Sunday, August 30, 2015

Priority now is saving Malaysia - not freeing Anwar?

The priority now is Malaysia, and it is sad that some Opposition MPs is setting conditions like freeing Anwar. It was also sad when some Opposition wanted to distract all of us, as they sought to challenge the validity of the last General Elections - their allegations seems to be, amongst others, that BN had spend more than was permissible by law during the last General Elections. 

For me, the priority now is and must be to save Malaysia - to save our dropping Ringgit - to clean up the government and also the Government-Linked Company. We must also assure everyone that 'All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law'  - this means that if our Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who had unexplained large amounts of money in bank account/s under his name should be immediately investigated and prosecuted for corruption. Najib is not above the law...and just because he is our powerful prime Minister - he cannot escape the consequences of breaking the law. Of course, the guilty will most times have their own explanations and excuses... but, this will have to be decided in court. Guilt or innocence certainly should not be decided by persons under the influence of the 'Prime Minister'.

Remember, that under our MACC Act, once it is proven that the person has received 'donations', etc.., the presumption arises that the gratification has been corruptly received - hence the onus of proving otherwise falls to the accused. The court will then judge. If the alleged suspect says that he is innocent - that is not enough. Neither, is it satisfactory if his party people says so, or even a member of the Cabinet says so when the suspect is the Prime Minister - as it is the PM that decides who is in the Cabinet and who is kicked out. Neither, is it sufficient for any Ministry or any department/agency under the said Ministry headed by a Cabinet Minister to say he is innocent. To settle, this once and for all, Najib must be charged in court, and let the courts decide on his guilt or innocence.

Can or should PM Najib be investigated and/or charged for corruption? What does the law say? - Just an opinion

PM Najib says he has been cleared of corruption claims, but many, including the Bar, may disagree?

Bar says not the time to indulge in side issues - investigate corruption allegation against Najib first?

The other aspect that has been tarnished is the whole system of administration of justice. The removal of the Attorney General, the going after whistle blowers, the transfers, investigating those involved in the investigation, the termination and threats of deportation, ...all has affected the perspective of the administration of justice. 

When it was recent revealed by one of those convicted, who exhausted all avenues of appeal, that Mongolian Altantuya was murdered by reason of orders or instructions of some other, the stance taken of not wanting to re-open the case and investigation was most embarrassing. If one is accused of murder, naturally the best thing to do is keep quite - further saying that I killed someone because I was ordered(or asked) to kill by some other is no defence, so keeping quite until all appeals were over - and then speaking out is reasonable. Malaysia should have opened the investigations again to catch any other who may been involved and punish them in accordance with our law..Was the decision not to investigate Sirul's alleged claims too hasty? Information about crimes, even if hearsay, should be investigated?

We also recall the corruption cases involving 'allegedly connected personalities' - there was no conviction in the said cases because of, amongst other, prosecution's failure to call material witnesses. Kasitah Gaddam & Eric Chia - Prosecution's failure to call witnesses - Was it just incompetence OR....?

All these have affected the perception of the operation of law in Malaysia, but recent events following the allegation of RM2.6 billion in Najib's account has tarnish perception even more.

The other concern is 1MDB, and even the other GLCs. -  Why 1MDB and other GLCs is a concern that Malaysia needs to resolve?

Our Prime Minister's handling of the issues have also been bad - he should come clean with Malaysia now. He should have really done this at the very beginning when these allegations came to light, and , many of us may have accepted his explanation. But, alas his lack of transparency and honesty from the very start may have hurt him and also Malaysia. Now, for the good of Malaysia, Najib may have to resign as Prime Minister. 

Many of Najib's cabinet, in attempting to defend the innocence of Najib, is also tainted. - Zahid Hamidi should not have met 'alleged donors'- 'interference with on-going investigation'? 

Sadly, we may also have to remove the new Attorney General - bringing back Ghani Patail, or getting someone new maybe from the AG's chambers?  3 Task Forces since March on 1MDB? What remains? Should the AG resign for the good of Malaysia?

For the time being, until the next General Elections, maybe all the Members of Parliament should come together and decide on a new Prime Minister, maybe even a joint-goverment of BN and Opposition. It really should not be about 'staying in power' or 'coming into power' BUT about taking a necessary interim measure to save Malaysia. Can our MPs and political parties demonstrate the maturity needed - or will they still be trying to push their own and their parties self-interest?

For the new Prime Minister, maybe best to choose an MP, who is not one the main leaders of the political parties. Political parties and their leaders have an important role of 'check and balance' to ensure whoever is PM does not get distracted from the primary objects.  

 

 

Opposition sets conditions to back Najib's ouster


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The opposition has offered to help BN MPs secure a new majority to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's government if certain conditions are fulfilled, which includes freeing jailed former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

This was mentioned in a joint statement by DAP, PKR and Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB).

"The MPs from DAP, PKR and GHB are prepared to discuss the proposals by MPs from BN to form a new majority to replace the government of Najib Abdul Razak, with political reforms as the core agenda of the new government.

"The release of Anwar and all other prisoners of conscience should be one of the first tasks to be performed by the new majority.

"All political persecutions should also be rescinded," the DAP, PKR and GHB said in a joint statement today.

This was decided at a meeting of MPs from DAP, PKR and GHB in Parliament yesterday.

The political grouping also decided on two other matters - to endorse the Bersih 4 rally this weekend and the terms of participation in Najib's political financing reform council.


Electoral reform proposal

For participation in the national consultative council on political financing, they agreed to participate on condition that Najib's mysterious RM2.6 billion 'donation' into his personal bank account is first resolved.

Furthermore, the opposition also wants the reform agenda to expand to electoral reform and give independence to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission.

The joint statement was signed by Lim Kit Siang, Loke Siew Fook, Teresa Kok, Liew Chin Tong and Teo Kok Seong for DAP; Rafizi Ramli, Johari Abdul, Wong Chen, Sim Tze Tzin and S Manikavasagam for PKR; and Kamaruddin Jaafar, Hatta Ramli and Khalid Samad for GHB.

1 comment:

stoopygoon said...

The priority here is not one issue that is saving Malaysia. BUT to sweep all the issue in one go. So don't place the race card not the uniform bodies in equation but all as MALAYSIAN. No race, religion, politic and so on. Only a bloody fools will follow a bloody fools like Birds of the same feathers flock together.