Is it the royalty or some elements in PR behind this 'crisis' about Exco appointments in Selangor?

I am a bit concerned about what is happening in Selangor with the Exco list. It is a bit hard to believe that it is because of HRH Sultan of Selangor, that seem to be blamed now, as being the party exerting 'pressure' with regard the composition of the State Exco. What if  HRH Sultan said he preferred someone from UMNO as the Menteri Besar? What if HRH Sultan said that he wanted persons from the BN in the State Exco? 

Personally, I do not believe that HRH Sultan of Selangor is the one exerting such pressure in Selangor, it may be just some elements within the Pakatan Rakyat itself. If the later is what is happening, many Malaysians may want to re-think their preference for Pakatan Rakyat - now seen to be as divisive (or even worse than the BN) when ethnicity and religion becomes a bigger concern than the best 'Malaysian' with the required ability, capacity and skills to serve the people. [I never heard of any Sultan's preferences with regard the Exco composition when BN ruled..., or was it there and we were not told...]

The delay in finalising the Selangor state executive council list is to comply with the Selangor Sultan's request to change the racial composition of the line-up, says Selangor PAS deputy commissioner Khalid Samad.

"We understand that his royal highness wants to see an exco made up of six Malays and four non-Malays.

"This is different from the exco in 2008, which was made up of five Malays and five non-Malays," Khalid, the MP for Shah Alam, said in a blog posting yesterday.

He explained that this was to match the increase in Malay majority seats won by Pakatan Rakyat in the 13th general election. - Malaysiakini, 21/5/2013, Exco list held up to accommodate S'gor sultan

With reference to this report, I have concerns.

First concern, is the word '...understand that his royal...' - Where is this understanding coming from? I do not recall seeing any statement made by HRH Sultan of Selangor. 

Second, the changes of ethnic/religious composition certainly should not have anything to do with Pakatan winning more Malay majority seats for after all we are talking about the governance of Selangor State and its people - and how many Malay majority seats won is a reason more likely being raised by elements in Pakatan Rakyat - not HRH Sultan of Selangor who reasonably would be concerned for all people in Selangor, and not how many Malay majority seats won by PR. As such, this reasoning is absurd. The people voted in their reps, and they did not consider ethnicity, religion, gender... these factors are arguments raised by political parties or potential candidates when lobbying to be chosen as candidates or party seats during elections.{Furthermore, if we were to look at popular ethnic support, it may very well paint a different picture...}.

DAP 15, PAS 15 and PKR 14 - still they agreed to an MB from PKR, and I hope it was because he was the best available candidate for the MB position.

Remember restrictions based on ethnicity and/or religion is a problem for multiracial parties like PKR and DAP, and also PAS now since they too are fielding non-Muslim candidates...moving towards becoming a truly Malaysian party. 

I  hope that Pakatan Rakyat would stand up against all these ethnic/religious considerations. Remember that you have the people's mandate...and do not cow down to such pressures based on ethnicity and religion...or 'Party shares'. 

Wherever Pakatan won, it matters not whether the candidate came from PAS, PKR or DAP, or was a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Thai, Iban, Kadazan... the Pakatan Rakyat would have still won no matter who the candidate. People voted for the PR...not so much the candidates. [Of course, if it was an incumbent, then performance during the last tenure would also be considered by the voters..]

I believe that the composition of the State cabinet(State Executive Council) should be merely on the consideration of the best person available for the portfolio without consideration about which party, ethnicity, religion, gender,...This would be best for the people. 

But alas, Pakatan Rakyat also, seems to be like the BN, bickering about this and that. First, there was bickering about the seats...now, the number of Exco positions? We had the PKR reps fighting about the MB position and candidate...See also

Selangor ADUNs - serve the people - and do not be distracted by desires for personal enrichment, power, etc...

Azmin should stay out of Khalid's Cabinet, and be an effective watchdog as a Pakatan Backbencher..

We have to remember that the Pakatan Rakyat has the two third majority in Selangor, and that means that there should be no problem to now amend the Selangor Constitution, to bring in in line with the Federal Constitution. This would mean removing the ethnic and religious condition when it comes to appointing the Menteri Besar - making the Menteri Besar(as is the case with the Prime Minister of Malaysia)  a member of the Legislative Assembly who ...command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Assembly. Surely Malaysians would want the best person who enjoys the confidence of the majority appointed as the Menteri Besar irrespective of gender, ethnicity and/or religion, and for the chosen Menteri Besar to then chose the best of the elected representatives as members of his/her cabinet(State Executive Council). Would not a person like Lim Guan Eng make a good Menteri Besar of Selangor?

51  Appointment of Menteri Besar [LAWS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SELANGOR, 1959]
(1) His Highness shall appoint by Instrument under His Sign Manual and the State Seal, a Menteri Besar, in accordance with paragraph (a) of Clause (2) of Article 53.
(1A) His Royal Highness shall appoint by Instrument under His Sign Manual and the State Seal a Deputy Menteri Besar in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c) of Clause (2) of Article 53.
(2) Subject to the provision of Clause (4) of Article 53 no person shall be appointed to be Menteri Besar unless he is of the Malay Race and professes the Muslim Religion.

Article 51(2) would exclude also Muslims of all other ethnicities in Malaysia, including other Bumiputra Muslims. An Orang Asli also could not be the MB.  This provision certainly need to be repealed.

53  The Executive Council

(1) His Highness shall appoint a Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan to be called in English the State Executive Council.
(2) The State Executive Council shall be appointed as follows, that is to say-

(a) His Highness shall first appoint as Menteri Besar to preside over the State Executive Council, a member of the Legislative Assembly who in His judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Assembly;
(b) He shall on the advice of the Menteri Besar appoint not more than ten nor less than four other members from among the members of the Legislative Assembly; and
(c) He shall, if the Menteri Besar so advises, appoint a member of the State Executive Council to be the Deputy Menteri Besar who shall assist the Menteri Besar in the exercise of his powers, the performance of his duties and the carrying out of his functions, and on the directions of the Menteri Besar, he shall exercise such powers, perform such duties and carry out such functions of the Menteri Besar,...

Yes, Pakatan Rakyat has the ability and the capacity to make the needful amendments of the Selangor Constitution - a failure to do so in this term would show us a glimpse of the true nature of Pakatan Rakyat...

98  Amendments of the Constitution

(1) The following provisions of this Article shall have effect with respect to the amendments of this Constitution.
(2) The provisions of the First Part of this Constitution except Articles 3 and 38 (b) may be amended by His Highness by proclamation issued with the advice and concurrence of the Dewan di-Raja established under Article 23 but may not be amended by the State Legislature or by any other means.
(3) The provisions of Article 38 (b) and Articles 47, 48 and 93 may, subject to Clause (5), be amended by Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly and approved by the Dewan di-Raja established under Article 23 and assented to by His Highness, but may not be amended by any other means.
(4) The provisions of the Second Part except Articles 47, 48 and 93 and the provisions of Articles 1, 2 and 3 may, subject to Clause (5), be amended by an enactment of the State Legislature but may not be amended by any other means.
(5) A Bill for making an amendment to this Constitution shall not be passed by the Legislative Assembly unless it has been supported on Second and Third Readings by the votes of not less than two thirds of the total number of members thereof.
(5A) The following amendments are excepted from the provisions of Clause (5), that is to say-

(a) any amendment to the definition of the territory of the State which is made in consequence of the passing of a law altering the boundaries of the State under Article 2 of the Federal Constitution to which the Legislative Assembly and the Conference of Rulers have consented under the said Article; and
(b) any amendment the effect of which is to bring this Constitution into accord with any of the provisions of the Eighth Schedule to the Federal Constitution, but only if it is made after the Legislative Assembly has been elected in accordance with Article 62.

(6) In this Article "amendment" includes addition and repeal.

TM satu lagi kegagalam kerajaan BN-UMNO?

Pokok tumbang atas tiang dan kabel Telekom selepas hujan lebat - Aduan telah dibuat berkali-kali tetapi kini masih lagi tidak ada tindakan. Yang disalahkan adalah Najib dan kerajaan BN ...

Adakah respon lambat kerana ini berlaku jalan masuk ke Kampung tempat orang biasa tinggal - bukan ada VIP, VVIP atau warga kaya?

Tengok Laman Web TM - tak ada pun emel tempat kita boleh buat aduan. 

Tak ada emel TM - tak ada emel TM Pahang, TM Temerloh.... atau nombor talipon TM terdekat, dalam situasi ini di Temerloh...(PM pun ada emel...)

Bila kamu panggil 100 - untuk buat aduan, ia memakan masa sampai lebih kurang 15 minit - dan kita akan dicaj untuk panggillan buat aduan - di dalam keadaan ini aduan mengenai kemungkinan Kabel atau pecah/putus dan tiang pecah akibat pokok tumbang masih bergayut..

Bila kabel pecah - habislah orang kampung tak ada perkhidmatan telepon dan internet - dan biasa akan mengambil masa lama sampai 1 minggu atau 2 minggu untuk kembalikan perkhidmatan  TAPI bulan-bulan kena bayar Bil penuh tak kira perkhidmatan tidak disediakan....dan kita kena pi kedai internet untuk guna internet

In semua kerana kerajaan BN - perkhidmatan perlu walau pun di minta tak diberikan.... Najib bertanggungjawab. Tapi kini mereka akan kata, TM sudah diswastakan ...bukan tanggungjawab kita...

Atau akan datang seorang Menteri, yang menyatakan kalau tak puas hati dengan perkhidmatan telekom dan internet atau TM bolehlah kamu 'migrate' ke negara lain... inilah cara BN.

Kenapa kita tidak dibekalkan dengan EMEL TM - di pusat, di setiap negeri dan disetiap Bandar? 

Kenapa kita tidak dibekalkkan dengan nombor talipon di pusat, di setiap negeri dan disetiap Bandar...

Kenapa bila kita membuat aduan kerosakkan ....atau aduan memaklumkan saperti ini, kita dikenakan caj... [Bila talian talipon ada masalah, semestinya kita gunakan telepon bimbit.... jadi wajar sekali tidak ada caj dikenakan]

Kenapa buat susah sangat buat aduan melalui 100 - kena masukkan nombor...tekan 1 untuk ini 2 untuk itu dsb... Warga tua terutamanya mendapati ini sukar - kenapa bila dipanggil terus diangat oleh pegawai TM bertugas...Yang pelik, bila pun kita sampai kepada 'manusia' di TM, mereka akan mengulang soalan - no talipon apa....dan sebagainya...Buat susah pelanggan...buat susah rakyat...

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Tun Razak paid for his own toothpaste, admonishes aide for suggesting that it be paid using government funds

'Integrity shortfall behind eroding support for BN'

Hafiz Yatim 2:33PM May 20, 2013

The regent of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, has pointed to the gap between expectations and delivery of integrity as a factor behind eroding public support for the BN-led federal government.

Referring to the 2004 general election, Raja Nazrin (left) noted that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had led the BN to a landslide victory after placing integrity and anti-corruption measures on his agenda when he took office from November 2003.

This had led to the formation of the Integrity Institute Malaysia and the royal commission of inquiry on the operations of the police force.

Three prominent individuals - the Kangar Municipal Council president, Perwaja chairperson Eric Chia and former rural development minister Kasitah Gaddam - were also charged with alleged graft.

“The public received these reforms well, as manifested in the 11th general election when the BN obtained 198 parliamentary seats and 63.9 percent of the popular vote in 2004. (The promises) rekindled hope in the people and this was translated into support (for the BN),” the regent said.

“In the 12th general election (in 2008), the public felt that the (government) had failed to fulfill their high expectations. The people felt that promises remained unfulfilled. They became sceptical of speeches and various indices of achievement that were meaningless to the realities of life.”

Speaking at an Integrity Convention organised by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission in Putrajaya today, Raja Nazrin said people wanted leadership by example with regard to integrity.

He urged leaders of today to learn from the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad, as well as past leaders like Tunku Abdul Rahman (right), Abdul Razak Hussein and Hussein Onn.

Raja Nazrin said the nation’s first prime minister had at one parliamentary session ordered the removal of a consultant for the Kuala Lumpur Hospital project, upon learning that the individual was a close acquaintance.

“Similarly the second prime minister (once) asked his aide to purchase toothpaste and hair cream during a trip abroad because he had forgotten to bring those items,” he related.

“The next morning Abdul Razak asked the price of the items and his aide said it would entered as a claim (on expenses). Abdul Razak admonishes his aide, saying these were personal items and should not be (paid for with public funds).

“Hussein rejected the government's (offer to pay) his airfare from London to Malaysia (while on holiday, even though) Abdul Razak had asked him to return immediately when then deputy premier Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman died. Hussein said he had already paid for his ticket.”

‘Stringent law enforcement’

The regent noted that the practice of integrity can be supported through enforcement of law that is free of fear and political interference.

“The ability of a leader to curb corruption - and a leader who is brave enough to remove corruption from the anatomy of the administration - will strengthen the standing of the administration and result in a positive image for the government.

“This will increase the people’s respect for the leader and his integrity.”

He listed the Philippines, India, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore as examples of countries that have shown political will in enforcement, as tough as this is.

Raja Nazrin also quoted the experiences of his father Raja Azlan Shah (right), while Lord President, in finding a personal friend and then Selangor menteri besar Harun Idris guilty of corruption.

“My father wrote: ‘It was painful for me to sentence a man I know. I wish it were the duty of some other judge to perform the task. To me this hearing seems to re-affirm the vitality of the rule of law. But to many of us, this hearing also suggests a frightening decay in the integrity of our leaders.’

“.... This serves a reminder and warning to us. It was certainly difficult for Raja Azlan to pass such a harsh sentence ...but he prioritised the rule of law and public interest.”

Raja Nazrin said the episode of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit could provide a guideline for people.

He said the returns for favours come in many forms, including money, titles, precious stones, holidays, a big bungalow or condo, and even haj or umrah trips.

“Such attractions and temptations may be difficult to reject but, in those situations, we must uphold integrity and be sincere. We must always remember that in the end we will return to face God and the day of judgment.”- Malaysiakini, 20/5/2013, 'Integrity shortfall behind eroding support for BN'

No SUHAKAM HR Commissioners since 25th April when the term of the 2010-2013 Commissioners expired

Malaysia have no Human Rights Commissioners since 25th April 2013. The term of the previous SUHAKAM Commissioners expired on 25/4/2013, and there is no new appointments and/or extension of the term of the previous batch of Human Rights Commissioners.

Really, there must be changes in the law to allow Human Rights Commissioners to continue their work as Commissioners until new appointments are made. 

I have been wondering about the silence of SUHAKAM about the allegations and/or facts surrounding the GE13 - and, I discovered that the term has expired and no new appointments.

People lost an important avenue of complaint in SUHAKAM because of this - for many of what happened on and around GE13 are fundamental human rights violations.

Of course, the SUHAKAM, especially the last batch of HR Commissioners were more dependable - and they would have done the needful investigating the alleged phantom voters and MyKads, and even played their role in advising not just the Malaysian government but also the Malaysian public about rights violated or allegedly violated.

It is the 20th of May - and hopefully this government will forthwith appoint SUHAKAM Commissioners - choose people who do not fear the government, and who will be brave to address matters from a human rights perspective. People who will uphold the cause of justice without fear or favour.

In the interim, reappoint the previous batch of HR Commissioners, maybe for a term of one(1) year or even for another three(3) years. More HR Commissioners could be appointed later, if needed.

Members of SUHAKAM appointed for 2010-2013 are:

 

Tan Sri Hasmy Agam - Chairperson

Commissioners

Mr. Muhammad Sha'ani B. Abdullah	Professor Datuk Dr. Khaw Lake Tee
Professor Datuk Dr. Mahmood Zuhdi Hj. A. Majid	Mr James Nayagam
Mr Detta anak Samen	Ms Jannie Lasimbang

Azmin should stay out of Khalid's Cabinet, and be an effective watchdog as a Pakatan Backbencher..

Well, the concern about some Opposition peoples' representatives is growing. It now is up to Malaysians to monitor them to make sure that they do not stray from the values and principles that they are supposed to uphold. We rejected BN in GE13 because of this - but now we are getting glimpses that some of the Pakatan reps may be no better...

Have the people been betrayed? Or is this merely a case of some 'bad apples'? The recent articles about the Selangor MB position have revealed certain discomforting elements...and now, Pakatan Rakyat has a difficult task of demonstrating that these 'bad apples' are just a few....

Some people apparently ran for elections for side motives (or was it their primary objectives?) of getting money and power. Now, it becomes priority for these political parties to do the needful to 'weed out' these bad elements, whereby a failure to do anything will just give the public a perception that this is really what these parties are all about.  

Certainly marred by these recent events is Azmin, the Deputy President of PKR, and some others who had levied accusations against Khalid, the Menteri Besar of Selangor calling him even a 'lame duck'. What was all this about? Well, it was difficult to follow especially when there were no list of failures that were furnished. There was also no suggestion of alternative steps that he should have taken. Then, a subsequent report seems to link it to Khalid's failure with regard government owned and linked companies and networks - "...more solid back up from the government-linked companies and government networks..." . What is this all about? Failure to utilize government resources to help in GE13? Very disturbing...very disturbing...In any event, following my earlier postings, Selangor ADUNs - serve the people - and do not be distracted by desires for personal enrichment, power, etc...

Now we now get Khalid's response, and it is best we look at it very carefully. Disturbingly, he talks about how some what to use 'government resources' for campaigning in GEs, about 'cronyism', who want to import the UMNO-BN culture...More disturbing is the silence from the PKR leadership on this matter. 

These are all serious allegations, and I am sure that Malaysians do not want this. All these need to be investigated and dealt with now immediately, and if there are 'bad apples', they need to be exposed and discarded from the party. We certainly hope that the Pakatan leadership would not just 'cover-up' this matter - maybe reward the 'bad apples' with positions, power and monies in the worry they may jump to the BN if action against them is suggested or taken. I would say that Pakatan Rakyat must not worry about this and do the needful to preserve the positive perception of Pakatan Rakyat, as a definite and better alternative to the Barisan Nasional.

I am sure that Khalid also has his flaws, so investigation and action needs to be taken against all so that the truth be revealed, bad apples be identified... 'Bad apples' - well, the option is to discard them, alternatively 'reform' them and cleanse them of bad values and principles. 

Some say, put Azmin in the State Cabinet to monitor Khalid - but, I would say Azmin and the others critical of Khalid should elect to remain in the Backbenchers Club in the State Assembly and make sure that Khalid and his Exco does what is right... They will be the needed 'check and balance'...Be openly critical...do not be like the BN Backbenchers, who are forbidden to openly side with the Opposition and/or be critical of the PM and the Cabinet. In a Pakatan Rakyat governed State, it must be different - as it should be in a democracy - where it is not only the Opposition but also the Pakatan Backbenchers who act as a watchdog of the Executive (the MB and his Exco) 

Maybe, even 'Select Committees' should be formed in the State Legislative Assembly tasked with continuous ongoing monitoring of the different departments/ministries in Khalid's administration...This is where critics like Azmin should rightfully be.

Khalid: I'm no lame duck MB

Ram Anand 2:06PM May 19, 2013

 VIDEO| 5:08 min
Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has said that he will not become a 'lame duck MB' as he is confident in his ability to deliver in his second term as Selangor's chief commander.

Speaking in an exclusive interview to Malaysiakini today, the 66-year-old former corporate figure said that he is a ‘Reformasi' person and thus would be honest about his delivery.

"What is the worst that could happen to me? If I can't deliver, I will say that I cannot deliver. You need to have the humility to tell the people of Selangor, to admit if you can't deliver," he said when asked if the possible inclusion of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and members of Azmin's team in the state executive council could undermine his position.

"No," he said sternly when asked if Azmin's (right) possible presence could affect the way Khalid does his work.

"So many of my party members wanted to use use state-linked companies (GLCs) to get money that can be used for campaigning. I tell them, eh, we are trying to do reformasi (reform.). We cannot abuse people's money. That cannot be accepted," he said.

He was responding to PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin, who expressed hope that government machinery and GLCs will help PKR during the next general election.

Speaking at his family home in Bukit Damansara, Khalid also admitted that there are members of his own party who still want to do things the Umno and BN way - which is by practising cronyism.

"The culture before this - there are middlemen, who think if your application is number 20, they can bring it to number one. But we have a policy of first in, first out. 

"Then they become noisy because we disrupt their coffee money. We tell people, if you want to get a contract, you should also be the owner-operator," he said.

"We are talking about changing a culture here. You go on the street, and you say "Bersih", but when it comes to working things you still want to do it the old way?"

But Khalid was upbeat about handling the pressure and was confident that the rakyat are aware of what the state government practises.

"We survived five years - that means the people know. They know what we practise. Even the people who made noise, when campaigning, go to the ground and said - look at how Selangor has been managed well," he said.

Malaysiakini will be publishing more reports from the interview with Khalid Ibrahim later this week.- Malaysiakini, 19/5/2013, Khalid: I'm no lame duck MB

I await the other promised reports of Malaysiakini... 

When it comes to a Cabinet, most essential is that they are all persons that the Menteri Besar(or Prime Minister) wants there, who would be able to put into effect the plans and programs of the government. Trust is essential. Placing people the MB/PM do not trust would be odd and 'inefficient' - MB will then be spending too much time and effort monitoring that the appointed EXCO is doing the right thing and is not 'sabotaging' matters to put the MB/PM in a bad light. Ultimately what a government does (or does not do) falls on the MB/PM.

What is interesting with this issue is that Pakatan Rakyat is becoming a stronger coalition, when we see the role played by the Pakatan Component parties. Who becomes the Menteri Besar is no more just an individual component party matter - it is a matter for the whole Pakatan Rakyat.

The openness and transparency demonstrated by Azmin, Zuraida and others is also good ...BUT please tell the people of your criticism and different views sooner as and when it happens. Khalid's openness is also welcome. Remember that we in Malaysia wants transparency - and if your view is different from a majority view, tell us too. They say that PEOPLE are the bosses, and we want to know... we do not want to be left in the dark or treated like little children, the way that the BN has generally been doing... 

Repeal Sedition Act - Wrong for Pakatan rep to suggest that some BN MP be arrested and jailed for sedition

Some Pakatan Rakyat MPs/ADUNs are confused or alternatively they are inconsistent with their stance. We want the draconian Sedition Act to be repealed in the interest of justice and freedom of expression. I believe that this is also the position of Pakatan Rakyat and the Opposition.

 

Then, we have some MP from the Pakatan Rakyat calling for someone from the Barisan Nasional to be charged with sedition... 

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy said Zahid should be arrested and jailed for his "seditious" statement telling those who do not accept the results of the general elections to leave the country.

The crowd blew their vuvuzelas wildly in approval to Ramasamy's suggestion..

"But is Najib brave enough to do this? No, he is a coward," added the Prai assemblyperson. - Malaysiakini, 19/5/2013, 60,000 defy police warning, attend 'thanksgiving' rally

What Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suggested was absurd and wrong, and the response should be a condemnation or a criticism of what he suggested that Malaysians not agreeable with the electoral system should 'migrate'. 

 

You can call on the Prime Minister to get rid of such persons from the Cabinet - but it is very inconsistent with our principles or values to suggest that he be charged for sedition or be charged under the ISA(if it still exist). 

 

Politicians must be careful in what they say - you cannot have two different positions, one for those 'victimized' by the BN government and one for those in BN for something they say or do.

Freedom of Expression means one is free to say what they want....and for others to respond to the point made. And the people will be free to decide on who they support in a matter. 

 

I hope Ramasamy clarifies matters.... Maybe, what he said was wrongly heard and reported. If so make sure the mass media makes a correction. But the report was not in some BN control media but reported by the alternative media.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as a Member of Parliament and a Minister, must always be open to different opinions - to even changes in the electoral system in Malaysia. Maybe, we need to consider changing the 'first past the post' system to a representative system. Maybe, maybe even a combination of systems. As Minister, his response should be to consider possible 'reforms' or 'transformations'. Maybe the question should be put to the people of Malaysia in a form of referendum...

 

There have been many suggestions made, amongst which is that there should be more equity in constituencies. Maximum difference when it comes to number of voters should maybe be 10 - 20%....Be open, listen to the different views....do not behave in an immature undemocratic manner by making suggestions that those not happy should migrate... 

Migrate, Zahid tells those unhappy with GE13 results

5:17PM May 16, 2013

New Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the opposition can "migrate elsewhere" if it is not satisfied with the country's electoral system that saw BN winning 133 parliamentary seats on May 5, despite Pakatan Rakyat bagging 51.78 percent of the popular votes to get 89 seats.

In an editorial piece in Utusan Malaysia today, Zahid (left) lashed at what he described as illegal gatherings organised by the opposition by way of the 'Black 505' events nationwide following Pakatan's losses in 13th general election.

Leaders of the opposition, especially from the PKR and DAP, he wrote, had confused the young Chinese and their blind supporters by asking them to wear black to protest against the GE13 result that showed the opposition parties winning through the popular vote.

The illegal gatherings, Zahid said, were to hide the fact of Pakatan's failure to win over Putrajaya, but the coalition did not dispute the results in Penang, Selangor and Kelantan.

"If it is true that the opposition obtained the majority vote, the measure it used has been manipulated... The method interpreted by the opposition is only adopted where countries directly elect their heads of state or political parties through elections."

Malaysia's system not based on 'popular vote'

He said Malaysia does not adopt a system that recognises the popular vote as the country practised the Westminster system of 'first past the post', as did the other Commonwealth countries.

Through this system, Zahid said, voters would elect their representative from among the political parties contesting and the victor would be the one with the simple majority.

"If this group (the opposition) wants to use the other system of single transferable vote as used in the republics, they should migrate to those countries to practise this kind of political belief," Zahid said in his Utusan posting.

Those who were loyal to Malaysia would accept the political system the country practised, based on the system of government it has, as enshrined in the federal constitution.

The various illegal gatherings held by way of road shows, he said, said were just an escapism for the opposition to hide the fact of its failure to control Putrajaya.

"The opposition acted over-confident in the support of the voters, and these supporters were manipulated by the various issues and false promises made in the opposition manifesto, which they themselves know cannot be implemented," Zahid said in his editorial piece.

Many critics of the electoral system have pointed out the gross distortion and the gerrymandering over the years which saw many seats, especially those won by the opposition, having large number of voters.  

After GE13, there has been much discussion about Malaysia's electoral system, amongst which was the criticism of the ‘first past the post' (FPTP) election system. One such commentary is attached for your reading pleasure... 

There have been, for a long time, much criticism of the ‘first past the post' (FPTP) election system we practise in Malaysia, because of what is inherent in this antiquated system.

The FPTP is one of the legacies of the British rule in Malaya and was based on giving all segments of the populace a voice in Parliament. Hence, constituency boundaries were drawn based on this segmental need for representation.
The original intention was noble indeed, that people in Sungai Buloh should have a voice in Parliament, just as those from Shah Alam, even though the Shah Alam constituency may have a population five times larger.

To prevent abuse and disproportional representation, certain limits were set when our founding fathers drew up the federal constitution. One important feature was that there should not be a population variance greater than 20 percent between the smallest and largest constituencies.

This safeguard was gradually eroded by successive ruling governments, since they enjoyed two-thirds majority Parliament to amend the country's laws, until this sanity check on societal representation was totally removed.

As a result of this, today we have 15,800 voters in Putrajaya, Igan (18,000) and Lubok Antu (19,000) commanding the same parliamentary voice as those in Kapar (144,000), Serdang (133,000) and Gombak (123,000).

This hardly seems fair when three small zones command an equal representation in Parliament, compared with their brethren who are at least five times larger, at least from the perspective of a majority rule.

Disproportionate representation

Criticism of such disproportionate representation led to some countries, such as New Zealand, Australia and Israel, modifying their electoral constituencies to be more representative and hence, the FPTP no longer applies in toto in these countries.

In a related example, besides throwing 90,000 tonnes of tea into the Atlantic Ocean, a new country was born some 237 years ago simply because its ‘rakyat' couldn't accept taxation without representation. One can draw similar parallels, if this inequitable scenario was to ensue here in Malaysia.

The greatest disservice of this FPTP system was shown clearly in Malaysia in GE13 when 915,560 voters in East Malaysia sent 48 BN candidates to our Parliament, or simply put, the average vote cost per BN lawmaker was 19,074.

Because of the severe skewering (aka gerrymandering) of the constituency delineations, it cost an average of 84,053 votes to get one Pakatan Rakyat MP in East Malaysia, or 4.4 times more expensive.
On the national average, it cost BN 39,381 votes per MP as opposed to Pakatan's 63,191 votes. Quite frankly, Pakatan had to work 60 percent harder than the BN had to.

What this means is that unless the present delineation boundaries are redrawn to fix this severe misrepresentation of societal voice, any opposition will need about 60 percent of the national votes to be on par with BN come election time, forever.

Here, I dare opine that GE13 was largely won by BN by capitalising on the severely disproportional FPTP system, rather than on phantom voters, repeat voters and such. Several jumbo jets full of Bangladeshis, Burmese and Nepalese could not have caused the damage to Pakatan as done by this antiquated Westminster delineation system.

From a strategic point, there should have been more focus in the territories where the opposition could have got more "bang for its ringgit" (pun intended) because the voter distribution and pattern (based on past election results) would have been known upfront anyway.

Admittedly, getting Pakatan's voice to the people in the jungles of Borneo would have been a Herculean task, given the physical and political hurdles.

However, mathematically speaking, if Pakatan had won the same number of seats from the 915,560 voters and maintained the same results in the peninsula, it would be firmly in power now.

Perhaps that's the reason why the BN is believed to have chartered several flights to carry voters from the peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak. I'm inclined to believe that the BN knew, from day one, that this was how it would win GE13.
Some interesting facts

Based on the Election Commission website, let me highlight these other interesting facts from the FPTP vis-à-vis GE13:

1) BN received 46.2 percent of the popular votes in peninsular Malaysia and 54 percent in East Malaysia, or a national average of 47.4 percent.

2) Based on this, BN was able to garner almost 51 percent of the parliamentary seats in the peninsula and 87.3 percent of those in Sabah and Sarawak, for a national average of 60 percent, or 133 seats.

3) Interestingly, 8.2 percent of the voters (in Sabah and Sarawak) gave BN 22 percent of the parliamentary seats, meaning 39.2 percent of the voters (in the peninsula) gave it the remaining 38 percent in Parliament.

4) Pakatan received 54 percent of the popular votes in Peninsular Malaysia and 35 percent in East Malaysia, for a national average of 51 percent.

5) Based on the above, Pakatan was only able to garner 49 percent of the parliamentary seats in the peninsula and 12.7 percent of that in Sabah and Sarawak, for a national average of 40 percent, or 89 seats.

6) It cost Pakatan 21 percent and 441 percent more votes per MP in the peninsula and East Malaysia respectively, to be on par with BN. On average nationally, Pakatan had to work 60 percent harder per MP than the BN.
7) Because they only formed 29.8 percent of the voters in GE13, contrary to the "Chinese tsunami" conspiracy theory, even if 100 percent of Chinese Malaysians (and for good measure, let's also throw in 100 percent of Indian Malaysians as well) voted for the opposition, there is no way Pakatan could have logically garnered the support of 5,623,984 Malaysians.

Conservatively adjusting for a 25 percent Chinese support for MCA and Gerakan (as was seen where there was a large Chinese voter base), at least three million voters therein were Malay/bumiputera.

This means, conservatively, 42 percent of the Malay/bumiputera electorate in Malaysia actually voted for Pakatan nationally. To put this into proper context, there was no such Chinese tsunami but instead, it was a Malay/bumiputera tsunami because 56 percent of the opposition's votes actually came from the Malays/bumiputera.

For Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to have made this arithmetic blunder publicly was totally ill-advised and it has now caused needless uneasiness among the rakyat.

8) Finally, as explained earlier, 915,560 people, who are basically very removed from urban and national politicking, more or less sealed the fate of 11,054,577 voters or about 29 million people in Malaysia - thanks to the FPTP system.

Seriously and practically speaking, would anybody consider 3.2 percent (915,560) of Malaysians deciding the future of the country a fair run of democracy under the FPTP voting system?

Without a concerted effort from our MPs to make our country fairer by insisting on equitable representation in Parliament, it will indeed be very difficult for Najib to ask for national reconciliation when the very premise of his assertion was fundamentally flawed.

If you don't know what's broken, how can you fix it? - DATO RAMESH RAJARATNAM is a chartered accountant and a keen follower of Malaysian politics - Malaysiakini, 9/5/2013, Gross distortions in Malaysia's voting system

Selangor ADUNs - serve the people - and do not be distracted by desires for personal enrichment, power, etc...

I am a bit disturbed about what is happening with Selangor, especially with the PKR State Assembly persons...

First, there was this perceived alleged fight for the Menteri Besar position, apparently between Azmin and Khalid - but why? He said Khalid was a 'lame duck'....but then, I do not remember any specific criticisms from Azmin about the Khalid administration of Selangor. Have you?

The next Mentri Besar of Selangor should not be a “lame duck” who allows himself to be led by others, said PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.- Star, 9/5/2013, GE13: Azmin Ali not giving in, says MB should not be "lame duck"

Remember, that it is Pakatan Rakyat, i.e. DAP, PAS and PKR, and whoever is the Menteri Besar, he still must be 'led by others' - i.e. he must act in accordance to the direction of the Pakatan Rakyat...and more importantly the people of Selangor. We do not want a MB, who will just act in accordance of what he wants, who does not listen to the people.

If a Menteri Besar (or the Prime Minister) is doing things wrong, then rightfully criticisms must be levied against him and his State cabinet. In the State Legislative assembly, this role falls not just to the Opposition but also the Back Bencher's Club, being ADUNs(State Assembly persons) of Pakatan Rakyat that are not in Khalid's cabinet. Since, Azmin seems to be the biggest critic of Khalid, he should not accept any position in Khalid's State cabinet but should maybe be a Back Bencher - maybe even the leader if the rest of the PR ADUNs chose him.

We want greater transparency and accountability. Transparency - that means that the 'failings' of the MB and his cabinet must be publicly revealed and responded to. We do not want a 'BN Style' State Assembly, where MPs/ADUNs are GAGGED and disallowed from voicing viewpoints criticizing or different from the what the State MB and EXCO are doing. Why did Azmin Ali fail to do this? Why is he not giving us specifics? We, the people have a right to know...yes we have a RIGHT to know.

Then, recently I read a Malaysiakini report....and doubts crept in as to whether all this is really about power and money....not so much about matters for the best interest of the State and the people. Is it really all about positions - not just in the State Exco but maybe also the State-owned and linked companies. Is it about Directorships? Is it about awarding contracts to 'cronies'...or the appointment of cronnies?

"In the 14th general election, we hope to have more solid back up from the government-linked companies and government networks, which are now not giving much support," Zuraida said. - Malaysiakini, 17/5/2013, PKR pushes for greater control of Khalid's admin

What is Zuraidah talking about? Should not the concern be about getting more solid support from the people? 

What is more solid back up from the government-linked companies...and government networks? What do they want? More money and support from these companies and 'networks' - surely this is something that BERSIH would say is wrong. No one should use government...anything to get more support for political parties or for the purposes of securing election victory in GE14 - this is wrong and would be an abuse of power...{Remember, this is something that we are all angry BN is doing...}

"..government-linked companies...and government networks...", the key word being government should not be used for the purposes of securing victory of Pakatan Rakyat in GE14. Government resources are for the people and the State only.....[Maybe PR needs to be thinking about 're-education' sessions for some of its elected reps - reminding them again that all that they should be doing is serving the people...not enriching themselves, their families and/or their cronies...or 'strengthening' themselves politically using their powers/influence in the government or government linked entities. Have we really chosen the correct candidates with the correct values and principles?]

As I did mention in an earlier postings, maybe as a matter of policy any MB, State Exco member or ADUN of a State chosen and appointed as a Director or CEO of a government linked company or entity should not be paid additional allowances or salary..save maybe travel allowances, reimbursement of 'out of pocket' expenses... [Appointed as a Director, getting monthly Director's allowances of RM10,000 or RM50,000....is a problem]. 

First, there must be a reduction and a limit placed on Director's Allowances and CEO pays in government owned and linked companies. These monies, should be either transferred to the State coffers or back into the companies income. Save money for the benefit of the people. For sure, Director allowances must never exceed the basic pay of an ADUN, and CEOs should never be paid more than the Menteri Besar. 

Secondly, maybe no State Exco member should be made a Director of any company - surely they have enough work in the portfolio they hold.

Third, Pakatan Rakyat won the election, and as such maybe there should be an Independent Pakatan Rakyat body(ies) set up to monitor each and every government owned and/or linked company in the State. Maybe, Azmin (the perceived most vocal critic of Khalid) should be here....

REMEMBER, we do not want another 'Barisan Nasional' or similar style of government...

The government serves the people, and all must be done for the best interest and benefit of the people - not for personal or political party enrichment of any kind.

At PRU13 [GE13], the people voted you in and all you need to do is serve the people... 

P.S. - Some say that Azmin now wants to be the number 2, the Deputy Menteri Besar - well, that really would be up to Khalid who has the right to chose his Exco. But, logically the number 2 may be best a person from DAP or Pas, being parties that also won more seats than PKR and certainly would be better placed to monitor the PKR MB for the good of Pakatan Rakyat.

DO NOT BETRAY THE PEOPLE

DO NOT BE DISTRACTED BY THE QUEST FOR MONEY AND POWER

 

Now greater monitoring, and ensuring greater transparency and accountability of the Menteri Besar and the government is and has always been the duty of all people representatives, remembering always that their FIRST duty is always to the people - not their MB, government, political party...

The struggle for Local Council elections continues...but real reforms can be done without waiting for court rulings and law changes

The struggle for Local Council elections continues.....

Even as we wait for Local Council Elections, there are means and ways for State Governments to ensure that the persons representative of the community are now appointed (while we wait for elections) to represent the communities - NOT the political parties in the coalition that rules the State. Sadly, Pakatan Rakyat did the same thing that BN did in appointing people from its component parties.

Kampung and Taman Elections - there is nothing stopping the State government from doing this. Perak, under the brief Pakatan Rakyat rule after the 2008 GE, did this and many Kampung/Taman leaders were democratically elected. The democratically elected leaders could then chose amongst themselves who will sit in the Local Council to represent the communities.

Of course, Local Council need also representatives from professional groups, consumers and workers as well. 

Time for MTUC to be given ONE seat in every Local Council to represent workers and trade unions. 

Likewise, local businesses and employers should also be getting a representative in the Local Council.

Religious communities should also be represented - maybe there should be 1 or 2 representative from the Surau/Mosque communities in the area. They could choose their reps.

The non-Muslim religious communities, likewise, could also have 1 or 2 representatives. The local MCCBCHST committee could identify their representatives.

Of course, the parties of the ruling coalition could have reps, and in the same way the losing coalition should also have reps.

Local Councils must also be transparent and accountable. Accounts - income and expenditure must be made available on Local Council websites. People want to know how their monies are spent.

Likewise, a e-communication system must also be put in place - maybe this would be like an e-group. So that Local Councils will not have to answer same questions from the community several times. 

The promises the Pakatan Rakyat made before GE 2008 has yet to be realised - and we know that towards the tail end of their rule, they started taking steps to make this real. Now, Penang government has gone to court... A legal struggle is one thing, but as mentioned by me (and many others), there is so many other things that could be done to make the Local Councils more 'democratic'...

Apex court sets date for hearing on local polls

Susan Loone 10:53AM May 17, 2013

The Federal Court in Putrajaya will hear the Penang government's application for leave to restore local government elections on May 29.

State Local Government and Traffic Management committee chairperson Chow Kon Yeow said the application had been filed in March but the state was told that hearing would only commence after the general elections.

He said the court hearing sets in motion the state's plan to bring back local elections which had been denied to Penangites since 1965.

He added that he would represent the state in Putrajaya, while constitutional expert Tommy Thomas was the legal counsel in the case that was filed together with Penang resident and former Aliran president P. Ramakrishnan.

"In our petition, we said with the newly gazetted Local Government Election (Penang Island and Province Wellesley) Enactment 2012, the state should be allowed to conduct its own election for local councillors," Chow told a press conference.

"In this case, the Federal Government and Election Commission are respondents, as the latter should take all the necessary actions to ensure that local elections take place " he added.

"We want the court's declaration that the state has the absolute and exclusive jurisdiction to enact and implement laws on local elections," he said.

Born 1857, died 1965
Federal laws which are found to obstruct local elections should be declared as ultra vires the constitution, null and void, he stressed.

Local elections in the George Town municipality were held since 1857 but banned in 1965 during confrontation with Indonesia with the promulgation of an Emergency regulation .

Since then, councillors for the Penang and Seberang Perai municipal councillors, the third tier of the state administration, have been political appointees.

However, there are also a few NGO representatives picked to make up the list. - Malaysiakini, 17/5/2013, Apex court sets date for hearing on local polls