PM: Time to help capable bumiputra companies instead off handing out shares

"Najib, who touched on the topic when opening the Pagoh Umno delegates meeting here Sunday, elicited laughter when he pointed that those who received shares were not ordinary folk but mostly influential people who sat in the front rows at functions such as Tan Sris and Datuk Seris".

>> PM must not forget the small and medium enterprises as well.

Welcome back, Mahathirism - Malaysiakini

>> In the US, the democractic party is nothing similar to our coalition formula. Obama also made some follies when selecting 2 members who did not pay their taxes and bringing in old faces from the previous Clinton administration. Of course US democratic system is exemplary where cabinet appointments and some 7000 political appointments must be agreed by Congress.

The composition of the PR is nothing different than that of BN. If PR is saying they are more race-blind, then why is PR endorsing Hindraf (clearly a racist hate group), why did PAS say it's haram to vote for non-muslim candidates and then flip flop on that, DAP is clearly chinese dominated, PAS with Malays, etc. So if they're so full of it about race being immaterial, prove it by forming a one-party system and open election among the races.

And no, America is not the land of the free if you have names similar to suspected terrorists and you get locked up at the airport for having beards and wearing kupiah. Gitmo?

Quoted from Malaysiakini
New cabinet - 'Welcome back, Mahathirism'
Apr 11, 09 11:20am

‘By not giving Khairy any post, Najib is just inviting trouble. To rub salt into the wound, Mukhriz is deputy minister of Miti.’

On Najib names his new cabinet

Sivaraman: Same old, same old. By not giving Khairy any post, Najib is just inviting trouble. To rub salt into the wound, Mukhriz is deputy minister of Miti. Welcome back, Mahathirism.Malaysia Boleh: ‘Of the ministers, 16 are from Umno, MCA (4), MIC (1), Gerakan (1), PBB (1), Supp (1), PBS (1) and Upko (1).’ Well, can we see any changes here? It is safe to say ketuanan is still being practiced. Look at the ratio, it is just like my working place. Seventy-five percent bumis, 20% Chinese, followed by rest of us at 5%. It just so disheartening.Fifty years ago my father saw this and now I’m still seeing it and so will my children. Well, PKR, it’s time to change. Hear me and hear the people - ‘go for it’.

Rachel Loo: With the new cabinet line-up, I see Bernard Dompok has been retained as a minister. As such, perhaps our YB can now persuade our new PM, in line with his vision of ‘1Malaysia’, to declare Good Friday a public holiday for the Christians in West Malaysia just like in Sabah and Sarawak. Is Bernard Dompok only representing the Christians in Sabah and Sarawak or is he representing all Christians in Malaysia ?

Sang Kancil: Saudara Najib finally managed to get all his men into the system, one which will face a real challenge from the rakyat. If we analyse it properly, some of the senators and MPs who were selected to hold a minister’s or deputy minister's post are basically losers. Meaning to say, they are ‘rejects’. They were either rejected during the 12GE or during the Umno elections recently. Is this what we call democracy? Getting someone rejected by the rakyat into the cabinet is totally unwarranted. Perhaps the BN machinery is punishing the rakyat for not giving them absolute power during the 12GE. Anyway, we the rakyat, are not really worried or bothered about this too much. After all, this may be the last BN cabinet in Malaysian history.

Rahmanizan: Do you know Obama took more than 30 days to find the right people to form his cabinet? Everyone that was short-listed was checked and scrutinised to ensure that they are clean and did not come with any baggage that could put his administration in bad light. He looked for the best, the most capable, the most qualified and ones that were highly regarded to assume their respective posts.And now compare that to Najib's administration. Najib selected his cabinet in just six days and what do we have? Pure politicians! They were selected because they are heads of BN component parties or the leaders of each of the parties’ wing or Umno loyalists. The selections were made purely to appease the political parties.Now you see why America is named the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave whereas Malaysia is Bolehland.

Kabinet Baru

Kita sekarang menanti pengumuman kabinet baru oleh Dato' Seri Najib, Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke-enam. Umum tertanya-tanya, adakah pembentukan kabinet baru oleh Dato' Najib akan mencerminkan hasrat beliau untuk mengubah persepsi dan tanggapan umum mengenai UMNO dan kerajaan Barisan Nasional?

Ramai tokoh-tokoh UMNO yang kalah dalam pemilihan UMNO baru-baru ini, antaranya menteri-menteri kanan seperti Dato' Seri Khaled Nordin, Dato' Seri Utama Rais, Dato' Shahrir, Dato' Seri Azalina dan 4 Menteri Besar. Dato' Seri Sharizat, walaupun kecundang di parlimen Lembah Pantai, telah menang dengan majoriti yang besar sebagai Ketua Wanita. Sama juga dengan parti-parti komponen yang mana kepimpinan mereka kecundang di kerusi Parlimen masing-masing dalam PRU-12.

Kerana dunia dilanda wabak ekonomi yang perit, Dato' Najib perlu menubuhkan pasukan ekonomi yang terbaik dan terhandal tanpa mengira jika ada jawatan di dalam UMNO dan mengaktifkan semula Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi dibawah nasihat pakar-pakar ekonomi, "industry captains" dan negarawan seperti TDM. Kerana darurat ekonomi yang sedang melanda kita, saya fikir Dato' Najib akan kekal sebagai Menteri Kewangan untuk menumpukan sepenuh perhatiannya dalam kedudukan khazanah negara.

Kabinet baru di bawah pentadbiran Dato' Najib mungkin akan mirip seperti yang berikut:

TS Muhyiddin: TPM & Menteri Dalam Negeri

DS Zahid Hamidi: Menteri Pertahanan

DS Hisham: Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (kedudukan yang penting untuk menilai dan mengukuhkan kedudukan ekspot negara ekoran ekonomi yang merudum di arena global, juga mengkaji semula FTA dengan Amerika Syarikat).

DS Shafie Afdal: Menteri Pertanian (dengan gabungan Kementerian Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi), sesuai dengan fokus kerajaan membangunkan Sabah yang berasaskan pertanian dan Sarawak sebagai jelapang padi baru negara.

DSU Rais: dikekalkan Menteri Luar (fokus untuk mendapatkan semula Pulau Batu Putih, menyelesaikan isu Limbang dan lain-lain "border disputes"), walaupun kalah dalam pemilihan sebagai Naib Presiden UMNO, kearifan beliau dalam undang-undang dan kalibernya sebagai menteri kanan masih diperlukan Dato' Najib.

DS Khaled: Menyambung kerja Dato' Shahrir sebagai Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan HEP, memberi pendedahan langsung kepada rintihan rakyat mengenai inflasi dan harga barang terutamanya isu harga dan subsidi petrol.

Tok Pa: Menteri Pelajaran (fokus untuk meneruskan PPSMI). Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi juga digabung semula dengan Kementerian Pelajaran supaya ada "continuity" apabila polisi-polisi kerajaan dilaksanakan di sekolah-sekolah.

JJ: Mungkin kembali sebagai Menteri Kewangan II.

Shaziman: Kekal di Kementerian Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi, MOSTI digabungkan sekali untuk menyelaraskan pentadbiran ICT dan multimedia yang bersangkut paut dari segi infrastruktur.

Dato' Saifuddin: Kenaikan dari timbalan menteri ke menteri penuh kerana memenangi kerusi Majlis Tertinggi dan terkenal dengan penglibatan dalam NGO. Kementerian ini juga patut digabungkan dengan Kementerian Sumber Manusia untuk memantau isu pekerja asing. Isu ini berkaitan langsung dengan pembangunan usahawan dan latihan semula penganggur.

Dato' Sri Zin Mohamed: Kekal sebagai Menteri Kerja Raya (fokus dalam menyelesaikan masalah pembangunan di lereng bukit dan konsesi tol).

Dato' Sri Ong Tee Keat: Kekal sebagai Menteri Pengangkutan.

Dato' Sri Ng Yen Yen: Menteri Pelancongan.

KJ: Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan (sesuai dengan penglibatan beliau dalam arena bolasepak negara)

Dato' Mukhriz: Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran (memberi pengalaman kpd beliau sebagai saf kepimpinan akan datang dan mengatur strategi bagi pendidikan satu aliran untuk masa hadapan, satu elemen penting "One Malaysia")

Tan Sri Nor Mohamed: Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri utk portfolio EPU.

Menteri Kesihatan: Perlu seorang profesional dari bidang kesihatan, mungkin dari IJN.

Timbalan menteri yang akan menjadi menteri penuh: Idris Haron, Lajim Ukin, Latif Ahmad.

Menteri2 lain yang akan kekal: Ismail Sabri.

Pilihan ketara untuk wakil wanita dari UMNO ialah Dato' Seri Sharizat. Kerana beliau gagal memenangi parlimen Lembah Pantai, tetapi menang besar sebagai Ketua Wanita, Dato' Seri Najib akan melantik beliau sebagai senator dan Menteri Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Luar Bandar (gabungan 2 kementerian). Ketua Puteri Rosnah mungkin diberi Timbalan Menteri untuk menambahkan perwakilan wanita dalam kabinet.

Apa yang disampaikan hanyalah ramalan saya. Ini semua terpulang kepada saiz dan bentuk kabinet baru.

Rujukan:

Ahli2 Majlis Tertinggi UMNO 2009

Kabinet sekarang

Politics and economics under Najib - The Nut Graph

Caturan Baru - Pendapat Saya

Jika pembangkang merasakan kepulangan TDM sebagai satu isyarat bahawa UMNO itu sudah lapuk dan ketandusan idea, fikir semula kedudukan Lim Kit Siang dan Karpal dalam percaturan mereka. Kehadiran Tun Mahathir dapat menyemarakkan semula semangat perjuangan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional di bawah kepimpinanan Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang ke-enam. Mereka tahu kedudukan terancam jika UMNO tidak lagi berpecah dan kukuh dibawah kepimpinan Dato' Najib.

Yang penting sekarang ialah percaturan Dato' Najib dalam memilih ahli-ahli kabinet supaya agenda "One Malaysia" beliau dapat dilaksanakan dengan baik. Rata-rata masyarakat menyuarakan bahawa ini akan menunjukkan samada Dato' Najib betul-betul inginkan reform dan bukan semata-mata retorik.

Saya fikir penyelarasan portfolio-portfolio dalam kabinet sesuai dengan peredaran masa.

• Kementerian wilayah persekutuan perlu dimansuhkan kerana berlaku 'overlap' dengan peranan DBKL, Perbadanan Putrajaya dan Labuan.
  
• Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi elok kalau digabungkan semula supaya ada keseragaman dan 'continuity' dalam polisi-polisi pendidikan nasional khususnya PPSMI. Jika inginkan continuity, DS Hisham patut diberi peluang melancarkan perjalanan PPSMI sebelum diberi kepercayaan di kementerian yang lain.
  
• Kementerian Pertanian dan Asas Tani dan Kementerian Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi juga patut digabung dan diberi fokus untuk menjayakan projek kerajaan berteraskan "self-sufficiency" dalam pengeluaran makanan dan justeru mengurangkan jumlah impot negara.
  
• Eloklah juga jika Dato' Najib fokus dalam tugasnya sebagai PM dan melepaskan portfolionya kepada yang layak. Mansuhkan kedudukan Menteri Kewangan II. Tidak salah jika beliau menobatkan seorang tokoh korporat untuk peranan ini.
• Peranan Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Innovasi dan Kementerian Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi perlu diteliti juga. Ini kerana ICT yang diterajui oleh MDeC berada dibawah MOSTI tetapi pentadbiran multimedia di bawah MCMC terletak dalam bidang kuasa Kementerian Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi.
• Mansuh jawatan Menteri di Parlimen untuk menunjukkan "separation of powers" dari bahagian eksekutif di Parlimen
• Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan patut digabungkan sekali dengan Kementerian Sumber Manusia kerana fokusnya yang agak serupa. PATI juga patut ditadbir dibawah kementerian yang baru ini. Hasrat kerajaan untuk mengurangkan bilangan pendatang asing dan melatih semula penganggur2 di negara dapat dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan di bawah satu kementerian. NEP dan juga hak keistimewaan juga patut dipantau oleh kementerian baru ini supaya implementasinya teratur dan tiada ketirisan atau salah guna keistimewaan seperti penjualan kontrak semula dan sebagainya.
• Kementerian Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Warisan & Perpaduan Negara, Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga & Masyarakat dan Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar digabungkan menjadi Kementerian Kesenian dan Pembangunan Masyarakat. Kementerian bukan sahaja akan bertanggungjawab dalam soal warisan dan kesenian, tetapi khusus dalam pembelaan masyarakat dan komuniti. Ketiga-tiga kementerian saya fikir mempunyai teras yang agak serupa.
  
• KDN tidak perlu lagi dipecahkan dua. Yang penting ialah untuk meletakkan seorang tokoh yang mempunyai integriti tinggi dan kepercayaan rakyat. Kerana kementerian ini dianggap sangat berpengaruh dan berkuasa, perlulah seorang yang tahu undang-undang dan dapat berkerjasama dengan pihak PDRM dan sebagainya dengan mesra dan profesional. Tokoh ini juga harus cekap dan fasih dalam menjelaskan polisi-polisi dan tindakan-tindakan kerajaan. Pertelingkahan antara PDRM dan kementerian yang kita saksikan sebelum ini tidak patut diulangi.

Bagaimana pula dengan reform dalam UMNO?

Nota 1: Apa muslihat MCA untuk menggesa Dato' Seri Najib supaya diwujudkan jawatan TPM II? Mana lagi penting, jawatan TPM atau supaya calon2 MCA yang ramai tumbang dalam PRU12 kerja keras untuk mengembalikan kepercayaan rakyat?

Syabas Dato Najib!

Tanpa membazir masa, Dato' Seri Najib, Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang ke-enam telah mengumumkan bahawa beliau akan melepaskan 13 tahanan ISA dan memberi semula kebenaran cetak kepada dua akhbar yang telah digantung lesen mereka. Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri itu juga akan dikaji semula supaya mekanismanya lebih relevan dengan perkembangan masa.

Ini menunjukkan 'signal' yang nyata bahawa DS Najib komited untuk memenangi semula kepercayaan rakyat terhadap kerajaan Barisan Nasional. Langkah seterus DS Najib ialah untuk membentuk kabinetnya yang baru, termasuk hasrat Dato Seri PM untuk menyelaraskan beberapa kementerian supaya lebih efektif dalam mentadbir negara. Justeru bilangan menteri akan berkurangan dan Dato Najib akan diperhati semua akan pilihannya untuk mengisi kekosongan kabinet. Ramai yang tertanya siapa yang akan dikekalkan dan siapa akan dilepaskan. Itu lumrah apabila pertukaran kepimpinanan berlaku. Kita berdoa agar Dato' Najib membuat pilihan yang mantap dan menyingkir pemimpin2 yang kotor dan tidak berkeupayaan.

Jawatan Menteri ini sepatutnya tidak dianggap sebagai sagu hati kepada sesiapa yang telah memenangi jawatan2 dalam parti tetapi harus diberi kepada mereka yang mempunyai kaliber untuk menerajui kementerian tertentu. Banyak isu yang telah timbul sejak kebelakangan ini terutamanya dalam konteks kestabilan politik, ekonomi, projek2 yang diluluskan dan selepas itu dibatalkan kerana desakan ramai, kehilangan pulau kepada jiran dan sebagainya. Oleh itu, pilihan sebagai Menteri lebih penting diberikan kepada mereka yang akan menjalankan tanggungjawab dengan sempurna, bukan sekadar memberi 'reward' kerana setia kepada parti atau telah menang apa2 jawatan.

Tahniah Dato' Seri Najib! Now.... the hard part (Part 3)

DSNR also has to crack the whip as Chairman of Barisan Nasional. Component parties should act like partners and cease making statements contradicting the philosophies and agreed stand of the coalition. Every component leader should respect and safeguard each race's rights in the constitution. Stern actions should be taken for those who disobey. Is disciplinary action in order for SAPP and MCA (some UMNO leaders are at fault too)? We'll see. DSNR should also make his stand crystal clear (and he has made a clear position about the NEP). If he's for it, there shouldn't be any more discussion about it, especially from coalition partners. End of story. Crack the whip Dato' Seri, please.

Reforming UMNO and Barisan Nasional is no easy task. It doesn't even come close in the vicinity of a difficult task. It is extremely challenging but not impossible. This is a coalition in need of serious revamping and rebranding after the huge reduction in parliamentary and state seats that BN used to dominate.

On money politics, we all know what all politicians think of it. Now ACA and the UMNO disciplinary board are working together to nip this problem in the bud. However, the systemic problem remains. The number of delegates for any national or division are too small and easily influenced with promises of cash and positions. It's a 'manageable' number of delegates for contenders with serious cash and moolah. Increasing this number by 3-4 folds would help alleviate the problem for now.

This pandemic problem within UMNO is commonplace. The lack of quality members within the party is also obvious. It is widely known that the 'other side' boasts memberships of professionals, business leaders (should not include cronies who get projects easily from their political friends and end up selling them off to the chinese. It's especially true for those with zero knowledge of the business) and corporate figures with definitely better background. No disrespect intended for members who might be offended with this statement, but it's pretty obvious ("ukurlah baju di badan sendiri" (aspiration should match capability)). Clearly, a sudden injection of bodies would create a shock in the system. It has to be done in stages, which has to be guided and monitored by the party President himself.

We need to be realistic as these individuals won't be swayed with a mere RM500 to vote for joe black, for example. We might scorn the amount, but to some people, that's easy money so to speak. Unfortunately, because of the membership process, it takes months to get a form processed (assuming you're not considered a threat to incumbents within the division). A clear turn off for aspiring candidates and potential asset for the party.

Scrapping the quota system and opening up the race for any position could help curb the problem (if TS Muhyiddin wins uncontested this weekend, it should be his first agenda come March 09). Having a debate between contenders is also healthy to discuss issues and create awareness of the candidate's agenda and aim. The settings and audience can be catered for members first before we are ready to open it up publicly.

There is no doubt money is required for campaigning especially for national-level posts, travel expenses, staff salary, 'duit rokok', etcetera, etcetera. Here's what's funny. In the US, candidates conduct fund raising and the money is channelled for campaigning. It's the opposite here. Candidates normally end up forking out his own money most of the time. Perhaps it is time to make fund raising legal within certain threshold and stop making election a 'business' in the party.

Can we also scrap all the singing in meetings (except for the national anthem)?

Part 2

Tahniah Dato' Seri Najib! Now.... the hard part (Part 2)

The first agenda in order as Prime Minister is to setup a more effective and vibrant cabinet, filled with very, very capable Ministers. The post of ministers should not be looked at as 'rewards' of loyalty to component party members. It should be given with the highest consideration of competence and abilities. The Finance portfolio would surely be closely guarded by the PM himself due to the urgency and heightened importance.

I would suggest streamlining some overlapping ministries to increase efficiency and consequently reduce operating costs. In particular, MOSTI and the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications should be somehow restructured and clustered to specific functionalities and not overlap with each other. While MDec is under MOSTI's stable, MCMC is under the other ministry (perhaps a Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Technology. The US has only 15 cabinet Secretaries governing 260million people). Same with Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Plantations and Commodities. The Federal Territory Ministry should be removed since it creates duplication with the City Hall, Putrajaya and Labuan Corporation. Do we really need both a Cultural Ministry and Tourism? Ministry of Work should be headed and managed by highly competent engineers from the main sectors and disciplines to cease sub-par construction of major projects in this country.

The workforce in the government of more than a 1M-strong workers should be categorized in 3 groups, the top 20, the middle 70 and the bottom 10. The bottom 10 should be cut off from the system and compensated with VSS to increase competitiveness. I reckon this would cause a storm of protests from Government officers, Cuepacs and staff but personally, that would be the remedy to increase competitiveness, integrity and efficiency in the civil service. You either get a mediocre government by being nice to everyone or a more efficient and rewarding one by imposing higher standards. Of course, the high performers should be rewarded accordingly. Similar to a basketball team or other sports, the star players would be playing most of the time, the mediocre would go in and out and the under-performers would be bench warmers or water boys. That should apply in the work place! If this looks really harsh, try 20-75-5. Cutting some excess fat would not hurt.

Having said that, the package for employment should be continually looked at and improved to attract better talents into the massive machinery. This will directly improve how DSNR's policies are carried out. Teachers, soldiers and policemen included.

To be continued.....

(Part 1)

Thanks mylivingwall!

Thanks mylivingwall!

Tahniah Dato' Seri Najib! Now.... the hard part.

First of all, congratulations are in order for Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak for getting enough nominations to win the post of UMNO president without contest. Now that it's over, Dato' Seri Najib (DSNR) has probably begun planting strategies and getting prepared mentally for the post of UMNO president and Malaysia's 6th Prime Minister.

The first thing on the list would be of no surprise, which is to spur the economy due to the massive global financial system meltdown. Capital injections are making headlines in the US and Europe, including rescue packages from IMF for those in need of some moolah. I reckon more money should be channeled to small and medium enterprises to reinvigorate the retail business in the country. I disagree with the proposal to reduce the EPF monthly reduction so that people would have more money in their pocket. Reducing your bird's nest for retirement is not the answer, especially when that money is not even enough! For the poor and the needy, I wonder where we could get data of zakat money distribution in KL and Selangor. Selangor earlier reported of a collection close to a couple of hundred million ringgit. I wonder if zakat collection centers have some sort of an audited report of their yearly distribution. These funds should be able to help out (there is a distinct difference between the poor and the needy, both of which are entitled for zakat).

Urban folks in KL and Penang have not forgotten about the plans to expand the LRT network, increase the number of coaches and feeder buses. This should be implemented immediately and covered in main stream media extensively. Otherwise, this would be the silver bullet in the next general election. The savings from reduced subsidies were planned to be channeled here. The funds utilized in this area should be transparent so that it won't create a ruckus in Parliament and in public forums.

The next agenda should be energy. Malaysia is set to become a net-importer of oil in a couple of years and a clear blue print and implementation of strategies should be set in stone. Whether it's nuclear, biodiesel, electric cars or wind farms, the public should be kept informed (this is a more substantial cover story, rather than covering stories of MPs swearing and calling each other monkeys, who would want to read about that???). Subsidies are not the way to go and it would deprive the Government from channeling that money for better usage. Subsidies blatantly create complacency and lack of competition (isn't that what MCA wants!).

To be continued...

The Lesser of Two Evils (Update 1)

21/9: DSKT's campaign slogan "Pemuda berani" (Courageous Youth). Datuk Zahidi's slogan "Pemuda untuk semua" (Youth for all).

"It is by far the longest general election in the history of Malaysia" as how a friend of mine eloquently puts it. We have cast our ballots in March and we were hotly reviewing the prospects of members of parliaments jumping ships by Sept 16th (DSAI did not mention what year). It was covered extensively in our favorite dailies. Forums and blogs had a plethora of issues and virtues to comprehend and debate. That day passed and life went on for everyone. DSAI had deceived Malaysians yet again. As if it were an adaptation from V-for-Vendetta, he had a date, the masks, the followers, the anticipation, the anxiety, the thrill......but no bomb. Did the summer camp in Taiwan for agriculture enthusiasts do its trick or it was not meant to be?

Perhaps many were hoping for this day because of the disgusts in UMNO politicians as apparent in the so called alternative media (no longer alternative i suppose!). The stereotype is still saturated in their minds. UMNO is still dubbed as the path for the lust of power and money. Election analysis concluded that many young Malaysians voted against the current regime. The keris and the broom made huge impacts on posters and banners. 5 states and 1 territory decided it was time to change.

The question that is begged to be asked is whether it has made any difference in those 5 states. Have the efficiency and 'transparency' increased in the state managements? Have you felt a sudden burst of change in your constituency that it constitutes an absolute gift from heaven itself? Or are your wakil rakyat embroiled in taking over the country by defection of BN MPs and nitpicking previous administration's foil and follies. Some are definitely rookies with zero experience in politics. Has it been better for you? Come 2013, will you pick an inexperienced rookie with a clean slate or a seasoned politician with questionable financial status? Should the rookie be retained for the next 5 terms, would he eventually morph into that seasoned politician we once despised?

The race for all posts including the UMNO presidency is now the hot topic. Beginning 9th Oct, all 192 divisions will commence their meetings to nominate their candidates of choice from top to bottom. Many have labeled the current PM as weak and ineffective as commander-in-chief, others hail him as the champion of liberty and reforms. There are quarters questioning DS Najib's potential and capabilities if he were to become PM despite his vast experience since the late Tun Razak passed away. A branch in Pekan Division had earlier presented their proposal to the division to nominate DS Najib as numero uno. In the end, it would be up to the delegates to decide. Some may say that delegates do not represent the taste and will of the majority of 3 million strong memberships. Then again, these delegates will be elected, so it would be the wish of the majority, some what.

Let's now analyze the race for Ketua Pemuda Malaysia. Dato' Mukhriz had a good start with his direct comments about the current presidency. Many young professionals outside of UMNO admire his guts and wish for change, thus his motto "Berani Berubah" (to be courageous for change). Added to his resume is his father's direct influence, the political immortal Tun Dr Mahathir. He garnered the highest votes during last election for the Exco seat.

KJ, the next candidate, needs no introduction. As PM's son in law, he is both controversial and aggresive. He is also gaining significant support within the ranks. His oratory skills and confidence level are widely known strengths, backed by a legion of high performing young professionals. His campaign buzz word is "Setiakawan" (Loyalty among friends).

Enter the next candidate, DS Khir Toyo, former Selangor Menteri Besar. Has been in gear 7 in campaigning. For him, it boils down to simple, plain, practical, good ol' Malay politics. He has, by far, the widest experience among the 3 strong candidates. There is no motto for this veteran, just hard campaigning to woo the young delegates. Some loyalists said vote for him if you don't want the other candidates. His Achilles's heel will be the loss of the state to the hands of the Opposition but he is no doubt ready with an answer and it's tough to beat that answer. His blog has breached the 1-million mark. Who said he's not popular?

In national politics 6 months ago, it was about choosing rookie candidates and not BN. In the upcoming UMNO election, it will be the test of choosing the lesser of two evils. I could be wrong.

Oh, forgot to mention the 4th candidate.

ISA dan Pakatan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Sept (Hrkh) - Tindakan kerajaan menahan tiga individu di bawah ISA, baru-baru ini dilihat sebagai langkah terdesak BN apabila parti itu menghadapi masalah dalaman, mahupun perselisihan sesama mereka.

"Kami berharap tindakan kerajaan ini bukan merupakan percubaan awal untuk menangkap lebih ramai ahli politik pembangkang dengan tujuan menggagalkan usaha Pakatan Rakyat membentuk kerajaan dalam masa terdekat," kata kenyataan itu.

> Saya pasti dengan penahanan Teresa Kok yang dituduh menghina Islam tidak akan menggagalkan usaha PR membentuk kerajaan dua hari lagi. Bukankah 30 orang MP nak melompat dua hari lagi? PAS juga tak konsisten. Mula2 menggunakan orang bukan Islam untuk bertanding atas tiket PAS. Sekarang membangkang penahanan ISA ini atas sebab BN ingin menakutkan parti pembangkang tetapi tidak menyebut pula bahawa apa yang Teresa Kok buat itu wajar atau tidak (atau pun Tan Seng Giaw di dalam blognya, kononnya azan terlalu bising di Kepong). Selepas itu membuat mesyuarat secara senyap dengan UMNO demi perpaduan orang Melayu. Tambahan lagi dikelar oleh rakan DAP kerana ingin menubuhkan negeri Islam di Kedah! Yang hairannya juga, sejak ahli2 Parlimen PR di Parlimen untuk beberapa bulan lamanya, tidak ada yang membentangkan usul untuk menghapuskan ISA kerana nak tak nak, ianya satu akta yang diluluskan di Parlimen. Mungkin saya ketinggalan atau mungkin mereka nak pakai ISA untuk menangkap orang2 BN pula setelah membentuk kerajaan baru dua hari lagi!

Dulu, YB Salahudin dan Dewan Pemuda PAS menggesa agar konsert Avril dibatalkan. Sebelum ini konsert Inul juga didesak dari pelbagai pihak untuk dibatalkan. YB Salahudin, yang telah berjaya mengumpulkan kononnya satu juta orang ramai untuk demonstrasi memang pakar berdemonstrasi dan berkonsert. Jika ini dianggap elemen2 yang merosakkan, maka YB perlu memboikot saluran MTV dan sebagainya. YB juga perlu mendesak semua hotel2 membatalkan pertunjukan 'live band' yang menampilkan artis2 yang memakan pakaian yang terdedah dan sebagainya.

Senator Dato' Zaid pula menggesa Tan Sri Muhyiddin supaya meletakkan jawatan sekiranya beliau tidak setuju dengan tarikh peralihan kuasa. Kenapa beliau tidak memberi ulasan mengenai kenyataan Timbalan Perdana Menteri? Beliau pula nak letak jawatan kerana tidak setuju dengan penggunaan ISA. Bila nak letak jawatan? Katanya, beliau juga 'bosan' kerana di Bahagian pun tak dapat pencalonan.

Tentang azan ini, dah lama dipertikaikan. Orang2 di Kepong, Kg Tunku dan tempat2 lain telah membuat petisyen untuk menghapuskan azan di kawasan mereka. Petikan dari blog Tan Seng Giaw:

"As with all Muslim suraus, the prayer room at Taman Aman Putra, has five muezzin's calls for prayers a day, 365 days a year. In our multireligious society, all people must accept religious practices and traditions of various religions, including the calls for prayers. Those who do night shifts and young children would appreciate if the volume of the early morning calls can be turned down".

"DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Malaysian Department for the Advancement of Islam (Jakim), Prime Minister's Department, to interpret the meaning of azan (a Muslim call for prayer by a muezzin) in the Koran.

A religious issue is often very sensitive, more so in a multi-religious society such as Malaysia. Hence, we have to handle it with extreme care.

On 27 September, 2005, I spoke in the House on the complaints by non-Muslims of azan being too loud especially the call at dawn. Then, some newspapers carried the news with titles such as 'People should not raise the azan issue' (Bertita Harian)."


> Yang hairannya orang Islam sekarang takut bersuara. Mana taknya, sehinggakan di persatuan2 alumni pun tak pertikaikan apabila membuat bar untuk minuman keras di bangunan alumni. Mungkin sebab orang2 Islam sekarang lebih liberal. YB Zulkifli yang menegakkan agamanya dikeji oleh rakan2 seperjuangan apabila Majlis Peguam mengadakan forum terbuka mengenai memeluk agama Islam. Ramai sangatkah orang2 di Malaysia yang bermasalah tentang penganutan Islam?

Kalau berlaku lagi insiden May 13, bukan kerana kerajaan yang menghasut, tetapi sememangnya masyarakat Malaysia sudak tidak bertoleransi.

Transition plan

Both Dato' Seri Najib and Dato' Seri Hishamuddin have expressed their views about listening to the grassroot. Earlier, Tan Sri Muhyiddin stated his disagreement with the power transition plan to DS Najib in 2010, saying that it was too late to make reparations for UMNO to face the next general election in 2013. DS Ali Rustam backs DS Najib that the grass root should decide when the transition plan should happen. DS Rais also agrees that the grass root should decide. So why did Senator Zaid Ibrahim single out TSMY?

As one former UMNO leader said to us younglings, "Malays like leaders with guts". Prepare for October!!