A new leader mired in accusations
ONE could certainly say that Najib Razak was born to be Malaysian prime minister. He is the son of Abdul Razak, the second man to hold that job following independence from Britain, and the nephew of his successor, Hussein Onn. Elected to parliament aged 23, on his father’s death, he rose to become deputy to the present prime minister, Abdullah Badawi. However, Mr Najib, expected within months to become the country’s sixth post-independence leader, will enter under a cloud of allegations, including ones linking him to a murder case, all of which he categorically denies. But some Malaysians will be wondering if he is a
fit person to lead them.
Facing a revitalised opposition, in an election earlier this year the governing coalition, led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), lost the two-thirds majority it needs to change the constitution. Since then, the knives have been out for Mr Badawi. Despite his efforts to cling on he is being forced to quit next March.
The contest to succeed him as party president, and thus prime minister, at first promised to be lively. But party officials, fearful of the challenge from the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim (a former UMNO deputy leader), chose to hang together rather than hang separately. By November 2nd Mr Najib had won enough nominations to block his only rival, Razaleigh Hamzah, a former finance minister, from getting on the
ballot-paper.
Like Mr Badawi before him, Mr Najib comes to the job promising reforms, including of the system of preference for members of the ethnic-Malay majority for state contracts and jobs. Mr Badawi achieved little,
though he allowed a bit more freedom of expression than had his predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad. Expectations for Mr Najib are lower still. It is possible, notes Edmund Gomez, a political scientist, that
he will use the worsening economic outlook as a pretext for reverting to Mahathir-style repression.
Mr Anwar has failed to carry out his threat to topple the government through a mass defection of parliamentarians. Even so, there is a palpable FIN DE ReGIME air around UMNO. Mr Badawi, Mr Mahathir and
other leaders are publicly lamenting how corruption and cronyism are rife in the party. But his opponents say Mr Najib is hardly the man to restore confidence. In the latest scandal to which they are linking him, the defence ministry (which he oversaw until recently) has deferred a big order for helicopters following questions about their high price. A parliamentary committee this week cleared the government
of wrongdoing, but admitted not investigating whether “commissions” were paid.
In an earlier case, a company the opposition claimed was linked to Razak Baginda, an adviser to Mr Najib, was paid juicy fees for services provided over a contract for the purchase of French submarines. A
Mongolian woman, said to have worked as a translator in the negotiations, was shot dead and her corpse destroyed with explosives in 2006. Mr Razak was put on trial over her killing, along with two policemen. The case has dragged on for months and seen various odd goings-on, including changes of judge, prosecutors and defence lawyers at the start of the trial. A private detective signed a statutory declaration implicating Mr Najib, retracted it the next day, saying it had been made under duress. Calls by the victim’s family for Mr Najib to testify were rejected. On October 31st the judge ruled that the prosecution had failed to make a prima facie case against Mr Razak.
The policemen’s trial will continue. A blogger who linked Mr Najib’s wife to the case is on trial for criminal libel. None of this, however, seems likely to interfere with Mr Najib’s accession to the prime minister’s job. A bigger threat may yet emerge from the resurgent opposition and Mr Anwar, who nurtures a long-thwarted ambition to take the job himself.
So, do Malaysians want a baggage to run this nation? All along it has been said that there is nothing special about this man except that he is the son of former Prime Minister. He has not proven anything along his career as a politician apart from just playing safe and taking advantage of the position that he is holding on.
With such tainted image, what are in store awaiting Malaysia internationally. But sometimes we wonder what have happened to the Malays especially the UMNOPutras, but even those in MCA and MIC and other leaders in the BN coalition are not doing anything at all. Are they all on the take or coward? Will they remain silent in the next 2 months? Or is it that they don’t care as long as their interests are well protected and the rakyats and the nation can always take the backseat. It is so confusing as to what is the truth and the people and the nation are badly injured and to add salt to the injury, the behavior of certain civil servants and government agency are suspected of not being professional but a mere running dog and mired with issue of integrity.
With the worsening global economic outlook, Malaysia is set to be affected and yet we have baggage ready to assume power. So what is the future? Can we just rely on the opposition to do the job? Yes or No and for this the people of Malaysia and the political parties from both side must make a stand, do we want baggage to lead this nation. Ask yourself? Do your prayer and may be a special “Sunat Hajat” need to be done all over Malaysia to seek GOD guidance and his protection.
March 2009 is fast approaching and do we have a choice?
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Talks of reforms.How much trust can we poor people have on him as the new pm.eg,calling for the privatization of ijn and now on hold only.
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HAS AZMI THE PAC CHAIRPERSON CONSIDERED THE BELOW FACTORS?
MAINTENANCE
Airod has been providing repair and overhaul services to RMAF since 1973 for the S61A-4 Nuri helicopter. This covers the heavy maintenance on the structural integrity and the General Electric T58-100 series engines overhauls. The Air Force has invested in huge quantities of spare major air frame components and engines on this aircraft.
1. What will happen to the RMAF ASSESTS worth millions of Ringgit when the S61A Nuri is withdrawn from service?
2. How will Airod sustain its income when a considerable amount has been slashed away by withdrawal of Nuri from active duty?
Having said above, the average Total Air Frame hours of the S61 Nuri fleet is 9000 hours which is relatively very low since its induction in 1964 for this robust work horse. MHS has been operating the S61N derivative since Bristow handed over the off shore operations to the local management. They operate with a fleet of eight (08) helicopters and few of these helicopters are believed to exceed more that 50,000 hours. Their near zero accident rate is something that the county should be very extremely proud of.
In the mid 1990’s, there was a modification carried out on the Nuri helicopters by Airod to enhance the operating capability in bad weather. A color radar system was installed and is visible from the nose of the helicopter. This factor does not conflict with the findings of the Board of Inquiry conducted by RMAF that the last crash was not due to mechanical error. You know the answers from the inquiry it self.
OEM
When Sikorsky decided to discontinue production of S61 helicopter and it was categorized as `Out of Production’ aircraft. Sikorsky has designated two FAA approved companies in USA to continue support for the S61 helicopters in terms of spares availability and the overhaul services.
1. The question here is when MHS ( local company ) and other above mentioned countries are operating the S61 helicopters comfortably, why the need for the Air Force to discontinue or slim down the usage of this magnificent and dependable helicopter?
The continual usage by so many above countries is a testimony of the helicopter for its durability and the multiple roles it is suitable for and hence not to mention the age.
PAC
1. In the first instance, does PAC appointed team or so called Chair person has any in depth knowledge in Aviation?
2. Are they appointed just to fill the vacancy for this inquiry?
3. Why the great Chair person did not consult or seek information from the Brazilian embassy or its Government on the criteria to purchase the?
4. Why was there no press release from the French Government or the Eurocopter office here to provide the justification on the cost of the helicopter?
5. Are we preparing or anticipating for war at this time of economic recession?
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Agreed with the comments made by Mr. Amir. In fact there are many more things not revealed. I am sorry to say that the PAC team was taken for a ride by the RMAF and the Defense ministry staffs during the short inquiry conducted on the super fantastic eurocopter.
PM in waiting has the answer, the chairperson and members of the PAC are lazy to find out the truth, useless bunch of MPs. There must be some hanky panky going on, “pokok tak bergoyang tanpa angin” It is shameful that even the Forces top brass in this country is questionable.
National interest? Personal interest, service before self or self service. No body is taking the responsibility but instead the deputy Defense Minister is still trying to justify. What a clown!
Baggage- all over in this nation.
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Ibrahim kassim @ republican Reply:
December 27th, 2008 at 11:24 am
The problem with this beautiful country of ours,umno/bn politics have been so ingrained and integrated in all the system of government that for the past 50 years the public except, for the few, are not able to discern the difference between the political party in power and the government. All heads of Ministries/senior government officials are politically ‘appointed’ and whose prime motivation in their services are oriented to please the Minister of their respective ministries at whatever the costs. The real professional needs of the ministry/department falls lower in priority compared what the minister expects. It is going to take a long time to make the folks in the street to realize this. This mission to educate the public must go on at all costs and must not be allowed to simmer down.
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Najib has been having too good a time in his political trip. He HAS NEVER stood for any contest against anybody in UMNO. All the posts were handed over to hin.
He is so tainted with blood on his hands.Whatever denial he issues will never clear the Rakyat’s suspicions on his involvement in the Murder case unless investigations ARE conducted by FOREIGN EXPERTS rather then our Umno Police !!!
He should also answer as to WHY and HOW he and the Fat Millionaire Lady wife know and met Saiful at their home !!!
The PM’s post is not for UMNO to decide. Its totally wrong for Badawi and Najib to decide the PM.s as if its a post for them thats decided by their fathers….a real joke.None of the UMNO’s goons have realised that All the PM’s of Malaysia are all Pendatangs….
Rahman……..siamese
Razak…….. bugis
Hussien…….Turkish
Mahathir……Pure Indian
Badawi……..Chinese
and almost 90% of the the cabinet ………..hahahaaaa
ONLY DSAI….is a REAL MALAY….Anwar for PM !!!
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When I go overseas, I will tell my friends I am from Singapore… I am ashamed to be from Malaysia with a PM that has so many scandals linked to him. Moreover, Singapore also everybody knows, Malaysia have to explain to them, so might as well say I am from Singapore, malulah!
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mahathir jr Reply:
December 26th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
if you feel ashamed to confess you are malaysian, better you go to NRD and change your citizen. dont waste our paper to print out your name
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mahathir jr Reply:
December 26th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
for those who play racial issue like devan ang batu feringgi…watch your mouth…
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Khalid Jaafar Reply:
December 27th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Suka sekali saya membaca jawapan seperti ini. Sungguh menguntungkan Umno. Elok kalau hunus keris sekali!
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Najib wants to help malays in other countries! this guy squandered all credibilities to rule this nation and now, he is out of focus too! Is he trying to become the prime minister of malays in the surrounding islands? Or is he trying to to resurrect the Majapahit empire?
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PM should be chosen from one who can enjoy the confidence of the majority of parliamentarians.One who can walk tall and must not carry any baggage.May be a national referendum to pick a PM we all can be proud of!
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I cant trust Najib for being the next PM..They speeches he made were all mere puns…
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I can’t trust Anwar either. He is from the same school. I can only imagine if nothing would have happenned to him years ago. He probably would be the same as them. The fact is that Malaysian lacks of leader who is not a politician playing only politics, but a true leader who can make us strong and proud
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ANAK MALAYSIA Reply:
December 27th, 2008 at 5:18 am
but u must remember who beat ANWAR IBRAHIM IN JAIL BACK THEN 10 YEARS AGO?
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@ Lim Chong Mow: If Anwar is the same as them, he wouldn’t have been sacked and got “fitnah” by Mahathir. It is because he is against Mahathir’s ideology which is why he is sacked. Mahathirism is the source of Malaysian’s failure today.
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Got this from one of my friend who serves as a teacher. Dengar khabar, arahan telah diberi kepada sekolah-sekolah agar tidak mengutip atau membangkitkan isu yuran sekolah sehingga habis pemilihan UMNO Mac ini.
Motifnya? Aii, mestilah ada seseorg yg takut dia akan kalah bertanding nanti … Ooo … sebelum pemilihan tak boleh cakap, tp lepas pemilihan,lantaklah – nak gaduh ke, nak komplen ke, nak mengeluh ke, nak julang keris ke, nak julang parang ke, nak protes naik basikal ke, naik beca ke, naik lori ke lantak lah … Dia dah menang. Peduli apa dia ….
Macam gini punya attitude pun ada ye? Tak heranlah aku tengok ada isu-isu pendidikan di Malaysia ni yg tunggang langgang …
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I do not know Najib personally but I do not trust him. I can clearly tell from his interview about the allegation of his involvement in a murder case that he was not telling the truth.
I did not enjoy the history of Anwar. His political misfortune and the jail term should have changed him, partially at least if not completely. He is not likely to be a great Prime Minister if he ever has a chance to do so. I still thank God and Anwar for creating a two-party system. Without an viable alternative such as the PR now, the UMNO and BN government will soon bring Malaysia to the middle of pacific ocean. BN government had not the slightest respect of the people whenever and whatever they decided to do. That seems to be changing, at apparently.
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meyesal pangkah PR !!!
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mh Reply:
January 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
elok la 2, nyahkan ulat2 yg mcm mat jenin3 ni..!!
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is there a better alternative? tell me n tell e’body else. is there?
an acceptable figure that e’body wud rally around, e’body from all races? any one?
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menyesal pangkah BN!!! Dapat org macam najib n rosmah..:/:/
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for me, everything that we heard or read from the media or internet is merely a statement which is merely a personal view or opinion to speculate, sensationalised or slanderous without any proven proof or fact or whatsoever because no others know the real truth except him himself. whatever..i’m tired of hearing all these craps who want to be hero, fighters, smartass whatever. go ahead with your politikus game. i will vote for nobody but me cos i also want to be one of the smartass here.
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