BREAKING NEWS - Are we a Democracy or are we a Feudal State?

"King Abdullah" has decided that the next Prime Minister of Malaysia shall be his current deputy Najib Tun Razak.

"Datuk Seri Najib and I have decided on the right time for me to hand over the premiership to him...."

Let us consider the FACTS:-
a) The current government is the Barisan Nasional government, and of course it should have been a matter that should have been discussed and agreed upon by the various different component parties ----- BUT NO...it was just "Datuk Seri Najib and I have decided...."

b) The main dominant party in the Barisan Nasional coalition is UMNO (United MALAY National Organisation), and as all past Prime Ministers have been UMNO Presidents, maybe it was a matter that should have been discussed and agreed by that UMNO Supreme Council (MPT) at least-----BUT it seems NO...2 persons who were not even elected by the majority of its party's membership by reason of that rediculous quota requirement before any person can challenge the top 2 position. Do these 2, the current PM and his DPM really even have the support of the majority of UMNO members -- we do not know - all we know is that there are not enough UMNO DIVISIONS who have the 'guts' to nominate any other person to challenge the post of President and DPM. Dr Mahathir was the last President of UMNO who demonstrated that he had the support of the majority, when he defeated Tengku Razaleigh by a few votes.

It is sad that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, or the majority of the incumbents in UMNO seem to be NOT really interested in removing that "quota hurdle" that impedes potential challengers... and so like Kings of old, our PM has decided on who will be next PM and when will the "power" be handed over.....It really is so DEMOCRATIC ....nope, that is not the word I was looking for. It was "FEUDAL".

And we wonder whether the UMNO membership will sit by and allow this to happen. After all, what is happening is that they are being denied their right to choose and vote in their next UMNO President, No.2, 3, 4, 5.... But then, it is UMNO members -- we really cannot expect much (or can we???)

What about the Barisan Nasional component party members -- will we be hearing that normal voicing out of support for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be the next PM...and happiness that the timing of handing over of power has been decided...or have things changed..and MCA, Gerakan, MIC and the other component parties are not going to come out falling head over heels to give that expected endorsement for an agreement made between the PM and his DPM.

I expect that the Media would be carrying reports of all kinds of people expressing great JOY and happiness about this BREAKING NEWS -- (of course, we will never see the views of those who are not happy or read any such comments -- mmmm maybe just a few to give the impression that the media is still 'independent'...)

BUT WAIT, what does the Federal Constitution say about the Prime Minister -- his appointment, etc..and that can be found in Article 43 of the Federal Constitution -- and it says that it is the "...Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint as Perdana Menteri (Prime Minister) to preside over the Cabinet a member of the House of Representatives who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House..." - it is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agung that appoints the PM - not the current PM who decides on the next PM...and here Abdullah is reported stating that there was an agreement ---

I do not know -- BUT is this not an action that demonstrates disrespect to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Is it also not an action (....an agreement) that is in breach of our very own Federal Constitution?

Our highest law of the land, the Federal Constitution, is also clear that the only consideration before appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is that the candidate for PM is "...likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House[i.e. the Dewan Rakyat]..."

And here, I wonder whether the Barisan Nasional MPs at least were consulted on this "handing over of premiership" - was there some secret ballot as to whether this Najib Tun Razak has the "confidence of the majority", and in this case today this means that number of MPs sufficient to make up more that 50% of the total number of MPs in Parliament say they did have such confidence and agreed to this "agreement". [I wonder whether such a vote was also taken when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was made PM.] With the happenings after the results of General Elections 2008 came out, especially in Perlis and Trengganu, I also do wonder whether he still do have the "confidence of the majority" -

Even if Abdullah Ahmad Badawi does not have, and If there was going to be a vote. I believe that many may vote because of UMNO...because of Barisan Nasional....but really not because they have confidence in the man, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The days of FEUDALISM within UMNO, and the Barisan Nasional must come to an END. The windows must be OPENED so that a fresh air of change can enter and bring about change - but will that happen in UMNO...in Barisan Nasional ...maybe not.

Some say that it will happen in MALAYSIA in the near future, when there is a change of the Federal government, which some claim will happen in or around Malaysia Day.

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43. Cabinet. (Federal Constitution- Art. 43)

(1) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall appoint a Jemaah Menteri (Cabinet of Ministers) to advise him in the exercise of his functions.

(2) The Cabinet shall be appointed as follows, that is to say:

(a) the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint as Perdana Menteri (Prime Minister) to preside over the Cabinet a member of the House of Representatives who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House; and.....

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Friday June 13, 2008 MYT 3:05:21 PM

Abdullah, Najib agree on best time for leadership change

KOTA BARU: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak have reached an agreement on the right time for a leadership change, the Prime Minister said Friday.

Reiterating that he and Najib enjoyed good working relations, Abdullah said they have mutually agreed on the "best time" for a leadership transition.

Abdullah raised the issue as some people were still suspicious of the relationship between him and Najib including Kelantan Umno leaders who raised the matter at the Kelantan Umno liaison committee meeting chaired by the Umno president here on Friday.

"Datuk Seri Najib and I have decided on the right time for me to hand over the premiership to him. We've no problems and we enjoy good working relations.

"The leadership change will definitely take place at the right time," he said at a luncheon with senior government officials and community leaders.

Earlier, Abdullah chaired a two-hour Kelantan Umno meeting. Abdullah is in Kelantan for a one-day visit.

Najib said in London on Thursday that he would not challenge Abdullah for power because as a "true Umno man" he would not risk destroying the party his father had built.

He described himself as a loyal party member who subscribed to an orderly leadership change, as has been the Umno convention.

Abdullah said the people should stop speculating on his relationship with Najib as such talk was of no benefit to anyone.

"It's important for everyone to see the relationship between me and Najib as very crucial to strengthen Umno and the Government and to implement the development projects and programmes that have been planned," he said. The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the support given to him to continue to lead the nation and Umno.

He promised to work hard for the country, party and the people.

"I really value and appreciate the support given to me. If I am accorded solid support, it will spur me to work even harder for the party and the Government," he said. - Bernama