PUT MAHATHIR IN CHARGE! THAT’S WHAT NAJIB & UMNO FEAR MOST – NOT ‘MIDWIVES’ AZIZAH OR MUHYIDDIN

These are my own personal comments. Most of us have read about this. Pakatan Harapan- is forming a pro tem committee. Most are us are jubilant about this. A pro tempore committee is finally in place.
Among other things, it will look into the idea of registering one common logo. As I have said some time ago, this is a right step. One of the things BN is fearful of, is the use of one logo by the opposition. Perhaps it can also discuss the idea of direct membership.
One logo. It will simplify the choice for voters. They will vote either BN or PH. It shows we can present a united front to the people. Hopefully it removes confusion. We are telling people that they have tangible choices.
The other thing that BN is fearful of is the leader who represents PH. Unfortunately we have 2 leaders who will act as advisors to PH. The leaders who met up have agreed to have 2 persons to represent PH. I don’t think this is strategic in the sense of being able to confer maximum advantages to PH. There should only be one person to represent PH.

If we don’t trust Mahathir, put Wan Azizah in charge. Or put up Muhyidin. Let us have only one captain commanding the ship. You can’t have 2 captains overseeing the command of a ship. It will run aground.
But let us ask ourselves? Will Wan Azizah have the drawing power to convert the UMNO people to our cause? We can’t bank our hopes solely on our extreme disgust of the injustice meted out to Anwar Ibrahim that we feel, giving Wan Azizah the symbolic gesture of fronting for Anwar will do the trick. We are dangerously flirting with an overrated emotion. It’s not endearing enough to have someone projecting a very feminine and likeable image comforting herself with a fontage fan.
I am not going to mince my words here. I am saying the person who is most strategically useful to us at the moment is Dr Mahathir. Put Dr Mahathir as the person representing PH.

With due respects to Wan Azizah, her placement there appears to give assurance to the PKR people, their boss is there. It’s like an insurance policy, reflecting the jockeying of position that is already looming in the background in the event that PH wins the PRU14. It is already the right of first claim by PKR when PH wins the next election. Anwar Ibrahim can become PM, after we win power.
It is also a decision to quell the distrust of the PKR people and members of PH on Mahathir. There are lingering doubts as to the sincerity of DR Mahathir in teaming up with PH. Personally I think most of these fear are unfounded.

Why do we need Wan Azizah to serve as midwife?

I have been wanting to write about this sometime ago but held back for fear on sending the wrong messages. Now that a committee is already in place, this issue can be discussed.
The only person whom UMNO fears most is Dr Mahathir. Let us make no bones about it- we are fighting UMNO. Don’t entertain PAS as a serious opponent. It’s UMNO.

After being played out on the issue of RUU355, PAS has lost credibility even among its own adherents. It can’t go back to its people by saying it tries its best but that it is UMNO which betrays them.

How do you explain that after having getting yourself besotted and ensnared by UMNO’s advances, you cannot depend on UMNO to put up the bill? Its supporters will be demanding blood soon. It has betrayed the hope and trust placed on them to deliver the RUU bill. It seems now that God has willed that Hadi’s private bill cannot get through with UMNO. It will shatter the hopes of the hundreds who came by buses to parliament the last time, to see and hear the motion becomes bill. How will Hadi explain to the expectant faces?

Some time ago, when Dr Mahathir turned up for an event organised by PKR, he was booed as he entered the hall. I understand the latent animosity and disapproval of Mahathir. Rightly or wrongly, he is seen as the person responsible for inflicting harm on Anwar.
But Mahathir now is the only person who can lead PH to defeat UMNO.

Unless we defeat UMNO and win power, I am afraid, but have to say this, our friend Anwar Ibrahim will rot in jail. I am not taking away anything from Anwar Ibrahim, but there is also a sizeable portion of our citizens who do not believe in his ability as a leader. If he is pragmatic, Anwar will endorse Mahathir as leader of PH. He should stop playing politics from jail. I think for him, putting up Mahathir is a better choice than having Azmin Ali as co advisor.

As a blogger qua blogger, I will write about the internal politics of PKR sometime in the future.

With Mahathir coming on board, that portion opposed to PH for whatever reasons, can be reduced in size and our chance to defeat UMNO is increased. Just look as Felda. Whenever Mahathir comes, the crowd is huge. We incapacitate Felda, we incapacitate UMNO.
When Najib was in Tawau recently he asked the question repeatedly- who does Sabah people support?- the answer came back loudly, Mahathir.

It is strategic for us, to leverage on Mahathir’s acceptability by the people. Mahathir still commands the reservoir of support in the Malay heartland.

Leverage on Mahathir. It is the perfect example, of a knife borrowed, which we can use to kill off the enemy, UMNO.

– http://sakmongkol.blogspot.my/

MAHATHIR DROPS RM40BIL BOMBSHELL ON NAJIB: HAS THE MISSING 1MDB MONEY BEEN FROZEN & BY WHOM?

1. I welcome Najib’s statement that 1MDB has cleared all its bank debts and short term debts.
2. Since 1MDB is not doing any business, the payment cannot be from profits. It must be from the RM10.97 billion sale of Edra Global Energy Bhd’s asset, Syarikat Bandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Sungai Besi Airport) equity and the Tun Razak Exchange Land.

3. The payments listed adds up to RM3.9 billion. So 1MDB is left with RM7.07 billion.

4. But the total debt incurred by 1MDB is RM50 billion as of January 2016.

5. Bank Negara has instructed 1MDB to bring back all the money that was invested not according to the approval given by the bank upon presentation made by 1MDB.

6. 1MDB issued a statement on 28th April 2016 that it respects authority and decision of BNM.

7. On May 25, 2016 1MDB announced that it has made full payment of a fine imposed by BNM.

8. No mention is made of the amount of the fine.

9. No mention is also made about bringing back all the money that had been “invested” abroad.

10. It would be interesting to know whether 1MDB has other assets to sell to pay the balance of the RM50 billion debts amounting to RM40 billion. If there are no more assets, how does 1MDB propose to raise this RM40 billion.

11. What is the rate of interest on this balance? Unless the interest is paid the RM40 billion would increase considerably. Is 1MDB paying the interest, if not on the principal.

12. If there are no more assets, where is the RM40 billion. It is a large sum of money. It must be somewhere. Has the money been invested. If so in what. Or has it been frozen. If so who has frozen the money and why. Is 1MDB entitled to claim the frozen money? Has 1MDB brought back all the unfrozen money invested not in accordance with the approval of BNM as required. If not where is the money.

13. The statement by Najib in answer to Er Teck Hwa (DAP – Bakri) raises more questions than answers.

14. Perhaps the Prime Minister can explain. It is the people’s money. They are entitled to know as in the end they will have to pay, one way or another.

– http://chedet.cc

AFTER BASHING FROM DR M, NAZRI DARE NOT SHOW OFF ANYMORE? SON NEDIM WEDS ACTRESS NORA DANISH IN ‘INTIMATE’ CEREMONY

KUALA LUMPUR – Love was in the air as Malaysian heartthrob Nora Danish married her sweetheart, Mohamed Nedim Nazri Aziz, in an intimate akad nikah ceremony here this evening.

The event was held at Glasshouse at Seputeh and was witnessed by an approximate 200 family, relatives and close friends.

The solemnisation ceremony was formalised by Senior Assistant Director of Marriage and Family Development of the Federal Territory Islamic Department, Khairul Asyraf Ahmad.

The popular actress, who is synonymous with her roles in ‘Makrifat Cinta’ and ‘Polis Evo’, ditched the convention of glamorous, elaborate weddings and instead, tied the knot in a small, low-key affair.

Nedim looked dapper in a white baju Melayu at the akad nikah ceremony held at Seputeh Glasshouse here tonight. – Photo credit SD

As for the amount of dowry received, the bride was presented with RM300.

The couple’s relationship blossomed since 2013 and have made their ties public to fans.

Nora, 35, who was married to Rizal Ashram Ramli has a son, Putera Rayqal, 8.

Nedim 33. also has a son, Nedrin, 6 from his previous marriage to Nabilah Khan.

Guests were presented with a cute ‘berkat’ courtesy of Nedim and Nora. – Photo credit SD

Among the celebrities who attended the ceremony were Erma Fatima, Umie Aida and award-winning Indonesian actress, Laudya Cynthia Bella.

– http://english.astroawani.com

NAJIB OUTPLAYED BY A ‘MAD MAN’ NAMED JONG-UN: CONFIRMED – DESPITE PUTRAJAYA’S BLUSTER & MISINFORMATION, JONG-NAM’S ‘MURDER SUSPECTS’ SENT HOME TO PYONGYANG WITH BODY

KUALA LUMPUR – Two, possibly three, North Koreans wanted for questioning over the murder of the estranged half-brother of their country’s leader were believed to have accompanied the coffin of the victim on a flight from Kuala Lumpur after Malaysia agreed a swap deal with the reclusive state.

Photographs obtained by Reuters from Japan’s Kyodo news agency show Hyon Kwang Song, the second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Kim Uk Il, a staff member of North Korea’s state airline Air Koryo were on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on Thursday evening.

The pictures match those released by the Malaysian police earlier. The coffin carrying the body of Kim Jong Nam was also believed to have been on the same flight, though this has not been confirmed by authorities.

Malaysian media reported that the third North Korean, Ri Ji U, also known as James, who had been hiding with them at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur was also allowed to go home. The three men and the coffin are expected to be transferred to a flight to Pyongyang.

Malaysian authorities released the body Kim Jong Nam to North Korea on Thursday, in a deal that secured the release of nine Malaysian citizens held in Pyongyang after a drawn out diplomatic spat.

(Reuters)

Sri Lanka Denied Freehold Status For Chinese, Allowed Only 99 Year Lease

The Chinese super developer 'CCCC' or China Communications Construction Company is building an RM57 billion (US$13 billion) mega-port and coastal development  in Sri Lanka (just like in Melaka, Carey Island and Johor).

However the Sri Lankans did not allow the Chinese any freehold land status. 

They only gave the Chinese '99 year leasehold land status".  

And the Chinese agreed.  

Here be the news :

Chinese Port City in Sri Lanka to attract US$13bn (RM57b) investment 
.
 

 

view of Colombo Port City site Sri Lanka March 30.— Reuters
 

Chinese real estate project attract US$13 billion investment from 2018

US$1.4bn Port City by China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) 

part of Beijing's modern-day “Silk Road” across Asia

President Sirisena restarted waterfront development 

biggest foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka in 2016

Liang Thow Ming, chief sales officer of CHEC Port City Colombo 

company that handles project for CCCC

new land reclaimed from sea 

1/3 of 269-hectare (665-acre) site reclaimed from sea 

reclamation to be completed by end 2019 

Sand dredged from sea at "Colombo Port City" 

deliver first site for construction by end 2018,” Liang told Reuters
 

company anticipated US$13bn (RM57b) investment 

housing, marinas, health facilities, schools over 30 years

positioning port city as hub for whole of South Asia

huge market and region growing very fast,” Liang said

50% of land for housing, 30% commercial and rest other activities

Sri Lanka rejected proposal for 20 hectares freehold land to CCCC 

Chinese firm was given land only on a 99-year lease

My comments :   Sri Lanka itu maybe less bodoh than our folks.  
They allowed the Chinese 99 Year lease only.
And the Chinese agreed !

Why do the locals always have to be so stupid? 

Mubadalla lah, Unta Shaggers lah, JoLo lah, Liwat-me lah. Now Freehold land lah !

Betoi kah orang kata DNA depa ni bahalol ?

AirAsia plans Vietnam venture as traffic soars

The low-cost carrier plans to start a Vietnamese carrier in a local partnership with Gumin Co, Hai Au Aviation Joint Stock Co and businessman Tran Trong Kien.

HANOI: AirAsia Bhd, the low-cost carrier headed by Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes, plans to start a Vietnamese carrier in a local partnership, as cheap fares and rising incomes fuel a travel surge in the Southeast Asian nation.

The region’s largest budget airline will partner Gumin Co, Hai Au Aviation Joint Stock Co and businessman Tran Trong Kien for the venture, which is expected to start flying early next year, AirAsia said in a statement to the stock exchange.

Gumin will hold about 70% of the new venture, with AirAsia holding the rest.

Vietnam is the latest country to lure Fernandes, who is seeking to build a pan-Asian budget airline, as the 28% growth in passenger traffic was triple the pace in other Southeast Asian nations.

The fifth-biggest market in the region has seen domestic traffic double since 2013, and the middle-class will comprise close to a quarter of its population by 2010, AirAsia said.

AirAsia has over the years established affiliates in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Japan, and is betting on a low-cost, long-haul model for international travel through its AirAsia X unit.

It has ordered hundreds of planes worth billions of dollars from Airbus SE to meet its growth ambitions, and is in the process of selling a plane-leasing unit to raise more cash.

Marketing stunts

VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co, known for marketing stunts like bikini-clad flight attendants, listed its shares on an exchange last month, and has gained 52% since.

Vietnam will continue to see a double-digit gain in passenger numbers in the next decade, after annual growth of 17% in the past decade, according to ACB Securities in December.

“AirAsia is very late to the party in Vietnam and as a result faces huge challenges,” said Brendan Sobie, Singapore-based chief analyst at CAPA Centre for Aviation.

“The market is now well served by two low-cost carriers, VietJet and Jetstar Pacific. The rate of growth will likely slow in the coming years as the market is now more mature.”

AirAsia’s Vietnam venture will need investments of 1 trillion Vietnamese Dong (RM194.6 million), and AirAsia will contribute 30% of that after raising internal funding, according to the filing.

Kien is the chief executive officer of Hanoi-based Gumin, which was founded on March 29, according to Vietnam Planning and Investment Ministry’s website.

He is also the chairman and CEO of Thien Minh Group, or TMG, which owns Victoria Hotels & Resorts in Vietnam and Laos. Hai Au Aviation is a unit of TMG. -FMT

Bar hopes AG will seek its feedback before penal bills are tabled

Bar Council's criminal law committee says in the past the AG’s Chambers would consult it for feedback before any penal bills were tabled in Parliament but this is not being done now.

PETALING JAYA: The Bar Council’s criminal law committee hopes the attorney-general (AG) will allow the Bar to offer feedback on penal laws that are to be tabled in Parliament.

Committee member Baljit Sidhu said in the past the AG’s Chambers would consult the Bar on bills as it was also a key stakeholder in the administration of justice.

“This relationship has to be restored for the committee members to give their input,” he told FMT.

The relationship between the AG’s Chambers and the Bar has not been as cordial since Apandi Ali became the attorney-general.

Baljit said this in the wake of the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017 being tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. This is a landmark legislation that seeks to tackle child sexual crimes.

Neither the AG nor his chamber officials had invited the Bar Council’s criminal law committee for consultation or discussion on the bill.

Baljit regretted that the Bar was also not consulted when an amendment was made to the Criminal Procedure Code.

Apandi Ali, a former Federal Court judge, was appointed the AG on July 26, 2015.

The Malaysian Bar last year filed a judicial review at the High Court against the AG’s decision to close investigations into the transfer of RM2.6 billion from SRC International to the prime minister’s accounts.

The Bar is of the view that the discretionary prosecutorial powers conferred on the AG under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution are not absolute or unfettered.

However, the High Court dismissed the suit, citing it could not question the AG’s prosecutorial powers.

The appeal will be heard in the Court of Appeal on Tuesday. -FMT

Kita jumpa di mahkamah, kata Teresa pada Jamal Yunos

Ahli Parlimen Seputeh berkata tuduhan pemimpin Umno itu terhadapnya hanya 'jenaka mengarut'.

PETALING JAYA: Ahli Parlimen Seputeh Teresa Kok hari ini berkata “tuduhan palsu” ketua Umno Bahagian Sungai Besar itu terhadapnya dan seorang lagi rakan Adun hanya “taktik kotor” untuk memfitnah mereka menjelang pilihan raya umum.

“Tidak ada apa yang saya takut terhadap tuduhan Jamal, kerana pejabat saya memang mematuhi semua prosedur selaras dengan peraturan ditetapkan.

“Jadi, Jamal Yunos, kita jumpa di mahkamah,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Terdahulu pagi tadi, pegawai Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) datang ke pejabat Kok meminta dokumen asal bagi Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE), di bawah dana Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (Yawas).

Serbuan itu susulan beberapa laporan polis dibuat Jamal terhadap Kok dan rakan sekerjanya yang lain.

Laporan pertama difailkan pada 14 Mac, di mana Jamal mendakwa wakil rakyat dari Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor mengambil dana yang sepatutnya bagi kegunaan kebajikan daripada Yawas.

Jamal mengenal pasti Kok, Adun Sekinchan Ng Suee Lim dan wakil PKR yang tidak dinamakan sebagai dalang perbuatan itu.

Tidak lama kemudian, Jamal membuat laporan polis lagi terhadap Adun Damansara Utama Yeo Bee Yin, mendakwa beliau terbabit dalam salah guna dana.

Bercakap hari ini, Kok menolak tuduhan Jamal, dan menganggap itu jenaka.

“Menurut laporan berita, Jamal tuduh saya keluarkan duit RM2 juta daripada akaun bank SMUE. Lawak mengarut. Dia ingat pegawai kerajaan Selangor bodoh sangat untuk biarkan saya buat begitu,” katanya.

Kok berkata peguamnya sudah mengeluarkan surat tuntutan kepada Jamal 2 minggu lalu, tetapi masih belum menerima jawapan. -FMT

coup de maître

SeaDemon Says

Many would have thought that President Rodrigo “The Punisher” Duterte of the Philippines as a difficult man to come to a deal with.

When the President visited Malaysia last November, there were five Malaysians being held captive by bandits in the south of the Republic as a result of Kidnap-for-Ransom incidents.

Many criticised Najib Razak’s joining in Duterte’s karaoke diplomacy but as a seasoned diplomat and a leader Najib knew that it was Duterte’s way of asking him to loosen up before concluding business.

As a result, Duterte himself oversaw the rescue efforts and as a result the five Malaysians held as hostages were returned to their families.

Last night, as a result of another masterstroke conjured by both Najib Razak and another seasoned and internationally-respected diplomat Anifah Aman who worked behind the scene to secure the release of Malaysians held in Pyongyang since 7 March 2017.

The RMAF Global Express jet upon arrival

This morning a Royal Malaysian Air Force Global Express jet arrived in Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian embassy staff as well as their family members.

Anifah Aman was there waiting.

Anifah Aman with family members of the Malaysian embassy staff waiting at the airport

Speaking later to reporters Anifah said that the efforts to bring back the Malaysians showcases diplomacy at its best.

“There can be no substitute for diplomacy, for level-headedness in dealing with such situations, and this has served Malaysia well in this instance,” said the Foreign Minister.

He thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for placing his trust in the Foreign Ministry to lead negotiations with North Korea.

There is no substitute for level-headedness and skillful diplomacy, and definitely no substitute for a great leadership and solid friendship that delivers each time.

After BN rejection, no need for Act 355 bill passage, says Kit Siang

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang argues that since BN has already rejected the bill to amend Act 355, there is no need for the bill to be allowed passage or to be voted on in Parliament.

"Any passage of Hadi’s private member’s bill motion in Parliament next Thursday will make a total mockery of the BN supreme council decision that the BN government will not take over Hadi’s bill to amend Act 355," Lim said in a statement today.

He argued that this was because if the bill was passed by the House, it would still end up in the hands of a BN minister, who would have to decide on the future course of the amended law.

"As per Dewan Rakyat Standing Order 49 (3), if leave is granted for a private member’s bill motion, it shall be deemed to have been read the first time and ordered to be printed and a copy of the bill shall be delivered to the Parliament secretary.

"Standing Order 49(4) provides that the bill will be printed and circulated to members, and shall be referred without discussion to the minister concerned, with the subjects or functions of the bill, no further proceedings shall be taken until the minister has reported to the House thereon."

Lim said that since BN has already decided that the government will not take over or follow through with the bill, the matter is moot as the BN minister will not, or rather cannot follow through or risk going against the party line.

"In the present case over Hadi’s bill, the BN supreme council decided that the government (which would include any minister concerned) would not take over Hadi’s private member’s bill.

"Which would mean that even if Hadi’s private member's bill motion is passed by Parliament, the bill would not be taken over and pursued further by the federal government," Lim said.

In any case, he added, any debate and voting by MPs knowing that Hadi’s bill would not be taken over by the federal government would make Parliament the laughing stock of the world.

After Najib's announcement on Wednesday night that the federal government would not take over Hadi's bill, attention has shifted to whether it would be allowed to be tabled, debated and voted on by the House.

Hadi's bill, which was given leave for tabling in the first session of last year's Parliament sitting, was postponed until last year's second sitting, and was later postponed again until the current first sitting of this year.

It is expected to be tabled sometime in the last five days of this Parliament sitting, which will end next week.- Mkini

Bersih urges voters to protest 'unconstitutional' redelineation

Bersih 2.0 has urged affected voters to protest the second redelineation proposal before the April 7 deadline.

It has also deemed the exclusion of Selangor from the proposal “unconstitutional and illegal”.

On March 8, the Election Commission (EC) published a second display for redelineation where numerous constituency names and compositions across the country were changed.

“The purpose of redelineation is to equalise numbers (between constituencies) but that has not been the case.

"Many constituencies (in the second display) are too small and over-represented while others are super sized.

"The EC has completely ignored objections of the people during the first display," said Bersih 2.0 treasurer Thomas Fann at the Bersih 2.0 headquarters today.

Nevertheless, Fann urged the affected voters to engage with the second display and download customised, constituency-specific objection letters from the Delineation Action Research Team website. 

The letters can either be posted or submitted in person to state EC offices.

A minimum of 100 objections from a single constituency are needed for the EC to launch a local enquiry with constituents there.

Selangor, while included in the first redelineation proposal, was the only state bypassed in the second display.

“Article 113(6) of the Constitution says redelineation must include Sabah, Sarawak and (all states in) Malaya.

“It is unconstitutional and illegal for the EC to continue without including Selangor,” said Fann.

This is the first time a state had been bypassed in a re-delineation exercise, added Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.

“There is no precedent and this is very unusual, the second display should never have been allowed,” she said.

The Selangor state government previously obtained a stay against EC’s local inquiry pending a judicial review it applied against the EC’s redelineation exercise.

When asked if there had been progress with registering new voters, Maria explained Bersih 2.0 had little data as only the EC had official voter figures.

“Bersih 2.0’s voter registration drive faced many obstacles because we were not given enough forms by the EC.

“We can’t measure our progress until EC releases official voter figures in the next quarter (of the year),” she explained.

Maria previously criticised the EC for not doing enough to register new voters.

More than four million eligible Malaysians have yet to register as voters, Malaysiakini reported yesterday.

Today is purportedly the last day to register as a voter to be eliegible to vote for GE14.- Mkini

State chief: PAS to stay put in Selangor unless instructed otherwise

PAS representatives will not leave the Selangor state government unless there are instructions to do so from the central leadership or muktamar, said Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Samad.

"Maybe there are some people who said PAS should leave the (Selangor) state government but actually we are waiting for instructions from the muktamar or central leadership.

"Now there is no instruction to exit the state government so we just proceed," the PAS vice-president told reporters in Shah Alam today.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Iskandar had said that he was not surprised by pro-Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) bloggers who criticised him for saying PAS would not leave the Selangor government.

"They want to get rid of PAS' influence in the government," he had said in the post.

A large number of PAS divisions in Kedah, Terengganu and Penang have also passed resolutions at their recent annual general meetings to urge the party to cut ties with PKR.

The resolutions are slated to be discussed at next month's muktamar or PAS annual general assembly.

Though PKR was formerly the only Pakatan Harapan coalition member to enjoy a cordial relationship with PAS, their relationship appears to have soured of late.

This was exacerbated by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's desire to see PAS rule Selangor, besides the states of Kedah, Perak, Terengganu and Kelantan.

When asked what the implications would be if PAS were told to leave the Selangor government, Iskandar said they would cross the bridge when they got to it.

"I don't want to speculate. Better not to speculate and let us have lunch," he added when approached during the break of the Selangor state assembly sitting.

Apart from Iskandar, there are two other PAS state exco members in Selangor.- Mkini

Democracy means term limits for elected officials

As the 14th Malaysian general election looms, it is almost comical to see ageing politicians still trying to justify their “right” to stand for elections even while they clamour for “change” in the political order.

They cite political conspiracies by their political opponents to justify hogging their electoral seats.

Some have been in Parliament since the era of the Tunku - half a century ago. During that time, Umno (hardly the paragon of democracy) has changed party leaders five times.

It is no coincidence that these long term political leaders exert control over their respective political parties to ensure all prospective party candidates is beholden to them.

They argue that they are indispensable and even justify their right to selectively hold both federal as well as state seats.

The late Karpal Singh was a stern opponent of this grabby practice by established party leaders of hogging federal as well as state seats. His famous line when a former DAP stalwart left the party was, “No one is indispensable.”

That surely applies to everyone in the world. Or are some people exempt from this mortal truism?

Why are term limits vital for democracy?

Clearly, many Malaysians still do not appreciate the meaning of democracy. During the historic Paris Commune of 1871, elected officials were subject to immediate recall.

In ancient Greece more than 2000 years ago, many offices were term limited so as to limit the power of individuals, a practice that was seen as vital for the greater good of society.

Even in other democratic countries, we see responsible and honourable politicians resign at the slightest failure of judgment on their part or when their term has reached a convenient point for some other younger leader to take over the party.

Many modern republics employ term limits for their highest offices. The United States place a limit of two terms on its presidency while some state governors and state legislators also have term limits.

The Russian Federation likewise limits the head of state to two terms; any further terms cannot be consecutive.

The democratic justification for this term limit is simply that elected officials can over time obtain too much power or authority and thus makes them less representative of all the citizens.

The democratic principle behind term limit is that no one person should have too much power nor for too long. The concept of term limits minimises the amount of power any one person can gain over a period of time.

Preventing chances of corruption

As we have seen only recently, even within the two-term service, corporate interests including those in property and finance can provide inducements to the incumbent especially when they have developed familiar relations over time.

There is clearly a correlation between the length of time a politician serves and the degree to which he/she has opportunities to engage in corruption.

The principle of term limits has always been applied to the civil service which is why civil servants and police personnel are transferred every so often to prevent the acquisition of power and inducements to corruption in any one post.

Term limits would make this less likely since there is less time that a politician can be influenced by the power of the office that they hold.

Corporate interests cannot become as entrenched when term limits are in place. With term limitations, corporate influence still happens, but not to the extent that it can when such interests develop unhealthy relationships with career politicians who are in office for a long time.

Preventing careerism

In a democracy, elected representatives are supposed to represent the interests of the citizens. As most politicians will tell us when they are interviewed, their work is supposed to be a service to society as a whole.

Being a Member of Parliament or state representative is not a profession even though it has become a career for many people.

In fact, elected officials should operate on the understanding that they are only serving the people for a period of time until it is someone else’s turn.

Term limits ensure that their representatives focus more on representing the public than on hogging the office and power.

Providing leadership opportunities for others

Democracy and organisational development are about providing diverse opportunities to as many people as possible and especially to the young, women, indigenous people and the marginalised.

In our society, there are so many individuals with untapped potential for leadership as if that is not clear for all to see.

In recent years, we have seen the surge of many young capable leaders in politics, including women, from various ethnic origins.

Even the ancient sage Laozi could appreciate what true leadership is: “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.”

Isn’t this a far cry from the ageing leaders whose delusion of self-importance makes them cling to power?

Let’s face it, the number of available seats in the federal Parliament and state assemblies are strictly limited.

To have served four terms in parliament is a reasonable limit and allows new candidates to make themselves known to their constituents and have a go at representing the people.

Term limits will create the opportunity for younger people to get elected to public office.

Modern society needs service-oriented young people in different elected positions, providing diversity and strength to the citizenry.

A wider pool of candidates also gives voters a wider choice of new people and new dynamic ideas.

Overdue democratic reform for Malaysia

Thus, this democratic principle of term limits for elected officials is to ensure that no one person can hold a position of control or power for an indefinite period of time.

This is also to allow and encourage more young people to have the opportunity to become leaders in the political process.

This urgent democratic reform for Malaysia should therefore limit the terms of ALL elected officials, namely, that of the prime minister, chief minister or menteri besar to two terms, and that of Members of Parliament and assemblypersons to four terms.

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KUA KIA SOONG is the adviser of human rights group Suaram.- Mkini