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Sakmongkol ak 47

ariff.sabri@gmail.com

Wednesday 3 April 2013

General Election and a Fighting State of MInd.



When is the next GE?
That is the question on everyone’s mind.  Many people say, he will announce dissolution today. Cabinet members are asked to come in full lounge suits with red tie and the usual protruding handkerchief. To some people- running a government is indeed like going to a dinner party, all dressed up, like drinking Darjeeling tea and making embroidery. It’s a simple request- let’s take a picture together because some of us may not be contesting and maybe this is the last BN cabinet team.
You must understand a little bit of the psychological make-up of Najib. He is an aristocrat with a feudal constitution. He likes being waited on, his hands kissed and hordes of people waiting for him at the airport, ladies with bunga manggar and maybe ululating. (The typical high pitched shrills let out by Arab women when receiving guests). And I would always joke with friends, after decades of being the MP for Pekan, not possible for Najib to not know the way how to get to Pekan. He does not need direction finders.
Once I was with JJ, now serving as Najib’s invisible major domo- aka in- house chief Mr Fix It, he told me- the problem with you (me) is that you don’t treat Najib as an aristocrat. He is you know, and we are knaves. Of course I let out some expletives and told JJ, only you can do that, I cant. Why should we I said, he’s more stupid that we, you want us to act like knaves. We both laughed loudly.
When friends told me elections will be early march, I said it will not be. because at the end of march, I told them there will be LIMA in Langkawi. Najib will not dissolve parliament before that because he will not want to attend LIMA as head of a caretaker government. Najib will want the psychological boost that comes along with being a fully legitimate and in-term PM. No caretaker stuff for him. His feudal upbringing will not tolerate that.
I wasn’t aware that at the end of April, there is one other important event which the PM wants to attend to affirm his legitimacy. That is the ASEAN Summit. Will feudal Najib want to attend as head of caretaker government? My reading says, he will not want to. He wants to go as a fully legitimate and in-term PM.
In other words, Naib may attend the summit for a brief time sufficient to establish his presence, have a photography session and then cut short the attendance, citing certain domestic obligations to come back and dissolve parliament. Parliament will dissolve sometime just before 28 April.
Najib and also Rosmah will not want to miss the glamour and prestige that come along being present as PM and first Lady at the Asean Summit.
Mental Frame of doing battle in Pahang.
Last year, when Pahang announced that it has achieved a balanced budget I was perplexed. When I was ADUN (2004-2008) I did not miss any opportunity after Budget speech each year to raise the issue of deficit budget. I know the reasons how and why deficits can be explained and was willing to accept there are justifiable reasons. But I never fail to mention my concern that budget deficits may hide financial indiscipline and even misdeeds. So my attitude at deficit budgets is always to be circumspect about it. My detractors can always check the Pahang Assembly’s Hansard to verify my speeches following the state’s Budget Speech.
As to the sudden Balanced Budget after, I don’t know- 15th consecutive deficit budgets? - Pleasant surprise would be a gross understatement. I wrote an article, I thought I know the reason for the balanced budget and would have thought someone in the Pahang Assembly will debate this issue. Unfortunately, I did not hear anything.
Serupa sahaja- deficit budget would have been dismissively explained as being the product of the government spending on welfare and on poor people. In the past, I have invited colleagues to be rational- look at how big is the percentage being committed to helping the poor and welfare and see whether the percentage can justify and explain the deficit budget.
When I was ADUN, deficit budgets have been incurred probably for the last 13 or 14 years. Suddenly, Pahang achieved a balance budget. Surely that would have raised alarm bells of suspicion. If I were in the Dewan, I would have raised the issue, maybe in subdued terms but no less critical and candid, but will raise it anyway.
I would immediately suspect the figures have been massaged so as to show financial prudence on the part of the state government and a desire to show the public, we can achieve balance budget.
True enough I was later dismayed to hear, the state government asked for approval of a supplementary budget to ask more money and asked for approval of a bill allowing the state government to borrow directly from banks and financial institutions. Why was the supplementary budget necessary had the original budget been carefully planned to achieve a balance budget? Why was a bill approved to confer to the state government authority to borrow directly from banks and financial institutions?
This mental preparation- appreciating the usefulness of exercising scepticism and even cynicism, will now allow me to do battle in my home state.

38 comments:

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 07:14  

Congratulations Dato. All the best to you. You will be a great addition to our parliament.
On another note. You write for Free Malaysia Today. Why have they been churning out articles recently attacking PKR and DAP. Articles written about so called internal politics quoting dubious anonymous sources attacking certain personalities. News about ‘internal squabbling’ which have no basis on facts. Has the editorial board changed to someone BN friendly? Are they short of money hence have ‘sold out’? They seem to have become like NST Star.

Taikohtai 3 April 2013 at 07:57  

Its the economy, stupid. Yet too many Malaysians remain oblivious to the fact that BN has been on a reckless spending spree and maxing out the nation's credit card.
When one borrows, say, RM200k, one is most scared of the bank. But when BN borrows RM550T on behalf of the rakyat, even World Bank shits in its pants. One generation of Malaysians has already been enslaved. Another term to BN is the third generation will also be speaking Greek very soon. The English fed the Chinese opium when taking over their country but the Chinese fought back soon after. Pakatan is fighting back against BN's nefarious hold on the hoi polloi but has the momentum swing the other way? With Dato Sak leading one of the battle fronts, there is a great fighting chance that the local warlords can finally be repelled.
To Victory, Sir!!

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 08:10  

Sir,

Najib can call the shot anytime he wants because he is the number one.We can only wait and it will not be long.Khalid , the Selangor MB had wanted to dissolve the Selangor state assembly a lot earlier but nothing has happened.My guess is Najib wants to have a once and for all election one go and not seperate election on some state.

I have wanted you to contest in Kuantan,your hometown ,or even Pekan since you have been hitting Najib hard.We have to agree that no one can take Najib in Pekan,none for sure.

On Pakatan winning Pahang is an impossibility if you study the past BN performances there the last many elections.Take the PRU 12 as a yardstick as the best results.PR best shot for DUN was 4 out of 42 offered and for Parliament was 2 out of 14 for PKR/PR.My take is that results for Pahang will not change that much as you have expected.

It is good that you decide on Raub for a fighting chance at least but remember you are a Kuantan man.Many people know Yen Yen more than you but no harm trying.

Kong Kek Kuat



Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 08:27  

Dear Datuk Sak

I would not be surprised at all if the Malaysian national economic data have been "massaged" too.

Towards the end of Ferdinand Marcos' reign as the kleptocratic dictator of the Philippines, the regime was reporting false data to the IMF i.e.
deliberately overstating its foreign exchange reserves.

Phua Kai Lit

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 08:28  

Dato I wish you every success in the election yet to come. Inshallah you will succeed.You are very right about Najib. He is what I call a wannabe- pretends to be an aristocrat when he is not. His father was not like that- a bit aloof by nature but very humble and down to earth. Thinking all the time about development of the country and what was beneficial for the nation. Led a very simple life. Met every year in Penang where he and Tun Raha used to spend New Year eve celebrations in the ordinary naval commander place. JJ is a bodek, no substance. Good you are not influenced by him.

the gaffe guy who know's,  3 April 2013 at 08:35  

Anon 07:14

Like RPK said he can criticise anyone or write anything he likes.He said he answers to no one.

Before he was attacking Umno/BN most of the time.But we have to understand at that time he was a stooge of Anwar.Anwar and his backers was giving him his monthly allowance(cake money).When the money stops flowing in,he does not owe his allegiance to Anwar or PKR anymore.

Therefore he has turned Umno/BN friendly.Like him meeting Najib and giving Umno/BN friendly interviews.The bald headed guy is hoping for a BN win to be able to "balik kampong".

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 08:46  

How true about UMNO leaders who expect male and female stooges lining along the entrance, shaking hands and bowing to them.
During discussion there is total acceptance of what is said by the leader. No objections, no counter suggestions. Its total subservience.
That's the only way to be accepted as a divisional secretary, treasurer or a candidate for the elections.
You must act bodoh and worship your leader.
Thank God you did not do that.

Ariff Sabri 3 April 2013 at 09:16  

kong kek kuat.

yen yen is a kelantanese. leow in bentong is from melaka. many other mca leaders are not even from pahang. i am an anak pahang jati.

bruno,  3 April 2013 at 09:45  

Dato,we have been waiting for almost two years for the GE13th.And Najib still wants to keep everybody guessing till we are a whisker away from the wire.Sometimes I do not actually understand this man.What is his problem anyway that he is leading his clueless merrymen round and around in circles.Maybe my buddy Quiet Despair might have a clue what his uncle Jibby is up to.

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 09:53  

Sak,
Interesting that the Petronas employees 'sudden windfall' seems more like a remunaration paid up-front.

If so, then Najib is just the news caster who made the annoucement. Nothing else. If Haji Hadi made the same statement, Hadi would be the hero. Correct?

It's akin to the boss making annoucement that 2014,2015 and 2016fixed bonus will be paid now. Somewhere down the line, they can just reduce the bonuses quietly and subtly by citing global economic conditions. Who would know? Nobody! Only those who approved it (BoD).

Petronas people are quietly talking among themselves why only now? Why just a few weeks away from GE13? Of course they take the cash since it's given and they did work for it.

Remember, these are among the younger and brighter Malay minds in the country. For them to question, shows the sincerity in how this was handled. I can say because my niece works there and is in mgmt. Will not comment further.



Unknown 3 April 2013 at 10:55  

He is finally awaken from his sedation, tau pun tak malu tak de mandate takde semangat..If he announce the dissolution of Parliament I lend u Azza to carry you bag.. Its showtime, brother, May Allah Bless You with good health, Tok Gajah Strength, Mat Kilau kebal and the Warrior Blood that run through our veins. I am good only at the keyboard but we are all rooting for you..Heaps of good luck and doa menang resoundingly! Whip them to a pulp!

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 11:20  

Dato Sak,
I have not much money left to bank in to you after paying for my house loan, car loan, food, 4 kids, bills, petrol, etc etc. Not much to save too by end of the month.

I hope the day when rakyat pay lot less for cars, petrol, food and houses will come soon.

I can only afford do'a and prayers for you in PRU13. Don't forget Allah no matter where we are. Inshaa Allah, you will win, Salam.

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 12:10  

At last the parlimen dissolved by the no balls pm. Pak Sak, i wish you all the best and continue to fight for all Malaaysian regardless of race, but based on needs. Help those whoever need it.

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 12:14  

Sak, looks like you were wrong on najib postponing till after Asean summit. I think the pressure from Moo/Kerala Kutty was too great...Kekeke

SamYap,  3 April 2013 at 12:29  

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

LONG LIVE DEMOCRACY IN OUR BELOVED COUNTRY MALAYSIA!

NOW LETS GET THOSE BN RACISTS AND CON-MEN OUT OF PUTRAJAYA!

antisyaitan,  3 April 2013 at 13:57  


Rakyat Malaysia mesti tolak KIRAM (Kumpulan Import Rakyat Asing Masuk Mengundi) a.k.a Kumpulan Syaitan Yang DiKenali dalam PRU13.

Ubah!!!!!!!Ini kalilah!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 14:06  

Datuk, you got the date wrong this time, but since you are neither the Oracle of Putrajaya nor got any help from the Oracle of Syed Putra, this slip is entirely forgiveable. The longer he delays the worse the debilitating decline in the Fighting State of the UMNO Mind.

Why so? More and more retired creme de la creme of the civil and diplomatic service and the armed forces will be making a bee-line to PR components to seek membership. With every day of delay Najib runs the risk of having to read bekas so-and-so joining PAS, PKR or DAP and ending the day with high fever.

Latest from Harakah 2nd April:
http://bm.harakahdaily.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17869:-bekas-duta-mahu-beri-khidmat-terakhir-dengan-sertai-pas&catid=34:primary&Itemid=56

"Bekas duta mahu beri khidmat terakhir dengan sertai PAS" oleh Hazayani Zakaria

KUALA LUMPUR: Bekas Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia ke Australia, Datuk Adnan Othman secara rasmi diisytiharkan menyertai PAS hari ini.

Mahathir and Muhyddin must be boiling mad to see one screw after another being tightened to prevent the confused Mind from fighting its way out of the shell to infect others.

"What is Mind? - no matter"
"What is matter? - never mind"

Nothing mattered to UMNO Baru-BN over the last 30 years except fattening their own pockets and belly. Now the public are saying, never mind about what matters to UMNO, let PR have a go at it - it can't be much worse. Five years are all that PR is going to have as what matters to the public will be minded 24/7.

Jong 3 April 2013 at 14:18  


Najib's indecisiveness simply confirmed his weakness as a leader that he is not, and his total lack courage to face the truth!

This morning's announcement on dissolution of Parliament should have been a crisp 2-liner - announce and thank those who put him and his bunch of baboons to office, rather than the long wind of advice. Who cares really? Most have decided.

Jong 3 April 2013 at 14:26  

According to the Lunar calendar and Chinese astrology, today is the most inauspicious day of the year for any big and important decisions. Was Najib again given the banana skin? :D

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=523741181001124&l=752452a51a

mozzigard,  3 April 2013 at 14:37  

Anak Pahang Jati,
funds just transferred with blessings.
Go get them!

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 14:52  

Dear Dato, congratulations for being chosen to stand for the Raub parliament seat.

Thank you for your sacrifice to be our soldier to fight so that we can have a better government and better future.

I have just transferred some bullets to your AMbank account to lighten your financial burden and show my appreciation for your sacrifice.

I wish you success in this noble endeavour.May God bless you with good health and protect you always.

JinChrist 3 April 2013 at 16:14  

Dear Dato,
Success belongs to great man. You are a towering malaysian in the making. You have my support always.

Good Luck and God bless us all.

Anonymous,  3 April 2013 at 17:11  


Sak,
If one were to watch the body language and facial expression of the pm and dpm while there were walking towards the podium, one would see 'stresses out'' pm maybe due to severe ultimatum given to him by ex n co.
He looked dejected, nervous and confused and not forgetting blured .
He would have been screwed good and proper maybe last night. I bet it is NOT his decision to dissolve parliment but forced to.

Anak Pahang,  3 April 2013 at 17:32  

Regardless of where you are from the essence of wining the MP seat is the personality and 2nd the party he represent. You are most suitable in both criteria i.e your integrity and the DAP party. That's all that matters. So, don't look back...go for it ..the people of Raub and Malaysia are fully supportive of you. They hope to see your face and to hear your voice in Parliament soon.All the best and May Allah be with you.

Jack Lee,  4 April 2013 at 00:18  

" To some people- running a government is indeed like going to a dinner party, all dressed up, like drinking Darjeeling tea and making embroidery..."

what a memorable statement and how true it rings. If we think deeply enough, thiis is what most, if not, all the BN politicians are posturing anyway. Makes my day just to read again this statement of irony.

Anonymous,  4 April 2013 at 00:23  

I am glad u ll be competing in Raub. If Facebook Yen2 compete, it will be much easier, no one like her. All the best and wishes you the best of luck. I will try my best to campaign for you, mostly in the internet of course.

Anonymous,  4 April 2013 at 08:29  



Datuk Sak

Old video but still relevant !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r78UPiUloRY

Cheers

Phua Kai Lit

Anonymous,  4 April 2013 at 08:59  

Dato

From the news reported, before GE, I guess you will have internal party battle for position. I guess
you need lots of convincing at Raub before battling BN

Good Luck

Anonymous,  4 April 2013 at 09:01  

Dato', not to worry as we all go for the Party and not the individual, but if the individual brings the little extra oomph, so much the better.

It's the Song and not the Singer but a singer with a beautiful or velvety rich voice, so much the better.

Kali ini - we go for change, real change.

All the best to you and PR candidates. God Bless

Anonymous,  4 April 2013 at 09:13  

Dato,
Now could please clarify this news report about the Raub DAP division being unhappy with the party choice to pick you are the candidate.
I have two questions:
1. As far as I know DAP does not have divisions. It only has branches.
2. Now why the hell is the DAP rep Choong Siew Oon making such a statement.
He should be reprimanded by the party.
We can't afford such negative statements at this juncture.

Anonymous,  4 April 2013 at 09:20  

Ayoh penyokong penyokong Sakmongkol mari kita turun padang dan bantu 'comrade' kita untuk menang di Raub. Mari kawan kawan semua. Selama ini kita sokong dia giler giler. Nak lantik dia jadi Menteri la, dia bagus la. So apa lagi yang di tunggu sila 'volunteer' diri anda.

Anonymous,  5 April 2013 at 02:20  

Tu dia nah seorang lagi - "LAKSAMANA PERTAMA (B) HJ MOHD IMRAN BIN ABD HAMID DICALONKAN PKR SEBAGAI AHLI PARLIMEN P74 LUMUT"

Together we re-build Malaysia. Devoted pious Muslims lead the way, and Hindus, Buddhists, Christians of all denominations, and even morally upright atheists are all welcomed to join in this new grand journey of renewal and rebirth. The time is now.

'I see a new Heaven and a new Earth'. Amen.

Anonymous,  5 April 2013 at 13:08  

Dear Datuk Sak

MCA guys are now calling you an "extremist" because you are a big threat to their Raub Parliamentary seat.

Well, I actually welcome your
extremely interesting criticisms of our extremely spendthrift PM-cum-Finance Minister.

Phua Kai Lit

Anonymous,  5 April 2013 at 14:07  

You know what they about candidates being parachuted both in BN and PR. They will certainly fall flat on their face. Furthermore like in Raub, there is a protest among the local DAP members. Haiya, belum apa2 sudah nampak belang. Nanti hilang deposit Arif. Malunya!!!

MalaysianMan 5 April 2013 at 15:24  

sure...we'ii give you all we got....Long Live PRRRRRRR

Anonymous,  5 April 2013 at 17:19  

To All Sakmongkol supporters/lovers,

Apa guna cakap saja dalam blog mau support. Turun padang lah. Visit Raub lah and talk to the voters and talk to the DAP members there. Convince them how good ini Sakmongkol. Kalau setakat mau komen dalam blog buat apa? Put your money where your mouth is la!!

Anonymous,  5 April 2013 at 17:32  

Bodoh punya melayu..kasi cina menang ada apa..bongok

Anonymous,  9 April 2013 at 12:47  

Bodoh punya anonymous 5 April 2013 17:32. Kalau Cina tak kerja keras majukan negara ini,lu mau makan apa? Bodo!Hidup bergantung pada subsdi aje, kerja malas!

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