Public Forum : Whither the constitution? Lessons to be learnt from the perak crisis

 

One Black Malaysia kopi O gathering in Klang

Participated the first one black Malaysia Kopi O gathering in Klang.

About 20 concerned citizens joined the session at Oldtown white coffee, Port Klang on 15 Sept 2009

 

 

Leadership by Example Were Mandela-Gandhi Virtues, Zambry!

Press Statement by Member of Parliament Klang Charles Santiago in Klang on 13th May 2009

Academics, legal experts, rights activists, opposition politicians and the public have spent long hours zeroing in on every crease and crinkle of the political impasse in the northern state of Perak. Their verdict has been unanimous in calling for a fresh mandate in the silver state.

Either that or the back and forth political wrangling, which has now been brought to the courts, would continue to the detriment of the people and nation.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his UMNO-led coalition government must take a realistic look at the political mess in Perak and call for new state elections. Perakians must, once again, be given the opportunity to choose their government.

Furthermore, Najib cannot afford to add more scandals to his ever expanding list. Or the shock value of the last general election would be amplified at the next polls.

Let’s look at Najib’s brand of leadership:

1) a) he is intolerant towards alternative thinking and resistance;

2) b) he used the police to drag out speaker V Sivakumar at the May 7th illegal assembly sitting;

3) c) he ordered the police to arrest scores of people who had turned up outside the Perak Secretariat building to oppose the illegal assembly sitting;

4) d) he ordered the arrest of political scientist and activist Wong Chin Huat for calling on Malaysians to wear black to mark the death of democracy following May 7^th.

Then he tries to gloss over his political highhandedness by conditionally releasing the detainees held under the Internal Security Act. This shift to diplomacy would not go anywhere as the people are not easily fooled.

Najib has to work really hard to win the confidence of the public. He could start with allowing for another election in Perak. It is certainly the right thing to do.

Instead, the premier’s recent announcement saying there would be no snap elections in Perak contradicts his rhetoric which seems poised to break new political ground.  But, increasingly his 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now slogan begins to sound nonsensical.

First we have the High Court deciding that Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak. But the very next day, the Court of Appeal grants a stay of execution on the High Court verdict, leaving the state government in a limbo.

But what does Najib, the premier who talks about unity, democracy, credibility and putting peoples’ interest above everything else, do? He passes the responsibility to the Perak Ruler saying it is his prerogative to call for fresh elections.

Najib must understand that UMNO can no longer cash in on its legacy of Malay rights, affirmative action policies and special privileges. The people are aware that these slogans now denote corruption, nepotism, and cronyism and only helped to line the wallets of the elite.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly known as Mahatma Gandhi, is reported to have unleashed the most powerful instrument for gaining the trust of the people – leadership by example. In line with this Najib, who took over the leadership of the country amidst dwindling credibility, has to allow for another election in Perak.

But would he choose to lead by example? Or would he prefer to use the existing laws in the country to curb dissent and any other opposition to his rule?

This is a million dollar question that only Najib could answer.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang

Vice-Chairman Selangor DAP

016 626 7797

 

Stop telling me to migrate to other country, Bugger!

Author : Chen Shaua Fui

from facebook & with permission

Well, before I attended the 507 Perak State Assembly siiting, I thought I knew what to expect, for instance the motion to dismiss the Sepaker and appointing another new speaker, a possible deadlock situation or even a fight among the ADUN. I prepared myself for it, as you know life is full of surprises, or shocks (at least that was what I felt yesterday), things turn out quite unlike what I had expected.

I witnessed three to four plain cloth police dragged the Speaker A. Sivakumar from the chamber, as fast as a lightning, the only thing i can do is to watch him being dragged out, falling on the floor, and was helped by the plain cloth to stand up and dragged out again. I chased after them, a camera with me, but I was unable to take any picture of that incident. Untill he was out, and I was stopped by the police at the door, I called my office to tell them about the incident.

I’m shaking. Shocked.

And then the ADUN tried to guard the empty seat. The Speaker’s chair was brought down. The plain cloth starting to dragged the Pakatan ADUN out of the speaker seat area one by one. Pushing. Shouting. The flower pot smashed.

I felt that I can’t bear it anymore, and go to the corridor to do my “breath, Shauafui, breath” thing, that’s when I overheard that BN lawyer starting to bullshit with his buddy saying “why should they feel sad, we already got a Federal court order!”

I felt an impulse to respond to his claim and said:”that’s just an declaration!”

Then, he starting telling me to shut up, for I’m just a media who doesn’t know anything about law and he is THE LAWYER who should have the last say. I’m almost prepared to rest the case there, but he went further and said, “if you are not happy, you have other option, migrate to other country!”

I snapped at him at once:”Why should I? This is my country! I paid taxes just like you!”

He sneered at me and was dragged away by his buddy.

How many of us have heard that sarcastic “IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY, MIGRATE TO OTHER COUNTRY” statement by some arrogant Ignoramus? Why should I be grateful as if you give me the right to stay here and you can always take it away from me? You and I are on the same level, I born and live here as long as I could remember, just like you probably do, you are not ENTITLE to ask me to MIGRATE, you have no such rights.

WHY SHOULD I ? You and I might fight for a different cause and committed to it, but you shall not diminish my right to stay here. you have abso-f***ing-lutely no right to tell me that!

Sadly to say, this type of people is ‘helping’ the ruling party to rule the country and misused the law to justified what they are doing without thinking about the far-reaching implication. I always wonder if they could sleep well at night, but I think the answer will be yes, because they have money to buy sleeping pills and claim that their conscience is clear under broad light.

Well, at least for now, I feel I’m doing some construction work and get paid for it, and I can sleep well last night after a couple of snowy beer in Ipoh.

 

MP Klang’s Black E-Newsletter

For subscription, send an email to mpklang@yahoo.com

 

Intimidation Rules in Najib’s ‘1Malaysia’

Press Statement by Member of Parliament Klang Charles Santiago in Klang on 6th May 2009

I condemn the arrest of leading social activist and spokesperson for polls reform group Wong Chin Huat. He will be investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act.

Chin Huat was detained for writing articles on “1 Black Malaysia, Democracy First and Elections Now” campaign. The campaign urged Malaysians to wear black on May 7 as a sign of protest against the Perak power grab and BN state government.

His right to legal representation was denied. And his family and friends were kept in the dark of his whereabouts.

The right to dissent is a constitutional right. The arbitrary arrest of individuals who dissent and offer alternative views and perspectives shows that Najib is not sincere in initiating political reforms in the country. Also, it demonstrates that Najib will not tolerate challenge to his authority nor respect citizen’s fundamental right to expression.

I call upon Prime Minister to immediately release Wong Chin Huat, withdraw all charges against him and stop intimidating Malaysians.

As a show of support to Chin Huat, I urge all Malaysians to wear black on 7^th May. Let’s send a message to Najib that Malaysians will not stand for intimidation of individuals who express differing views.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang

Vice Chairman of Selangor DAP

016 626 7797

Blog : https://votecharles.wordpress.com

—————————————————————————-

巴生国会议员查尔斯圣地亚哥文告，2009年5月6日

纳吉的“全民大马”包括政治迫害？

我谴责警方逮捕社会活跃份子和选举改革组织公选盟发言人黄进发。警方以煽动法令第4（1）条文逮捕和调查黄进发。

进发被指撰写“黑色全民大马：民主优先，即刻选举”的运动文章。这个运动促请所有大马人在5月7日当天身穿黑衣，以抗议国阵政府在霹雳州的非法夺权行动。

他被扣留后，警察否决他获得法律咨询的权利，律师无法见到他本人，家人和朋友也无法得知他的去向。

表达异议是宪赋权利。任意逮捕表达异议和另类意见的个人，显示纳吉对启动国内的政治改革毫无诚意。纳吉既不包容挑战他的政府的行为，也完全不尊重公民的基本表达自由。

我促请首相即刻释放黄进发，撤销所有对他的控状和停止迫害大马人民。

我呼吁国民以具体行动声援进发，在5月7日当天身穿黑衣。让我们传达一个讯息给纳吉，大马人并不支持政府迫害表达不同意见的人。

查尔斯圣地亚哥

巴生国会议员

雪州行动党副主席

016 626 7797

 

Mockery in Perak – Resist in Black

Press Statement by Member of Parliament Klang Charles Santiago in Klang on 5th May 2009

The Perak state assembly is set to reconvene for the first time after a political coup which saw the collapse of a democratically elected Pakatan Rakyat government.  The coup was crafted by none other than Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is now banking on his 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now slogan to boost his popularity among the public.

The assembly sitting would also see a showdown between the Barisan Nasional government and Speaker V Sivakumar.

The proposed assembly is ludicrous as former Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin’s judicial review against Zambry Abd Kadir to determine the rightful chief minister is now before the Kuala Lumpur High Court which has fixed a three-day hearing from Monday to hear the application.

Making plans to proceed with the sitting one day after the completion of the hearing would send out wrong signals and instigate people to speculate on the independence of the judiciary.

In a sharp contrast, Najib’s call for unity and his pledge to do away with “government knows the best” mentality simply does not gel with what is staged to happen this Thursday. Zambry would go on to occupy the position of Menteri Besar which he never deserved as he was not chosen by the people.

May 7 would also mark a shift in Malaysia’s political and Parliamentary history as an illegal government would be made legal. We would have an illegal government grappling for legitimacy under the watch of Najib, the premier who crones about putting the interest of the rakyat first.

While Zambry might be happy to carry on his duties weighed down by the rusted baggage of the past, Malaysians are furious. If Najib is serious about his reform plans, he must call for fresh elections in Perak to give the people another chance to elect their government. Or we could conclude that Najib was merely paying lip service.

As it is the Prime Minister has to work extra hard to convince Malaysians to endorse his leadership. Adding flavour to the political drama is Najib’s uncomfortable past which includes screaming headlines in blogs and independent news portals  linking him to the murder of a Mongolian woman and allegations of corruption amounting to billions of dollars in kickbacks pocketed through the purchase of arms.

The state assembly sitting would add to the list of Najib’s scandals. The rakyat saw through the coup which was orchestrated to entrench Najib’s position before the UMNO General Assembly where he was made the country’s premier.

Since the beginning of the political manoeuvring by Barisan Nasional, Perakians had shown total support for the opposition leaders and Pakatan Rakyat government, braving baton-wielding riot policemen to show their anger in public.

The matter got worse as the Perak Ruler worked in cohorts with Najib and the ruling National Front Coalition government. Instead of dissolving the state assembly and paving the way for fresh elections, the Sultan allowed Barisan Nasional to form a new government.

While there were back and forth wrangling over the right of the people to question the Ruler, former Perlis mufti has indicated that the public could do so as Raja Azlan Shah is accountable to the Rakyat.

While the political high drama in Perak has posed an awkward problem for the Sultan, all is not lost. Azlan Shah should take heed of Sivakumar’s petition and postpone the state assembly until the position of the Menteri Besar is decided by the High Court.

As for Najib, we could only hope that the setback faced by the ruling coalition at the last general election would have prompted the strengthening of UMNO’s democracy. Najib would certainly fail to inspire much confidence in the electorate if he allows the Thursday sitting.

But the recent political developments have not been promising. Therefore, if the assembly is held, I would like to urge every Malaysian to wear black to mourn the death of democracy. Bloggers should also have their web page in black for one week to send a strong signal to the Najib-led government.

It is clear that the premier is striving at a long political career. But Thursday’s events could contribute to Najib’s short-lived romance.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang

016- 626- 7797

—————————————————————————————————-

巴生国会议员查尔斯圣地亚哥文告，2009年5月5日于巴生

黑衣黑部落，悼霹雳民主

国阵发动政变，通过民主程序选出的民联政府倒台，霹雳州议会将于5月7日第一次召开州议会。这个政变由现任首相纳吉精心策划，如今他却极力倡议“全民大马”、人民优先和立即表现等口号以提高他的受欢迎度。

这次的州议会会议将是国阵政府和议长西华古玛的正式摊牌。

这次的会议是匪夷所思的，因为霹雳州务大臣闹双胞的司法审阅还在进行当中，吉隆坡高庭定下了从星期一开始的三天时间聆审。

打算在法庭聆审后马上召开会议，已经给了人民错误的讯号，使人质疑司法的独立性。

纳吉呼吁国民团结和抛弃“政府知道什么是最好”的思维，与这星期四召开的州议会形成了强烈的对比。赞比里将‘篡夺’州务大臣的位置，他完全不具资格，因为他非人民选出的合法大臣。

5月7日将在马来西亚的政治和国会史上留下不光彩的一页，一个非法的政府从此将被‘合法化’。我们将有一个似合法却非法的政府，一切都拜纳吉所赐，一个鼓吹‘人民优先’的新任首相。

赞比里不会在意这个难堪的过去，他乐于执行州务大臣的职务。但是人民却无法不生气。纳吉如果志在改革，他必须让霹雳州重新选举，归还人民选出新政府的权利。否则他的所有开明言论将被证明是光说不做。

纳吉正使出浑身解数说服大马人支持他的领导，他除了霹雳的政治闹剧之外，也有令人感到不舒适的过去。部落格令人惊叫的头条新闻和独立的新闻媒体，都把纳吉和蒙古女郎谋杀案和军购案的舞弊和巨额回扣挂钩。

这次的州议会会议将为纳吉的政治生涯增加污点。人民视纳吉为操纵霹雳州政变的幕后黑手，他是为了在巫统党选前巩固自己在党内的地位。

当国阵的政治把戏开始上演，霹雳州人民就全力支持民联政府，即使派出镇暴队也不能阻止愤怒的群众走上街头。

更糟糕的是，霹雳州统治者与纳吉和国阵政府站在同一阵线。苏丹非但没有解散州议会及准备重新选举，还御准国阵成立新政府。

人民是否有权质疑统治者，成了一个争议不断的问题，但是前玻璃市州宗教教长莫哈末阿斯里却指出人民有权批评统治者，因此苏丹阿兹兰莎必须向人民负责。

虽然霹雳州的政治闹剧使苏丹处于一个难堪的处境，但是一切还未结束。苏丹阿兹兰莎可以接纳西华古玛的诉求，展延州议会会议直到高庭决定谁是合法的大臣。

对于纳吉，我们只能希望上届大选惨败的国阵能够吸取教训，强化巫统的民主治理。如果允许召开星期四的州议会会议，纳吉无法提高选民对他的信心。

无论如何，最近的政治发展令人不感乐观。假设州议会会议成功召开，我谨此呼吁全马人民在当天身穿黑衣，哀悼民主的死亡。部落客也该把部落格的页首（Header）换上黑色一个星期，给纳吉领导的政府一个强烈的讯号。

首相似乎打算拓展一个长远的政治事业，但是星期四的事件将注定纳吉只能享受短暂的浪漫。

查尔斯圣地亚哥

巴生区国会议员

雪州行动党副主席

016- 626- 7797

 

Pakatan wins 2 bukits – A Rejection of Najib’s Leadership and Perak Coup

Press Statement By Member of Parliament Klang Charles Santiago in Klang on 8^th April 2009 

The opposition’s victory in two out of the three crucial by-elections is a severe blow to newly-minted Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Although the win does not gravely shift the balance of power, it was an unofficial referendum on Najib’s popularity. 

It is clear that the people have shunned Najib’s leadership. The results also show that the shift in political sentiments towards the opposition at the March 8 general election is very much grounded. 

There are many factors that contributed to the ruling National Front coalition government’s defeat. Topping the list is Najib’s alleged links to the sensational murder of Mongolian model, Altantuya Shaariibuu. While Najib has shrugged off these accusations as mere slander, there was never an independent inquiry commission to clear the premier’s name. 

Najib and his cronies have also been implicated in corruption scandals involving huge kickbacks amounting to billions of dollars from purchases of submarines when he was the Defense Minister. 

But most importantly the victory in Bukit Gantang is a direct rejection of Najib’s devious scheming tactics which resulted in the fall of a democratically-elected Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak. 

The voters have not been fooled by Najib’s promises to carry out wide-ranging government and social reforms. His hasty decisions to release 13 ISA detainees and list the ban on two opposition newspapers did not hold sway as the rakyat saw through Najib’s political gimmicks. 

Although Najib strategised and struggled to portray himself as a democratic and progressive leader, he committed a big blunder in the form of inviting former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to campaign for Barisan Nasional. 

While Malaysians see Najib as an integral part of former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government and therefore incapable of initiating reforms, aligning himself with Mahathir further eroded his administration’s capability to be democratic. 

The poll results also clearly reflect that Barisan Nasional’s hardline racial language has not worked. Neither has their last-minute efforts to dish out goodies and cash to the electorate. 

The large swing in non-Malay votes to the opposition candidly demonstrates ruling UMNO’s inability to effectively engage the coalition’s component parties in consensual decision-making. 

This has been made even more apparent by MCA’s emergency meeting Wednesday to urge Najib to retain the second largest party’s quota of cabinet representation. 

Although Najib is expected to announce a sleeker, sophisticated cabinet to make good his reform promises, much more needs to be done by the premier whose credibility is sinking fast. 

His reform agenda must be spelt out clearly as the people are fed-up of being hoodwinked under the administration of the present regime. Najib must also set a time frame to carry out his reform plans, which must begin with a massive clean-up within UMNO. 

The opposition coalition, on the other hand, cannot rest on its laurels. Neither can we afford to be complacent after the by-election victories. The people want to see concrete changes under Pakatan Rakyat or we could also face declining support before the next general election. 

Sincerely,

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament Klang

Vice-Chairman of Selangor DAP

  

民联双武吉奏凯歌 – 人民向纳吉和霹州政变说不！ 

反对党在三场补选中以二比一击败国阵，对新任首相纳吉来说是一大打击。虽然补选的胜利没有改变双方均衡的实力，却是对纳吉支持率的非正式公投。 

显然人民已否决纳吉的政治领导。这个令人鼓舞的成绩，说明308大选挂起的反风，至今还没有消失。 

许多因素导致执政的国阵落败。最主要的因素是纳吉被指涉及蒙古女郎谋杀案。虽然纳吉驳斥这些指责荒唐不实，但政府仍未成立独立调查委员会，以展开调查及还纳吉清白。 

纳吉和他的朋党也涉及贪污丑闻，潜水艇交易案中的巨额佣金引起民愤，当时纳吉正是国防部长。 

武吉干当补选获胜的最大意义是霹雳州人民否决了纳吉一手策划的政变，人民通过民主程序选出的民联政府因此垮台。 

选民没有被纳吉承诺的社会改革蒙骗，他们认为突然释放13个内安法令扣留者和解除两家党报报禁，只不过是纳吉的政治伎俩。 

虽然纳吉重新拟定策略和尽量把自己包装成民主和进步领袖，但是他犯下一个非常大的错误，就是邀请前首相马哈迪医生为国阵助选。 

当国人视纳吉为无法启动改革的前首相阿都拉政府的团队成员，靠向马哈迪只会令人质疑，他领导的新政府是否能落实民主改革。 

补选的成绩显示国阵的强硬种族性言论已失去效用，最后一刻的紧急拨款和贿赂选民也无法奏效。 

非马来选民大量转向反对党，显示巫统无法和其它国阵成员党在决策上达成共识。马华在星期三召开紧急会议，促请纳吉保留马华的内阁固打，就是一个最好的例子。 

许多人预料纳吉将推出一个令人舒适而复杂的内阁，以实践他的改革承诺，可是他需要做得更多以挽回不断下沉的声誉。 

纳吉的改革议程必须言出必践，人民已对国阵政府空雷不雨的改革失望透顶。纳吉必须制定一个改革计划的时间表，当务之急就是”净化”巫统。 

反之，反对党联盟不能满足于补选的成绩。人民要民联落实更实质的改革，否则我们将在下届大选失去支持。 

查尔斯圣地亚哥 敬上

巴生区国会议员

雪州行动党副主席

016-6267797

 

End ‘high drama’ in Perak

Source : Malaysiakini

Mar 9, 09 2:45pm The demands continue for fresh elections in Perak, with Klang parliamentarian Charles Santiago adding his plea for an end to the political impasse in the state.

“The political high drama in Perak must end. I call upon the Ruler to call for a fresh mandate,” he said in a statement today.

Unless the people are allowed to choose their elected representatives and have a say in the appointment of a menteri besar, “the political bickering will continue”.

The crisis in Perak began unfolding early last month, with each week bringing new points of contention that have mutated into a series of lawsuits.

Both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional (BN) are seeking to exert control over the state, with each side holding 28 seats now. Three former Pakatan members have turned Independent, but have declared themselves to be “BN-friendly”.

Last week, the legislative assembly held a special meeting under a raintree, when the Pakatan elected representatives found themselves locked out of the state secretariat building which houses the House.

Santiago claimed that the people of Perak have shown support for opposition leaders ever since the beginning of the political mayhem.

“Their wrath has been specifically directed at the Perak sultan for failing to dissolve the state assembly and paving the way for fresh elections,” he said.

“The sultan’s decision to allow BN to form a new governement shows total disrespect for the will of the people who had clearly elected a Pakatan government (in March last year).”

He said the state government needs to reorganise itself urgently to respond to economic problems arising from the global recession.

“Ruling politicians are preoccupied with power while Malaysians are frustrated by the growing possibility that the country will be hit by recession by the end of the year,” he said, adding that the government should work with everyone to protect the livelihood and quality of life of all Malaysians.

 

州选举是打破霹州僵局的惟一途径

English version : Fresh Polls only Solution to Perak Political Impasse

新闻文告

日期 ：2009年3月9日

前财政部长和国阵议员东姑拉沙里建议霹雳州重新选举，以打破目前的政治僵局，我强烈支持这个建议。

人民有权利选择他们的州务大臣和代议士，否决民主精神将使霹雳州陷于无止尽的法律诉讼，人民也将不断要求州苏丹作出正确的决定。

当候任首相纳吉策划政变，推翻霹州大臣尼查和他的团队，霹雳州的政治领导就开始陷入混乱。

不久前，民选的霹雳州民联政府在州秘书行政中心关闭的情况下，开创历史在一棵大树下召开州议会。州议会当天通过三个议决，包括霹雳州须重新选举。

国阵启动夺权计划之初，霹雳州人民已显示他们完全支持民联政府。他们无所畏惧表达他们的愤怒，即使走到街上面对镇暴队。

他们的愤怒源自于苏丹拒绝解散州议会及重新选举。苏丹的决定使国阵绕过州议会接过州政权，这种做法毫不尊重人民选择民联政府的意愿。

无论如何，霹雳州的政治戏剧必须结束。我呼吁霹雳州苏丹解散州议会，让人民重新赋权给新的政府。

我们需要紧急解决目前的政治僵局，因为州政府必须重新组织和规划，以回应全球经济危机的挑战。当前的局势是执政的政客恋栈权力，人民则对今年可能出现的经济衰退感到极度困扰。

马来西亚的经济现在已萎靡不振。我国不但必须努力挣扎，避免经济下滑，还须面对霹雳州政治瘫痪的局面。

争夺权力不只是发生在执政联盟和反对联盟之间，巫统的领袖也勾心斗角，准备三月举行的党选。

虽然首相阿都拉已同意转移权力给他的副手纳吉，但是许多消息显示首相可能会争取留任一段时间。

身为财政部长，纳吉消耗太多时间和精力确保他登上首相的位置，他不允许有任何闪失。巫统领袖把焦点放在党选，处理可能撕裂党的内部斗争。

这令人非常质疑，经济是否是巫统的主要议题？我促请各级政府通力合作，制定有效的措施，保障大马人的生计及生活素质。

查尔斯圣地亚哥 敬上

巴生区国会议员

雪州行动党副主席

016-6267797