And we thought we had hope.

It was a great speech, to which my friend once proclaimed “Alhamdulillah”. Oh how we took to heart his resounding call:

“We cannot morally turn our backs on the fundamental responsibility of ensuring that all stakeholders in our society, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, have a place under the sun.”

“Only those who are capable, responsible and scrupulously honest should be allowed to serve in positions of leadership. Those who are inefficient, incompetent and, most importantly, corrupt should be held in absolute contempt. There must also be concrete anti-corruption measures and management practices based on efficiency, transparency and accountability. It is also very important that we have leaders who are earnest in maintaining unity, never resorting to religious or ethnic posturing to further their political careers at the expense of peace and security. Should they fail in this respect, they must be held accountable and answerable before the law.”

“It is only when citizens are also stakeholders will there be the widest sense of ownership of problems and challenges”

“You must take personal ownership over the wellbeing of the country. Do not succumb to indifference and apathy. Hold on to your ideals. Do not give way to cynicism and opportunism. Believe that you can make a difference. Channel your energies in a constructive manner to bring about positive changes around you.”

What has all that come to today???!!! AN APATHETIC I DON’T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS!!!!!

The song of angry men.

But what is so unconstitutional about listening to what the people of Perak really wants? Listen to the roar of the people tonight. Listen to their cries!

God have mercy on us.

I am upset too!

Upset over the negative perceptions

I share our PM’s sentiments when he addressed his staff in the PM’s Department this week. He sternly rebuked those who spread lies and slanders via the Internet and the short messaging service (SMS). Describing those “lies” as an attempt to create a perception of uncertainty in the country, he believed it was also an act against the tenets of the Rukunegara such as loyalty to king and country, upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and good behaviour and morality.

As he pointed out, perceptions has certainly influenced the attitudes and options of some people in making decisions including those related to investment and business.

Dear Mr PM, I agree and would add that you, and your government too has in no lesser degree contributed to these negative perceptions by virtue of your lack of determination in setting the records straight and coming out clean and clear on many issues pertaining to policies which directly affect public confidence in BN’s ability to run the country with integrity.

Sure, bloggers who lie and slander must be called to give account to their irresponsible deeds. But you, Mr PM, should first respond to these liars by setting the example. Let’s show them how a true and faithful Malaysian should behave. Let us hear you stating clearly your loyalty to our royal household by taking full responsibility for the unbecoming behaviour of the UMNO supporters in Terengganu and your glaring headline remark which demeaned the consitutional right of the sultan in exercising his prerogative in picking the new MB. Show these lying bloggers that it takes a sincere man to own up to his words, words spoken and written, which have been perceived to be disrespectful to our king. KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA.

When fellow Malaysians like Manoharan, Uthayakumar, Ganabatirau, Kenghadharan and Vasantha Kumar were taken under ISA detention and purportedly linked with “terrorist organizations” which have been proven completely baseless, you summomed your minister but maintained your elegant silence. I was disappointed because I believed that you are a PM who will not tolerate violation of basic human rights to a fair representation when detained, and fair trial in court with clear charges. I urge you now to make clear to all that you mean business in upholding the constitutional rights of every Malaysian by abolishing the ISA. Indeed, show them that you honor KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN.

Expose these liars by showing the world that there is no reason to doubt the judiciary and law enforcement institutions in Malaysia. Let’s restore public confidence in the police force by instructing all ministers (and their wives) to insist on turning themselves in to the police to have their statements recorded (like the rest of us) should there be any reports made against them. Like RPK and Nat (of course, there are many more) who had been hauled up for days and their family thrown into wild-goose chases for allegedly seditious and malicious postings on their respective blogs, can we have a clear procedure made known to public how cases like these will be dealt with in a fair and civilized mannner. Oh by the way, I remember there are similar cases reported against you too?? Let’s do what is right. Let’s have you and your BN MPs relentlessly pushing for reforms in Parliament which are essential to KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG – for a judiciary system truly separated from your executive powers and not just pay some unknown amount of money to certain judges.

It is very unKESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN of your MPs to resort to lewd hand gestures and name callings when they find themselves falling short of intelligible thoughts to offer. Please publicly rebuke these ‘honorable’ clowns and restore public confidence in the credibilty of those elected to run the country and economy. And while you’re at it, please also apologize and promise not to repeat your fondness in telling lies, like you did when confirming that the parliament was not to be dissolved, only to go back on your words the following day. Also, for all the flip-flop acts you have often demonstrated for all to see, leaving me so confused with where this country is heading, let alone those with business investment interests. Only then, the people will have confidence in your efforts.

Like most Malaysian, I desire peace. But peace, must not be paid with self-deceit, ignorance, gullibility, betrayal and surpression of truth.

So-do-my countrymen want to be convinced?

Evidences were skewed right before the very eyes of Malaysians 10 years ago. The world witnessed one of the most outrages court proceedings with heinous interventions from power players. The ruling was eventually overturned and the man acquitted. The same crime is alleged now, after a decade has passed. The same people are still dictating the rules of the game. This time, whether the alleged crime really took place or otherwise, how can we Malaysians be convinced and assured of fair investigation and if at all, a fair trial when meaningful reforms in the judiciary and policing system were not forthcoming? These are the very same forces that have been systematically used through the years to deny we Malaysians, of our own country. 

Of course, this is not just about one man. Justice must be served, but let us not be side-tracked. We know who shall be answerable if the same kangaroo court is reconvened after 10 years. Beyond that, tell us what is done to prepare us to weather the following:

1. Escalating worldwide food shortage

2. Increasing pressure of rising fuel prices and its effects on prices of daily essentials

3. Further distortion of food and energy (and most commodities) prices due to increasing speculative activity by hedge funds & investment banks

4. Impending threat of collapse of the global financial system

5. Effects of the slowing down of the US economy – the ongoing financial crisis leading to persistent liquidity shortages, pressure on capital of banks and other financial institutions, increasing credit risks and sharply falling prices of mortgage-related and other structured securities as well as of equities. Given that Malaysia’s economy is still heavily export-oriented with a still largish exposure to the US.

6. Adverse income disparity

7. High wastages in public expenditure and worsening corruption

Please explain to us, how, will the annual RM2billion savings from the government’s cost cutting package will be channeled to help the nation and how the remaining 90% of each minister’s entertainment allowance (which totals RM7million/year) is spent?!

Please. Please do not ‘sodomize’ the people of Malaysia anymore. Stop playing your backside games for your own survival. We are not the means to your political ends. Get to work!