How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Friday, September 19, 2008

Crossover - where is the consistency?

I am sure most people are aware of how PBS was overthrown in Sabah. After reading Arianna's letter in Malaysiakini, Speak up MPs or forever keep your peace, there is no doubt about BN's inconsistent policies and statements, obviously to suit itself:

"Back in the early 1990s, when Barisan Nasional staged a 'coup d'etat' to overthrow the just elected Parti Bersatu Sabah-led government, BN leaders did not make any announcement for a possible takeover whatsoever.

But week or so earlier, there had been intense power brokering behind the scenes, with promises of millions of ringgit being allegedly promised to those who defect.

Whatever the story, the helm of government did change hands. Sabahans woke up in the morning to find out, by word of mouth, that their elected government had been overthrown by the BN. Just like that.

Then premier Mahathir Mohammad and his then deputy Anwar Ibrahim plus the entire federal cabinet and BN leaders and supporters, lauded the move.

They did not call it undemocratic. They did not demonised the people who had defected. They described the PBS members who defected to BN, as 'brave', among other praises.

How was the coup d'etat staged? The masterminds were a few Umno leaders who were members of the federal cabinet, and interested parties from Sarawak (Sabah?)

After successfully luring some PBS members to defect, they made them sign a declaration and with that letter, they headed to the Istana Negeri and got the head of state to declare the PBS state government 'null and void' , because it did not command the majority in the Sabah Assembly. They did not even wait for the first session of the Sabah Assembly to convene and tabled a motion of no-confidence and appointed a new chief minister.

The BN circumvented state laws, disregarded both the Sabah Constitution and the people's mandate. They simply convinced the head of state with a letter of declaration signed by some members. And hey, presto! We had a new chief minister and a new BN state government forced upon us.

Just like that, Sabahans lost their elected government. We were angry because majority of the people resented the BN but Sabahans did not take to the streets to voice their frustration because we are peace loving citizens.

There was no bloodshed, no street demonstrations unlike when PBS was first elected to power in 1986 and met with resistance from illegal immigrant rioters who received tacit support from BN leaders.

The question now is do BN leaders know when to call it quits? The voice of the opposition and of the rakyat is getting too strong for you to ignore.

You, BN, had a chance to do the right thing but you blew it.

I say we let each and every MP stand up and make their stand. Whether they still want Abdullah and the BN to continue at the helm of government or let Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat take over. The choice is theirs."

No comments: