Tak Apa

Kit Siang: Khairy should not be blind, deaf and mute .

2005-09-05T00:58:00.000-07:00

In a recent post by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, he argues that KJ should learn humility before he even begins to question the idealisms of Malaysian politcal heritage.

"He wants to debate with me?" argues Kit Siang.

"Khairy should not challenge anyone to a debate in Parliament until he has become a MP himself."

Too true. KJ tries to play political hardball with anyone, regardless if you're game or not.

The reason for this inflammation was due to the fact that Khairy questioned the fact on whether or not Tunku Abdul Rahman deserved the title of Bapa Kemerdekaan in the first place.

Kit Siang goes on the argue that he was the first opposition party leader to give Tunku his due.

An excerpt taken from the man himself, from a Penang State Assembly on December 19th 1990:

"“The death of Tunku is the greatest loss to Malaysia since Merdeka, as the late Tunku had been the greatest son of the Malaysian soil.

“The nation-wide sorrow and grief of Malaysians of all races over his death shows the late Tunku’s power to unite Malaysians, even when he is no more.

“The late Tunku’s place in history will be written in gold. He led the country to Independence, earning the title of Bapa Merdeka and Bapa Malaysia, and spearheaded the international campaign against the apartheid policies of South Africa by getting South Africa expelled from the Commonwealth in 1962.

“The late Tunku, however, will be best remembered and most cherished for his humanity and moderation…."

So Mr KJ, how will you be remembered? Or will you even be remembered at all?

Mr Prime Minister, How Young You look.

2005-09-05T00:50:00.001-07:00

KJ: The Most Powerful Man In Malaysia

Political journalist Yahaya Ismail recently wrote a book called Khairy Jamaluddin: Bakal PM?. While the book contains many facts and educated guesses on the future of Khairy, the title itself is in gross error. Khairy Jamaluddin is not a future Prime Minister. He is already the de facto Prime Minister.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is legally the fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia, having taken office in November 2003. However, even before he assumed office, it was quite clear that Abdullah Badawi was not his own man – that all his thoughts, actions and deeds were heavily influenced, if not directed by his then 28-year old son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, and his coterie of friends. While some talked of the three Ks being the power behind Pak Lah, namely Khairy, Kalimullah (the Group Chief Editor of the New Straits Times) and Kak Endon (Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood Ambak, wife of the Prime Minister), there is no doubt that the first K is the most powerful, having appointed the second K to his post and having married the third K’s daughter at a time when the third K was and is fighting breast cancer, an illness that has already claimed the third K’s twin sister.

Many say that this is not unusual. After all Nixon had his Kissinger and the Tsar of Russia had Rasputin. There are similarities between these figures and Khairy. For one thing, all seem to act as puppet-masters, pulling the strings of the wooden characters who are the rulers of the country in name. All came from rather obscure backgrounds to emerge suddenly upon the national scene in a blaze of glory. Yet all had the fatal flaw of a congenital defect which led them to believe that they were immortal, invincible and all-knowing. In the end, all succumbed to the temptations of power. Will this also happen to Khairy?

The signs of discontent are quite clear. The person who perhaps is most wary of Khairy is former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. While Dr Mahathir himself at first warmed to Khairy and his friends, appointing for example Khairy’s bosom buddy from Oxford, Dr Vincent Lim Kian Teck, as his second Chinese political secretary, he eventually found Khairy an overbearing presence upon Abdullah. But at that time it was already too late. Mahathir had announced his retirement and Abdullah Badawi was the heir-designate. For whatever bad that Mahathir had done, he knew he could not afford to change his mind on the succession after the crippling failure of the removal of Anwar Ibrahim.

So Khairy was kept on in the Deputy Prime Minister’s office in spite of Mahathir’s misgivings. Mahathir turned red when Khairy Jamaluddin asked him in a Pemuda UMNO gathering whether he was really serious about stepping down. He thought it discourteous that Khairy insisted Mahathir send Abdullah for an overseas tete-a-tete meeting with the US President, even when Mahathir had dismissed the idea as “premature” and “unnecessary”. Mahathir rankled when his former political secretary, Matthias Chang, reported to him that Khairy had mentioned in an informal student gathering in London that both Mahathir and Daim deserved to go to jail after Abdullah Badawi takes over.

But like all of Khairy’s enemies, Mahathir underestimated “the boy”. He thought that as leader of the country for 22 years, and the most powerful man in the country, Khairy could be pushed off the scene as and when Mahathir likes even when he was no longer in charge. Mahathir trusted that his immensely strong iron grip on UMNO could be utilised behind the scenes to bend Khairy to the Mahathir whim. But it was not to be. Mahathir’s son, Mukhriz found himself humiliated when he tried to challenge Khairy for the deputy leadership of UMNO youth. In spite of Mahathir’s monetary support, several large gatherings to pep up the Youth voters and the far-reaching tentacles of ANSARA (the former Mara students alumni group headed and funded by Mukhriz as a closet political tool), Mukhriz found that the rising son-in-law was more powerful than the fading son. He humiliatingly lost the UMNO Youth Head position in his father’s own constituency and got pitiful support for his national ambitions.

Mahathir at last realised that he had stepped down in November 2003, the most powerful man in the country, only to be replaced by a 28-year-old. Khairy is now and for the near future the most powerful man in the country. Even more so than Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Najib Tun Razak or anyone in the UMNO Supreme Council who are mere tadpoles in Khairy’s big pond.

Here is how he influences decisions that affect you and me.

First, Khairy is the main gatekeeper in Abdullah Badawi’s office. No letter, fax, proposal, document, appeal, communication, correspondence or presentation lands onto Abdullah’s desk without first going through the screening of aides Datuk Wan Farid and Zaki Zahid. Both Wan Farid and Zaki Zahid act as Khairy’s eyes and ears. When any proposal comes through to them, they immediately make copies for Khairy Jamaluddin. Copies are necessary because Khairy is no longer officially with Abdullah’s office. Yet, official or not, he is still the gatekeeper and needs to see all that comes to Abdullah’s office.

Wan Farid and Zaki Zahid together with Khairy also vets the appointment list to see Abdullah. In spite of the existence of the post of Chief Private Secretary held by Dato’ Thajudeen Abd Wahab (a long-time Abdullah Badawi loyalist and civil servant), those appointments made through Dato’ Thajudeen’s office inevitably get copied to Khairy and get vetted by him. Make no mistakes. Though Dato’ Thajudeen is annoyed by this unorthodox arrangement, his long-time friendship with Abdullah is not strong enough to overrule his boss’ son-in-law.

Of course it is not cheap to get an appointment to see Abdullah. The gatekeepers also act as toll-collectors. And UMNO is rife with mutterings of dissatisfaction, due to the high price (some say up to RM50,000) exacted by people close to Abdullah merely to secure an appointment with the Prime Minister. While this “custom” has always existed in varying degrees throughout the rule of all five Prime Ministers of Malaysia, it has never been so thorough and blatant as it is now. This is because payment of RM50,000 alone is not sufficient to secure an audience. There must also be promises of involving some of Khairy’s companies in eventual projects if such audiences are to be successful.

Some may argue why this happens in spite of Abdullah Badawi’s image as Mr Clean. But that image is merely a perception. Compared to other ministers Abdullah is relatively clean, but this was not because of want of trying. Abdullah was in charge of ministries with little “opportunity” to exact “tributes” such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and for many years he was out of the government. His political position as a former Tengku Razaleigh–Musa Hitam supporter was always very precarious and Abdullah Badawi was too fearful to drink from the poisoned chalice of corruption.

However the situation has now changed. Abdullah Badawi is all-powerful as Prime Minister and relies on Khairy to prop up that position. Khairy Jamaluddin knows that it is not long before Pak Lah will be challenged by Najib or anyone else backed by Dr Mahathir. Thus he must make hay while the sun shines.

The second method by which Abdullah is controlled by Khairy is through Khairy’s insistence on appointing key personnel at the decision-forming level within Abdullah’s office and also in other powerful ministries. No less than ten of Khairy’s friends from his university days who are all in their late twenties or early thirties currently occupy posts equivalent to chief executive in many of the ministries (more will be detailed in later parts of this report). Abdullah Badawi cannot function if these figures do not function. In other words, he is completely reliant on their actions.

For example, let us say that Abdullah goes for a foreign trip to Venezuela for a trade mission. The person who prepares the itinerary is a Khairy appointee (a fellow ex-student from the UK). He submits the paper to Khazanah’s Director of Investments (another Khairy appointee) for discussion. It is discussed with people from Ethos Consulting (a Khairy-related company) and finally gets approved by a meeting of Foreign Ministry civil servants which willy-nilly is often attended by Khairy himself in spite of him having no official position in government. When Abdullah comes back from Venezuela, discussions with President Hugo Chavez is discussed with the private office of the Prime Minister (headed and made up completely of Khairy’s appointees) and decisions are made by Abdullah Badawi after a night’s discussion at home with Khairy himself. Little wonder that Khairy Jamaluddin has such an extensive control on Abdullah – and this was exactly how the Venezuelan trip of the Prime Minister took place!

Thirdly, Khairy Jamaluddin controls Abdullah Badawi through his insistence on exerting his unofficial role as the Prime Minister’s closest advisor. An incident that took place in the foreign ministry shows it all. A meeting was called by Minister Syed Hamid Albar. It was a top-level meeting, a briefing to the Prime Minister in a closed session. In attendance were the Prime Minister, the Minister, the Deputy Ministers, the Secretary General of the ministry and his deputies – and Khairy Jamaluddin, at that time neither in the Prime Minister’s office nor holding any official post. Syed Hamid insisted that the meeting be closed to Khairy. Abdullah demurred, partly out of fear that if Khairy was not in the room he would be ill-advised. So Khairy stayed. Such a situation shows not only how strong Khairy is, but how weak Abdullah can be.

Therein lies the danger of Khairy Jamaluddin. He is an unelected person within the government, yet his influence outweighs that of the whole cabinet; even that of the Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. As long as Abdullah is in power and Khairy is married to his daughter, Khairy Jamaluddin will continue to be the actual ruler of Malaysia. Whether knowingly or not, democracy in Malaysia has been reduced considerably since Khairy Jamaluddin came to the fore and there is no longer any check and balance within the government.

Taken from Malaysia-Today

Rafidah, shut up. Please.

2005-08-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

An Excerpt from the Star:

After lengthy debates with politicians and those in the automotive industry over the Approved Permit issue – which caused her to break down in tears at one juncture – Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said APs should be abolished.

“This is my personal opinion although others may not agree with me,” she said, when opening a seminar organised by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here yesterday.

The over 300 businessmen who attended the seminar clapped when she said that she was for the abolishment of the AP.

The International Trade and Industry Minister took pains to refute press reports that she was media-unfriendly, saying that any invitation to attend her function was made by the organisers.

“This is supposed to be a closed-door session and we want the members to talk on issues without restrictions,” she said.

No doubt what she said about abolishing the AP system was a personal opinion (not shared by the Cabinet, she admitted), but coming from such a senior member of the Government and who, until recently, was in charge of the issuance of APs, is certainly inappropriate and wrongly timed.

This is a prime example of digging your own grave, publicly.

The fact that two ex-MITI officers were given a third of the APs was a cause for an uproar well enough, but she still had the gaull to deny that she had any underlying influence in the issuance of those APs.

Come on Rafidah, if you have nothing better to say, our advice to you is to shut up.

This was what Pak Lah had to say about the matter:

"That is her personal opinion. I don't take it into account.
"... the mass media should 'accept' the decision of the Cabinet to take over from her ministry the task of formulating the National Automotive Policy... we will determine the way APs are awarded.

"Wait for it."

Stop haggling over the NAP policy. Let your ministry take the reins for once. You've done enough damage thank you very much.

You've been a distinguished Minister for the better part of 30 years, and now you'll be remembered as a Minister who did disservice to the country by issuing AP's to those who barely deserve it. What's worse is now you're saying that you don't think that AP's should even be in the picture. Which is it? When you were milking the cow it was all fine and dandy for you and your cronies, but now that it's time for you to take the boot, you'd want to take the loot with you?

You are an embarassment.

Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim for example (one of the aforementioned AP kings) was seen plying from his home to golf courses in helicopters.

Helicopters? 5 years ago he was seen parading around in a government issued Perdana. With those thousands of APs handed to him on a silver platter, you'd think he'd have some semblance of guilt or humility. But no, apa kelas pergi main golf naik S-class these days anyways.

So the New Automotive Policy (NAP) will be finalized in September, and we will see a new raft of AP issuance which might or might not make an impact on the current state of our automotive industry.

Among our ranks here at Tak-Apa we do believe that the NAP should be done in such a way that Proton will still be protected and upheld as a Malaysian entity with it's own ability to make decisions, and not as a subsidiary to another multinational global giant.

Be that as it may, Rafidah should take a step back and review her position as a Malaysian first, and a Minister second.

Step down, with whatever semblance of dignity you may have left. If not for yourself, then do it for your supporters which have placed their faith in you since the very first day you were elected into office.

Don't give us your "Tidak-Apa" attitude. It's an affront to your party, your nation and yourself.

Let the games begin!

2005-08-12T17:45:00.000-07:00

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter Chin was quoted in Nanyang Siang Pau yesterday, and repeatedly today in Bernama at 17:49hr, that none of the Malaysian-owned plantation companies operating in Sumatra are involved in 'slash and burn' activities that caused the haze. (Source: Jeff Ooi)

The Star on the other hand commented that Pak Lah feels wretched that two Malaysian companies are clearly involved in the open burning in Sumatra.

Question is, who's telling the truth now?

If Chin is lying, who is he lying for?

If Pak Lah is lying, what in the hell is he doing that for?

Our conclusion?

Chin has some vested interests in some of the plantations in Sumatra. He is either directly or indirectly involved with 6 out of the 10 plantations owner(s).

Being a co conspirator doesn't look good on your CV right? So what do you do?

Lie, lie, deny, deny.

That's our Tidak Apa Malaysian way. When in doubt, point the finger at someone else.

Pak Lah, do what you do best...REVEAL these dastardly cretins to the public's scrutiny!

The Khairy Factor

2005-08-12T01:25:00.000-07:00

Khairy Jamaludin, the most influential 29 year old in Malaysian politics. His background is as polished as his English. An Oxford graduate, a journalist for The Economist, a director for ECM Libra (a local investment bank) and defacto leader of the UMNO youth movement.

Let us be clear here. We're not one of his more, how shall we put it, hardcore supporters. Credentials aside, his hard charging take no-nonsense attitude has split UMNO into more than just two camps. His detractors are saying that Pak Lah has no control over his over zealous son in law.

His supporters say it's only normal since KJ wants to be PM by 42.

His two way debate with our current Minister of Health was heated to say the least. His defence of the NEP (or ANB) was steadfast. He stood his ground and played political 'paintball' with his opponent. He accused the Minister of being insensitive to the plights of the Malays and that the NEP is fit for all Malaysians, not just Malays.

"How can you say that the NEP is a backward step for Malays in general? That is a very bold statement to make," said KJ in a fiery tone.

His mastery of the english language was just a front for his main WMD, his daddy in law. At the end of it all, Mr KJ dusted his hands, got into his single digit X5 and headed for home. Yes KJ, you of all people would know how Malays in general benefit from the NEP.

Whether or not Daddy in Law herein referred to as DIL, has any say in what comes out of KJ's mouth is still up in the smog clogged air. Honestly, we don't know what's worse, a PM who can't keep a leash on his son in law, or a son in law who has illusions of grandeur.

We're not here to descredit KJs determination. We believe he has the gusto to be a member of parliament one day. His political muscles are now buffed up and ready for a fight, the question is, is he fighting the good fight or just a spoiled little brat bullying lesser children into submission in a very,very small playground?

Pak, saya tak bersalah Pak.

2005-08-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

Our animosity has grown ten-fold over the past week. Tensions caused by the lack of clean air to breathe and water to swallow has shorten our fuses dramatically.

Indonesia has been blamed as the primary culprit. Obviously it's easy to justify an egregious error by pointing the finger at our neighbour. Besides, it's not as though they're doing anything at all to curb the yearly smog fest.

Unfortunately, things are not as clear cut as they seem.

Apparently 10 Malaysian companies are involved in the widespread burn fest in Indonesia.

In response, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter Chin said that Malaysia has asked "our Indonesian counterparts to provide us with the list of those found doing so as soon as possible".

Economically in 1997, Malaysia was estimated to have lost RM802 million from the haze, according to figures provided during the World Land and Forest Fire Hazards conference in 2002.

If the haze persists, the GDP is expected to drop to below 4 percent, and that is unacceptable.

So, the fat cats keep getting fatter at the expense of our health, economy and productivity.

Pak Lah, as the premier who thrives on transparency, we look to you to reveal to us the names of these 10 companies.

A State Of Emergency

2005-08-11T01:17:00.000-07:00

As of 1 pm local time today, Selangor has declared the haze as a state wide disaster and activated its machinery to deal with health risks and ailments faced by the people.

Subang Airport operations has been shut as of 1.15pm due to extremely poor visibility. And KLIA will close down as soon as visibility dips below 600m.

API reading is (as of 11 am this morning) :

Port Klang 529
Kuala Selangor 531
Shah Alam 371
KL 321
PJ 349

Got your Hazmats ready?