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Sakmongkol ak 47

ariff.sabri@gmail.com

Wednesday 8 December 2010

UMNO and Corruption

  1. Corruption is caused as well as increased because of the change in the value system and ethical qualities of men who administer. The old ideals of morality, service and honesty are regarded as an anachronism.
  2. Tolerance of people towards corruption, complete lack of intense public outcry against corruption and the absence of strong public forum to oppose corruption allow corruption to reign over people.

The stupidest mistake UMNO can make now is turning Khir Toyo's purely legal problem into a political one. That will mean making out UMNO as a victim of some sinister plot targeting its leaders. Of course it's targeting its leaders- the corrupt ones. We don't have to have pity on these. If we do, then we have confused our values system.

It's time we face the reality, that some crook UMNO leaders have become rich on their ill-gotten gains. Ordinary UMNO members are certainly interested to know the value of Khir's House. Dr Mahathir once said, even his house which is far modest than this dentist's already cost the value Khir used to advertise around. Dr Mahathir's house costs the same as the price Khir bought his land.

Its time leaders like Khir Toyo share the feelings of being given the usual unsolicited talk-down advice of "there's nothing to fear if you have done nothing wrong".

UMNO should not be apologetic if these things happen to its leaders. PM Najib wants to do house cleaning and he does embark on it seriously, his tasks are like cleaning the Augean Stables. But he must do it, as elections loom nearer. He needs support not apologetic pleadings.

I am ready to commend PM Najib when he takes a 'doing right' position. And it's here that I can explain something to the knuckleheads out there.

A political adversary asked me- why are you hitting at PM Najib at every chance you get? Weren't you his ADUN before and served as divisional committee member for a number of years and was also his information chief in UMNO Pekan? Let me state unequivocally here: I am an UMNO man. I hadn't abandoned the party. I support PM Najib. But I am critical of him and his policies. There are so many obsequious supporters around him that may prevent him from getting a reality check. So don't begrudge me from being my critical self. There are enough of you out there who can balance my trenchant criticisms.

I can say these things: - no one can say PM Najib hasn't got a good work ethics. This I personally know. He is a workaholic. He is also a personable fellow. Despite these endearing qualities, I would be remiss in my self-assumed duty if I were to hold back from giving honest criticisms. I have seen the near disastrous effects of people around him giving ear pleasing disinformation to Najib. In the 1999 GE, Najib won the Pekan seat with a majority of 241 votes. This was caused mainly by people around him giving lulling disinformation which created a false sense of invincibility. He has learnt an important lesson- that victory has to be won over and over again. And he must never trust those Malay-Greeks bringing gifts.

At the same time, there are also many good things he has done and will do.

He also has those qualities that aren't so good. Trying to be all things to all people, is one of them. Limiting himself from taking decisive and at times surgical measures is another. Mistaking loyalty for competence is another. The list is long. So I try to point these out in my style.

Now he has allowed the law to take its course on one leading UMNO leader. He has shown his resolve too when Anwar Ibrahim met up with him. You know Anwar Ibrahim- he still thinks Najib as his deputy as last time and spoke down on Najib. I don't have to elaborate on the subject of the conversation between Anwar and Najib. What Najib said must have jolted Anwar. That he doesn't control the judiciary and Anwar would have to allow the due process of law to take place. We have seen how Anwar has exploited every avenues permitted by law to beat the system.

Now, he has shown his resolve once again. Khir was MB for Selangor for a number of years. He is a leader of UMNO Selangor. But he is not getting any favorable treatment in the present case. And PM Najib has said this is a normal judicial process.

How do we treat Khir's case? First, avoid turning khir into a martyr. He is not. If he has gotten his wealth though ill-gotten means, he must suffer the punishment. As this case is expected to take up some time, his political career is dismal. If there is a taint of corruption, he will certainly not be fielded as candidate in the next election.

Khir's case can't be among the 18 high profile cases declared pompously by Rais Yatim a few years ago? It also can't be one of those hidden in the many boxes announced by Senator Ezam Mohd Noor some time ago. This case postdates whatever said by the two.

Yesterday we saw Khir Toyo, the former MB of Selangor being charged in court. He will answer charges of corruption. He has bought two pieces of land at half the value for which they were bought by the first vendor. The first vendor is a successful Malay contractor who cut his teeth since the time of Tan Sri Mohd Taib. He must have been very charitable.

The original price was over RM 6 million. Khir bought it at over 3 million. We will soon know why the vendor was willing to sell the land at such a big loss or discount. We will also know perhaps, the cost of the house. How was it possible for Khir to procure the land at such a huge discount? Is the seller a mental retard or was he charmed by some Javanese voodoo incantations that compelled him to underpriced his sale? Khir Toyo must have conjured something from his tempe. Maybe Khir can write a business manual, how to sell tempe and build a mansion.

In Singapore a few years ago, the sale of a number of units of upscale condominiums to Lee Kuan Yew and his family members caused such uproar and the person alleging improprieties subjected to defamation actions. If Khir is innocent he can sue the pants off his enemies.

Khir's case has validated our practical definition of corruption- it's the abuse of public office by holders of that office for personal and private gains. In general, there is always the possibility that any person placed in charge of sources of power, rules, regulations are in position to abuse them for personal gain. Those people in MCMC for example, having wide discretionary power to issue mobile phone licenses or air space or whatever they are called are able to manipulate the rules and regulations for personal gains.

As a general rule too, retired top civil servants now living beyond their means, aged 55 and above, driving around in the most expensive of cars have accumulated huge amounts of money through corruption. They weren't doing business and government pay wasn't large.

The next credibility making step PM Najib can take is to sanction charges on some recently retired top civil servant. In South Africa its former IGP was charged and found guilty of corruption. Here in Malaysia, in order to put to rest those wild accusations against former IGP Musa Hassan, the son of a venerable religious personality, allow MACC to investigate him.

That is why I say, Najib has an Augean Stable to clean.

43 comments:

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 08:11  

The land was bought for RM6 million and sold to Dr. Khir for RM3 million. A case of willing seller - willing buyer. so is there a case?
This brings to my memory an incident years past. A quantity surveyor tried to sell his old car for RM4,000. No buyers. He mentioned to his company's contractor that he wanted to sell his car and that contractor offered RM10,000. Car sold-bought. willing buyer-willing seller. So is there a case?
I think Dr. Khir is ............ Well MACC is in a spot.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 08:19  

Its a willing buyer and willing seller with certain undertakes elsewhere to cover the the difference. We need to know the where is that elsewhere related transaction.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 08:25  

Dato'

Please help me.
I bought a house for RM400k. Now I am in a shit and want to sell the house for RM350k. Will I be in trouble in future if the buyer happens to be the Selangor MB?
What a case for Dr. Khir. So clear cut.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 08:55  

The case of Lee Kuan Yew and his son the present PM Lee Hsien Loong were sort of receiving an "early bird discount" that amounted to a million dollar.

After the public uproar both decided to donate their discounts to some charity organizations. It was an embarrassing moment for father and son. As for the lawyer who whistle blowed...he had to run to Australia cos' the father and son launched a massive "investigation" against the lawyer.

The lawyer concerned was brought to court and he had a Queen's Counsel from Australia defending him but no case was ever won if it was against the "emperor"....

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 09:02  

Well said Anon 08:11

It's another 'Kasitah Gaddam' unless AG can somehow prove that arising from the said transaction, Ditamas was given favours directly by Khir, which I doubt.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 09:33  

already some khir toyo supporters are putting the blame on khairy. amazing people we have here.

kee 8 December 2010 at 09:35  

The contractor bought land for RM6 million and sold to Toyo, while he was still MB, for RM3 million.

Without the willing-buyer/willing-seller crap, it could have been extortion. If extortion, only Toyo the extortioner kena tangkap.

But Toyo claims willing-buyer/willing-seller, which means corruption with a willing giver and a willing taker. Now kedua-dua kena tangkap.

What's the lesson here? Be careful when doing monkey business with members of the ketuanan tribe. If they have to go down, they try their best to pull you down with them.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 09:52  

How very true. If Khir was willing then there were those who will also become willing.
Sometimes there could be those who were more willing to ensure Khir became more willing.
Sometimes there could be those who had to be willing before Khir became willing.
In the end it was because eveyone was willing.

OneMalaysian,  8 December 2010 at 10:54  

Dear Sakmongkol

“That is why I say, Najib has an Augean Stable to clean”.

Indeed he has. But can he and will he? There is so much filth around. In Greek mythology the Augean Stable had 1000 heads of cattle, and it had not been cleaned for 30 years. So we can imagine the stench.

This is not quite unlike the UMNO-led government of the past 30 years, when corruption grew and stank to high heaven. Now they have just arrested one admiral. There are another 999 out there. It will take a superhuman effort out of Najib if he is serious. We wonder if house cleaning is one of his many strengths.

gram.kong 8 December 2010 at 10:58  

Dato,

Let get serious, look at the charge,do you seriously believe it can hold?

Selling something at a discount, even below your cost is not a crime.Unless, or course if the land was in exchange for greater favours accorded to the seller when he was MB.That's probably,a hard nut to crack for the prosecution.

It's not a serious attempt but a dose of placebo, a feel good effect, with negative result.

Even I, supporter of the BN concept is sceptical, can you imagine the oppositions.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 11:35  

Dato'

It's sad but true that we're way behind Indonesia in fighting and convicting corrupt cases.

Much has to be done by our PM and team if BN harbours any intention to retain Putrajaya.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 11:48  

This piece is a disappointment.

-MAKORANG-

lan 8 December 2010 at 11:55  

Cant believe KT had the gumption to build such a mansion.

kalau bijak sikit, buat jela dekat kampung halaman nun sana

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 12:22  

The case could be criminal breach of trust instead of corruption on the part of the MD of Ditamas SB Shamsuddin?
Firstly we need to know who the shareholders of Ditamas SB are. If some of the shareholders are not entirely related to Shamsuddin, he should have sought the shareholders approval to sell the land at that exorbitant discount. If he did not seek approval, then Shamsuddin had committed CBT and the transaction was not at arms length.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 12:26  

I find the charge suspicious as it is difficult to prove.

There was a gambler in my neighbourhood, twice defaulted, loansharks after him, his S&P lawyer offered him cash for his corner house, market price 600K plus, lawyer offered him 350K, he took because it is cold hard cash in front on him... his lawyer took advantage... is this corruption?

They should be going after his wrongdoings while in govt... if they don't, it is hard to convince the public it is not an election sandiwara or internal umno politics to remove him...

Donplaypuks® 8 December 2010 at 12:28  

No doubt rooting out corruption in Malaysia will be a Herculean task, but the authorities should NEVER back down from pursuing it.

Firstly, the must have a clear definition of corruption.

How do we classify a case of a PM's wife having an office in Putrajaya regardless of whether she "uses" the services of Government personnel or not. Where exactly in our Constitution do we have a provision for the status of a PM's wife as an automatic Govt servant or a budget for her to milk taxpayers' money?

dpp
we are all of 1 Race, the Human Race

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 12:36  

Anon 8.25am,

Its is a shit also if there is no other buyers other than the MB. Its so stupid for that Sham not not find a good sales agent who can find a buyer who can buy at higher than what MB is willing to pay. Need to look other transaction that Sham can make the difference

Malaysia180 8 December 2010 at 12:47  

Why cant you be honest with yourself and explore the relationship between your first two points and Islam... the formative factor in all these corrupt lives. Its no coincidence that some of the most corrupt countries are also predominantly Islamic countries. But Islam has built such a wall of protection around itself that no muslim would dare question it

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 13:16  

I can agree that PM Najib does not control the judiciary. But the system is being used and manipulated by few corrupted personalities like AG, SPRM, former police chief and some judges for reasons known to them. This can easily be seen in both sodomy1 and sodomy2 proceedings. Thus PM Najib needs to clean up the system (..and personalities) in order to regain public confidence. Justice must be seen to be done.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 13:25  

Corruption is one thing Dato'.

Perception diversion is another thing.

See how confidently Khir Toyo welcomed the court case?

He must have something up in his sleeves - planted by his bosses, or by himself?

Talking about that, here is another case of perception diversion.

Utusan asks Khalid, if he is scared to face Selangor royalty. Article below refers:

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=1208&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_05.htm&arc=hive

But looking into the $ and cents, Malaysia Today has the following article on the same subject:

http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/36514-selangor-water-impasse-will-tun-drlim-step-up-to-resolve-it

So who is actually trying to pull wool over our eyes?

This is the reality of BN politics?

PARAMESWARA

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 14:02  

Actually ah,when the seller got his teeth repaired by Dr Toyo before he became MB, Dr Toyo billed him with a 50% discount. That's why he gave MB Toyo a 50% discount to reciprocate the kind gesture. Can what? Cannot say corrupt one.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 14:18  

Willing seller willing buyer. Right. Or is it the tempe mandrem?

What is Augean Stable anyway?

Hakiman,  8 December 2010 at 14:27  

Dato Sak

You know PM Najib very well, or well enough and more than many of us here.

What is all the talks and innuendos about Najib being controlled or dependent on his wife for every move he has to make, including being advised by withdoctors on policies affecting govt.

Is that a truth or some malicious lies being spread?

You are the best person to clear the air (strictly on an objective and apolitical standpoint).

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 14:46  

A sect. 165 Penal Code offence is quite different from the other corruption offences found in the MACC Act. The object of a sect.165 Penal Code offence is to prohibit public officers from having private dealings with other persons who have official dealings with him.

If you are not a public officer but only a private citizen, go head and sell your property below market price or better still give it free.

Khir Toyo offence was in his capacity as MB, he transacted with a company who has official dealings with the State Gov't or with Khir in his capacity as MB. Do you think if Khir is a private dentist, the company would sell a RM6million mansion for a 50% discount.

Ariff Sabri 8 December 2010 at 15:05  

MAKORANG>

what is disappointing about this article? i cant talk about cleasing UMNO?

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 15:44  

Quote "Tolerance of people towards corruption, complete lack of intense public outcry against corruption and the absence of strong public forum to oppose corruption allow corruption to reign over people."

That is the understatement of the year.Its because the public is more or less resigned to the fact,obstacles or road blocks or intimidation would be applied. And one can see, various articles in MT and many blogs citing cases of alleged corruption or abuse of power, yet the public has yet to see real action. Then there various acts like OSA, ISA and other A's. It because the public has lost confidence in the system.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 15:45  

Also, that KT at most is Coporal, not an ADMIRAL.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 15:52  

Dato' SAK,

You're just being too synical on KT, but I like...hahaha

Paya Besar..

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 16:31  

Sak,

Good article although in all honesty, what you are saying have been said before by many others from the days of Mahathir's reign.
I doubt Najib will be successful but good luck to him anyway. Better something than nothing. He should start by cleaning his own stable first, don't you think?

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 16:38  

It is interesting from the above comments how many readers trivialise the case like 'willing seller willing buyer' or throwing wet towel at MACC's effort or throwing innuendos to the case as being a show or cover up. MACC is ridicule for taking action or NOT taking action. What kind of society are we turning into?

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 16:54  

Try to find out when exactly the land transection took place.If it had happened during temultous economic time like the 1998 melt-down or 2003 depression, then even my own nephew was forced to sell some properties at fire-sale prices to realise cash for immediate needs.
It was said even TS Francis Yeoh collected most of the YTL property sites in BB area during such a time.

walla 8 December 2010 at 17:00  

"Najib has an Augean Stable to clean."

(Sakmongkol)

He may need a flamethrower instead of a broom.

Just read this:

"Asked whether cronyism exists in Sarawak politics, Abdul Karim said: “You cannot, you must not equate Taib's family with himself… he has got a lot of 'cronies'. Everybody knows him.

“So, after 40 years in the government, don't you think he deserves to have some level of satisfaction, or some level of wealth that he could accumulate in the right way? Are you trying to tell me politicians must be poor? Only businessmen are allowed to be rich? That's very unfair!

“I mean, if that is how we look at it, then we are not practising democracy, because you are depriving a politician from… having a good way of life. Only the businessmen are allowed to be rich, to fly around, have holidays? The politicians are not?”

(Abdul Karim Hamzah, chief political secretary to Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, excerpts: http://is.gd/inGkR)

Which leaves one to ask whether our crooked politicians think it's their right to ill-gotten gains while in public office.

If all along that's their mindset, this country is kaput.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 17:10  

Anon 8.25

Your example is just involved 50K difference.

For Khir case, there was RM3 millions apart!!

It is really depend on market valuations (location and condition of the house).

If your house in a shit area and poor condition, I would not even want to pay for 200K.

For Khir's case, it is at premier locations and the actual market valuation maybe more than RM6 millions at the time of transactions taken place.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 17:31  

Whatever the case maybe, BN/UMNO is a goner. KT Court Case is nothing but a Window dressing make good looking for the incoming GE13. Not unless Najib prosecute the Following, then UMNO has some credibility to talk about.
a. Submarine Kick back
b. PKFZ Fiasco
c. Shah Alam Hospital Ding Dong
d. Taib Mahmud Global Empire
e. SCOMI Freak with Nuke
f. RMAF Helicopter Purchase
g. Abolished and scrap BTN
h. Revamp the Judiciary
i. Stop DSAI Court Case
j. Revamp and cleanse SPRM
k. Give Back Perak to PR
l. Scrap the Postal Voters.

Do the above and it is only then the BN/UMNO/NAJIB can talk about fair play and secure some credibility in the eyes of the World and the Nation or else, we are no different than Myamnar or Zimbabwe. Got it Datuk Sakmongkol.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 17:36  

(Abdul Karim Hamzah, chief political secretary to Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, excerpts: http://is.gd/inGkR)

No wonder all the BN Politician in Sarawak are very corrupted to the core. So in the next State Election, get rid of all these devils to hell for ever.

kee 8 December 2010 at 18:09  

Anonymous @8 December 2010 16:38

You cannot understand why MACC is ridiculed for taking action and also for NOT taking action?

Two possible reasons.

1. You are a new pendatang just migrated to our bolehland, maybe yesterday, and you still don't know how our MACC works.

2. You are Rip Van Winkle and went to sleep twenty years ago and just woke up yesterday.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 18:45  

Interesting bit of news on the Carrefour tussle: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/8/business/7559224&sec=business

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin is making a rm1.12 billion bid thru his Hartajaya Harmoni S/B, a company with rm10,000.00 paid up via Supermarche Sdn. Bhd. Could not get any info on Supermarche as the SSM site just got hacked, with a message, It Works! My sentiments exactly for the worst website ever I have encountered.

Another UMNO n Corruption Story?

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 19:20  

Dato'

do you think DSN has enough guts and brains to clean out his Aegean Stable? After all you did mention he is trying to be everything to anyone which is not possible...

Keturunan Jebat

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 21:18  

Sak,

You are wrong!!! Until Najib makes it mandatory for all his cabinet ministers and deputy ministers including the AG, IGP, chief justice and the MACC chief declare their personal assets and those of their immediate families, the so called corruption charges against Khir Toyo and Ling Liong Sik are just pure sandiwara.

The Singapore and Thailand government makes it mandatory for their cabinet minsters and heads of government bodies o tdeclare their personal assets. If these two countries can do it, why not Malaysia. Looks like our cabinet ministers are scared stiff to declare their assets....perhaps they all have something to hide.

How can the malaysian ministers afford all their luxury cars and live in multi million ringgit mansions on their monthly salary? I am sure their salary plus allowances cannot buy and maintain their expensive fleet of cars, maids/servants, home mortgages and yet still have left over for their wives to splurge in Bangsar Shopping Centre, Pavilion and Starhill plus New York, London and Paris. The malaysian public is not stupid but the outcome of Toyo and Ling Liong Sik's cases is quite predictable.....Not Guilty.

Anonymous,  8 December 2010 at 22:52  

Any person who is paid by taxpayer funds and has more than his total emoluments from the day he took up the appointment or joind service to date , in cash in the bank, is a candidate for investigation. Do not worry about his property because may be he is, as one of our past KSN said, a good investor or he may have got it from his parents or betters still from his father-in-law.Restitution first and then a fine based on the same principle as speeding ticket based on the speed you have driven your car above the speed limit, should be madatory if he wants to continue driving his car/ working with government. You see, no need to get AG to prosecute him.

Anonymous,  9 December 2010 at 20:22  

Time to investigate Effendi Norwawi for his dealings with YTL when he was Minister at EPU. He really had a party!

Anonymous,  9 December 2010 at 21:00  

Anonymous @ 8 Dec 2010 18.45

Is this Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin the very same ex political secretary to TDM who was then just a plain 'Encik' but was rumored/alleged to be rewarded with a tan sriship after having been 'heavily involved in fixing up' some one who could very easily be the nation's prime minister but instead spent 6 years in sungei buloh ?

Anonymous,  14 December 2010 at 11:59  

What about khir Toyo 24 remaining cases brought to MACC. if 1 case tooks 2 years, 24 cases will take 48 years.

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