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Sakmongkol ak 47

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Sunday 1 February 2009

UMNO’s Hall of Infamy

I was revising my notes of my article on Najib's choice of ketua pemuda when I received a comment from a friend in Blogsphere. Pak Zawi from Kelantan has expressed his disappointment over the desertion of the 2 PKR reps. If I understand it correctly, it's not with the desertion of the two that he is more depressed with as it is with the impact on UMNO's moral uprightness. He wanted to know my thoughts on this. Here are the thoughts of a sidelined politician.

PKR Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Radzi and his Changkat Jering colleague Osman Jailu have been reported "missing". The PKR duo was at the centre of a bribery charge last year. Last August, Jamaludin and Osman, along with three others, were charged with 16 counts of corruption involving a RM180 million housing project spanning 36 hectares in Sri Iskandar, south of Ipoh. Their trial is scheduled to begin on Feb 10. If convicted, they could face a maximum of 20 years in jail and a fine of not less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM10, 000, whichever is higher. According to rumours, they were offered to have the corruption charges against them dropped if they switched camps.

Suppose the rumours are true. UMNO has used both the carrot and stick to persuade the YBs to realise the errors of their ways. And after an SMS I received from an UMNO parliamentarian reporting the latest goings on, I am inclined to believe that that will be true.

That set me into thinking. Is that an occasion to celebrate? To rejoice at UMNO's success of persuading 2 PKR people to accept the ideals of UMNO? What UMNO shows is that, it is no different from Anwar Ibrahim in terms of values that it has. Despite its trumpeted remonstrations and pompous righteousness against party hopping, when push comes to shove, our acceptance of the two renegade PKR man proves that we are as opportunistic as Anwar Ibrahim. But then Anwar Ibrahim is just the other side of the coin, No? Of course we will rationalise our behaviour as pragmatism and doing what any ordinary party will do.

That brings me back to the declaration by the DPM that the way to combat political corruption, exemplified commonly in the form of money politics, is to (a) make enforcement more efficient and (b) moral exhortation. Both of which are very tall orders. As I said, the ink from the press reporting what Najib said has not even dried, when a group of UMNO street fighters staged a noisy demonstration. They want a stop to MACCs intrusion into the morality of UMNO politics and expel the well meaning Tengku Din. That public declaration of political righteousness is immediately rendered hypocritical when we used the same tactics to induct the two political deserters. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah may be on to something when he said: so far, the most high-profile alternative suggestion against "money politics" has been to have stricter enforcement and moral exhortation. By the same leaders who elected through money politics, presumably.

That will only show, UMNO has no ideals. It only has expediency which is just a gloss to the classic saying that in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, just permanent interests. We have no permanent friends. We have no permanent enemies. We just have permanent interests." These words were said by Benjamin Disraeli, the British PM in Victorian times. Thus we are able to translate: UMNO has no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

This depressing episode demonstrates again and again, that UMNO is on the throes of death. It seems to attract likeminded opportunists, the dregs of societies, the rejects who prostitute themselves. Just look at the two prospective inductees, they are allegedly involved in corruption. If they are indeed guilty, they can also be bought on the same terms. In the end, there will no longer be honourable men in UMNO. The inductees in UMNO's Hall of infamy include an ex minister with a penchant of putting his hands on the rear end of cigar girls, an ex MB who flouted the laws of a foreign land, the morally depraved, the contract junkies and so forth.

What options do the Malays have now? Honourable politicians such as Tengku Razaleigh are spurned in favour of political degenerates, the UMNO system all fucked up, and money politics has infected every sinew and marrow of UMNO. The Malays will gravitate towards Nik Aziz or will extol the political uprightness of the lion of Jelutong, Karpal Singh. He has remained stubbornly steadfast in rejecting political frogging as a means to secure or retain power. And UMNO? UMNO will be the refuge of political scoundrels.

25 comments:

Pak Zawi 1 February 2009 at 21:13  

Dato' Sak,
Thank you for the immediate responce and the SMS alert. Really appreciate your opinion on this especially after I have read RPK's take on this matter. According to RPK, Dato' Nasaruddin's defection was due to his disagreement to UMNO's use of the carrot as well as coercion on the two state reps to defect. With the bribery threat looming I am more keen to believe that coercion is the reasons if they were to defect.
Everything is academic now as the the MB has opted to seek a referendum from the two state constituencies to decide on the matter via another by-election. Like Kuala Terengganu, the result will be very significant as another two losses will be a clear message to UMNO/BN that it is indeed in it's death throes. It is most fortunate that my late mum didn't live to witness the death of her beloved UMNO for the second time.
Just be ready to register a new UMNO (BARU) yang terbaru.

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 21:17  

You mean our government is going to save these 2 Aduns from corruption charges if they join BN????? MALUNYA! THAT LOW AND DESPERATE!

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 21:25  

there is one factor that everybody tends to forget. The voters. They are not stupid and they are equally as intelligent as those in KT.
God-bless, i think there will be major upsets in these two aduns... both for PAS/PKR and UMNO. I hope not in the expense of the malays which are the majority there.
seman-tahan

red rooster 1 February 2009 at 21:30  

How immoral! Hopping from one political party to another by the 'wakil rakyat' is definitely an act of betrayal. Trust and 'amanah' given by people should be respected! There's nothing to be celebrated.

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 21:39  

a mentally challenged UMNO warlord says- all's fair in love and war. Anwar started it first.
this means, UMNO is the same as Anwar. two wrongs make a right?
another moron says- sauce for the goose, sauce for the gender.
so what morality is UMNO talking about. It has thrown everything down the longkang.

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 21:59  

When PM makes the announcement tomorrow that these 2 PKR Aduns are going to frog over to BN, are we suppose to be happy???? BOOOOOOOOOOO!
Before this, BN would have been delighted had they been found guilty of bribery charges etc. Now BN wants to SAVE them??
How despicable and filthy!!

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 22:37  

Dato Sak,
I would probably sit out the Saturday Night Quaterbacking and wait for the result. My gut says a victory for UMNO in both outtings, which shoud mark a recovery in the party.

But will this lead the public to become weary and disenchanted with this politcal leap frogging. Biggest loser is still PKR cos they drew first blood.

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 22:55  

Good smacking Dato'. I prefer to nail all the scoundrels as you've mentioned in the coffin and bury them in the hall of shame. It is in fact a sad occasion when all malay will very soon recite the talqin for the innocent UMNO. It is truly a case where it is not the Song that has failed but rather the singer or singers that went out of tune. Pity for UMNO, the party who had fought out and gain independence with 'darah dan air mata' only to be let down few generation later by pillaging pirates.

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 23:01  

Wenger,
I think your gut feeling is wrong.PKR will win because the people are so disillusioned with BN's lack of concentration on the economic issues of the country.
Asyik berkempen and membazir duit rakyat tak habis2!
Banyak sangat katak2 dehaka! Malunya semua katak2 Melayu!

nightcaller 1 February 2009 at 23:10  

U wrote "Here are the thoughts of a sidelined politician." Did I read it correctly or u are trying to be modest and humble in ur thoughts?

As it stands, UMNO needs more people like u if it wants to survive and remains a political force. Out with the corrupted, self-serving leaders. To do that, maybe u need to join force with bloggers Nobisha, bengkel waziboy (formerly of pade doh) and form team C (independent UMNO). This will pave the way for a better representation to us, the electorates where we can make a choice, either to give PR or to let new UMNO stalwarts the chance to govern Malaysia.

The time to act is now before UMNO is given a painful and sorrowful sendoff by the electorates. If and when that happens, UMNO will forever loss its glory...

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...
dnightcaller.blogspot.com

kuldeep 1 February 2009 at 23:14  

If the two guys do indeed hop over to UMNO,then it is clearly cos they are guilty of corruption.On balance, when push comes to shove the 2 guys may hv decided that it is better to be imprisoned morally then to be imprisoned physically.
And if charges against them are subsequently dropped then it is also clear that the Anti Corruption Agency is still not not in anyway independent.
Thus it is a no win position for UMNO and more importantly our beloved Malaysia.
by the way..we are in for a long2 winter cos the validity of undated presigned letters of resignation is questionable..can be regarded as duress.
In the midst of the growing recessionary environment where finding a bowl of rice may become difficult for many..our elites are jostling for power and self preservation without due regard to the rakyat.
Isn't there a single sane voice in the corridors of power?

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 23:18  

Good one Dato'

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 23:21  

Salam Dato'

I for one would like to vouch for you.

Anonymous,  1 February 2009 at 23:21  

is the mentality of the Malays reflected in UMNO ?.
if Yes, the Malays are long gone !
but if No, what are the Malays going to do ?.
is UMNO not sensitive to the Malays ?
if Yes, why UMNO is killing the Malays ?.
can the Malays wake up and take action against UMNO ?.
how can the Malays react now b4 its too late ?.
or is it too late !!!!!

islandman

Anonymous,  2 February 2009 at 01:13  

Datuk Sak, I think you should seriously consider the idea (and ideals) of Team C i.e. a new, fresh & independent UMNO. UMNO is still relevant, but NOT today's UMNO. Today's UMNO is .. Ummm, No! No! I am all for UMNO Baru (not in the mould of the 'old' UMNO Baru btw).Dah tak lalu nak stomach the prevailing shenanigans..

Kak Chik dari Kuala Kangsar
(bukan supporter kak Pidah)

Anonymous,  2 February 2009 at 04:43  

Dato' Sak,
I like the UMNO's "never give up" spirit. If you cannot lure them, bribe them. If you cannot bribe them, buy them. If you cannot buy them, threaten them. Chances are one of these tactics should work.

Anonymous,  2 February 2009 at 08:04  

Dato'

Three generations will live happily ever after. Who will not be tempted? Have you heard a figure to the tune of RM80m? Well, I did and that was way back 20yrs ago!!

I have worked with this type of people and see how they splash and spend these ill gotten monies!!

SHAME ON THEM.

CITIZEN.

Mat Cendana 2 February 2009 at 08:59  

Is the declaration by the Perak Speaker of the two seats being vacant valid?

Remember those by-elections in Kelantan in the early 1990's when two Semangat 46 Aduns joined Umno? They had signed resignation letters too.

However, the court later declared these letters were not valid; and despite the BN losing the by-elections, still managed to get the two seats reinstated to the former S46 Aduns who had jumped to Umno.

Pak Zawi 2 February 2009 at 12:22  

Dato' Sak,
I am referring to Mat Cendana's comment. I think he is correct.
We have to also remember that the court of justice of then was very pliant with the request of the Executives. Now the Judiciary has procured a new image of being more just than before.
When those goons signed on the dotted line before the election, they know that one day those letters will be used against them should the need arises. The day has come. Let us see how the courts are going to decide this time. Going by precedents, the odds are the two goons has been bribed or coerced into joining UMNO.

Raison D'etre 2 February 2009 at 13:55  

In one word: Wow.

Our sentiments exactly of Umno, SM.

You've however managed to put in words most eloquent and hard hitting.

Question would thus be: How many like minded (the negatives, I mean) are there that makes Umno such a real recalcitrant party to change for the better?

Like you said they could have opted for the unblemished, but did not.

kuldeep 2 February 2009 at 15:07  

The 2 guys purported to hv resigned>>there will be an injunction by them to stop any byelections...and the case will drag on forever.The Perak govt can,I presume get an order that the 2 guys be suspended until resolution of the court proceedings.
Meanwhile,PKR will still have a majority.
So,forget those 2 guys..they have little bearing on the status of the govt as it is now.The focus should for UMNO to look for 3 weak links from DAP/PAS cos I presume these guys don't have that pre-signed letters?
However,isn't it better that instead of all this power plays the energies is focused on mitigating the impact of the recession on the rakyat and the country.

Anonymous,  2 February 2009 at 15:24  

" look at the two prospective inductees, they are allegedly involved in corruption. If they are indeed guilty, they can also be bought on the same terms. In the end, there will no longer be honourable men in UMNO."

I agree with the sentiments of Nightcaller. Dato' Sak, you are fast becoming an endangered species in UMNO. Politics is a dirty game and nice guys don't last long in the business. I"m just wondering how many UMNO politicians are like-minded like you. I am speculating that the numbers are not big otherwise we would have by now experience a groundswell of protest against what is happening in UMNO politics in recent times. No disrespect intended Dato, on the contrary, following your blogging regularly, you have demonstrated a sanity that is sorely missing in many of today's political bloggings. Alas, with dwindling numbers in your ranks, I suppose you will be consigned to being an armchair critic or do you have the resolve to mobilize a calvary of knights in shining armour and charge into battle for your beloved UMNO? Yes I can see you now like Aragorn in The Return of the King (part 3 of The LOrd of The Rings) http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechreturnoftheking.html

" Hold your ground! Hold your ground! ...

Hope you are not offended, Dato sak, I meant it to be positive. cheers

Anonymous,  2 February 2009 at 15:26  

oops - full url linlk should be

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechreturnoftheking.html

Anonymous,  2 February 2009 at 20:56  

I wonder if this is a political ploy or what? In either ways, BN will be in the loosing side, damn loosing side. If the two Adun were to hop over to BN, BN will get a double jeopardy. First they will be accused of accepting 2 corrupt politician. Worse they will be accused of abusing their power to provide immunity to those who seek refuge in BN. Lest of all the accusation of BN using threat to gain political power.

Look at how Anwar plays things up.
http://anwaribrahimblog.com/2009/02/02/surat-akuan-ketua-bahagian-ipoh-barat/

He got one of is Adun to make an SD of Najib using money to lurk PR MP to hop over (we should question this Adun, why now since the incident happened almost 11 months ago). Another news is the use of threat to Adun of Bukit Selambau to hop over.
http://anwaribrahimblog.com/2009/02/02/kenyataan-akhbar-adun-bukit-selambau/

What a coincident. One about money politic, another about threat. They fit nicely into the Perak drama.

So never mind if the Perak government change hand to BN. If so happen, BN may think they have win the battle, but in actual fact, they lose the war. People would be more disgusted with BN. Come PRU 13, BN would be history.

BTW, have you ever wonder, why it is always Najib as the victim of Anwar persecution?

Pak Zawi 4 February 2009 at 17:34  

Dato' Sak,
Now its proven that it was all DPMs game in Perak. The Trojan horse was planted into the PKR camp to provide the legitimacy to buy over the other state reps. Whose money was used to buy the souls of those politicians?
There is no need for election anywhere in this country. Just prepare ample war chest to buy over your enemy and form the government. It is the new political system of Malaysia.

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