Friday 16 October 2020

OUR POLITICIANS' DISGUSTING "GAME OF THRONES"

Good morning! Folks,

I need not say much more about the ongoing "Game of Thrones" between Malaysia's elected representatives, with members of parliament and state assemblymen switching parties and even seemingly mutually antagonistic political parties breaking from their coalition or pact to ally with their traditional political enemies to defeat their rivals and attain power.

Such behaviour has been described by the saying "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" and has been observed throughout history, and where after their common enemy has been defeated, the original enemy within the winning coalition or pact turn on each other and a new fight begins.

Malaysian democracy has degenerated into a dysfunctional democracy and we see more repeats of this, whichever coalition or pact gains power and whoever becomes Malaysia's next Prime Minister., and who knows but by the time GE15 comes around in 2023, we could have had five different Prime Ministers, unless GE15 is held early, but even then, I expect that this process of changing alliances will continue after that, whilst our economy goes down the drain, businesses close, unemployment soars and the number of COVID-19 cases goes trough the roof.

Below, highlighted in blue are a list of comments by readers which Malaysiakini selected to include in its latest Yoursay list.

YOURSAY | Game of thrones, Round 2

Yoursay

Published 

YOURSAY | ‘The priority is to get a stable government to take charge of the nation.’


Amanah info chief: Zahid pledged support of 30 Umno MPs for Anwar


Vijay47: If this gift of a Trojan horse from Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ever came to pass, it would mean yet another nail in the coffin where rests our pride and honour.

I hold nothing against select individuals, but when it involves 30 Umno MPs, written on an olive branch twirled by Zahid, it only means institutionalised sleeping together with PKR. I believe in corporate circles this osmosis is referred to as reverse takeover.

When it is the Umno president who comes bearing gifts, it surely must come at great cost; it must mean the discontinuance of ongoing prosecution by acquittal through DNAA thus never to be resurrected, and the promise that no fresh charges would be laid, jointly offering similar divine blessings as that frail Sabah gentleman was bestowed 46 times over.

And perhaps as the icing on the cake to be had and eaten, former premier Najib Abdul Razak, already being trounced 0-7 even before half-time, would enjoy the same fortune.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, in your recent shrill rantings, you twice promised to protect kepentingan Melayu (Malay importance). Is this how you intend achieving your glorious objective, by sacrificing Malay pride, self-respect, and yes, dignity, at the altar of political expediency?

If so, why should it shock Malaysians? Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad did it (and again), Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin did it, so why should Anwar not become a traitor?

The only saving grace would be if DAP, and perhaps Amanah, refuse to shatter their honour.


Bobby0: The priority is to get a stable government to take charge of the nation. The nation is at a crossroad and everybody is going to be a loser if we have the present administration running the nation.

What Zahid can contribute is maybe 30 of Umno’s MPs to back Anwar. It will be up to Anwar (should he become prime minister) to select his cabinet. With capable people in the office and a leader to show them the direction in which way the nation needs to move, the people might see some light at the end of the tunnel.

It may not be the perfect solution, but better than the coalition that we have now in office – a directionless administration combined with religious leaders that will take the nation backward in time.

The Covid-19 virus is not going to go away anytime soon. The only solution to it is to find a cure. Otherwise, it will continue to plague the world for a long time.

We need leaders who are farsighted and have to find ways to live with the virus without rocking the economy. We need to start opening the nation soon.

So, it is not the question of Umno supporting Anwar, but the question of the survival of the nation. Politicking must come to an end. Racial indifference must be put to a stop. We need to be united, especially at this juncture.

If they can find a solution and work together, all of us should put our egos aside.


ScarletToucan9986: What all this politicking signal is pure, undeniable selfishness - no more, no less.

Do Zahid and Najib consciously want to throw the country into chaos with this disruption of the (questionable) government? Maybe not. But do they want to save their backsides from being thrown into prison? Absolutely.

And Muhyiddin not resigning? The reason is clear as day, isn't it? He's the PM, with the opportunity to rake in huge sums of money and immense power. Why would anyone give that up easily? And Muhyiddin was raised in Umno after all.

And Anwar? One can hardly blame him for going after that post for which he was promised. When the opportunity arose, which is to gather the support of Umno and overthrow Bersatu, why wouldn't he take it?

The rakyat is just collateral damage in the politicians’ incessant quest for power and money. It is every man for himself in Malaysian politics, as every Malaysiakini reader here already knows. Even though I detest this spineless politicking, it shouldn't be shocking to us anymore, don't you think?


Fellow Malaysian: With Amanah information chief Khalid Samad's revelation, it is becoming clear why Anwar did not provide a list of Umno MPs who Anwar claimed to have pledged support for him and Pakatan Harapan.

The content was wrapped in Zahid's letter, which Anwar had respectfully handed to the Agong when he met the ruler last Tuesday. Coming from the Umno president himself, if true, it is hard to repudiate Zahid's claim.

Khalid's remark also sheds light onto the reason why, of all Umno leaders, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, also popularly known as Ku Li, who doesn’t hold any executive portfolio in the party, was summoned to meet His Majesty.

Shouldn't Zahid be the first person from Umno to be called?


The Wakandan: The picture is getting clearer. We must be blind if all this is just a hoax by a so-called PM-crazy PKR leader.

A few leaders have not denied what Anwar said and that includes Zahid and Amanah. Ku Li was seen going into the palace and both DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah leader Mohamad Sabu also were called (albeit their audience was postponed). If Anwar is lying, then these people, especially Khalid, are lying too.

And we know that it only takes a few MPs to change sides to topple the PN government. The present PM should not be in a denial mode or pretend not to know. He should stand down to avoid more embarrassment.

If Mahathir, whom he toppled, could do the obvious by resigning, Muhyiddin should be man enough to accept the reality that his government is no longer viable. In fact, everybody concerned should be honest and realistic enough to see the picture.


Quigonbond: Khalid should just keep quiet. He is not exactly the popular face of Amanah given his disreputable stint as federal territories minister.

It does not really matter what Zahid and his letter say. He's trying to strike a better deal with Perikatan Nasional (PN), probably getting better ministerial roles plus the deputy prime minister position, and taking Bersatu man Azmin Ali's gang down a notch.

Even if Anwar cannot take over for now, I'll take the small satisfaction knowing that Azmin’s gang has been given a blow. He is the ultimate traitor. I can understand Bersatu DNA, but without Azmin’s 10, the Harapan government would have survived, and Anwar would have been the PM by end of this year.

For the long term, Anwar cannot rely on Umno MPs. The Harapan core has to find a way to win over more voters.


Constitutional Supremacy: If there are 30 MPs from Umno in support of Anwar, that means the whole of Umno is in. This figure cannot be accurate.

There are nine Umno MPs who are ministers. There are more than 10 Umno MPs who are deputy ministers. This is in the PN government under Muhyiddin and most of them have announced they will not support Anwar.

How could Anwar strike a deal which allows the whole of Umno to come into government, including Najib and Zahid?


Beman: Wow, the chief of a political party can now dispatch MPs in the party to support this or that other political party.

I don't believe it is free of charge. There must be a price to pay for the support. If they are unhappy with the price paid, support can be withdrawn any time. This must be what is happening to Muhyiddin.

All this sounds mercenary. MPs have now become foot soldiers that can be sent by their lord to give support to another lord. Serving the interest of the nation and the people is now not high on their agenda.

Now we know why someone is unable to show the specific names behind the "solid" support he claimed to have. The "solid" support is only a "pledge".


OrangePanther1466: All this drama is merely to blackmail Muhyiddin into giving more concessions to Umno. It’s naive to think that Umno would support Anwar and abandon their Maufakat Nasional partner.

Let’s see if Muhyiddin is desperate enough to concede to all their demands. Najib seems to think so. That's why he has been making bold statements. The sad thing is that I think Muhyiddin does not have the wherewithal to resist and will concede.


RR: It is strange that police are investigating Anwar when the right solution is a floor test in Parliament to resolve this matter to see which leader has the majority in Parliament.

Why then are people beating about the bush? In all honesty, the Dewan Rakyat speaker should allow the no-confidence vote in the interests of the nation and put an end to this political drama so that the government of the day under whichever leader will focus to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and build the economy.


The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 500,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.


Enough said.

Take care and stay safe from COVID-19.

Yours truly

POLITI SCHEISS

Wednesday 14 October 2020

NO CLEAR OUTCOME AS D-DAY CLOSED

D-Day ended with no clear outcome of Anwar's bid to become Malaysia's next Prime Minister.



Shortly after Port Dickson Member of Parliament and Pakatan Harapan pact leader, Yang Berhormat (the Right Honourable) Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim's 25 minute audience with Malaysia's Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (King) around 11 am on 13 October 2020, the Istana Negara (National Palace) released the statement below, which is in the Malay language.

Two paragraphs in the statement basically say that Anwar revealed to the Agong the number of members of parliament who supported him to be Malaysia's next prime minister but did not provide the Agong with a list of their names to back up his claim. (that he had the support of the majority of MPs in parliament to be the prime minister).

The Agong then advised Anwar to respect the legal processes according to Malaysia's Constitution.

The rest of the two-page statement is about the resurgence of the COVID-19 crisis in Malaysia right now.

It was signed by Dato' Indera Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, Comptroller of the Royal Family and Household.
 





However, that same afternoon, Anwar Ibrahim said he had presented "genuine documents" to the Agong to prove his claim that he has the majority to form the government, according to Malaysia Now.

That contradicts the Palace's statement further above.

Meanwhile, Free Malaysia Today reported that Anwar had said that the Agong would be meeting party leaders over the next few days.

Earlier that afternoon, Free Malaysia Today reported that United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) veteran politician was expected to attend an audience with the Agong at 2 pm that afternoon.

That same afternoon, The Star reported that Democratic Action Party (DAP) Secretary-General, Yang Berhormat Lim Guan Eng had been summoned to meet the Agong on Wednesday (14 October 2020)

Malaysiakini reported that UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would have an audience with the Agong on Thursday (15 October 2020).

At 11.12 pm on 13 October 2020, the Malay Mail reported that UMNO had said that it was considering withdrawing its support for the National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional) and would instead focus on registering its Muafakat Nasional alliance with the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

Perikatan Nasional is an informal alliance between the sitting Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's party, the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (PPBM), UMNO and PAS.

Free Malaysia Today reported that Malaysia's Immediate Past-Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir said that he does not endose anyone's bid to become Prime Minister

Meanwhile, Malaysia Now reported that Prime Minister Muhyiddin said that he would focus on dealing with the COVID-19 crisis and let the Agong decide.

I suppose by the weekend or next week we will have a a clearer picture whether we have a new prime minister, another change of government within seven months, a fresh general election or whatever.

Meanwhile, the number of new COVID-19 cases at 12 pm on 13 October 2020 soared to 660 nationwide, of which 443 or just over two-thirds were in Sabah state, where the Sabah state election was held on 26 September 2020, just 17 days ago.

Selangor, Malaysia's wealthiest and most developed state came a distant second with 76 new cases, followed by Kedah with 60, Penang with 23, Penang with 16, Johor with 10, Negeri Sembilan with 2, Pahang on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia with 1, the Federal Territory of Labuan on an island off Sabah with 19 and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital city with 10. The new cases are indicated in a white label in the infographic below.

Rather surprisingly, Malaysia's largest state Sarawak which borders Sabah saw no new cases this day, and neither did Perlis just north of Kedah and the Federal Territory of Putrajaya - Malaysia's administrative capital, as well as the states of Kelantan and Terengganu on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia recorded no new cases.   


The face of the high number of new cases in recent days, the state of Selangor, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were placed back under a stricter Conditional Movement Control Order FROM MIDNIGHT 14 oCTOBER 2020, whilst other states besides Sabah remain under a more relaxed Recovery Movement Control Order.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/10/12/selangor-kl-putrajaya-to-be-placed-under-cmco-on-wednesday/

However, if the aftermath of the recent state election in Sabah is any indication, a fresh general election held under current conditions could see the number of daily new cases skyrocket nationwide.

And, who knows how long a new government will last before we have to go through it all again.

Well, that's democracy folks, and who are those who said that Malaysia is "undemocratic" ?

Singapore-based Israeli Arab NAS has this to say about democracy.

Why Democracy Doesn't Work
And going back to  ancient Greece.

Why Socrates Hated Democracy

Meanwhile, more businesses will close, more working people will be unemployed, more students won't be attending school as end-of-year examinations approach, Malaysia will go deeper into debt and so forth - all as long as the COVID-19 crisis persists.

Anyway, don't worry, be happy!

Meanwhile, take care and stay safe from COVID-19.

Yours truly

POLITI SCHEISS
http://politischeiss.blogspot.com/




Tuesday 13 October 2020

IT'S D-DAY. SO WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT PRIME MINISTER ?

Today, 13th October 2020 is D-Day, which it is bound to be a grippingly exciting day for Malaysians politically.



A list of 121 members of parliament (MPs) purported to support Anwar Ibrahim to Malaysia's next Prime Minister to replace Muhyiddin Yassin was leaked to the public on 5 October 2020. Anwar had secured an audience with Malaysia's Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (King) today (13 October 2020) to present the list to His Majesty as evidence that he (Anwar) has the support of the majority of the current 221 MPs in parliament, following the unfortunate death of Batu Sapi MP Liew Vui Keong on 2 October 2020 which had left the Batu Sapi seat currently vacant. May his soul Rest In Peace.

However, six MPs whose names are on the list filed police reports declaring that it is not true and that they support Anwar as PM and that their names should not be on the list.

The Police investigated the reports and summoned Anwar to come in for questioning and to give his statement at 11 am on 12 October 2020 but Anwar's press secretary requested that the meeting be postponed to 9am today - i.e. 13 October 2020, just two hours before Anwar's audience with the Agong, which sources say is at 11 am.

The police, postponed their meeting to record Anwar's statement to a future date to be confirmed.


Under the law, the Agong has several options:-

1) As sitting Prime Minister,  Muhyiddin can request the Agong to call a special session of parliament to hold a no-confidence or a confidence vote in Muhyiddin as Prime Minister. If the no-confidence vote passes or the confidence vote fails, then Muhyiddin would have to resign and his cabinet would dissolve, and a fresh general election would be held.

2) Muhyiddin could request the Agong to dissolve parliament and if granted, a fresh general election would be held.

3) Muhyiddin could request an audience with the Agong to submit his resignation and if accepted, either a fresh election would be held or the Agong can appoint a new Prime Minister, such as in February when the Agong interviewed all 222 MPs individually determine which MP as the suupport of the majority of MPs, after which the Agong appointed Muhyiddin as Prime Minister.

Ideally, I much prefer that a fresh general election be held, so we the people can vote for a fresh set of 222 MPs, amongst who we can expect to see some new faces and who hopefully will do their job to serve the people, instead of scheming and jostling for power and position in a real life "Game of Thrones" at our expense.

However, now is not the right time to hold a general election, especially with the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases following the recent Sabah state elections, with Sabah having the highest number of new cases daily in the country but if it comes to that, then so be it.

It's 10.16 am right now, so let's see what pans out today and over the next few days.

Take care and stay safe.

Yours truly

Politi Scheiss