Umno General Assembly must ask Najib - WHERE'S THE RM1 CHICKEN!

It is certain, going by the track record of UMNO’s General Assemblies all these past thirty years, that race and religion will dominate the floor.

There will also be the fiesta mood and shopping galore as bazaars with Tongkat Ali and Kacip Fatimah take centre of attraction.

However, the members must not be blinded and deafened by the distractions and war cries. They should take a hard look at how much they gained or lost since UMNO reigned supreme, championing the Malay and Muslim agenda these past over five decades.

For example, they should have the courage to ask Najib where is the RM1 chicken that he promised the rakyat not so long ago.

They must know that in Thailand you can buy a steamed crab larger than the size of your adult palm for RM9; and for the same amount too you can feast on eight to ten prawns – averaging the size of your thumb and measuring six to nine inches long.

And that is not in some interior or ulu village but at a widely promoted water village not far from Songkla which is very popular among local and foreign tourists.

No strategies to develop Malaysia, tap her strengths

The Klong-dan community who once were rice millers in bygone times have been well settled here to earn a decent life by taking advantage of the water inlets that are in abundance here.

The point here is, UMNO members must ask why is it that Malaysians have to pay through their noses to enjoy sea food.

Malaysia is a country that has the 29th longest coastline in the world. With 22 kilometers of territorial waters and 200 meters in the depth of the continental shelf, do we not have enough fish?

Add the two national lakes – The Bera Lakes and the Tasik Chini lakes; plus the Pedu Lake of 12 kilometers length; and our largest artificial lake Kenyir; the longest Rajang River of 760 kilometers; the Kinnabatang River of 560 kilometers; and the Pahang River of 435 kilometers.

That is 1,755 kilometers of river, not including the numerous smaller rivers and tributaries.

And add on the 189 water basins that dot the nation. Do not forget the 1,425 square kilometers of mangrove swamps and habitats in the country.

That is a whole lot of water not forgetting the full advantage of the Gulf of Thailand in the north; the South China Sea between West and East Malaysia; and of course the Andaman Sea to the north west. You can forget about the Straits of Malacca though. Too many pirate activities lah!

With so much of fishing opportunities and fish breeding included, why are our fishermen so poor? Why are our people unable to eat fish and crabs at RM9? Forget about Najib’s promising RM1 chicken.

Instead, Umno leaders go the easy route - mega buildings & HUGE DEBT

Yes, there will be all kinds of crowing, crowning speeches boasting about the great buildings and developments that have been created by UMNO. There will be great showcases of billionaire bumiputras too.

But, members need to be wary of as to why their fishermen are in debts with Alongs and boat Towkays despite all the great success of UMNO these past over five decades.

Let not the war cries for race and religion and how UMNO has defended the folks from these evils of Islam and Malays, drown the true reality on the ground.

How many Malays are still struggling in the kampongs? How many fishermen cannot eke out a decent living despite all the progress that politicians have brought to the country? How many of the Malay Muslim citizens’ children have to even borrow money (PTPTN) to go to college?

Why is it that the Klong-dan community of Thailand are not marginalized or left out in the cold but can be given greater opportunity to be economically vibrant and financially independent whereas UMNO members have to continue waiting for help despite 57 years of independence?

And not only that. Malaysian Malay Muslims have to return any help from UMNO with eternal gratitude!

Will these thoughts remain a high priority this UMNO GA? Or will the race and religion din drown out the harsh realities being faced by the Malay Muslim members of UMNO? Perhaps the ‘endless promises’ of a high income nation of people will overtake the folks. - MAILBAG