PSM condemned Lim KS for sickening & untruthful views

Malaysiakini:

Stupid argument! PSM sees red over Kit Siang's Venezuela comparison

PSM excoriated DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang for stating that if Pakatan Harapan did not win the last general election, Malaysia would have become the Venezuela of Asia.

“Stupid argument by Kit Siang. It looks like his views are sickening and not truthful,” said its deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan in a statement this evening.

He pointed out that Venezuela is facing a US-led economic sanction, which has crippled the South American nation.

“This is because the US does not want to see Venezuela's socialist model spreading in Latin America.

“Based on UN indicators, Venezuela's social welfare and poverty eradication improved significantly because it took control of its oil revenue previously controlled by US companies,” he added.

However, Arutchelvan said this revenue was not used to enrich its leaders but rather to provide free education and healthcare for the people.

“This kind of initiative cannot be stomach by the US as well as a neoliberal like Kit Siang.

“Petronas' CEO earns a massive income and they run private hospitals instead of helping the poor. This is really sickening,” he added.

The PSM leader censured Lim for echoing US and Western leaders who are seeking to put their candidate in power in Venezuela through undemocratic means.

According to Arutchelvan, comparing Malaysia under former premier Najib Abdul Razak to Venezuela is far-fetched.

“Kit Siang should try to resolve the internal issues within Harapan, the power struggle (in the coalition) and its unkept promises before making such blatant comparisons,” he added.

In a statement earlier, Lim said Venezuela was once the richest country in Latin America and the world but is now a poor and bankrupt state due to a terrible political, socio-economic and humanitarian crisis.

The DAP leader argued that if Najib was re-elected, the latter would have turned Malaysia into Venezuela and the “Sick Man of Asia.”

Brat should control his lil' johnny

FMT:

Syed Saddiq tak perlu terusik dengan reaksi keras Syed Husin

Syukri Razab

 -

September 30, 2019 4:34 PM

Saya terbaca jawapan balas Khairuddin Abu Hassan dan Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, terhadap Syed Husin Ali, Timbalan Pengerusi Majlis Penasihat PKR berhubung teguran beliau terhadap Dr. Mahathir Mohamad yang dilihat masih berbolak-balik dalam isu tempoh transisi jawatan perdana menteri.

Saya memuji keberanian Syed Saddiq untuk menjawab kritikan Syed Husin walaupun bagi saya kenyataan Syed Saddiq itu hanyalah teknik kilasan yang tidak menjawab titik pertembungan yang sebenar. Tidak hairan jika Syed Saddiq begitu mahir menggunakan teknik kilasan ini memandangkan beliau memang seorang pendebat yang hebat.

Saya kira satu-satunya respons balas yang wajar Syed Husin berikan kepada Syed Saddiq dan Khairuddin ialah setiap manusia mempunyai hak kebebasan bersuara dalam sebuah negara demokrasi seperti Malaysia. Namun apakah wajar Syed Husin menjawab serangan Syed Saddiq dan Khairuddin secara ilmiah?. Jawapannya ialah tidak perlu.

Kritikan Syed Husin berhubung sikap berbolak-balik Mahathir dalam isu transisi perdana menteri memiliki merit yang jelas. Semua orang boleh melihat bagaimana Mahathir tidak pernah memberi jawapan yang pasti mengenai proses transisi ini. Mengapa begitu sukar dan apa sebenarnya yang menghalang Mahathir daripada berbuat demikian? Apakah ada pengampu di kiri dan kanan Mahathir yang sedang bimbang mereka akan hilang segala kemewahan jika Mahathir melepaskan kuasa?

Bagi individu yang rajin membaca dan menyoroti kisah panjang perjuangan Syed Husin, pasti akan merasa lucu melihat gelagat manusia seperti Khairuddin dan Syed Saddiq. Bukanlah bermakna Syed Husin itu sakral dan tidak boleh ditegur, tetapi manusia seperti Khairuddin dan Syed Saddiq perlu berpada-pada dan lebih berhati-hati dalam menjawab kritikan Syed Husin Ali.

Untuk melabelkan kritikan Syed Husin Ali dengan terma sabotaj, pembohong, tidak sabar dan tangan-tangan ghaib, hanya memperlihatkan betapa rakusnya kamu sebagai pengampu Mahathir untuk terus mengampu.

Syed Husin Ali merupakan tokoh senior dalam perjuangan reformasi yang memang terkenal sejak dahulu dengan kelantangan beliau menyuarakan pandangan. Malah beliau juga merupakan seorang pemimpin yang tegas dalam PKR. Banyak perkara pernah dikritik beliau sama ada di peringkat dalaman parti mahupun secara terbuka. Beliau telah menulis hampir 20 buah buku yang menyentuh banyak perkara termasuk isu-isu di sekitar kepentingan dan masa depan masyarakat Melayu.

Tak perlulah Syed Saddiq begitu terusik apabila Syed Husin membangkitkan soal Mahathir sukar untuk dipercayai. Bagi seorang senior yang pernah merasai sepak terajang politik dalam beberapa era sebelum Syed Saddiq dilahirkan, Syed Husin ada hak untuk berkongsi kerisauan beliau.

Syed Saddiq perlu lebih jujur

Syed Saddiq juga perlu lebih jujur dan objektif dalam memahami kritikan Syed Husin. Janganlah ditanggapi kritikan Syed Husin itu sebagai tangan ghaib yang mahu mensabotaj kepimpinan Mahathir.

Walhal isu transisi perdana menteri ini bukanlah rahsia dalaman Pakatan Harapan. Persoalan ini jugalah yang sering diajukan kepada Mahathir dalam banyak wawancara terbuka yang beliau hadiri. Oleh itu Syed Saddiq tidak perlu merasa resah gelisah jika persoalan ini terus dibangkitkan kerana jawapan yang pasti masih gagal diberikan.

Saya bersetuju dengan Syed Saddiq berhubung rakyat hari ini dahagakan pembaharuan yang menaikkan kualiti hidup mereka dan realiti yang perlu Syed Saddiq akui ialah perkara ini masih belum terlaksana seperti yang dijanjikan. Apalah gunanya berbicara gah di pentas-pentas antarabangsa jika rakyat di negara sendiri masih mengeluh dengan beban sara hidup yang semakin tak tertanggung.

Rakyat membuat perubahan yang berani pada 9 Mei 2018 bukan kerana mahu melihat para pemimpin kerap berjalan ke luar negara, tetapi rakyat mahu pemimpin mereka benar-benar melaksanakan janji.

Kerajaan Pakatan Harapan perlu membangunkan impian rakyat agar impian tersebut boleh dirasai dan dinikmati, bukannya sekadar memainkan cerita-cerita hebat seperti bayang-bayang yang hanya boleh dilihat tetapi tidak dapat disentuh. Inilah kesilapan Barisan Nasional yang tidak boleh diulang oleh Pakatan Harapan.

Atas dasar ini, saya juga sependapat dengan Husin Ali senior agar proses transisi perdana menteri ditetapkan segera agar Anwar Ibrahim mempunyai cukup masa untuk meneruskan dan menyegerakan agenda reformasi yang benar-benar rakyat perlukan.

Syukri Razab adalah Setiausaha Angkatan Muda PKR.

Threat to re-jail Anwar Ibrahim a la 1998

Malaysiakini:

Dr M's stalwart warns of 1998 repeat, may campaign to block Anwar

Khairuddin Abu Hassan, a stalwart of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, today claimed that PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is unworthy to lead the country and suggested that he may go on a campaign to block his rise.

He said this in response to PKR veteran Syed Husin Ali who had criticised Mahathir for not committing to a clear transition plan and questioned if Pakatan Harapan leaders were no longer capable of standing up to the prime minister. 

"I want to remind the fools in PKR not to go overboard. Don't be insolent.

"The reality is Anwar is unworthy to lead race, religion and country.

"For now, I will only make a general statement. Wait for a suitable time and I may come forward to explain to Malaysians why Anwar should not be given space to lead the ummah in our country," he said in a statement.

Khairuddin (above) was the coordinator of the Citizens' Declaration which marked the beginning of a convergence between government defectors and the opposition in 2016, culminating in the formation of Bersatu and its entry to Pakatan Harapan that came to power in 2018.

He later left Bersatu for unknown reasons but contested in the 14th general election last year under an Amanah ticket.

Even though Khairuddin is no longer formally associated with Bersatu, which Mahathir leads, he has consistently attacked Mahathir's critics.

He warned Syed Husin to watch his mouth, warning that there may be a repeat of the "dark incident" in 1998.

Mahathir had on Sept 2, 1998 sacked Anwar as deputy prime minister and subsequently had him jailed on sodomy and corruption charges.

'Ubah' gullible guppies outfoxed by Mahathir

NTH:

Big Trouble In Little Putrajaya Awaits

By AATHI SHANKAR

TUN Mahathir Mohamad won’t handover the premiership to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in May 2020 as promised.

Previously, according to Pakatan Harapan (PH) arrangement, Mahathir was scheduled to handover the reins to Anwar after serving two years as the country’s 7th Prime Minister (PM7) from May 9, 2018.

But the 94-year-old is now making a new promise that he would only step down before the next general election (GE15), which is due in 2023.

He has reneged his earlier two-year promise made before GE14 and has made a new one.


Promises

One should note that since returning to power as PM7, Mahahtir, who ruled Malaysia for 22 years (1981-2003) as PM4 with an iron fist, hardly kept his promises.

He has even stated that election promises are not a holy book that one shall adhere with, drawing widespread criticisms and sneers.

To believe his promise is like believing that an elephant can hang over a cliff with its tail tied up with a rope to a tree.

PKR was originally formed as Parti Keadilan Nasional on April 4, 1999 with a strong drive to oust Mahathir from power.

A year before he had sacked then his deputy, Anwar, from his government and Umno after announcing that Anwar would be his successor.

In GE14, 19 years later, Mahathir rode on the same PKR election logo to win back power.

only liars could be so thick-skinned 

Now the nonagenarian again breaks his promise to let Anwar succeed him next year.

Anwar, on the other hand, has said that he expected Mahathir to pass baton next year.

Either way, a major political battle between Mahathir and Anwar looms large in 2020.

It will be a powerful number game based on support of majority parliamentarians.


Vision 2020

The news about Mahathir staying on beyond the two-year promise naturally did not go down well with many PKR supporters and voters.

During the GE14 run-in, many Malaysians who voted for ‘ubah’ (change), thought Mahathir had repented.

They also bought the idea sold to them by PH leaders that they had to use Mahathir to kick out Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).

They also believed in his promise to step down after two years in power for Anwar to take over.

Once Anwar has been installed as PM8, those ‘ubah’ Malaysians thought they would enjoy the real change that they so endeared under the PH government.

Now they are all outsmarted by Mahathir.

They have only themselves to be blamed for being fools and to be fooled.

gullible 

Mahathir’s Vision 2020 seems to be all about him being in power not about the nation’s prosperity.

Sermon

During GE14 campaign, detractors and critics of Mahathir had told Malaysians umpteen times never to trust the veteran politician.
They were told “Mahathir will never give it to Anwar”.

They were told that their hatred against Umno-BN was driven by Mahathir’s previous 22-year hardline rule.

Mahathir is a shrewd schemer ala Machiavellian.

He loves power and, will deploy and justify any dirty tactics to win power.

He loves to utilise the power to the fullest and use it to manipulate anything or anyone.

He has the tendency to divide and rule the people along religious and racial lines to consolidate power and position.

All these attributes of a Mahathir regime were preached like a sermon to the ‘ubah-maniacs’.

Unfortunately, the ‘ubah’ Malaysians turned deaf and blind.

They simply didn’t want to listen.

They were single-minded about voting back Mahathir to power.

Now they cry foul.

Major PH election promises were not kept.

The premiership would not change hands in 2020.

Mahathir is here to stay.

What Anwar and his supporters going to do about in next few months?


Tussle

Of course, it’s not Anwar’s birth right to become PM8.

But surely he will detest to be conned out from the premiership succession for the second time in two decades after been promised by the same man.

A big trouble in little Putrajaya awaits.

Power tussle will rule the day.

Consequently, the nation will be the victim.

People will suffer due to imminent PH intense political bickering.

When two elephants fight or make love, grass will suffer.

The better good life so desired by those ‘ubah’ Malaysians may not happen after all.

HK protesters should wise up - China rules Hong Kong

Extracts from SCMP:

Protesters have made their point, it’s time to stop

From my home in San Francisco, I read on an almost daily basis of the turmoil that keeps escalating in my homeland, and it saddens me.

First off, I wish to commend all the people of Hong Kong for their protests. It takes courage and determination to conduct your marches in defiance of the police and the government. However, your point is made and it’s time to stop before matters get out of control.

China rules Hong Kong, regardless of the two systems. Voting rights only allow citizens to elect the person who will ultimately follow orders from Beijing.

The communist government wants Hong Kong to thrive, which is why its citizens have more privileges than those of their brethren on the mainland. That is about as good as it’s going to get.

If the protests continue, the People’s Liberation Army will intervene and matters will surely get worse.

[kaytee notes: alternatively and more likely, Beijing will stand aloof and let the protesters destroy Hong Kong, at those young brats' own disadvantage]

Congratulations to the people of Hong Kong for all you’ve accomplished, but please consider what might happen if you push things too far.


Gilbert Bagaman, San Francisco

Anwar Ibrahim the Statesman, Mahathir the politician

MySinChew.com:

Power transition vs clash of ideologies

By Dr Zhang Miao

The differences between Mahathir and Anwar are more than just the love-hate relationship between the two men, but also the confrontation of their diverging political faiths

The dust has long settled over the 14th general elections, but there is still no finality to the handover of premiership.

Almost 17 months now and soon the final countdown will start as the clock ticks towards the two-year handover deadline, but the power transition remains a mystery today. The factional fights within PKR will only exacerbate the unpredictability.

The love-hate relationship between Tun Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim has become old memories towards the end of the last century. The split between the PM and his deputy was not just a way for Mahathir to crush his immediate subordinate's excessive political ambitions, but was also a rude solution by a hardline leader to tackle ideological discrepancies.

Early this century, following the expansion of the middle class as well as constant changes to our social structure, the “fair and democratic” cross-community political philosophy began to emerge with “Save Anwar” as its mission. And the Reformasi movement that followed gave rise to cross-community political campaign.

Prior to the May 9 general elections last year, Mahathir and Anwar shook hands under the banner of “toppling Najib”. With overthrowing Umno being the primary motivation force for the reconciliation, sure enough political differences and personal grudges took a back seat.

That said, there are intrinsic differences between the “defending bumiputra rights” communal politics, and the “equality, democracy and liberty” cross-community political philosophy.

The differences between Mahathir and Anwar are more than just the love-hate relationship between the two men, but also the confrontation of their diverging political faiths. And such a confrontation begins to re-surface after the collapse of Umno, as evidenced by the PH government's self-contradictory positions in a number of race-related issues.

It is hard for authoritarian racism to coexist peacefully with the universal values of equality and righteousness. Mahathir will never approve the political appeals of the Reformasi movement, as his autocratic rule was the exact target of Reformasi some two decades back. How possible will he allow the reform pledges of Reformasi to kill his own political legacy? Moreover, how do we expect a political strongman who has never been thrown into the prison unjustifiably to understand the noble meaning of “equality and righteousness”?

As such, the Mahathir-Anwar handover of baton is not just administrative transition but also a transition from one political philosophy to another. What holds things up is not just a man's political ambitions, but ordinary voters who have effective ballots in their hands.

In democratic politics, power is all about the number game. Anwar may have learned to be a little “more patient” by now, but the reality is that the urban middle class that supports his political dream is still numerically inferior to the majority of conservative Malays scattered across plantations and villages. And this is the major reason PH cannot afford to take the risk by decisively completing the handover task.

If Anwar wants to have the upper hand in this tug-of-war, he will have to reawaken the Malay community's “equal rights” political consciousness by way of constantly lifting their socioeconomic levels. Only the emergence of a sizable middle class will fundamentally lend the much needed support for Anwar to ultimately materialize PH's reform agenda.

Anwar's dilemma now is his lack of a powerful middle class that will help him materialize his reform dream of a fair and just Malaysian society, as well as a unified PH strategy to firm up the coalition's support base among majority of the Malays, not to mention the need to tame down the growingly intense factional conflicts.

Besides internal incohesion, PH still needs to deal with real external threats from the opposition. An Umno-PAS alliance that is already expert in racist agendas is now prowling at the gate!

The incoherent reactions of PH component parties over a recent spate of issues such as matriculation quota, Zakir Naik incident and teaching of Seni Khat at vernacular schools, among others, have put everyone in confusion, showing how unprepared the ruling coalition is in the face of aggressive enemies. Mishandling of such sensitive issues will cause a further drain of PH's Malay votes and a further delay in the handover plan, which will unfortunately put things back into a new vicious circle.

The biggest difference between a politician and a statesman lies with the fact that a politician is only concerned about the stability of his administration, while a statesman sets his sights on the nation's future.

Improving the national economy may be the most important political agenda that will unite the nation now. The PH leadership should draw up long-term plans to spearhead the country's socioeconomic development, implement institutional reforms and optimize the education system to fundamentally close up inter-community conceptual differences and income disparities. This is the only way to create a Malaysia for all Malaysians and accomplish the country's total economic and political transformation.

Of course, building up a system is a protracted process but it is hugely beneficial to the country's long-term development. If PH is unable to quickly put itself in a more advantageous position in race-related issues in which it is not an expert, it may lose the next election. But, that is not the end of everything, as it can still stage a powerful comeback after another five years, when Malaysian voters become more politically mature and when they yearn for a government that is firm, decisive and with a macroscopic vision, not an immature PH that is still clueless and divided in the midst of race politics.

Without such foresight and audacity, PH will only dance to Umno-PAS' racist tune and fall into their trap, in the end failing the mandate given by the voters while letting a golden opportunity to build a New Malaysia slip by.

There are unpredictabilities along the road of reform, and indeed it is at times inevitable to avert the destinies of compromises and concessions. Building a New Malaysia will require a statesman who is firm and resolved, not an indecisive politician who cares only about his own political safety.

Honoring election pledges and promises will not only reflect the nobility of a person's characters but also is a form of respect for the voters who have wholeheartedly supported PH.

Indecision over power transition will further arouse internal conflicts within the ruling coalition and tear our society apart, bringing great shame to democracy under the so-called New Malaysia.

(Dr. Zhang Miao is Associate Professor at Xiamen University, China)

Dr Syed Husin: Mahathir, stop lying and tokking kok

FMT:

What 18-hour work when nation is being destroyed, Syed Husin asks Dr M

Syed Husin Ali reminds Dr Mahathir Mohamad that PPBM only has 13 seats in the four-party Pakatan Harapan.

PETALING JAYA: Former PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali has issued a scathing assessment of the Pakatan Harapan administration, saying it has failed to improve the lives of Malaysians as promised during the last elections.

But the veteran leader reserved his strongest comments on Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying the PPBM chairman has been “reigning over others” with his party having only 13 seats in the four-party federal coalition.

He accused the prime minister of “lying” when he told his audience at a forum organised by the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) in New York recently that he had been working 18 hours a day.

“What 18-hour work is this when the country is being destroyed? Does a 94-year-old human being not eat, sleep, bathe, pray or rest? Is this seventh prime minister not human?” asked Syed Husin, who was PKR’s first deputy president following the merger between his now-defunct Parti Rakyat Malaysia with Parti Keadilan Nasional.

He said Mahathir was insulting the people’s intelligence, adding that the leader was the “culprit” behind the current problems.

“It is because of him the Malays and the Malay parties are split. It is because of him the judiciary and government institutions are destroyed and entangled in abuse and corruption.

“It is because of him graft and money politics are widespread until the point the country was almost sold by Najib’s (Razak) kleptocratic government.”

Syed Husin said the leaders who were fighting day and night to protect the people and save the nation have since gone quiet, with voices that once urged the people to rise against the government now singing praises and pander to the prime minister.

He also said the Pakatan Harapan presidential council can request for Mahathir to step down as prime minister, as it is the highest decision-making body to determine when he should resign.

Mahathir, he said, has no power to decide when he chooses to hand over the reins.

“The calls by a few quarters who want Mahathir to stay until the 15th general election prove that they are aware that the presidential council can strip Mahathir of his post at any time,” he said.

Syed Husin said the people were also asking if the likes of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang have had their wings clipped.

He wondered if these leaders were not aware that Mahathir’s political manoeuvres would destroy the agreement made by the PH component parties before the May 9 polls.

Mahathir’s cries of wanting to save Malaysia when campaigning in the 14th general election were “clearly a lie”, he said.

Syed Husin said Mahathir was now focusing on holding on to power, believing that he was the only one who could save the nation.

*********

kaytee notes:

Good on you Dr Syed Husin that's telling it right as it should have been long ago by other boh-laam-pah cowards.

Father, Son & Holy Boe-Hood 

And Dr, you have been spot in saying the likes of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang have had their wings clipped.

As the truth revealed so succinctly by you that 'Mahathir’s cries of wanting to save Malaysia were “clearly a lie”, and the wicked evil man has been focusing on holding on to power'.

Time for the eff-ing Pakatan Harapan presidential council to tell Mahathir to step down as prime minister.

Al Fatihah Allahyarham Ahmad Ton

MM Online:

DAP veteran Ahmad Ton dies

BY DANIAL DZULKIFLY

Ahmad Ton had held various positions within the party such as DAP Johor state chairman and vice-chairman and was even appointed to the party’s Deputy Secretary-General post from 2004 to 2008

Picture by KE Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — Senior DAP leader Ahmad Ton has passed away, his party has confirmed. He was 70.

DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong conveyed his condolences at the passing of the party stalwart, who died today.

In a media statement, Liew said that Ahmad will be remembered for his “strong will” to fight for a better Malaysia.

“The journey of DAP in the former Barisan Nasional fortress of Johor was never easy for our veterans. Being a Malay in DAP in the previous Johor political milieu was doubly hard for Sdr. Ahmad Ton.

“It was Sdr. Ahmad Ton’s strong will and a warrior’s pursuit of permanent struggle for a better Malaysia that paved the way for Pakatan Harapan to finally win nationally and in Johor in 2018.

“My deepest condolences to Sdr Ahmad Ton’s family for their loss. And, on behalf of DAP, I am deeply grateful to Sdr. Ahmad Ton for his loyalty, service and sacrifices.

“Thank you, comrade, and farewell, my friend,’’ he said

Ahmad Ton had held various positions within the party such as DAP Johor state chairman and vice-chairman and was even appointed to the party’s Deputy Secretary-General post from 2004 to 2008.

He was also a long-time member of Johor DAP state committee and has been the party’s central executive member from 1982 to 2012.

He had contested in elections since 1982 and had contested seats such as Tanjong Piai and Labis.

“Since his maiden attempt standing for election in 1982 until 2008, Sdr. Ahmad Ton fearlessly contested the most difficult of seats (including former Barisan Nasional strongholds Tanjong Piai and Labis). Those years were the darkest hours for DAP, but Sdr. Ahmad Ton firmly stood by the party,’’ added Liew.

Valiant in his blue amidst a red-white sea
Striding courageously through thick & thin
Magnificent efforts he made for prosperity
Do we even know what his legacy has been

None of PhD, DSc nor the new mighty MBA
Just his heart, soul and dedication he gave
In his old party's new glory what did he say
Nary a word, as quietly he went to his grave

I recall he did mention Malaysian Malaysia
Quite many years back with some sadness
An ideal he had held for long and very dear
But failed to see that sweet dream manifest

All that no longer matters as he very bravely
Strides forth into a world to be with Allah swt
Whilst others venture into the Hall of Valkyrie
Ahmad Ton, Al Fatihah, our hero, our matey

For a Malay pioneering most courageously in the un-Malay world of DAP politics, he was amongst sterling company like Ahmad Nor, Che Rose Abdullah & his son Yeop Adlan, my Penang lang Zulkifly Noor and many others. 

Though Liew Chin Tong eulogised charming and comforting words in his obituary for Ahmad Ton, I wonder how many DAP members appreciate and hold dear the magnificent efforts and sacrifices of Malay pioneers who dare(d) to buck mainstream Malay politics to join the DAP.

I wonder whether Lim Kit Siang has the courage of Ahmad Ton to face his greatest (real) challenges, speak up bravely and not succumb to his greed and avarice for power and remain quietly as a mouse, and to do the rightful things. Be like Ahmad Ton.

Dr Syed Husin laments supra-ethnic Islamic PMIP metamorphoses into super-Melayu PAS

FMT:

Syed Husin laments the narrowing of once-progressive PAS

Ainaa Aiman

 -

September 28, 2019 9:56 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Sociologist and veteran politician Syed Husin Ali spoke today of how the spirit of PAS has been reduced from the nationalism and social fairness at the time of its early leader Burhanuddin al-Helmy, and narrowed to religion and antagonism towards others of PAS today.

“During the time of Burhanuddin, PAS was quite progressive. There was an aggressive spirit of nationalism and acknowledgement of social fairness for other groups – other religions and other races and such.

“Now it is so different. The spirit of nationalism spirit has been reduced, the religious aspects are too narrow and antagonism towards non-Muslim and non-Malay groups is strong.”

He said the new alliance between PAS-Umno, sealed last week, would further amplify their Malay and Muslim-centric characteristics.

Although PAS claimed to be inclusive, having non-Malay wings within the party, Syed Husin said they had no voice. The non-Malay chapter was no longer as much included in party activities as before. Many had left because of the current direction of the party.

Syed Husin Ali, sociologist and PKR advisor.

Syed Husin was speaking to reporters after a forum on remembering Burhanuddin al-Helmy’s contributions in history. Burhanuddin was president of PAS from 1956 to 1969, when it was known as the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party.

He replaced Abbas Alias and was eventually succeeded by Mohd Asri Muda after his death.

Under Burhanuddin, PAS was seen as being anti-colonialist. It was said during the forum today that he had succeeded in bringing the party forward with his progressive ideas. He was also often characterised as being left-wing.

According to official records, his leadership was interrupted in 1965 when he was jailed for a year under the Internal Security Act for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Malaysian government, to replace it with one that was more friendly to Indonesia

Syed Husin said Burhanuddin should be remembered as proof that there were other historical icons besides those from Umno, who had fought for Independence.

He called for greater open discussions on “alternative history” that spoke of Burhanuddin’s full contributions (that are not officially recognised).

“Not to say that history should be re-written, but it should be reviewed, and if necessary, history should be made into one that is more balanced – not sided to one party. It must tell the story of all parties, not just one political group or race.”

How suspected Pakatan cronyism sabo Yeo Bee Yin

Malaysiakini:

Giving Tadmax RM3.5 billion power project is atrocious

OPINION  |  P GUNASEGARAM

Published: Today 1:21 pm  |  Modified: Today 6:02 pm

QUESTION TIME | Why would someone choose a property developer, and a relatively small one at that, Tadmax Resources, with a market value of RM227.3 million to undertake a massive RM3.5 billion, 1200MW project to become an independent power producer (IPP) to supply Tenaga Nasional?

Well, the current Harapan government squarely placed the blame on the previous BN government which had, in August 2016, announced the award through the Energy Commission via direct negotiations.

Inexplicably, after a review, the new Harapan government handed back the project on a platter to Tadmax, although there are many reasons why the project should have been nixed.

First, in August last year Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin said that Malaysia’s electricity reserve margin will hit 46 percent if Putrajaya does not proceed with the planned cancellation of certain new IPPs.

That effectively means that it has a reserve capacity of 46 percent above what it requires for power, a very high rate. She had earlier said that Malaysia could afford to cancel more projects as it already had a sufficient reserve margin of 30 percent.

She had indicated that cancellation of the projects will involve more than four new IPPs in total, but will be less than the prime minister’s suggestion of reviewing eight IPPs, all of which were awarded through direct negotiations by the previous government.

Thus, the acceptance of Tadmax’s proposal and its continuance, especially since Tadmax is badly qualified to undertake such a project, comes as a major surprise and indicates an about-turn by the government.

In fact, news reports, subsequently denied by Tadmax, said in February this year that Tadmax did not get the project after four other IPP contracts had been cancelled.

The four other contracts cancelled were announced by Yeo (above) in October last year in Parliament following a question. They included a 700MW power plant project by Malakoff Corporation Berhad and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), the 1,400 MW power plant by Aman Majestic Sdn Bhd and TNB in Paka, Terengganu, the 300-MW combined gas engine power plant project by Sabah Development Energy (Sandakan) Sdn Bhd and SM Hydro Energy Sdn Bhd at the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Sandakan, and the 400-MW solar energy quota to Edra Power Holdings Sdn Bhd for the development of a solar energy plan.

The cancellations were because of non-compliance of conditions stipulated in the offer letters from the developers.

“In future, any company that wants to be involved in the power sector should only go for open tenders because that would be the way it is from now on. In open tenders, the price is usually competitive. The direction is very clear. [This is] only [about] the new IPPs because our reserve margin will hit 46 percent if we do not cancel some of them, and they do not give a competitive price,” she added.

Thus, it came as a surprise to the market, despite a rising reserve margin, that the 1,000-1,200 MW large project by Tadmax still went through, although it did not include any big name in the power sector and did not have any expertise in the power sector. Which is the second reason why the project should not have gone to Tadmax.

In the absence of a proper explanation from the government as to why the go-ahead was given for Tadmax, there can be any number of speculations.

The previous BN government, when it announced its award to Tadmax in August 2016 through the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, said that Tadmax’s 60-acre tract on the island off the coast of Selangor was deemed suitable for the location of the power plant as about 45 percent of the country’s electricity demand came from the Klang Valley, according to a report.

It was further reported that Tadmax had South Korea’s state-owned utility Korea Electric Power Corp (Kepco) as its technical partner, and Selangor state-linked Worldwide Holdings Bhd as its strategic partner.

Under the terms of their respective agreements, Kepco would hold 25 percent of Tadmax Indah Power Sdn Bhd, Worldwide, 35 percent, and Tadmax, the biggest portion of 40 percent.

This smacks of a classic patronage arrangement under which Tadmax was given the contract without any competing bids, obtaining expertise and connections by sharing the contract with others.

Tadmax’s major shareholders seem somewhat indeterminate. Reports say the previous major shareholder, Anuar Adam, has sold most of his 26.43 percent stake, held with his deputy and son Aldillan Anuar, in the company, leaving a residual of just 2.79 percent.

Shareholder lists currently indicate that the largest shareholder of Tadmax is Kok Boon Kiat with an 8.21 percent stake and Tan Kak Seng with a 7.2 percent stake. There is a string of other small shareholders. This could have been done to mask the real beneficial shareholders of Tadmax.

This is yet another indictment against the government decision - awarding the contract to a company which does not seem to have a strong list of shareholders.

Given Tadmax’s inexperience in the industry, it is extremely unlikely that Tadmax would be able to submit a competitive bid that will ensure the successful completion of the bid in an open tender.

One has to also wonder if the participation of the Selangor state government via Worldwide Holdings may have helped to tip the balance in Tadmax’s favour, which if it has, indicates an unwholesome favouring of a state entity.

Finally, an equity partnership with a foreign utility company is rather odd, when the clear better partner would be local utility Tenaga Nasional, which also produces electricity and is a partner with some IPPs. That would have helped ensure the successful completion of the project according to the power purchaser Tenaga Nasional’s requirements.

Whichever way one slices, dices and mashes it, the inevitable conclusion is that this deal is unconscionable and should never have taken place. It is an example of rent-seeking - the manipulation of public policy for profit - at its worst.

It is a wonder that the Harapan government has allowed the deal to go through after proper and due review, and is yet another factor showing that the reform agenda that Harapan has promised in its election manifesto is severely under threat from people who are very powerful and have the ears of the top leadership.

It is a return to the bad old days of the IPP awards during the current prime minister’s previous terms when lopsided contracts were forced upon Tenaga Nasional to make not just millionaires, but billionaires.

We are still reeling from this and the Harapan government compounds it by awarding the contract to Tadmax!

Finally, it is a blight upon an upcoming youthful DAP minister - Yeo Bee Yin - who so far seems to have no answer for this atrocious decision which her ministry has to take responsibility for.

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P GUNASEGARAM laments the still rather poor way in which contracts are awarded and deals made - an absolute lack of transparency, good governance and accountability - in the so-called new Malaysia. He is editor-in-chief of business publication Focus Malaysia.