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.)

Monday, December 26, 2011

We, the voters, should be given the choice to select our PM

Never before has there been such a clear contest for the PM position in Malaysia, unless the verdict on January 9, 2012 put Anwar behind bars again.

By convention, BN (Alliance before), with Umno as the anchor party, had always chosen Umno's President and Deputy President as the nation's Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. We have seen how this system meant our PM was decided by 191 division leaders of Umno. The power in the hands of the decision-makers is obvious, and it follows that whoever is able to influence them gets to be PM. Where does that leave us, the voters?

Pakatan Rakyat has confirmed, and reconfirmed, even to the extent of considering making Anwar PM if he were to be sentenced to jail, if ever PR won the next general election.

Therefore, the choice for the post of PM of Malaysia is between BN's Najib and PR's Anwar.

The Sodomy II case is perceived by many to be cooked up by vested interests who wanted Anwar to be out of the way in the coming general election. The fact that the so-called victim met with the PM (no less) and a police officer in a hotel (of all places) serves to re-enforce this perception. The rest of the evidence are well documented and commented during the trial and now we await the crucial verdict on January 9.

I am sure many voters feel that the competition for the post of PM between Najib and Anwar will be unfairly affected by the deliberate action to disqualify Anwar using Sodomy II. It shows Najib as being unprepared to face a fair competition to let the voters decide in the forthcoming general elections. It also shows how the incumbent has an unfair advantage because of the many institutions under his control. Should Najib wins because of Anwar being put away, his victory will be hollow and dishonourable.

However, there is always the prospect that any judgment against Anwar could rally the people behind his daughter Nurul Izzah, which could possibly tip the balance at the GE in PR's favour. The perception of injustice could work wonders in the minds of the people, cutting across race and religious barriers. She will be the chosen icon without the usual jealousies between more obvious contenders under normal circumstances. Let's hope good sense will prevail and that there will be a fair competition between Najib and Anwar, which gives us a chance to choose our PM.

Update:
Wlliam Leong's latest article on Legitimacy of the Judiciary...
http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/46090-legitimacy-of-the-judiciary-political-foes-bn-businessman-and-you
Link

No comments: