This country like many others which recent history can tell should now go for massive adjustment in order to remain salient and outstanding, as we proudly claim.
Nonetheless, we must submit to the fact that it would certainly takes time for the serenity and stillness to stand upright with tolerable degree of political decency.
Indonesia had gone through rough and uneven tribulations for more than 10 years after the downfall of Suharto, who had been loitering in the Presidential Palace for more than 30 years with iron-fist rule.
After India, Indonesia has turned into another great democracy in Asia, after the Indonesian has realized that ruling by flexing political muscle is not sustainable when the rakyat are cogently and lucidly crying for revolutionary changes in that great nation of more than 250 million population.
To the mind of concerned citizen, Malaysia is no exception from the rising call for an accurate and straightforward democracy as our politics of late are obviously in topsy-turvy, proving to everyone that the strong model of democracy that has been friendly to us now turn sour.
Our fore fathers had been repeatedly reminding us to take good care of the systems and values we adopted, by being honest and without a breath of personal glorious intention and put our hearts and soul forefront for the nation’s sake.
When our leaders of past decades tried to run the country with the intention to create personal legendary history, by fouling the system and values, the environment clearly changed.
The rakyat then slowly became divisive in perception of things, and the originally intended purposes were waywardly short-circuited and shift of directions became unambiguous.
By convention the President of UMNO becomes automatic Prime Minister, and a strong President would command strong and impeccable mandate from the people.
But that has become history. A strong and unanimously elected President has ceased to enjoy the support of the masses, as UMNO itself has been mutilated by its leaders for the past 2 decades through unprecedented intra-politics within the party.
UMNO is swiftly meandering towards massive defections of its own members in the ballot box in the next General Elections intended to be called in 2013.
The huge party membership means nothing anymore in electing their ruling line-up, and for now UMNO’s fate is very unpredictable, but the mood on the ground reflects that the party is at incurable stage.
A large number of its members have ceased to take pride being members of the party and subsequently lost the sense of ownership of their own struggle and it happens not without reasons.
The members have used up all reserved patients after seeing all the shenanigans and monkeyshines of their leaders, more so towards those in the government in particular the Cabinet line-up.
The critics within the party are not welcomed; in fact they take offence and brand the critics as insubordination to the party and government and quite a number were sent in prison under Internal Security Act (ISA).
As for now the people have already made decision in their mind and in order to circumvent the fall, UMNO in particular has to accept in humility of its irrelevance currently, and should strive on by adopting drastic changes in its approach to the adversities in place.
Everyone in UMNO, the top leader in particular should earnestly be prepared to sacrifice personal feelings, glory and advantages in place, for tranquil political state of affairs.
The old and the young, the veterans and the reigning ones and astute personalities should be sitting with clear minds minus prejudices towards individuals or groups and make the proposed conclave a success and consequential.
Rakyat on the street like me will just be waiting for positive outcome for permanent reconciliations and formula based on provisions and spirit of our Federal Constitutions.
If this endeavor is not set in motion, the prediction that BN/UMNO is approaching its terminal death in perpetuity, would become reality.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is just waiting as an alternative to us and we can’t blame the rakyat switching their allegiance from UMNO/BN as the parties within that coalition (PR) are legally registered political organs.
Voting for any other party other than UMNO in any election, is never a crime, as some of us in UMNO perceive.
Just can’t imagine when there will be scanty UMNO representatives then sitting on the opposition bench across the floor in Parliament, exactly the same row where DS Anwar Ibrahim currently sits.
For those who are still in deep love with UMNO would then be in despondency, and it will more hurting for them if the switch of seats are with DS Anwar Ibrahim and his party.
If that seriously happens, UMNO will cease to be a premier political organization of consequence, as it will be relegated to the same fate of HAMIM and BERJASA, or to the best it will be within the class and wavelength of current GERAKAN party.
Thanks……………………………………………………Aspan Alias
14 comments:
You are right bro,
I was in Indonesia for a while and the political will for the Indonesian are strong to see changes.
They are more open than us here and they are transparent as well.
Now the Presidential Elections is coming round the corner and all candidates have to declare their wealth and the candidates are funded by the government.
Very gentleman and no exchanges of foul words like we do here.
TQ
Aspan,
Ginilah! Tidaklah salah kau bercerita dengan penuh tawadhuk tentang keresahan orang ramai.
Tidak usahlah kau tegur orang UMNO ini kerana mereka dah hilang punca.
Tidak usahlah kita tengok UMNO ini memerintah lagi kerana mereka tidak tahu yang mereka itu salah.
Tidak usahlah kau bela parti UMNO yang jumud ini sebab mereka tidak boleh keluar lagi dari kejumudan mereka.
UMNO gunanya ialah untuk merosakkan umat.
UMNO sudah jauh lari dari perjuangan asal mereka.
UMNO memberi masalah kepada rakyat melayu yang macam kau dan aku dan ramai lagi.
Aspan, kau tetapkan iman perjuangan. Dalam UMNO orang macam kau tak akan kemana.
Aspan, dalam UMNO mereka suka orang yang bersikap burung balam, menganggok kehulu kehilir.
Aspan, kalau kau masih sayang kepada UMNO bermakna kau tak sayangkan diri kau sendiri.
Aspan, kau buat istiqarah, kau buat tahhajut kau minta petunjuk, lepas itu kau buat keputusan.
UMNO ini bukan parti yang boleh menerima orang yang berfikiran.
UMNO hany untuk mereka yang suntuk pemikiran.
Cukuplah setakat ini sebagai taskirah selepas magrib.
Yang kau ni macam mana dah magrib?
Jangan ashik menulis sahaja, sembahyang jangan ditinggalkan.
Selamat!
Mr Aspan,
I have been with BN all the way.
Now suddenly I realize that I am among the few who supports BN.
What happen? Am I alone with BN?
Bro, I am actually outdated.
dear roni,
you are not alone in BN and not to worry bro.
you have najib razak there, you have muhyiddin there, you also have ali rustam, you have mat taib, you have rais, tee kiat, you have khir toyo you have azeeez rahim and who else ya?
I think thats all. ya, thats all!
the rest are with me in PKR and PAS
i will let you know if i can remember other names in bn, ok roni?
oh ya there is another guy in bn....ASPA ALIAS!
Roni,
There is another one in BN. Her name is Azalina
She/he is single you know. You have got a number alreadylah. Don't worry BN will win with these people around Roni.
Joke aside, I am going for PKR or PAS
for the first time in PU13.
Thank you.
I tend to agree that BN is now in a fix.
I am very sticky to comment but one thing that truly worries me is the tendency of worsening racial harmony that you have been emphasizing.
BN honestly have real problem and so far nobody has come up with solution.
Dato Seri Najib may be arm twisted as he is still in a search of solution.
Dear Aspan,
http://blog.thestar.com.my/permalink.asp?id=14297
Monday, May 19, 2008
Regarding the late Tun Sardon Jubir - he was proper brilliant
Posted by: engleberthumpadink
I've just finished reading the biography of a truly great man. And yet now I've finished I feel nothing but sorrow as I look at the people that run the country now.
Tun Sardon was a man of the people, ok he felt more affinity for the Malays, as he was a kampung boy himself, but the Tun Sardon Foundation that still bears his name was started to help the poor and disabled from all races, without prejudice.
This man lived and died for Malaysia, his hard work and lifetime of sacrifice produced benifits that each and every Malaysian still feels the effects of now - he was a key player in the Merdeka movement, he personally visited every single hospital in the nation and made sure they were all improved, he oversaw the construction of Stadium Merdeka, the building of the E-W highway, expansion of Port Klang and Penang port, improved telecommunications here, was the UN envoy and pushed forward the development of Penang whilst governor, as well as being involved in charity projects and visiting a different masjid every week in order to be always with the rakyat and hear their problems.
Here was a man of the people, by his own admission, a man. He came from humble kampung roots - his father worked hard and got together enough money to send him to London to study, even though Sardon was elligable for a grant.
Tun Sardon worked every hour god sent as a student, then as a lawyer and after that as a politician.
He never stood there with his hand out saying, "where's my one?" he made sure that what he got was earned through hard work, long hours, sweat and campaigning.
And yet, when he died, he died in debt. Why? Because he gave it all away to those who were less fortunate.
Would you believe a government minister giving it all away to the poor and needy?
Hmmm, let's have a look at those so called "elected reprasentatives" who are currently driving the country off the proverbial cliff, would they give away any of their millions?
Would they give away all of it?
Ha ha ha
Where have all the Tun Sardons gone?
Where have all the educated politicians gone?
Where has all the kindness and compassion to all races and religions gone?
Where have the "elected" leaders who care about something other than their own power and pockets gone?
Will we ever see his sort again?
I sincerely hope so
Dear Aspan,
A frank discourse by a bumiputra of Malaysia.
LEE KUAN YEW : AT 85 , THE FIRE STILL BURNS
BY *AHMAD MUSTAPHA
*The writer is a nephew of Dr Mahathir.
Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, who was Singapore 's founding father, has always been very direct in his comments. This was the man who outsmarted the communists in Singapore (with the innocent help of Malaya then and the willing help of the British) and who later outwitted the British and outpaced Malaysia in all spheres.
Singapore practices corrupt-free meritocracy and Malaysia affirmative action. The former attracted all the best brains and the latter chased out all the brains. The Singapore cabinet consists of dedicated and intelligent technocrats whereas Malaysia has one of the most unwieldy cabinets. Not only that, brain wise it was below par not even good for the kampong.
With that kind of composition, one that is very brainy, naturally Singapore , with no natural resources could outstrip Malaysia in every aspect of development. Malaysia , on the other hand, was too much preoccupied with its Malayness and the illusory 'Ketuanan Melayu' and was also more interested in useless mega iconic development rather than real social and economic development.
Whenever Kuan Yew utters anything that deemed to be a slight on Malaysia , voices were raised admonishing him. Malaysia would never dare to face reality. That Singapore had shown that it could survive was a slap on those who believed that Singapore would fold up once it left Malaysia . Therefore it was natural that these doomsayers would try to rationalise their utterances to be in their favour to combat on whatever Kuan Yew commented. Its political jealousy.
Singapore achieved its development status without any fanfare. But here in Malaysia , a development that was deceptive was proclaimed as having achieved development status. It was trumpeted as an achievement that befits first world status. This was self delusion. Malaysians are led to believe into a make believe world, a dream world. The leaders who themselves tend to believe in their own fabricated world did not realise the people were not taken in by this kind of illusion.
Lee Kuan Yew believed in calling a spade a spade. I was there in Singapore when the People's Action Party won the elections in 1959. He was forthright in his briefing to party members as to what was expected of them and what Singapore would face in the future. Ideologically, I did not agree with him. We in the University of Malaya Socialist Club had a different interpretation of socialist reconstruction. But he was a pragmatist and wanted to bring development and welfare to the Singaporeans. Well! He succeeded.
Malaysia was so much embroiled in racial politics and due to the fear of losing political power, all actions taken by the main party in power was never targeted towards bringing wealth to all. Wealth was distributed to the chosen few only. They were the cronies and the backers of the party leadership to perpetuate their own selfish ends.
Seeing the efficiency and the progress achieved by Singapore caused the Malaysian leadership to suffer from an inferiority complex. That Malaysia should suffer from this complex was of its own making.
In a recent interview, Kuan Yew said that Malaysia could have done better if only it treated its minority Chinese and Indian population fairly. Instead they were completely marginalised and many of the best brains left the country in drove. He added that Singapore was a standing indictment to what Malaysia could have done differently. He just hit the nail right there on the head.
Malaysia recently celebrated its 50th year of independence with a bagful of uncertainties. The racial divide has become more acute. The number of Malay graduates unemployed is on the increase. And this aspect can be very explosive. But sad to see that no positive actions have been taken to address these social ills.
Contd....2
Contd....2
Dear Aspan,
Various excuses were given by Malaysian leaders why Singapore had far outstripped Malaysia in all aspects of social and economic advancement. Singapore was small, they nationalised and therefore easy to manage. Singapore was not a state but merely an island.
There was one other aspect that Malaysia practises and that is to politicise all aspects of life. All government organs and machinery were 'UMNO-ised'. This was to ensure that the party will remain in power. Thus there was this misconception by the instruments of government as to what national interest is and what UMNO vested interest is.
UMNO vested interest only benefited a few and not the whole nation. But due to the UMNO-isation of the various instruments of government, the country under the present administration had equated UMNO vested interest as being that of national interest. Thus development became an avenue of making money and not for the benefit of the people. The fight against corruption took a back seat. Transparency was put on hold. And the instruments of government took it to be of national interest to cater to the vested interest of UMNO.
Enforcement of various enactments and laws was selective. Thus a 'palace' in Kelang, APs cronies and close-one-eye umno MPs could exist without proper procedure. Corruption infested all govt departments, the worse is the police and lately even in the judiciary.
Singapore did not politicise its instruments of government. If ever politicisation took place, it is guided by national interest. To be efficient and to be the best in the region was of paramount importance. Thus all the elements like corruption, lackadaisical attitude towards work and other black elements, which would retard such an aim, were eliminated. Singapore naturally had placed the right priority in it's pursuit to achieve what is best for its people. This is the major difference between these two independent countries.
Malaysia in its various attempts to cover up its failures embarked on several diversions. It wanted its citizens to be proud that the country had the tallest twin-tower in the world, although the structure was designed and built by foreigners. Its now a white-elephant wasting away. It achieved in sending a man into space at an exorbitant price. For what purpose? These are what the Malays of old would say "menang sorak" (hollow victories).
It should be realised that administering a country can be likened to managing a corporate entity. If the management is efficient and dedicated and know what they are doing, the company will prosper.. The reverse will be if the management is poor and bad. The company will go bust.
There are five countries around this region. There is Malaysia , and then Indonesia . To the east there is the Philippines and then there is that small enclave called the Sultanate of Brunei.
All these four countries have abundance of natural resources but none can lay claim to have used all these resources to benefit the people. Poverty was rampant and independence had not brought in any significant benefits to the people.
But tiny Singapore without any resources at all managed to bring development to its citizens. It had one of the best public MRT transport systems and airlines in the world and it is a very clean city state. Their universities, health care, ports are among the best in the world.
It is impossible to compare what Singapore has achieved to what all these four countries had so far achieved. It was actually poor management and corruption, and nothing more. Everything is done for the vested interest of the few.
Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines and the Sultanate of Brunei need good management teams. They would not be able to do this on their own steam.
I would advise that they call on Kuan Yew to show them what good governance is. Why look East to Japan when it is just next door across the causeway.
Brother Aspan, I hope this explains it all.
Cheers.
I f Najib starts giving concessions on demands of some quarters Malays in total will leave him.
We have given a lot of concessions.
And if does not find the solution now, he must quit and give the leadership of UMNO to anybody respected by all races, anybody young or old and treat that move as his sacrifices like what Aspan said.
If he sticks, to his position, the risk of the Malays losing their everything is great.
Is Najib prepared to see historians writing his disservices to his race?
Be honest, nobody in the cabinet or UMNO supreme council can take the mantle.
Do not wait until its too late.
Thank you Aspan for the forum.
See you in your next posting.
Aspan, yg paling 'legetimate' bagi najib lakukan ialah untuk mendapatkan mandat rakyat dengan memanggil pilihanraya umum.
Adinda Aspan,
I am grateful to the almighty because I can still browsing some blogs despite being a 66 year old man.
I have been reading your writing selectively for past 2 weeks and I am happy that your are in the old order of UMNO.
That is the safest line to follow if you resist to be one of the accountable lots for today's bad taste in the party.
You understand the real ascents of the party, unlike many of them now.
You may not rise but I am sure you are happy and proud that you are not one of those who allows the party to fall apart.
I see that you are hard and uncompromising over pertinent issues that are important to defend.
I would like to tell you this; I was a secretary to one UMNO Division and I resigned in 1985 when I saw Dr Mahathir was trying to dismantle a lot of things that were important for the Malays.
I was disgusted.
Syabas, I should say for being very clear in your thoughts which you pen it in your blog.
Terima Ksih.
Najib himself is in the defective system. How could he improve the struggle. Impossible.
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