A dignified PM to be

With the pressure mounting from it's own members and leaders, it is imminent that Abdullah Badawi is expected to quit as Umno president and PM very soon. The sixth PM is expected to be appointed by the King after that.

Most will expect Umno's deputy PM Najib Razak to take over the Premiership from him. But at issue is whether the transition plan will proceed as decided by the Umno supreme council or will it face possible derailment such as Tengku Razaleigh challenge by seeking enough nominations to fight it out for the Umno presidency which by convention is also to assumed the prime minister position as leader of BN.

Another possible spanner in the works is the onslaught of Anwar's battle to attract BN parliamentarians to switch camp to PR. If it happens, the next parliament sitting after Hari Raya Puasa festival will see the appointment of a new PM by the King but it will not be Najib.

Even that is so, there are critics who thinks that it is not morally right to secure the coveted PM position using that approach since the rakyat did not decide that way on March 8 election. BN won the general election in the battle led by Abdullah Badawi and everybody knows Abdullah will be the PM when BN wins the election. If that's the case, can Najib take over as PM once Abdullah resigns midway through the term of parliament mandated by the rakyat?

Legally speaking, Najib can assumed the position as the constitution says that the King will appoints an elected MP who has the majority support of MPs of the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House). That is according to the law.

On the other hand if Anwar able to secure the majority support of the Dewan Rakyat, according to the law, he too can be PM legally. There is no mention of party affiliation by the MPs. As long as a particular MP can secure the majority support, the MP concerned can be appointed PM by the King.

There is no such thing that says whoever takes over the Umno presidency will be automatically the PM. Further more, the rakyat voted BN MPs to set up the government to be led by Abdullah not Najib. Is it morally correct to take over the PM position without seeking the consent of rakyat? Just as critics had tasked on the morality of Anwar taking over as PM via the back door without the consent of the people but by playing politics to secure power. Is Najib suspected to be doing the same too, playing politics to secure the position?

If both of them wants to walks into office with pride, respect and dignity, it will be dignified and statesman-like for them to go back to the voters for endorsement, not just depends on a political decision of a majority of 112 MPs or 25 members of the Umno supreme council.

Anyhow, both routes to power is not against the law as long as there is no acts of breaking the law such as buying over support with money, positions, sexual gratification, overseas trips or using threats of physical violence to any person or their loved ones. There is always a thin line and grey area in defining the morality and conscience of politicians in making decisions to seek higher office and power.

At the end of the day, no matter how legalistic and law abiding the method used to secure power, it is the individual's karma in facing the wrath of their almighty if their actions is not morally upright. If these matters to them though. - Loka

Rising Temperature, Cool It

The weather is changing. Temperature is rising and most people felt it. Are we part of the contributing factor and still doing it or are we detesting the situation and tries to pour some cold water to cool things down.

Well I am not talking about the global climate change or green house effect. I am refering to the rising racial tension in the country caused by some irresponsible warts of society. Their uncalled for remarks and bidding to be their community heroes at the expense of the nation's well being and peaceful co-existence.

Last week a journalist from a mainstream newspaper phoned me requesting an interview via the phone. The journalist was writing a feature to compare whether policy regarding other than Islam places of worship has changed in both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat states since the last general election.

I responded that even though I am prepared to provide my views but I am of the opinion that it is not the best of time to publish any article of that sort in the midst of rising racial temperature. Some of us may be able to accept differences in opinions and approaches but we can't say that applies to all. There are certain people who will jumped on any opportunity to boost their ego and political standing. We should not offer any opportunity to these narrow-minded fellas or we will ends up part of the contributing factor to the rising temperature.

It can be a good article but if published the wrong time, it becomes a source of contention again. Patience is an virtue. Wait after the weather changes for the better when temperature cools down and ordinary folks will not be easily manipulated by those opportunistic religious bigots and racial extremists.

The journalist called me the next day informing me the newspaper editor decided to hold-on the writing of the article until situation permits. Good for them. Good for us. Hope people will think wisely with a good heart for everybody and the nation. Live and let live. - Loka

AIA remain strong

Last few days has been busy attending calls from my friends and clients enquiring on the impact of the financial situation faced by AIG to it's Malaysian subsidiary AIA Berhad.

It was business as usual in AIA Malaysia. I was in my branch office yesterday and it DID NOT experience the rush to surrender policies as what happened to "kiasu" Singaporeans. There were the usual routine with policy holders paying their due premiums and making changes of addresses, beneficiaries and etc on their policies.

The letter from AIA CEO to AIA policyholders on the issue can be read here.

The main point is that AIA Malaysia remain strong and is not impacted by the ongoing financial issues in the US.- Loka

Jittery over a date

By tomorrow, the targeted date of Anwar's dream of being appointed the Malaysian 6th Prime Minister will be put to test.

There are those who are convinced that he will pull through with a simple majority to form the next government while there are detractors who are calling it a bluff. On the former assertion it seems that there are valid claims of confidence basing on the jittery feeling and manouvering by the Bn government.

The packing off of the 54 Bn MPs to Taiwan during the Muslims' fasting month acknowleged the tension currently felt by the Bn government. The reason of this argument is that it is not usual practice for Muslim politicians and government servants not to stay home to observe the month of Ramadhan. Travelling overseas is not a priority unless it is essential and unavoidable. It seems that both essential and unavoidable did exists on this case. The latest usaged of ISA on Malaysian citizens gave a picture of a leadership under siege and sending signals of desperate measures that backfired.

On the other hand, there is nothing much to show other than the usual rhetorics and claims by Anwar and PKR's leadership that the change of government is happening. In reality there is not a single MP from Bn that had declared their intention to join the Pakatan Rakyat government. Maybe there are some former MPs like MCA's Dr Tan Yee Kew and Gerakan's Dr Tan Kee Kwong whom already joined PKR but former MPs do not have a say in parliament isn't it. Maybe Sapp two MPs will be the first to declare? Furthermore, PR might have difficulty filling up the cabinet with qualified, experience and suitable candidates from it's own alliance. It will also expected to rope in MPs from BN as prospective cabinet ministers which might cause displeasure amongst its own members.

In the meantime, people is looking forward for a quick showdown once and for all and move on with our lives and hoping for a reduction in the cost of living.- Loka

BN kick out Umno?

What happens if all the other 12 BN components members decided enough is enough with all those arrogant behaviour and "invite" Umno to get out from BN?

At current development in the BN circle where Umno is not having the best of the days sleeping with her BN partners which includes senior partners like MCA and Gerakan, no one can predict what will happen next. Even SAPP of Sabah which was given a show-cause letter for proposing to support a vote of no-confidence against the PM are not expected to tone down their unhappiness.

Will Malaysian politics and the country heading for the better if Umno is sack from BN and then BN without Umno set up a unity government with Pakatan Rakyat? Or will the worst happens? Will Umno becomes more racialistic and extreme when push to a corner and ends up as the main opposition in Parliament and the state assemblies? Don't reject this yet, as in politics anything unthinkable and impossible can becomes a reality with Malaysian politicians!

Even those MPs having a "study tour" in Taiwan are not to be counted out in the grand design. They may be physically out of Malaysia but with the use of IT & SD (statutory declaration), they might not be here physically, but their mind is always on Malaysia. - Loka

Before you quote history

History is a subject which many look upon as an arts subject in the secondary and tertiary education systems. Those in the primary school level learned about historical background of certain place or personalities in the local studies subject. Many always made the mistake of saying 'history repeats itself".

Does history "repeats" itself? The incidence might be similiar but the characters and location would have changed. Furthermore, the most important fact about history which will never repeats itself is time. No matter how similiar the incident, time of occurence will never be the same. While I am keying in these words, the previous sentences already history. Time passes while we take every breath.

When we try to quote a part of history to justifies our arguments or actions, we need to take cognisance that others will quote many other historical facts to counter our points. History itself has been challenged with history. How far back we want to trace the historical background of certain matter? Yesterday, last year, one decade, one century, ten centuries or to the Bronze Age?

The Ahmad Ismail saga on his racial statement which is considered demeaning the Chinese in Malaysia as immigrants will not see any early ending soon. By justifying his racial statement with historical background based on the colonial period will surely attracts rebuttal from others who will also quote historical facts. The question is which period of time one refers to when claiming a certain race or community is an immigrant or original inhabitants?

Can we based on a scientific guideline or proofs that can safely anointed any individual as the original inhabitants of a land? Basing on a timeline, how long does it take to declare a person as original inhabitants if the person migrates from other places? Ten years, 100 years, 1,000 years, 10,000 years or more?

Can we consider the Perak Man, an 11,000 years old human skeletal remains which was discovered in 1991 in Lenggong, Perak as an original inhabitant. If that is so, how many Malaysians are actually the descendant of Perak Man?- Loka

16 September - Malaysia Day

The proposal for September 16 to be declared a national holiday in recognition of it's significance and importance to national unity and nation-building has been long overdue. But why is it there are certain people in BN particularly Umno who are reluctant to recognised that as a symbol of unity and goodwill gesture with our Sabah and Sarawak brethrens?

Is there an underlining fear in Umno that by giving Sept 16 it's due recognition will dilute or downgrade the contribution of the Malay nationalists' who fought for the nation's independence on 31 August 1957? What about the independence and nationalists of Sabah and Sarawak then? Both the states in East Malaysia did not joined Malaysia on 16 Sept 1963 since the nation called Malaysia did not exists before that. It was known as Malaya before 16 Sept 1963. Both the states were independent entity that decides to establish Malaysia together by merging with Peninsula Malaya and Singapore on equal playing filed and status. Brunei decided not to be part of the Malaysia at the last minute while Singapore seceded from Malaysia on 9 August 1965.

Why can't we have Independence Day on 31 August and Malaysia Day on 16 September? All independence fighters, whether in Peninsula or Sabah and Sarawak , will be fully recognised for their efforts and sacrifices.- Loka