Sep 21, 2011
Jul 19, 2011
May 20, 2011
The hottest places in hell are reserved for those are neutral in times of moral crisis
Bishop Paul Tan said he agreed with Italian poet Dante that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis maintained their neutrality
Mar 11, 2011
Najib's administration: A Journey in self-deception - By Disappointed Malaysian, Mkini
“I do not subscribe to the doctrine that the people are the slaves and property of their government. I believe that government is for the use of the people, and not the people for the use of the government.” - Gerrit Smith
As a Malaysian, I've learnt to have very low expectations of our present administration and leaders, except that they should have intelligence above that of a parakeet and moral values above that of a snake. But even at this level, I may have set the bar far too high already. The current administration seems to be drunk with contempt for the intelligence of the rakyat and the rest of the world. The daily deluge of shameless and mindless communiqué emerging from Putrajaya is enough to propel this country into a perpetual global laughing stock.
As a catalyst to push the reputation of the country into further disrepute, we've a national news agency that is ever so eager to pander to the preposterous and the ridiculous. I suppose those who are accustomed to demanding respect from others as a right and a privilege will never put any effort into earning it, nor are they capable of according the same to others. The stillborn 1Malaysia programme has degenerated into nothing more than a cacophony of empty slogans and rhetoric. While the present leadership tries to masquerade itself as a multi-racial and tolerant administration capable of governing a diverse nation like Malaysia, with openness and fairness, in truth, it has openly allowed itself to succumb to its serpentine instinct to divide and rule the country via its proxies, Perkasa and Utusan Malaysia.
Both seem to be a local hangover from the Third Reich. Nevertheless, this blasé administration is unashamed to be caught committing political adultery with the fascists of its own making. Moreover, what we have here is an administration bent on means most foul in discounting the contributions of the other races in the development of this country, by engaging in intellectual dishonesty, through revisionist history. This is the same administration that has been preaching about justice for the Palestinians in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, yet has shown itself to lack the honesty in enforcing social justice and truthfulness at home.
Let the truth be told; without the contributions of the non-bumiputeras and its past colonial masters, this country would have only achieved a fraction of its present economic growth. In reality, 1Malaysia is nothing more than just a charade on parade. In trying to project itself as a unifying and democratic administration, that's exactly where it has failed miserably. While Malaysians are constantly treated to a fare of world class statesmanship by world leaders such as Barack Obama, Lee Myung-bak, Angela Merkel, Hu Jintao and many others, thanks to the Internet and television. Here, we've an antagonistic and dismissive Third-World administration, coupled with weak minded leadership that displays an utmost unwillingness to bridge the political divide. Instead, this administration is persistently engaging in wanton and shameless acts in seeking to undermine the Opposition state governments, with total disregard for the welfare and the will of the rakyat who voted them in.
Just as those who spoke up against slavery were accused of treason and sedition before slavery was finally abolished in 1833 throughout the British Empire, this administration is manufacturing charges of sedition against Opposition members when all they did was loosening the shackles of the rakyat and speaking up for the will of the rakyat. The constant trumpeting that Malaysia will be a high-income country by year 2020, that is, a country with a Gross National Income per capita of US$12,196 is akin to the peddling of snake oil by charlatans in the wild, wild West. The only marked difference is that this time around, the salesmen are adorned in tailored suits and expensive neckties. According to a study conducted by the Human Resources Ministry in 2009 on the National Employment Return, 33.8 percent of the 1.3 million workers covered in the study earned less than RM700 per month.
This places them below the poverty line of RM720 per month. Furthermore, a study by the World Bank revealed that the wage trend in Malaysia has gown only 2.6 percent annually over the last 10 years. Hallucinating from its own perceived grandeur, this administration is also trying to explain away, oblivious to the obvious truth, the 81 percent drastic decline in FDI, from US$7.32 billion (2008) to US$1.38 billion (2009). During the same period, about a quarter million of Malaysians have left its shores en masse, triggering an exodus of human capital of colossal proportion. With no concrete economic reforms in place to date, it ill behooves this administration to censure John Malott, the former US ambassador to Malaysia, for stating the inconvenient truth that this administration is guilty of thriving on fomenting ethnic conflicts, above much needed economic reforms. An independent judiciary and credible law enforcement agencies are crucial in attracting FDIs or any form of investments. Can we expect the same in Malaysia? The answer is a resounding negative.
Once an institution has tainted itself in exchange for political favours and other personal rewards, it is beyond redemption. As Gandhi aptly said, “There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.” To have an array of foreign diplomats sitting in at the present Sodomy II trial is already an indictment by the international community that the Malaysian judiciary cannot be trusted to carry out natural justice. The elegant silence of the authorities over US$291 billion (2000 to 2008) in illicit capital flight bears testimony to the erosion of integrity within our Malaysian law enforcement agencies. One shudders to contemplate what the future holds for this country when the judiciary and the law enforcement agencies are the weakest links in our legal system, and yet are the most protected. A government can only lead effectively by example. If a government becomes the lawbreaker, it invites anarchy and breeds contempt for the law.
While Indonesia may rank lower than Malaysia in the Transparency International Corruption Index, recent efforts to eradicate corruption by the Indonesian government has won the country accolades and recognition internationally. Recently, the Norwegian government provided Indonesia with a grant of US$1 billion to fight global warming. Although the Malaysian prime minister had offered to cut greenhouse gases drastically at the climate change summit in Copenhagen in December 2009, till today no grant has been forthcoming from any donor country. It speaks volume when the leaderships of developed countries don't trust you with their money. With this administration, tax-payers should ask themselves seriously whether they are getting their value for money.
The real challenges confronting Malaysia is not just the middle-income trap or high commodity prices, but a government that has lost credibility at home and abroad. As with the likes of Mubarak and Gaddafi, this administration continues to be deluded by its own perceived invincibility while driving this country further into oblivion and possible bankruptcy. The only cure for a government with an acute narcissistic personality disorder is rejection though the ballot box. And so it shall.
Sep 14, 2010
Sarawakian, this is the time to change. Be courages and do the right thing. Dont let BN fool you for another 47 years. Read here
May 18, 2010
"From now on, no one will take us - the people of Sarawak - for granted"
Speech by Wong Ho Leng, newly elected MP of P212 on 16th May 2010 at the announcement of the results of the Sibu by-election
1. Terima kasih Sibu. Terima kasih Malaysia.
2. One small step in winning Sibu is one big step in winning power in Petrajaya, and a giant step forward in winning power in Putrajaya.
3. Change we can. Tonight, the people of Sibu have created history.
4. Together we won an election that was deemed impossible just a week ago, against the full brunt of the Barisan Nasional money and government machinery.
5. It is a miracle that we created together.
6. Forever, the history of Malaysia will remember 16th May 2010 as the begining of the awakening of Sarawak, and Sibu as the bastion of hope for all Malaysians.
7. From now on, no one will take us - the people of Sarawak - for granted.
8. The victory is not just a victory for DAP. It is a victory for the people of Sibu, Sarawak and Malaysia.
9. I wish to thank all voters of Sibu for making this bold and historic decision.
10. Let me assure you that I will serve all voters of Sibu, regardless of whether you have voted for me or not.
11. And I will speak up for all fellow Malaysians to bring about fundamental change for Sarawak and Malaysia.
12. Finally, to DAP members and leaders, partners in Pakatan Rakyat and all volunteers who worked tirelessly for this by-election, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
Wong Ho Leng
MP, Sibu
1. Terima kasih Sibu. Terima kasih Malaysia.
2. One small step in winning Sibu is one big step in winning power in Petrajaya, and a giant step forward in winning power in Putrajaya.
3. Change we can. Tonight, the people of Sibu have created history.
4. Together we won an election that was deemed impossible just a week ago, against the full brunt of the Barisan Nasional money and government machinery.
5. It is a miracle that we created together.
6. Forever, the history of Malaysia will remember 16th May 2010 as the begining of the awakening of Sarawak, and Sibu as the bastion of hope for all Malaysians.
7. From now on, no one will take us - the people of Sarawak - for granted.
8. The victory is not just a victory for DAP. It is a victory for the people of Sibu, Sarawak and Malaysia.
9. I wish to thank all voters of Sibu for making this bold and historic decision.
10. Let me assure you that I will serve all voters of Sibu, regardless of whether you have voted for me or not.
11. And I will speak up for all fellow Malaysians to bring about fundamental change for Sarawak and Malaysia.
12. Finally, to DAP members and leaders, partners in Pakatan Rakyat and all volunteers who worked tirelessly for this by-election, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
Wong Ho Leng
MP, Sibu
May 14, 2010
"The playing field has never been level", so please help us to win this battle, Sibu.
As Mathama Gandhi once said, you must be the change you wish to see in the world. DAP and Pakatan Rakyat call on the people of Sibu, Sarawak and Malaysia to be part of the change by joining the Sibu by-election campaign.
We bring hope and our message is change. Sibu must take the lead to change Sarawak and Malaysia. And we know that the people of Sibu want change.
The playing field has never been level. The Barisan Nasional machinery has all the money in the world to spend to maintain the status quo to further the private interests of its leaders. The BN controls the political, administrative, and social institutions in Sibu and Sarawak and is creating an atmosphere of fear among the people.
As the by-election campaign enters its second half we need help from the people of Sibu and from all Malaysians who want change.
Let's win Sibu together. Help us by:
1. Calling your friends and family members to make sure they vote in Sibu on May 16, especially those who are not residing in Sibu;
2. Helping Sibu voters find their polling station here;
3. Donating to the DAP-Pakatan Rakyat by-election campaign. Every Ringgit counts! DAP Malaysia (Public Bank Account No.: 306-382-8309) or access http://www.sibu4change.com for secure, online credit card contribution;
4. Forwarding this email to five friends and asking them to support Pakatan Rakyat;
5. Volunteering to help us on polling day, please contact 010-537 9800 for more info.
Thank you for supporting Pakatan Rakyat and DAP in Sibu.
Chong Chien Jen
Sibu By-election Campign Director
DAP National Vice Chairman, DAP Sarawak State Secretary, MP for Bandar Kuching, Adun for Kota Sentosa
We bring hope and our message is change. Sibu must take the lead to change Sarawak and Malaysia. And we know that the people of Sibu want change.
The playing field has never been level. The Barisan Nasional machinery has all the money in the world to spend to maintain the status quo to further the private interests of its leaders. The BN controls the political, administrative, and social institutions in Sibu and Sarawak and is creating an atmosphere of fear among the people.
As the by-election campaign enters its second half we need help from the people of Sibu and from all Malaysians who want change.
Let's win Sibu together. Help us by:
1. Calling your friends and family members to make sure they vote in Sibu on May 16, especially those who are not residing in Sibu;
2. Helping Sibu voters find their polling station here;
3. Donating to the DAP-Pakatan Rakyat by-election campaign. Every Ringgit counts! DAP Malaysia (Public Bank Account No.: 306-382-8309) or access http://www.sibu4change.com for secure, online credit card contribution;
4. Forwarding this email to five friends and asking them to support Pakatan Rakyat;
5. Volunteering to help us on polling day, please contact 010-537 9800 for more info.
Thank you for supporting Pakatan Rakyat and DAP in Sibu.
Chong Chien Jen
Sibu By-election Campign Director
DAP National Vice Chairman, DAP Sarawak State Secretary, MP for Bandar Kuching, Adun for Kota Sentosa
Apr 20, 2010
Sham on UMNO
While Zaid is busy destroying ISA, UMNO is busy assassinating his character. Sham on you UMNO.
Apr 9, 2010
STOP BN From Taking Over
The people is determine to STOP BN's takeover of the country. Start with Hulu Selangor first, give Pakatan a convincing win to realise the plan.
Mar 30, 2010
MCA, Oh MCA
Over the weekend, something strange took place. MCA actually elected an adulterous man to lead their party. Not that I am suddenly interested in the affair of that purposeless political party, but is just that I am wondering why MCA is so lack of leaders? And in fact the delegates were so lack of choices they basically had to choose between a do-nothing man (OKT), an adulterous man (CSL) and a self-righteous man (OTK).
On another note, I was just thinking if let’s say 50% of the delegates were women. Do you think CSL would be elected? But then again, I expect too much from MCA women. Hope that longkang cum charity former MP – CMF, would not let all the MCA women down and prove me wrong. Well, I really don’t know what would happen to MCA. That is for the voters to decide in the next GE. But if you were to look at US politics, Democrats actually paid for Clinton’s sin. I remember vividly, Bush’s slogan in 2000 was ‘Bring Dignity Back to the White House’, and Al Gore lost. Four years later, Bush beat Kerry again. The thing is, because of Clinton’s mischievous act, Democrats actually suffered badly for a decade until Obama came. So the consequences may vary depending on how high the morality of the people.
As for now, MCA is celebrating. Because, now everyone can become President, even an adulterous man can.
Mar 22, 2010
Iskandar Malaysia, it's a joke
I am very sure Iskandar Malaysia will never succeed, because the CEO does not even know what is its selling point. I had a good laugh but at the same time felt sad for Malaysia.
Mar 12, 2010
Mar 8, 2010
Why Do Malaysians Still Support UMNO?
Of course, I know today is a very significant day. Because it's 8th of March - "The Day Malaysia Woke Up", to borrow from Kee Thuan Chye's title. Mere mention of the date makes me feel really good and proud.
But that was 2008. Today I am thinking of another problem. You know I am very puzzled as to why there are Malaysians still supporting UMNO privately and openly, knowing full well what the party stands for. Occasional racist remarks by UMNO politicians is actually symptomatic of a bigger problem, clear proof that UMNO is by nature fundamentally racist. UMNO which is a race-based political party, together with two other race-based parties, MCA and MIC, form BN.
There are many ironies in Malaysia. One huge irony is the never-ending call for unity from each and every quarter. But how do you unite people when the Government, which itself propagates the importance of unity, is formed largely by UMNO / BN? OK, now back to my original question, why after knowing this, do people still support UMNO / BN? Is it because the rakyat is stupid or ignorant? Or is it because - deep down - people are actually racists, who hate people of other races, wanting only to protect the interests of their own race as they only think highly of their own race? In other words, are people basically race chauvinists?
These largely irrational supporters are who UMNO is going after and most of the time UMNO succeeds in getting their support. In 1952, during the US Presidential Election rally, a supporter once called out to the then Governor Stevenson that all thinking people were for him, but Stevenson answered, "That's not enough. I need a majority." And true enough, Stevenson went down defeated by Republican's Eisenhower in a landslide. Apparently, all the unthinking voters did not give their votes to Stevenson.
Yes, political parties do need a majority to govern. And what UMNO wants UMNO almost always gets. Let us face facts, UMNO / BN is very effective in getting a lot of people, especially irrational voters, to support them. This is in no small part due to the mainstream media which is not helping to make voters more intelligent. The Majority of Malaysians are irrational and have supported UMNO / BN for five decades.
We may find the racist remarks from UMNO / BN appalling, but in actual fact these are hardly baffling, if you know who uttered them and to whom these remarks are addressed and for what purpose. Irrational people are easily manipulated or cowed into submission. Basically what UMNO / BN needs to do is to reward them, feed them and materially enrich them in order to get their support.
A well-respected German historian has a radical new theory to explain a nagging question: Why did average Germans so heartily support the Nazis and the Third Reich? Hitler, says Goetz Aly, was a "feel good dictator," a leader who not only made Germans feel important, but also made sure they were well cared-for by the state. To do so, he gave them huge tax breaks and introduced social benefits that even today anchor the society. He also ensured that even in the last days of the war not a single German went hungry. Despite near-constant warfare, never once during his 12 years in power did Hitler raise taxes for working class people. He also -- in great contrast to World War I -- particularly pampered soldiers and their families, offering them more than double the salaries and benefits that American and British families received. As such, most Germans saw Nazism as a "warm-hearted" protector, says Aly, author of the new book "Hitler's People's State: Robbery, Racial War and National Socialism" and currently a guest lecturer at the University of Frankfurt. They were only too happy to overlook the Third Reich's unsavory, murderous side.
Financing such home front "happiness" was not simple and Hitler essentially achieved it by robbing and murdering others, Aly claims. Jews. Slave labourers. Conquered lands. All offered tremendous opportunities for plunder, and the Nazis exploited it fully, he says.
So it is hardly a surprise then, why there are still so many people supporting UMNO. Basically Malaysia is a giant welfare state that rewards its people in return for their votes. And sadly, we Malaysians have allowed ourselves to be manipulated and cowed into voting UMNO / BN for the last five decades. Isn't this so very frightening and alarming? We need to wake up again.
But that was 2008. Today I am thinking of another problem. You know I am very puzzled as to why there are Malaysians still supporting UMNO privately and openly, knowing full well what the party stands for. Occasional racist remarks by UMNO politicians is actually symptomatic of a bigger problem, clear proof that UMNO is by nature fundamentally racist. UMNO which is a race-based political party, together with two other race-based parties, MCA and MIC, form BN.
There are many ironies in Malaysia. One huge irony is the never-ending call for unity from each and every quarter. But how do you unite people when the Government, which itself propagates the importance of unity, is formed largely by UMNO / BN? OK, now back to my original question, why after knowing this, do people still support UMNO / BN? Is it because the rakyat is stupid or ignorant? Or is it because - deep down - people are actually racists, who hate people of other races, wanting only to protect the interests of their own race as they only think highly of their own race? In other words, are people basically race chauvinists?
These largely irrational supporters are who UMNO is going after and most of the time UMNO succeeds in getting their support. In 1952, during the US Presidential Election rally, a supporter once called out to the then Governor Stevenson that all thinking people were for him, but Stevenson answered, "That's not enough. I need a majority." And true enough, Stevenson went down defeated by Republican's Eisenhower in a landslide. Apparently, all the unthinking voters did not give their votes to Stevenson.
Yes, political parties do need a majority to govern. And what UMNO wants UMNO almost always gets. Let us face facts, UMNO / BN is very effective in getting a lot of people, especially irrational voters, to support them. This is in no small part due to the mainstream media which is not helping to make voters more intelligent. The Majority of Malaysians are irrational and have supported UMNO / BN for five decades.
We may find the racist remarks from UMNO / BN appalling, but in actual fact these are hardly baffling, if you know who uttered them and to whom these remarks are addressed and for what purpose. Irrational people are easily manipulated or cowed into submission. Basically what UMNO / BN needs to do is to reward them, feed them and materially enrich them in order to get their support.
A well-respected German historian has a radical new theory to explain a nagging question: Why did average Germans so heartily support the Nazis and the Third Reich? Hitler, says Goetz Aly, was a "feel good dictator," a leader who not only made Germans feel important, but also made sure they were well cared-for by the state. To do so, he gave them huge tax breaks and introduced social benefits that even today anchor the society. He also ensured that even in the last days of the war not a single German went hungry. Despite near-constant warfare, never once during his 12 years in power did Hitler raise taxes for working class people. He also -- in great contrast to World War I -- particularly pampered soldiers and their families, offering them more than double the salaries and benefits that American and British families received. As such, most Germans saw Nazism as a "warm-hearted" protector, says Aly, author of the new book "Hitler's People's State: Robbery, Racial War and National Socialism" and currently a guest lecturer at the University of Frankfurt. They were only too happy to overlook the Third Reich's unsavory, murderous side.
Financing such home front "happiness" was not simple and Hitler essentially achieved it by robbing and murdering others, Aly claims. Jews. Slave labourers. Conquered lands. All offered tremendous opportunities for plunder, and the Nazis exploited it fully, he says.
So it is hardly a surprise then, why there are still so many people supporting UMNO. Basically Malaysia is a giant welfare state that rewards its people in return for their votes. And sadly, we Malaysians have allowed ourselves to be manipulated and cowed into voting UMNO / BN for the last five decades. Isn't this so very frightening and alarming? We need to wake up again.
Mar 6, 2010
Mar 1, 2010
We must stay the course no matter what happen...
Blogger Straight Talk has put it correctly on the issue of TTB and ZH. I have nothing to say other than quoting the whole article for readers.
MPs Tan Tee Beng and Zahrain Hashim Missed the Point, by Blogger Straight Talk
Ex-PKR members of parliament, Tan Tee Beng and Zahrain, both ex-Barisan leaders have missed the point when they quit the party.
Tan and Zahrain were upset with the leadership of Penang CM Lim Guan Eng. Both cited Lim's leadership as "chauvinistic, arrogant and communistic'".
He said, "Pakatan will not last long. It is people like Lim Guan Eng that shall destroy Pakatan. I will not be a part of this group of people which are destroying my country, my race and my religion.
Both Tan and Zahrain should be reminded that we did not vote for Lim Guan Eng. Lim was a political newcomer although he was an ex-MP of Kota Melaka.
We had voted against institutionalised racism, political excesses, corruption, power arrogance and irresponsible leadership.
Until and unless the present regime proves that it is pro-democracy and pro-people, it will continue to be voted out.
Tan and Zahrain should have put their personal dispute and uneasiness with Lim or PKR leadership aside if they are interested to pursue their political career. It appears that both wanted to be taken seriously and treated decently due to their personal and political status.
As a voter I can sympathize with both Tan and Zahrain but my priority is to end racial politics in this country. If Tan and Zahrain truly embrace a new non-racial political paradigm they should be able to put their dispute with Lim above the people's interest.
Ironically, now Zahrain is keen to defend his race and religion. The fact is his race and religion do not need his protection. He should help to give his race and religion a good name by showing others the real image of Malay culture and Islam.
Racial dominance and religious exclusivity have never been truly celebrated in any democracies.
As a voter and proponent of non-racial politics, I am truly disappointed with both Tan and Zahrain. On Lim's personal attitude and leadership style, it is his own business to see if the criticism does hold any good lesson for him personally.
We should be diverted by these superficial and unprincipled politicians. We need to defeat racial politics. We must stay our course on this very important agenda.
MPs Tan Tee Beng and Zahrain Hashim Missed the Point, by Blogger Straight Talk
Ex-PKR members of parliament, Tan Tee Beng and Zahrain, both ex-Barisan leaders have missed the point when they quit the party.
Tan and Zahrain were upset with the leadership of Penang CM Lim Guan Eng. Both cited Lim's leadership as "chauvinistic, arrogant and communistic'".
He said, "Pakatan will not last long. It is people like Lim Guan Eng that shall destroy Pakatan. I will not be a part of this group of people which are destroying my country, my race and my religion.
Both Tan and Zahrain should be reminded that we did not vote for Lim Guan Eng. Lim was a political newcomer although he was an ex-MP of Kota Melaka.
We had voted against institutionalised racism, political excesses, corruption, power arrogance and irresponsible leadership.
Until and unless the present regime proves that it is pro-democracy and pro-people, it will continue to be voted out.
Tan and Zahrain should have put their personal dispute and uneasiness with Lim or PKR leadership aside if they are interested to pursue their political career. It appears that both wanted to be taken seriously and treated decently due to their personal and political status.
As a voter I can sympathize with both Tan and Zahrain but my priority is to end racial politics in this country. If Tan and Zahrain truly embrace a new non-racial political paradigm they should be able to put their dispute with Lim above the people's interest.
Ironically, now Zahrain is keen to defend his race and religion. The fact is his race and religion do not need his protection. He should help to give his race and religion a good name by showing others the real image of Malay culture and Islam.
Racial dominance and religious exclusivity have never been truly celebrated in any democracies.
As a voter and proponent of non-racial politics, I am truly disappointed with both Tan and Zahrain. On Lim's personal attitude and leadership style, it is his own business to see if the criticism does hold any good lesson for him personally.
We should be diverted by these superficial and unprincipled politicians. We need to defeat racial politics. We must stay our course on this very important agenda.
Feb 20, 2010
Feb 4, 2010
"Unending series of UMNO/BN sodomies Malaysian People"
The sodUmny never stops
by Dean Johns, MalaysiaKini, Feb 3, 2010
At the risk of repeating some of the sentiments I expressed back when Anwar Ibrahim was charged with Sodomy II, his latest trial is just one more in an unending series of Umno/BN sodomies on the Malaysian people.
Ever since Tun Razak shafted Tungku Abdul Rahman by allegedly orchestrating the May 13 riots back in 1969, successive Umno/BN regimes have violated every principle of civic virtue and good governance in their insatiable lust for power and plunder.
This species of SodUmny became routine during Mahathir's premiership, a 22-year debauch that saw the ravaging of the judiciary's political independence, the defilement of the media and other civil institutions by a combination of force and corruption, and the rape and pillage of the nation's riches by Umno/BN members, relatives and cronies.
One of Mahathir's dirtiest public deeds, of course, was his vicious assault on his erstwhile deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, in 1998. A charge of sodomy that was so clearly and evidently false that the judge in the case, the late, unlamented Augustine Paul, had to give prosecution three goes at getting the time and scene of the 'crime' straight.
As you may recall, the condominium at which the 'offence' was at first alleged to have occurred turned out not to have been built at the time. And on the second occasion on which the sodomy was alleged to have taken place, the defence demonstrated that Anwar had been out of the country on that date.
Then, in the course of the hearing, 'victims' and other procured witnesses recanted the testimony that they had initially given. But despite all this perjury and other irregularities the charade proceeded, and Anwar was convicted and jailed.
But Mahathir hadn't finished with him yet. When Anwar complained of a black eye and other injuries as the result of a beating by the then head of the Royal Malaysian Police, Mahathir brazenly sneered that Anwar had probably inflicted the injuries on himself.
This was a glaring example of possibly the most disgusting sodUmny that Mahathir, his two successors and their entire regime have committed, and continue to commit against the people of Malaysia: utter perversion of the truth.
A pack of pernicious lies
Official government propaganda and public relations are a pack of pernicious lies. Najib Razak's “1Malaysia. People first. Performance now,” is so plainly and patently false as to constitute a sodUmny on the people's intelligence.
Far from truly promoting a united Malaysia, Umno persistently plays on the issues of race and religion to keep-up its pretense of championing the cause of the Malay/Muslim majority at the expense of the rest.
Witness the notorious “cow's head” protest against the construction of a Hindu temple. The police stood by and did nothing to stop it, and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein excused the perpetrators on the grounds that they had “no intention” of provoking racial or religious ill-feeling.
Another glaring example of Umno/BN's promotion of racial and religious disunity has been its involvement in the latest episode of the God/Allah controversy, in which it has allowed one of its newspapers, Utusan Malaysia, total license to inflame the sectarian passions of its readers.
But of course Utusan Malaysia is just an extreme example of the fact that Umno/BN commits its ultimate sodomy of the truth by means of a Printing, Presses and Publications Act that requires virtually all of the nation's news media to submit to Umno/BN's rapacious demands for special treatment.
No coverage of news of the few Umno/BN crimes that escape the net of the Official Secrets Act. No criticism of Umno/BN derelictions, lies or idiocies. No positive coverage of opposition politicians or supporters. Nothing, in fact, from the pathetically prostituted 'mainstream' television, radio and press but the Umno party line.
So, despite the heroic efforts of the few independent virtual media and the burgeoning pro-democracy blogosphere, millions of Malaysians still live in blissful ignorance of many of the obscenities of the Umno/BN regime.
And will continue to, if the authorities have anything to do with it. Barry Wain's book 'Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times' is apparently not yet allowed into the country, presumably to spare Malaysians from revelations of putrid dealings like the preposterous public funding of Umno headquarters, Putra World Trade Centre.
And two other books apparently headed for the banned list are '1Funny Malaysia', a collection of cartoons by Zunar lampooning the Umno/BN regime, and 'Where is justice?', an account of countless atrocities committed in police and MACC custody, including the cases of Teoh Beng Hock, A Kugan, Altantuya Shaariibuu and Anwar Ibrahim.
A good account
Now that we're back to Anwar, according to the ongoing Malaysiakini report he's giving a good account of himself on the first day of his Sodomy II trial.
On the grounds that his accuser and alleged victim Mohd Saiful Bukhan Azlan met at least twice with Prime Minister Najib Razak prior to reporting the 'crime', Anwar said that he intends to request the court to subpoena Najib and his wife Rosmah as witnesses.
“If Najib and the government have managed to cover up the Altantuya (murder),” he asked, “what more is this? This is a desperate attempt to implicate me.”
Anwar's lawyers also applied for a review of last week's decision by the Apex Court denying them additional evidence, documents and CCTV footage needed for his defence.
The trial is being attended by foreign diplomats, legal observers and global media, with BBC News already running a report on the first day of proceedings.
So Malaysia's image, already darkened by Dr Mahathir's global notoriety, Najib Razak's dubious reputation and the ruling regime's dismal record of financial, social and human-rights abuses, is bound to be blackened even further by this latest bum rap.
Let's hope there's enough of an international outcry, and sufficient revulsion on the part of sufficient Malaysians, to finally depose the political inverts of Umno/BN, and put an end to their sodUmnies for once and for all.
by Dean Johns, MalaysiaKini, Feb 3, 2010
At the risk of repeating some of the sentiments I expressed back when Anwar Ibrahim was charged with Sodomy II, his latest trial is just one more in an unending series of Umno/BN sodomies on the Malaysian people.
Ever since Tun Razak shafted Tungku Abdul Rahman by allegedly orchestrating the May 13 riots back in 1969, successive Umno/BN regimes have violated every principle of civic virtue and good governance in their insatiable lust for power and plunder.
This species of SodUmny became routine during Mahathir's premiership, a 22-year debauch that saw the ravaging of the judiciary's political independence, the defilement of the media and other civil institutions by a combination of force and corruption, and the rape and pillage of the nation's riches by Umno/BN members, relatives and cronies.
One of Mahathir's dirtiest public deeds, of course, was his vicious assault on his erstwhile deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, in 1998. A charge of sodomy that was so clearly and evidently false that the judge in the case, the late, unlamented Augustine Paul, had to give prosecution three goes at getting the time and scene of the 'crime' straight.
As you may recall, the condominium at which the 'offence' was at first alleged to have occurred turned out not to have been built at the time. And on the second occasion on which the sodomy was alleged to have taken place, the defence demonstrated that Anwar had been out of the country on that date.
Then, in the course of the hearing, 'victims' and other procured witnesses recanted the testimony that they had initially given. But despite all this perjury and other irregularities the charade proceeded, and Anwar was convicted and jailed.
But Mahathir hadn't finished with him yet. When Anwar complained of a black eye and other injuries as the result of a beating by the then head of the Royal Malaysian Police, Mahathir brazenly sneered that Anwar had probably inflicted the injuries on himself.
This was a glaring example of possibly the most disgusting sodUmny that Mahathir, his two successors and their entire regime have committed, and continue to commit against the people of Malaysia: utter perversion of the truth.
A pack of pernicious lies
Official government propaganda and public relations are a pack of pernicious lies. Najib Razak's “1Malaysia. People first. Performance now,” is so plainly and patently false as to constitute a sodUmny on the people's intelligence.
Far from truly promoting a united Malaysia, Umno persistently plays on the issues of race and religion to keep-up its pretense of championing the cause of the Malay/Muslim majority at the expense of the rest.
Witness the notorious “cow's head” protest against the construction of a Hindu temple. The police stood by and did nothing to stop it, and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein excused the perpetrators on the grounds that they had “no intention” of provoking racial or religious ill-feeling.
Another glaring example of Umno/BN's promotion of racial and religious disunity has been its involvement in the latest episode of the God/Allah controversy, in which it has allowed one of its newspapers, Utusan Malaysia, total license to inflame the sectarian passions of its readers.
But of course Utusan Malaysia is just an extreme example of the fact that Umno/BN commits its ultimate sodomy of the truth by means of a Printing, Presses and Publications Act that requires virtually all of the nation's news media to submit to Umno/BN's rapacious demands for special treatment.
No coverage of news of the few Umno/BN crimes that escape the net of the Official Secrets Act. No criticism of Umno/BN derelictions, lies or idiocies. No positive coverage of opposition politicians or supporters. Nothing, in fact, from the pathetically prostituted 'mainstream' television, radio and press but the Umno party line.
So, despite the heroic efforts of the few independent virtual media and the burgeoning pro-democracy blogosphere, millions of Malaysians still live in blissful ignorance of many of the obscenities of the Umno/BN regime.
And will continue to, if the authorities have anything to do with it. Barry Wain's book 'Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times' is apparently not yet allowed into the country, presumably to spare Malaysians from revelations of putrid dealings like the preposterous public funding of Umno headquarters, Putra World Trade Centre.
And two other books apparently headed for the banned list are '1Funny Malaysia', a collection of cartoons by Zunar lampooning the Umno/BN regime, and 'Where is justice?', an account of countless atrocities committed in police and MACC custody, including the cases of Teoh Beng Hock, A Kugan, Altantuya Shaariibuu and Anwar Ibrahim.
A good account
Now that we're back to Anwar, according to the ongoing Malaysiakini report he's giving a good account of himself on the first day of his Sodomy II trial.
On the grounds that his accuser and alleged victim Mohd Saiful Bukhan Azlan met at least twice with Prime Minister Najib Razak prior to reporting the 'crime', Anwar said that he intends to request the court to subpoena Najib and his wife Rosmah as witnesses.
“If Najib and the government have managed to cover up the Altantuya (murder),” he asked, “what more is this? This is a desperate attempt to implicate me.”
Anwar's lawyers also applied for a review of last week's decision by the Apex Court denying them additional evidence, documents and CCTV footage needed for his defence.
The trial is being attended by foreign diplomats, legal observers and global media, with BBC News already running a report on the first day of proceedings.
So Malaysia's image, already darkened by Dr Mahathir's global notoriety, Najib Razak's dubious reputation and the ruling regime's dismal record of financial, social and human-rights abuses, is bound to be blackened even further by this latest bum rap.
Let's hope there's enough of an international outcry, and sufficient revulsion on the part of sufficient Malaysians, to finally depose the political inverts of Umno/BN, and put an end to their sodUmnies for once and for all.
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