Friday, December 18, 2020

Of timing .... to move on

Time to move on... December 15 is sort of anti-climax. Anwar says he has the numbers to showff and to defeat budget 2021 during the 3rd reading... he fails again. This is not the first time Anwar has been making such claims. How much more do we need to hear his claims of numbers? Or is Anwar forever doomed as PM Rakyat stature?

  I have been witholding my observation because someone in my WA group thinks I am anti-Anwar. To set the record straight, I am not anti-Anwar but I am disappointed by his continuous claim on numbers and yest countless times, Anwar just could not prove it... or is he crying wolf? 

Just because some say Anwar's claim is unproven with no real convincing majority, That does not make them enemies to PH. They say it loud for the sake of their love and commitment to the opposition cause. Do you need to be a member of PH to see PN fall?

What the Sabahan and Sarawakian parties are saying is simple - Anwar fails to prove his claim of convincing majority. There is no turnover from UMNO. There is maybe one or two no-shows but Najib, Zahid, Hishamuddin, Bung did not deliver... end of story.

That said, Anwar should be better off focussing on PH and bridge better relationship wit WARISAN and other parties in Sarawak. They are all fed-up with abah Din and it needs someone of greater stature and more dynamic person than Anwar to head the opposition pact.

Anwar must give way and let young blood takes over. He may be the best crooner before but his time is over. Just like Cassius Clay spending the best of his live in jail for refusing to be drafted, Anwar should realise that by now, those under 40 hardly knows him. In short, his time is over. The train left the station without Anwar on board.

Let's face it. Many idolise Anwar to the extent he did no wrong. Take a step back and review what happened in GE 14. Like it or not, it is Tun Mahathir who kept the opposition glued together on one common cause - to beat the hell out of BN. Yes, Anwar may give his go ahead but he is in Sg Buloh at that time. He did not transverse the nation to win te hearts of the people. His people think Anwar is god-send to be PM of Malaysia. In reality, first time voters hardly know who is Anwar Ibrahim...

Even when Tun Mahathir was sworn in and manage to get a royal pardon to Anwar... it is more of Anwar who? to the young voters. To me, Anwar should take his time to buid up his platform to take over from Tun Mahathir. Tun Mahathir gave Anwar the freedom to do that when he did not bind Anwar in a cabinet post.

Unfortnately, Anwar's circle of supporters think Anwar is ready to take over, not realising that they years in prison keep Anwar a bit off track from realities. Anwar wants to listen to praises and many aroundhim is ever ready to do that, counting the days when Anwar can become PM and they getting their spoils. What they forget is, Anwar is not the only person harbouring to be the next PM.

People like Hishamuddin, Azmin thinks they are better and has been serving the nation longer than Anwar. In that, they feel they are much more "senior" compared to Anwar. 

Put it this way, Anwar used to be courted by PAS. In fact, Hadi was Anwar's deputy in their younger days. Where did Hadi place his support? Not to Anwar but he prefers to pledge to abah Din.

Maybe it is time for Anwar to say "No mas, no mas" and put himself as mentor to the younger generation of leaders. You do not need to be PM to do your job. Anwar has lay the groundworks... let other finish the fight.

Move on Anwar and join Tun Mahathir, Lim Kit Siang, Ku Li, Najib and maybe Zahid Hamidi to be the guiding lights to the crops of young politicians... Anwar, the numbers that you see in your head might be the number of sheeps jumping over the fence lulling you to sleep.

 Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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Tuesday, December 01, 2020

Of continued despair... Anwar's call

Disappointed? Truly yes... The opposition has all the opportunity to call for bloc voting on 26th November 2020 but Anwar Ibrahim, the slected opposition leader choose to call off the bloc voting at the last minute... my, oh my...  

After what is said and done, Anwar came out with his version of why he calls off bloc voting at the last minute citing that the opposition will go all out for bloc voting during the committee stage of budget 2021. Good call?

Many attacked his move with DAP bearing the brunt of dissatisfaction due to Anwar's late call. I, for one, did not agree to his move. Calling for bloc voting does not mean that you reject budget 2021 but calling for bloc voting on 26th November 2021 is to get the voting done right ie properly recorded instead of the "voice" vote which is disadvantageous and improper to ladies of the house including Wan Azizah. Does Anwar expects his wife and daughter Nurul Izzah to shout at the top of their voice to say "nay"?

Some in the social media miss the point and equate bloc voting to outright opposition to budget 2021. No amount of explaination can enlightened them, many of which are ardent fans of Anwar. Just for supporting "bloc" voting, these people thinks that as greenlight to PN and worse, start to stamp those who agree to "bloc" voting as Tun M, UMNO, PAS, BERSATU, Azmin's cronies and supporters. I guess they must go back to basics and start their political study at kindergarden stage... tsk tsk

With all the hues and cry about coming full force during committee stage of budget 2021, Anwar (yes, Anwar) failed to deliver on 30th November 2021. 2 bloc voting called on 30th November and all he can get is 95 votes, short of minimum 110 votes. That means he is still short by at least 15 votes... there goes his self glorification and endless gloating of having enough numbers...

2 ministries goes through on 30th November ie PM Dept and Finance. If Anwar has the numbers, then the committee stage for Finance department should be first voted down. He failed. Reason? Warisan MPs were absent and that is 8 votes. Warisan gave their reasons... and Anwar better listen if he needs the numbers. Where can he get the other 7 numbers?

The balance committee stage that might go for bloc voting and Anwar's chance to "show" his numbers are :-


Dec 1

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Dec 2

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Dec 3

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Dec 7

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Dec 8

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Dec 9

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Dec 10

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Dec 14

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Dec 15

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RoundMinistryVote TypeAyeNayStatus
26Education


Pending
27Higher Education


Pending

 If Anwar and the opposition still fails by 9th December 2021, then its Sayonara to Anwar and budget 2021 will be approved at the committee stage. As PN can gets more ayes in the committee stage, Anwar and opposition will see their chances dwindling by the day. Wonder, what excuses will Anwar comes out next?

Come to think about it... is Anwar really a PM material or is he doomed to be PM Rakyat forever? His supporters are hell bent to see him as PM and too obsessive to see alternatives. Right now, it is time for PH and allies to look for next generation to take over. Tun M's era is over, Anwar keeps on fumbling... who else is there?

Anwar should stop acting like he knows all and potrays as the best alternative to abah din. His style of leadership is causing uneasiness with his allies and if he continues his game, PH may be wipes out in GE 15...

Why? Hey... I have been observing this game longer that you guys think. I see the ups and down of PAS, see the Ku Li saga, Wawasan team.. even getting angry for the Memali incident and amanat Hadi. Not only that, I experience the time when the students stands up and demo in the 70's and observed how Anwar reacted during those times and how some student leaders ran helter shelter overseas to excape prosecution. I have seen the time when Najib turns "lallang" and much more... 

Time for Anwar to rethink and face reality. If he is not to be Pm, then groom someone else to take the oppostion leader post and gives him full support. Once, wice, three time strikeout... Anwar must learn and act humble. Not just talking but show with action... If Anwar don't have the numbers, say so and relieve his supporters of the misery of false hopes and wet dreams...

Latest:

Let's take 30th November numbers. Anwar needs Warisan to give him the numbers. Warisan has voiced out their dissatisfaction. Maybe, now it is Anwar's turn to swallow his ego and talk to Warisan for their support. With Warisan support and UMNO's absence in parliament, there might be a way to win in "bloc" voting.

The problem is - Anwar is too big for his ego and overated himself (more of oversell). Will Warisan change and attend the parliament sitting during future committee stage of budget 2021? Over to you, Anwar... good luck. Stop trying to play with numbers or build suspense... our stockmarket is watching....

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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Friday, November 27, 2020

Of broken record opposition leader.... gutless

Job done... they dare to be counted, against all odds  

It was a bad call by the so-called PM rakyat @ opposition leader. It shows his true colours and to some proven right - he is a chameleon who tries to be a hero.

Let 26th November 2020 goes down as the day Malaysia's opposition leader becomes an ostrich, hiding his head with his bottom bare for all to see. During the lively debate for budget 2021, there are grouses brought to the house not only by the opposition but by members of the loosely PN coalition.

In fact, BNBBC leader, Najib, had stressed on 2 issues as condition for BNBBC support. Whether he actually get it during Finance Minister wind down speech or not is still debatable. Let's just say Najib got half of what he requested... something is better than nothing? Or is it just another "sandiwara" within PN?

It is not surprising for Najib and his Co to support budget 2021. Afterall, they are part of the government of the day. It is their job and duty to ensure budget 2021 pass.

For the opposition? That's another matter. Although pledges are made in relation to YDPA's call on budget 2021, it is the duty of the opposition to ensure that the budget is realistics and "rakyat-friendly" especially during the pandemic.

Anwar, Mahathir and countless other opposition MPs have scrutinised the budget and give their thoughts on budget 2021. One of the issues that caught my attention is the projected income and growth. Both Anwar and Mahathir believed that the projected income and growth is unrealistic based on the economics effect brought by pandemic Covid 19. With that, there is high degree of uncertainties for Malaysia to achieve growth and projected income as outlined in budget 2021.

Now, if projected income falls short, obviously our purchase power will likewise diminished. That said, it is of utmost important for budget 2021 to be voted en block ie using block voting system so that every MPs voting is officially countered and tallied.

What is so difficult on block voting? Some says Anwar is keeping his numbers close to his chest and will not reveal who actually supported him. I say that is pure hearsay.

What I see is Anwar's lack of strategy and is not a good strategist. To me, if I am in his shoes, I will go along for block voting. I will go one step further and signal to those in BN who supports me to temporarily toe their party line and voted for budget 2021. That way, it will give a false sense of confidence to abah Din. 

Of course, you guys will ask when should Anwar show his real strength if adapt this approach. The real strength is during the third reading (committee stage) which will go for voting on 15th december 2021.

With Anwar's lead, PH opts to remain silent when the call for block voting is made yesterday. This does not goes well with the second echelon leaders and grassroot support. DAP get the most brunt because they have, in their midst, a seasoned politician by the name of Lim Kit Siang. 

No matter what Anwar's explaination that he will go for bloc voting in future, it shows that he does not have the experience nor the knack for political poker. Worse, he now claims that he will go for bloc voting in committee stage but by that time abah Din will be more prepared to tackle him and deal with the "rebels" within PN. Doomsday for the so-called self-declared PM Rakyat.

Think on another side. even if Anwar calls for bloc voting during committee stage and all the PN rebels have been fully fed, who will support Anwar? Apart from PH, he needs Pejuang and Warisan and by that time do you think Mahathir will oblige? Anwar may successfuly call for bloc voting during the committee stage but the voting will go abah Din's way. Game over for Anwar.

Where does Anwar goes wrong? First, he did not support bloc voting yesterday whilst not revealing his full hands during the process. Second, by not giving just sufficient support for bloc voting yesterday, Anwar is seen to "play out" Mahathir. Third, even when he calls for bloc voting and wins during the committee stage, people will ask - why not defeat budget 2021 at early stage so that amendments can be made earlier? What Anwar do, if he wins bloc voting at committee stage, is to reveal that he is truly championing for self-glory and not for the good of the nation.

Is it time for Anwar to get a better strategist? Or is it time for Anwar to shed his skin and show his true colour? Or is it a confirmation that Anwar is not PM material?

Latest

Malaysiakini posted this. I say... it sums it all

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Of snippets.... the numbers game (with latest update)

What will the final numbers tomorrow?  

This is going to be a tough call... The numbers are changing by the minute and the "Five" may not be able to control tomorrow's outcome, not as easy when they hatch the "Sheraton move".

Last week when I was back in town, a little yellow bird chirps about the "Five" who claims to be the brains behind the Sheraton move. Two of them comes from the southern states, one each from east coast, central and northen states of Peninsular Malaysia.

It is said that when they make the "Sheraton move", they placed their handphones on the table and "open table" for deals which includes a call from a political veteran who was also interested to be PM. Finally, they decided to put one of their own to be PM-designate since old Fox is not interested in their deal. The rest, as they say it, is history.

It is also said that as late as last weekend, these "Five" is still trying to cut deals to ensure Budget 2021 gets the numbers. They are toying with numbers, combinations and permutation - all in their combines effort to deny "PM rakyat" the opportunity to govern the country.

Back to the numbers game, We started at 222. Now, we are down at 220 with two vacancies ie Batu Sapi and Gerik. Batu Sapi has been declared under emergency and Gerik by-election date has not been gazetted. Mind you that Batu Sapi was Warisan's chair (presumably opposition) whilst Gerik is held by BN (read : PN which is the Government of the day).

Out of 220 balance, abah Din is said to commands around 112 - 113 before Budget 2021 was tabled. That numbers was never confirmed and was accepted based on presumption. Now comes the good part. Ku Li, did not participate in previous voting since PN took over. Few days ago, he declared that he will not take part in Budget 2021 debate. Does that mean Ku Li will be "absent" tomorrow when budget 2021 goes for voting? One number out from PN. That means abah Din hopes to get at most 112 ayes, meaning a majority of 4 votes.

From budget 2021 debate, BN (reads : Najib as BN BBC) gives conditional condition for budget 2021. If abah Din fails to address the demands set by BN, BN might be forced to abstain, vote against, decided for mass absentees during the voting process. There are 40 MPs from BN and if we take a conservative figure of only 5 chose to abstain, abah Din will only have 107 votes and taht is a clear defeat to Budget 2021.

How does abah Din counter the deficit? If he chose to go to Warisan's 7, what will the political price? Afterall, it is abah Din's "Five"who dethrone Safie Afdal from his CM seat in Sabah.. On top of that, there are strong indication that Shafie will not go alone in this venture, he may be on board with Pejuang. That means it will be a high political price to pay for abah Din.

Even if abah Din managed to swing Warisan into his "Five" camp, UMNO may decide to go en bloc to sit out the budget except for H2O and UMNO ministers who are forced to support the budget. That will still be a lose to abah Din.

Tun M and his Pejuang has declared that they reserve their support to Budget 2021. For the time being, put that as a strong dissenting to budget 2021.

The "Five" may need to work extra hard tonight to get the numbers. Mind you that from the "Five", two of them are eyeing for PM ship since abah Din may not last long. Will the "Five" experience internal cracks? One of them from the east coast is not even an MP and he may not command as much respect within his own party.

To me, abah Din should surrender his position to PM rakyat and sit out until GE 15 for the rakyat to choose. It is not up to the "Five" to think for 33 million rakyats and it is not to the "Five" to dictate the direction. The Rakyats has make their choice in GE 14 - for better or worse, give the mandate to those who rightfully win GE 14 to govern.

Latest : 

Adding to Abah Din's headache is Keningau's Jeffrey Kitingan. Dewan Rakyat's speaker has instructed all MPs to do scheduled tests as well as barring  MPs returning from Sabah from attending Dewan Rakyat sitting for 14 days from the date they reached peninsular Malaysia.

Jeffrey was last seen in Kota Kinabalu on 12th November 2020 and if my arithmetics is right, he can only attend parliament on 26th November (read : after budget 2021 voting). That will be a major headache to the depleted "Five" plan.

Dr Adham Baba tried to soften the blow by claiming that the Health Ministry has issued a clean bill of health to Keningau. What Adham Baba forgot is there is actually 2 issues pertaining to Keningau. One, he was a close contact and thus required to undergo self quarantine. Second, there is the Speaker ruling which could not be superceded by Health Ministry because in parliament, Speaker is the ultimate power.

Even if Adham Baba comes up with the new circular that effective today, those returning from Sabah need not self-quarantine, this is not applicable in parliament.

If Keningau is allowed to sit in parliament, then abah Din's already tattered reputation will suffer another blow... As is, the numbers is not looking good for the "Five". Maybe a deeper pocket can help them out... and freebies to PAS, Warisan can given them another lifeline...

Latest...latest...

Tun M and friends will not back budget 2021. Although on paper, Tun M has 4 MPs backing him, there is some uncertainties of how many friends is with him right now. He did not elaborate. Assuming that his friends are those from Warisan, then his strength is approximately 11 plus. That does not sound good with abah Din.

Being Tun M, he put a caveat on his statement adding that he has no issue to work with abah Din in the name of national interest. That said, it is still fluid and abah Din still have a few hours left to seal a deal with Tun M and friends. Abah Din's "Five" waiting for better offer?

Latest...latest...latest...

Reports are coming in that Zahid and Co (not the same with Zahid of ZICO fame) met with Finance Minister yesterday. Last minute changes from Finance Minister is possible to win over Zahid's BN. Afterall, what BN is looking for is simple - money and power. If Finance Minister can bend backwards to accomodate the finance part, then it is abah Din's turn to revisit the "power" part with BN, even if that means sidelining Azmin  whose final aim is to be PM9.

We might be heading for an anti-climax here. Politicians, being politicians, are putting selves above nation interest. After is said and done, the politicians will start window dressing, whilst waiting for Santa Claus Finance Minister to hand them their financial rewards on a silver platter and abah Din dishing out sweets for his continual stay as PM8.

Chances of budget 2021 voted down? Hmm... slim chance. In the end, Anwar will still be PM Rakyat with no office in Putrajaya...

Latest, latest, latest... latest

Today's voting will not be the last. Even if there is a breather for abah Din, that does not mean his government is stable. Today's voting is 2nd reading but there will be another voting related to budget on 15th December 2020. Safe today cannot be translated as safe on 15th Dec 2020.

I see 15th Dec voting as more crucial because today, abah Din can promise the moon and the stars for budget 2021's survival. From now to 15th Dec, abah Din needs to meet his support's expectation which may includes a DPM post. That is more crucial, especially with azmin potentially becoming a stumbling block to Muhyiddin.

Anuar Musa is going for psy-war when he talks about traitors in BN. He is echoing Arau in Arau's debate on budget 2021. Lokman Adam predicted abah Din's fall today and fail to get majority in budget 2021. I strongly feels that budget 2021 will survicve today but abah Din will have sleepless nights ahead and his "Five" team members will be cracking heads to keep abah Din afloat.

Mother of all latest...

A reliable bird just chirpped in and says that budget 2021 (2nd reading) will be approved with majority. There goes all the "sandiwaras" and "ugut mengugut". They are all showcases and leverage for financial return and other side rewards. In short, politicians are for sale... at the right price.

I guess, its time for lokman Adam to hang his boots, Tun M to ride into the sunset, anwar to give up his PM rakyat's title, Najib's conditional support, Ku Li's idea of confidence vote... everythings is gone, slushed by "Five" flash flood.

The rakyats? Conned and deceived again by the same foxes with different clothings.... congrats abah Din for proving and showcasing that Malaysians politicians are "mata duitan" and "kowtimable", given the right price...

From the bottom of my heart, I pray budget 2021 defeated and return for ammendments.... 

Let the number games begin... and continue

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Of snippets ... thoughts on PKPB

Something concrete and  pragmatic should be done fast to address Malaysia's COVID 19 situation. It should not be solely shouldered by KKM helmed by Norhisham alone...

I will make it short and straight from my heart. How do I see ways to at least control 4 digits COVID 19 for the past few days.

There are three main cause for the alarming speed of COVID 19 spread ie the prison, the construction and the factories.

How do we contain it? Well, nothing much can be said about our prison except for a better SOP and control there.

As for the construction, then that is something else. Regardless of what our Finance Minister wants to say, the outlook for our economy will not be as rosy as painted. That means, there will be less demand to the already oversupply of office and habitable space in the country. that means? Simple... it means construction of "non-essential" can wait.

What it means is the government through MKN can decide to seal off "non-essential" construction site and let the developers and contractors to monitor their workers off-site.

What is considered as "non-essential"? For the timebeing, I would put residential, commercial, office buildings as "non-essential" and their construction can wait. The government can issue a blanket instruction to instruct the developers and contractors of such construction site to stop work for at least 1 month to flatten the curve.

Easily done? No... it will not for the simple reason that these developers will be begging and crying to the government to allow them to proceed for special reasons. The government has to stay put on this decision. Why? This is to flatten the curve and to control the workers movement who are basically cramped in their living quarters which in turn can be vulnerable to COVID 19 spread.

The same goes for factories. Their close and cramped working space with common canteen and (again living quarters) will provide the same health problem as construction workers. It is best for the government to force them to close down for the next 1 month to flatten the curve.

Apart from flattening the curve, the government can place a stricter control on remittance to foreign countries. Reason? Just look at Top glove alone. Based on various statement, they have possibly more than 20,000 workforce in total. Now comes the crunch - how many are foreign workers? Let's just assume that 70 % of them areforeign workers, that is already 14,000 workers. Now, let's just say that they earn an average of RM 1500 per month and send 50 % of their income to their families back home, that will come to RM 10.5 million per month. That is just from Top glove alone...

If the government decides to instruct for factories and construction site closure for 1 month, than imagine how much money we might save from RM outflow...

But this is not about economics alone. I am more concern on the 4 digiits COVID 19 cases daily for the past few days. It is time for abah Din to use his so famous "rotan"and whip up the factories and construction sites. Honestly, I doubt abah Din will take that action because he is too ngrossed with his own political survivor game... and budget 2021...

Me? I give my view. Straight from my heart. It might sound cruel but something must be done fast to curn 4 digits COVID 19 spread. If you have better idea, why not share with the public and let abah Din knows...

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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Monday, November 16, 2020

Of disjointed budget and frontless opposition...

One more week to go. Will budget 2021 version 1 get the votes or will it be ammended version? The line is pretty well drawn subject to final tweaks and backdoor negotiation. Afterall, many call abah Din the backdoor PM with Azmin as the backdoor keeper...  


 

Time has not been kind to abah Din. Sandwiched between pandemic Covid 19 and his desire to be PM, abah Din is grappling at whatever straws available to keep him afloat. Budget 2021 maybe the last straw.

Helmed by a non-politician, budget 2021 did not take into account the difficulties of normal rakyat in facing continuous lockdown and travel as well as business restriction. Employers has started to terminate employment services with the private sector hit the worst. There is no "bonus" or "hardship allowance" for them, not like the public sector which has "guaranteed assurance" of employment with build-in benefits.

Anwar, as the opposition leader has raised his concerns and call for tweaking of budget 2021. Najib, as Chairman of BNBBC, offers conditional support whilst Mahathir, as Pejuang leader, reserve the right to vote down the budget. There is a realistic possibility that budget 2021 will be voted out.

Knowing this, Zafrul make a veiled threat on the possibility of public servants will not get their paycheck comes January 2021. His statement is countered by Anwar who consider it as an "intimidation" whilst lawyer Haniff claims that salary can still be paid if budget 2021 is defeated.

Why is budget 2021 crucial to abah Din? Simple.. it is actually a "test" of his support. If budget 2021 is defeated, then it is crystal clear that abah Din does not have the majority which he claim but never proven.

It is also a crucial test to his fragile PN coalition. The budget calls for massive fund allocation to JASA (read : Azmin), another RM 8M for Zuraida's NGO (read : Azmin), big budget for PM office (read : abah Din). With abah Din and Azmin getting their hands on the funding, there is a very clear sign that we are going for an early GE 15.

Abah Din, Azmin, Zuraida are all under one party now ie BERSATU. Do you think they will share their cake with UMNO, knowing that they have manage to split UMNO into bits and crumbs? They have no problem in tackling PAS. All they need to do is offer posts to PAS leaders and all will be kowtim.

It is a disjointed budget, aimed at pleasing abah Din and Azmin plus Co. To Abah Din, UMNO can fly kite for all he cares. He has Najib, Zahid Hamidi, Kinabatangan Bung well control with court cases. He took care of Ismail Sabri and H2O with Ministerial sweets. UMNO is no longer the same as before... with their venom taken out. UMNO now is a paper tiger....

PAS? As long as they can get spills of gravy train, they are more than happy. PAS leaders have shown their true colours ie making use of religion for their personal gains. This is not the PAS of Tuan Guru Nik Aziz and Fadhil Noor. Hadi has hijacked PAS for his personal gain and self glorification.

Sabah? No issue there as Kinabatangan Bung has been kept in tight leash by BERSATU's Hajiji.

Sarawak? No problemo. Sarawak will follow who helms the Federal government, be it PN, BN, PH or whatever new mix available.

As for the opposition, they have their hands full. PKR has a leader whose wet dreams is to be PM, no matter what. DAP was too hard handed when given the chance and some of their MPs (read : RSN Rayer and Lim Lip Eng) are loose canons that can cause them defeat when crucial votes are needed in the august house.

Mahathir has his own small band of MPs which, for some reason, cannot see eye to eye with Anwar. This is a receipe of disaster for a united opposition.

Shafie Afdal and his WARISAN is there but so far relationship with Anwar is non-existent.

An ordinary budget for an extraordinary circumstances. Those responsible should take all efforts to coerce abah Din to ammend the budget and slash funds where it doesnt suit the rakyat. Afterall, YDPA has requested all parties to work together. That means, it is not a one way street. There must be room for discussion and amendments to make a workable and people friendly budget. Show that the MPs care...

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Of wobbly budget 2021...

 

 

Abah Din is not getting it easy...  

All eyes on budget 2021. YDPA openly request politicians to work together to support budget 2021. It is not a carte blanche. Abah Din and his Finance Minister must earn it meaning they must come up with a reasonable budget workable, doable, practical in tune with pandemic COVID 19.

Monday 9th November indicate MPs may have the last say in passing budget 2021. Anwar Ibrahim, as opposition leader, blasted budget 2021 for being unreal, insensitive to the rakyats. He had his reasons...

Tuesday 11th November is Najib's turn as Chairman of BBC. He too pointed out the flaws of budget 2021 and he ended his speech with conditions :-

  1. Withdrawal of one-off RM 10,000 from EPF instead of RM 500 per month for the next 12 months;
  2. Automatic 6 month extension of loan moratorium;

Najib has his points. Something that abah Din need to consider seriously now that Najib declare BN's conditional support for budget 2021. It must be noted that without Najib's (read : Zahid and Co) BN, abah Din has only 50 MPs behind him since PAS has turn abah Din's lapdog.

It is sad to see some novice politicians who are syiok sendiri putting their wrong foot forward hen Najib delivers his views on budget 2021. Maria Chin is an example of this. Of course not everyone is happy with Najib roaming the parliament eventhough he was found guilty in court for his 1MDB cases. At the same time, we have to respect the court's decision to allow bail and to allow Najib to appeal his conviction. It is slow and it is tedious but we have to respect the court's decision. Walking off the parliament floor is the not the answer nor is it the best response available for Maria Chin.

On the other hand, it must be noted that abah Din needs Najib's support in parliament and if the court so decides that Najib's residence address is change to Sg Buloh,then abah Din will definitely lose his fragile so-called majority.

The other parliamentarian in this syiok sendiri category is RSN Nayer of Jelutong. He took all available opportunity to heckle Najib and to me. that is unnecessary. Nayer may have personal problems with BN but that should not spill whilst Najib is debating budget 2021. 

Nayer may be short sighted in his thinking. He should know that abah Din's PMship is surviving on borrowed times. That said, that is every opportunity that a parlimentarian vote of "confidence" or "non-confidence" will be called in the near future. That means, each vote counts. That also means if Nayer finds himself at the wrong end off the stick and get himself suspended, then it is his and his fault alone if abah Din clings to his PMship.

Another concerned voice on budget 2021 comes from Tun M. Love him or hate him, his view are important and carry some weights. He pointed out :-

  1. The deficit is said to be about 85 billion Ringgit. It is bigger than the development budget of 69 billion;
  2.  Income and corporate tax would amount to less than 2/3 of the normal figures during normal times;
  3.  No inflow of investment funds in 2021;
  4.  Estimated Government debt increase to 1.3 trillion;

In simplified words, Tun M is worried budget 2021 is too good to be true.

In coming days, maybe we will hear from Tg Razaleigh, Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang and if all of them is nervous with budget 2021, then we all should be... Forget about PAS as they are now too deeply entrenched in their dreams...

Me? I think abah Din better pay heed to what these bigwigs say. They have their points and they have their concern. All wants a better Malaysia but budget 2021 is too flimsy and too wishful thinking. It shows that Finance Minister is not doing his job but more to wet the appetites of the few politicians who want to keep their cabinet post, starting from abah din closely followed by Azmin.

It is time for Anwar, Tun M, BN (read : UMNO) and DAP to shed their pride and individually work collectively to defeat budget 2021. Budget 2021 needs major amendments.. and that amendment should be for the benefit of the people, not for fulfilling the lust of those few power-crazy politicians . Boleh atau tidak?

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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Monday, November 09, 2020

Of schooling and media blasting...

Life is much easier for easygoing kids. No school means more free time with friends... be it PKP, PKPP, PKPB and whatever abbreviations that they can think of.. For the rest of us, schooling may be in the form of media blasting to fit the mould of the paymaster.

Budget 2021? Nothing to be proud of. RM 6000 from EPF account 1 is not exactly something to be joyous of. It is, afterall the workers fund for old age, which can be withdrawn early for a period of 12 months. That comes to RM 500 per month. Not enough to relieve the burden of those whose employment were terminated...

Back to our topic. Education Minister called for special live announcement to announce :-

  1. The year end holidays start effectively from 8th November 2020, instead of the scheduled 18th December 2020;
  2. School will re-open on 20th Jan 2021 for new academic year and secondary schoolers will be confined to home-based learning until 8th March 2021;
  3. SPM will be rescheduled to 22nd Feb 2021;

Early school holidays or is it additional burden to the parents? Consider these :-

  1. Parents were given short notice to react to the announcement. Those with boarding schoolers were advised (encouraged) to take their children home soonest possible. I guess the government of the day thinks all parents can afford to immediately arrange to bring their children home. What about those rural parents who needs to fly the children back? Do they have sufficient fund during this pandemic times to bring them home?
  2. Working parents need to immediately arrange for nannies to cater for younger school goers. Formerly. some may opt to send them to be with their grandparents or special arrangement made to place them in "after school" care centres. Not done within such short space of time..
  3. Parents with more than 1 school going children will be burdened with the need to cater for the childrens' online requirement
  4. Parents may need to cough up more money for their children who will be sitting for their SPM, STPM next year
  5. There are teachers who will be retiring by the end of the year. There will be no continuity for the students having new replacement bridging teachers to cover January and February 2021. 

Former Minister, Maszlee Malik, also commented negatively on the Ministry abrupt announcement to close the schools. For him :-

  1. The fate of some 600,000 schoolchildren rely on the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT), which provides free food to children from poor families (B40). How do these more than half a million students get their needed nourishment now that school is out?;
  2. Nearly 70,000 canteen workers will not see a whole month's worth of income with the closure of schools. Where can they turn to with their livelihood cut off? Mind you, that this has been on and off since March 2020 when Klang valley suffer the most during this stretch whilst other states are relatively in green zone ie can operate as usual; 
  3. What about connectivity? More than a third school students are struggling with home-based learning as they cannot afford a laptop to get online. This situation worsen if siblings have online classes at the same time. The government-aid and measures to overcome this problem may only come in place early next year. Will it not be too late?;
  4. Budget 2021 pointed out that GLCs will sponsor 150,000 laptops next year managed by Yayasan Hasanah. What about 2020? What about the missed online classes because they could not afford computers nor can they afford internet connectivity?;

It seems that Malaysia is going back to the old practise. Things are done on ad-hoc basis. No proper planning and no proper scheduling. In short, stakeholders views and problems are not taken when decision are made. Over to you Radzi Md Jidin... I hope the Minister has thoroughly thought out all consequences before making press conferences. By the way, did Radzi take into account the possibility of using schools as polling centres for the much anticipated early GE 15 early next year?

Budget 2021 is not rakyat-friendly. At least not for those working in the private sector. Yet, Finance Minister allocate RM 85 million (read : RM 7 million per month) and revive JASA? What is the basis and is it really necessary?

Consider these :-

  1. JASA (which is under PM department) is IT-based unit to "disseminate information". What information? Cant Jabatan Penerangan do the job? If it is IT-based, is it meant to counter and manage Government reputation on social media?;
  2. Or is it another front for "influencers" to make good money spewing half truths to demonise opposition and at the same time "painting good pictures" on their bosses? Mind you that there are bloggers who banded together to roam the social media for the benefit of their sponsors. Names? Just surf the internet and you might get much more... Me? I am not one of them...
  3. Budget 2021 should tailor for the rakyat in facing pandemic COVID 19. It is not another stage for Finance Minister (read : Perikatan Nasional) to carve RM 85 million for their cybertroopers. That RM 85 million can be use more effectively elsewhere.
  4. No political motives? Do you believe that statement? If you believe that, then you have no problem believing cows can fly... JASA former Director-general believes otherwise

Puad Zakarshi (ex JASA boss) gives his views on the "new JASA" :-

  1. The Special Affairs Department (Jasa) by nature is political despite BERSATU's assurance that it is not. Who can believe what a politician say, more so if it spews from BERSATU members?;
  2. No need to be defensive because JASA is actually a propaganda outfit. This time, the dressing and make-over is managed by BERSATU whilst before this is an UMNO (read : Barisan Nasional) propaganda machine;
  3. Puad's dissatisfaction is the quantum of allocation. At RM 85 million, that is more than double the allocation provided under Najib's JASA. During Najib's time, JASA was allocated RM 30 million annually before the unit was disbanded under PH rule. What is your defense, Saifuddin Abdullah? What about retraining retrenched employees to be under JASA instead of banding "guns for hire"?
  4. Is JASA a special purpose vehicle for International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali? Afterall, Azmin and his group of ex-PKR leaders need to merge with Abah Din's BERSATU for GE15. BERSATU does not have strong grassroots and further does not posses well-oiled political machinery to be mobilise during General Elections. Thus, the need for over-gloated JASA to compensate for the lack of political machinery;
  5. Is Azmin and BERSATU making use of JASA to sow distrust towards UMNO and other political coalition members for BERSATU to continue heading Perikatan Nasional?

Latest : Minister Saifuddin caught off guard by RM 85M JASA budget. Never mind the "I don't know the amount excuse". That's normal in Malaysian politics. But when his deputy, Zahidi Zainul, claimed that he had briefed Minister Saifuddin - then something is just not right. Who is actually the Minister? Or is UMNO's Zahidi the real Minister and Saifuddin is the puppet? If that is so, the RM 80M is for UMNO's propaganda or is it for Azmin"s purpose? Somebody is trying to screw big time and in the end the rakyat got screwed all the same...

Me? As said earlier, I am not a paid cybertrooper and has no intention to be one. We need to relook and strategise on education for our younger generation who will be our leaders in the future. On top of that, the government should cease from carving chunks of allocations for personal political agenda (read : Azmin and/or abah Din).

The ground swell is not in favour of abah Din and Azmin is seen to be a traitor par excellence. Those under 30 and first-time voter may teach a hard lesson, come GE 15. I don't mind if PN lose GE 15 but am more concern where the ground swell will push Malaysia. We are a young nation, compared to US, Look at the recent US election... it should serve as a reminder and a lesson to our politicians.... so stop politicking every single issue...

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...

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