Tengku Razaleigh,“It may not be good for Barisan but we have no choice,”

Well, if UMNO leaders think and have the insights of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, maybe there is a glimpse of hope for the party and its coalition, but whatever it is, such "conversion" in this point of time is too late (that's provided if these people want to change).

In his recent comments about the situation in Perak, he added that it was time to let the public decide who should be the government for Perak. On another note, he added that UMNO being the "big brother" of all parties should take seriously the rakyat's demand for fresh elections as a challenge and face the "music" with an open mind, rather than hiding behind some court and under some judges' robe.

Well, Tengku, as much as we want to hope for such things to happen, I am sure you know how it will turn out. Anyway, it is a "Kiasu" issue, everyone has it, but UMNO is probably the King of Kiasus.

Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — Barisan Nasional lawmaker and former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has added his voice to a growing chorus of Malaysians demanding fresh elections in Perak to resolve its month-long political impasse.

“I think that constitutional rule in Perak has collapsed and the only way to rectify the situation is to go back to the people,” Tengku Razaleigh told BT in an exclusive interview yesterday. “That would be the appropriate thing for the Ruler to do.”

Why did he think elections weren't called? “The chances are that we (the BN) will lose badly in Perak,” said the Kelantan prince. “That seems to be why they are reluctant to have the Sultan dissolve the assembly.”

“This is not good and I fear for the future,” continued Tengku Razaleigh. “I have no claim for the throne anywhere so I can be frank but I would like to see the monarchy strong. It's unfortunate that it happened the way it did in Perak. But still it depends on what he (the Sultan) will do next.”

For Tengku Razaleigh, the solution is simple. “The rakyat (people) of Perak are his subjects,” he said, referring to Perak's monarch. “So in the end, he has to side with his people.”

In fact, Tengku Razaleigh thinks that Umno should take the lead in the matter. “Umno should be magnanimous and be the first to call for elections,” he noted. “It would be an elegant solution and it would certainly save the Ruler further embarrassment.”

Shame in the eyes of the world? BN?

Whenever there are comments from other countries with regards to certain local issues, BN always tell the world not to interfere with the politics in Malaysia, so why is the Home Minister so concerned whether the world is laughing or not?

Who is the laughing stock? Not the suppressed, not the victims, not the people of Perak but the ruling party BN. You can laugh your head off now, Datuk Seri, so can the world, but you will not be laughing so loud after the next general elections. Maybe sooner, after these by elections, someone would probably put a gag over your big mouth.

And robbing of Perak by BN way is correct? No wonder people in Malaysia are laughing at you and not to mention the rest of the world too.

Malaysian Insider KOTA BARU, March 4 – The Perak state assembly sitting held under a tree yesterday is very shameful and tarnished the country’s image in the eyes of the world, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

“Nowhere in this world do people have a sitting under a tree, people are laughing at us, like we don’t understand (laws). They may not agree they are no longer the government but there are other proceses that can be used.”

“I am tickled at the same time...want to have power by whatever means. This is not right, you want to have power, you have to follow the law,” Syed Hamid told reporters at a dialogue session with Kelantan Rela members here.

Assembly meeting illegal under the Tree Of Democracy

Like I mentioned in my recent post "Malaysia is South Africa", Malaysia is rapidly moving backwards to the days of apartheid in South Africa where laws can be altered to the liking of the ruling party. Double standards are pratised. Privileges are one sided. Look at the judgement given by the judge with regards to the proceedings in Ipoh, again it has been predicted by many that the axe will swing towards PR.

How can the state legal advisor be representing two people at the same time. Moreover, it seems that the state legal advisor had refused to represent PR in this case. How absurd can this be? This is going beyond imagination.

Maybe we should get Nelson Mandela to help us out here. Over there, it was white against black, but here sadly, it is between Malaysians, colour wise, well not so much of a difference, isn't it?

Malaysian Insider 04 Mar 2009 : Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim ruled in favour of a preliminary objection by the team representing Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Zambry Abd Kadir and his six executive councillors, that as a public officer who is a member of government, the speaker should be represented by the state legal advisor or someone appointed by him.

The Tree Of Democracy, the roots to our Freedom, Part 2

Photo by Anil Netto

The Tree Of Democracy, Ipoh, Perak