Granted, the price of crude oil as on Wednesday (June 4) was US$125 (RM404) per barrel and has been increasing ever since. A saving of RM13.7 billions were expected when the announcement of the fuel subsidy cuts were made on that historical day. Petrol prices were raised by 41% to RM2.70 from RM1.92 effective June 5, while the price of diesel was increased by RM1 to RM2.58, a jump of 63%.
As if that wasn’t excruciating enough, the government simultaneously announced that effective July 1, electricity rates will be raised by 18% for households and 26% for industrial and commercial users. A double whammy!
Inflation floodgate opens wide
The impact? Doubtless, a wide-ranging ramifications for both consumers and businesses. The various daily media carry the full impact of this unfolding catastrophe. The cost of living and cost of doing business, already escalating, will soar up even higher! After foolhardily opening widely the floodgate of inflation, the BN government is now desperately mitigating its full knock-on impact through various rebate measures. Weird.
One could vividly recall that Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad was repeatedly saying that there will be no fuel hike right up to late Wednesday morning. It will not be raised until August, he reassured. Well, one could equally recall the promise by the deputy premier during the launching of the BN manifesto on February 2008 that there shall be no fuel hike in 2008. After a four- hour cabinet meeting on that historical Wednesday the premier frantically made the bizarre announcement, as if an Armageddon is to befall the nation, if we failed to do so.
The question one wishes to ask the premier would definitely be, why took on such drastic action? Irresponsible, if I were to be polite and or plainly reckless, if I were to be in my parliamentary or default mode. While the knee-jerk response of the rakyat was to immediately make a beeline for the petrol stations up to 1 am on Thursday morning, rest assured that the rakyat is not taking this lying down, this time round.
No matter how the government attempts to rationalize its action, the public will not stomach it. Especially not after the last general election where the BN not only suffered a bloody-nose but was literally ‘massacred’. They now come face-to-face with a more well-informed citizenry or a more ‘enlightened’ voters. Thanks to the ‘New Media’ that has empowered the rakyat to make informed decisions. That’s why they simply couldn’t hoodwink them anymore, not anymore.
The attempts at comparing our petrol prices with non-oil producing neighbours like Thailand and Singapore were both ludicrous and pathetic. Let’s not compare with the affluent OPEC states. To cite but a few examples Nigeria is charging her citizens at RM0.32 per liter and Iran at RM0.35 per liter. Indonesia that has become an oil-importing nation is charging RM1.85 per liter. President Chevez could maintain charging the Venezuelans RM0.16 per liter and the economy still remains robust.
But before we go on the debate, let’s get a few things straight.
Macroeconomics 101 - Subsidy or no subsidy
Firstly, subsidy or no subsidy is a matter of choice for the government of the day, as is also on taxation and all its various types; the direct or indirect tax. To increase or reduce it is also a matter for the government of the day to decide. These are the stabilization policies with which any government is capable of ‘moderating’ so as to achieve certain targets in the macroeconomics, namely growth, inflation and employment. This simply put, is the Fiscal Policy, while the government could also moderate the Monetary Policy that involves the money supply and changes in the interest rate by the BNM.
Getting into the debate proper, any subsidy or a payment by a government agency to producer of goods, intended to make prices lower is beneficial for the rakyat. The subsidy will also have the effect of raising the income of the rakyat. The fuel subsidy, being an important component of all products of food, transport and services, is undoubtedly important, as it not only makes the fuel prices lower but more importantly it avoids the inflationary pressure once the price of fuel is raised, when the subsidy is reduced or withdrawn.
Let’s hear the government side of the argument. The subsidy is no longer tenable because of the spiraling global crude oil prices. The government would have had to spend RM33 billion for the fuel subsidy this year, if they have not cut its subsidy by RM13.5 billion. The fuel subsidy, said the second Finance Minister is equal to our development budget annually. We could ill afford this. We could do a lot more with that money. Admittedly logical and sound but do we end there?
The real beneficiaries
Well, in May 2006, the government reduced its subsidy by RM4 billion promising to upgrade the public system of transportation. Is our public transport better off or worse off now? So were the less-off segments of our society or the marginalized rakyat aided by the cut in the subsidy after all, as they presumably will be utilizing the public transport most? So where did the RM 4 billion go to? So, who were the real beneficiaries? By extension, who will be the beneficiaries of the current subsidy cut of RM13.7 billions? Which lucky (read crony) companies will be awarded new projects and who benefited most from insider information and racking in millions on the TNB shares that shot up after the announcement on its tariff increase?
By the way, we are still a net exporter of oil. The Petronas Group delivered another record performance for the financial year ended 31March 2007, amidst a more complex and increasingly challenging global oil and gas industry environment. A total revenue of RM184.1 billion were recorded with a Profit Before Tax of RM76.3 billion. Petronas has a total asset of RM294.6 billion.
Talks of Petronas’ oil drying up come 2014 are contrary to its report. Even the Minister is selectively ignorant. The Group’s continuous effort to replenish the nation’s hydrocarbon resources have resulted in a fairly constant reserve life for Malaysia – an average of 20 years for crude oil and condensates and 34 years for natural gas reserves respectively, at current rate of production. One of the Group’s significant achievements in the Exploration and Production sector during the year was its success in replacing more hydrocarbons than what was produced in Malaysia, with a respectable Reserves Replacement Ratio (RRR) of 1.8 times, which is among the highest in the industry (based on 2006 report).
Let’s do a back-of-the-envelope arithmetic together. Incidentally an audited account of Petronas has never been presented in Parliament. We are often told that we produce 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, while consuming approximately 400,000 barrels. We have still a net of 250,000 barrels to be exported per day. We were also told that for every US$1 increase in crude oil price, we are in to make an extra RM200 million per year approximately. Hence, from the last fuel hike back in May 2006 when the crude price of oil was US$65 per barrel, with US$125 per barrel as on last Wednesday, the increase is US$60.
Assuming, not much changes in every other costs, we should have made a whooping RM12 billion from the price hike in global crude oil from May 2006. With the willingness of the ‘repentant’ PM and his ‘remorseful’ Cabinet to be on ‘austerity drive’, ie 10% cut in various allowances after their last bad outing in the 12th GE as an ‘atonement’ for all their excesses and ‘sins of omission and commissions’, we are in to save a cool RM2 billion. Wish they knew about ‘austerity’ a lot earlier. Hundreds of billions could have been saved and invested in our Sovereign Funds for our grandchildren! Mind you, Malaysia has one of the highest resources per capita in the world. But where are we now?
Our back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that this could take care of the RM13.7 billion in the extra subsidy required as to take for the increase in the global crude oil price. But this surely wasn’t the way the government would like to go. She has in fact taken a ‘bold’ step in an attempt at dismantling the entire fuel subsidy approach which she now neither believes to be any longer tenable nor desirable.
The PM’s Waterloo
While this writer may be willing to concede that subsidies especially coupled with the multi-layered price-control and the BN’s APs cum monopoly policies, have created huge distortions in the economy, misallocation of resources, leakages, huge bailouts and protection of uncompetitive industries, doing it the ‘BN Way’ may be more aptly described as the ‘medicine killing the patient’ – The Fatal Remedy!
The writer can’t help sharing that he has a hunch that the premier is again deliberately ill-advised as to ‘finish-him-off’ altogether, albeit politically. So the BN’s remedy may turn out to be equally fatal for him – his Waterloo of sort.
Given a citizenry that has long been pampered by the BN misguided populist policies on price control and subsidies, the need for a more holistic and integrated policy change is all the more pressing. With it, would be the need to revisit the concept of prioritization in development, of sustainable growth, of attaining global competitiveness, of avoiding crony practices, of avoiding wastage and excesses and remaining prudent both in fiscal and monetary policy and exercising good governance. The long-outstanding dire low wages scheme needs to be revisited. Above all, we would like to remain caring and yet provide opportunities for all to be enterprising and competing fairly. The Pakatan Rakyat federal government will surely like to do it “Our Way”.
A thorough deliberations and discourse is surely in order. Not here though. As for now, the writer’s critique on the fuel hike hinges on the fact that the policy changes are indeed precipitating the disastrous cascade of fatal injury to all. To the lower-income groups, talk of changing lifestyle is simply nonsensical.Recalling a parliamentary debate, a BN minister explained that food accounts for the 33% of the CPI, while fuel, transport and communications contributed 15.9% of the CPI weights. With a 41% petrol hike and up to 26% in electricity tariff, we are about to witness an inflationary pressure that may very well be unprecedented. Some are already predicting it to be as high as 7%.
With the government admitting that private consumption accounted for more than 50% of the GDP and growth is essentially domestically driven, we are now set to witness a slowing down or a meltdown of the economy. With lower disposable income and a rising debt burden, weaker private consumption growth, the impact on the overall macro-economy will be even more gruesome.
It doesn’t really matter to the rakyat whatever the growth number or CPI may eventually be. However, it certainly will hurt them most when food could no longer be on the table, as the exorbitant prices will be very prohibitive while the holes in the pockets getting deeper. The knock-on social impact, on the back of an already overburdened nation plagued with crimes, are both immensely scary and onerous.
In this sense, the policy prescription has been regrettably irresponsible and ostensibly reckless.
Showing posts with label Pak Lah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pak Lah. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
HINDRAF seeks Truth and Reconciliation Commission - Letter to sleeping Pak Lah
Y.A.B. DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister of MalaysiaBlock Utama,
Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 Putrajaya
Email: reduceredtape@pmo.gov.my
Email: abdullah@kdn.gov.my
Tel: 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
YAB,Re: Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the discrimination and Maginalisation of Malaysian Indians
May we firstly congratulate your goodself and your party in winning the 12th General Election held on 8/03/2008.
As your goodselves have acknowledged the winds of change and the past mistakes, may we humbly propose that your goodselves form the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with regards to the very sad state of affairs, discrimination and maginalisation of especially the 80% Malaysian Indian poor. With the sincere formation of this commission we hope to move forward and grow together from now onwards in the True spirit of oneness, and equality and equal opportunity for all the poor especially the Malaysian Indian poor and mostly importantly humanity. The Malaysian Indians have persistently complained about the following:
(1) Hardly any kindergartens in Tamil schools as opposed to Malay schools and the kemas kindergartens, which literally excludes Indians.
(2) After 50 years of independence about two thirds of 523 Tamil schools in Malaysia are not fully aided.
(3) Indians are not allowed into Mara Junior Colleges, Fully Residential Schools, Giat Mara Technical Schools, Matriculation Schools, Islamic Universities and many other educational institutions save and except the very few to show color.
(4) All deserving Indians unlike their Malay Muslim brothers are denied places in the local public universities especially in the critical courses like medicine, dentistry, engineering, bio technology, accountancy etc. on an equal opportunity basis.
(5) Overseas posting, training, scholarships, placements are denied to all deserving Indian students on an equal opportunity basis.
(6) 30% of this Indian population can’t even properly read and write in the National language.
(7) 60% of deaths in police custody (one in every two weeks) and by police shooting (one in every week) and detainees in police lock ups and prisons are Indians when they only form about 8% of the total population.
(8) Indians have the highest suicide rate (for every 100,000 there are 35 Indians, 8 Chinese and 5 Malays).
(9) Civil service jobs for Indians have dwindled from about 60% in 1957 to about 2% today in 2008 with very little promotion prospects.
(10) Top executive and managerial positions in the civil, corporate, banking, government linked companies, small and medium sized industries are denied to all deserving Indians on an equal opportunity basis.
(11) Hindu Temples are indiscriminately demolished at the rate of one Hindu Temple in every three weeks.
(12) 40,000 children are without even birth certificate in the first place, in the state of Selangor alone (Estimated at least 100,000 nationwide) which is their innate birthright.
(13) Direct discrimination, marginalisation and racism from the counter level onwards both at the public and private sectors.
(14) 60% of police abuse of powers cases are against the Indians (unlawful detention and torture etc).
(15) Affirmative action programs e.g. PNB, Bank Pertanian, Felda, Felcra, Risda, UDA are completely closed to the Indians.
(16) Licenses, permits, business opportunities are denied to all deserving Indians on an equal opportunity basis.
(17) Distribution of contracts, projects, legal work, panel ship etc. both in private and public sectors almost always exclude Indians.
With this we hope from now onwards the Indians would be treated accordingly to Article 8 of the Federal Constitution (Equality before the Law). We hope for sincerity on your part. We hereby pray for an appointment to meet your good self with the sincere view to move forward.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully
P Waytha Moorthy
(Chairman)
www.hindraf.co.uk
Prime Minister of MalaysiaBlock Utama,
Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 Putrajaya
Email: reduceredtape@pmo.gov.my
Email: abdullah@kdn.gov.my
Tel: 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
YAB,Re: Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the discrimination and Maginalisation of Malaysian Indians
May we firstly congratulate your goodself and your party in winning the 12th General Election held on 8/03/2008.
As your goodselves have acknowledged the winds of change and the past mistakes, may we humbly propose that your goodselves form the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with regards to the very sad state of affairs, discrimination and maginalisation of especially the 80% Malaysian Indian poor. With the sincere formation of this commission we hope to move forward and grow together from now onwards in the True spirit of oneness, and equality and equal opportunity for all the poor especially the Malaysian Indian poor and mostly importantly humanity. The Malaysian Indians have persistently complained about the following:
(1) Hardly any kindergartens in Tamil schools as opposed to Malay schools and the kemas kindergartens, which literally excludes Indians.
(2) After 50 years of independence about two thirds of 523 Tamil schools in Malaysia are not fully aided.
(3) Indians are not allowed into Mara Junior Colleges, Fully Residential Schools, Giat Mara Technical Schools, Matriculation Schools, Islamic Universities and many other educational institutions save and except the very few to show color.
(4) All deserving Indians unlike their Malay Muslim brothers are denied places in the local public universities especially in the critical courses like medicine, dentistry, engineering, bio technology, accountancy etc. on an equal opportunity basis.
(5) Overseas posting, training, scholarships, placements are denied to all deserving Indian students on an equal opportunity basis.
(6) 30% of this Indian population can’t even properly read and write in the National language.
(7) 60% of deaths in police custody (one in every two weeks) and by police shooting (one in every week) and detainees in police lock ups and prisons are Indians when they only form about 8% of the total population.
(8) Indians have the highest suicide rate (for every 100,000 there are 35 Indians, 8 Chinese and 5 Malays).
(9) Civil service jobs for Indians have dwindled from about 60% in 1957 to about 2% today in 2008 with very little promotion prospects.
(10) Top executive and managerial positions in the civil, corporate, banking, government linked companies, small and medium sized industries are denied to all deserving Indians on an equal opportunity basis.
(11) Hindu Temples are indiscriminately demolished at the rate of one Hindu Temple in every three weeks.
(12) 40,000 children are without even birth certificate in the first place, in the state of Selangor alone (Estimated at least 100,000 nationwide) which is their innate birthright.
(13) Direct discrimination, marginalisation and racism from the counter level onwards both at the public and private sectors.
(14) 60% of police abuse of powers cases are against the Indians (unlawful detention and torture etc).
(15) Affirmative action programs e.g. PNB, Bank Pertanian, Felda, Felcra, Risda, UDA are completely closed to the Indians.
(16) Licenses, permits, business opportunities are denied to all deserving Indians on an equal opportunity basis.
(17) Distribution of contracts, projects, legal work, panel ship etc. both in private and public sectors almost always exclude Indians.
With this we hope from now onwards the Indians would be treated accordingly to Article 8 of the Federal Constitution (Equality before the Law). We hope for sincerity on your part. We hereby pray for an appointment to meet your good self with the sincere view to move forward.
Thank you,
Yours faithfully
P Waytha Moorthy
(Chairman)
www.hindraf.co.uk
Friday, March 28, 2008
Samy, Subra and the mystical handshake
It puzzles me in what S Samy Vellu was doing prior to the elections for the past 28 years, being the most senior cabinet minister under the leadership of Dr Mahathir Mohammad and Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi.
We now suspect that what Mahathir had commented prior to the recent elections in that Samy Vellu had never raised issues regarding the Indian community’s grouses in the cabinet meetings could be true. A very interesting fact to note is that the remarks of Mahathir were not denied by Samy Vellu. This denial confirms that Samy Vellu never stood up for the Indian community.
I strongly believe that standing up for Indians was never part of Samy Vellu's political agenda and after reading this letter, your readers would be able to conclude for themselves what was this man's real agenda in politics.
Coming back to the recent scenario, it is obvious that Samy Vellu is fishing for media attention by making abrupt statements and shedding crocodile tears by demanding that "Indians want immediate action", "any more delays would only cause anxiety and unhappiness among the Indians". Samy Velu probably forgot that it was actually his own flawed leadership over the past 28 years that has delayed the implementation of government-related projects for the benefit of Indians, which in his own words ‘caused anxiety and unhappiness among the Indians’.
It is also awkwardly awful to read his desired expression that ‘we want the Indian community to move forward with the other communities’. How suddenly the so-called most senior cabinet minister Samy Vellu got this idea? And that too only after the severe defeat at his own constituency of Sungai Siput by his own constituents?
His real agenda? Approximately two decades ago, the Indian community trusted Samy Vellu who planned to raise holding funds from the Indian community to establish Maika Holdings. The government was very generous to allocate internationally profitable Telekom shares to Maika Holdings. The phantomlike initiative by Samy Velu received tremendous support from the Indian community comprising of all walks of life. The majority of them retired rubber tapers, who saved their hard earned money in the form of EPF savings, bank savings, in gold and jewelry, contributed without hesitation. All these hard-earned assets owned by the poor Indian community went to Maika Holdings in the form of shares.
The self-proclaimed Indian indissoluble leader, Samy Velu, came forward and declared that Maika Holding shareholders are enjoying peace of mind as the fate of their savings invested in Maika Holdings is secured.
What really happened? It is an inevitable fact that Samy Velu hired mercenaries whose only mission was to provide ‘kind and subtle treatment’ by dragging and kicking out Maika shareholders who raised any questions on the fate of their savings during the Maika Holdings AGM meetings. Before performing such an insulting and inhumane act, Samy Vellu should have realised that the poor shareholders were not asking a 10% commission from the salary that Samy Velu had earned as the most senior cabinet minister. The poor Maika shareholders were only asking for Maika to return their hard-earned money that they had invested by trusting Samy Vellu and his leadership.
One victim was former MIC deputy president Dato S. Subramaniam who tried to attend the latest Maika Holding AGM to raise matters of concern expressed by shareholders. He had every right to attend the AGM simply because he was the chairman of Nesa Cooperative Society which had invested a considerable amount in the Maika Holdings. It is also the right of Dato Subra to express his unhappiness over the state of affairs of the mismanagement of Maika Holdings because being the most senior MIC leader who served under Tan Sri Manikavasagam. But what happened to Dato Subra at the latest AGM? He was nearly pushed down by the mercenaries hired by Samy Velu who were wearing fancy earrings with flamboyant hair styles. These people were described by the Indian media as ‘hooligans’. Dato Subra was not the only victim; the IPF stalwart MG Pandinathan faced the same music at one of the Maika's AGM some time ago. He was attacked and kicked out of the AGM simply because he raised some questions regarding the state of affairs of Maika holdings.
Shareholders belonging to the Indian community are now asking Samy Vellu - when are you settling the Maika share money to the rightful shareholders? The latest voice came from the recently elected Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament Mr Kulasegaran who is also ‘unfortunately’ a rightful shareholder of Maika Holdings.
Despite this tormenting situation which has ignited anger among the Indian community in this country, Samy Vellu - who held the MIC leadership for the past 28 years - is now banging on the government's door and complaining that ‘there should be more actions and less planning’ for the Indian community.
It surprises me that Samy Vellu has totally forgotten that he was part of the government that according to him has let the Indian community down. I am able to recall that just a few months ago, the entire scenario was somewhat different. Samy Vellu's speeches were full of flowers for the government related aid and resources allocated to the Indian community. It is therefore highly probable that Samy could be suffering from dementia as he seems to forget things so very fast! Let me reinforce a statement here; It is Samy Velu who has ‘individually’ failed the Indian community not the Malaysian government.
‘Indians slogged for the country for the past 145 years working in estates and construction sectors and found themselves displaced after many estates were closed’. This statement made by Samy Vellu sounds very much similar to the statement made by the national Indian hero P. Uthayakumar currently held under ISA detention.
The words of P.Uthayakumar still rings in the ears, heart and souls of many Indian Malaysians and our dear friend Samy Vellu has plagiarised Uthayakumar's statement. Indeed it looks like Samy Vellu is seriously displaced himself.
And what about the Mystical Handshake? Samy Vellu screams in a loud shout that many Indian families were forced to live in slumps after they were evicted from their land that had been earmarked for the double tracking railway project. A fact to note is that after all these years we never heard Samy Vellu highlighting these matters to the government or at the MIC assemblies or during the election campaign lectures.
Being the former works minister, he must have had some role in planning, approving and initiating the double tracking railway project. Probably he was very much busy with his ‘ministerial duties’ that he forgot the fact that when the double tracking project successfully comes to end so will the homes of the poor Indian families affected by the project.
At this juncture, the Indian community must be aware of the ‘Mystical Handshake’ with his former deputy Dato Subramaniam in the name of burying the hatchet and performing the funeral rites for previous ill feelings and evil deeds.
It is interesting to note that if this mystical alliance never took place Dato Subra would have made use of his influential news paper Makkal Osai to bombard Samy Velu for his past, present and future mistakes. The bombardment did take place for some time until the ‘mystical handshake’ took place, and till today this unholy act has not been endorsed by Dato Subramaniam's close allies from Perlis to Johor. Even the stalwart and the die-hard supporters of Samy Vellu never came forward to endorse the ‘mystical handshake’ of the duo.
Many Indians are puzzled. Under what deal did these two outmoded leaders signed and sealed an unholy compromise. Only Lord Murugan may know (Lord Muragan, one of the Indian deities, is known to have two alternate names - Vellu and Subramaniam).
The mystical handshake demonstrated Samy Velu's craftiness in 21st-century political tricks and gimmicks. An interesting development recently is that Dato Subra and Makkal Osai, Makkal Murasu, Nayanam and Malaysian Nanban cannot now demand or in any way be involved in campaigning for Samy Vellu to step down.
In other words Samy Vellu's mystical handshake that took place in the twilight of the new moon ammavasai has silenced and suppressed the voice of the large Indian Malaysian Indian demanding for Samy Vellu to step down.
Had Samy Vellu lived during the glorious times of the Roman Empire, he would have been awarded with the highest recognition for his wonderful craftsmanship!
The Indian Eye - Malaysiakini
We now suspect that what Mahathir had commented prior to the recent elections in that Samy Vellu had never raised issues regarding the Indian community’s grouses in the cabinet meetings could be true. A very interesting fact to note is that the remarks of Mahathir were not denied by Samy Vellu. This denial confirms that Samy Vellu never stood up for the Indian community.
I strongly believe that standing up for Indians was never part of Samy Vellu's political agenda and after reading this letter, your readers would be able to conclude for themselves what was this man's real agenda in politics.
Coming back to the recent scenario, it is obvious that Samy Vellu is fishing for media attention by making abrupt statements and shedding crocodile tears by demanding that "Indians want immediate action", "any more delays would only cause anxiety and unhappiness among the Indians". Samy Velu probably forgot that it was actually his own flawed leadership over the past 28 years that has delayed the implementation of government-related projects for the benefit of Indians, which in his own words ‘caused anxiety and unhappiness among the Indians’.
It is also awkwardly awful to read his desired expression that ‘we want the Indian community to move forward with the other communities’. How suddenly the so-called most senior cabinet minister Samy Vellu got this idea? And that too only after the severe defeat at his own constituency of Sungai Siput by his own constituents?
His real agenda? Approximately two decades ago, the Indian community trusted Samy Vellu who planned to raise holding funds from the Indian community to establish Maika Holdings. The government was very generous to allocate internationally profitable Telekom shares to Maika Holdings. The phantomlike initiative by Samy Velu received tremendous support from the Indian community comprising of all walks of life. The majority of them retired rubber tapers, who saved their hard earned money in the form of EPF savings, bank savings, in gold and jewelry, contributed without hesitation. All these hard-earned assets owned by the poor Indian community went to Maika Holdings in the form of shares.
The self-proclaimed Indian indissoluble leader, Samy Velu, came forward and declared that Maika Holding shareholders are enjoying peace of mind as the fate of their savings invested in Maika Holdings is secured.
What really happened? It is an inevitable fact that Samy Velu hired mercenaries whose only mission was to provide ‘kind and subtle treatment’ by dragging and kicking out Maika shareholders who raised any questions on the fate of their savings during the Maika Holdings AGM meetings. Before performing such an insulting and inhumane act, Samy Vellu should have realised that the poor shareholders were not asking a 10% commission from the salary that Samy Velu had earned as the most senior cabinet minister. The poor Maika shareholders were only asking for Maika to return their hard-earned money that they had invested by trusting Samy Vellu and his leadership.
One victim was former MIC deputy president Dato S. Subramaniam who tried to attend the latest Maika Holding AGM to raise matters of concern expressed by shareholders. He had every right to attend the AGM simply because he was the chairman of Nesa Cooperative Society which had invested a considerable amount in the Maika Holdings. It is also the right of Dato Subra to express his unhappiness over the state of affairs of the mismanagement of Maika Holdings because being the most senior MIC leader who served under Tan Sri Manikavasagam. But what happened to Dato Subra at the latest AGM? He was nearly pushed down by the mercenaries hired by Samy Velu who were wearing fancy earrings with flamboyant hair styles. These people were described by the Indian media as ‘hooligans’. Dato Subra was not the only victim; the IPF stalwart MG Pandinathan faced the same music at one of the Maika's AGM some time ago. He was attacked and kicked out of the AGM simply because he raised some questions regarding the state of affairs of Maika holdings.
Shareholders belonging to the Indian community are now asking Samy Vellu - when are you settling the Maika share money to the rightful shareholders? The latest voice came from the recently elected Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament Mr Kulasegaran who is also ‘unfortunately’ a rightful shareholder of Maika Holdings.
Despite this tormenting situation which has ignited anger among the Indian community in this country, Samy Vellu - who held the MIC leadership for the past 28 years - is now banging on the government's door and complaining that ‘there should be more actions and less planning’ for the Indian community.
It surprises me that Samy Vellu has totally forgotten that he was part of the government that according to him has let the Indian community down. I am able to recall that just a few months ago, the entire scenario was somewhat different. Samy Vellu's speeches were full of flowers for the government related aid and resources allocated to the Indian community. It is therefore highly probable that Samy could be suffering from dementia as he seems to forget things so very fast! Let me reinforce a statement here; It is Samy Velu who has ‘individually’ failed the Indian community not the Malaysian government.
‘Indians slogged for the country for the past 145 years working in estates and construction sectors and found themselves displaced after many estates were closed’. This statement made by Samy Vellu sounds very much similar to the statement made by the national Indian hero P. Uthayakumar currently held under ISA detention.
The words of P.Uthayakumar still rings in the ears, heart and souls of many Indian Malaysians and our dear friend Samy Vellu has plagiarised Uthayakumar's statement. Indeed it looks like Samy Vellu is seriously displaced himself.
And what about the Mystical Handshake? Samy Vellu screams in a loud shout that many Indian families were forced to live in slumps after they were evicted from their land that had been earmarked for the double tracking railway project. A fact to note is that after all these years we never heard Samy Vellu highlighting these matters to the government or at the MIC assemblies or during the election campaign lectures.
Being the former works minister, he must have had some role in planning, approving and initiating the double tracking railway project. Probably he was very much busy with his ‘ministerial duties’ that he forgot the fact that when the double tracking project successfully comes to end so will the homes of the poor Indian families affected by the project.
At this juncture, the Indian community must be aware of the ‘Mystical Handshake’ with his former deputy Dato Subramaniam in the name of burying the hatchet and performing the funeral rites for previous ill feelings and evil deeds.
It is interesting to note that if this mystical alliance never took place Dato Subra would have made use of his influential news paper Makkal Osai to bombard Samy Velu for his past, present and future mistakes. The bombardment did take place for some time until the ‘mystical handshake’ took place, and till today this unholy act has not been endorsed by Dato Subramaniam's close allies from Perlis to Johor. Even the stalwart and the die-hard supporters of Samy Vellu never came forward to endorse the ‘mystical handshake’ of the duo.
Many Indians are puzzled. Under what deal did these two outmoded leaders signed and sealed an unholy compromise. Only Lord Murugan may know (Lord Muragan, one of the Indian deities, is known to have two alternate names - Vellu and Subramaniam).
The mystical handshake demonstrated Samy Velu's craftiness in 21st-century political tricks and gimmicks. An interesting development recently is that Dato Subra and Makkal Osai, Makkal Murasu, Nayanam and Malaysian Nanban cannot now demand or in any way be involved in campaigning for Samy Vellu to step down.
In other words Samy Vellu's mystical handshake that took place in the twilight of the new moon ammavasai has silenced and suppressed the voice of the large Indian Malaysian Indian demanding for Samy Vellu to step down.
Had Samy Vellu lived during the glorious times of the Roman Empire, he would have been awarded with the highest recognition for his wonderful craftsmanship!
The Indian Eye - Malaysiakini
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
PM wades into royal tussle
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has declared unconstitutional the appointment of Ahmad Said as the new Terengganu menteri besar, in a rare showdown with the nation's royal rulers, reports said today.
Terengganu is the only state that has yet to install a government chief, two weeks after elections in which Abdullah's ruling coalition suffered its worst ever results.
The coalition led by Umno retained control of Terengganu but Abdullah's choice for menteri besar, incumbent Idris Jusoh, was overlooked by the state palace which appointed another Umno figure.
"Idris Jusoh commands majority support (among the elected state representatives). This has not changed," Abdullah said according to the official Bernama news agency.
"As such, the appointment of any other person to the post is unconstitutional," he said.
Low point for Umno
Malaysia's elections, which delivered four more states and a third of parliamentary seats to the opposition, triggered tussles with royals in other states but appointees there had the support of the majority of lawmakers.
The New Straits Times said in an editorial that an unhappy relationship between the menteri besar and royal rulers could result in "trouble and acrimony".
Analysts say the clash between the Terengganu palace and Abdullah's government is symptomatic of the prime minister's weakened position after the unprecedented election losses.
"Abdullah was already weak to begin with and the crisis in Terengganu just shows how much more worse off his position is," said Tricia Yeo from the Centre for Public Policy Studies.
"It shows the rampant infighting within the party that is now preventing the government from getting down to rule the country," she added. "It is definitely a low point for Umno."
Under Malaysia's rotating monarchy, the Sultan of Terengganu is at present the Malaysian king and has delegated his powers to his son who is only eight years old and so co-reigns with a three-member Regency Advisory Council.
(AFP)
Terengganu is the only state that has yet to install a government chief, two weeks after elections in which Abdullah's ruling coalition suffered its worst ever results.
The coalition led by Umno retained control of Terengganu but Abdullah's choice for menteri besar, incumbent Idris Jusoh, was overlooked by the state palace which appointed another Umno figure.
"Idris Jusoh commands majority support (among the elected state representatives). This has not changed," Abdullah said according to the official Bernama news agency.
"As such, the appointment of any other person to the post is unconstitutional," he said.
Low point for Umno
Malaysia's elections, which delivered four more states and a third of parliamentary seats to the opposition, triggered tussles with royals in other states but appointees there had the support of the majority of lawmakers.
The New Straits Times said in an editorial that an unhappy relationship between the menteri besar and royal rulers could result in "trouble and acrimony".
Analysts say the clash between the Terengganu palace and Abdullah's government is symptomatic of the prime minister's weakened position after the unprecedented election losses.
"Abdullah was already weak to begin with and the crisis in Terengganu just shows how much more worse off his position is," said Tricia Yeo from the Centre for Public Policy Studies.
"It shows the rampant infighting within the party that is now preventing the government from getting down to rule the country," she added. "It is definitely a low point for Umno."
Under Malaysia's rotating monarchy, the Sultan of Terengganu is at present the Malaysian king and has delegated his powers to his son who is only eight years old and so co-reigns with a three-member Regency Advisory Council.
(AFP)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Dispute with sultan's palace the latest headache for Malaysian premier Abdullah
A Malaysian sultan is embroiled in a rare dispute with the ruling political party after his palace overruled the prime minister's selection of a state official.
The palace of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in northeastern Terengganu state stunned politicians late Saturday by appointing a different state chief minister than the candidate favored by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Lawmakers representing Abdullah's United Malays National Organization, or UMNO, submitted a formal protest and threatened to resign unless the palace backed down.
The royal row is the latest headache for Abdullah, who is struggling to assert his authority after the March 8 general elections in which his governing coalition held on to power but suffered stinging setbacks.
The conflict is particularly sensitive because Mizan is also currently serving his turn as Malaysia's widely respected national king.
Nine of Malaysia's states are headed by hereditary sultans and rajas, who take turns serving as the country's constitutional monarch for five-year terms. The sultans' role is largely ceremonial and they generally stay out of politics. However, one of their constitutional duties is to appoint chief ministers and other officials in their states.
Usually, the state rulers appoint the choice of the party with a majority in the state legislature.
But although UMNO retained its majority in Terengganu in the recent elections, the sultan's palace announced Saturday it was not appointing Idris Jusoh, who has headed Terengganu's administration since 2004 and was UMNO's choice to keep the job.
Instead, the palace's Regency Advisory Council named another UMNO lawmaker, Ahmad Said, as chief minister and said he would be sworn in Sunday "in accordance" with the constitution. According to state laws, the chief minister must be a legislator whom the palace believes commands majority support.
Palace officials handed Ahmad an appointment letter Sunday but postponed the swearing-in ceremony after Terengganu lawmakers warned that Ahmad could be stripped of his party membership because he disobeyed UMNO by accepting the post.
Because he is serving as king, Mizan did not personally make the controversial appointment, leaving the job to his advisory council led by his brother. Nevertheless, political observers say the conflict seems to be fueled by a personal fallout between Mizan and Idris.
UMNO representative Rosol Wahid denied their opposition to the appointment was an "act of revolt," but warned that his colleagues would seek a no-confidence vote against any chief minister apart from Idris.
"We won't support any other candidate," Rosol told reporters in Terengganu.
Fears of a similar crisis surfaced in northern Perlis state when its raja last week rejected Abdullah's nomination for chief minister. But the palace's choice was sworn in with support from lawmakers.
The royal spats indicate Malaysia's nobility may be testing its own clout amid suspicions that Abdullah's hold on power has declined after his ruling coalition lost its parliamentary two-thirds majority.
The National Front coalition kept control of only eight of Malaysia's 13 states amid public frustration over rising prices, corruption and racial and religious tensions.
Top coalition leaders have publicly pledged support for Abdullah, but some members insist he should resign. Among them is another royal: Razaleigh Hamzah, who is a prince in northeastern Kelantan state, has said he is willing to challenge Abdullah for the UMNO presidency in party polls in August.
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
The palace of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in northeastern Terengganu state stunned politicians late Saturday by appointing a different state chief minister than the candidate favored by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Lawmakers representing Abdullah's United Malays National Organization, or UMNO, submitted a formal protest and threatened to resign unless the palace backed down.
The royal row is the latest headache for Abdullah, who is struggling to assert his authority after the March 8 general elections in which his governing coalition held on to power but suffered stinging setbacks.
The conflict is particularly sensitive because Mizan is also currently serving his turn as Malaysia's widely respected national king.
Nine of Malaysia's states are headed by hereditary sultans and rajas, who take turns serving as the country's constitutional monarch for five-year terms. The sultans' role is largely ceremonial and they generally stay out of politics. However, one of their constitutional duties is to appoint chief ministers and other officials in their states.
Usually, the state rulers appoint the choice of the party with a majority in the state legislature.
But although UMNO retained its majority in Terengganu in the recent elections, the sultan's palace announced Saturday it was not appointing Idris Jusoh, who has headed Terengganu's administration since 2004 and was UMNO's choice to keep the job.
Instead, the palace's Regency Advisory Council named another UMNO lawmaker, Ahmad Said, as chief minister and said he would be sworn in Sunday "in accordance" with the constitution. According to state laws, the chief minister must be a legislator whom the palace believes commands majority support.
Palace officials handed Ahmad an appointment letter Sunday but postponed the swearing-in ceremony after Terengganu lawmakers warned that Ahmad could be stripped of his party membership because he disobeyed UMNO by accepting the post.
Because he is serving as king, Mizan did not personally make the controversial appointment, leaving the job to his advisory council led by his brother. Nevertheless, political observers say the conflict seems to be fueled by a personal fallout between Mizan and Idris.
UMNO representative Rosol Wahid denied their opposition to the appointment was an "act of revolt," but warned that his colleagues would seek a no-confidence vote against any chief minister apart from Idris.
"We won't support any other candidate," Rosol told reporters in Terengganu.
Fears of a similar crisis surfaced in northern Perlis state when its raja last week rejected Abdullah's nomination for chief minister. But the palace's choice was sworn in with support from lawmakers.
The royal spats indicate Malaysia's nobility may be testing its own clout amid suspicions that Abdullah's hold on power has declined after his ruling coalition lost its parliamentary two-thirds majority.
The National Front coalition kept control of only eight of Malaysia's 13 states amid public frustration over rising prices, corruption and racial and religious tensions.
Top coalition leaders have publicly pledged support for Abdullah, but some members insist he should resign. Among them is another royal: Razaleigh Hamzah, who is a prince in northeastern Kelantan state, has said he is willing to challenge Abdullah for the UMNO presidency in party polls in August.
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
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