12 proposals for parliamentary reform and modernization

In 2004, I had made 12 proposals for parliamentary reform and modernization for Malaysia to have a “First World Parliament” not only in infrastructure, but mindset, culture, practices and performance.

These 12 proposals for First-World Parliament should be adopted as the parliamentary agenda of both the Barisan Nasional and the Opposition in the 12th Parliament when it convenes for its first meeting in May, viz:

- live telecast of parliamentary proceedings;

- daily two-hour question time;

- Prime Minister’s Question Time twice a week;

- Opposition MP heading the Public Accounts Committee (PAC);

- some 30 specialist Parliamentary Select Committees with a Select Committee for every Ministry;

- about ten general Parliamentary Select Committees to produce annual reports on progress, trends and recommendations on national integrity, IT, women’s agenda, environment, mass media, corruption, etc;

- allocation of certain days a week specifically to deal with Opposition business;
research and constituency staffing for MPs;

- an Opposition Deputy Speaker;

- modernization and democratization of Standing Orders;

- code of ethics for all MPs;

- Ministers’ Parliamentary code of conduct.

The political tsunami of March 8, 2008 general election is an unmistakable mandate and demand for far-reaching changes in Malaysia after 50 years of nation-building, including the creation of a vibrant, vigorous and truly representative First-World Parliament.

At the meeting of PKR, PAS and DAP leaders in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night, I had proposed that PKR President Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail be the Parliamentary Opposition Leader of the new Parliament until Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regains his full civil liberties and is re-elected to Parliament, and the proposal was agreed by the leaders of the three parties.

DAP MPs and I will give full support to Azizah and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz who is now fully responsible for parliamentary affairs, to turn the Malaysian Parliament into a First-World Parliament – as it is better to be late than never.

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Do not disturb Penangites' peace

Do not disturb Penangites' peace

Concerned Penang Citizen | Mar 19, 08 4:13pm, Malaysiakini.

I refer to the Malaysiakini report Umno holds one-hour protest at Komtar.

Elected by Penang people, the Chief Minister YB Mr Lim Guan Eng is the overall head of the state of Penang; and therefore the security of the state must come under his control. Although this newly formed state government allows the freedom for peaceful demonstrations, Umno and its leaders should not raise sensitive racial issues while doing so. We the people of Penang of all races condemn such actions.

I refer to the SMSes that some parties are planning to hold to hold a rally/demonstration at the Penang State Mosque tomorrow. Are they trying to stir the communities’ feelings?

The BN Government has been denied the chance by the people of Penang of all races to rule the state of Penang in the recent 12th General Election. As is our right, we demand that they leave the running of the state to our elected representatives; and do not hold whispering campaigns in mosques to disturb the peace enjoyed by Penangites.

Recently, Umno party members had demonstrated at Komtar in Penang. Wasn't this an illegal gathering without a police permit? And wasn't it ‘not their culture’ to do so? How come the police allowed the demonstration to proceed? This was unlike the Hindraf rally on Nov 26 when police's brutality was the rule of the day. Is our PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the BN Government practicing double standards here? If so, what a shame that Malaysia ruled by Umno is a disgrace to the international community.

Aggrieved Tun Dr Mahathir urges Ku Li to challenge Adullah Ahmd Badawi!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Aggrieved Tun Dr Mahathir urges Ku Li to challenge Adullah Ahmd Badawi!

Tun Dr Mahathir aggrieved with the political situation urges Ku Li to the rescue!



Ku Li can engage the Malay opposition when facing common enemies!




Hey people!

My deep cover source in Pak Lah's camp confirmed that this prime minister is feeling it so bad already to realize that his one wish to resign will not and can never be achieved, but unless he "drops" dead!
"He is so, so afraid of his inner circle that he cannot even dare to utter the word resign," this source said. I was also told that when he found out Ku Li was going to mount a challenge him at the next Umno elections he started to wheeze.
Other reliable source also told me it was Tun Mahathir who prompted Ku Li to mount a challenge on Dollah Badawi in view of the critical last general elections that saw BN component parties, which includes Umno, being defeated so bad that it prompted Ku Li to say, as quoted by the NST: "Haven't Umno members realised we've lost five states? Are they all still sleeping."
Then Mahathir had met with Ku Li and it was then decided that the latter must challenge Dollah to save Umno and Malays from falling over into a political oblivion.
Ku Li's camp said the post of the deputy president will not be touched as it will belong to Najib for sure!
In view of this recent development, in supporting Ku Li, I have now decided to forgive Mahathir for his major faux pas in choosing Dollah Badawi as his deputy that have lead the country into a political turmoil where DAP has now the power to even ridicule the Malay sultanate system!

A bit of a cheers today.
Posted by Pasquale at 10:17 AM

Exco S'gor angkat sumpah Isnin ini

Exco S'gor angkat sumpah Isnin ini

Mar 20, 08 2:02pm, Malaysiakini.

Barisan exco kerajaan negeri Selangor akan mengangkat sumpah di Istana Alam Shah di Klang Isnin depan, kata Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Menurutnya, beliau akan mengumum nama-nama barisan exco berkenaan selepas majlis angkat sumpah tersebut.

Beliau memberitahu pemberita demikian selepas menghadiri majlis sambutan Maulidur Rasul di Shah Alam hari ini.

Menurut Bernama, majlis sambutan tersebut dihadiri oleh Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Khalid enggan mengulas lanjut mengenai komposisi barisan exco negeri, tetapi berkata: "Kami (PKR, DAP and PAS) telah dapat menyelesaikannya."

Mengenai jawatan timbalan menteri besar, Khalid berkata beliau akan menjelaskan perkara itu selepas majlis angkat sumpah ahli exco Isnin depan.

Para penyokong 12 badan bukan kerajaan telah mengadakan demonstrasi secara aman di Dataran Shah Alam semalam untuk mendesak Khalid supaya tidak melantik timbalan menteri besar.

Kumpulan tersebut yang diketuai oleh Ketua Pemuda Umno Selangor, Abdul Shukur Idrus, meminta Khalid supaya jangan melantik bukan Melayu ke jawatan tersebut serta mengekalkan kouta ahli exco Melayu seperti dalam kerajaan negeri sebelum ini.

DEB punca Melayu sokong pembangkang...

DEB punca Melayu sokong pembangkang...

Mar 20, 08 3:38pm, Malaysiakini.

Seorang pemimpin veteran MCA berkata keputusan pilihanraya umum 8 Mac lalu menunjukkan orang Melayu menyahut seruan reformasi dan menyedari Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) menjadi punca utama kronisme dan rasuah.

wong sai houKetua MCA PJ Utara, Dr Wong Sai Hou berkata, keputusan kali ini juga menunjukkan penyokong Barisan Nasional (BN) semakin kehilangan kepercayaan terhadap pemimpin parti masing-masing.

berkata, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mendapat kemenangan besar pada 2004 tetapi tidak menunaikan janjinya untuk membersihkan pertadbiran kerajaan.

Dalam satu kenyataan hari ini, beliau berkata, ia diburukkan lagi dengan kedudukan MCA, Gerakan dan MIC yang menjadi makin tidak penting, dengan Umno mendominasi BN.

Dalam pilihanraya umum kali ini juga, katanya, orang Melayu menyahut seruan reformasi menyedari bahawa Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) menjadi punca utama kronisme dan rasuah.

Supaya kekal relevan, katanya, BN mesti menangani semua isu-isu yang dibangkitkan sewaktu kempen pilihanraya umum lalu.

Wong pernah menjadi Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Kg Tunku selama dua penggal.

Bagaimanapun, dalam pilihanraya umum kali ini, beliau telah digugurkan dan digantikan oleh muka baru dari MCA, Sheah Kok Fah.

Sheah kalah kepada calon DAP, DAP's Lau Weng San dengan majoriti 7,977 undi.

Kematangan politik

Wong juga menyifatkan keputusan pilihanraya umum 8 Mac lalu yang menyaksikan BN kalah teruk, dengan "jelas menunjukkan bahawa rakyat telah mencapai kematangan politik yang sangat tinggi".

"Untuk pertamakalinya dalam tempoh 51 tahun, kita melihat pemilih Cina mengundi calon-calon DAP dan pemilih Melayu mengundi calon DAP," katanya.

Namun begitu, katanya, parti-parti komponen BN - Umno, MCA, Gerakan dan MIC masih terus meneruskan mengamalkan garis politik perkauman.

Ini, tegas Wong, jelas menunjukkan bahawa mereka masih belum sedar apakah punca kekalahan mereka dalam pilihanraya umum 8 Mac lalu.

"Jika masih terus memimpin parti masing-masing mengikut garis kaum seperi sekarang, memainkan sensitiviti emosi, lima tahun lagi, BN mungkin beralih menjadi sebuah parti pembangkang," katanya.

Dalam pilihanraraya umum tersebut, BN gagal mengekalkan majoriti dua pertiga di Dewan Rakyat apabila hanya memenangi 140 daripada 222 kerusi Parlimen.

BN juga turut kehilangan empat negeri - Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak dan Selangor kepada barisan pembangkang.

Manakala PAS pula berjaya mengekalkan penguasaannya di Kelantan, dengan tambahan kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

Cabinet: East Malaysians left out again

Cabinet: East Malaysians left out again

Xroy | Mar 19, 08 4:18pm,Malaysiakini.

I refer to the Malaysiakini report PM unveils 'trimmed-down' cabinet.

It’s the road down the drain which began with Dr Mahathir Mohammed and now continues with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. If the trend continues, we are headed for the ditch. Mahathir almost wiped out all internal opposition to his rule including Musa Hitam, Razaleigh Hamzah, Anwar Ibrahim etc.

Now take a look at this new cabinet, look at the number of East Malaysians who hold key cabinet positions - they are almost totally absent. Hasn’t East Malaysia delivered to the Barisan Nasional? Aren't there good and dynamic East Malaysians (Pairin to name one) who could contribute effectively?

Without the East Malaysians’ help, the BN would have lost this elections and yet the MCA has more key positions in the cabinet than we have East Malaysians. Key Ministries need to go to the East Malaysians too but the defence, home, foreign affairs and education portfolios have all gone to Umno.

It is time the defence and home affairs portfolios go to Sabahans and Sarawakians for a change; aren't they Malaysians as well? Why is it they get only a smattering of the cabinet positions?

Now let’s take another look at our cabinet. Several have been dropped but you have Muhammad Muhammad Taib being brought into the cabinet by the back door. Why was Muhammad not given a seat to contest in the first place if there was intention to bring him into the cabinet?

Why bring him in through the back door? Everyone knows that ‘Mike Tyson’ would have knocked out any opposing candidate in his constituency. But he was not given a seat at all and I would like to think that this was in line with the thinking of the day that all those whose integrity was blemished should be left out.

The same reason why the all powerful Zakaria Deros was also dropped from the BN Selangor line up. But now, the bringing in of Muhd Taib through the back door only indicates that Abdullah had run out of options - having dropped all the people in his cabinet who did not share his views, he needed someone to fill in the gaps.

Anyone who has the slightest inkling of what leadership is will surely tell you that this is one of the weakest traits f a leader - not accepting the views of others especially his own men.

The appointment of the present cabinet indicates a huge problem not for Abdullah but for the country. The choices of the man at the helm do not seem to give us the confidence that they are the people who can deliver.

Not need for Tsu Koon to fade into obscurity

Not need for Tsu Koon to fade into obscurity

Penang Forever | Mar 19, 08 4:08pm, Malaysiakini.

Former Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon was a gentleman in every sense of the word when he not only conceded defeat but also worked towards ensuring a smooth transition of power to the new incoming DAP/PKRM coalition government in Penang on March 8. In contrast, Penang Umno were sore losers, venting their frustration by illegal demos against the new Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to create racial tension.

Obviously Penang Umno, long accustomed to Malay political hegemony over the non-Malays, could not accept a situation where it and its lackeys had been defeated via the ballot box. It therefore went along with the lies spun by Utusan Malaysia and Bernama on the marginalisation of the Penang Malays and the ultimate challenge to Ketuanan Melayu by the incoming administration.

This was because they could not refute Guan Eng's assertion at his first media conference for transparency in the award of future government projects based on open tenders, exposing a much abused and undesirable NEP practice of awarding projects to Umno/BN cronies which had bred widespread nepotism and corruption.

Hence their wildcard defence was to play the racial card in accusing the Penang government of wanting to abolish the NEP to sideline the Penang Malays when it was clear to all and sundry that Guan Eng had no intentions of doing so. Utusan and Bernama had completely blacked out the news that the first thing Guan Eng did after becoming Chief Minister was to visit Tanjong Tokong, an enclave of poor Penang Malays, to assure them of whatever economic help they would need.

Penang Umno was even prepared to cut its nose to spite its own face in calling on the federal government to stop mega-projects for Penang such as the proposed Second Bridge, the Penang outer ring road, etc in an attempt to sabotage the new Penang government. Koh has rightly come out to call on the federal govt not to renege on its previous pledges of economic development for Penang as reflected in those mega projects.

Lambasting Penang Umno on that score was something which Koh lacked the courage to do when he was Chief Minister in the previous Umno-controlled Penang state government. Now that Koh has finally got the big Umno burden off his shoulders, perhaps he should not waste his time in trying to revive a dead horse like the Gerakan for the simple reason that Umno would not appreciate it.

Even when Gerakan, MCA and MIC had representation in Penang, Umno tend to ride roughshod over them. Now with their total and complete annihilation, Umno would tend to despise them even more.

Gerakan leaders such as Koh, Kerk Choo Ting, Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dominic Puthucheary and others had high hopes of reforming the BN from within when their party joined the BN coalition in the early 1970s. The complete rout of the Gerakan in Penang in this year's general election will finally convince them that their motive has failed with Umno not wanting to tone down its racist policies, let alone give them up altogether.

In succumbing to Umno's racist policies, Gerakan over the years, lost the original multi-racial orientation it was formed with 40 years ago. When it was completely routed in Penang on March 8, Gerakan had ended up as a rump Chinese party, no better than the MCA, failing to defend Chinese rights vis-a-vis Umno in the BN.

While Kerk, Toh and Dominic have all faded into obscurity, Koh can still play a useful political role for the people of Penang in his individual capacity. Koh can still make use of his vast experience as a former Chief Minister and international connections to help the new DAP/PKR coalition state government get off the ground, work towards establishing a strong and clean government and consolidate this in the next 4 or 5 years.

Should this be successful, the people will reward the Penang government with another five-year mandate in the next general election. And much of the credit would no doubt go to Koh. I'm sure Guan Eng, scouting for talent and experience to help his new government in the Herculean task of good governance, will welcome the valuable contributory role of Koh as adviser.

It is high time Koh calls it quits with Umno which had no respect for Gerakan in the first place. If he can, Koh should also take Gerakan out of the BN, revert to its original multi-racial stance and merge with DAP or PKR as these are multi-racial parties in orientation.

This will give the much needed boost to multi-racial politics which is beginning to see a new dawn in the country after voters rejected the communal politics of the BN.