Joceline Tan, The Star bedtime story on Selangor Palace

This is MALAYSIA at its WORST.Joceline Tan representation of prostitution in Star media

Democracy put to the test

PKR’S brilliant job of exposing this strangely gut-wrenching but simultaneously hilarious loot of our wealth in the name of Wanita UMNO Cows ? the NEW media has turned Malaysia’s image into a toilet seat.A friend pointed out that we have only now begun to notice what happened some time ago: that APCO has taken over Malaysia.APCO provides the core inner ring which pumps blood into the heart of the current ruling class of our country.UMNO is: Corrupt Incompetent Arrogant. There is only one reason Singapore is ahead of Malaysia; because it is run by the Lee Kuan Yew: Corrupt, Perverse but Competent.are not in the laudable intention but in the clogged delivery.Good Intentions cannot justify bad delivery the desire to be politically correct has overtaken the imperative to be politically sensible. Method and order, the favourite weapons of Hercule Poirot, might be usefully employed in analysis.
women’s vote are very important. Taken purely as a demographic identity, they constitute the most powerful force in electoral politics. Every second voter is a woman. If she were motivated purely by gender, the majority of MPs would already be women. Theory, alas, tends to have a cool, or even antagonistic, relationship with real life.The basis on which a candidate is chosen, by any party, can be described in a single, if ungainly, word: winnability. division chief offered as nominees, but their names were withdrawn when top leader parachuted an intruder in the electoral competition. This is how politics is conducted. This is why the idea of self interest gained momentum, because the
“winnability” factor is neutralized when all legitimate candidates strangely hasinstanstly ther “winnability” became doubtful.A second structural flaw could further erode the already ebbing credibility of our parliamentary system.

The life-blood of our democracy is a covenant, a pact between elector and elected that the quid pro quo for the vote is service to the constituency. The quality of that service is an important (but not the only) factor in an MP’s re-election. This is the one big check that keeps a MP on some sort of practical leash.The relationship between MP and voter can, thereby, be officially abandoned. This should make party bosses delirious.

The irony is that such flaws can be easily corrected, with some time and thought. Both have been absent from the process. The pro-parachute lobbies have employed hustle topped off by self-congratulation; those opposed think that explosions constitute an argument.

 A BEDTIME STORY STARTS WITH ‘ONCE UPON A TIME…’ AND LULLS THE VOTER TO SLEEP. THE SECOND IS AN ENERGIZER THAT ADDRESSES A FRESH DAWN.

Democracy cannot survive in an environment of indiscipline, contempt for the rule of law and lack of respect for law enforcement agencies. In some of the western democracies, an unmanned STOP signboard at a road junction is good enough for every driver to stop the vehicle and proceed even though the road may be empty. Try ignoring the signboard and without an exception the cop will get you from where you don’t know. You can be rest assured that you will be punished on the spot. The so called tip doesn’t work there.

Collusion of the politician, bureaucracy, businessmen, the law and investigating agencies against the interest of the country and people is nothing short of treason. By involving the bureaucracy and the investigating agencies in wrong doings, what message are we sending to these government servants and agencies? What respect will they have for those who demand such acts of misdeeds of them and for those in authority? What moral authority will the government have to point a finger at these agencies and officials when they commit grave impropriety?

Our parliamentary system of governance has failed the people especially the poor. It is time we revisited our constitution.

The Sultan of Selangor was wrong to have decreed that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) submit more names to the palace for the menteri besar (MB) post, a constitutional expert said last night, adding that only God, and not humans, had absolute power.

Dr Abdul Aziz Bari told a forum organised by Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) that the 30 statutory declarations (SD) in support of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah should be enough for the sultan to consent to her appointment as the Selangor MB.

“(This is) the first time in Malaysian history where people declared their support through SD. What else does he want? When he issued a decree, asking for other names, to me, that is wrong constitutionally.

“The only ones who are infallible (mutlak)… are Allah and the Prophet Muhammad. Humans, whoever they are, can make mistakes. To me, requesting more names when Dr Wan Azizah has the majority support is wrong,” he said yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Speaking at the forum, titled “PAS and Umno – where are they headed?”, Aziz said the sultan’s discretion in choosing a menteri besar was limited to cases where there was a hung parliament.

“We stand by the principle of the constitution. There’s no such thing as absolute power. We practise democracy. In Islam there is no absolute power (for humans).

“So where does the absolute power come from? Only Allah has absolute power,” he said, adding that there was no precedent in Malaysian history for what was unfolding at the Selangor palace now.

Yesterday, the Selangor Sultan was disappointed with PKR and DAP after both parties did not heed the ruler’s request to submit more than two names for the MB position, according to a statement by the Selangor palace.

The statement said the Sultan’s request for more than two names was in line with convention and would allow him to evaluate the MB candidates’ capabilities, rather than just looking at the support of the assembly.

Aziz assured last night that PKR and DAP could not face criminal charges for what they did, as treason (or derhaka) to the state ruler was not an offence.

“I don’t think it’s the palace’s job to determine the MB… Before Merdeka, yes, the MB was the personal appointee of the sultan. So he could choose the most handsome, the most educated, this and that.

“But that doesn’t exist now. If you look at the constitution, it’s just by majority. Even if (the candidate) has no experience, that’s fine. If he has no degree, that’s fine.”

When asked what would happen if the Selangor Sultan went ahead and appointed an assemblyman other than Dr Wan Azizah, Aziz said the people would have no choice but to accept it.

“If (her candidacy) is rejected, there is no remedy…in the issue of appointing the MB, or dissolving the state assembly, we cannot drag the sultan to the court. That is the problem.”

But, he added, that the legislative assembly could table a motion of no-confidence against the sultan’s choice of MB, once it convenes, saying this would be “a slap” to the state ruler.

A very incompetent President. As long as this rascal seats at the chair, Pas will never wins Malay majority votes. Trust and credibility are vital ingredients for solidarity in a coalition; and , in fact, in any relation with people in business.Once you ink an agreement, that's it! You don't go back on your word.If you break your word, then you cannot be a reliable partner. Your name is important. If you don't keep your word, nobody can trust you. Then , you are no more in business, be it politics or trade transaction.Can you be trusted in future dealings? NO!Obviously, some right-thinking Pas members are angry about the U-turns. It is no good for future relationship with PKR and DAP. And never forget, the voters will take note of your flip=flops.Note" the power lies with the people--- the voters . Finally, they are the real king-makers. They decide your fate! They may be silent; but their ears are close to the ground and know what is happening. Come Election day, they will know here to place their votes!Don't treat voters as fools. Get rid of the mullah extremists. Thy are not street smart. Becomes easy target for scumno gangsters. Thy are a liability for the country as a whole. Religion and only religion that matters to them. And at the same time, the ketuanan mentality is on their agenda as well. How contradicting for people who are supposed to be kind and compassionate to want to work on racial lines and to steal the MB post. Unbelievable that Hadi and gang can resort to this.
In a bid to checkmate Abdul Hadi Awang and the powerful syura council.  from forming government in Selangor through "ill means"."I want to make it very clear that PKR is in touch with all the parties...with independent from UMNO and PAS.By saying this we make it clear that we are not aiming to form the government, but we want to stop PAS from forming the government through dishonest means. We are in favour of elections," insisted that PKR's decision to propose only one nominee, party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was in line with the state's law and convention.Referring to the media statement by the Selangor palace media signed by the private secretary to the Sultan yesterday, we ask the Sultan's forgiveness if our decision to abide by the Selangor State Law and convention since 1957 offended the feelings of the Sultan," a press conference here Anwar said in a statement  Hadi’s solitary and secretive nomination in defiance of the central committee consensus, arrived at after repeated and lengthy sessions of debate, is an outright betrayal and insult against the party’s highest executive body. Through his treacherous conduct, Hadi has not only seriously maimed the image of PAS, but has also caused inter-party animosities and dented Pakatan Rakyat’s public image. This is in breach of Muktamar’s resolution to enhance its partnership in Pakatan. With such serious misconduct and total loss of credibility, Hadi ought to resign or Muktamar must remove him. Hadi and the Syura Council, you guys just search your own heart and conscience whether you have betrayed the spirit and cause of the PR movement. And each one of you who has maliciously prolong the fiasco then swear before Allah that you will consciously rectify the situaton and return to the fold of PR as was before and support Wan Azizah to be the MB of Selangor. Nothing short is acceptable.

READMORE http://suarakeadilanmalaysia.blogspot.com/2014/09/pas-decimation-and-collapse-hadi-awang.html

Joceline Tan, The Star

THE Sultan of Selangor’s use of the term derhaka stunned many people who have been watching the never-ending mentri besar saga in the state.

There had been hints that the Sultan was planning to issue a strong statement this week on the Selangor crisis, but few expected such a bombshell.

The statement was meant to express the Sultan’s disappointment over the way the mentri besar issue has dragged on.

But everyone’s attention was on the term derhaka that was used to describe PKR and DAP for not abiding by the royal decree to submit more than two names for the top post. The two parties had insisted on only Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

It was rather strong and some have interpreted it as “treacherous”, but it is understood that what the Sultan meant was that PKR and DAP had been “disloyal” by ignoring the decree. He also regarded their action as amounting to kebiadapan or “insolence” towards the institution of the Rulers.

But the real bombshell lay in the declaration that the next mentri besar could come from the names proposed by the three parties or from any of the qualified Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen outside the list.

The window of opportunity seems to have closed for PKR and DAP.

The justification for proposing only Dr Wan Azizah is that she has the support of 30 Pakatan assemblymen. PKR had refused to send more names despite a reminder letter from the palace last Wednesday shortly before the deadline.

The two parties had been engaged in a battle of wills with the palace and it has come to this.

As far as the palace is concerned, the next Mentri Besar must possess expertise, experience, integrity and ability, apart from enjoying the majority support.

The palace statement said there were other Pakatan assemblymen with these qualities which were necessary for the state administration to run smoothly and be in harmony with the people.

It was hard for PKR to swallow, but the statement was yet another rejection of Dr Wan Azizah from the palace.

The Sultan is telling the coalition that if they continue to push for only one name, he may have to pick a name from outside the list and it is likely to be either PKR deputy president Azmin Ali or PAS state chief Iskandar Samad.

The precedence is there for him to do so. In 2008, the Terengganu Sultan rejected Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh who had the overwhelming support of Umno assemblymen and then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and settled for Datuk Seri Ahmad Said who was backed by only three assemblymen.

The palace position has been portrayed by some as the Sultan exerting his will over the ruling coalition in Selangor.

But the monarch has closely followed each and every development on the issue. He can see that Dr Wan Azizah is a devoted wife and mother. But her track record as a political leader and wakil rakyat is not outstanding, especially the way she treats elections like a revolving door – in and out according to the wishes of her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Sultan also knows that PAS is not in favour of Dr Wan Azizah. PAS’ top three ulama have openly stated that she does not have what it takes to be Mentri Besar. The three are PAS mursyidul am Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and deputy mursyidul am Datuk Dr Haron Din.

Dr Haron said the Syura Council, the highest decision-making body in PAS, would have endorsed her if she had the qualities while Hadi pointed out that she could not even hold her own in parliamentary debates.

There has been an orchestra of attacks from DAP and PKR against PAS and Hadi in particular. They slammed him for his own unremarkable track record that included losing Terengganu after only one term.

But it is hard for anyone in PAS to go against the top three. These elderly ulama may come across as male chauvinists, but they command the moral high ground in politics and religion.

It is quite embarrassing for Dr Wan Azizah to be thrashed like this, but what her party did to outgoing Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was far worse.

Her dilemma is that her party has been unable to quash the perception that she will be a proxy of Anwar or what the palace has termed as a “remote-controlled MB”.

Her Pakatan partners claimed that her strength is teamwork but that only underscores the perception that people like Anwar and Kajang Move architect Rafizi Ramli will be the ones calling the shots if she is Mentri Besar.

That will not be good for Selangor. Rafizi, with his arrogant ideas, has done so much damage that few want him involved in the running of Selangor.

It is unclear at this point in time whether PKR and DAP will continue to defy the Sultan. Anwar, who has been away in Istanbul, returned last night to a different playing field. All big decisions in PKR revolve around him and no one can quite predict what he will do next.

Will his party apologise and ask for another chance to present more names? That is not entirely impossible because the Sultan’s heart is not carved in stone.

Or will Anwar take the hardline stand and continue to demand that his wife be made the Mentri Besar?

 readmore Munir Bani who is right and who is wrong, who is abiding by the Constitution and who is not.