The “thirteen million plus Ringgit” guy rambles….

Masyarakat Bukan Melayu, samada parti politik dan/atau NGO, menyuarakan rasa tidak puas hati mereka mengenai soal perpaduan yang Exco Pemuda UMNO dan MP Jerlun Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir bawa, melalui saranan beliau sistem sekolah satu sukatan diperingkat seluruh Negara dan sistem sekolah vernakular dimansuhkan.

Laporan Utusan Malaysia pagi ini:

Bukan Melayu tolak

Oleh WARTAWAN UTUSAN

KUALA LUMPUR 3 Dis. – Badan-badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) khususnya daripada organisasi bukan Melayu

Mereka menyifatkan cadangan yang dikemukakan oleh Ahli Parlimen Jerlun, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir itu sebagai berbaur perkauman dan mahu sistem pendidikan sedia ada dikekalkan.

Gabungan Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia (UCSTAM) dan Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (UCSCAM) dalam kenyataan bersama hari ini kesal dengan kenyataan Mukhriz itu yang disifatkan boleh menjejaskan perpaduan.

‘‘Kami meminta agar kerajaan mengambil tindakan terhadap pemimpin-pemimpin yang tidak bertanggungjawab ini bagi mengelak perkara sedemikian berlaku lagi pada masa depan,’’ jelas kenyataan itu.

**********************************************

Hujah Mukhriz ialah polarisasi kaum bermula dengan masyarakat Malaysia terpisah (terbiasa dengan gayahidup yang berbeza) semenjak peringkat usia pembangunan, iaitu sekolah rendah. Orang Melayu dan Bukan Melayu, terutama masyarakat Cina, makin hari makin diasingkan kerana sistem sekolah yang berbeza dan penerapan mereka untuk menerima satu sama lain dalam konteks muhibbah dan perpaduan sebenarnya dibatasi.

Ini lebih diburukan kerana semenjak 20 tahun kebelakangan ini, sistem sekolah vernakular Cina makin meningkat, samada penambahan unit atau pembesaran dan masyarakat Cina hari ini lebih mengutamakan anak anak mereka melalui sistem ini berbanding dengan sekolah kebangsaan. Ini termasuk kawasan urban, walaupun ibu bapa kanak kanak ini sendiri berjaya dibangunkan melalui sistem sekolah kebangsaan dan mendapat pendidikan barat.

Penolakan cadangan Mukhriz ini memberikan tafsiran bahawa masyarakat Bukan Melayu, terutama Cina lebih mengutamakan kepentingan etnik mereka semata mata dan meletakan perpaduan antara kaum sebagai prioriti yang lebih rendah. Mereka amat cemburu mempertahankan kepentingan mereka, membatasi kepentingan negara dan masyarakat yang lebih besar, termasuk menyumbang secara positif kearah proses perpaduan dan integrasi masyarakat. Hak untuk menentukan bahawa pendidikan Cina berkali kali sengaja dipolitikan, sehingga menjadi ‘tebusan politik’ (political ransom).

Rata rata, jika dikaji sistem pendidikan vernakular sekolah Cina sudah tidak lagi relevan. Ini kerana sistem sekolah ini ujud apabila British menerima bahawa masyarakat immigran yang mereka ujudkan dalam negara ini, memerlukan sistem pendidikan yang sealiran dengan negara asal mereka, berbanding sistem Inggeris yang mempunyai sukatan amat berbeza. British dianggap memberi ruang perancangan agar immigran yang mereka bawa ini akan satu hari pulang ke negara asal dan pengadaptasian asas amat penting untuk menentukan proses ‘pengimmigrasian semula’ ini berjalan lancar. Ini dibiarkan berterusan sehingga menjadi ‘norma’ dalam masyarakat Malaysia, walaupun Penyata Pelajaran Razak 1956 mengariskan sebaliknya.

Jika dikaji melalui sudut peruntukan Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia pula, ianya berbeza. Artikel 152 memperuntukan:

Article 152

1. The national language shall be the Malay language and shall be in such script as Parliament may by law provide: Provided that-
   • (a) no person shall be prohibited or prevented from using (otherwise than for official purposes), or from teaching or learning, any other language; and
   • (b) nothing in this Clause shall prejudice the right of the Federal Government or of any State Government to preserve and sustain the use and study of the language of any other community in the Federation.

Tafsiran peruntukan ini bermaksud bahawa bahasa selain bahasa kebangsaan (Bahasa Melayu) dibenarkan diajar disekolah sekolah dan bukan dibenarkan pengunaan sebagai bahasa penghantar. Ini juga bermaksud, masyakarat Malaysia dibenarkan mengunakan bahasa ibunda mereka dalam masyakarat.

Oleh demikian, ada pengamal undang undang memberikan tafsiran bahawa peruntukan ini tidak dikuat kuasakan dan selama ini, sistem sekolah vernakular diberikan ruang beroperasi semata mata atas ehsan untuk ‘menghormati kemahuan etnik tertentu’, sesuai dengan semangat setiakawan dan muhibbah. Hari ini, keadaan ini berbeza. Peruntukan artikel ini wajar dikuat kuasakan sepenuhnya kerana sistem sekolah vernakular ini sebenarnya sudah menjadi produktiviti songsang (counter productive) dalam usaha memupuk semangat perpaduan, setiakawan dan muhibbah antara kaum kerana polarisasi dalam masyarakat bermula dengan pengasingan diperingkat usia formatif, melalui sekolah.

Sekiranya masyarakat etnik Bukan Melayu, terutama Cina benar benar ikhlas dan serious untuk menunjukan patriotism mereka sebagai warga Malaysia, maka kepentingan negara perlu diberikan keutamaan berbanding dengan kepentingan kaum. Sistem sekolah vernakular wajar dikorban dalam keikhlasan mereka untuk mendemonstrasi dan reliasasikan hasrat sebagai warga Malaysia yang tulin, dengan iltizam yang tidak berbelah bagi kepada Negara, Raja, Perlembagaan dan sistem masyarakat muhibbah Malaysia. Realitinya, tiada usaha untuk memberikan tafsiran artikel ini secara rasmi pernah dibuat.

Kebelakangan ini, masyarakat Cina secara lantang menyuarakan kehendak mereka untuk ‘kesama rataan’, sebagai warga Malaysia yang diperuntukan hak. Ini termasuk mendesak agar Dasar Ekonomi dan peruntukan 30% ekuiti kepada Bumiputra dimansuhkan. Sebelum ini, PNB yang diujudkan untuk menentukan kehendak penguasaa ekonomi Bumiputra sebanyak 30%  dipenuhi, telah membuka mereka peluang untuk melabur dan 45% pengambilan untuk jawatan awam telah mula dibuka untuk Bukan Melayu, dimana masyarakat Cina mendapat kepentingan. Yang merumitkan lagi, ada pihak chauvinis Cina sengaja melakukan provokasi untuk secara sistematik menguji kesabaran orang Melayu.

Masyarakat Cina wajar menunjuk kesediaan mereka untuk ‘bertolak ansur’ dan kesediaan untuk bekorban, sejajar dengan kedudukan mereka sebagai warga negara. Tanpa bersedia untuk membuat sebarang pengorbanan, maka akan sampai ke satu tahap dimana kaum yang banyak memberikan konsessi untuk menjayakan semangat setiakawan, muhibbah dan ‘kongsi kuasa’ akan merasakan bosan dan menunjukan reaksi negatif. Mungkin akan sampai satu tahap orang Melayu, sebagai kaum majoriti, akan secara lantang mempersoalkan penguasaan etnik Cina dalam ekonomi dan mendesak agar “Ketuanan Ekonomi” ini dimansuhkan, sebagai timbal balas kepada desakan lantang, terutama puak chauvinis Cina menyerang konsep “Ketuanan Melayu”.

Ini adalah masa yang sesuai untuk semua pihak mereliasasikan usaha untuk kemajuan dan pembangunan Malaysia, sebagai negara bermasyarakat majmuk yang berintegrasi sebagai satu negara. Proses mencapai perpaduan tidak akan memberi makna sekiranya salah satu pihak tidak bersedia untuk membuat pengorbanan, malah sentiasa mendesak agar kaum majoriti melakukan sebaliknya.

Tatkala memilih seorang pemimpin, banyak ciri ciri personaliti perlu diambil kira apabila membuat pertimbangan. Terutama sebagai pemimpin politik, yang didukung melalui sistem demokrasi, ciri seperti sifat angkuh dan sombong selalu difikirkan berkali kali sebelum pertimbangan dibuat.

Apabila seseorang itu diberikan kuasa atau diangkat sebagai pemimpin, sering kali mereka akan ‘lupa diri’, atau kadang kadang lebih tepat lagi, ‘lupa daratan’. Bagaimana “sikudung dapat cincin”, mungkin ada personaliti dalam masa yang singkat sahaja mula bermegah megah dan akhirnya, mabuk kuasa. Dalam keadaan ‘mabuk kuasa’, mudah bagi seseorang menjadi angkuh dan ‘menongkat langit’. Ini lebih menyerlah bagi personaliti yang diangkat dari tiada apa apa untuk dijadikan penguasa kepada domain yang paling maju dan makmur seluruh negara.

Dalam sindrom ‘mabuk kuasa’ sehingga naik menjadi angkuh, mungkin ada diantara kita akan mengambil tindakan untuk mengaibkan orang lain. Keadaan semasa dan setempat, terutama dengan kuasa dan penghormatan yang diberikan masyarakat, mungkin amatlah mudah seseorang untuk leka dan hanyut dengan ‘kuasa’. Maka, tindakan yang diambil dalam psiki demikian seringkali akan mengaibkan, setidak tidaknya melukakan hati orang lain.

Sejarah Melayu pernah mengisahkan bagaimana seorang pemimpin wajar mengelakan keangkuhan yang membawa kepada tindakan untuk mengaibkan orang lain berlaku:

Maka titah Sri Tri Buana:”Hendaklah pada akhir zaman kelak anak cucu bapak jangan derhaka pada anak cucu hamba. Jikalau ia zalim dan jahat pekertinya sekalipun.”

Maka sembah Demang Lebar Daun:”Baiklah tuanku.Tetapi jikalau anak cucu tuanku dahulu mengubahkan dia, (maka) anak cucu patik pun mengubahkan dia”.

Maka titah Seri Tri Buana,”Baiklah,kabullah hamba akan waad itu.”

Maka keduanya pun bersumpah-sumpahlah,barang siapa mengubahkan perjanjiannya itu di balik Allah subhanahu wa taala bumbungan rumahnya kebawah,kaki tiangnya keatas.

Itulah sebabnya maka dianugerahkan Allah subhnahu wa taala kepada segala raja-raja Melayu,tiada pernah memberi aib pada segala hamba Melayu;jikalau sebagaimana sekalipun besar dosanya,tiada diikatnya dan digantungnya dan difadihatkannya dengan kata yang jahat.

Sejarah Melayu

Malangnya, ianya berlaku. Walaupun cuba dijustifikasikan, politik merupakan permainan yang berdasarkan persepsi dan sedikit emosi. Ini jelas apabila ditafsirkan dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke XII 8 Mac 2008, apabila BN kalah diluar dugaan dalam negeri Kedah, Perak, Pulau Pinang dan Selangor. Ini termasuk Wilayah Persekutuan. Yang nyatanya, pada budaya dan psiki orang Melayu, ada alatan memang dalam apa keadaan dan alasan  sekalipun tidak wajar disimbolkan. Keangkuhan ini menjadi penghinaan dan untuk jangkamasa lama, rakyat akan sentiasa akan ingat peristiwa ini.

Dalam apa keadaan pun, politik merupakan permainan persepsi. Ujian asid (acid test) paling mudah ialah apabila pendapat masyarakat umum diselidik. Selepas PRU 12, banyak sudah dan perlu dipelajari mengenai aspirasi dan emosi rakyat keatas pemimpin dan prestasi kejayaan/kegagalan politik yang mereka bawa. Mungkin ada pemimpin yang dewasa ini amat mudah bermesra dengan akar umbi, terutama Perwakilan G6 dan G7 ke Pehimpunan Agung UMNO Mac 2009.  Populariti kerana mulut manis, ramah mesra dan sikap bersahaja ala budaya kampung memang menjadi tarikan.

Namun demikian, hakikatnya ialah politik UMNO merupakan politik peringkat negara. UMNO perlu membuat keputusan bukan kerana sikap ‘hubungan awam’ (PR) seseorang semata mata tetapi kebolehan kepimpinan, visi dan kemampuan ‘menghidupkan semula’ (regenerate) UMNO agar  keyakinan dan sokongan rakyat kembali. Sekiranya UMNO sebagai tunjang BN salah memilih pemimpin lagi, maka perjalanan akhir akan sudah pasti bermula dari saat ini dan kemungkinan besar ianya tidak akan diperbetulkan.

TEPUK DADA, TANYA SELERA!

*Kommentari artikel ini ialah berdasarkan laporan media mengenai isu yang pernah suatu masa dahulu diketengahkan dan kini ditimbulkan semula

Exco Pemuda UMNO dan MP Jerlun Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir hari ini menyarankan agar sistem sekolah vernakular dihapuskan dan semua kanak kanak disemua peringkat dikehendaki menghadiri sekolah sukatan pelajaran Kementerian Pelajaran sepenuhnya.

Beliau mengatakan demikian dalam sidang media khas di Dewan Rakyat. Ini merupakan cadangan beliau untuk mengujudkan “Bangsa Malaysia”, yang mengamalkan satu sistem pendidikan, satu bahasa penghantar dan satu cara hidup, agar Negara boleh bergerak kearah haluan seiring. Perpaduan dan penyekutuan semua warga negara akan lebih berkesan lagi.

“Jika semua pihak mahukan kesama rataan, seharusnya Malaysia bermula dengan arah ini. Satu sistem yang sama rata untuk semua” ujar beliau “Sekiranya mereka menolak cadangan ini, bagaimana kita akan menjadi sebuah negara yang bersatu dan mengamalkan perpaduan, sedangkan kita tidak boleh membincangkan soal “Ketuanan Melayu”, tanpa dianggap sebagai mengamal perkauman?”

Ini dilihat sebagai satu penyelesaian konstruktif kepada isu perkauman yang sering dibangkitkan dewasa ini, terutama kepada pemimpin politik yang berbaur chauvinism. Sering kali, apabila orang Melayu menyuarakan isu soal bagaimana mereka tertinggal dalam segala aspek, ianya dianggap sebagai ‘perkauman’. Namun begitu, etnik lain sewenang wenang secara lantang mempersoalkan apa yang dekat kepada kepentingan orang Melayu dan mudah dianggap sebagai gerakan untuk membawa nada provokasi, yang semesti akan dibalas dengan emosi dan tindakan negatif.

Yang nyatanya, punca ini semua ialah soal polarisasi yang makin hari makin membezakan antara etnik. Polarisasi antara etnik sekarang banyak diakibatkan oleh perbezaan antara kaum sejak dari kecil. Oleh demikian, sekiranya kanak kanak Malaysia sudah di integrasikan sebagai satu Bangsa Malaysia dengan sistem yang sama, maka proses perpaduan dan muhibbah akan dipupuk dari asas lagi.

Saranan ini merupakan kenyataan tegas seorang pemimpin UMNO dan wajar dilihat dengan keterbukaan, agar masalah polarisasi antara etnik ini diperbetulkan  secara konstruktif dari puncanya.

*Perkembangan dikemas kini 515pm

Laporan The Star:

Published: Monday December 1, 2008 MYT 4:44:00 PM

Mukhriz: Scrap vernacular schools, one system for all

By SA’ODAH ELIAS

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief aspirant Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has called on the Government to abolish the vernacular school system as a means to enhance unity among people of various races.

He said a single school system was the only way to check the racial polarisation that was getting out of control in the country.

“The government should consider introducing only one school system with Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction, except for Science and Mathematics which are already being taught in English.

“Of course, pupils should then be given the option to study their mother tongues. Under this system, the Malays will also have the option of studying other languages like Mandarin and Tamil and this will further boost unity among them,” he told reporters at Parliament House on Monday.

The Umno Youth exco member said it was time for Malaysia to do away with the dual school system, which was practised by only a handful of countries in the world, as it had contributed to the problem of disunity in the country.

He said over 99% of countries in the world practised a single school system.

He expressed hope that leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties would not take his suggestion in a negative light as it was only meant as a suggestion to resolve, once and for all, the problem of racial polarisation affecting the citizenry.

“If they reject this suggestion, then they should explain why they are against it. How is it possible for them on one hand to talk about unity and question Malay rights, while on the other hand still insist on having a different school system for their race?

“If you want equal rights then you cannot have a different school sistem. You cannot have your cake and eat it too,” he added.

He also urged all parties to stop harping on issues that could create tension among Barisan component parties, including on the issue of Ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy.

Lately, he said, there were many statements made by leaders of component parties that had the potential to create anger among the Malays and Umno members.

“If they insist on making statements on that issue, then do not be surprised if the Malays start talking about the economic supremacy of the non-Malays.

“Despite all that has been said on the issue of Malay supremacy, the Malays do not feel in any way superior or the master when it comes to the country’s economy,” he said.

Sejarah asas penubuhan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu pada 31 Ogos 1957 merupakan pemimpin pemimpin negeri negeri Tanah Melayu yang bersetuju untuk ‘berkongsi kuasa’, iaitu melibatkan pemimpin etnik Bukan Melayu kedalam proses pengurusan politik peringkat negara dan pentadbiran, berasaskan perlembagaan yang diterima pakai, yang diadaptasi Perlembagaan Tanah Melayu 31 Januari 1948. Artikel 153 dihidupkan khas untuk menentukan kedudukan orang Melayu disahkan secara formal apabila negara merdeka ini diujudkan dengan kedaulatan yang diiktiraf antarabangsa.

Dengan asas kesefahaman dan kerjasama itu, orang Melayu masih lagi memainkan peranan teraju utama dan dibantu oleh etnik lain, sebagai ‘rakan kongsi’, merupakan jalinan kerjasama dengan semangat kesefahaman dan setiakawan, berbanding kesediaan memberikan mereka taraf dan peruntukan sama rata.

Asas ini mula menampakan ketidak stabilan apabila golongan chauvinis, terutama etnik Cina, diberikan kuasa dalam semangat setiakawan dan kerjasama apabila Persekutuan Malaysia ditubuhkan pada 16 September 1963. Golongan chauvinis ini, yang diterajui pemimpin PAP Lee Kuan Yew mula mempersoalkan asas penubuhan negara dengan nada porovokasi “Malaysian Malaysia”. Walaupun Singapura disingkirkan dari Persekutuan Malaysia pada pada 9 Ogos 1965, pengaruh mereka masih berterusan melalui DAP. DAP meneruskan agenda chauvinis ini, bersama sama Gerakan, sehingga 13 Mei 1969 apabila berlaku pergaduhan antara kaum dan orang Melayu sebagai kaum majoriti tidak dapat sabar lagi dan memberikan reaksi negatif kepada provokasi yang golongan chauvinis Cina ini bawa.

“Ketuanan Melayu” merupakan konsep yang pertama kali digunakan oleh Dato’ Abdullah Ahmad (sekarang Tan Sri, Mantan Setiausaha Politik Perdana Menteri ke II Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, pelaksana ‘Dasar Ekonomi Baru’ dan ‘Rukun Negara’) dalam sebuah forum di Singapura pada 1986. Ianya bertujuan untuk menegaskan kepada pemimpin PAP Singapura bahawa orang Melayu masih mendahului kesinambungan dan menjadi tunggak Kepimpinan Malaysia, yang diterima dan ditafsirkan secara demokratik semenjak merdeka.

Hari ini, kita melihat bahawa chauvinis etnik Cina masih lagi cuba menangguk di air keruh dan membawa nada provokasi bahawa konsep orang Melayu menjadi tunggak dan tunjang pemerintahan dan pentadbiran wajar dicabar, secara berstruktur dan sistematik. Nada provokasi ini dikhuatiri akan membawa keresahan dan membangkitkan emosi dikalalangan orang Melayu, majoriti rakyat Malaysia. Ini mungkin akan membawa padah kepada sistem sosial, politik dan ekonomi negara, apabila kesefahaman, kerjasama muhibbah dan keharmonian antara etnik itu sengaja dirobek.

Dalam apa keadaan sekalipun, keputusan pertimbangan politik berdasarkan emosi wajar dielakan dengan apa cara sekalipun. Oleh demikian, “Ketuanan Melayu” itu masih lagi relevan, kerana keputusan politik yang dibuat secara demokratik masih lagi memberikan tafsiran jelas bahawa orang Melayu masih lagi menjadi tunggak dan tunjang kepimpinan politik dan pentadbiran.

Oleh demikian, MCA wajar menentang keras kenyataan Timbalan Presiden MCA Dato’ Seri Chua Soi Lek. MCA sebagai rakankongsi ‘kongsi kuasa’ semenjak 1955 wajar mengimbau secara menyeluruh peluang penglibatan dan peranan yang diberikan kepada mereka untuk dimainkan sebagai mewakili etnik Cina.  Dalam keadaan paling baik sekali pun (PRU XI Mac 2004),  MCA mendapat banyak kerusi (rekod 31 kerusi) kerana majoriti undi orang Melayu.

Oleh itu  UMNO disarankan untuk menentukan secara tegas bahawa MCA, yang sepatutnya memahami keadaan dan kepentingan kestabilan politik dan sosial, mengambil tindakan keras keatas Dato’ Seri Chua yang sengaja cuba membawa nada provokasi yang secocok dengan agenda chauvinis Cina.

Nilai kestabilan politik, sosial, kerharmonian hubungan antara etnik dan semangat muhibbah merupakan ciri paling penting  dan strategik untuk Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara untuk bergerak kehadapan dan ekonomi dibangunkan, untuk kepentingan semua. MCA wajar secara serious berhati hati dan mengambil kira apa apa faktor yang boleh menjejaskan variable formula ini dalam apa apa tindakan mereka.

Soal politik wang dalam UMNO ini makin menular sehingga merosakan parti. Usaha mereka yang sayangkan UMNO dan mahu menyaksikan UMNO bebas dibelenggu gejala penjahanam bangsa ini mula mendapat kesan reaksi yang amat negatif, sehingga sampai ketahap membinasakan. Sekarang ini, ada Pejuang Bangsa yang sehingga satu masa dahulu begitu tegar mempertahankan Perjuangan, kini dengan bersahaja membelasah dalam alam siber pemimpin unggul Bangsa Melayu, Presiden UMNO ke V Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

Hujah panjang lebar menyalahkan Tun Dr. Mahathir dan membidas pemimpin pemimpin tertentu seperti Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd. Yasin dan Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir  kerana kesediaan mereka mengulangi saranan yang sama. Ini kerana pemimpin ini dianggap sebagai tidak wajar mengunakan ‘pengaruh’ mereka untuk meraih undi. Hakikatnya, kegagagal untuk menerima ketokohan dan kepimpinan pemimpin demikian diterima baik sebilangan besar peringkat dalam UMNO menampakan kematangan rendah penulis. Mungkin penulis begitu ‘terbelenggu’ kepada pemimpin tertentu, atas sebab sebab tertentu (termasuk kebarangkalian faktor ekonomi), sehingga analisa polar bagaimana pencalonan diterima menjadikan sesuatu yang menjadi amat sensitif.

Soal sekarang, pemimpin pemimpin tertentu seperti Dato’ Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam, Tan Sri Muhammad “Mike Tyson” Muhd. Taib, Dato’ Seri Dr. Mohd. Khir Toyo dan Khairy Jamaluddin merupakan personaliti yang begitu sinonim dengan budaya ‘politik wang’. Acid test yang paling mudah ialah bukan merujuk kepada pemimpin atau ahli UMNO, tetapi bertanyakan orang awam ditepi jalan. Usulkan nama nama yang dimaksudkan Tun Dr. Mahathir itu dan tunggu reaksi spontan mereka. Mungkin, cerita yang lagi ‘enak’ dan ‘lemak’ akan mula terungkai, walaupun dikalangan orang yang bukan berkecimpung dengan politik.

Ini semua belum lagi kisah kisah dimana sampul berisi duit sehingga RM 10,000.00 di agih agihkan kepada pemimpin UMNO peringkat Bahagian dan mereka yang dipilih atau berpotensi dipilih (semasa sebelum mesyuarat agung tahunan UMNO bermula) setiap kali pertemuan tertutup dan dalam bilangan kecil, disusun secara peribadi.

Kalau tiada angin, maka tidak mungkin pohon bergoyang. Mungkin bidalan calon Ketua Pemuda UMNO Khairy Jamaluddin dua setengah tahun lepas “Kalau tiada beruk mengoncang pohon, maka pohon tidak bergoyang” ada kebenaranya. Dalam konteks artikel dan pelbagai saranan Tun Dr. Mahathir, Khairy merupakan salah seorang calon yang mengamalkan ‘politik wang’ ini.

Dr. Khir Toyo pula mempunyai pendekatan yang menampakan keadaan ‘terdesak’  (desperate) beliau cuba mengelak dan ‘penyamaran’ (camouflage) persepsi bahawa beliau merupakan personaliti yang antara paling ‘kasar’ memberikan sumbangan. Tidak berapa lama dahulu, beliau pernah memberikan alasan agar ahli UMNO dan masyarakat membezakan antara “Politik Wang” dan “Wang Politik”, mungkin sebagai helah ‘cara menghalalkan matlamat’.

Samada ahli dan Perwakilan UMNO bodoh atau tidak begitu mudah dan bersedia memberikan undi kepada calon yang memberikan ‘habuan’ paling lumayan, bukanlah perkara paling penting yang perlu diiktibarkan dari artikel blogger Anak Mat Lela Gila ini. Persoalan paling utama: Mengapa perlu ada calon menawarkan apa jumlah wang ringgit sekalipun, untuk apa keadaan sekalipun semasa siri mula berhasrat dan berkempen untuk bertanding apa apa jawatan?

Ini merupakan persimpangan paling strategik dan penting bagi UMNO melenyapkan budaya rasuah dalam parti nasionalis ini. Setelah prestasi buruk Pilihanraya Umum ke XII 8 Mac 2008 dan Pilihanraya Kecil Permatang Pauh 24 Ogos 2008, UMNO perlu muhasabah diri mengenai persepsi masyarakat keatas parti paling ramai ahli ini, walaupun mungkin nila yang setitik dua itu semata mata. Yang nyatakan, sebab nila setitik dua inilah, rosak susu se kolah itu!

Mungkin ini masa paling sesuai bagi calon calon seperti Dato’ Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam, Tan Sri Muhammad “Mike Tyson” Muhd. Taib, Dato’ Seri Dr. Mohd. Khir Toyo dan Khairy Jamaluddin sebaliknya berusaha secara serious untuk menyisihkan persepsi masyarakat mengenai penglibatan mereka ini dengan ‘Politik Wang’. Ini adalah cabaran yang konstruktif paling baik untuk mereka, sekiranya mereka benar benar serious untuk memimpin UMNO dan menyangkal persepsi buruk dan rambang masyarakat. Gaya hidup mereka sendiri perlu memberikan refleksi bahawa mereka membelanjakan wang ringgit dengan pendapatan yang wajar mereka perolehi, sesuai dengan kedudukan mereka sebagai penjawat awam.

Yang menghairankan, bagaimana pemimpin seperti Mike Tyson yang pernah ditangkap dengan percubaan menyeludup sejumlah amat besar wang dari Australia (walaupun dibebaskan dengan sebab teknikal semata mata), masih lagi diberikan peluang untuk bertanding jawatan tertinggi parti, kalau bukan sebab ‘Politik Wang’? Apakah Bahagian UMNO yang memberikan pencalonan terlalu bodoh dan bebal sehingga tidak langsung teringat peristiwa lebih sepuluh tahun lampau itu?

Cerita cerita yang begitu terbuka diketahui umum semasa menjadi Menteri Besar Selangor kurang dari lapan tahun, termasuk salah guna kuasa dan kedudukan menbawa isteri dalam missi rasmi Kerajaan negeri keluar negara adalah persepsi masyarakat yang amat payah disangkal lagi.

Dalam forum “UMNO Pasca PRU 12: Satu Penilaian” anjuran portal politik MyKMU.net di Hotel Singgahsana, Petaling Jaya pada 1 April 2008, apabila ‘Politik Wang’ dibangkitkan semasa Dr. Khir Toyo sedang menjadi panelis, para hadirin tanpa segan silu bangkit dan ‘boo’ beliau. Ini jelas menunjukan bertapa sinonimnya persepsi masyarakat mengenai pemimpin tertentu apabila soal ‘Politik Wang’ dibangkitkan.

Sebagai seorang muda berumur hanya 28 tahun, Khairy mampu membeli 9 juta saham ECM Libra merupakan satu misteri membinggunkan jika difikirkan mendalam, tanpa mengambil kira elemen ‘rasuah’ ini. Namun apabila media menjolok beliau dengan nama “The most richest 28 years old unemployed man in the country“, tidak boleh disalahkan lagi persepsi masyarakat.

Calon jawatan tertinggi yang merupakan seorang Ketua Menteri pula sewenang wenang ’salah guna’ kuasa eksekutif beliau untuk memberikan anugerah teringgi dan bintang kebesaran negeri yang membawa gelaran tertentu kepada sejumlah ramai pemimpin UMNO, sebagai ‘imbuhan’ untuk meraih sokongan. Itu belum khabar menegnai jam jam jenama Rolex yang diagih agihkan sebagai “tanda penghargaan” kepada pemimpin peringkat Bahagian yang datang bertemu beliau.

Jika tidak, janganlah salahkan pemimpin unggul bangsa dan negara yang begitu berjasa seperti Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, sekiranya masayarakat secara rata rata berpendapat pemimpin tertentu itu amat sinonim dengan ‘Politik Wang’. Setiap kali pertandingan itu, politik itu sebenarnya permainan persepsi, yang melebihi segalanya. Pemimpin yang dinyatakan Tun Dr. Mahathir itu, menangguk keadaan pertandingan untuk menentukan mereka terus diberikan kuasa.

Bukankah demi survival Bangsa Melayu dan Negara, UMNO perlu diselamatkan dari pemimpin sebegini? Dalam apa keadaan pun, UMNO amat perlu dicaturkan oleh pemimpin seperti Tun Dr. Mahathir, bagi mengelakan pemimpin korup dan boleh dikorup seperti mereka ini dari diberikan tempat untuk kuasa!

Masa yang amat sesuai bagi Tun Dr. Mahathir menyenaraikan nama pemimpin yang wajar Perwakilan UMNO tolak, bagi kepentingan  dan survival Bangsa Melayu dan Negara!

At 1230hrs yesterday (Central standard time), 0330hrs Malaysian time today, it is exactly 45 years ago 35^th US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated at the Dealy Plaza, Dallas, Texas. That tragedy became a damning mystery, till date where lone gunner Ex-US Marine Lee Harvey Oswald was blamed for the shooting. Oswald died few days later whilst under Dallas Police custody, during a transfer, shot at point blank by a night club owner Jack Ruby.

The most important lesson to be learned from the assassination is that the succeeding president made decisions Kennedy refused to make that changed world history. Not too long after taking over Kennedy, 36^th US President Lyndon Baines Johnson issued the order of US forces direct participation, then intervention in the Vietnam conflict. Twelve years later, after 56,000 casualties and tens of billions USD spent, US withdrew not only from the undeclared conflict, but hastily evacuated in disgrace when South Vietnam was overran by the forces from the north.The anguish, agony of defeat and humiliation is a little bit over bearing that will scar the hearts of Americans for generations.

The physical, economic and mental/psychological consequences of Johnson’s commitment into the illegal war which left millions of Americans affected, for many years. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the disease hundreds of thousand Americans suffer for a long time, mostly for involuntarily participation in the conflict 9,000 miles away from home. A series of social problems developed partly because of the war, which left Americans unable to resolve and deal till present day. This includes street drug abuse, pop culture and most of all, the hippie culture of evolved during the late sixties and protest and pressure against the conscription into the war was a factor these new bad habits developed in meteoric rate.

Now, Barack Hussein Obama II has been elected to take over from George Walker Bush as the upcoming President, due to swear in January 2009. Obama, being a democrat like Kennedy, would face similar issues that will almost make history repeat itself. Obama plan to resolve to illegal military conflict which Bush committed the US into; Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds of billions USD has evaporated in vain for this, not including the waste of lives and limbs many young Americans have to endure. Obama now will have to manage the physical and psychological pain that Bush created from the Afghanistan and Iraq illegal war, just as post Vietnam.

Obama will have to antagonize the lords of the US military industrial complex if he plans to halt what Bush started. Now that the US economy is in peril, the Government will not be able to sustain, let alone fund future military projects they already committed, like Joint Strike Fighter and Sea Wolf sub programs. Of course his priority should be reviving the US economy, especially domestic, where millions now affected by jobs and homes losses. However, to the minority upstairs who control the economy, the military industrial complex which include hardware, software, commodities, finance/banking/capital markets, logistics, pharmaceuticals, automotive and energy industries, would very much want to see these specific problems addressed first.

How, where, when and what speed will Obama spend the USD 700 billion bail out program is still unclear. Many Americans are skeptical about this plan. It went through in last week’s G20  meeting as a ‘non event’. It is a specific topic that the APEC leaders are discussing in Peru at present moment. Getting the plan approved is the begining but the how the plan affects other economies, which include APEC countries is closely monitored. Will the military industrial complex be channeled, even indirectly, for this bailout program is something very interesting to be followed. The integrity of Obama as the new hope for America and ‘willing to change’, is very much at stake.

The US economy is still very much under the tight grasp of the neo conservatives and the Jews. Recent collapse of major Wall Street  financial giants is the testimony how much of a problem Obama had to deal with. Many believe that there are more to come. To jump start the economy, most probably Obama require to ensure bigger Federal Government spending. For a Government which is almost bankrupt with loans and an economy which has been bubbling-ready-to-burst, his plans for the economy will very much affect global economy. Naturally, these drastic policies will also affect the US foreign policy, which is a major factor in global politics and international diplomacy.

The US foreign policy shifts is something the world should also closely observe. Not only a democrat, but a non-Anglo Saxon president like Obama will be expected to have and adopt a more ‘global friendly’ policy and strategy, as opposed to Bush’s hardliners centric doctrines. In 200 history of international diplomacy, never before US foreign policies had been so ‘unkind’ and thus, utterly unpopular amongst the rest of the world. Even traditional supporters like EU has time and again went the opposite ways (with the exception of United Kingdom). Obama’s willingness to undo what Bush started is very much somewhat skeptical, to many analysts.

US lost a lot of friends during the Bush’s hardliners approach. In their eagerness, the Machiavellian artists trolled the Americans into the worst ‘terrorism’-phobic, which eventually evolved into a morbid obsession after the 9/11 tragedy. Their ‘home security’ policies did not come well in the international arena, especially as champions of liberty, freedom and democracy, the US practiced some of the most draconian mannerism against human rights there is. The Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib prison experience will not easily forgotten. America now has a serious PR problem, being the ‘Baddie’ in the eyes of the rest of the world, as opposed to the same Republican agenda twenty years earlier demonising communism. The same military industrial complex during Eisenhower’s, Johnson’s, Nixon’s, Reagan’s and Bush’s time is very clear being the ‘backbone’ of the idealism of “The American Way” so-called ‘free market’ economy.

The thirteen million ringgit question is, what if Obama failed in his ‘expected agenda’ to assist and bring back the US military industrial complex up from its knees. Will he suffer the same fate as Kennedy, 2 years 10 month after swearing in? More so, Obama is the first non-Anglo Saxon President in US 233 years history. Even if Obama did spend sometime in an Israeli kibbutz, his policies for his eagerness to resolve the ‘West Asian conflict’ and the Zionist politics is very much doubted.

It seems this particular royal family is in the spotlight again. Now, it is about someone who is a third level royal, who has been reported to be in a nigh-club-brawl-taken-outside, has been hurt and reported to want to take legal action at the next level.

The story goes, this particular grandson of a Ruler (whose mother is a princess to the Ruler), was out on a night rendezvous in one of Kuala Lumpur’s most happening clubs. This particular Tunku is a regular there.

Then there is this other Tunku (a second heir to the throne of one of the most richest royal family in the country), who is a career soldier with an illustrious service record (despite just being a mid twenties gentleman), was in town with some friends. Being a stranger, he would just  want to ‘chill out’ in the most common or notable night spots, where all the attraction would be focused on.

So as any story goes, when young people have fun in night clubs, some tend to be notable than others. The heir to the throne is a good looking fine officer, mild mannered and humble to many extend. It is befitting to his training, being raised in the most strictest regime. Naturally, with personality like that, he and his friends get ‘centre stage’ attention by the most affluent and best looking young patronage of the night spot.

This does not come down well with the Tunku, who felt his ‘turf’ has been ‘compromised’ by “another stag in the pen”. So he and his buddies beginning to show displeasure, which turned into apprehension, bit by bit. After a little provocation, night club arguments went straight into a near brawl, where bottles were said to have been flung. It was not a pretty sight, even when supposedly sons of perfect gentlemen were involved.

Singapore Straits Times on 31 October 2008 reported it as the heir to the throne’s men went violent at another venue and some people were hurt, based on the Malaysian Insider’s the day before. The piece is damaging, for both families and of course, the public perception of the royal families. The motive of Leslie Lopez, who was Brenden Perreira’s and Riong Kali’s henceman in NST until not too long ago is very clear. Tarnish the good name of the royal family who has been very supportive of UMNO, the mainstay of the ruling class in Malaysia since over 60 years ago. Considering more Johoreans are rising up the echelon again, soon enough after PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah’s planned departure shortly, it is a good strategy to weaken the strongest force behind the corridors of power.

The truth is never from what actually happened. From personal accounts of witnesses, the provocation started in the club out of envy that turned into jealousy. The provocateurs were very uncouth and actually humiliated the heir to the throne in public, hurling words don’t befit the stature of the people who use them. Being officers and gentlemen, the professional bodyguards evacuated the decorated officer back to his hotel, to avoid open and physical conflict. As they say, “perfect gentlemen always walk away from a fight”.

The other Tunku and his friends, who were left unsatisfied, went to the the Tunku career soldier’s hotel, in the pursuit of somewhat settlement, most probably to serve their imbalance hormonal male ego trip. Since there the Tunku and his friends, now undone  and beginning to unwind after the shocking experience in the club at their hotel suite, the aggressors were stopped at the lift lobby from proceeding any further. Being professional bodyguards, they deploy necessary force to what they claimed to be in ’self defense’ and ‘in the interests of HRH Tunku’s safety and honour’.

So some people were hurt. They made a police report. Something is amiss. The police who showed up on site at the hotel, did not check whether the aggressors were or not under the influence of either alcohol or other chemicals, since civilised matured adults would not have pursuit the conflict with the intention to use of further force. However, it was clear the motive showing up at the Sultan Ismail five star hotel that early morning was to settle the score.

Naturally, the case got more complicated. A parent of the slightly hurt Tunku (who is a princess of a Ruler) got involved. It was said that she even got the media to capture the incidence, from their side of the story. Hence, the Straits Times story by Leslie Lopez. Suddenly, this private incident became the talk of the town.

Then, it went into a deeper curve. Some people tried to mediate a truce between the two royal families. This opened up new opportunities for this family. The aggrieved party now wants ‘compensation’ for their ‘misdemeanour adventure’. When the mediator presented their request, the ‘compensation’ was for RM 10 million. It did not stop there. It was said that later, it was said to be requested up to a whopping sum RM 50 million.

Isn’t this a black mail? Someone in the family decided to ensure the media carried one side of the story to make the other party look bad and now what seemed to be a ‘royal extortion’ to make sure that the story does not escalate. Being media darling who have been bliss with  prime Kuala Lumpur socialite spotlight, these people who are also those instrumental behind the small but highly exclusive The Tatler coverage, exploited their connection in mainstream media. This PR is important for the HRH Tunku who is already second inline to the heir throne of the state, especially since he excelled himself representing the good name of the country in an Asian super power national day parade quite recently. He is also an avid sportsman who won so many title cups in a very exclusive sports, which is the mark of a true exalted ruler.

The family of the aggrieved Tunku recently made headlines all over the world when his Ruler grandfather was sued for a cool USD one million for non deliverance of commitment, by an international bank. Being disgraced in that manner in the open is something this highly socialite royal family made any effort to avoid. Thus, their willingness to wash dirty linen in public, again, is something gravely not the most admirable thing to do. Then, to deface themselves by asking that sum of money for settlement which the Tunku and his friends actually started and went to escalate further is something despicable.

The Rulers and their family are supposed to be the bastion and custodian of Islam as the faith of the Federation and heritage and culture, something the Malays willing to die for to protect. Bad enough they practice lifestyles that does not depict their role as the spiritual and ceremonial head. Now this private brawl, being turned into widespread public knowledge. This ‘royal black mail’ is a definite thinning of the wedge. It has to be stopped and resolved amicably, at any cost. The Parliament absolved immunity for private doings for the royals in 1993 specifically for this purpose. The royals must behave and be responsible for their private actions. Using the media and then use the opportunity to ‘extort’ is really low.

God help us, all!

We obtained first hand photos of some said houses, on Bayview Terrace, Mosman Park, west of Perth, Western Australia. These were obtained this afternoon, in sunny pre-summer Perth weather.

These are the two famous photo of the house with the address 34 Bayview Terrace, Mosman Park, Perth WA which first appeared in Malaysia Today sometime last year. It was still under renovation then. Now, it is fully completed.

These ones are numbers 44, 66 and 66A on the same street.

The houses, three in the row, fronting the Mosman Bay.

By far, we have reasons to believe these are the most prolific and luxurious address in all Western Australia. Another Brick in the Wall blog was right. The east facing view from these three houses, overlooking Mosman Bay is most outstanding. The cliff on the park across from these three houses were at least 100 feet high (from the waterfront).

This shot, was taken two hours ago. Note the skyscrapers on Perth, towards the west of the Mosman Bay.

Who ever bought these houses, must really want to live here for the rest of the intended lives, as free people. These are definitely serious addresses for people with lots of money, migrating and starting a new life here in by far the most posh suburb of Perth. Never in doubt, people who live in this address, would make these homes with most amazing views as a “holiday home”.

Just to clarify, as per reported by Another Brick in the Wall blog on 19 April 2007, there are no houses on 22 & 24 Bayview Terrace. Only empty lots, meant for two separate bungalows. However, the sign in front says that they were sold. It even have drawings for the proposed bungalow lots.

Recently, Malaysian Insider, an online news based political portal reported a story on upcoming Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak was bringing back the “Mahathirism” era, when he comes in at the helm by March 2009.

His running mate, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd. Yassin was fast to respond when press ask him for an opinion on the matter. The Star has the story:

Sunday October 12, 2008 MYT 8:33:04 PM

‘No return of Mahathirism’

By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH

MUAR: Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin does not believe Mahathirism will return when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becomes the Prime Minister next year.

He insisted that Najib had his own ideas, vision and strong political determination to lead the country towards a new era not only for the Malays but for all Malaysians.

“It will be improper for anyone to say the country and Umno would be under the control of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when Najib takes over the premiership,” said Muhyiddin, a contender for the deputy president’s post.

“I don’t think Najib would want it to happen as he has his own political programmes to re-strengthen Umno and regain the people’s confidence,” he told reporters Sunday after opening the Pagoh Umno division general assembly.

He was commenting on former de facto Law Minister Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s comment in the Sunday Star that Najib’s impending rise to the Umno presidency would mark the return of Mahathirism.

Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said Zaid’s comments only showed he was anti-Mahathir.

He said Zaid revealed his anti-Mahathir streak when he called on Cabinet ministers to seek forgiveness from the judges who had been sacked or suspended in the 1988 judicial crisis.

Mukhriz said Zaid had asked the Cabinet to do so even before he took his oath of office as minister.

He added that Zaid’s latest remarks truly showed his hatred for Dr Mahathir, who had lifted Malaysia’s image, dignity and prosperity to a level never achieved before.

Speaking to reporters Sunday before attending a Hari Raya gathering with Umno Youth members here, Mukhriz claimed that Zaid’s efforts to make the judicial appointments system more transparent and to allow the Bar Council to be involved in the appointment of judges would not play much of a role in the nation’s progress.

He asserted the reform issues raised by the former minister, if not implemented, would not cause the nation to crumble, adding that Malaysians had lived all this while without them.

“Zaid claimed he wanted to reform the system and to save Umno but I don’t see how all the issues he mentioned will benefit the Malays or Umno,” added Muhkriz who is vying for the Umno Youth presidency.

**********************************

Lets recap what “Mahathirism” was all about.

In 24 years of managing the economy post independence, where the mainstay then were primary products dependent and secondary low end manufacturing economy, Tun Dr. Mahathir had brought Malaysia to be the most promising new ‘tiger cub’ economy of East Asia, after South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. The economic growth was promising enough that by 1990, the consistent annual expansion of 8% coupled with the vast economic and human capital resource available, meant Malaysia had potential to be developed nation status. Hence, in 1991, the ‘Vision 2020’ was launched and Malaysia was driven towards a developed economy within 30 years.

It was during this time infrastructure, especially logistics were developed immensely. This enabled the economic growth to be more robust. The single most important infrastructure project which is thought to the backbone of Malaysian economic growth is the ‘North South Expressway’, fully completed and operational by 1993. Of course one should not forget the development of ports like North Port and West Port in Klang, Kemaman Port and the latest, which managed to take on the “giant” in this region, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas. Then there is also the new KLIA, moved from Subang to Sepang. KLIA managed to somewhat gave a direct competition against Changi.

Malaysia managed to move upwards in the industrial sector. It became a preferred destination for investments in the electronics and ICT industry by the early 90s. Of course, the once primary based economy of this once a British colony took a bold move under Tun Dr. Mahathir’s stewardship and gambled on going into high technology. Proton rolled out its first car in 1985. Within less than 15 years of promising growth, Proton not only recovered the Federal Government initial investment by 20 times, also managed to developed their ‘Detroit like auto city’ in Tanjong Malim with purely internally generated funds.

The economy also went into diversification where more services sector was introduced, to support the growing physical economy. Capital and financial market related services grew exponentially during this economic boom era. Wall Street, European and Japanese firms were busy setting up offices and alliances with local firms. More so, during the ultra bullish period of the Malaysian capital market in early to late nineties.

Let us not forget Tun Dr. Mahathir’s strong vision of Malaysia to play the ‘catch up’ game of being a developed nation, with the launch and high octane drive on the Multimedia Super Corridor. A dedicated ICT city was developed, Cyberjaya, to make sure the industry has a home. Mastering the game is one single most strategic vision and policy Tun Dr. Mahathir had to place Malaysia well into the top echelon of then, a dynamic world with the globalisation challenges.The International Advisory Panel set up managed to get support from some of the world leaders in ICT.

Construction and property development sector is one of the most rapid and progressive within the economy, throughout Tun Dr. Mahathir’s time. Physical and tangible growth is promoted and it has a far reaching spiral and multiplication effect into the economy. So many new township, industrial areas and commercial centres grew in exponential proportions, especially the last 10 years of Tun Dr. Mahathir’s tenure due to the economic climate created by the Government policies and inducement programs. The spin off of this is that Malaysian corporations managed to place themselves as an international player, elsewhere.

The management of the nation’s most important mineral was in good hands, during the Mahathirism era. Petronas, which started as a joint venture partner with major players, brought themselves up along the learning curve and evolved into becoming the lead in markets elsewhere. The corporation emerged as the most profitable state owned oil company in the world and currently, exploring in 20 different countries. Petronas is now taking head on against once their own senior partners. Petronas also diversified into becoming a world class premium property developer and a formula one motor sport co-owner.

People development, (now commonly referred as ‘human capital’) saw termendous growth and new opportunity opened during these 22 over years. More public universities and new campuses built. This include the UIA. Sabah and Sarawak got their own universities, and eventually the rest of Malaysia. Corporate universities were added (which eventually became public universities), Petronas Technology University, Uniten, MMU and IKRAM. Then, it was the liberalisation of private universities and upgrade of colleges into university colleges, throughout the country.

Tun Dr. Mahathir as the Prime Minister had high respect for the civil service, the main engine for the Government. More structured system for the civil service were put in place, with better working conditions. Even a new purpose built administrative capital were built in Putrajaya. To many, it was a simply huge waste of money. To date, even the same critics and skeptics ten years ago find the city as the pride of the nation.

Private sector driven economic growth is encouraged and promoted during the Mahathirism. His privatisation policies, amidst strong criticism, helped to propel the nation much further and enabled its full potential. Government no longer involve with services, which was transferred into private sector hands. This gave the edge of lesser public capital expenditure (CAPEX) and reaped better returns, from taxes and dividends earned. The Government promoted the ‘Malaysian Incorporated’ (Malaysia Inc.) policy, where the public and private sector jointly rolled up their sleeves and achieved progress, especially in economic programs.

During Tun Dr. Mahathir’s tenure, the nation saw through two economic recession period; one in the mid eighties and the other after the Asian financial crisis (1997-98), from the deliberate attack by rogue currency traders.In both cases, the country’s economy was managed to be put on track and saw rapid recovery and growth. Especially in 1998, where Tun Dr. Mahathir enforced radical capital and currency control measures, which saw tough criticism from the global players. In no time, they have to eat their own words back and affirmed the ‘doctor’s’ prescription really worked.

In all, in 25 years (1980-2005), the Malaysian economy grew by almost a whopping figure of 500%. At his retirement, Tun Dr. Mahathir had placed the Malaysian economy and the system at its best.

Developmental economics, especially taken into the perspective as a world class player, cannot simply be taken without talking about international politics. Between 1981-2003, Malaysia has placed itself as a force to be reckoned with, within the international diplomacy. Tun Dr. Mahathir, is his attempt to detach and our over dependence and reliance on Britain as a former colonial master, adopted the “Buy British last policy”, which irked Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s most prolific leader  (in the perspective of economy) end of the 20th century. In the same breadth, Malaysia went into the “Look East Policy”, which strategically benefited us immensely.

Then Malaysia promoted the expansion of ASEAN, to include nations which were non favourable to the West like Vietnam, Cambodia (then Kampuchea) and Laos. Of course, Malaysia pushed for Myanmar to be included. Malaysia, is a founding member of ASEAN Free Trade Area.

There were international armed conflict which Malaysia played pivotal role. Malaysia was the solitary voice against the bloody Balkan conflict, when Muslim Bosnians were slaughtered by their own neighbours and kin, in a genocide far worse than those of World War II in Europe. Malaysian armed units participated peace keeping missions in Bosnia, Iraq-Kuwait, Lebanon, Cambodia and the most memorable, Somalia where the Royal Malay Regiment earned their international accord for bravery.

Tun Dr. Mahathir as a world leader should not be mentioned without his role in promoting the South-South Cooperation. As a spin off, Langkawi International Dialogue was created and a mirror, South African International Dialogue. Much can be said about his vocal and unrestrained opposition against the white hegemony, back by the international jews. As such, first time in history, a leader of a nation was elected the Chairman of the Non Alignment Movement and Organisation of Islamic Countries, in the same time.

That earned many stars for the man and naturally, the nation. Superpower leaders such as Russian Vladimir Putin, French Jacques Chirac and Chancellor Gerhard Schrodder called on him here in Kuala Lumpur. He also had good relations with Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao of China. Anti US leaders Cuban President Fidel Castro and Venezuelan President Huga Chavez showed termendous support, respect and admiration for the fourth Malaysian Prime Minister, who was seen as the champion of the third world nation.

Putting Malaysia on the world map is something Tun Dr. Mahathir carefully thought of and well implemented. Till present, the tallest twin office building in the planet is in Kuala Lumpur, on a site where it used to be a race course. It is an icon not only of the city, but the nation. In his dedication speech, “We need a box to stand, as tall as others. This twin tower is the box”. Somehow rather, that day, Malaysians have arrived as a group of people to be reckoned with.

In the final analysis, observe where the common Malaysians have been placed throughout the past 28 years. They say, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. The standard of living and income per capita says it all. The number of Malaysians, especially in previously under developed and deprived communities being allowed education all the way and ability to get jobs (which include MNCs - something previously unthinkable) contributed immensely on the household progression. The number of unit trust schemes introduced since 1981, also illustrated the progression. The number of private cars owned, even in far flung rural areas also shows it all. The socio-economic transformation of Malaysians, especially the majority is significant, despite the challenges it faced being in a very complex multi pluralistic society and external variables.

Of all these, promoted Malaysia into being the 17th most important trading nation in the world. By far, the Mahathirism era brought upon progress to all of us and this beloved tanahair. If Dato’ Seri Najib wants to bring back all of the progress brought along during the ‘Mahathirism’ era, so it shall be then.

As they say, the truth would eventually prevail. To those who were skeptical, how everything turned out in the end shows it all. Justice Ian “Boot Camp Judge” Chin had to throw in his towel.

The Star has this piece:

Friday October 31, 2008

‘Boot camp’ judge resigns

KUALA LUMPUR: A High Court judge who revealed the existence of a boot camp for judges back in 1997 has tendered his resignation and will leave office on Dec 1.

Datuk Ian Chin wrote a letter to the King on July 16 to resign and went on leave on Aug 21.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah said this in reply to Tian Chua (PKR - Batu) who asked whether the Government had taken steps to investigate the accusations made by Chin against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

With Chin’s resignation, there was no need to investigate the matter, said Murugiah.

Earlier, Murugiah told Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (BN - Jerlun) that the Government did not intend to make representation to the King to put Chin before a tribunal.

On July 15, several MPs, while debating on the Judges Remuneration (Amendment) Bill, criticised Chin in the Dewan Rakyat over his war of words with Dr Mahathir.

Some questioned his revelation, made only after Dr Mahathir had stepped down, and some called for him to be sacked for being “judicially immature”.

It prompted Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to intervene. He asked Karpal Singh to read out Article 127 of the Federal Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Order 36(8) to remind MPs not to debate on judges’ behaviour unless a substantive motion was moved with the consent of 55 MPs.

In June, Chin caused a stir when he claimed that Dr Mahathir had made a thinly veiled threat against judges at the Judges Conference on April 24, 1997.

He claimed Dr Mahathir had threatened to sack judges who failed to deliver judgments to his or the Government’s liking.

Chin had also said that Dr Mahathir was dissatisfied over his unwillingness to award astronomical sums in damages in two libel suits in 1997, and that “errant” judges had been sent to a boot camp in an “attempt to indoctrinate them to hold the view that the Government’s interest was more important than all else”.

Dr Mahathir, in his blog, said the judges were never sent to a boot camp.

When this sensationalized story was brought up by this attention seeking judge, lawyer Matthias Chang responded. He made a Police report against Chin. The one time political secretary to the fourth Prime Minister even dared the Chief Justice to step up and tell the truth on what Chin had claimed.

Then Tun Dr. Mahathir himself called for Chin should be investigated in a special tribunal, at a purposed press statement, in his wonderful private office on the Level 86 of Tower One, KLCC, to tell his story.

This is definitely great news for all.

Regardless, the special tribunal to investigate now citizen Ian Chin should continue, despite his premature departure from the bench. Let the truth be told, like how it should have been; on the stand. Let the judge be judged. Then, we all will get our fair share of what people like Ian Chin supposed to do, instead of being a sensational pseudo politician. The decision he made with regards on cases he personally had vested interests must be exposed.

Another thirteen million Ringgit question ought to be asked here, where is the Bar Council in this? Will these loud minorities behaving like a righteous majority and monopoly on opinion, take their usual apparent biasness stance and put up a really flimsy justification, again?