Former Prime Minister Najib Razak Charged - Go for Justice, Not Blood.

On 4th July, for the first time in Malaysia, an ex Prime Minister was charged.

Najib, 64, was charged with misusing his position as a government official to receive a RM42mil bribe as inducement to provide a sovereign guarantee on behalf of the Malaysian Government for a loan of RM4bil from the pension fund Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP) to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

He also faces three other charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) in his capacity as Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Advisor Emeritus of SRC International, in which he was entrusted with the RM4bil.

Read more at Star online 


Whenever a politician is charged or involved in a case, it is bound to attract attention and become sensational. We must not, however, forget that rule of law is paramount for a Nation in the long run. 

I have written many times before that we must always allow the court process to take its due course regardless of who is being charged.  In our legal system, the accused is innocent until proven guilty.  Hence, the media and the rest should respect this principle of law. 

As a lawyer I have seen many times, those who flaunt this principle end up having themselves or someone they know become a victim in the future. So the Rakyat should safeguard this principle.

Since Najib is innocent until proven guilty, he ought to be given the respect that is due to him as an ex Prime Minister.  

I have confidence in our judicial system. Now is no longer and should not be politics but the administration of justice.  

Salam.

UMNO Kena Cepat Sedar- Ia adalah PEMBANGKANG!

1. Lagi cepat UMNO sedar bahawa ia bukan lagi parti Kerajaan tetapi parti pembangkang, lagi cepat ia kan menjadi berguna kepada Rakyat amnya dan ahli2 sendiri khususnya.

2. Mungkin ia masih dalam proses peralihan minda kerana setakat ini ia masih menampakkan minda lama di mana ucapannya, pendekatannya, stratejinya dan juga kualiti hujahnya masih sama. UMNO harus sedar bahawa reaksi saikiloji pada ucapan parti Kerajaan dan pembangkang amat berbeza. Kena faham apa kah perbezaannya.

3. TIdak ada guna bagi UMNO masih bersikap defensif seperti hari ini kerana itu akan menampakkan bahawa ia tidak sedar bahawa ia merupakan satu “single” parti yang terbesar dalam Parliamen.

4. Hakikat perlu di terima bahawa berdekad-dekad imej UMNO telah semakin menurun sehingga akhirnya ia kehilangkan banyak kerusi. Analisa harus di buat mengapa ini berlaku kerana ia kemungkinan besar melibatkan budaya, cara kerja dan sikap UMNO itu sendiri yang mungkin telah menjadi sebati dengan parti itu.

5.  Adalah UMNO tidak faham era Malaysia baru mahupun pemikiran pelbagai Melayu yang pelbagai. Kalau UMNO masih berfikir bahawa Melayu masih “homogenous” dari pelbagai segi, ini bermakna UMNO dalam “denial mode” dan mungkin buta pada peredaran masa.

6. UMNO juga harus tanya mengapa Melayu Bandar menolaknya?

7. Sebaik-baiknya UMNO harus menerima hakikat menjadi pembangkang dan bersiap sedia untuk hadapi cabaran2 yang akan di hadapi oleh pembangkang di Malaysia.

Salam.

Apakah masa depan UMNO selepas PRU14?

Sudah pasti soalan ini berlegar didalam minda ahli-ahli UMNO dan terutama pemimpin nya. Malangnya saya percaya, kalau UMNO masih lagi didalam kerangka pemikiran nya sejak beberap dekad yang lalu, saya percaya ia tidak akan temui jawapan yang tepat. Mengapa saya berkata sedemikian?

Ramai berpendapat bahawa strateji tradisi politik UMNO hanya berkisar kepada 3 faktor . Pertama ialah menonjolkan diri nya sebagai penyelamat Melayu. Kedua sebagai “pelindung” Islam dan ketiga sebagai tunjang kerajaan. Factor ketiga ini tidak relevan lagi selepas PRU14.

Pertama, untuk kita temui jawapan yang tepat, soalan itu hendak lah di ajukan dengan Ikhlas untuk mencari jawapan. Jangan lah ajukan soalan jika kita sudah pun membuat kesimpulan mengenai jawapan yang kita kehendaki. UMNO masih lagi dalam “denial mode” dan oleh itu ia sudah pun ada jawapan yang direka sebelum menilai soalan yang perlu di tanya. Kedua, pemimpin UMNO tidak menampakkan kebolehan untuk memisahkan tanggapan didalam minda mereka daripada realiti yang sebenarnya. Walaupun realiti yang sebenarnya menunjukkan bahawa terdapat pelbagai “jenis” dan kelas Melayu, mereka masih salah anggap bahawa kaum Melayu itu adalah homogenous. Maka, mereka gagal menjadi wakil kaum Melayu secara keseluruhan. Tanpa mereka sedari, mereka mengasingkan Melayu-Melayu yang berdikari, profesional dan mempunyai pengaruh dalam masyarakat daripada UMNO.

Ketiga, mereka juga tidak mempunyai hala tuju yang jelas dan berguna didalam mengurus hal ehwal Islam didalam Negara ini. Ia nya telah menyempitkan usahanya pada pemberian dana2 tanpa menilai keberkesanan dan keperluan sasaran yang di berikan dana tersebut. UMNO langsung tidak menunjukkan keberanian didalam mengwujudkan naratif-naratif yang dapat membentuk “Islam” yang benar-benar berkesan didalam kehidupan seharian rakyat Muslim serta rakyat jelata. Mereka ambil langkah mudah dengan berpaut pada “kulit daripada isi”. Istana yang di bina dengan pasir pasti hancur.

Maka, dalam dialog mengenai Islam, kita hanya dengar laungan-laungan yang sudah basi ekoran peredaran masa iaitu “KIta tidak kompromi dalam Hal Islam”, “Kita akan melindungi Islam” “Jangan hina Islam” dan sebagai nya. Semua ini adalah laungan-laungan kosong yang tidak mempunyai sebarang nilai didalam dunia Muslim yang mahu berfikir mahupun didalam dunia akademik Islam. Semua ini di lihat sebagai tindakbalas kumpulan yang tidak mempunyai Ilmu mahupun kebolehan kognitif untuk berhujah secara ilmiah dan intelektual. Ia juga menampakkan sikap kumpulan yang mahu memaksa pendirian mereka keatas orang lain bukan dengan hujah tetapi dengan kuasa dan kedudukan. Orang yang memaksa orang lain dengan kuasa dan kedudukan di anggap sebagai seorang pembuli. Adakah rakyat akan sokong geng buli?

Ini tidak bermakna Muslim tidak harus membela hujah2 Islam mahupun membetulkan salah persepsi terhadap Islam. Saya kira ini wajib bagi seorang Muslim yang mampu melakukannya. Namun ini adalah berbeza dengan dakwaan sombong bahawa kita akan “melindungi” Islam. Allah lah yang akan melindungi Islam dan bukan manusia kerdil yang perlukan hidayah Nya. Maka, bahasa yang kita guna pun kena tepat.

Pemimpin Muslim yang peka kepada kebajikan Muslim dan Muslimah harus berani berhujah untuk merencanakan rupa bentuk Islam yang berguna pada masyarakatnya. Ia mesti rajin dan pandai memilih tafisran “Islam” yang terbaik supaya kehidupan rakyat, samada Muslim atau bukan Muslim menjadi benar2 ringan dan selamat dari semua segi. Baru lah Isalm di lihat sebagai satu Rahmah dan bukan sebagai satu beban atau agama candu yang melahirkan simptom fantasi dalam penganutnya. Fantasi tidak mungkin dapat menjadikan umat Islam sebagai “ummatan hasanah”.

Rakyat, samada Melayu atau bukan Melayu tidak mahu polisi-polisi kepimpinan politik menyusahkan kehidupan mereka samada polisi itu di labelkan sebagai islam atau pun tidak. Kehidupan ini sudah cukup mencabar dan tidak perlu di tambah lagi kesusahan. 

Walaupun tidak di nafikan bahawa masih ramai Melayu dan bumiputra yang berada pada tahap pendapatan amat rendah dan memerlukan bantuan, mereka mengharapkan bantuan yang di berikan itu berkesan untuk membolehkan mereka melepaskan diri daripada cengkaman bantuan selama-lamanya. Beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini bantuan UMNO di Ilhat sebagai berupa “batuk di tepi tangga” serta di berikan lebih kepada Umnoputra. Persepsinya ialah ramai Melayu yang berkebolehan dan memerlukan tidak menerima bantuan kalau mereka bukan Umnoputra. Persepsi ini juga menjauhkan ramai Melayu daripada UMNO yang di lihat sebagai “parti orang kaya baru Melayu segelintir”.

UMNO juga di lihat telah berubah menjadi parti bangsawan dimana cium tangan diwajibkan, pengidolaan pemimpin di galakkan, dan ucapan2 di persidangan UMNO tidak lagi mewakili suara2 rakyat marhain tetapi sesuatu yang dipentaskan. Maka, hilang lah kedudukan UMNO sebagai mewakili rakyat Melayu marhain.

Maka apakah wadah perjuangan UMNO yang dapat meyakinkan Melayu serta bukan Melayu menyokongnya ? Kalau is masih teruskan retorika politik yang lama berkaitan dengan Melayu dan Islam, saya percaya ia akan menjadi lemah ekoran peredaran masa.

Siapa kah pemimpin baru UMNO yang berani hadapi cabaran dan naratif baru yang di perlukan di Zaman ini?

Salam.

NOTA: Saya tidak bertujuan untuk melukakan perasaan sesiapa, maka jangan terlalu sensitif. Harapan saya ialah dalam demokrasi ini, UMNO berjaya menjadi satu barisan pembangkang yang efektif untuk kebaikkan Negara. Salah silap saya mohon maaf terlebih dahulu.

An Outrageous Story From A Court

By GK Ganesan

Malaysia is a multi racial country that practices common law.  Three races have substantial populations: the Malays, the Chinese and Indians.  The official language is Malay, although English is allowed in courts.  Most workmen are not fluent in Malay, well at least, not back in 1994, when our story takes place. 

I had been in practice when I was sent off to conduct a civil trial at the magistrate’s court.  So, I rush to court all ready for trial, and am told that the magistrate had taken ill.  So the next thing to do is to get another date, for trial.  So we pull our diaries out.  The court clerk says: ‘No can do.  You have to get a date from the other Relief Magistrate next door’. Off we all troop to the next court. 

It is a traffic court, and as usual, packed.  The lawyers from my court add to the crush. The magistrate is a young, bleary-eyed lady.  We can gather that she must have been up all night, possibly looking after the baby. Someone rises and says, ‘Your Honour, we need to get another date for all the postponed cases’.  The magistrate eyes flick up. ‘Not until I finish this court’s list of case. So all of you have to wait’. Despair is written on our faces, but we wait. I had never been in a traffic court.  But I heard that they could send you to chokey or fine you a large sum.  So I get to watch how traffic offences are dealt with. 

To read further, please click here

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GK Ganesan is a senior advocate and solicitor practicing in Kuala Lumpur.

Lawyer Tommy Thomas for Attorney General ???

Does the Attorney general need to be a Malay or a Muslim ? Does he have to advise on Syariah law ?

 by GK Ganesan Kasinathan
[03 June 2018]

The nation is trundling towards a calamitous constitutional misunderstanding. Someone has to do something about it and set matters straight.

Let us identify what is happening.

A debate has begun to rage. It concerns the identity of the person who should be the next Attorney General. It is about constitutional provisions regarding what characteristics the Attorney General should have—and whether the current nominee, Mr. Tommy Thomas has them.

Two conflicting ideas

At the heart of the debate are two conflicting statements: the first is the altruistic proposition that certain quarters ‘have no objection at all to a non-Malay being nominated as AG.’ The second is an opposite argument. It is that the AG should be ‘in a position to advise the palace on Syariah matters.’ And the third proposition, being a conclusionary one, is the argument ‘... that therefore a judge, or a retired judge of the Court of Appeal or the Federal Court ought to be appointed as AG.’

These arguments are deeply flawed. Here are the reasons:

These arguments have no constitutional basis at all. In fact, the Federal Constitution says the opposite. Why is that?

The rakyat should be allowed to interpret the Constitution

The rakyat should take part in this debate. They should look at the Constitution and inform themselves of the important aspects of this confusion. They should be taught to interpret the Constitution. It is their right. Lawyers should not be the only ones telling people what the law is.

So let us look at the Constitution.

The starting point is Article 145.

Answer to the claim AG ‘must advise on Syariah law.’

The first and most important opposition to the Administration — and Mahathir — comes from the argument that the ‘AG must be able to advise the King on Syariah matters’. This demand contradicts Constitutional provisions.

This is because the Constitution exempts the AG from such a requirement. You will understand this readily, because the relevant part of Article 145(2), states: -

‘145(2): It shall be the duty of the [AG] to advise the [King] or the Cabinet or any Minister upon... legal matters, and to perform... duties of a legal character,... and to discharge the functions conferred on him by or under this Constitution or any other written law.

So what it says here is that the AG must discharge the duties that the Constitution asks him to. What power does the Constitution give him? That is explained by Art 145(3). It states: -

‘145(3): The [AG] shall have power, exercisable at his discretion, to institute, conduct or discontinue any proceedings for an offence, other than proceedings before a Syariah court, a native court or a court-martial.’

Clause 3 prohibits the AG from dealing with proceedings before Syariah Courts and Military Courts. As far as Syariah matters are concerned the AG has no role.

No one would disagree that the King must have the very best Syariah advisor—an expert. Were previous AGs experts on Syariah Law? Was Gani Patail an expert on Syariah law? Was Apandi? How come no one objected then?

So how can the AG be now compelled to perform a duty — or exercise a power — that the Constitution has taken away from him? Why is the AG now being asked to advise on something that the Constitution tells him is none of his business?

The person to advise the King on Syariah law cannot be a retired judge.

The fifth argument is that the nominee for the AG ‘must be either an existing or a retired Federal Court judge or a Court of Appeal judge; for, that way he can render legal advise on Syariah matters’.
This argument is a non-starter.

Again there is a clear instruction from the Constitution on this.

Apart from informing the AG what matters over which the AG has powers to act on, the Constitution goes one step further. Secular courts are non-Syariah courts: i.e. the Magistrate Courts, Sessions Courts, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Federal Courts: [Article 121 defines the secular courts].

The Constitution expressly removes from all secular courts any power that is only a Syariah Court can exercise. Clause (1A) says:-

‘The courts referred to in Clause (1) [read, ‘secular courts’] shall have no jurisdiction in respect of any matter within the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts.’

The Syariah judicial system works under a different set of laws. They have their own courts, their own judges, and their own lawyers. They are independent of the Judiciary. Therefore if Syariah law advice is needed, their Highnesses have ample Syariah resources at their disposal.

If so, how can candidates be chosen from the retired or existing list of the secular Federal Court or the Court of Appeal judges? From them have been removed the power to deal with Syariah matters. It stands to reason that they, no matter what race or religion they profess, would have had no formal legal training on Syariah law at all. So why ask to choose from a group who possess no Syariah knowledge at all?

So the argument that the AG ‘must be able to advise on Syariah matters’ argument is a red fish! It is simply not true.

What qualities must a candidate for an AG have?

The next question to ask oneself is, who can be appointed as the AG? Article 145(1) answers the question in this way: -

‘145(1): The Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint a person who is qualified to be a judge of the Federal Court to be the Attorney General for the Federation.’
Note the phrase, ‘a person qualified to be a judge of the Federal Court’.

Who is that? That is explained in Article 123.

 It prescribes that a nominee for an AG must be (a) a citizen and (b) for the last 10 years before his appointment he shall have been ‘an advocate’; or ‘a member of the Judicial and Legal service’ (this differs from judges in the Courts - do not confuse them as one), or a mixture of both. It does not mean he must be a Federal Court or Court of Appeal Judge. He must only be one who is ‘qualified to be’ one.

From which pool would you choose your AG, given the choice?

As a matter of choice where would you choose the AG to come from?

Let us examine the pool of resources available to the Prime Minister.

Suppose there are about 1,800 lawyers in the AG’s Chambers [AGC]: that is about right. Suppose we assume that at least 500 AGC lawyers in AGC have crossed the ‘10 year practice’ mark (the numbers could be far lower]. Then at least 500 persons qualify to be the AG.

Now, the Malaysian Bar has ten times more lawyers than the AGC. It had, at the latest count, over 18,000 members. Of that number [I extrapolate] there are over 9,000 lawyers who qualify under this Art 123 — they have crossed the ‘10 years of continued practice’ requirement. They are all citizens.
Go now to the judiciary as a source. If you add the total number of judges in the Federal Court and the Court of Appeal that does not cross 45. A great proportion of those judges are from the AG’s Chambers: some say as high as 90%.

As a matter of choice, where would you choose the AG from? From the largest pool of 9,00 members, or a lesser pool of 500 lawyers from AG’s chambers, or from a smaller pool of 45 judges from the Judiciary— the latter of which is already under attack?

Equality of all candidates not matter of race

The sixth point is, the Constitution, which upholds equality as its central core (read Article 8 of the Constitution), does not prevent a non-Malay from being appointed an AG. If our forefathers thought it necessary, they would have inserted that proscription into the Constitution. Had they done it, that would have been against all known conventions of human rights. They have not. Our forebears were reasonable people. They saw this issue and catered for it. The framers of the Constitution were men of great foresight. So why manipulate that intent by specious arguments of non-existent ‘conventions,’ conventions which are against human rights?

So there is no racial restriction in the Constitution. So that argument too goes out of the window.

The King ‘shall appoint’

Clause (1) of Article 145 states that His Majesty the King ‘shall’ on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint as AG a person proposed by the Prime Minister.

This is what it says: -

‘145(1): The yang di-Pertuan Agong shall, on the advice of the prime Minister, appoint a person who is qualified to be a judge of the Federal Court to be the Attorney General for the Federation.’
Note the word, ‘shall’. It is mandatory.

The binding nature of the Prime Minister’s proposal is buttressed by an explanatory clause in Art. 40(1A): It says:-

‘In in the exercise of his functions under this Constitution or federal law, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is to act in accordance with advice, on advice, or after considering advice, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall accept and act in accordance with such advice.’

The phrase ‘shall accept and act in accordance with such advice’ points to a mandatory requirement. There is a reason for this. The functioning of a valid government cannot be stultified by delay.
The Manifesto Point

The seventh argument is: ‘In appointing a non-Parliamentarian, Mahathir has departed from the Harapan manifesto that the AG shall be an MP.’

Many points answer this vacuous argument. The manifesto point is readily overcome.
Second, I have said elsewhere, the AG ought to be an MP answerable to the people, through parliament. I have suggested that the Constitution ought to be changed to effect that. The Committee for Institutional Reform is engaged in just that. Like the Council of Eminent Persons, they have had no rest. They are burning the candle at both ends. They are inundated with all manner of papers. They will suggest amendments—in good time.

But until that change is done, the law, as it stands, must be complied with. There is no countervailing argument against that. There is, fortunately, a Half-Way House solution. It is embedded into the Constitution. Art. 61 of the Constitution, which states, ‘(2) Either house of parliament may appoint as a member of any of its committees the [AG]... notwithstanding that he is not a member of that house.’ So, through this side-door, Parliament may, after it convenes, ask the AG to be appointed into its committees. The Committees may ask him to answer questions. In this way the current AG can be brought into Parliament’s deliberations. So these concerns are easily alleviated. So any allegation that ‘Harapan has breached its Manifesto’ is really no issue at all.

Parliament has a right to override the King on executive matters.

The King has executive authority over the Federation. That authority is, however, not absolute. It is subject to the dictates of Parliament: this is because Art 39 states:

‘The executive authority of the Federation shall be vested in the yang di- Pertuan Agong and exercisable... by him or by the Cabinet or any Minister authorised by the Cabinet, ... but parliament may by law confer executive functions on other persons.’

The AG's appointment, under the current law, is an exercise of executive authority. If the King does not act on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Constitution grants another route to Parliament. In matters of governance, the primacy Parliament is constitutionally entrenched. But Parliament has not been convened. That that time is not yet come. It will. But can we wait till then?
The power of the Conference of Rulers

The final argument in the opposition’s quiver is that the Conference of Rulers have an
absolute power to object to any suggestion of the Prime Minister. This is incorrect. True
it is that the Conference of Rulers have certain ‘discretionary’ powers.

Article 38 lays it out in great detail. They have a right to be consulted on certain matters. These are listed with some care: these deal with matters relating the appointment of the King, e.g., include any matter relating to the special position of the Malay rulers, the Islamic religion or the rights of Malays under Article 153 (Reservation of quotas in the services, permits etc. for Malays).

True also it is that that Art. 38(2)(c) states that the Conference of Rulers shall exercise its functions of consultation by —

‘... consenting or withholding consent to any law and making or giving advice on any appointment which under this Constitution requires the consent of the Conference or is to be made by or after consultation with the Conference’.

Some argue that Clause(6) gives the Conference of Rulers the right of carte blanche— blank cheque; that that it is ‘an absolute right’. This is what the relevant part of Clause(6) says —

‘... the members of the Conference of Rulers may act in their discretion in any proceedings relating to the following functions, that is to say... (c) consenting or withholding consent to any law and making or giving advice on any appointment which under this Constitution requires the consent of the Conference or is to be made by or after consultation with the Conference;

In constitutional theory, the personal prerogative of the monarch is said to contradict democracy.
On a proper reading of Clause 6, this personal power is not absolute. First, much of the strength of these prerogative power are diluted by constitutional principles. Second, other clauses in the Constitution severely limit that power. Third, the ‘right to consultation’ cannot mean an ‘absolute right to refuse.’ That is why the Constitution, with great care, has said, their Highnesses ‘may act in their discretion.’ This discretion is called ‘royal prerogative.’ Blackstone described it as the powers that ‘the king enjoys alone, in contradistinction to others, and not to those he enjoys in common with any of his subjects.’ So they are are ‘personal prerogatives.’

But the principles underlying the exercise of prerogatives have been uniformly accepted without contradiction across the world. It is for that reason such prerogatives are carefully circumscribed. The way the words in clause 6 are crafted is a call to exercise, in their Highnesses discretion, one of the most fundamental provisions of the Rule of Law: when a constitutional discretion is granted, it cannot be exercised arbitrarily. So the exercise of the ‘personal prerogative’ must seek to achieve the equality principle rooted as the basic fabric of the Constitution. It must be subject to transparency and good governance. It cannot be exercised arbitrarily. It cannot be exploited capriciously. Such a discretion must be exercised in a way that will aid democracy and uphold the Rule of Law. The words must be construed to comply with the spirit of the Constitution and the Will of the People.

Conclusion

Parliament is not in session. Not yet. Yet someone has to carry the burden of the AG. Charges have to be filed. People have to be hauled up before the courts. The Cabinet is busy answering a hundred, perhaps a thousand urgent calls upon its time. This amidst the urgent concern that economic matters should be dealt with alacrity.

Manifesto or no, Mahathir has to stop the haemorrhage. The Cabinet cannot hang about. Time is of the essence. Mahathir has to act now.

Those who delay the appointment of the AG are doing a great disservice to the toils of an elderly patriot trying to right a wayward ship.

These detractors are playing into the hands of the pilferers who have purloined billons from our coffers. They sit pretty, smiling from their strongholds. They think nothing will come upon them so long as they keep raising one constitutional crises after another, and trigger as much unease and delay as possible. That is why they are delaying the appointment of the AG. They wish to feel safe. They think the GE 14 is a pyrrhic victory. They feel they are untouchable.

They must be stopped.

As a nation we cannot sit idly by, while these detractors stultify the rakyat’s hard-won victory.
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GK Ganesan Kasinathan is a senior advocate  and solicitor practicing in Kuala Lumpur.

Raperas are more urgently needed now !

I have spoken and written many articles over the years where I tried to provoke the Rakyat into taking responsibility for the well being of the Nation.  I was deeply concerned that the general rakyat who are generally good and decent people were illusioned that they are helpless in shaping the destiny of the Nation.

Whatever the impetus was, I am glad that the Rakyat now know that they can change the government if they are determined to. I hope that this makes the politicians realize that the Rakyat’s mindset has changed. They no longer fear the powers that the politicians wield.

I would like to remind the Rakyat that while the Rakyat’s mindset and imagination with regards to politics may have changed, they must remember one thing - power still has a druggish effect on the politicians and their servants.  Hence, they must not assume that just because the baton has been passed to the member of parliaments and state assemblymen on the other side of the fence, all must necessarily be well - they are still politicians.

Hence, our focus should still remain the same - we want a stable, peaceful country where each of us and our children have the opportunity to prosper based on the efforts that we put into life. Every Malaysian has a right to feel safe, useful, appreciated as a citizen with a sense of belonging and respected as a human being.

While the some or most of the Rakyat may still be caught up with the elections that have ended, the Raperas must put on their thinking caps while being balanced by their compassionate hearts.

While some or most of the Rakyat may think that their responsibility has ended by casting their votes, Raperas must know that duties and responsibilities to ensure that this Nation progresses comprehensively continues. Raperas must be ever vigilant.

Believe me when I say this: most people are unable to free themselves from vested interests that may actually run counter to national interests. Do not for a second think that a change of government automatically means that human nature itself has changed.

While we must give the trust, the benefit of doubt and support the government of the day, the Rapera must be vigilant of the human nature which may only want to act in its own interests.

Let us together unite, as Malaysians, to ensure that the key institutions in our country are strengthened not to act against ordinary citizens but to empower them so that they are protected and assisted in their quest to contribute in making this nation greater.

I pray that we have a great journey ahead.

Peace !

Government: Uphold Rule of Law.

I am comforted by the assurances given by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the rule of law will be uphold.

Our country has established rules, procedures and regulation to govern matters. This is especially important now since its a historic moment where a new government is in place. It is very important that at the very outset the new Governement clearly shows its commitment to upholding the rule of law which forms a fundamental part of its oath of governance.

At the same time, the new government should also ensure that necessary action is taken against any malicious news that is being spread to cause uneasiness, strife and doubt in the country.

The elections are over. It is time to govern in the interest of the Nation in accordance with the rule of law.

Peace !

Manusia Merancang, Allah menentukan !!! - PRU14 Malaysia

Perdana Menteri Ke7

YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke 7, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dilihat sebagai begitu cepat sekali dalam melaksanakan tugas nya. Pada hari pertama sahaja beliau sudah awal dipejabat mengalahkan orang yang lebih muda. Ini berlaku bukan kerana beliau Perdana Menteri tetapi kerana beliau adalah Mahathir. 

Kini menjadi tugas pahit saya sebagai Rakyat biasa untuk memperingati YAB Perdana Menteri bahawa Rakyat jelata mempunyai harapan yang besar terhadap Kerajaan Pakatan Harapan untuk membawa reform-reform yang amat di perlukan untuk menuju kearah Negara yang bertamadun tinggi. Saya juga berharap Kerajaan ini menjadi satu era dimana Rakyat di galak menjadi rakyat yang bukan sahaja mampu berfikir tetapi mempunyai sifat keihsanan yang tinggi.

Tanggungjawap Rakyat

Kepada Rakyat jelata, Kita wajib memperingati diri Kita semua bahawa kempen pilihanraya sudah habis dan kini mula lah tempoh kempen untuk berkerjasama bagi membangunkan kesejahteraan Negara dan maruah Negara Bangsa.  

Apa-apa keterlaluan dalam tindakan satu pihak politik terhadap pihak politik seterunya oleh penyokong masing-masing harus di maafkan. Ini adalah konsekuen proses pilihanraya dalam sistem demokrasi yang tidak pernah tekankan nilai keihsanan (compassion). Maka, kita semua bersalah kerana berlaku nya kelakuan sedemikian dan semoga Allah maafkan Kita semua. Perkara ini juga Allah telah memperingati kita bahawa Ia akan menanamkan cinta sesama Kita jika Kita rela. 

“Dan ingatlah akan kenikmatan Allah kepadamu ketika kamu dahulu bermusuh-musuhan, maka Allah mempersatukan hatimu, lalu menjadikan kamu karena nikmat Allah orang-orang yang bersaudara." (Ali Imran: 103)

Kita tidak boleh lagi terlalu gembira kerana menang atau terlalu sedih kerana kalah jika kita beriman bahawa sebenarnya manusia hanya lah merancang tetapi Allah jua lah yang menentukan.  Kita kena sentiasa insaf bahawa Allah lebih mengetahui apa yang baik untuk kita serta apa yang buruk untuk kita. 

“Kamu diwajibkan berperang (untuk menentang pencerobohan) sedang peperangan itu ialah perkara yang kamu benci; dan boleh jadi kamu benci kepada sesuatu padahal ia baik bagi kamu, dan boleh jadi kamu suka kepada sesuatu padahal ia buruk bagi kamu. Dan (ingatlah), Allah jualah Yang mengetahui (semuanya itu), sedang kamu tidak mengetahuinya”. (Surah Al Baqarah ayat 216)

Oleh yang demikian, kewajipan kita hanya lah untuk bersama-sama menuju kearah melakukan kebajikan serta amalan2 yang menguntugkan Rakyat bersama. 

Pakatan Harapan

Kini PH telah menjadi kerajaan untuk semua rakyat termasuk bagi mereka yang tidak mengundi mereka. Saya percaya Kerajaan PH yang terhasil daripada gabungan parti2 politik yang mempunyai individu2 yang bermusuhan sesama sendiri berdekad dekad akan mudah memaafkan mereka yang menentang mereka dalam proses kempen pilihanraya. Kerajaan wajib mempertahankan hak2 sistem demokrasi. 

Saya percaya mereka sedar bahawa tugas mereka kini sebagai kerajaan tidak sama seperti tugas mereka dahulu sebagai pembangkang. 

Sudah muncul secara realiti konsep sistem dua parti di Malaysia seperti yang di perjuangkan berdekad-dekad. 

Barisan Nasional

Barisan Nasional yang di anggotai oleh manusia sudah tentu tertakluk kepada perasan sedih kerana kalah dalam PRU14.  Saya dengan merendah diri menasihati supaya cepat2 keluar daripada zon kesedihan dan lihat lah ia sebagai rahmah Allah di mana mereka di beri peluang untuk mengawasi tindakan Kerajaan sebagai pembangkan bagi pihak Rakyat.  

Kekalahan ini juga akan memberi peluang pada mereka untuk melakukan post mortem, muhasabah diri, penilaian semula struktur dan kelemahan parti mereka kearah pembaikan dan keadaan yang lebih efektif pada rakyat. BN wajib jujur pada diri kerana kebenaran nya adalah seperti mana yang difirman oleh Allah:

“Apa saja nikmat yang engkau peroleh adalah dari sisi Allah. Dan apa saja bencana yang menimpamu, maka dari kesalahan dirimu sendiri," (Surah  Al-Nisâ’ [4]:  ayat 79).

Salam.

Bermulanya Kerajaan Pakatan Harapan

Malaysia telah membuktikan pada diri nya sendiri bahawa ia berkeupayaan untuk menukar kerajaan melalui proses demokrasi tanpa sebarang keganasan atau ketidakstabilan politik. 

Mulai 9.30 malam, 10hb Mei, 2018, Malaysia mempunyai kerajaan Persekutuan yang baru.

Sebelum saya  menulis selanjutnya, ingin saya memperingati diri saya serta mereka yang rela di peringati akan satu kebenaran.  Sifat manusia yang masih berilusi dengan “kebolehan” nya semata2 adalah dimana yang menang akan bergembira dan merasa mereka hebat dalam percaturan. Pihak yang kalah pula akan bersedih serta berada dalam kesesalan yang samar2. Kedua-dua manusia seperti ini lupa akan satu kebenaran hakiki bahawa Allah jua yang memberi “kerajaan” kepada siapa yang Dia sukai.  Kebenaran ini jelas dalam Surah Al Imran ayat 26:

“Katakanlah: "Wahai Tuhan Yang mempunyai kerajaan, Engkau berikan kerajaan kepada orang yang Engkau kehendaki dan Engkau cabut kerajaan dari orang yang Engkau kehendaki. Engkau muliakan orang yang Engkau kehendaki dan Engkau hinakan orang yang Engkau kehendaki. Di tangan Engkaulah segala kebajikan. Sesungguhnya Engkau Maha Kuasa atas segala sesuatu”.

Ahli politik juga harus beringat bahawa apa yang boleh menghilangkan kuasa mereka dengan sekelip mata adalah faktor yang sama yang mengakibatkan Iblis diusir kebumi  iaitu kesombongan atau keangkuhan (Surah Al A’Raaf : ayat 11-13).

Sebagai Muslim saya beriman bahawa ayat2 di atas memperingati Kita bahawa kuasa dan kemuliaan bukan sesuatu untuk di banggakan tetapi satu amanah yang di berikan kepada manusia2 yang dipilih oleh Pencipta nya.

Maka, pada 10.5.2018, Allah telah memberikan amanah kepada kerajaan PH untuk mentadbir Negara Malaysia.  Dalam amanah ini, terdapat harapan Rakyat yang amat besar. 

Dimana kemenangan PH membawa perubahan baru dalam lanskap politik Malaysia, Rakyat juga mengharapkan ia akan membawa perubahan yang bermakna, efektif dan berguna dalam pentadbiran Negara.

Kerajaan yang di pilih adalah kerajaan Semua Rakyat Malaysia tanpa mengira kaum, agama atau kelas ekonomi.  Maka, kerajaan ini tidak boleh membeza-bezakan “anak2” (Rakyat) berdasarkan kategori2 yang disebutkan tadi. 

Pengagihan sumber2 Negara harus lah adil dan saksama diantara anak2 nya dengan mengambilkira keupayaan masing2. Saya percaya Rakyat dahagakan perkara2 perkara-perkara tersebut:

.

1. Mengwujudkan satu bangsa Malaysia dimana Kita dapat bersama2 menuju kearah satu “Malaysian Dream” sebagai satu keluarga yang punyai sikap keihsanan (compassion)
2. Reform dalam sistem pendidikan dari segi isi kandungannya, kaedah pengajaran, kos dan sebagainya,
3. Penghapusan rasuah 
4. Mengwujudkan suasana politik dan ekonomi dimana rakyat yang rela berusaha dapat mencari nafkah yang halal tanpa birokrasi yang membebankan
5. Merapatkan perhubungan antara pelbagai agama serta mengwujudkan suasana ukhuwah di kalangan umat Muslim untuk membanteras kegilaan taksub mazhab dan sikap “keterlaluan agama”.
6. Benar2 mengambil langkah untuk menangani masalah kos rumah murah dimana berlaku banyak penipuan dan penindasan terhadap mereka yang berpendapatan rendah dan miskin. Juga saiz rumah kos rendah perlu di nilai semula kerana saiz kini berada dalam zon kezaliman.
7. Melakukan reformasi perundangan untuk merombak kembali undang2 yang menindas martabat manusia dan memastikan undang2 adalah adil
8. Memberi perhatian yang lebih daripada sekarang kepada golongan kanak2,  yang kurang upaya dan juga warga emas - perlu merangka polisi2 yang khusus;
9. Mengenal pasti masalah2 yang di hadapi wanita2 terutama ibu tunggal, keselamatan, keadaan  bayi terbiar dan sebagainya.
10. Melihat kembali kontrak kerajaan seperti pembinaan Jalan raya dan sebagainya yang berat sebelah pada rakyat.
11. Kerajaan yang telus, bertanggungjawab, dan “engage feedback” Rakyat dalam polisi2 yang berpengaruh besar.

INi lah di antara yang saya fikir utama dalam minda dan harapan rakyat yang sempat saya berkongsi.

Saya berharap Kerajaan PH ini akan berpegang pada janji nya untuk berkhidmat pada rakyat sebaik mungkin serta di rahmati Allah.

Salam.

Malaysians Made Political History ! 14th General Elections 9th May 2018

Lest the people think that this was an overnight courage of the Malaysian people to change the government they have been used to for the past 60 years, let us recall briefly a few important milestones that led to this.

Firstly,  the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 and the subsequent sodomy charges against him. This event gave birth to the Reformasi Movement which evolved over almost 18 years now. As I have written before on this blog, Anwar had contributed tremendously in igniting up the imagination of the voters, especially in the following areas; a) courage to openly and bluntly criticise  government and government officials, b) opening up the eyes of the public on the alleged excesses of politicians c) the idea and concept of “People’s sovereignty \” (Ketuanan Rakyat) - this I consider the greatest contribution of Anwar to the beginning of a Malaysian dream d) Many Malay voters began to move away from race based rhetoric and of course f) the people got used to opposition becoming government at the state levels. 

So it was one long arduous journey that began with Anwar and his families personal and political sufferings. 

Secondly, was the fact that when Pak Lah took over, civil societies movements, like Bersih, UNdiMalaysia, SABM and so many others grew and functioned on their own - it became a people’s movement. People like Haris Ibrahim, “the one man army” with his sense of uncomprising principles, Marina Mahathir, Ambiga,  Edmond Bon, and so many others played a major and unselfish role in the evolution of the Malaysian voter’s psyche.  

Thirdly was the fact that UMNO and BN were already being gradually weakened since PAk Lah took over and they encountered challenges which were completely new. However, they attempted to address these challenges using old methods which failed.  This is also evolution of the Malaysian political mindset.

All the above and other factors brought us to today _ Malaysians dared to change government. Obviously hopes are high. However, I am one person who has never been too happy or too depressed about anything.

Whether or not this change will be good in the short term is yet to be seen. The new Pakatan Harapan government must keep its promises and on top of its list should be to empower the minds of the citizens. They must be respected as human beings and we have to move away from racial and religious polarization. 

Allah has given Tun Dr Mahathir a second chance - I pray this chance brings him full circle.

Peace.

Malaysian General Elections 2018 - What can I write?

My thoughts on the Malaysian General Elections 2018

Many of my friends have been prodding me for weeks to write my predictions and views on this election. I ask them back - what difference does it make ? There are already so many experts, non-experts, great former and current leaders who are already saying a lot.  What possibly useful thing can I add to the cart load of noise out there.

The spin doctors on both sides are having a field day - it’s their moment and they only have a few more days to serve their purpose in life. 

Most people would expect me to write either pro Pakatan or pro Barisan narratives. I cannot. Even if write a criticism of Tun Mahathir, I may be accused as being pro Barisan. If I write a criticism of Federal government polices, then I may be accused of being Mahathir man.

It appears that the mentality of elections is that an ordinary Rakyat like me must either be a Mahathir man or a Najib man or an Anwar man. If so, then where is my own self esteem, my maruah as a human being and a thinking citizen?  I cannot bring myself to criticize human beings - only their actions and policies. Knowing that I am not perfect, I know therefore they are not.

And assuming that I do condemn Najib today and then tomorrow Najib and Mahathir kiss and make up just like what Mahathir and Lim Kit Siang are doing now, I am supposed to follow this action too?  I am supposed to forget all the pain that Anwar and his family for example has undergone simply because Mahathir says all is fine now? 

Hence, as a rakyat I am supposed to be the lalang of the politicians ? When they blow left, I have to go left. When they blow right, I have to blow right? Where then is my dignity ?

So what useful thing can I possibly say?

Hence, the only thing I can say is: I hope God gives the wisdom to the Rakyat to judge on the facts, past policies and behaviors of the respective candidates and come to a wise decision not based on anger, hatred, lies or pure sentiments.

Otherwise, the law of nature says: as we sow, so shall we reap.

Happy voting.

Peace !

Towards a PAS religious State after PRU14 ?

The heat seems to be on this election, especially on the social media.

There are all sorts of predictions as to who will win, how many seats and in which constituencies.

Some say that BN will win bigger and some say that Pakatan Harapan will win by a small margin. Has anyone thought of a big win by Pakatan?

If Pakatan Harapan wins, it raises many issues especially since Pakatan Harapan does not appear to have a single direction or agreement on policies to follow. What they have are general statements. There is also the concern that if Pakatan Harapan wins, there will be instability in the formation of the government,

ON the other hand, if BN only wins narrowly, then it is likely that it may form a coalition with PAS. The entry of PAS would most certainly change the political landscape into much more religious (not necessarily Islamic).  You may see greater religious control over Muslims. In the process, the non-Muslims too will be affected.

Let’s see.

END.

The need for compassion in housing policy !

One of the basic needs of a human being is to have an abode or a house to stay.

The middle income group spend a whole lifetime to pay off a housing loan, not forgetting other financial commitments that he may have to live.  They literally work for the bank.  Some of them may default in the instalment payments and risk their house being auctioned off if they are laid off or become unable to service the loan.

The lower middle income are given so called “low cost housing” which they also end up a lifetime to pay them off. The low income housing sector is fraught with all sort of oppressive conduct by the relevant developers. I personally know of a case where the flat has yet to be delivered to the purchasers after 15 years !

It is unfortunate, short sighted and cruel that the design of so called low cost housing has not factored the inherent spatial need of human beings. The flats are usually extremely small and built in such a way that it is going to cause social and psychological problems for the inhabitants. Is this not going to increase the social cost for society in the long run?

Even our middle income residential housing areas are not thought out proper;y. A residential area should be conducive for residence. This means it must be safe in terms of being able to walk about the residential area. Safe for children.

Today’s residential areas have become mini cities. No proper planning in terms of density and transportation congestion.

When policy makers lack compassion and a holistic approach to planning, they create sufferings for society in the long run.

Peace !

The Election Year

This is an election year for Malaysia.

It could be anytime between now to April.

Whichever party wins, the most important for the Rakyat to consider is: Will the Rakyat win? This is the most important consideration.

Hence, it is very important for the Rakyat to be able to seive through all the rethoric and political propaganda that every party will present to the voters.

It is important to evaluate:

!) What have the respective parties done so far?

2) What are thier current policies and how effective has it been?

3) What national agenda are they proposing if they win the election? IS the proposed agenda realistic or a sweetened promise that can never be implemented?

4) What are the contents of thier political speeches?  IS it confined only to disparaging each other, condemning each other or are they addressing real issues facing the Rakyat.

Lets rememebr never to be taken up by the circus of political campaigning!


Peace !