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.)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

BN is not meant to be fair...

anyone who speaks out will be dealt with, regardless of whether it makes sense or not. While the PM, DPM and Ministers sometimes contradict themselves, lesser beings are being disciplined just 'to toe the line'. In so doing, Nazri came out looking senseless.

I spotted this in Malaysia Today:

Some quotes from your MPs - flip flops and contradictions
Usman Bawang

There is no point in voting good BN candidates (if there is such a thing). You will see that there are good BN MPs/reps in UMNO/MCA/MIC etc. Politicians with a bit of spine and some principles. But what's the point of voting them when they are overpowered by the hoolligans within their parties?

Good people join BN to change and improve the system, from within. They stand up for the people and are shot down by the party and system. Why waste your votes on them then if they are powerless?

S. Sothinathan, MIC (Telok Kemang), was suspended from his deputy minister's position in 2006 for criticising the government policy on the recognition of foreign medical degrees. He felt that the many of the students at the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) in Ukraine, which woudl be derecognised, were Indians and because of this, being a BN component party, the MIC is duty-bound to protect their interest.

Loh Seng Kok, MCA (Kelana Jaya), complained in Parliament about 'imbalanced' history textbooks, new prayer recital guidelines and the problems faced by non-Muslims with regards to places of worship. Six days later, some 50 Umno Youth members, led by Kelana Jaya division chief Abdul Halim Samad, paid him a visit late at night to deliver a "warning letter".

Shahrir Samad, UMNO's conscience, supported an opposition motion (to censure the one eyed Jasin MP), did not receive support from his fellow government backbenchers to condemn the corruption within his own party.

Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat), two BN state assemblymen in Penang abstained from a vote on the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) in 2002. The controversial PORR was proposed by the BN government and vehemently opposed by the opposition. Both were meted "disciplinary action" for not supporting the government, even though they thought that the project would not best serve the interest of Penang.

K. Devamany of MIC (Cameron Highlands) had said the fact that 50,000 people showed up at the Nov 25 2007 Hindraf protest showed the Government's failure in distributing wealth equally. Trying to highlight the seriousness of this issue, he was strongly condemned by his BN colleagues.

Zaid Ibrahim, UMNO's conscience, has been dropped from this election. This former Kota Bharu MP was one of the first UMNO politicians to publicly demand the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry into the Linggam tape. This same man has been very public and vocal about the rotting state of the judiciary and rule of law. Zaid also led a campaign to reelect Shahrir Samad, fellow UMNO conscience, as the backbencher's club chairperson after the one eyed MP incident. He didn't succeed.
These BN politicians are fighting for the people, and they are being defeated by their own party. If they can't criticise the government, they can't stand up for you.

Meanwhile the spineless:

Shahrizat Jalil, Women, Family and Community Minister of UMNO (Lembah Pantai), on the passing of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2005 which undermines the status of Muslim women and the family institution said this first: The uproar over this issue is symptomatic of the real problems affecting Muslim women in the country. Let this be a lesson to all concerned to not trivialise issues involving the rights of women. (Dec 23, 2005)

She then went on to say that her ministry had earlier objected to almost all the clauses of the Bill, which discriminated against women (Dec 25, 2005).

She later went on to vote to support the bill.
____

And some quotes by BN and non-BN politicians. Self explanatory:

UMNO has now become completely paralyzed. Dr. Mahathir.

... it's an opposition motion and we usually reject their motions.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 5 May 2006

Our principle is that BNBBC will not support the opposition. BNBBC Deputy Chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar, Bernama 5 May 2006

Based on our policy and practice, the BN elected representatives cannot support a motion tabled by the Opposition... under whatever circumstances, they should not have supported a motion from the Opposition. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who is also BN Chief Whip, The Sun

He [Sothinathan] is a member of the front bench and should not have taken a stand like what he did, criticising his own Government... [this] is certainly a breach of party discipline.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi , The Star 23 June 2005

What happened is unprecedented but he is at fault. That is why action has to be taken against him Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 23 June 2005
He broke ranks. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 23 June 2005

The action against Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat) was good enough to serve as a reminder to the rest of the backbenchers. BN secretary-general, Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, MGG Pillai 6 January 2003

We are of the view that the final decision on this issue should be made by Barisan. But as far as Umno is concerned, we want them sacked. Former Prime Minister and former UMNO/BN Chairperson, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, SNNI 29 November 2002

MPs are more free now, compared to 10 years ago, to voice their opinions and views.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, New Straits Times 14 January 2005

[On an objection by a leading backbencher] He may disagree, but at the end of the day it is the Whip's decision.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, New Straits Times 14 January 2005

I am a loyal party member and will obey. [if the government bill didn't go through] it would have meant trouble for me.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, The Star 25 December 2005

They are free to debate and speak their mind, but when it comes to a vote they have to follow. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, BBC News 22 December 2005

WE are not doves that can be tamed. We did not intentionally support the Opposition. Our intention was to protect the integrity of Parliament.Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, NST 5 October 2005

Each said that despite her conscience, "I am a loyal party member and will obey."Suhaini Aznam, The Star 25 December 2005

I was merely trying to help the Barisan retain voters' confidence by bringing up the issue at the state assembly. And I certainly did not go against the Barisan. I love Barisan and was merely trying to help it retain its voters' confidence. Tan Cheng Liang, Jawi ADUN, FAC News 27 November 2002

BNBBC.org.my akan bertindak sebagai platform untuk Ahli Parlimen berkongsi pendapat mereka tentang isu-isu semasa bersama rakyat dan membolehkan rakyat memberikan pendapat dan komen-komen bernas yang akan membantu meningkatkan lagi mutu perkhidmatan yang diberikan oleh Ahli Parlimen terhadap rakyat yang mereka wakili. BNBBC.org.my 5 April 2005

I urge MPs, particularly from Barisan Nasional, to support the amendments to the two water bills in the interests of the people and country. The Barisan Nasional leadership should remove the whip and allow BN MPs to speak and vote according to their conscience. Opposition Leader, Lim Kit Siang 30 April 2006

Saya ada pelbagai cara untuk mendapatkan maklum balas yang telah disampaikan kepada saya. Itulah cara saya daripada dulu pun. Kalau saya nak buat sesuatu dengan orang yang hendak membuat kerjasama dengan saya, saya akan beritahu, kalau ada pandangan, kalau ada apa-apa yang mereka hendak ingatkan, kut saya terlupa sedangkan kita manusia ini lupa pun ada. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 9 February 2004

Bekerjalah bersama saya, dan bukan untuk saya. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 9 February 2004

I will deal with them, even if they're powerful. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 23 March 2004

For 15 years, I had joined the wrong party and I thought in year 2000 when I joined MCA, I could then serve the party and Barisan Nasional (BN). Lim Boo Chang, Datuk Keramat ADUN, 16 December 2002

No Boo Chang. You are still in the wrong party.

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