakyat.(I smell a rat,don't you?)

Mamak Tun and MOOheddin,the evil incarnate that they are,are using the two numbskulls to expose Najib and Rosmah's shenanigans,through Pakatan and ultimately Mahathir and MOOheddin are going to do a "Abdullah Ahmad Badawi" on Najib.That is kick Najib and install MOOheddin as the next PM,paving the way for Mukhriz to become the DPM.(what grand scheme of things)

P.I.Bala and Deepak Jaikishan are the 'Trojan Horses",Period.
(Heard it through the grapevine that the first person Bala went to see was Mamak Mahathir,something fishy here,right?)

http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/newscommentaries/54770-pi-bala-a-lot-of-hot-air-but-no-bomb

Seeking Najib’s help to solve Indian woes (FMT)

After fruitless meetings with Pakatan Rakyat, Hindraf now wants to meet Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to endorse its blueprint for the Indian community.

Hindraf Makkal Sakti chief P Waythamoorthy said the decision to meet Najib was made after much deliberations at all levels of the leadership and with the Indian community.He said the meeting was to secure Najib’s written assurances and endorsement for its blueprint designed to improve the Indian working class community.

“After a long deliberation on the issue, we have decided to meet the prime minister to resolve Indian problems.“We are not interested in politicking,” he said today.

Hindraf has already held a series of meetings with Pakatan leaders, notably from PKR, to get the coalition’s written assurances and commitment for its blueprint if Pakatan were to capture Putrajaya.He said, as expected, Pakatan was more interested in using Hindraf to garner Indian votes than looking into the predicament of the Indians.

Waythamoorthy brushed aside criticisms by pro-Pakatan supporters and bloggers that the movement was playing both sides of the political divide for the best deal.

Stressing that Hindraf was not interested in political mileage, he said Hindraf cannot afford to be topsy-turvy, partisan and partial when dealing with Indian problems, which have existed for decades.

He said Hindraf had to meet Najib because it did not want its struggle for the Indian community to hit a snag after the general election if Barisan Nasional retained the federal government.

“What if Pakatan loses the general election? What should Hindraf do then? How is it going to deal with a BN government to resolve Indian issues?“It will be a Catch-22 situation for us then,” he said.

To contest in the GE?

He said that Hindraf had written letters to Najib and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim on Aug 29 last year requesting for meetings.“We stated clearly that we want to meet them in their respective capacities as the prime minister and prime minister-in-waiting,” he said.

Minister in Prime Minister in charge of parliamentary affairs Mohd Nazri Aziz said on Nov 7 last year that the government was willing to talk with Hindraf on the Indian issues.On Jan 26, this year, the government lifted the ban on Hindraf.

During Hindraf roadshows on its blueprint, Indians have openly called on the movement to hold talks with both BN and Pakatan to resolve the community issues.They have also openly backed Hindraf to contest in the coming election even as independent candidates.No date has been fixed for Hindraf’s meeting with Najib.

Ganesan Ramiah commented on a link.

Bro.P Waythamoorthy, you've got too short a memory, after calling Umno a discriminating, corrupt, racist party, you still want to talk to Najib/Umno and expect them to endorse Hindraf's blueprint for the Indian community.You must be joking, right?, What is that, that the corrupted, racist Umno/BN could not do in the last 55 years, do you expect them to do, now for the Indians?, its now clear for all to see that you and your kakis are more interested in securing seats to contest in GE13, than really caring/fighting for the welfare of the downtrodden Indians. Pakatan/Anwar has agreed to implement Hindraf's blueprint within 100 days of capturing Putrajaya, what more else, do you and Hindraf want?, what if you make a deal with Najib/Umno/BN and Pakatan wins GE13, what will happen to your blueprint with Umno/BN?, and this I can guarantee you, Najib will never offer you, not even one seat for you/Hindaf to contest.It will better serve Hindraf, to remain as a pressure group, instead of becoming self-centered and annoying, seeking seats to contest.And PLEASE stay with Pakatan Rakyat and resolve to fight for all Malaysian instead of only Indians, we need to look beyond race, religion, color or creed.

Quick Response to PM’s Challenge on How PR Will Fund Buku Jingga Promises(rafiziramli)

I put something up quickly so that Malaysians can go through the number ourselves and see how much money escapes our system each year. Just by taking two quick steps, there is almost 3 times more money to pay for the pledges made in Buku Jingga. Not only that, we will have more than enough to pay other things too (including new jails for all corrupt politicians who had enjoyed enriching themselves at the expense of the people all this while!).

The response is crude as I was rushing, but the no’s speak for itself.The response is crude as I was rushing, but the no’s speak for itself.I welcome any comments 

A) PHILOSOPHICALLY

- BN has always said that many things cannot be afforded or it will bankrupt the country, especially the ones that involve direct assistance to the people

- In the past, the kind of massive state assistance now implemented in Selangor and Pulau Pinang would have been unthinkable under BN, as they claimed the government lacked money

- Since taking over, PR government in Selangor has spent approximately RM150 million per annum giving back to the people, in the form of free water scheme, one off bursary for university students, microcredit etc.

- The reason why PR could do it and BN never had done, because we plugged the leakages caused by rampant corruption

B) HUGE LEAKAGES DUE TO CORRUPTION

- Auditor General’s report estimated that the country lost RM28 billion a year due to corruption – shoddy procurement practices, incomplete projects, massive cost escalations etc.

- Even without coming up with any fancy national financing schemes or new loans, by tackling corruption there is a potential RM28 billion that will be used to fund all these programs

- These amounts are real, it is the money lost each year to cronies. This amount should go back to the people

- Likewise, putting a stop to excessive and wasteful spending by government will also set the right spending culture e.g. stop PM’s frequent overseas trips to the point he spent almost an equal time overseas than in Malaysia, or the huge consultancy fees paid to APCO (RM77 million) or for the setting up of PEMANDU (RM66 million) – BN may argue this amount is small, but it’s a reflection of careless and carefree spending culture that ignores the plight of the people

C) RE-DIVERTING CORPORATE SUBSIDIES BACK TO PEOPLE

- Each year, PETRONAS has to fork out RM19 billion to pay for gas subsidies so that IPPs (owned by cronies or political establishment) can enjoy massive profits (billions each year) because they are shielded from the fluctuations or energy price

- PETRONAS has to buy gas from Natuna and JDA at much higher prices, then sell to IPP at a third of the market price – this amounts to RM19 billion each year

- If this arrangement is abolished, there is RM19 billion extra profit that PETRONAS can pay back to the government/people

- Similarly, the government spent RM4 billion each year to pay compensation to highway concessionaires – this amount can easily be reverted to people if the toll system is restructured, as promised in Buku Jingga

D) TOTAL SUM AVAILABLE

- Just by plugging the leakages due to corruption (RM28 billion) and eliminating corporate subsidies to IPP (RM19 billion) and toll compensation (RM4 billion), there is a sum of RM51 billion each year that escapes the system and went to cronies

- This amount is more than enough to pay for the promises of Buku Jingga

E) HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO IMPLEMENT 100 DAYS REFORM

- Special allowance for teachers: RM3.2 billion annually

- Petrol and diesel subsidy for the needy group (those below a certain income threshold), after the restructuring of subsidy so that only those from lower income group can benefit: estimated RM4 billion annually

- LPG subsidy: estimated RM4 billion annually

- Total subsidy payment and special allowance promised in Buku Jingga: RM11.2 billion

- Price offered by EPF & Khazanah to take over the entire assets and operations of Plus highway is RM23 billion. Currently government investment arm and agencies (through Khazanah and EPF) already own 67.3% of PLUS, so the additional cost to return the whole assets and operations to government (by buying from minority shareholders) is RM7.5 billion

F) TOTAL SUM PAYABLE TO IMPLEMENT BUKU JINGGA

- Total sum is RM3.2 b (special allowance) + RM4 b (petrol/diesel subsidy) + RM4 b (LPG) + RM7.5 b (payment to minority shareholders to take over PLUS) = RM18.7 b

- This amount is a small sum compared to the RM51 b available from restructuring of subsidies and elimination of corruption

It’s clear that the issue of whether we can afford to pay does not exist. It’s whether there is a political will, especially when BN is so determined to dismantle fuel subsidy but did not lift a finger on gas subsidies for IPP.

What say you, still we cannot afford? Or Najib does not want to afford? Ha2.

MAHATHIR - A CONGENITAL TREASONOUS, TRAITOROUS SERIAL LIAR EXPOSES HIMSELF!, by Donplaypuks®

Has there been a more loathsome, reviled, offensive, malevolent, repulsive, abhorrent and abhorred person in Asian politics than this man who claims he is a Constitutional Malay, but not an Indian even though his father was a Keralan of India descent? Since when, and by what logic or magic, did religion change anyone's DNA? 

And I exult now that he has fallen on his own sword in his continuing vendetta against the man he (and UMNO/BN) fears more than anyone else, Anwar Ibrahim.

In his haste to anyhow link Anwar Ibrahim to the infamous and traitorous 'Project M Blue Identity Cards (IC) and Citizenships For Sale To Muslims' scandal, to illegally re-engineer the population mix in Sabah during his tenure as Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1981-2003, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has over-played his hand.

What Mahathir achieved is without a shadow of a doubt, treasonous.

Blue IC's and citizenships were sold and manipulated to enable illegal immigrants and/or their documents to be deployed to vote in favour of the ruling UMNO/BN coalition, at by-elections and State and Federal elections. There is no way that someone like Deputy Minister Megat Junid, who reported directly to PM Mahathir, would have proceeded of his own accord in these blatantly criminal acts, without the specific involvement and directions of his boss, Mahathir!

Mahathir is guilty up to his neck as the mastermind behind this racially biased and religiously bigoted scheme to hang on to power.

Do remember too that for the past 10-over years, it has always been referred to as Project M (for Mahathir) and NOT Project A (for Anwar Ibrahim). And, for the past 10-over years, Mahathir cosistently and vehemently denied such a project ever existed.

Then he does a complete U-turn in the wake of revelations at the current Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) hearing and testimonies vis-a-vis Sabah's immigrants crisis.

First, he publicly claimed that as then PM, he had the Constitutional power to confer citizenships, ignoring completely the Constitutional  'desirable citizen' test and length of residency status. He claimed it was all legal.

But he was forced to back-track when the RCI revealed the project was carried out secretly from its HQ at the home of his private secretary, and with the involvement of top civil serpents and Megat Junid, IC's and citizenships were sold for money to illegal immigrants who entered the country yesterday! One witness has testified at the RCI that he had raked in over $1 million from the shady scheme, while a Special Branch officer hastened to testify that his "best recollections" were that this civil serpent had done if all by himself, strictly for personal gain! No instructions from above? No political party gained from it? And how did one civil serpent by-pass all internal checks, steal documents and special paper/IC forms/blue IC etc., all by himself? More lying from police and civil serpents, for sure!

Without a hint of shame, Mahathir next scurrilously tried to shift attention and blame to the founding father of Malaya and Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Mahathir claimed the Tunku had altered Malay's demographics at the time of Independence (from British colonial rule) in 1957 by indiscriminately awarding citizenships to 1 million Chinese, Indians and others. Even if it were true, do two wrongs make a right?

The truth is, though, this is as bare-faced a lie as one you will come across anywhere. Those awarded citizenships in 1957 were either mainly legally contracted (by the British Administration) labourers and workers and their families or their children born in Malaya. They were NOT illegal immigrants. Most had a residency in Malaya that went back to the early nineteen hundreds, and did not regard Indian, China or Ceylon as their natural home. Their major contributions to the spectacular growth of the tin and rubber industries in Malaya, and the opening up of the country through infrastructure development - road, railway, port, airport and townships -  are matters of historical facts!

More than that, this award of citizenship was openly discussed and approved by UMNO, Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), the British Government, various NGOs and most importantly, by the Rulers (Sultans) of all the States! Nothing was transacted in the filthy, sordid, clandestine, dirty cloak and dagger style and acerbic mannerisms of Mahathir and his immoral UMNO Baru (new) bunch of thieves!

Between 1980-2010, Sabah's population grew from 930,000 to a staggering 3.1 MILLION!! This works out to over an incredible 300% increase since 1980, or an astonishing annually compounded growth rate of nearly 4.5%. Today, some 27% (837,000) of Sabah's population consists of illegal immigrants, mainly Muslims of Indonesian and Filipino descent. In no uncertain fashion is Mahathir responsible for robbing Sabahans of their sovereignty. No prizes for guessing who was Prime Minister of Malaysia for most of that period!

And, if the electoral rolls at Selangor are subjected to a truly independent audit, I guarantee you that something of a similar nature has occurred in Selangor, where in the last few years, its population has increased by over 400,000, comprising many Bangladeshis, Indonesians and Pakistanis. Note how the EC Chief has in typical CYA (Cover Your Ass) mode issued a statement that it is not his duty to verify the authenticity or validity of Blue IC's as long as they arrive from the National Registration Department! 

Then in expected and classic cravenly cowardly Mahathir habit, he shifted blame to Anwar. Anwar was involved, if not wholly responsible, for the Project M IC debacle.

And where is the whale of all lies? Mahathir added in that pre-emptive strike, that there was nothing in black and white that could be placed at Anwar's door, but that if his selective amnesia syndrome prone memory served him right, Anwar had acted beyond the good doctor M's intentions! And what exactly were Mahathir's good intentions? Hmm,...er....ah....? Why it was the noble act of issuing IC's and citizenships to illegal immigrants based solely on the fact that they were Muslims! Never mind that some of them were known terrorists! Was there ever a more noble and more altruistic PM of Malaysia? And Mahathir was an honourable man, was he not? And so were they all, his UMNO Baru cohorts, all honourable men!

Lying thief!

Mahathir hasn't the decency to quit and leave the country of his own accord, for his indecent treasonous and traitorous conduct. This is the evil man who has utilised and mustered every ounce of power he has to split this country apart. Racial and religious polarisation has never been greater now than ever before, with Najib following suit in Mahathir's footsteps. Try as he may, Mahathir can't remove that Indian birth chip from his shoulders. And so it translates as the nation's No.1 racist, religious bigot and demagogue. Regardless of how it might rip the nation apart, Mahathir will thrash about, because it is in the nature of vermin and bugs to indulge so.

At the heart of it all is Mahathir's realisation that the people see the naked ex-Emperor for what he is - a pathteic, decrepit sore old sour puss. And he is trembling under his blanket. That's why he's talking about a future Pakatan Government arresting him (as they should), surely the talk of a big time loser. He's glad the Internal Security Act has been abolished, yet expressed no misgivings about having used it to arrest and imprison thousands without trial; he blamed the 1987 Ops Lallang arrests on the then Inspector General of Police, who true to the form of mindless sycophants and millionaire cronies, "affirmed" it some 20 years later, after Mahathir suggested that was the case! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Lalang Well let Mahathir now be the one to endure sleeples nights awaiting the arrival of the dreaded 3 p.m. Black Maria! In the immortal words of Ben Elton, "he's crapping in his pants!"

So, we the PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA, must squash Mahathir like we would any  irritating bug of whichever species he is one of, to preserve our unity, sanity, save ourselves and maintain our humanity and dignity. Let's put this scumbag out of his misery at the next General Elections!  

ABU! (Anything But UMNO, unless it reforms).

‘Stand up or sack me, Mr President’

In a scathing letter to G Palanivel, MIC leader S Vell Paari tells his president to push for action to be taken against Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Ibrahim Ali, failing which, he will ask the Indians to vote for the opposition.

Still nursing the near fatal wounds sustained in the last general election, MIC is limping towards the frontline once again. And while its supporters remain optimistic, its detractors however believe that it would not survive the looming battle.

Amidst this uncertain future comes a scathing open letter from an outspoken MIC leader to his president, which could plunge the Barisan Nasional component into a crisis just ahead of the polls.

Aware of the risks and repercussions involved, S Vell Paari told FMT that he felt compelled to ink his thoughts since the issue transcended partisan politics.

“It might be the wrong thing to do as a BN politician but I believe it is the right thing to do as a Malaysian who is fed up with those attempting to rip this nation apart,” he said.

In his letter, the MIC strategy director urged G Palanivel to push for stern action to be taken against academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah for penning an article which disparaged those who professed the Hindu faith as well as Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

Failing which, Vell Paari warned that he would put into motion a proposal to call on Indians not to cast their ballots for the ruling coalition in the coming polls.

“If no action is taken against Ridhuan and Ibrahim, I would push forward my proposal in advising the Indians who to vote for. I would use the MIC platform to go forward with my proposal.

“The only way for you [Palanivel] to stop me is to sack me. The ball is in your court,” read the letter, which was copied to FMT.

Vell Paari said that Palanivel should raise this matter during next week’s Cabinet meeting and press Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to make a stand.

The MIC leader also clarified that he was asking the president to take the lead based on protocol.

“As a MIC member, where we represent Indians of all faiths and a member of a race called Malaysian, I cannot remain quiet on this sort of issues any longer, which tend to crop up with increasing frequency. The community wants to know what is our response.

“We berate Pakatan Rakyat for breaking temples but keep quiet on these insults. If the reverse had happened [a Hindu insulting Islam], all hell would have broken loose,” he said.

“With regard to the controversy regarding the use of the word Allah, it went to the extent where a certain imbecile called for Bibles to be burnt. Why must is it always be a one-way street when it comes to our [non-Muslim] sensitivity?” he added.

‘We are not children of a lesser God’

Vell Paari said that when he criticised Ridhuan, he had to recharge his mobile phone several times as he was flooded with calls in support of his stand both from within and outside MIC.

“If we continue to remain silent on such issues because we are afraid of antagonising certain powers- that-be, then we might as well close shop and convert the MIC headquarters into a banana leaf restaurant. We cannot hold our heads high, when our tails are between our legs,” he added.

Vell Paari pointed out that Ridhuan, who was an associate professor with the National Defence University, also held other government-related positions.

“He is a committee member of the Islamic Consultative Council in the Prime Minister’s Department, a national council member of the Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim) and executive facilitator at the civil service integrity enhancement unit in the Islamic Development Department.

“He sits in these positions including the Prime Minister’s Department and hits out at MIC, a member of the government that he is employed by. This is a clear case of insubordination and defiance of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept,” he said.

“If Ibrahim calls for the torching of Bibles to protect his faith, then what should our reaction be towards someone who had insulted our faith and the Thaipusam festival?

“Who are Ridhuan and Ibrahim to talk about non-Muslims and our religions? In what way are we children of a lesser God? We too have every right to stand up and protect the God we pray to. This country is our home as much as it is theirs. They should be charged with sedition,” he stressed.

Real equality in BN needed
Vell Paari said the time had come for BN component parties to be on equal footing with Umno instead of being subservient to the big brother.

“Let’s have some pride and respect. It’s better to quit with dignity then to live in shame in BN for the sake of having a few appointments in government.

“Are MIC and her members in BN just to hold flags, to wear free BN t-shirts, fill up seats at events and to play postman to deliver cheques issued by the Prime Minister’s Office?” he asked.

Vell Paari noted that for the first time, there was a prime minister who was willing to engage the Indian community and make a difference.

“We should educate this prime minister on the needs of the community and not the other way around – for him to say what he thinks this community needs,” he added.

The MIC leader cited several examples which the party could propose such as to raise the Indian equity target to 10%, looking into upgrading the computer facilities and quality of teachers in Tamil schools as well as to eradicate criminal elements in the Indian community and improving the standard of the police force, which suffered from a perception crisis.

He also invited Najib to visit the MIC headquarters and hold heart-to-heart discussions with the CWC members and division chairmen.

Returning to the Ridhuan issue, Vell Paari told Palanivel that as the party’s strategy director, it was his strategic advise that the president take the bull by its horns.

“You have direct access to the prime minister, so you have to bring this matter to the attention of the prime minister for immediate action.

“While I must commend the prime minister for signing the election integrity pledge, we must also call on him to take a proactive and bold stand on this matter.

“Ridhuan must be removed from all his government-related appointments. We should not ask for him to be terminated from his employment because we should not punish his family for his mistake. But let’s not be contented with a simple apology,” he said.

Vell Paari, who insisted that he would not join the opposition should he decide to throw in the towel, would also sent copies of the letter to the CWC members.

It is learnt that the MIC leader had received gentle reprimands from the BN leadership to tone down but when quizzed on this, he refused to disclose the details. However, he vowed not to cave in to pressure.

“If MIC is considered an equal partner in BN, then action against the likes of Ridhuan would be taken without me having to resort to such measures,” he said.

Asked if he was advocating for MIC to withdraw from the coalition, Vell Paari declined to comment.

With Malay votes divided between PKR, PAS and Umno, Indian votes were crucial to the ruling coalition, especially since Chinese voters had turned their backs on BN.

In the aftermath of the Hindraf protest, Indian voters, who till then were considered to be true blue supporters of BN, had swung their support in favour of the opposition during the 2008 polls.

MIC and MCA continue to find themselves in a political conundrum as several quarters remain adamant on exploiting sensitive issues despite the prime minister’s 1Malaysia call.

Palanivel agrees to act
Meanwhile, Vell Paari informed FMT later that Palanivel had agreed to raise the matter with Najib during the Cabinet meeting.

“I am hoping that the prime minister would initiate action. I would not be satisfied with a mere ‘we are looking into the matter’ response. This has gone too far,” he said.

Vell Paari also clarified that he was not undermining Palanivel nor was he interested in becoming president of MIC or to be given political positions.

“There are no hidden agendas or what not here. I am raising this issue because I am fed up with idiots running around trying to turn Malaysia into a racial and religious war zone.

“I am a father. I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful country without bigotry,” he added.

Chinese see Psy, Malays see May 13 film Mariam Mokhtar

As we approach the 13th general election (GE13), Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s interpretation of “1Malaysia” gets more bizarre.

To herald in the Year of the Snake, Najib made the surprise announcement that the Chinese would be treated to a special performance by the Korean entertainer Psy. Earlier this week, after much delay and heavy censorship, the Indians were finally allowed to view the film, “Vishwaroopam”.

The Malay masses, always on the wrong end of the stick when it comes to Umno’s largesse, were forced to view the Umno propaganda film “Tanda Putera”.

Psy’s performance allegedly cost RM3 million for a mere 12 minutes. The ban on Vishwaroopam caused promoters to suffer significant financial losses. Much of the box-office takings were diverted to pirated DVDs which were openly sold throughout Malaysia.

“Tanda Putera” cost RM4.8 million and is funded by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and the Multimedia Development Corporation (Mdec) – in other words, the taxpayer.

We are told that “Tanda Putera” uses the May 13 racial clashes as a backdrop to the relationship between the deputy prime minister of the time, Abdul Razak Hussein, and the former home affairs minister, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman. For health reasons, Ismail had retired from politics but Razak managed to persuade him to come out of retirement to help resolve the crisis.

The screening of “Tanda Putera” was deferred twice, last year. On Sept 13, it was claimed that there was insufficient promotion for the film, then on Nov 15, the Cabinet decided that certain scenes were “inappropriate”.

Were the bans designed to create more hype around the film and so increase the curiosity of some members of the public?

Last Monday, around 3,000 Felda settlers who were in Kuala Lumpur to hear Umno leaders including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, received an unexpected addition to their programme. Najib ordered that “Tanda Putera” be screened and journalists were asked to leave the hall.

It is outrageous that Najib uses racial sentiments to scare the voters into voting for Umno. How can the wounds from May 13 heal, if they are continually being re-opened?

The film was shown after Mahathir had told the Felda settlers that they were beholden to Umno. He said, “The comfort today is due to hard work as well as the government’s help, can’t people be a little grateful and appreciative?”

Lessons from history ignored

The greatest tragedy of the May 13 riots is that Umno ministers have not learned any lessons from history. The legacy of Mahathir means that his loathsome influence still continues after he resigned as prime minister.

In the book, “The Reluctant Politician” about Ismail, by Ooi Kee Beng, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah claimed that Ismail was the one who wanted Mahathir expelled from Umno and twice prevented Mahathir from being re-admitted into Umno.

The book also states that Ismail banned offending documents criticising the Tunku from being circulated because law and order was breaking down, and he was adamant that there would be “no coup in the country and no coups in the party”.

Ismail was known for fair play and correctness, and the book claimed that “every Malay colleague… including Mahathir, feared Ismail”. Ismail was always ready to debate and he was highly principled.

Malaysia is still haunted by the May 13 riots and each one of us has to bear our share of shame and guilt. How many of us can truly call ourselves Malaysian?

Some of us demand that vernacular or religious schools be kept. Universities have special quotas to meet. Particular jobs, contracts or positions are given to certain sections of the community. Are we prepared to dispense with all these racial policies?

Najib is playing a dangerous game in using “Tanda Putera” to try to swing support for Umno. The similarities between 1969 and 2013 are uncanny.

In 1969, it was believed that there were two factions in Umno – the “ultras” who included the young Mahathir; and the “old guard” or the moderates who were led by Tunku. Today, a power struggle exists in Umno between the old Mahathir and Najib.

The communists were made a convenient scapegoat for the May 13 disturbances. In the past few years, the communist element is again being blamed for troubles in Malaysia.

Even PAS leader Mat Sabu was accused of being a communist sympathiser when he alluded to Malay freedom fighters who used communist ideals to fight for independence of Malaya.

Bersih marchers were not spared when former Inspector-General of Police Hanif Omar claimed he recognised communist elements from video footage of people on the march.

In 1969, the ruling Alliance party suffered a significant decline in support. In an echo of the past, the loss of support that BN suffered in 2008 is predicted to continue to GE13.

The opposition took control of Kelantan and Penang in 1969 and states like Selangor and Perak did not have a clear majority. In 2008, Kelantan, Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak fell to the opposition although Najib later grabbed back power in Perak.

In the 1960s, the Malays were suffering economically. Despite various programmes to help Malays in the lower income bracket, most of the benefits have been abused by Umno Malays to help themselves, and not their poorer cousins.

‘Ketuanan Melayu’ myth

Foreign powers were aware of the discrimination suffered by the minorities, in the 1960s, but economic considerations made them look the other way.

There is no change today. Britain and France are more interested in selling their weaponry than chastising our leaders for their human rights abuses and racist policies.

Even before independence, the non-Malays had learnt to stand on their own two feet while the Malays have always felt that Malaya was their “homeland” and they did not need to work as hard as the “pendatang”.

Five decades later, the “Ketuanan Melayu” myth has caused a further deterioration in the living standards and expectations of the Malay.

It was claimed that in 1969, the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) whose members were from a cross- section of Malaysia, was the only security unit which dispensed law and order without bias.

Today, instead of attracting non-Malays into the security forces, the armed forces, like the civil service are predominantly Malay.

In 1969, the May 13 troubles caused the Sarawak state election to be postponed. Today, we witness the Sulu militia incursion in Lahad Datu and the revelations by the Sabah Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI). Would these be used to delay elections or declare emergency rule in Sabah?

In October 1969, Najib’s father, Abdul Razak, who was the head of the National Operations Council (NOC) investigating the May 13 tragedy, produced a report which outlined some of the tasks and choices they faced. Razak said that Malaysia had to work hard to restore mutual trust and racial harmony. Has Najib taken heed of his own father’s advice?

In recent years, Malaysians have been subjected to much violence and many threats from the ruling party.

If the rakyat cannot trust its Cabinet ministers to tell the truth, then the thin wall that protects us from anarchy can easily be breached.

Does Najib want to create anarchy in a last-ditch attempt to retain power?

Stop trying to stir up trouble, Hindraf: NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF BN WINS!

When UMNO and Barisan Nasional have failed the marginalised Indians for the past 56 years, Pakatan Rakyat has made some significant impact in helping them in the states under their control. Even with a tight rein on resources – Pakatan does not control the federal kitty – the state governments under Pakatan have tried their level best to help the marginalised Indians.

Hindraf or Hindu Rights Action Force began as a coalition of 30 Hindu non-governmental organisations committed to the preservation of Hindu community rights and heritage in a multi-racial Malaysia. .Hindraf no doubt had made a major impact to the political landscape of Malaysia in staging the 2007 HINDRAF rally.

The group has now developed a far-reaching political programme to preserve and to push for equal rights and opportunities for the minority Tamils. It has been efficacious in enduring to focus attention on the racist aspects of the present government policies.

Nevertheless, today Hindraf as an NGO may not be a force as strong as how they were before the 2008 general election. Hindraf did play a major role in that election to see Indian votes tilt towards Pakatan. During that time Hindraf had a sizeable Indian support.

Hindraf should not make unreasonable demands

As after the 2008 general election, this role to assist the penurious and mistreated Indians was taken over by many zealous Indian leaders in Pakatan – PKR and DAP. These are the leaders seen by those ‘relegated’ Indians to have helped them more.

For this reason, Indians in general are still supportive of Pakatan Rakyat with or without Hindraf.

However, Hindraf can still play a role to amalgamate Indian support for Pakatan by working diligently with the present federal opposition. Hindraf should not make unreasonable demands that no coalition – Pakatan or Barisan – could copiously accept them.

Hindraf leaders should grasp the fact that the problems faced by the marginalised Indians are also faced by other ethnic groups, especially the poor Malays and the Orang Asal of this country.

Wisdom should prevail among Hindraf leaders. Instead of making some stroppy demands for now, Hindraf should amicably co-operate with Pakatan leaders to wrest control of Putrajaya. It’s not a matter of ‘number of election seats’ that should be given to Hindraf that will make them relevant. It’s the empowerment in politics at the end of the day that will make the difference.

It would therefore be more sensible if Hindraf could work with all races in the country to help lighten the problems of the marginalised Indians. Hindraf is wide of the mark if they feel that only the Indians could help the Indians in the Malaysian context.

Left to fend for themselves

Indians have represented the Alliance Party and Barisan Nasional since the country’s Independence in 1957. Yet these Indian leaders could not do much to assuage the problems faced by the majority poor Indians. Leaders among the Indian community more often than not are self-seeking and would end up looking for glamour. They seek posts in the government, crave for honorific titles and end up enriching themselves – typical of almost all Barisan leaders.

Many of these successful Indians have acquired foreign PR and their children have adopted foreign citizenship. They have neglected the poor among the Indians and the latter are today left to fend for themselves.

Crime, unemployment and illiteracy are synonymous to most of this deprived group of Indians. They are left with no successful Indians coming to their rescue. Only some devoted politicians, mainly in the Opposition are seriously struggling to help this group of Indians.

If truth be told, in most cases the plights of the marginalised Indians are more looked after by the Chinese and Malays as they have the means and the also the conscience to do so.   The Chinese for instance have in the past donated a lot for the welfare of the Indian community such as the building of temples and schools and the maintenance of homes for the orphans and the poor Indians.

Thousands of Indians are working in the private sectors owned by the Chinese, Malays and foreigners. Praise and credit should be given to these people who have helped the poor Indians. And Indians given these opportunities have proven themselves to be successful and hardworking.

Begging for aids

Hindraf’s stand hence cannot be too race-centric and they should not deny the fact that not many wealthy Indians are willing to help relieve the problems faced by the poor Indians in the country. Hindraf should be unpretentious enough to admit that people of other races have all this while been helping the Indians.

Indians comprise not only Tamils in this country. It’s also not solely a Hindu problem here. Indians are not all Hindus; there are Muslims and Christians among them. And many of them are poor too.

No doubt the voice of the Indians must be heard in the parliament but it is equally important that Indian leaders work together with other races that have the means to help the poor Indians. Chinese schools are flourishing all due to the help extended by the Chinese community.

But the same is not happening to Tamil schools. Not many rich Indians are willing to contribute to improve the deplorable conditions of Tamil schools in the country.

Most non-Tamils do not send their children to Tamil schools and thus the rich among the non-Tamils are quite reluctant to contribute for the well-being of these schools.

When the Chinese are practically resilient and financially independent to make Chinese schools flourish and become among the best equipped in the country the Tamils are always seen to be begging for aids from the government.

Hindraf or the Indians in general should not see Tamil schools and temples as too significant an issue when the majority Indians are finding it so trying to even put food on the table. They should instead look into ways to improve the economic state of the poor Indians.

For this to materialise, Indians at large cannot depend on race-based parties but more on parties that are ideology-based where any economic help for the people is needs based and comes from all races.

Give Pakatan a chance

When race-based parties such as MIC and other mosquito parties representing the Indians within the Barisan coalition have failed the Indians they must now go for a shift and see if this helps them in the long run. Indians, all together, should give Pakatan a chance for at least one term at the federal level to see if there is any tangible change to their fate.

Indians have seen considerable results in states like Selangor and Penang which are under Pakatan control.

Now is the time for the Indians to work with Pakatan at the federal level to make things change for the community. When Barisan has failed them they still have a choice in a two-party system – a choice between Barisan and Pakatan. It’s never too late for Hindraf and the Indians to give Pakatan a chance to prove that the coalition can come up with concrete measures to change the fate of the marginalised Indians.

Pakatan is the way forward for the Indians after Barisan has failed them for the past 56 years. After all, the Indians had been loyal supporters of the Alliance and Barisan for more than four decades until they threw their support for Pakatan in the 2008 general election.

Indian votes can be crucial in some constituencies and their votes can determine which candidates can win. The 2008 election results shocked UMNO and Barisan leaders as they lost five states in that election and also the two-thirds majority in parliament. Many Indians were then voted in as oppositions in the parliament and state assemblies.

Hindraf cannot go it alone

The 2008 general election saw many ethnic Indians representing the Opposition in parliament. Penang appointed a deputy chief minister from this ethnic group. Perak created history by appointing an ethnic Indian to become the state assembly speaker.

States like Selangor and Penang saw a number of ethnic Indians holding important government posts who in their capacity have helped the marginalised Indian community. Of course, majority of these Indians do not represent Hindraf but PKR and DAP.

The success of Pakatan states in trying to alleviate the problems of the marginalised Indians is unprecedented. Hindraf should take note of this achievement.

Hindraf cannot go it alone. There is no single seat in the country that has Indian majority. And not all Indians, Malays or Chinese will vote for Hindraf candidates. The reality is that Indian candidates need the support of all races to win elections. Boycotting the elections will only see the Indians being deprived further and Hindraf doomed.

Common sense should thus again prevail among Hindraf leaders. Hindraf should not be too forceful and pressure Pakatan – or Barisan for that matter – into signing anything that would scare the majority Malay electorate. No coalition would entertain their excessive demands.

Hindraf ‘s realistic demand can always be incorporated in Pakatan’s policy corpus. Going for extremes will definitely hurt the feelings of other marginalised ethnic groups in the country.  Hindraf and the Indians as a whole should go for a non-race based politics and work within Pakatan’s policy framework.

It’s also sagacious for Hindraf to work for all the races including of course the Indians.

Nothing will change if Barisan wins

Demanding for exclusive seats may not augur well as Hindraf leaders must be willing to work with Pakatan coalition as a team. They should field candidates within the coalition’s policy context but not as a separate entity.

For that matter, even Barisan would not be able to give exclusive seats to Hindraf without offending the many Indian-based parties affiliated to the coalition, such as MIC.

Hindraf should air their demands persuasively only after going all out to help Pakatan win the elections. They should be smart enough to realise that nothing will change if Barisan wins, but there is likely to be a significant transformation for the poor Indians if Pakatan wins.

Hindraf can take on all MIC-held seats as a coalition partner of Pakatan. This approach alone will not help the Indians, as there is no guarantee that Hindraf could win all because the MIC seats were returned based on the strength of Malay or Chinese votes.

It’s only when Pakatan can take over Putrajaya can there be a more effective ways to help the poor Indians.

Pakatan is a multi-racial party and if possible they would not want to see race-to-race contest in an election. Hindraf cannot work exclusively with a blueprint that is very Indian-centric or race-focused. Only through the support of the non-Indians could they win elections and thereby could express the grievances of the poor Indians to the government in control.

This makes UMNO happy

Pakatan’s policies on the economy and education are based on needs, not class or race. All marginalised and poor communities have a stake in their ‘blueprint’.  Their blueprint eulogises human rights and opportunities for all.

The marginalised Indians need to be helped.  But Hindraf should work with Pakatan to forward their demands for all minorities and not just the Indian community. An Indian-only approach may not augur well in a multi-racial Malaysia.

The voice of the poor and underclass Indian Malaysians are already made audible by the few Indian representatives in Pakatan. Hindraf should not belittle the efforts made by all those who have been fighting so hard for the poor Indians. Where is Hindraf when Pakatan leaders are all out to help the poor and victimised Indians of late?

Hindraf may have supporters but it is no longer a significant force among the Indians. Majority Indians are now already with Pakatan and a minority with Barisan.

Indians are the minority in this country but unfortunately they are in the main disunited, discontented and hardnosed. This makes UMNO happy. Indians have no choice but to lean towards the majority in many aspects of their life such as the economy and education.

When Barisan has failed them they should now vote for a change at the federal level to enjoy their constitutional rights.

It’s never too late to be united and force for a change of government. The next general election will determine the fate of the poor Indians in the country for many years to come.