SURAT RAYUAN

SURAT RAYUANKEPADA PENGUNDI-PENGUNDI DUN MACHAP

Oleh Tun Telanai Laman M@RHAEN

Sebagaimana yang saudara-saudari semua ketahui, saudara-saudari di KawasanDUN Machap akan turun membuat pemilihan wakil rakyat baru pada hari Khamis,12 April 2007 nanti bagi menggantikan mendiang Poh Ah Tiam, 55 yang telahmeninggal dunia pada 15 Mac lepas. Saudara-saudari masih ada waktu untukmemikirkan baik-buruk dalam membuat pemilihan wakil saudara-saudari ke DUNMelaka bagi memperjuangkan nasib saudara-saudari.Sama ada saudara-saudari hendak memilih sekali lagi calon daripada MCA [LaiMeng Chong] atau saudara-saudari hendak membuat kejutan dengan memilihcalon DAP [Liou Chen Kuang] terpulanglah kepada saudara-saudari sendiriuntuk membuat keputusannya. Pisau di tangan saudara-saudari dan mentimunjuga di tangan saudara-saudari.Saudara-saudari yang dihormati sekalian,Sejarah telah merakamkan bahawa sebahagian besar para pemimpin UMNO dan BNyang terdiri daripada parti-parti MCA, MIC, Gerakan dan lain-lain partiberdiri di atas tiket [merebut kuasa, kedudukan dan pangkat] adalah untukmemperjuangkan kepentingan peribadi bukan untuk kepentingan rakyat jelata.Hakikat ini tidak boleh dinafikan oleh sesiapa pun termasuk saudara-saudariyang tinggal di kawasan DUN Machap ini. Saudara-saudari pasti mendengar,membaca dan menonton wajah-wajah para pemimpin UMNO dan BN yang didakwaterlibat dengan berbagai salahguna kuasa, menggunakan kedudukan untukmencari faedah peribadi dan keadaan rasuah di Negara kita sekarang inisemakin menjadi-jadi.Amalan rasuah yang dihina dan dikeji ini telah diangkat sebagai budayadalam kehidupan politik para pemimpin UMNO dan BN. Ia telah menjadi sinonimdalam perjuangan UMNO dan BN. Oleh itu, tidak hairanlah apabila merekaberkempen dalam setiap kali pilihanraya kecil atau umum, mereka menggunakansegala-galanya yang ada pada mereka. Rasuah bermaharajalela, penggunaanjentera, Jabatan dan agensi kerajaan [termasuk di IPTA] digunakansemahu-mahunya tanpa merasa bersalah menggunakan harta rakyat. Hukumnyatetap bersalah melanggar Akta Pilihanraya dan berdosa di hadapan AllahS.W.T.Laporan demi laporan dibuat mengenai penyalahgunaan kuasa ini, namunagensi-agensi yang terlibat seperti pasukan polis, BPR, SPR danlain-lainnya tidak mengambil sebarang tindakan. Pilihanraya kitasaudara-saudari bergelumang dengan dosa dan noda. Oleh sebab itu, merekamenolak politik Islam kerana kejahatan, ketidakadilan dan kezaliman merekatidak dapat diteruskan ke atas pihak yang lemah yang mereka sendiri lakukandengan bantuan dan kerjasama agensi-agensi yang disebutkan tadi.Gaya hidup mewah yang melampau yang ditunjukkan oleh para pemimpin UMNO danBN adalah lambang kerakusan kuasa, mereka merompak, mencuri danmembahagi-bahagikan [memfaraidkan] khazanah Negara sesama mereka danmeninggalkan rakyat dengan pelbagai masalah yang menghimpit kehidupanrakyat. Kemiskinan masih tinggi di seluruh Negara, termasuk di Machap ini.Kemiskinan tidak mengenal kaum dan bangsa ataupun agama.Kemiskinan terjadi kerana terdapat jurang pendapatan yang rendah tidaksetanding dengan kos belanja hidup yang semakin meningkat dari semasa kesemasa. Kerajaan sendiri menggalakkan kenaikan kos belanja ini denganmenaikkan harga minyak, tol, tarif air dan elektrik. Kenaikan-kenaikan inimenjadikan kos harga barangan dan perkhidmatan meningkat menjadi bertambahmahal di pasaran, manakala pendapatan rakyat tidak banyak berubah. Masihramai lagi rakyat yang tidak mampu memiliki rumah sendiri yang selesa.Rakyat yang hidup di rumah-rumah setinggan terutama di Selangor dan diKuala Lumpur, mereka dihalau seperti anjing kurap tanpa ada nilai ihsandalam diri para pemimpin UMNO dan BN. Mungkinkah ini merupakan satu nilaiatau tamadun baru yang cuba diterapkan dalam masyarakat Malaysia kini,iaitu pihak yang kuat menindas pihak yang lemah. Pihak yang lemah [miskin]wajib mengalah atau mematuhi apa jua yang dikehendaki oleh pihak yang kuat[kaya dan pemerintah] iaitu selaras dengan ajaran Islam Hadhari?Dalam hal ini, kerajaan gagal melaksanakan dasar meluaskan peluang-peluangperniagaan, gagal berusaha membantu rakyat menambah pendapatan melaluikemasukan modal luar dan dalam untuk melabur di Negara ini yang akanmemberi peluang pekerjaan kepada rakyat. Kerajaan juga gagal mengurangkankadar pengangguran. Kadar pengangguran semakin bertambah besar ekorandaripada pertambahan bilangan pencari kerja setelah tamat belajar setiaptahun dan kerajaan didapati gagal untuk menampung keperluan tenaga kerjatersebut kerana tidak mempunyai satu perancangan yang strategik bagimengatasi masalah ini baik di sektor awam dan swasta.Saudara-saudari yang dihormati sekalian;Saya pasti saudara-saudari masih ingat lagi kes bekas Ketua Menterisaudara-saudari, iaitu Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik. Rahim ketika beliau berkuasadahulu itu, beliau sedikit pun tidak memperjuangkan nasib saudara-saudari.Rahim juga didakwa terlibat dengan skandal seks dengan seorang budakperempuan di bawah umur. Lim Guan Eng bangkit berjuang atas isu ini membelaorang Melayu yang teraniaya [tidak dapat pembelaan daripada orang Melayusendiri] sehinggakan beliau mendapat kesengsaraan dan hilang kesemuanya apayang beliau miliki.Rahim ketika itu [sibuk merompak dan mencuri harta rakyat] tidak berusahauntuk melepaskan saudara-saudari daripada lingkaran kemiskinan, sebaliknyabeliau berusaha menimbunkan kekayaan peribadi. Hidupnya dikelilingi olehkekayaan dan kemewahan. Nilai hartanya berbillion ringgit [bukan jutaanlagi] dan tidak termimpi oleh saudara-saudari sendiri untuk memilikinyasepanjang hayat saudara-saudari.Lihatlah saudara-saudari kehidupan sekeliling Perdana Menteri [PM] kita,Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Orang beragama dan cucu kepada ulama terulung diNegara ini, tetapi sayang seribu kali sayang kehidupannya dicemari dengankemewahan yang melampau sebagai seorang pemimpin. Beliau sedikit pun tidakmahu mengambil pengajaran daripada al-Quran ataupun meladani kaedahpemerintah Khalifah Umar bin Abdul Aziz yang masyhur itu.Abdullah dikelilingi oleh anak-menantu dan adik-beradiknya yangberebut-rebut meraih keuntungan peribadi ketika beliau sebagai PM yangberkuasa di dunia ini. Menantunya, Khairy Jamaludin berlagak sebagai PMlebih daripada PM sendiri, sedangkan Khairy tidak memegang apa-apa punjawatan dalam kerajaan, melainkan dalam bidang politik, itu pun sebagaiNaib Ketua Pemuda UMNO yang tidak mempunyai apa-apa kuasa.Sampai hati sebagai pemimpin sanggup meninggalkan rakyat yang ditimpa balaoleh Allah S.W.T bercuti dan mengelilingi dunia dengan kapal mewah. Bolehbersuka ria di Perth, Australia makan nasi kandar, sedangkan rakyat makannasi kawah. Berbelanja mewah dan membazir. Habiskan duit rakyat denganmembeli kapal terbang mewah, mengubahsuai kediaman rasmi PM di Putrajayamenelan belanja hampir RM35 juta dan kerap kali keluar negara. Tapakkakinya lebih lama memijak karpet kapal terbang mewah daripada memijakbumi. Sebagai pemimpin tidak layak sama sekali berkata yang beliau'memantau dari jauh'. Pemimpin mesti bersama-sama dengan rakyat sama adadalam keadaan susah dan senang.Abdullah banyak bercakap, berslogan dan berteori. Tetapi cakap beliau cakaptidak serupa bikin dalam banyak sektor pengurusan Negara seperti dalam soalperekonomian, kebebasan berpolitik, lemah dalam aspek akauntabiliti danhilang integriti yang banyak perkara menimbulkan permasalahan kepada Negaraini. Rakyat yang hidup di bawah kepemimpinan seperti ini sangat sukar untukmendapatkan rahmat dan naungan daripada Allah S.W.T. Buktinya,saudara-saudari kita telah menempuh berbagai masalah dan pancaroba yangkita boleh menghayatinya melalui 'dhamir' diri sendiri yang tidak secaralangsung menghapuskan keselesaan kehidupan kita dan menggelapkan masa depanNegara.Saudara-saudari yang dihormati sekalian,Timbalan PM, Najib Tun Razak apa kurangnya. Kisah kerenah Rosmah yangsebagai penasihat dan kaki kontrol telah menjadi bahan bualan ramai orang.Najib banyak terlibat dengan skandal dengan penyanyi, isteri orang [suamiRosmah] dan kini menghadapi masalah yang paling besar dalam kerjayapolitiknya [tidak pernah ada cabaran dalam politik dan kenaikannyasemata-mata berdasarkan lantikan] yang menentukan jatuh-bangunnya dalampolitik Negara adalah isu model berusia 28 tahun bernama Altantuya Sharibu.Beliau kini ditekan dari segenap penjuru berkaitan isu ini. Tambahan pulaperancangan rapi daripada Khairy menantu Abdullah yang mahu melihat Najibjatuh seperti Anwar Ibrahim dan beliau akan mengambil tempat itu selagi adakesempatan Abdullah berkuasa.Saudara-saudari, kepimpinan Negara ini dibentuk bukan berdasarkan kepadaNegara kebajikan untuk membantu rakyat seperti yang diamalkan olehkebanyakan kuffar seperti Britain. Di Britain, PMnya, para menteri danahli-ahli politik, mereka tidak ada hak imuniti seperti yang diamalkan diNegara kita. Mereka boleh didakwa di mahkamah termasuk Tony Blair, tetapikita, semua orang kuat politik [merujuk 18 kes berprofil tinggi] tidak akandidakwa, hanya sekadar menyiasat sebagai hiasan dan lakonan untuk menutupmata dan telinga rakyat.Hasilnya, Khalil Yaakob dilantik sebagai Yang Di Pertuan Besar walaupunFauzi Abdul Rahman membuat laporan polis dan BPR mengenai isu pembalakan diPahang, Adnan Yaakob dan Khir Toyo masih lagi jadi MB, Dr.Ling Leong Sik[meletakkan jawatan sebagai Presiden MCA], Samy Vellu [kes Maika] masihjadi menteri, begitu juga Rafidah Aziz, A.Nazri Aziz, Taib Mahmood, MusaAman, Johari Baharom dan masih ramai lagi yang terlibat dengan amalanrasuah dan penyalahgunaan kuasa yang masih memegang jawatan kerajaan danmenjadi wakil rakyat sama ada di peringkat Parlimen dan DUN.Saudara-saudari yang dihormati sekalian,Ketua Menteri saudara-saudari, Mohd Ali Rustam dikatakan merupakan salahseorang yang dikatakan terlibat politik wang dalam pertandingan NaibPresiden UMNO, tetapi beliau diselamatkan dengan penutupan segera kestersebut oleh Najib kerana beliau tidak menggugat sesiapa, tidak sepertiapa yang berlaku ke atas Isa Samad yang mendapat undi tertinggi, tetapidisebabkan komplot yang dirancang oleh Khairy, maka Isa dikorbankan.Ali juga didapati membazirkan duit rakyat sebanyak RM250,000 setiap tahundengan memberi setiap ADUN [termasuk Exco] RM13,000.00 untuk mengadakanrumah terbuka dan menyambut hari perayaan lainnya. Ini adalah wang rakyat,wang saudara-saudari, bukankah ini merupakan satu penyalahgunaan kuasakerana ia dibelanjakan untuk tujuan politik. Sepatutnya kos makanan danminuman, ADUN dan Exco yang mengeluarkannya tetapi sebaliknya bukannyakeluar dari kocek mereka, tetapi daripada wang rakyat sendiri.Saudara-saudari renungkanlah apa yang saya perturunkan di bawah sebagaiiktibar, jangan ulangi lagi kesalahan memilih pemimpin:Laporan Ketua Audit Negara 1998Menyelewengkan duit Yayasan Melaka berjumlah RM1.2 juta. Mendapat perolehansebanyak RM640,000 tanpa tender terbuka dan membuat perolehan tanpa sebutharga sebanyak RM254,000.00.Perbelanjaan barangan mewah dalam tahun 1997 dan 1998 adalah sepertiberikut: 2,500 unit beg sekolah @RM21/unit sebanyak RM52,500 dan 2,800 unitbeg sekolah @RM19/unit sebanyak RM53,200 untuk sumbangan pelajar miskinberjumlah RM105,700;600 helai tali leher sutera @RM98 sehelai berjumlah RM58,800;500 unit tie-clips/cuff-links/key chain/gold-plated brass c/w designer box@ RM175 each berjumlah RM87,500;Percetakan: 3,000 brochure untuk Auditorium RM24,2104,000 naskah buletin Yayasan RM25,210200 helai tudung sutera RM14,00025 unit Pierre Cardin Briefcase@RM1,550 seunit RM38,750Floor Mat untuk bilik tandas RM11,00027 pasang blazer @ RM1,650 sepasang RM44,55058 helai blazer@RM676 sehelai RM39,23410 helai lounge suits@RM1,250 sehelai RM12,5002 unit akuarium marin dan kelengkapan akuarium RM20,040Menukar dan memasang satu pintu pejabat Yayasan RM25,000Menyalahi Peraturan Kewangan Dengan Tidak Memanggil Sebutharga Dan Tender,Perbelanjaan Atas Kegunaan Peribadi Dan Urusan Tidak RasmiProjek-projek mewah kerajaan negeri yang merugikan rakyat seperti:? Projek Lebuhraya Sungai Udang Ke Durian Tunggal sebanyak RM 280 jutasepanjang 21 km atau RM 14 juta sekilometer di mana hanya separuh adalah 4lorong kereta;? Projek Hang Tuah Mall sebanyak RM 8.5 juta;? Projek air terjun Bukit Bruang sebanyak RM 1.7 juta;? Projek pintu gerbang MBMB sebanyak RM 2.7 juta;? Jeti Parameswara sebanyak RM 13 juta;? Satu yunit tandas sebanyak RM 125,000/-? Bandaraya Mall(Taj Mahal di Bangunan MBMB) sebanyak RM 4.5 juta;? Projek pesiaran kaki Jonker Walk sepanjang 600 meter sebanyak RM 1.8 jutaatau RM 300 sekaki;? Bunga pasu sebanyak RM800 sebuah di sepanjang Jalan Bendahara;? Air pancut dan pesiaran kaki di depan Mahkota Parade sebanyak RM 2 jutadan jalan berbatu yang rosak sebaik ia disiap sebanyak RM 2.5 juta.Pemberian wang peruntukan kawasan yang tidak ada akauantibiliti menyebabkanbanyak penyelewengan berlaku seperti berikut:.Contohnya pada 2001 DUN Bandar Hilir, Durian Daun dan Tengkeramasing-masing diberikan RM50,000 manakala DUN Duyong memperolehiRM150,000/-. Cara ia dibelanjakan sungguh tidak bertanggungjawab sekalicontohnya dalam tahun 2001 bagi:-a) DUN Tengkera sebanyak RM50,000RM 26,400 untuk pergi melancong dan melawat, termasuk ke negeri Kelantanyang dikuasai oleh PAS ataupun lebih 50% daripada peruntukan tahunan; danjamuan makan dan kenduri sebanyak RM6,000/-.b) DUN Bandar Hilir sebanyak RM50,000Membekalkan 25 buah hamper Hari Raya sebanyak RM 1,000; danMembeli 11 pasang lounge suit ahli Persatuan Angkat Berat sebanyak RM 6,160atau RM 560 sepaang dari peruntukan DUN Bandar Hilir;c) DUN Durian Daun sebanyak RM50,000Membiayai aktiviti kumpulan tarian dan kebudayaan MCA Melaka yang diterimaoleh Encik Chong Yong Keong sebanyak RM2,000/- dari DUN Durian Daun; danMembekalkan 25 buah hamper Hari Raya sebanyak RM1,000;d) DUN Duyong sebanyak RM150,00010 pasang lounge suits untuk ahli atlet Persatuan Angkat Berat NegeriMelaka sebanyak RM5,600/- atau RM 560 sepasang; 55 buah hamper Hari Rayasebanyak RM2,200/-; danRM37,000 untuk makan angin di Sarawak.Pada tahun 2000, RM 1,770 dibelanjakan dari peruntukan DUN Duyong untukmembeli telefon bimbit untuk pejabat ADUN Duyong pada masa itu. Jelassekali penyalahgunaan sedemikian amat ketara sekali sehingga membelihamper, makan angin, jamuan makan, telefon bimbit untuk kepentingan pejabatperibadi dan juga untuk tujuan politik MCA. Apa faedah kepada rakyat?Berjuta-juta ringgit digunakan untuk elaun dan tuntutan Ketua Menteri, AhliEXCO dan ADUN setiap tahun. YAB Ketua Menteri mendapat elaun bulanan RM6,750 daripada menghadiri mesyuarat dan subsidi perbelanjaan Hari Rayaadalah mengikut perbelanjaan sebenar yang boleh sampai RM50,050 pada tahun2000. Speaker dan Ahli-ahli EXCO menerima subsidi perbelanjaan hariperayaan masing-masing RM 10,000 setiap orang, dan untuk ADUN BN sahajaRM5,000 setiap orang.Malah subsidi hari perayaan setiap tahun hampir RM250,000/- membazirkanwang rakyat tanpa memberikan sebarang faedah kecuali membolehkan setiapahli EXCO dan ADUN BN untuk mengadakan rumah terbuka dan menyambut HariRaya masing-masing secara percuma. Memandangkan ia adalah wang rakyat,bukankah ini merupakan satu penyalahgunaan kuasa kerana membolehkan iadibelanjakan untuk tujuan politik BN. Rumah terbuka yang diadakan oleh ADUNBN adalah wang rakyat.Di samping itu, tuntutan elaun perjalanan oleh ADUN-ADUN Melaka. Contohnyamenurut jawapan rasmi dalam mesyuarat Dewan Undangan Negeri Melaka oleh YABpada 4hb April 2001, ADUN Duyong Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong telah membuattuntutan elaun perjalanan bukan atas kerja awam tetapi kepentinganperibadi. Sekiranya benar, ia boleh dianggap sebagai satu penyalahgunaanwang awam yang sukar direstui umum.Elaun perjalanan sepatutnya dibuat atas urusan rasmi. Adalah keterlaluansekiranya tuntutan elaun perjalanan disalahgunakan sehingga merangkumiurusan peribadi atau urusan yang dijalankan di dalam rumah sendiri seperti:- mempengerusikan sidang akhbar di rumah sendiri;- menghadiri majlis perkahwinan;- menghadiri mesyuarat politik parti MCA di Kuala Lumpur;- melawat kawasan berhampiran rumahnya;- melawat pesakit di hospital; dan- menerima rawatan sebagai pesakit di hospital.Tuntutan pakaian, elaun perjalanan dan pembaikan kereta dari YAB KetuaMenteri, Ahli EXCO, ADUN dan setiausaha politik dan setiausaha sulit untuk2001 dan 2002 melebihi RM1.2 juta. Elaun perjalanan sahaja untuk YB Macapialah RM45,658.85 pada tahun 2001. Dengan elaun, tuntutan danpenyalahgunaan peruntukan pembangunan sedemikian tepatlah peribahasa Cina,"Jadi wakil rakyat, jadi kaya", di mana slogan pilihanraya besar MCA,"orang dalam kerajaan senang buat kerja" patut diubah kepada "orang dalamkerajaan senang cari makan"!.Penyelewengan Tabung Kebajikan oleh YAB Ketua Menteri Melaka sebanyakRM908,243.33 sejak 19 Disember 2001.YAB Ketua Menteri Melaka telah menubuhkan satu Tabung Kebajikan peribadi diatas nama peribadinya sendiri demi membolehkan bantuan kewangan dihulurkankepada pesakit miskin dan berkeperluan untuk kos dan perbelanjaan hospitaldan perubatan. Adalah difahamkan sejak 19.12.2001 bila RM5,000 dimasukkan,sebanyak RM908,242.33 telah dimasukkan dan digunakan sehingga 31 Mac 2005iaitu:. RM122,950 pada tahun 2001/2002;. RM286,000 dalam tahun 2003;. RM449,292.33 dalam tahun 2004; dan. RM50,000 setakat 31 Mac 2005.Sumber wang Tabung misteri ini berasal dari UMNO Negeri Melaka sebanyakRM368,283.82 dan bakinya sebanyak RM539,958.51 adalah diperolehi daripadaderma orang awam yang dipungut oleh YAB Ketua Menteri Melaka. YAB KetuaMenteri mendakwa di suratkhabar berkali-kali bahawa Tabung inidiselenggarakan oleh Southern Hospital (kini digelarkan Hospital Putra)untuk membolehkan orang awam yang miskin memohon bantuan kewangan perubatanbaik di hospital swasta atau kerajaan.Akan tetapi siasatan ke atas maklumat yang diperolehi bahawa sepanjang tigatahun Tabung misteri ini beroperasi, lebih daripada RM590,000 (65%)digunakan untuk orang kaya bergelar Datuk-datuk dan ahli keluarga YAB KetuaMenteri Melaka sendiri. RM365,000 atau 40% digunakan untuk ahli keluargaYAB Ketua Menteri sendiri termasuk isteri, anak-anak, abang ipar, makmertua, kakak dan Allahyarhamah emaknya. Manakala RM225,000 atau 25%digunakan untuk pesakit bergelar datuk ataupun isteri datuk. Amatmenghairankan mengapa ahli keluarga seperti isteri dan anak perlu mengambilkesempatan dalam tabung misteri ini dan menafikan hak orang miskin bilarawatan perubatan memang diberikan secara percuma oleh kerajaann kepadaahli keluarganya selaras dengan kedudukannya sebagai YAB Ketua MenteriMelaka.Isu ini adalah berkepentingan awam kerana melibatkan tiga perkara penting:a) Sumber wang adalah daripada orang awam dan dikutip atas matlamat murnimembantu orang miskin dan golongan tidak berada;b) Bantuan wang tidak dihulurkan semua kepada orang miskin dan golongantidak berada sebaliknya kepada golongan berada bergelar Datuk dan ahlikeluarga YAB Ketua Menteri Melaka sendiri; danc) Tidak ada sebarang pengumuman awam bahawa pesakit miskin boleh memohonbantuan atau kriteria kelayakannya sehingga orang awam hanya tahu tentangtabung misterinya selepas tiga tahun didirikan bila didedahkan saya.Saudara-saudari yang dihormati,Begitulah sedikit sebanyak maklumat yang saya boleh berikan kepadasaudara-saudari berfikir secara matang sebelum mengundi. Kalausaudara-saudara masih lagi memilih calon dari MCA yang tidak fasih BahasaMelayu itu, maka nasib yang akan menimpa saudara-saudari tidak akanberubah, malah akan bertambah malang. Para pemimpin UMNO/BN adalahpembohong paling besar dalam sejarah dunia moden. Untuk menang, merekasanggup buat apa sahaja. Mereka akan terus berlakon untuk menipu rakyat dandalam masa yang sama, mereka akan menutup semua saluran maklumat agarrakyat termasuk saudara-saudari yang akan mengundi pada hari Khamis inimenjadi bisu, pekak dan buta kepada maklumat. Pembohongan mereka akandibantu oleh media massa dan agensi-agensi kerjaan yang disebutkan di atasitu.Awas perangkap UMNO dan BN.Ketua Perusuh"SELAMATKAN RAKYAT DAN SELAMATKAN NEGARA"

http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2000/02g.html(See attached file: air

http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2000/02g.html Thinking Allowed

Elections without Contests?

Don't misunderstand. Elections are not everything but they are still important. We should therefore take elections seriously and defend the right to contest. However, the UMNO election appears to be a non-starter if we apply the democracy test. The same twisted logic of pretending to be a democracy by adopting "people-friendly" gestures and rhetoric appears to underscore the attitude of UMNO leaders. Nominations for the various posts are being conducted. Yet a directive, which is officially termed "a recommendation," has also been issued by UMNO's Supreme Council that there be no contests for the top two posts. Having no contests for the top posts will, according to their logic, avoid infighting ? as apparently occurred at the Tedong Pekan branch meeting in late February, when chairs were thrown, a car was splashed with acid, people were elbowing one another and someone even choked. There's also fear that the contests could develop into wars - no-holds barred, winner takes all ? and another split in the party. But what if we encourage the winner not to take all? Not to go on a witch-hunt and search-and-destroy all who voted against him? Not to remove them from positions, or to deny contracts, or recall loans? Might not the loser accept defeat gracefully? There would be no need to go to the courts on the grounds of phantom voters, illegal branch meetings, vote buying, etc. (Incidentally, such "internal" party matters can no longer be taken to the Courts according to the amended party constitution). Put another way, if criticisms were valued, differences of opinion accepted as natural, and elections considered healthy occasions for important issues to come to the fore and deadwood to be removed, etc, one begins to appreciate the value of contest, and of having an Opposition. We need a culture of tolerance towards others with other ideas even when they criticise and challenge us. Then we would not need to fight at meetings or run to the Courts. Or ban and restrict publications, arrest people who protest peacefully, or jail critics. We would then have a more democratic society and the government would be truly "people-friendly." Unfortunately the curbs on Harakah and other publications, the arrests of Karpal and others, and the recent developments in Malacca suggest that the opposite is happening. Ali Rustam, No Ibrahim Ali Ali Rustam In, Ibrahim Ali Out Just when we began to miss Ibrahim Ali, the former deputy minister in the prime minister's department, well known for his antics, and not one to hide his crude ways behind double-speak ? he already had difficulty speaking straight - along comes Mohamed Ali Rustam, the new Malacca CM. Ali Rustam first directed his officials to terminate the contracts of their panel doctors and other professionals whom he claimed were aligned with the opposition. He also threatened to transfer out civil servants found to be opposition party members. He next initiated moves to transfer out state funds from two banks which, he claimed, were staffed by opposition supporters who posted confidential bank documents in the Internet. Bank managers must be responsible for the actions of their subordinates, Ali Rustam argued. Then he began blacklisting contractors. Now, if a doctor is found wanting in treating patients who seek his services because he is too engrossed in political activities, or worse, refuses to treat some sick person belonging to a different political party, that doctor should rightly be removed from any panel of doctors. But whether the doctor supports one party or another is the doctor's privilege, indeed his civil right as in any democracy. Likewise, for any civil servant. According to the government's General Orders, if any civil servant wishes to hold office in any political party (N.B. this includes both BN as well as opposition parties) s/he has to apply for permission first. If s/he wishes to contest elections, the individual has to resign from the Civil Service. This is proper. However, the rationale for resigning is not because s/he belongs to an opposition party, or that as a civil servant s/he must be pro-government. Rather, it is because the neutrality of the civil service must be preserved. It is not surprising if Ali Rustam gets confused here; Ibrahim Ali used to be confused over many matters. In fact many BN leaders considered the civil service to be an extension of the BN and used it to serve party as well as their own personal ends. The civil service especially at the upper levels was anything but neutral. But since they were all pro BN, it was therefore considered okay. Now it is the reverse case. Hence Ali Rustam's high-handed and punitive moves - nothing new except that they're absolutely blatant. One might even say "transparent", a la Ibrahim Ali's ways. A case could also be made against Ali Rustam's directives, which amount to discrimination and are hence unconstitutional. For all citizens are supposed to enjoy equal rights regardless of race, religion, sex, age or party preference. But instead of leaving things there, Ali Rustam tried to justify his punitive ways: it is the democratic right of a client to take his business to another provider especially if the provider does not maintain Asian values. He even mentioned "unIslamic". Come, come. Take a cue from Ibrahim Ali who didn't bother to do a spin. Considered somewhat dim, by some, Ibrahim Ali might have been ahead of his time! Spins and Trivia The PM's support for Ali Rustam's antics (as for Ibrahim Ali's in the past) is predictable. In all probability they were first discussed in Putrajaya. The mainstream media's support for Ali Rustam and the PM was also predictable, but don't you think, getting unnecessary? For, after their role during the November 1999 elections, which descended into the pits, really, most Malaysians are more critical and do not take their cue from mainstream media commentators anymore. Better that these commentators do not bother for someone will catch them out. Just in case you did not catch this attempt at double speak about Zimbabwe by a former chief spin in his weekly column let me share it. I'm not sure why the columnist sought to highlight this matter except perhaps because Mugabe and Mahathir are great chums and several Malaysian companies have massive investments in Zimbabwe. At any rate the columnist was surprised that the people rejected Mugabe's recent referendum although it "sought to acquire land belonging to the rich White farmers and apportion it among the poor Black majority". Now that's misleading! In fact, the referendum was about amending the constitution to give the prime minister more powers, which Mugabe claimed he needed to transfer land from the rich White farmers to poor Blacks. All power to the Zimbabweans ? and we're referring to the Black majority - who saw through Mugabe's double-speak and rejected his attempt to concentrate power by playing racial politics. Shame on the (is this why he's a) former chief spin for trying to mislead us. But surely the mainstream media is not into spin all of the time? Sorry. The truth does get told. Just read the newspapers or watch the TV. After having done that, just ask yourself: what was the gist of the news item? If it's not what the PM had just pronounced at some function, then it must be some trivia, and right now it's about UMNO's upcoming party elections. The sophisticated graphics utilised do not negate the point that who's getting how many nominations and how many more are needed before they are eligible to contest the elections is trivia. More Trivia What's worse, there have also been reports of grandstanding by this or another UMNO aspirant, sometimes with ethnic overtones. Still trivia. For instance, there's now some hue and cry about the television programmes we access via satellite. (Mind you, Malaysia does not practise an "open skies" policy as most of our neighbours do. The programmes we receive have already been censored, I mean previewed, by certain minders in Astro who follow strict government guidelines). One of those vociferous UMNO politicians was Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MP for Bagan Datoh. Remember him? (Once deputy minister, UMNO Youth chief and close aide of Anwar Ibrahim; now critic of Anwar and Reformasi, and trying hard to gain the attention of Putrajaya). He proposed that a National Communication Policy be drawn up "to monitor, implement, regulate and screen foreign programmes to ensure they were in line with Malaysia's culture and norms". Yet his concern was not all foreign programmes but only those from China and India. He and others of his ilk are concerned that these programmes could be "contrary to our national cultural identity", and even influence non-Malays to become unpatriotic. Another loud commentator claimed that "Malaysians now idolise entertainers and artistes instead of the country's leaders?This shows that our Asian values are diminishing." Are we to take such comments seriously? Just a while ago when the non-Malay votes were so crucial for the BN, it appeared that the non-Malays could do no wrong. I suspect that Zahid and the others are simply trying to score points ahead of the UMNO elections. Be prepared. There will be many more such occasions of grandstanding with ethnic overtones as long as UMNO members do not dare to address and debate the real issues which caused it to perform so poorly in the recent general elections. And the media will continue to feed us with this kind of truth. UnAsian Moves just Next Door I wonder what the newly formed Indonesian Press Council would say about our media. Modelled after Britain's National Press Council, there are nine members in the IPC: three representing the print media, four representing radio and television, and two others the public. (One of them is a teacher of journalism, the other a member of the Indonesian Human Rights Commission). The IPC's task is to handle complaints from both the media and the public, to protect journalists from threats and intimidation (for their investigative journalism and revelations of korupsi, kolusi and nepotisme - but it's alright, no cause of concern here in Malaysia) and to act against media that violate the Press Code of Ethics (these violations might include acting as mouthpieces of the regime, misreporting and reporting trivia and engaging in double-speak, and dulling the mind of the people). It's an important follow-up to Gus Dur's dismantling of the Indonesian government's Information Department almost immediately after he came to power. How unAsian! What a contrast to the Malaysian situation. Not only do we have to contend with spin doctors in a powerful Jabatan Penerangan, virtually all the media is owned or controlled by the government or the Barisan Nasional parties. Schoolbags, Laptops and Colouring There was also some truthful reporting in the media about?yes, schoolbags. It appears that it's no longer fun to go to school, not when you have those heavy schoolbags to carry. As in all things educational, a debate ensued over those bags. The silliest statement was that by the deputy minister of Education Hon Choon Kim who proposed that the children could carry laptops to schools instead. Unless he's talking about 2020 or thereabouts, he wins the pea-brain prize! Who is going to provide the hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren with laptops? Surely not Daim. Could it be the MCA? If he has the Smart Schools programme in mind, then he ought to know that it has virtually been put on hold not due to only lack of funds but also because of lack of development of the necessary software. The little that is available is not interactive. Often, the very same stuff that appears in the workbook appears in the computerised version of the lesson. The only difference being that one clicks to turn the page. So why bother? Being a pilot project, only a few schools in each state had been identified to join the Smart Schools programme. A ministry official was better-informed than Hon and made the common-sense suggestion that the bags could be lightened if some classroom exercises were cyclostyled on newsprint or copied from the blackboards, as in the past. There would then be fewer workbooks required. But look into the substance of these workbooks too. One reason why these books are so thick is on account of a subject which does not even appear in the regular curriculum, namely "colouring". Regardless of the subject involved, whether it is BM or Mathematics, Moral or English, Kajian Tempatan or Science, our children spend way too many hours in school and at home "colouring". And parents spend lots of ringgit purchasing workbooks and colour pencils. I'm all for making primary school education more attractive and colourful but not in this way. Whatever, too many uninformed statements have been made by people who have not been looking into their children's schoolbags nor realising how often they buy their children colour pencils. Laptops indeed! Leave the Studying to the Children Seriously, there are more acute schooling problems which require Hon's and our attention. Imagine every single pupil in 22 Tamil primary schools in Selangor failed the Year Six UPSR! The UPSR results were announced in November but the poor performance of these 22 schools was only announced last month. Following a meeting with Tamil School headmasters, the Education Minister announced the appointment of an officer in each state to oversee Tamil school affairs. This initiative does not hurt but might not help either. For the poor performance is directly related to the socio-economic problems of the poor Indians, especially those in the plantation sector, or those displaced from the plantations. One issue in particular must be addressed immediately. For decades, the plantation workers have been fighting for the introduction of a monthly wage scheme. Their plight must be resolved once and for all. Numerous studies on their plight and on how to resolve it are available. There's no need for the MIC or more university researchers to study the problem. Leave the studying to the children. Just act on the problem. Once the plantation workers receive a regular income, their housing and health problems must also be looked into. The children's academic performance might then improve. http://maverickysm.blogspot.com/2004_10_01_maverickysm_archive. html More Datuks from Malacca after Ali Rustam wins VP Datuk Malacca Reward for those who support Ali Rustam? A record number of 83 people will be conferred awards which carry the title "Datuk" in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Negeri Tun Khalil Yaakob's 66th birthday celebrations. They are among 890 people who will receive their awards and titles in Malacca on 10th Oct 2004. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam today denied that the long list of people awarded datukship was in recognition of their support for him in the recent UMNO election. (Ali Rustam was elected as a Vice-President in the recent UMNO election). He said those appointed Datuk greatly contributed greatly to the general election and this is his way of recognizing their efforts and repaying them. So, it's clear that those Datukship award are not for those who contributed to society and the nation but rather for contributing to helping the state government win elections - a political contribution to the ruling party, if the statement issued by the Malacca is constructed in accordance with the reasons stated by the Chief Minister. Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim believes that "the public might assume that it is easy to attain such titles if too many are given out." This is what Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said: "If too many are handed out, it will cast aspersions in the community that the awards are easily available." Commenting on the 84 people who were awarded Datukship, Rais Yatim had this advice: "They should have rounded it up to 100." Maybe, that's what Malaysia Boleh Ideology is all about! Anyway, most Malaysians knows how their friends win those Datukship awards. Like it or not, it is money politics and with money, you can get anything you want! Those who wants to keep denying it can continue to do

Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam's Performance After 6 Years

http://dapmalaysia.org/english/2007/mar07/lge/lge590.htm

Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam's Performance After 6 Years As Melaka Chief Minister Is A Direct Contradiction Of Datuk Seri Abdullah's Promises Of Fighting Corruption, Islamic Hadhari And Good Governance.

Speech at The DAP Melaka State Annual Convention

by Lim Guan Eng

(Melaka, Sunday): Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam's performance after 6 years as Melaka Chief Minister is a direct contradiction of Datuk Seri Abdullah's promises of fighting corruption, Islamic Hadhari and good governance. The number of corruption scandals, abuses of powers and financial malpractices have not decreased but multiplied manifold since Abdullah came to power as Prime Minister two years ago.

For instance despite Abdullah's directive for open tenders of government projects, this is not complied with in the RM 12 million renovation project of the Melaka Governor's official residence or the RM 450,000 repainting project of the Putra Hospital owned by the state government.

The public has a right to know how RM 12 million renovations was spent on lifts, landscaping, interior decoration of the Istana Melaka given without open tender. The project is past its completion date of 30 September 2005.

Public funds is misused such as the nearly RM 1 million around the world junket to United States by an official delegation led by the Melaka Chief Minister, his wife and including his children. Such wastage of public funds is followed by the Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah (MPAG) spending RM 70,000 to China for a study mission where MPAG councilors did not meet even a local council staff.

The Melaka Chief Minister also misused money meant to assist the poor in need of medical assistance for hospital bills by giving to his own family members and political cronies. He had refused to give a full public accounting of this Health Welfare Fund amounting to RM 908,242.33 since 19/12/2001. The public has a right to know why they were not informed of such a fund, the qualifying requirements for applicants and the detailed list of those who benefited from the Fund.

How did the poor benefit when not only Datuks and wealthy patients but his own family members received money from the fund? Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam can not refuse to answer and in the interests of public accountability I would lodge a report against him with the Anti-Corruption Agency tomorrow. I hope the ACA would act on this report if they are serious in helping Abdullah to fight corruption.

Abdullah Islam hadhari promotes good Islamic values. Is Ali Rustam's Islam hadhari giving licences for Malay Muslims to sell alcohol in Melaka and operate a discotheque which disturbs the sleep of residents?

Where is good governance as preached by Abdullah when for the first time in history, Melaka is technically bankrupt? This is verified by the Auditor-General's 2004 Report that the government assets are unable to sustain its liabilities as follows:-

? For 2004, short-term assets of RM 221.77 million can not sustain liabilities of RM 258 million. In 2003 short-term assets of RM 249 million could cover the liabilities of RM 86.65 million;


? The state government's long term financial situation is unsatisfactory because its assets of RM 903 million could sustain the liabilities of RM 978 million.

Even the Chinese community were cheated by Ali and BN in the 2004 general elections when promises of development were not kept. Worse Ali condemned Chinese education and was the first senior UMNO leader to oppose the building of new Chinese primary schools and condemned Dong Ziao Zong for opposing the 2-4-3 formula using English to teach Maths and Science. DAP regrets that MCA and its 2 Melaka STate EXCO members dared not oppose such irresponsible and extremist statements by Ali.

The Chinese associations should not give the wrong impression that we are not serious about our principles by holding a grand gala dinner to honour his 6 th Anniversary as Melaka Chief Minister on 20 December 2005 when Ali had not apologized or withdrawn his extremist statements. How can we be respected if we honour the very person who is against the Chinese community's wish for more Chinese primary schools and restoration of teaching of Science and Maths in mother tongue language?

Adopt 3 People's Principles To Unite The Party For The People's Benefit And Reject Warlordism That Only Benefits BN And Betrays The People's Trust In Us.

DAP Melaka leaders should take the lead in opposing such opportunistic and unprincipled politics. To regain the seats lost in the 2004 general elections, DAP must win back the people's confidence. One very important condition is party unity.

To do so, the people must adopt the 3 people's principles of Sun Yat Sen not warlordism. Sun fought for nationalism, democracy and equality in people's welfare. This is still relevant in the modern context as we should be focusing on Malaysian nationalism not one based on narrow racial or religious differences. Democracy should be part of our culture. As for equal people's rights, Sun was talking about equality in land but we can look at it in the context of fighting for equal opportunity.

Let us adopt the basis of struggle behind the 3 people's principles and reject warlordism - national unity based on Malaysian not on race or religion; democracy as part of our culture and equal opportunity.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sdr Sim Tong Him for his services to the party over the last 15 years as DAP Melaka Chairman. I have tried to persuade him to stay on but he felt that he had to go for personal reasons as well as his publicly stated desire to let younger leaders have a chance. In this regard, it is both our hope that the new Melaka state leadership to be led by Sdr Goh Leong San can forge party unity and co-operation with the national leadership so that we can face BN as one in the next general elections.

(18/12/2005)