It is not just the PM, but the BN government. At one time, they tell us that they may have to raise fuel prices in August - and then suddenly raise it.
Many are rushing to the Post Office to collect their money fast - because knowing the BN government, tomorrow there may be change of mind - and no more money will be given out to vehicle owners.
Let us consider Abdullah's latest statement that he will be defending his Presidency.
If he is still Presidency of UMNO after December, would we not all have to wait for the next time that UMNO has its elections for any abdication and transfer of power to Najib? If it done before that, Najib will only be the "ACTING" UMNO President, possibly also be seen as the "ACTING" BN leader but he can be PRIME MINISTER if the King do choose to appoint him, and that is if he does enjoys the confidence of majority in Parliament.
But then if the Pakatan Rakyat takes over soon, then all this will not matter anymore - save for UMNO.
But then, if there is sufficient nominations (and that is if the UMNO Divisions have the guts to nominate some other than the incumbent), then we may have a challenge and members can vote in the next UMNO President - and that vague 'Badawi-Najib Agreement' will be immaterial.
Reading the Star Report entitled "UMNO heads hail handover pact" ( I have attached this report below), it confirmed my earlier posting that the Supreme Council was also not aware of the fact and/or the contents of the Badawi-Najib agreement. They also seem to be non-committal in their responses - it is for sure NOT an all out support for the agreement, the transition plan, etc... Interestingly, I also did not see the BN Component parties "hailing" that announcement.
The way things are moving, we may be looking at a whole lot of changes in Malaysia - we may also be seeing a 'reformasi' in UMNO and the Barisan Nasional - where demands for consultations, accountability, transparency and democracy are getting louder and louder. This practice of current leader handing over power to next leader seems to be no longer preferred. Members of UMNO seem to want to choose their own leaders..not just at the National level....but also at the State level.
Sometimes, I do wonder whether Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is as foolish as he seems. If he is not, I wonder what his real agenda is. After all, some do say that this Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the one who created the rift between Mahathir and Anwar - and got himself to be Prime Minister. Some also do say, that this Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the one who got out-witted Mahathir into giving up his premiership. So, maybe we should be asking as to what this Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is really up to? What is his REAL AGENDA?
Sunday June 15, 2008 MYT 10:19:15 PM
PM: I'll defend my post!
By YAP LENG KUEN
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has reiterated that he will defend his Umno presidency in the party elections in December.
Even though he has announced his plans for his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak to take over, he has not decided precisely on the date of handover.
“Anytime doesn’t mean two or three months,” he said at a briefing on Sunday to media leaders attending the World Economic Forum on East Asia here.
Abdullah denied that political uncertainty had negatively impacted foreign investments and he had, in fact, received many enquiries from the Middle East.
On the economy, he said a growth of 5.5% was achievable and that some mega projects could be adjusted while those people-centric projects with immediate impact would be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
“This will be after the midterm review when we will also introduce new areas of 'soft development',” he said, referring to the corridor developments especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
On the criticism that some of the reform measures were still weak steps, he said: “Reform has to be gradual. I will continue my work and it is not my attitude that just because you do not support me, I say forget it.”
His priorities would be to strengthen the Anti Corruption Agency, judiciary and police force while ensuring quality opportunities in the development corridors to address the issue of equitable income distribution.
On the proposal to repeal the Internal Security Act, he said there could be some aspects to be reviewed and amendments. He would not be “completely doing away with preventive detention” although ensuring justice was equally important.
In the case of the Hindu Rights Action Force leaders under detention, he said he knew how the people felt, but he had studied the reports and viewed that it was not an issue of politics.
Rather, it was a case of people resorting to activities that undermined national security, he said.
Abdullah said he was aware of Opposition-led protests against high prices.
“They can continue but I will do what is best for the people.
“They are furious (at the high prices including fuel prices) but they have been getting things cheap. The rate of increase and size (of subsidy payments) has become untenable and unsustainable in view of the amount we have to set aside for the annual development budget.”
____Sunday June 15, 2008
Umno heads hail handover pact
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders hailed the transition agreement between the Prime Minister and his deputy as “a good move” but one said that that was a forgone conclusion and wanted the specifics instead.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said details like when it would happen would quell uncertainty, especially with the party election so close.
“The handing over of the leadership is a good move. But everybody knows that (Umno president) Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will pass the baton to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (deputy president); there's no need to talk about that.
“It is more important to reveal when it will happen. If it happens at the end of this year, why, and if it materialises next year, what are the reasons for making that deadline,” said Dr Khir when interviewed yesterday.
Without the details, Umno supreme council members would not be able to give proper answers when questioned by the grassroots and this would not help reduce the uncertainty, added Dr Khir.
The former Selangor mentri besar added that the details should not be privy to Abdullah and Najib alone because “they belong to the country, and the people have the right to know the leadership direction of the country.”
In Petaling Jaya, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it should be left to the Prime Minister/Umno president to work out the transition plan.
“But any plan that is put forward must also take into concern the feelings and sentiments of the people and Umno grassroots,” he told the press after handing out prizes to TSM Golf Challenge winners.
Asked whether he thought leaders should not contest the Umno top posts, as a transition agreement had been announced, he replied: “We will have to wait and see what the plan is all about”.
“For now, it’s just a statement mentioned by the Prime Minister,” he said, adding that they would have to see what Najib had to say.
When asked if he had any idea when the transition might be, he replied: “No idea”.
In Alor Gajah, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam hailed the handover pact as a positive move for stability in the party and country.
Mohd Ali, who is also Malacca Chief Minister, urged the people to be patient and allow the transition to take place accordingly.
On the possibility that there may be some quarters within Umno who may want to see the transition disrupted, he expressed confidence that this would not happen.
“I hope party members will pay heed to the agreement reached between the two,” he told reporters this after visiting the Kelemak Industrial Zone yesterday.
In Kuala Lumpur, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said it was good if both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister could work hand-in-hand.
Asked when he thought was the right time for a leadership change, the Negeri Sembilan state liasion committe deputy chief said that that was for the Prime Minister and his deputy to decide.
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