Malaysian Opposition Leader ATTACKED in Parliament for Unwittingly & INDIRECTLY Calling for PM ABDULLAH to STEP DOWN by Raising BAKRI MUSA's CALL

Dr. Bakri is a surgeon by training, and hiding in his ranch in California and protected by his US First Amendment rights and a stanch supporter of Dr Mahathir made an open call for PM Abdullah to step down. (see below)

Calling for the PM of the day to “step down” is cheap suggestion, who would then take over?

In one breath he mentioned “futile to have faith in UMNO’s ability to make wise decisions, uncorrupted by money and influence peddling” and next he said “I trust the collective wisdom of UMNO members to select Abdullah’s worthy successor”.

The reality we have in this country is a replica of all our collective thoughts. If you do not like the world, you must change your thoughts. No exterior manipulation will change the face of your experience one iota if you do not change your dreams and your thoughts. And what is the rakyat’s majority thinking? – the status quo, no change, life is too good. If the majority's dreams and thoughts can be manipulated in a general election, what hope is there for a change?

The opposition leader unwittingly in using Bakri Musa's call has drawn the cross fire from the UMNO backbenchers. His intention was to highlight “that Abdullah is not providing leadership will find considerable resonance among the people” and is not quick enough to implement his election promises especially on corruption.

.. and read on

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http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/56300

Kit Siang attacked over 'quit Pak Lah' article
Beh Lih Yi Sep 4, 06 6:46pm

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang came under fire in the Dewan Rakyat today for highlighting an article urging Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign. During his debate on the Budget 2007, the opposition leader quoted an article written by US-based Malaysian surgeon M Bakri Musa titled 'Undurlah Pak Lah' (Withdraw Pak Lah).

Lim said he received the article, published in Bakri's blog, via email yesterday. Bakri is also a malaysiakini columnist. Citing an excerpt from the article, Lim said Bakri described the resignation as "the one right decision", which is "something that has sorely eluded him since becoming the premier".

The writer added that it will be the most appropriate time for Abdullah to quit as Umno can elect a new leader at the party's annual meet this November. According to Lim, Bakri's views can find acceptance among the people.

"I do not intend to comment on Bakri's call on Abdullah to step down but it must be recognised that Bakri's underlying theme that Abdullah is not providing leadership will find considerable resonance among the people.

"In fact, more and more Malaysians are asking who is the prime minister in Malaysia and whether there is a prime minister in Malaysia," he added,
saying the same question also goes to whether there is a finance or internal
security minister in view of the crime situation in this country.

Abdullah also hold the finance and internal security portfolios.

Is there anyone better?

Lim's remarks prompted uproar in the House as Barisan Nasional backbenchers immediately came to the defense of the prime minister.

"The writer is someone living outside of Malaysia, why must you highlight what he said to undermine the premier's leadership?" Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) asked Lim.

Zaid Ibrahim (BN-Kota Baru) reprimanded the opposition leader for acting as
a 'spokesperson' for Bakri.

"Is there anyone among the current cabinet members better than the prime minister to manage the country?" asked the MP, who said the issue of Abdullah stepping down has been widely discussed on the Internet and there is no need to raise it in the House.

Vocal backbencher Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) also joined in the fray and attacked Bakri.

"The writer lives in the US and from there, he writes bad things about Malaysia, he is someone who is bacul (coward). He should come back to Malaysia," he said.

Defending himself, Lim said he is not acting as Bakri's representatives and the duo have never met. He also pointed out that he is not asking the prime minister to quit but is merely quoting an article.

The veteran opposition leader said there is a need to examine why such calls regarding the premier's resignation are being made.

Responding to this, Bung said while he does not deny Bakri's right to express his views he is however curious as to why Lim chose to highlight this article and not the thousands of others that praise Abdullah's leadership.

Anti-corruption drive

At this juncture, Lim embarked on a history lesson and told the House that 37 years ago, a young Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrote a letter to then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and the letter changed the country.

"The only reason why I raised this matter is to remind the prime minister of the promises he made previously during the general elections," pointed out the Ipoh Timor MP.

Interjecting, Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) said: "That's right, we practice the democratic system, and everything will be decided by the rakyat during the general election. Don't waste time, just present your opposition budget."

Refusing to back down, Lim reiterated that he has no ulterior motives in raising the article but argued that the anti-corruption campaign launched by the premier has allowed the "sharks to escape into the South China Sea".

Bung Moktar defended Abdullah's efforts to combat corruption and argued that the premier had set up the Integrity Institute of Malaysia and implemented the national integrity plan.

This led Lim to remark: "If some of you cannot accept what former premier Mahathir said about corruption getting worse, Gua Musang MP (Tengku
Razaleigh Hamzah) also made the same statement in the House that corruption is more serious now."

The opposition leader then called for the establishment of a special court to hear corruption cases.

The debate on the budget will continue tomorrow. MPs are allocated eights days to debate on the matter, after which four days are provided for ministerial winding-ups.

Undur lah, Pak Lah (Step Down, Pak Lah!)

his blog is at:

http://www.bakrimusa.com/archives/undur-lah-pak-l

Few images could match the pathos of a man struggling to keep his head above water as he is drowning. A more tragic scene would be seeing a Mongoloid child quietly slipping underwater, oblivious of the mortal danger he is in as he sinks down, grinning. No intimations of fear or helplessness; a few moments later he would be found lifeless at the bottom of the pond.

This is the image Prime Minister Abdullah currently projects, and it is not far from the reality. He is way above his head, and is blissfully unaware of it. He still maintains the “elegant silence” of a Pak Bisu (the lovable deaf-mute uncle), and a “What? Me Worry?” grin of Mad Magazine’s Alfred Neuman.

He is sinking fast, and he does not know it. He is also taking his party and the nation down with him. Unfortunately, it is not within our culture for those closest to him to warn him of the impending disaster, much less to rescue the poor soul.

On the contrary, they would continue to shield him from the harsh reality, all the way down to the bottom of the pond. They are more interested in protecting their own interests rather than in saving the man or the nation.

Undur lah, Pak Lah! Step down, Pak Lah! Spare your party, race and the nation you love needless grief.

It would be presumptuous of me to suggest that you might also be sparing yourself, your loved ones, and those closest to you. That is not for me to say.

Right Decision; Right Timing; Right Reason

By stepping down now, Abdullah would be making the one right decision at the right time and for all the right reasons, something that has sorely eluded him since becoming Prime Minister.

This would be an appropriate time for him to announce his resignation, to be effective following the election of a new leader at UMNO’s forthcoming annual convention in November. Doing so now would spare his party and the nation the endless distractions of a leadership tussle. With Ramadan coming up, there will be only a few weeks for the members to focus on electing their leader. The restraining influence of that holy month would curtail the more blatant “money politics” that has plagued UMNO. That would help ensure a clean election; at least I hope so.

Were Abdullah to reveal his stubborn streak and hang on however tenuously, rest assured that the party and nation would be consumed by the leadership brawl. Forget about the Ninth Malaysia Plan, economic growth, or even plain normalcy. Even if Abdullah were to survive (a very big “if”), it would be a hollow victory. He, the party, Malays, and Malaysia would have been senselessly and irreparably battered in the process.

Clinging on would only make him look even more pathetic and helpless than he is already now. Please spare us the sorry sight!

I trust the collective wisdom of UMNO members to select Abdullah’s worthy successor. They have been through the exercise many times before. When Datuk Onn left the party in a huff, sulking because the members would not do his bidding, they demonstrated great judgment in picking the hitherto unknown and colorless civil servant, Tunku Abdul Rahman. It was a prescient choice for later he would lead the nation to Merdeka. In contrast, the daring, brilliant and charismatic Datuk Onn was content to remain in the false security of the colonial cocoon.

Similarly later when the Tunku was enjoying himself too much in being the “world’s happiest Prime Minister” while the nation was fracturing, UMNO members again asserted themselves. That famous genuflecting letter to Tunku from Dr. Mahathir may be from one person, but not its sentiment.

Granted, the UMNO of today is a far cry from its earlier being; it is now corrupted to its core. The rot accelerated when Anwar Ibrahim introduced the party and its members to “modern” forms of campaigning, as with “money politics.” It was only through outright corruption and blatant bribery, condoned by the party’s senior leaders, was Anwar successful in dislodging Ghaffar Baba as Deputy President and thus, Deputy Prime Minister. However, as we Muslims would observe, Allah has His Ways; nothing happens without His Will.

Today money politics is entrenched; it seems futile to have faith in UMNO’s ability to make wise decisions, uncorrupted by money and influence peddling. Examine the last leadership convention, and that was with the two top positions not contested. Imagine the ugly tussles and ensuing gross corruptions had both positions been vacant.

There is some reason to hope that this time it would be different, if Abdullah were to resign now. With the restraining influence of Ramadan and Hari Raya, as well as the short notice, there would not be a prolonged disruptive and acrimonious campaign. There would be corresponding less time for intrigue and bribery. It takes time to form alliances and to engage in backstabbing.

This may well be the only opportunity for the party to have a relatively honest election, and for its members to express freely their collective wisdom. This may also be the only chance the party has to cleanse its leadership, and thus itself.

If Abdullah does not seize this rare opportunity and instead succumb to the flatteries of his courtiers, rest assured that the party and nation would needlessly be distracted until he is out. Not a pretty prospect, for him, the party, and the nation.

Contrary to Abdullah’s perception, Mahathir is not the problem; silencing him would not be the solution. Mahathir is getting wide hearing not because he is the former Prime Minister (although that is a factor), rather the issues he raises resonate with the citizens.

Undoing Mahathir’s Legacy

If Abdullah were intent on undoing Mahathir’s legacy, as Abdullah’s many interlocutors seemed to convey, then stepping down now would do it. He would have effectively broken UMNO’s ill-advised “tradition” of not contesting the two top positions. This presumes that Najib would contest the top slot with Abdullah’s withdrawal, and thus automatically vacate his Deputy President post. There is nothing to indicate that he would not do so.

It was just over two years ago that Abdullah received an overwhelming mandate from the people. He has not committed any egregious deeds, which would be the usual reason in calling for a resignation. On the contrary, he has done a few things right; that is to say, I agree with those decisions.

That is precisely Abdullah’s problem. Even when he did the rare right thing, as with trimming the budget deficit, canceling that silly crooked bridge, and reducing the petroleum subsidy, his timing was off and or his reasoning flawed.

It was pathetic and painful to see his ministers and other defenders going through contortions to justify canceling that bridge. As for the timing, the penalty payments may yet exceed the cost had the boondoggle been built!

As for Abdullah’s overwhelming mandate of 2004, do not read too much into it. Malaysians are by nature generous and forgiving of our leaders, at least the first time around. When Tunku took over from the towering Datuk Onn, Tunku’s Alliance Party won all but one of the 52 seats. Datuk Onn scrapped through with the only one seat.

This was not because Malaysians were mudah lupa (easily forgetting) or being ungrateful to Datuk Onn for his great service in establishing UMNO and saving the nation from becoming a dominion. Rather, Malaysians prefer giving their new leaders a rousing start and a generous chance.

Resigning the prime ministership is quite the tradition in Malaysia. Chalk one up for the nation! Tunku did it temporarily to concentrate running his campaign in1959. A decade later the Tunku missed the subtle Malay signals and was more or less forced out, albeit civilly and with decorum in 1970. Hussein did it gracefully in 1981, without prompting, when he found himself overwhelmed.

Fast-forward to today, Hussein Onn is fondly remembered despite his forgettable tenure. In contrast, during the recent celebration of Merdeka’s 49th anniversary, few recalled the Tunku’s pivotal leadership in that fateful event.

Mahathir made it clear that he now deeply regrets anointing Abdullah as his successor. That point is irrelevant. By resigning now and simultaneously opening up the nomination process by letting anyone to participate by doing away with the onerous branch nomination requirements, Abdullah would reduce the corrupting influence of money politics and help ensure getting the best candidates. Let the membership decide who are serious and who are frivolous candidates. By resigning now, Abdullah would also ensure that the next generation of leaders would truly be the choice of the membership. That is a legacy that even Mahathir could not match. That is also the one enduring legacy worth leaving.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/56304

Mahathir: What has Khairy done?
Bede Hong and Soon Li Tsin Sep 4, 06 8:01pm

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today alluded that Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin was 'all talk but no action'. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Putrajaya, he said Khairy and Umno Youth have done nothing to alleviate the problems faced by the Malays in Penang.

The former premier was asked if Khairy had indirectly attacked Mahathir when he said the state government helmed by Gerakan was responsible for the problem.

The former premier said Khairy, who is also Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law, had not done anything concrete besides making racist remarks.

"What have they done? They are in full power now. They can grab (Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh) Tsu Koon by the scruff of his neck and throw him into the sea because they are so powerful.

"But they haven't done anything other than make racist speeches in order to gain popularity with the Malays. He is entitled (to make such statements). All those who are in support of the government can freely voice their opinions. Those who don't, cannot say anything," he added.

Khairy recently came under fire for telling an Umno Youth gathering that the minority Chinese Malaysians would take advantage of a weakened Umno. While claiming that he was misunderstood, the 31-year-old Oxford graduate however refused to apologise for what he termed as remarks that defended the
dignity of his race.

'Very important person'

References to Khairy were also made when Mahathir was asked if he would still consider the mediation proposal for veteran politician Mohamad Khalil Yaakob to help bridge the differences between the former premier and Abdullah.

"I understand he informed Khairy and also the prime minister. Of course, he had to inform Khairy as he is a very important person in the party because even menteris besar have to wait when he comes," he said.

"I can sit (at the mediation) provided it is a serious discussion and open to all. No hiding. What I have to say is not a secret and they can refute (if its not true)," he added.

Mahathir then made a passing remark that Abdullah would need to be honest with his son Kamaluddin's business interests. "Just like the other day he said his children did not do business in Malaysia. But we know that Scomi (owned by Kamaluddin) got more than a
billion dollars contract to supply this drilling mud to all the petroleum companies operating in Malaysia," he said.

New Umno boys

On being allegedly sidelined in Umno, Mahathir said the party now has many
spin doctors. "There are new Umno boys now. They are very loyal, they work very hard to spin. The new Umno information chief Brendan Pereira (News Straits Times
group editor) and [P] Gunasegaram (the Sun and Nexnews group executive
editor). All very loyal, they work hard to spin," he added.

As for former MAS chief Tajuddin Ramli's claim that Mahathir had forced him to buy the national carrier's shares, he said: "When he got MAS, my god, he just got bubbling away at all the possibilities. From Malaysian helicopter services to practically being the
owner of MAS, he was so very delighted. Now he is saying I forced him."
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