Benigno S. Aquino III will be 15th President of the Philippines

June 23, 2010

The Modest nonetheless Tested Aquino III

by W. Scott Thompson

IT looks like theres the little great headlines in the Philippines. Benigno S. Aquino III has been admitted the 15th boss of the republic as well as is set to be inaugurated upon June 30. Hes the loose as well as medium male who was swept into tall bureau thanks to the esteem in which the nation had hold his presidential mother, after her wake last August.

But the additionally satisfactory to contend hes tested as well as tough. He took the bullet for his mom in the house during the single of the attempted coups against her, as well as he was hardly out of college when his father was gunned down in 1983. Hes the type, when everybody else is in the frenzy, which says chill. (Remember Kiplings If If we can keep your head when all about we have been losing theirs as well as blaming it upon you, if we can certitude yourself when all men doubt you, yet have allowance for their doubting too)

He has the courteous group of hommes serieux during his call, as well as the viewable hes not rewarding domestic hacks with tall bureau as he appoints his cabinet. In fact, the been the close call. Events havent gone the approach they have usually given the a approach they were ostensible to go, as well as directed so by the constitution. Its the single of my celebrated lessons in life which the lot of the things which do go uniformly usually do so given the lot of people work hard to have it so; when things mess up, the mostly given people havent been you do their job.

The story of Aquino! s assump tion of the presidency cant all be told today, yet the bare bones have been clear. In the first instance, the been an open tip for during least dual years which the effusive president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was seeking for any means probable to magnify her stay as we have multiform times referred to herein. In her last state of the nation speech, discuss of the passing from the single to another to the successor was noisy by the absence. Until the couple of months ago, her eagerness even to discuss the theme of the successor was painfully absent.

She kept the military guessing while creation new appointments. But it turned out which the coronet had minds of their own, as well as there were countless emissaries present among them to have certain which during least they wouldnt be unanimously during the back of her if she attempted to sojourn in bureau unconstitutionally. As her leverage declined, there were usually the couple of stooges peaceful to back her up, as well as all the rest were ready to go into movement resisting any unconstitutional call. This is the single of the greatest untold stories.

But she was additionally given the word which the Americans wouldnt go along with any games yet it wasnt their nickel. But she bought in to it upon the assumption which it was their nickel, sufficient to supplement to her fears.

When her chosen candidate (as fall-guy successor) faltered, she put her forces during the back of the trapos (traditional politicians) heading the polls, Senator Manny Villar, as well as who had copiousness of his own money. But nothing stopped the Aquino steamroller in the polls.

The widely hold assumption was which if Villar was not some-more than three per cent during the back of Aquino in the polls, Arroyo could do the hello Garci (reference to her important phone conversation in 2004, to the elections commissioner, checking to confirm which she had an extra million votes for victory) as well as Villar would win, afterwards you do the deal through whi! ch shed turn prime minister.

If Aquino were forward 10 per cent, as it seemed, shed simply fail the elections upon the single fake or another, given her family presence would afterwards be during issue, as the single of them has been quoted. But Aquinos landslide was so large which even her machinations couldnt presumably work.

Shes smart. Only when it became viewable Aquino would win did Arroyo start creation the virtue of necessity setting up passing from the single to another teams, saying all the right things which should have been pronounced the year or dual earlier.

And afterwards there was the last act. Seventeen days prior to her tenure ended, the FG or First Gentleman, who had outlayed 9 years fund raising for her domestic needs, announced which the First Family had moved out of the palace. Almost by the back door; nobody had noticed.

And the FG paraded dual coffee table books inventory all their accomplishments; he didnt contend where the funds came for these costly books. It was all so green as well as roughly pathetic, leaving the house over dual weeks early.

The many important poetic lines of the 20th century were surely T.S. Eliots, from The Hollow Men: This is the approach the universe ends not with the bang yet the whimper.www.nst.com.my

The writer is emeritus professor during the Fletcher School of Law as well as Diplomacy, Tufts University

Khalid Ibrahim is PKRs chief sitting duck

June 23, 2010

Under Pressure Khalid Ibrahim isPKRs arch sitting duck

by Aidila Razak (www.malaysiakini.com)

PKR Selangor arch as well as Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim might need to recur using for a top post during a Nov celebration polls, as a celebration continues to put his administration department department underneath scrutiny.

Already smarting from a tongue-lashing during a PKR congress in Kota Bharu, Kelantan final month, Khalid (left) is facing yet an additional round of criticism, as a celebration zeroes in upon state policies during a Shah Alam shelter this weekend.

Information arch Latheefa Koya pronounced which between a aims of a retreat is to find a approach for a celebration to have some-more say in state affairs an indication of latent melancholy with a MBs administration.

In fact, some believe which a ongoing attacks upon Khalid uncover which ascent frustrations have been behind an orchestrated pierce to disprove him as well as his administration.

And with usually months to go until a Nov party elections, any attack upon his repute will have an immediate effect upon his campaign.

Khalid is expected to go up against a likes of current Pakatan advisor Zaid Ibrahim as well as vice-president Azmin Ali (right) for a emissary presidents post which will be vacated by Syed Husin Ali.

Evidence of an orchestrated movement against Khalid, pronounced state exco part of Xavier Jeyakumar, was seen during a Kota Bharu association debates.

Xavier, when asked, suggested which some of a rarely vicious representatives confessed which distinguished celebration ! members had given them a text to read, which they certified they did without knowing what they were articulate about.

Khalid a sitting duck

While Selangor PKR Youth arch Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin agrees which many have been disgruntled with Khalid, he is reduction convinced which there is a planned movement against a MB.

I think a people who have been unhappy with him know which time is using out (before a subsequent ubiquitous election) as well as theres nothing they can do right away though to suggest him, he said. If Khalid is ousted, he said, be it as a result of losing in a celebration choosing or otherwise, there will not be enough time for repairs control.

State exco part of Elizabeth Wong (right) has however warned which a public assaults might be used as ammunition by a BN in a unrelenting bid to take over Selangor, to illustrate rendering Khalid a sitting duck.

There needs to be some decorum. People need to recollect which we have been still during war, she said.

A prime indicate of attack during a association was a emanate of Selangor government-linked companies (GLCs), which have been often led by those allocated by a previous BN government.

Selangor has many GLCs as well as sub-GLCs, as well as everyones watchful for a piece of them, for directorships a a culture hereditary from BN, she said.

For Khairul however, a resolve of a Selangor arch who was parachuted in to governing body from a corporate world to keep celebration as well as supervision utterly separate comes off as rather nave.

I was a tyro romantic so we have a lot of idealistic views, though as it turns out governing body is very dirty as well as one has to be pragmatic, pronounced a girl chief.

Getting a indicate of internal sabotage opposite to a Selangor boss, he said, is no walk in a park, referring to asso! rted com plaints of Khalids strong-mindedness, which alternative allege borders upon recalcitrance.

Reforming a Reformasi party

Unlike a MBs harsher critics, however, a girl arch is some-more forgiving, saying which it is essentially a sign of stubborn integrity for reform. It is precisely his joining to great governance which de facto celebration personality Anwar Ibrahim had highlighted in his support for Khalid, which however, appeared to have wavered during a congress.

Azmin was even reduction forgiving, pointing out in his debate in Kota Bharu which a celebration members have been not just asking for multi-billion ringgit projects, though to concede PKR some-more submit in to GLCs.

When (Khalid) is slandered, it is not a directors of these GLCs though it is PKR members, who head to a front-line to urge him, he told representatives of a reformist party.

The dilemma for Khalid right away is either to keep upon a straight as well as narrow, or to play a diversion a approach a members of PKR would like him to play. For now, he appears to be bowing to pressure, giving in to a representatives by earnest to deliver an additional exco post as well as state constituency coordinator posts for celebration members.

Yesterday, Khalid additionally confirmed a appointment of cleric Badrul Amin Baharon as report arch of a state government.

Reformasi simpler pronounced than done

This is a bid to strech out to a Malay community, an area which PKR admits is a struggle. In addition, according to Latheefa (left), a MB has additionally agreed to take pointers from a shelter as well as use a submit for policy-making decisions.

But either this will be able to appease his flourishing detractors is anyones guess. After all, Khairul said, people in a celebration have been realising which reformasi is simpler pronounced than done.

People in PKR have been starting to ! realise which it is not easy to govern. We talk about corruption, nepotism, cronyism, as well as here they have been for us to deal with, he said.

World Cup 2010 paper view: A gallon of Alan, in defence of John Terry and the view from France | Barry Glendenning

With their chances of progressing in this World Cup hinging on the outcome of their final Group C match against a team of no-marks ranked eleventy-tumpty places beneath them in the Fifa rankings, it is obviously the only show in town. At least you'd think it would be, even if the lead sports illustration on the front of the Washington Post website features a photo of a fat baseball player helping to slug the Nationals to victory against the Kansas City Royals. Well below the fold, next-door to the "have your say" section and perched just above the More Nation/World Headlines, the Post reveals that at the World Cup, Team USA "is in a just-win situation".

Correspondent Steve Goff writes: "The US can make it easy on themselves at the 2010 World Cup with a simple and decisive route to the round of 16: defeat Algeria". The New York Times gives the story equal prominence, locating their preview a good eight inches below a feature about the random list of trends emerging from the Spring 2011 men's wear shows in Milan illustrated by a photo of three models sporting designer duds and sullen pouts that would be the envy of any England footballer worth his salt.

Here in Blighty, media tub-thumping ahead of England's win or bust match against Slovenia is ever so slightly less low-key.

PR ke arah memerintah,nafi 2/3 BN tu agenda lama.....

Meskipun Pakatan Rakyat kini diselubungi kekhuatiran bahawa sokongan Melayu semakin mengalih ke Barisan Nasional, namun tanggapan ini disangkal oleh Zaid Ibrahim, yang tetap optimis bahawa matlamat PR dalam pilihan raya umum ke-13 adalah untuk memerintah di negara ini.
Ketika ditanya apakah langkah seterusnya seandainya Barisan Nasional berjaya mengembalikan majoriti dua pertiganya dalam parlimen, Zaid Ibrahim terus menyifatkan matlamat "menafikan majoriti dua pertiga BN dalam parlimen" sebagai "agenda lama", malah yakin bahawa PR akan mara untuk menjadi kerajaan persekutuan di Malaysia.
"Saya tidak berfikir untuk menafikan dua pertiga BN, itu bulletin lama. Kami akan memerintah di negara ini. Kamu orang (wartawan) tak percaya, itu masalahnya. Kamu ingat ini tidak boleh dilakukan," tegasnya.
"Jadi, Dato, anda yakin bahawa PR akan memerintah?" tanya wartawan lagi.
"Memang! (Of course)" jawabnya dengan tangkas. Zaid Ibrahim menambah, "Kerajaan ini sudah terdesak (desparate). Mengapa mereka membelanjakan RM150 juta (dalam PRK)? Kerana mereka takut!"
Beliau seterusnya melontarkan satu soalan kepada wartawan, "Apakah anda rasa kerajaan yang yakin dengan dirinya, akan membelanjakan wang sedemikian? Ini persoalan yang harus anda tanya."
Walaupun satu soal selidik Merdeka Center baru-baru ini memperlihatkan peningkatan tahap kepuasan terhadap Perdana Menteri Najib Razak kepada 72%, namun Zaid Ibrahim tetap mendakwa bahawa BN masih tidak yakin untuk berdepan dengan rakyat. Pembubaran DUN Perak, PRK di DUN Kota Siputeh, antara cabaran Zaid Ibrahim kepada BN, seandainya kerajaan BN mahu membuktikan keyakinan terhadap prestasi dirinya.
Tentang hakisan sokongan Melayu/Islam.
Zaid Ibrahim tidak menyetujui pandangan sedemikian, ! sebagaim ana yang dinyatakan dalam Kongres tahunan PKR.
"Kamu ada angka? Kamu tidak mempunyai angka..." katanya kepada wartawan. Apabila wartawan merujuk kepada keputusan PRK Hulu Selangor, calon PKR yang kecundang ini berkata, "Mestilah, apabila kamu merasuah orang dengan RM50 ribu, mestilah (orang undi kamu). Tapi ia tidak bermakna orang Melayu meninggalkan Pakatan Rakyat."
"Peneroka FELDA, apakah kamu menganggap mereka ada hak untuk memilih? Tak ada. Semua dikawal. Apabila kamu kata kami hilang sokongan Melayu, kami menang di kawasan lain, cuma kalah undi FELDA, tentera, polis. Melayu dalam pasukan polis, tentara tak ada pilihan," jelasnya.
Beliau menyambung, "Kamu perlu bezakan apa Melayu. Di semua kawasan lain, saya menang. Jadi, adalah tidak benar (untuk mendakwa PR hilang sokongan Melayu)." - Lim Hong Siang
source:merdekareview
cheers.

Bloggers Pondan Menunjukkan Kepondanan Mereka Lagi: Ali Zaidan

Saya nak tergelak bila saya baca tulisan terbaru Blogger Pondan bernama Ali Zaidan. Kali ini, beliau menulis artikel sebagai respon kepada projek Langgar Hadi tajaan blogger Edyes dan Aduka Taruna.
Antara cadangan beliau adalah supaya sessi Temuramah Presiden itu dilakukan secara off-the-record.

Memang pengalaman saya dengan geng Terengganu ?UG mereka tak berani berhadapan dengan khalayak ramai. Mereka sentiasa mahu menyorok dan menyembunyikan segala perbincangan. Ini kerana mereka tidak berani bercakap benar kerana kebenaran itu akan menghancurkan mereka

Saya sendiri pernah menyampaikan tawaran saya kepada Dr Samsuri, SU Politik Presiden, bahawa saya sanggup menyiarkan sepenuhnya PENAFIAN beliau yang beliau terlibat dalam Konspirasi menjatuhkan MB Selangor.

Namun, apa yang mereka cuba lakukan adalah membawa saya ke Malaysia untuk berjumpa secara tertutup. Biasanya selepas perjumpaan itu, mereka akan karang cerita mereka sendiri dan akhirnya saya akan diberitakan seolah-olah bersetuju dengan mereka. Itulah jenis perangkap yang disukai oleh mereka.

Lagipun, di dalam perjumpaan2 tertutup, siapa yang akan mengkonfirmasi apa yang diperbincangkan. Kalau kita kata perkara A dibincangkan, mereka boleh nafi. Akhirnya, perjumpaan itu tidak kemana.

Maka, saya mengambil jalan terbaik, yakni MENAWARKAN Dr Samsuri menafikan keterlibatan beliau dalam konspirasi menjatuhkan MB Selangor SECARA TERBUKA. Tiada apa yang perlu ditakutkan kalau beliau tidak terlibat.

Mamat blogger Pondan@ Ali Zaidan ni joke perangai sama dengan Dr Samsuri dan geng2 UG. Mereka joke tak berani nak berterus terang kepada semua orang. Mereka joke nak menyorok-nyorok. Ini kerana kebenaran itu adalah sangat sakit untuk blogger-blogger pondan ni.

Sampai nama dan identity mereka sendiri joke mereka tak berani dedahkan. Bagaimana mereka ni hendak bertanggungjawab atas tulisan mereka? Hahahahaha kelakar nya saya tengok mereka ni. Si Pondan cuba mengajar anaknya jadi lelaki.

Tulang Besi!

ps saya sendiri joke tertanya-tanya samada blogger-blogger pondan ini benar-benar manusia ataupun jin ifrit?


Di ambil dari blog blogger pondan@ ali zaidan.2. Off The Record

Cadangan aku ini mungkin susah sikit nak terima sekiranya kamu memang mempunyai hajat memalukan TGHH. Tetapi kalau kamu memang nak dapatkan penjelasan semata-mata dan memang tiada sekelumit niat burukpun, ia bukan satu masalah.

Rasional mesti 'off a record' ialah:

i. Isu ini telah ditutup. Kalau ada rekod, maka bukti Presiden curang kepada keputusan Syura (tutup isu UG) akan ada. Kalau off a record, maka perbualan itu akan jadi tak rasmi. So, tak apa. Sebab cuma tahap bual kosong saja.

ii. Isu ini amat sensitif dan melibatkan ramai Pemimpin Pakatan. Ada banyak maklumat tentang UG yang sampai kepada aku, termasuklah tentang perbincangan Anwar-TGHH tentang UG. Tapi aku tak mau cerita pasal ini 'off a record'. Mereka-mereka sahaja yang sepatutnya tahu.

Jadi bila ada isu melibatkan ramai pemimpin dan ada rekod video pula, dah tentu akan ada pemimpin yang akan melenting. Konklusinya, hubungan PR akan meregang.

Percayalah, akan ada banyak benda/kes yang kamu akan terkejut.

FELDA: Ahmad Mazlan Berbohong di Parlimen?

Misteri kehilangan wang simpanan Felda semakin terungkai satu demi satu. Pihak UMNO pula semakin kepanasan dan yang menjadi juara mempertahankan Najib Tun Razak di Parlimen adalah Ahmad Mazlan.

Dalam artikel di UMNO Online, Ahmad Maslan dengan bangganya berkata:
Hari ini detik bersejarah. Saya gembira dapat berdepan dengan Anwar. Kita sudah tidak tahan dengan penyelewengan fakta-fakta oleh pembangkang. Takkanlah Felda, satu agensi terbesar untuk bantu Melayu, nak tipu Melayubuat apa,, katanya kepada umno-online di Dewan Rakyat hari ini..

Antara penjelasan Ahmad Maslan terhadap kehilangan wang Felda adalah:
RM2 bilion untuk pembangunan tanam semula, termasuk sara hidup dan pendahuluan hasil, RM603 juta pinjaman pembesaran rumah tanpa riba untuk membesarkan 19,546 rumah peneroka., RM662 juta beli Menara Felda, depan KLCC, di kawasan segi tga emas KL yang pada 2008 nilai tanahnya RM 935 sekaki persegi sekarang RM1,400 ke RM 1,500 sekaki persegi, ujar beliau,.

Namun, mengikut Pengerusi ANAK, Mazlan Aliman, setiap Peneroka dipotong gaji mereka RM40 setiap bulan untuk tanam semula. Apa ALASAN FELDA untuk membelanjakan RM2 billion untuk PROSES TANAM SEMULA?

RM40 yang dipotong dari setiap peneroka dimasukan dalam TABUNG TANAM SEMULA yang sepatutnya cukup atau kurang sedikit dari kos sebenar proses tanam semula. Angka RM2 billion ini adalah satu angka yang SANGAT GANJIL memandangkan setiap peneroka Felda dipotong gaji mereka RM40 sebulan untuk tanam semula.

AHMAD MASLAN GAGAL MEMBERI JAWAPAN YANG MEMUASKAN

Sehingga kini, apa yang Ahmad Maslan ungkapkan di Parlimen GAGAL memberi penjelasan sebenar mengapa sampai RM2 billion harus dibelanjankan semata-mata proses tanam semula? Alasan yang diberikan Ahmad Mazlan juga alasan dangkal dan cetek (seperti dibawah):

Dari RM17,000 untuk tanam semula , setiap peneroka cuma carum RM9,000. Ada sebahagian peneroka tak cukup bayar . Kadang-kadang RM 7,000 dan RM8,000. Untuk membangunkan tanah itu, perlukan RM17,00! 0 . Oleh itu Felda bagi subsidi pula.

Kepada yang tanam semula sendiri, kita bagi duit berperingkat-peringkat. Kalau bagi sekali RM17,000 , dia buat hal macam-macam. Tak tanam semula, dia beli kereta , rumah. Lepas tu duit habis , tanam semula tak dibuat, katanya.

Secara tidak sedar, Ahmad Maslan mengaku ADANYA sumbangan pribadi peneroka terhadap proses tanam semula melalui tabungan. Ini bererti, FELDA TIDAK PERLU membiayai 100% proses tanam semula.

Maka, MENGAPA FELDA PERLU BELANJA SEHINGGA RM2 ribu JUTA untuk TANAM SEMULA?

Soalan ini Ahmad Maslan JELAS, GAGAL MENJAWAB.

Saya mencabar Ahmad Maslan membenarkan sebuah pasukan Audit yang dilantik Ketua Pembangkang untuk MENYIASAT akaun Felda atas dan bawah. Dan Ahmad MAslan WAJIB memberi 100% kerjasama bagi proses review ini.
Kalau berani lah.

BELI BANGUNAN FELDA RM662 JUTA

Alasan bodoh yang diberikan Najib, UMNO dan AHMAD MASLAN adalah bangunan itu terletak dalam kawasan Segitiga Emas di Kuala Lumpur. Apa untungnya peneroka2

Namun, setahu saya, Felda sudah joke mempunyai bangunan sekitar Segitiga Emas di Kuala Lumpur, yakni di Jalan Semara. Apa sebab nak beli bangunan baru? Apa untungnya peneroka Felda dan rakyat biasa dengan pembelian bangunan baru ini? Bagaimanakah peneroka-peneroka Felda bisa mendapat keuntungan dari pembelian ini. Boleh tak Najib dan Ahmad Mazlan jawab?

Mengikut Mazlan Aliman, harga sebenar bangunan tersebut adalah RM500 juta. Tetapi, secara misteri telah dinaikkan ke RM662 juta dalam sekelip mata.

Penjelasan terhadap perkara2 ini memerlukan satu proses review yang menyeluruh dan merangkumi segenap aspek Felda. Beranikah Ahmad Maslan dan Najib memberikan kuasa penuh kepada sebuah badan review antarabangsa untuk memberi konfirmasi terhadap dakwaan2 mereka yang atas angin ini?

TIAP KALI NAK SELINDUNG AMALAN KORUP MESTI GUNA ALASAN MELAYU
Saudara pembaca buat analisa sendiri lah. Puak2 UMNO, apabila terjerat dan tersepit, mereka akan guna alasan nak bantu Melay! u. Bila duit hilang beribu2 juta pun, nak guna alasan nak bantu Melayu jugak ke?
> Kita belum kalah lagi, Felda bukan tipu peneroka tapi peguam bela Felda tak datang. Sebab itu kita kalah. Kes itu kini dalam rayuan semakan kehakiman. Kes ini belum selesai. Kita tak tipu peneroka. Masakan satu agensi terbesar untuk bantu Melayu nak tipu Melayubuat apa, katanya.
Ahmad Maslan ni ingat semua orang Melayu ni malaikat, tak pernah buat silap dan dosa. Perkara ni jugak kesilapan puak2 UG juga. Mereka ingat, asalkan Melayu semuanya baik. Tak heranlah atas alasan Melayu, PAS telah memberi saham kepada gagalnya projek September sixteen tempohari.
Tulang Besi
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Felda's RM2 billion number nonplus
Tue, 22 June 2010 06:00


By Patrick Lee
PETALING JAYA: Land rights activist Mazlan Aliman fired an additional round of salvos during Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad Maslan for the latter's explanation over the controversial Felda issue.
Ahmad had pronounced Felda had taken out RM3 billion from the money reserves, with the bulk of it RM2 billion being used for replanting crops, housing loans purposes, as well as office office building the brand new Felda headquarters.
Where did he get this RM2 billion number from? Mazlan asked. It is the replanting account which should take care of replanting crops, not money reserves, pronounced Mazlan, who is also the president of the National Children of Felda Settlers Association (Anak) as well as the extreme censor of the Barisan Nasional.
He was barred from entering Felda settlements during the Hulu Selangor by-election.
According to Mazlan, about RM40 was deducted from the salary of every settler every month. The money is kept in the replanting fund, managed by Felda.
Although the account remained in Felda's hands, Mazlan pronounced which it actually belonged to the settlers.
He also questioned Felda's purported RM253 million contribution to the Sabah misery eradication fu! nd.
H ow is this account applicable to Felda? Felda isn't very big in Sabah. In fact, the largest thoroughness of Felda estates have been located around Lahad Datu.
If Felda longed for to exterminate misery in Sabah, because didn't it use the increase from the Lahad Datu estates instead of dipping the palm in to the money reserves? It just doesn't make sense.
On Felda's brand new five-star office, Mazlan pronounced the existent Felda domicile in Jalan Semarak was enough, as well as there was no need for an additional building.
He told FMT which the building's strange cost was RM640.7 million, though was recently increased to RM662 million. He added which the true cost of the domicile was about RM500 million.
I can confidently contend which the bulk of the cost was dissipated for political gains, Mazlan said. Felda, like Petronas, is all about increasing BN's image. Look during it now.
On irregularities in Felda relating to the RM3 billion money reserves, Mazlan pronounced which Anak's members would lodge the report with the military district domicile in Temerloh during 10am on June 23.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Buku Bertemu Ruas, Ahmad Maslan Sanggah Anwar
Jun 16th, 2010 | By director | Category: Dari Parlimen, Eksklusif
Oleh: KAMAL ZAILANI.
KUALA LUMPUR sixteen Jun. Cubaan Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim memanupulasi fakta dan angka di Dewan Rakyat akhirnya bertemu buku dengan ruas apabila pertanyaan tambahannya, mudah disanggah oleh Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Ahmad Maslan.
Hari ini detik bersejarah. Saya gembira dapat berdepan dengan Anwar. Kita sudah tidak tahan dengan penyelewengan fakta-fakta oleh pembangkang. Takkanlah Felda, satu agensi terbesar untuk bantu Melayu, nak tipu Melayubuat apa,, katanya kepada umno-online di Dewan Rakyat hari ini.
Dalam sesi soal jawab itu, Ahmad yang juga Ketua Penerangan UMNO memang cukup bersedia. Beliau lengkap dengan angka dan fakta untuk berperang dengan Anwa! r. Ahli parlimen Pontian itu dengan mudah menyanggah pembohongan dan cubaan menggelirukan fakta oleh Anwar.
Kerana persediaan yang lengkap itu, sesi yang dijangka hangat itu tidak berapa menjadi apabila Anwar hanya bertanya satu soalan tambahanmungkin takut dimalukan!
Ahmad berkata , Ketua Pembangkang berterusan melemparkan pembohongan , antaranya Felda menipu peneroka mengenai duit Tabung Tanam Semula.
Dari RM17,000 untuk tanam semula , setiap peneroka cuma carum RM9,000. Ada sebahagian peneroka tak cukup bayar . Kadang-kadang RM 7,000 dan RM8,000. Untuk membangunkan tanah itu, perlukan RM17,000 . Oleh itu Felda bagi subsidi pula.
Kepada yang tanam semula sendiri, kita bagi duit berperingkat-peringkat. Kalau bagi sekali RM17,000 , dia buat hal macam-macam. Tak tanam semula, dia beli kereta , rumah. Lepas tu duit habis , tanam semula tak dibuat, katanya.
Menjawab tentang geran tanah, Ahmad menjelaskan, 65 peratus sudah dapat geran tanah. Apabila syaratnya cukup, maka sampailah geran tanah itu ke tangan peneroka.
Menyangkal tuduhan peneroka ditipu kerana pulangan tidak setimpal, Ahmad berkata, ia satu fitnah kerana Felda adalah satu-satunya agensi yang ada pendapatan minima RM1,000 sebulan. Kalau tak cukup, Felda bagi subsidi kepada peneroka .
Anwar memanipulasi isu Felda Sungai Buaya. Memang asal ia penempatan Felda tetapi kemudian mereka keluar daripada Felda kerana ada yang hendak kaya cepat. Pun begitu, baru-baru ini kerajaan prihatin membantu, sungguhpun mereka bukan peneroka Felda, katanya.
Ahmad turut menyanggah tuduhan pembangkang bahawa Perdana Menteri, Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak menjahanamkan Felda.
Menurut beliau, memang benar kedudukan tunai Felda pada 2004 ialah RM4.08 bilion. Tahun 2009 pula RM1.35 bilion, merosot RM2.73 bilion.
Tapi yang pentingnya kita tidak songlap duit. Kita tak tipu peneroka. RM2.41 bilion digunakan untuk pelbagai pembangunan sosio ekonomi, latihan kemahiran, innsentif, produktiviti, insurans, prasarana dan macam-macam module untuk peneroka.
! RM2 bili on untuk pembangunan tanam semula, termasuk sara hidup dan pendahuluan hasil, RM603 juta pinjaman pembesaran rumah tanpa riba untuk membesarkan 19,546 rumah peneroka., RM662 juta beli Menara Felda, depan KLCC, di kawasan segi tga emas KL yang pada 2008 nilai tanahnya RM 935 sekaki persegi sekarang RM1,400 ke RM 1,500 sekaki persegi, ujar beliau,
Katanya, dana khas bantuan basmi kemiskinan di Sabah pula adalah sebanyak RM 253 juta.

Beliau berkata , semua peruntukan itu di gunakan untuk manfaat peneroka.
Benar, tunai merosot RM 2.73 bilion tetapi yang penting pada ketika yang sama, harta sema Felda pada 2004 ialah RM9.17 bilion. Meningkat harta semasa dan bukan semasa Felda pada 2009 kepada RM15.37 bilion. Peningkatan RM6.2 bilion. Merosot tunai tetapi meningkat harta, katanya membuatkan pembangkang tidak bersuara!
Mengenai tuduhan Felda menipu peneroka dalam kes yang dibawa ke mahkamah, di Kemahang Tiga.

Ini jawapan Ahmad:
Kita belum kalah lagi, Felda bukan tipu peneroka tapi peguam bela Felda tak datang. Sebab itu kita kalah. Kes itu kini dalam rayuan semakan kehakiman. Kes ini belum selesai. Kita tak tipu peneroka. Masakan satu agensi terbesar untuk bantu Melayu nak tipu Melayubuat apa, katanya. .

On Nazri Aziz

June 23, 2010

Nazri Aziz: Survivor of Malaysian Politics

by Terence Netto

COMMENT There is no accounting for a worth of Pakatan Rakyats secret weapon in UMNO-BN Mohd Nazri Aziz, a apportion who contingency easily validate as a great survivor of Malaysian politics.

Nazri has survived as apportion in to a third change of prime minister, an impressive longevity in a globe where tenancies have been ephemeral. No disbelief he has finished good for his patrons, as well as not just them; his lax cannon ways redound to a oppositions advantage too.

Nazri, who can be depended upon to unleash fusillades opposite targets in a UMNO-BN orbit that Pakatan might find improved to leave alone, had PERKASA as well as GERTAK in his crosshairs a alternative day.

He allowed that both Malay NGOs that have been busy these days generating a encircle mentality in between Malays would not tarry without Dr Mahathir Mohameds patronage.

Nazri contingency have finished that reduction partly upon account of a sparseness of a crowd during a GERTAK-organised Bangkit Melayu rally in Kuala Terengganu final week: an underwhelming 1,000 people gathered in an indoor track to listen to Mahathirs state of a Malays oration.

The numbers were nothing nearby a tens of thousands that afterwards UMNO secretary-general Sanusi Junid had in jeopardy to arrange during a Merdeka Stadium in late 1987 when thunderheads fully cooked up upon a national horizon since of a debate over a posting of non-Mandarin vocalization teachers to Chinese schools.

At that time, Sanusis threat of assembling a outrageous mob was convincing since language as well as competition were inflammatory issues. Its not that these issues have been no longer emotive; its just that the! ir volta ge is not as high as to straightforwardly expostulate people to display their feelings in mass gatherings.

The large difference in between afterwards as well as right away is that more Malaysians have entered a middle-class as well as that category is amply populous these days to render them cool to in allege incitement.

A extended middle-class, social analysts say, is a reliable sidestep opposite in allege behaviour. This was a reason because acts of arson as well as profanity opposite places of worship in a wake of a High Court preference upon a Allah emanate progressing this year did not provoke displays of mass outrage.

Media reports of eremite tensions rising in a nation since of these incendiary acts reflected journalistic hype more than a tangible realities upon a Malaysian streets.

Khairy versus Mukhriz

This brings us to a probable motives behind Mahathirs patronage of PERKASA as well as GeERTAK, NGOs that Nazri predicts would decline once a octogenarian former prime apportion departs a national scene.

Mahathir is skilful during keeping a glow starting as a smokescreen, a improved to allege his bulletin in another area that is more central to his concerns.

UMNO Youth arch Khairy Jamaluddins explain a alternative day that he as well as Prime Minister Najib are reformists would give a little idea of a jockeying in a tip harvesting machine of UMNO with courtesy to positions in a cabinet.

Najib could make use of a services of an ostensible liberal upon competition as well as mercantile issues similar to Khairy in a cabinet, from that a UMNO Youth arch was excluded when a new PM announced his line-up in April final year.

But Mukhriz Mahathir, who mislaid to Khairy in a quarrel for a UMNO Youth presidency, was appointed a deputy minister. This was during large seen as a sop to his father Mahathir just as Khairys ostracism was viewed as an try during further ingratiation of a fo! rmer PM to whom Khairy is anathema.

Mahathir contingency reckon that by lending his patronage to PERKASA as well as GERTAK he can keep a vigour upon Najib sufficient for him to be heedful of unfortunate a former PM by together with Khairy in a cabinet.

Mahathir might feel that if Najib, children of a former PM, can ascend to a tip of a oily pole, because not Mukhriz. Thats where a chairman like Nazri comes in handy. He is utilitarian for putting things in perspective that tangible protagonists cannot insinuate in public, but would similar to it finished nevertheless.

It helps keep a main actors in a wider play aware of a limits to their room for manoeuvre as well as their exploitation of red herrings to further parochial interests.www.malaysiakini.com (June 22, 2010)