Perak: The political saga rages on
posted by din merican-February 8, 2009
www.malaysiakini.com
Perakians see ‘double’ – 2 MBs at work
February 7, 2009
Andrew Ong and Shingyee Koh|
Double Vision or Diplopia is commonly caused by the misalignment of the two eyes due to functional problems in the visual system.
But the people of Perak need not have to worry if they think they are seeing ‘double’ today – they are not suffering from Diplopia or inflicted with any eye infection. For indeed, there are really two MBs at work in their state today.
Considering that today is also a weekend and a Saturday, Perakians should truly count their lucky stars that they have two hard-working chief executives busy looking after state affairs.
This is about the only silver lining in a rather messy week for the silver state which has been plagued with political filth and dirt not seen for quite a while in this country.
But when reality sets in, Diplopia can be a much easier condition to overcome than the sufferings, frustration and misery caused by unprincipled and self-serving politicians.
No end in sight
What is truly sad is that there appears to be no end in sight for Perak’s political crisis as the two menteris besar got on with their respective duties today. After a tumultuous two-week of uncertainties, ousted Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin chaired a ‘special exco’ meeting at his official residence.
Across town, newly appointed Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abd Kadir made his first public appearance as state’s chief executive by attending Gerakan’s Chinese New Year function in Kampung Simee.
Both individuals are set for a collision course as they are expected to show up for work after an extended weekend holiday on Tuesday.
“Usually I arrive early. We’ll be having a race to see who reaches (the menteri besar’s office) first,” Nizar said in jest during a press conference at his official residence today.
Yesterday, Nizar was dramatically shown out of the state secretariat building by State Secretary Abdul Rahman Hashim and Ipoh police chief Azisman Alias.
Despite not being in his usual office, Nizar’s ‘special exco’ meeting proceeded well. He was also dressed for official duty – in a well pressed suit complete with a striped tie bearing the three colours of the Perak flag.
Nizar contends that he is still the legitimate menteri besar and was merely carrying out his duties in chairing the meeting and approving four policy decisions, including a decision to allow budget carrier Firefly to fly from Ipoh to Singapore. He said that his excos would be notifying the respective government departments soon and was confident that government officers would carry out the directives.
Normally, state exco meetings chaired by Nizar last between four to eight hours. Today’s meeting, which started at 11.30pm, ended two hours later, sans the three ex officio members which include the state secretary.
Sultan’s absolute right
Meanwhile, Zambry didn’t have it easy today during his maiden press conference as he repeatedly had to fend of questions by reporters on the legitimacy of his appointment. “The sultan is no ordinary sultan. He is the former Lord President. Therefore, any decision he makes definitely is in accordance with the law”.
On ousted Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar’s statement that the new menteri besar is “haram” (unconstitutional), Zambry responded, “Does he (Nizar) think that he is constitutional?” “It is the sultan’s privilege and absolute power to appoint anybody he deemed fit to be the MB of Perak. He (Nizar) should, by convention, know who was supposed to be MB (then), but the sultan decided to appoint him,” he said.
There was disagreement among components of Pakatan Rakyat on who should become the mentri besar of Perak soon after the March 8 general election. Eventually, they settled for the Perak Sultan’s decision to appoint Nizar as MB.
Furthermore, Zambry said he will abide by the sultan’s request if the sultan were to ask him to vacate the MB’s post “because the sultan has the absolute right”. On the racial imbalance in the Barisan line-up, Zambry said he would “definitely” safeguard the interest of all three main racial groups.
On the MB’s residence which has not been vacated by Nizar, Zambry said that is a secondary issue. “He can take his time to vacate the MB’s residence. I don’t mind, I can operate from my house,” he said.
‘I am menteri besar for all‘
Earlier in his speech at the Chinese New Year event, Zambry proclaimed gallantly that “I am the menteri besar for all ethnic groups in Perak.” He stressed that Perak belongs to all Perak people and not to any particular group or party. “Zambry is here to serve all Perak people, including the opposition parties,” he said. “I will ensure that there is fairness to everyone in the state.”
He mentioned that he will look into the lack of Indian representatives in Barisan Nasional, as he “doesn’t want any particular community to feel left out”. When asked about the policy to give freehold title to Chinese New Villages, Zambry was quoted in a Star report as saying, “Wait first, I haven’t even been to the office yet.”
The Pangkor representative was sworn in yesterday by the Sultan of Perak as the new menteri besar amid a protest near the palace.
On the demonstration near Istana Iskandariah yesterday, Zambry commented that street protests do not resolve problems but consultation, legal means and the process of the law, will. “We should not fight on the streets because that is not our way. But I am confident that the majority of the people want peace,” he added.
Salam Abg Din
Dah, ding dong ding dung…Semua org cakap ini dan itu..Law by Law sampai dah takda Law lagi..why not try this.
Ini cuma pandangan sahja,
Maaf ya saudara saudara, kaypoh lah.
I know running a govt is not like running a market.
Sebelum pisang berbuah berkali kali.. bubar DUN Kedah and use Kedah as a Nasional yardstick. Completely sweep all the seats in DUN Kedah to show just what Pakatan Rakyat can do to Perak.
“Ini bukan main main, INI Betul Betul”
Eh! macam cerita Pendekar Bujang Lapok pulak… marah pulak nanti Chik Husin Lempoyang blogspot, curi dailog dia. ha ha.
hang kebun - February 8, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Hi Din,
What is surprising is the extreme haste in which the sultan acted.
Beyond that, it certainly is not within his powers to dismiss a mentri besar and also it is not within his powers to appoint a second mentri besar while the first clearly has not been removed.
bangsamalaya - February 8, 2009 at 4:01 pm
too hypocrisy if u asked me about opposition. they are the first who mooted the jumps. have anybody remember, anwar empty promise of the great jump on 16 september 2008. everybody in opposition laud the move and for them its ok. now when the scenario change. BN took the blame. this is political hypocrisy of the opposition. dont play people emotion, because it will ruin the country. if this is opposition true face, what happen if they rule the country?
min - February 8, 2009 at 4:13 pm
No ordinary sultan because this one is a former Lord President?? – new MB.
What is that supposed to mean? All the sultans do consult and ‘take advice’ on legal matters from their State Legal Advisors, don’t they? If I were one of the sultans I’d be offended by such remarks.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 4:40 pm
We are supposedly a democracy and governments are formed after free elections; and so party hopping whenever and wherever it appears makes a mockery of the democratic process. The fact that there has been no legislation to outlaw party hopping does not make it any less of a mockery of the democratic process.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I believe Gamuda has had some of their contracts rescinded. Could this be the reason for the change of government?
Brian - February 8, 2009 at 4:54 pm
It also does not matter who engineers it. It could be MCA and UMNO. It could be PKR. The only way to stop it would be for the ruling party to pass laws to prevent party hopping.
It does not matter who plans and executes the process – through foul or fair means. Either way it is done in blatant disregard of the democratic process.
Also the Sultan or Ruler should never be asked to deliberate on who should be the MB only because the party leadership could not agree. That is misuse of the power granted to the Sultan under cetain circumstances by the State Constitution.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 5:02 pm
“The sultan is no ordinary sultan. He is the former Lord President. Therefore, any decision he makes definitely is in accordance with the law”.—Dr. Zambry
It is difficult for me to agree with Dr.Zambry. All the articles that have been posted in your blog since the political saga unfolded in Perak showed that HRH Sultan erred in his decision to appoint the new MB. He has technically speaking violated the State of Perak Darul Ridzuan Constitution and acted in haste, thereby throwing the state into an unprecedented political chaos. If he knew the law, then he should know that his action against a duly elected state government can be deemed a deliberate act in violation of the law, that is, the state constitution, and can therefore be challenged in our courts.
Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy. To say that HRH Sultan has absolute right or discretion on this or any matter is at best misleading. Sovereignty rests with the people of Malaysia and is exercised through Parliament or the state assembly. All HRH Sultan had to do was to accept the advice of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin to dissolve the state assembly so that a snap election in Perak can be held as soon as practicable.
eiz235 - February 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm
The minority party should look to the wider national interest which is to preserve the Malay monarchy since this has been the choice made some fifty years ago. They should respect the decision of the Sultan – right or wrong.
If loopholes exist or the language used in the state constitution is vague and lends itself to abuse, then the way forward should be to amend it. If the constitution is silent then perhaps it should now be expressed.
Nizar by refusing to accept the decision of the Sultan – right or wrong – is further dragging the Sultan deeper into the controversy and may even be seen to excite disaffection against the Sultan in the process.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Mr Bean, the position of the Malay Rulers is protected by our constitution. It has never been under threat because we are since 1957 a parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy. PR and PKR have never challenged the position of the Malay Rulers. In stead, we seek to protect it.—Din Merican
dinobeano - February 8, 2009 at 5:27 pm
It appears that even constitutional experts are in two minds about the latest developments. PR should not behave like all is lost. After all they still have as many seats as BN. They should now become a responsible and robust opposition and put the developments of the past few days down to a learning process. Four states are in their control, they have more seats in Parliament than they expected so this is a good test of their ability and maturity.
Isa Manteqi - February 8, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Salam Bang Dino,
This psychological barrier has been breached and there is no turning back.Sadly, the Sultan made a mistake and all his ideas of good governance been given a royal flush.Most of the Rakyat will stand behind DS Nizar and Pakatan Rakyat.I said most of the Rakyat because only those who were/are indebted to umno will continue to support umno.Rakyat has been awakened and to see this heist in daylight is the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back.We have to strike while the iron is still hot.
yours flushed Royally….
a former royalist.
sgbertih - February 8, 2009 at 7:03 pm
There are some readers here who just can’t seem to get it. This has nothing to do with “to excite disaffection against the Sultan” or accepting the new BN government and move on.
It’s about democracy and rule of law.
What will happen to this country if those in the corridors of power trample on the constitution with impunity and the people accept it lying down?
Are these readers suggesting that BN be given the freedom to do as it pleases and the constitution remain subservient to its whims and fancy.
What country do you want our children to inherit – a dictatorship, autocracy, military junta, one-party state, absolute monarchy, imperialism or tyranny and despotism?
Malaysia will be one of these if we do not stand up against the rape of our constitution.
Can’t you guys see that the Election Commission, Police, Judiciary and all institution of government have lost their independence at the beck and call of the Executive.
Mr Smith - February 8, 2009 at 8:03 pm
“Mr Bean, the position of the Malay Rulers is protected by our constitution. It has never been under threat …” Din Merican
Your respect for royalty and for the system of constitutional monarchy mirrors that of your de facto leader of your party PKR – although I do not understand why you allow statements made on your blog which easily qualify as acts and publications made to excite disaffection against the Sultan of Perak to stand. Fortunately DAp leaders have the foresight and the wisdom to stay clear of the conflict. Such statements on their blogs are taken down as fast as they went up! But not yours.
Exciting disaffection against the Sultan (whatever definition given to it by our courts in the past) is no longer the ‘prerogative’ of any of any one race today. More recent immigrants from across the Straits who have no understanding of how a constitutional monarchy works have joined the ranks. I’m not surprised that some PKR supporters have also unwittingly allowed themselves to be made instruments by those who look at constitutional monarchy as the last vestige of Malay domination, apart from being a system archaic as to be anachronistic to be useful and too expensive to maintain.
I am interested to find out the real reason why the Sultan of Perak has made the choice he did. It is a pity that we will never know what he thinks of the legality and constitutionality of his move not to dissolve the assembly which would be the logical and right thing to do. There must be a reason for the Sultan to want to take all the flak levelled at him including some from his brother Rulers.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Correction to the last sentence:
“…..lost their independence and now beholden to the PM and at the beck and call of the Executive?”
Mr Smith - February 8, 2009 at 8:07 pm
“The sultan is no ordinary sultan. He is the former Lord President. Therefore, any decision he makes definitely is in accordance with the law”.
No doubt he is no ordinary sultan and he my be the former Lord President BUT it doesn’t mean that all Judges give fair Judgments!!
Doris - February 8, 2009 at 8:13 pm
“There are some readers here who just can’t seem to get it. This has nothing to do with “to excite disaffection against the Sultan” or accepting the new BN government and move on.” Smith
It is funny that you should mention the rule of law.
Under the country’s Sedition Act 1948 your statements made on another thread has exposed the blog host to charges of sedition.
The test applied in deciding if the statement meets the standard of ‘exciting disaffection against the Sultan’ is not a wholly subjective one. It does not have to be intended by the maker so long as it has the effect. It is both subjective and objective.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I will not re-visit this issue since I believe it serves only as a distraction.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 8:20 pm
If you find the need to criticise the Sultan personally rather than his decision it is only fair that you should take full responsibility for it and do it on your blog.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 8:39 pm
“If you find the need to criticise the Sultan personally rather than his decision it is only fair that you should take full responsibility for it and do it on your blog”
Bean-san,
I am shocked and dismayed with you !
Granted, you are exercising your democratic right in your assertion above but the other bloggers are also exercising their democratic rights to have their views put across !
And if Din is cool about that, why are you getting your knickers all twisted up for ? It is an exercise in futility, if I may give my humble opinion!
What has happened to all your harangues about preachers who do not practice their democracy ? Were they mere rhetorics ?
You sound like a closet royalist. And even if you are, who cares ?
If you think the other bloggers have been unfair in their criticisms, why don’t you counter with your points of views instead.
May I respectfully request of you not to disrupt the flow of the discourses in Din’s blog.
Remember your own advice you gave Jong, not to get personal ! Jong, where on earth are you ,girl ! You should be here giving us your views since you hail from Perak !
By the way . I had posted a comment on my blog if you may have the time to read it, Bean-san. Cheers. Have a good one !
http://ocho-onda.blogspot.com/2009/02/have-voices-of-rakyat-gone-to-deaf-ears.html#comments
ocho-onda - February 8, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Bean @ undergrad2,
May I suggest you stop your pontification and playing prosecutor, judge and jury.
Since when did Din appoint you his moderator? I suggest you start your own blog and display your megalomaniac rantings there.
You said you won’t revisit this issue and you did.
On my part I will not revisit this issue.
Mr Smith - February 8, 2009 at 10:20 pm
It’s underrstandable why so many of us are very upset at recent events but democracy and the rule of law mean different things to different people. That is why PR should put this episode behind them and move on. If what they claim is true, they have the best trump card – the voters. Three years is not that long a time. And come the next election these same voters will give their judgement.
Who knows, in the current state of affairs in the country we might have even more complicated issues to resolve in the future. So please let’s keep our debates alive.
Isa Manteqi - February 8, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I know Din Merican, have shared a meal with him at least once when he was in the corporate world, heard of his recent entry into the world of politics, have been following his postings here on this blog and as someone who knows him, hailed from the same town and move in the same circle of friends, I was only picking up from where he left off when he expressed his concern for his personal safety at various times on this blog.
Din Merican is concerned about sedition on his blog because he knows he is being monitored. The only reason I can think of as to why he has not deleted seditous postings by Smith, Ocho and Bendahara Perak is probably because he does not share my legal opinion that he is liable for sedition for failing to delete those postings.
I’m disappointed with the way things turned out in Perak but I will not go so far as to call for or hint at the possible demise of the monarchy in Malaysia as Ocho did on an earlier thread. i certainly will not go so far as Mr Smith as to launch a personal attack on the character of the Sultan of Perak. As for Bendahara Perak, it is clearly a case of ‘derhaka’.
We are all disappointed at the turn of events. But this is no excuse for putting the blog host in hot soup with the authorities.
I know Din Merican. He is too polite.
i know too that he doesn’t want to burn his bridges.
Mr Bean - February 8, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Point taken, Bean-san. I agree with Isa, most of us are understadably upset with the situation in Perak. Having said that, you are also right that we should exercise more restraint with what we write ,with regards to liability – I am speaking for myself, here,anyway . Cheers.
ocho-onda - February 9, 2009 at 12:18 am
I will call home to find out from her mother what’s the inside story. Raja Nazrin is married to my niece.
Mr Bean - February 9, 2009 at 12:52 am
ok, we understand now why you got your knickers all twisted up !
Have a good one. Cheers.
ocho-onda - February 9, 2009 at 1:03 am
Brian said: “I believe Gamuda has had some of their contracts rescinded. Could this be the reason for the change of government?”
Something tells me Gamuda plays a key role in this sandiwara. I’m told that several multi-billion dollar projects Gamuda had secured in Dubai were frozen because of the financial squeeze. Were there any projects in Perak cancelled by Nizar’s administration – does anyone know? Gamuda stinks and I’d be glad to see it sink – sorry, Eleena, mustn’t be greedy, how many meals a day can anyone eat?
Antares - February 9, 2009 at 2:31 am
Bean,
Now I can see why you have been jumping like a cat on a hot tin roof. Close associations do cloud sound judgment. May I ask where were you when Mahathir and UMNO travelled the length and breath of the country making speeches against the monarchy in the 1980s?
Where were you when the Constitution was unconstitutionally amended to clip the powers of the Ruler then? Where were you when inflammatory and incendiary speeches were made against the Terengganu palace as recently as March 2008.
Why does UMNO enjoy immunity against sedition? What happened today is the direct repercussions of those actions by UMNO.
Why limit your observations to Din’s blog. Go and read the Perak state website/guestbook (now deactivated). Go and read other blogs on this issue. Go and listen to conversations in coffee shops, parties, clubs, pubs and literally anywhere in the country. Then the entire population has committed sedition.
For the record it was never my intention to blame the ruler as you have claimed. My comments on the Perak Crisis were mere questions , pointers that there is something more than meets the eye? Can anyone deny that?
Mr Smith - February 9, 2009 at 9:32 am
Here are some of the facts since the constitutional crisis of the 80s:
- Marina Yusoff was charged with sedition for a speech she gave
- Zulkifli Sulong and Chia Lim Thye were charged with sedition for an article published in the Harakah
- Karpal Singh was charged for sedition for statements he made in court
- Lim Guan Eng was jailed for sedition for statements he made in 1995
Is it a coincidence that none of them are from UMNO-BN? Does that mean politicians with UMNO-BN have not committed sedition? Does that not mean that “the country has not committed sedition” – to use your own words? When is any government ever required to prosecute A in order to prosecute B?
My comments on the matter of sedition are a follow up to the statement made earlier by the blog host as to why he’s not saying much. I merely alerted him as a friend that he is still not free from criminal liability under the Sedition Act 1948 as postings on his blog made by readers could still implicate him.
Whilst I don’t see how you could comment on events that led to the ouster of the PR state government in Perak without touching on the constitutional role of the Sultan under the state constitution, I fail to see the need to place the Sultan at the center of public odium with over the top comments.
Now that you say it, I believe you have no intention to “blame the Ruler” for what happened. But since when is the intention of the maker of a statement or statements alleged to be seditious, relevant before a statement or statements could be deemed legally seditious under the country’s Sedition Act 1948? The fact that your statements were in the form of questions does not derogate from that fact that your message taken as a whole could have a ‘seditious tendency’ as defined under Sec 3 and 4 of the said Act.
Absence of intent or lack of it is not a defense. Do you think the blog host could get away with it? I don’t think so.
Mr Bean - February 9, 2009 at 11:47 pm