RPK : What the opposition did right ten years ago (UPDATED with CHINESE and BM)

Barisan Alternatif had a Joint Election Manifesto (Manifesto Bersama BA), which was about what BA wanted and not about what keADILan, DAP, PAS or PRM wanted. What keADILan, DAP, PAS and PRM want does not matter. It is what BA wants that counts.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

In 1999, almost as soon as Parti Keadilan Nasional (keADILan) was launched on 4th April, the opposition got itself organised. Together with DAP, PAS and PRM, the opposition coalition called Barisan Alternatif (Alternative Front) was created to house the four parties.

But it was a loose coalition, unfortunately, and although many were of the opinion that Barisan Alternatif (BA) should be legally registered with its own logo and flag, this was not done. The reason given was that you need at least seven parties to register a coalition so the only four in BA would not meet the requirements.

Nevertheless, in spite of the loose coalition having no real legal status or its own flag and logo, the opposition did not do too badly in the November 1999 general election. It not only retained Kelantan with a very comfortable majority but it won Terengganu as well. And in Kedah the opposition won 8 out of the 15 parliament seats. It did not win enough state seats to be able to form the new Kedah state government but exactly one year later it managed to deny Barisan Nasional its two-thirds majority in the state assembly when keADILan won the Lunas by-election.

There were many creative things which BA did in the seven months leading to the November 1999 general election, plus the year or so after that. It formed a presidential council where the top leaders of the four parties met once a month to come out with its policies, strategies and programmes. It had a media coordination unit that issued press releases and statements on behalf of all four parties but under the name of BA.

In fact, in the run-up to the general election between Nomination Day and Polling Day, the BA media coordination unit held a daily press conference every noon so that the media could be updated with the latest developments. And the late Rustam Sani from PRM was in charge of this unit and was the official spokesman for BA. The individual parties -- keADILan, DAP, PAS and PRM -- were not encouraged to hold their separate press conferences or issue separate media statements as they did not want any conflicting statements to the BA official stand.

The opposition coalition had a shadow cabinet with a full committee in each 'ministry' that was headed by a 'minister'. And they would monitor the performance of the Barisan Nasional-headed ministries. For example, a few days before the government tabled its budget in parliament every year around November, BA would hold its own budget presentation in parliament and the press would be invited and encouraged to ask questions.

The opposition, of course, already knew what the government budget was (in spite of the OSA) so all they needed to do was to counter-propose a better budget. On more than one occasion the government was forced to go back to the drawing board to revise its budget so that the opposition budget would not outshine the government budget. At least the opposition was able to force the government to give the voters and taxpayers a better deal even though the government and not the opposition got the credit for this.

There was a research and development unit that did all the research and helped prepare data and statistics for the opposition parliamentarians. There were many an occasion when the opposition 'minister' knew more about the goings-on and developments in the government ministries compared to the minister himself. The minister would be left red-faced and would beg the parliament Speaker for time to reply to the question in writing because he or she did not know the answer to the question the opposition had raised.

The BA Members of Parliament outshone the BN Members of Parliament, even those with Cabinet positions, by far. The many units, committees, think tanks, etc., set up to assist the opposition parties and its leaders were so efficient and professional that the government MPs ended up looking rather stupid by comparison.

Back in 1999, the opposition comprised of politicians, activists, academicians and intellectuals. It was a formidable team. There were professors, lecturers, journalists, writers, and whatnot in the team. Barisan Alternatif got some of the best brains in the business. And these people were very creative and progressive and were prepared to try many new things, most which worked with extremely positive results. This team really gave new meaning to the term politik baru (new politics).

Barisan Alternatif had a Joint Election Manifesto (Manifesto Bersama BA), which was about what BA wanted and not about what keADILan, DAP, PAS or PRM wanted. What keADILan, DAP, PAS and PRM want does not matter. It is what BA wants that counts. And the BA Joint Election Manifesto was very clear and the voters loved it. It was a fantastic balance that went down well with the voters.

Then PAS decided to do what was good for its own party and not what was good for the coalition. It proposed Islamic laws in Terengganu. And then DAP decided to do what was good for its own party and not what was good for the coalition. It left the coalition in protest and in opposition to PAS's Islamic laws proposal. Then, much later though, keADILan and PRM decided to merge into one party.

Then, in the following general election in 2004, the opposition parties decided to not work as an opposition coalition but instead each party would go solo. In some constituencies there were three- or four-corner contests. The opposition not only lost badly in these three- or four-corner seats but in some instances the candidates lost their deposits as well.

The opposition got slaughtered. It was like Custer's last stand. DAP, PAS, keADILan and PRM thought they did not need each other. They thought they could take on the 14-member coalition called Barisan Nasional, plus each other in the same process, and still form the next government. They could not even retain their deposits let alone win the election.

It was so embarrassing.

The opposition had become arrogant. It got too big for its shoes. It thought even God Himself could not stop the opposition from forming the next government. And they did not need a coalition to do that. One opposition party can take on the 14-member Barisan Nasional, plus the other opposition parties as well, and will win all the seats. Single-handedly, one opposition party can win all the states and enough parliament seats to form the federal government.

I suppose they thought the same thing about the Titanic when they said even God Himself could not sink this ship. But it was sunk -- just like how the opposition parties were sunk back in 2004. It was taught a lesson it will never forget in a long time.

Of course, in 2008, the opposition parties came back together as Pakatan Rakyat. And it did better than in 1999 because of that. But this is still not enough. Pakatan Rakyat needs to reflect on what BA did back in 1999 and repeat that success. In fact, today, it can now do better than what it did in 1999 because, today, more people believe in the opposition than they did in 1999.

The opposition is, again, starting to become arrogant. Let us hope they do not start to get swollen headed like they did back in 2000-2001. If they do then the next election, whenever that may be, would be a repeat of the 2004 disaster.

There are many smart people out there who are prepared to contribute their time and brains to the opposition cause. Some would even spend their own money doing so and do not expect any compensation.  But the opposition should stop thinking that it is already very smart and that it does not need any outside help. Everyone needs help, in particular the opposition. You just need to know who to ask. And if you are too big-headed and too proud and think that you need no one because you are clever enough to do everything on your own, then expect to be taught a lesson come the next election.

And it will be a lesson you truly deserve.

Translated into Chinese at: http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_976.html

Translated into BM at: http://perakexpress.com/www/2009/09/22/apa-yang-dilakukan-pembangkang-10-tahun-lalu/

RPK Speaks His Mind - ISA and Solitary Confinement

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

RPK Speaks His Mind - Insulting Islam? Please! (UPDATED WITH CHINESE SUBTITLES)

Thursday, 17 September 2009 18:23

Anwar Ibrahim – he cannot sing, he cannot dance

By Hussein Hamid (MCKK – Class of 1964)
Anwar Ibrahim was born in August 1947. Me in October 1947. Two months separates us at birth-enough for me to be able to say that he is older, but possibly two or three lifetimes separates us knowing what he has gone through in his life.

I remember the time when I wanted to meet up with him to find out what he was doing with his life. He was then teaching at one of the shop houses along Jalan Pantai – possible with Yayasan Anda if I am not mistaken. I did find him and he was indeed teaching and in slippers. At home that evening I casually told my father that I had met Anwar that afternoon. My father was then Director of CID. He stopped, looked at me and said sternly “Engkau tak ada kerja lain?” Whenever my father uses  “engkau” when addressing me I knew that he was not amused. And he then went on to lecture me as to why it would be in my best interest to keep away from Anwar!

Then I was away in Australia for a while and he became DPM.  I was at Ampang Shopping center with my Family patiently letting my kids wander around Toy R Us. As we walked up to the counter to pay there was Anwar. We hug and he smiled that smile that light up his whole face and then he was gone again out of my life for a few more years. But always the familiarity of old classmates made for easy banter every time we meet.

Then this time he was away for a while – six years I think – as the British like to say – At her Majesty’s pleasure in Sungai Buloh. I was with one of UMNO ex Ketua Bahgian  who had joined Keadilan when we heard that Anwar had been released and was at home. My friend wanted to immediately head for Anwar’s house in Damansara to pay his respect. Would I like to come along? He asked. I said ok. We arrived and there were people everywhere. We got into line and waited our turn. We were told that Anwar was not well – that he was sitting down and that anytime he might need to rest. One hour of waiting in line I eventually stood in front of him. He looked up from his chair, again with that smile of his, stood up and gave me a hug oblivious to what pain he must have felt –we talked for a few seconds and mindful of the others waiting to see him, I excused myself and walked on.

The last time I saw him was at a class get together in Bangsar – at Fauzi’s house, a school mate of ours who was the host – a few years back. As always his arrival was greeted with good nature ribbing and for the son of one of our classmates who had not seen Anwar before – that was a real treat. We sat and talked and I could see that age had caught up with all of us – Anwar included. He looked not as robust as I though he would be- after all he has always looked good whenever he was on TV and photographed well. But sitting beside me he looked vulnerable.

Was the pressure of living constantly under public and media gaze getting to him? Was UMNO getting to him? I could not imagine what he had to go through on a daily basis in what he chose to do – POLITICS. It is one thing to be DPM where everything is laid out for you, another to be in the opposition. He constantly referred to Azizah in conversation with us and we could see that Family meant a great deal with him. As we talked I found myself thinking what more has he got to endure before his work is done. I did not envy the situation he was in.

But he had no regrets. No wanting to take his pound of flesh from those that have done him ill. A more spirited discourse came from him when we talked about Mahathir – but either he was in control of himself or that he did not think it worth his while to think to much of times gone by. The present was what mattered.

At 63 I will not run if I can walk. Stand if I can sit. Talk if I can be quiet. Anwar has chosen the path less traveled. This path requires an uncommon resolve to move relentlessly ahead no matter what. He stands in front of crowds everyday. He meets more people then he can remember everyday and all this he does with a willingness that belittle his age. He could be anywhere he wants to be in the world and be welcomed by world leaders and acquaintances. He could be in business and be rich beyond our wildest dreams. Instead he chose to serve the nation. He chose to take us to the next election because if Anwar does not do so, who will take us? I am sure sometimes in his moment of solitude he must question his capacity to physically last the distance but his commitment to our cause is great. That will see him through and he has said that Azizah has done enough while he was away.

This is a good man. As we all know he cannot sing well, neither can he dance well even if his life depended on it but he is decent man. I wish Najib and UMNO will do battle with him on a level playing field. I wish they could have enough compassion in their hearts to accept that Anwar had gone though more that a baptism of fire – a baptism that neither Najib or Muhyiddin could ever imagine or endure. But then it that would be like asking Bush to go fight Saddam one on one. No shock or awe, no overwhelming force meeting defenseless people, no doctrine of Rapid Dominance, no weapon of mass destruction on stand by just in case they are needed….none of the above. Bush would never survive.
We know that Anwar was with UMNO many years back. We do not know what he will be in the future. But this I know now. He and the other leaders in Pakatan Rakyat are the leaders we now have to lead us to the next General Election and they give us our best hope for a new beginning – without an UMNO that has already abused the trust we Malays placed in them many times over, without a corrupt PDRM, a cowered MACC, without a Government that steals from its people, without a Judiciary that does the bidding of its Political masters, without many of the injustices and unfairness that we now have. Are these not reason enough for us to give them the opportunity to do so?

Surat Debat Tok Guru Kepada PM

(S)16/7/(21) 9 Rejab 1430 / 2 Julai 2009

Yang Amat Berhormat
Datuk Seri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak
Perdana Menteri Malaysia
Jabatan Perdana Menteri
Bangunan Perdana Putra
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502 PUTRAJAYA

Assalamualaikum WM WB.

Semoga YAB. Dato’ Seri sentiasa berada di dalam kesejahteraan dan beroleh petunjuk yang berpanjangan dari Allah SWT dalam memimpin Negara.

YAB Dato Seri,

Cadangan Mengadakan Debat Ilmiah Isu UMNO Parti Menolak Islam

Dengan segala hormatnya, di maklumkan bahawa saya ada menerima khabar tentang laporan polis yang dibuat oleh anak buah di Kelantan Dato’ Seri berhubung dengan perkara di atas. Pada dasarnya, saya lebih banyak berlapang dada.

Mengikut laporan, kononnya saya telah menghasut dengan mengatakan bahawa UMNO sebuah parti yang sesat. Di sini, izinkan saya tegaskan sekali lagi bahawa “mana-mana faham yang menolak Islam (termasuk UMNO) – sememangnya kita panggil ajaran sesat”. (lihat Utusan Malaysia muka surat 6, 27 Jun 2009).

Sebagai penjelasan, mari kita mulakan begini. Pertama, dunia ini bukan dibuat oleh manusia atau terjadi sendiri. Ia ada penciptanya dan tuannya yakni Allah. Oleh sebab itulah kita tidak boleh buat pandai-pandai, melebihi dari apa yang menjadi kehendak “Tuan Punya” yang menjadi tuan rumah kepada seluruh alam ini.

Kedua, al-Quran menetapkan bahawa manusia, tanpa mengira bangsa , bahasa dan keturunan adalah menjadi khalifah-Nya. Kepada manusia pertama iaitu Adam ‘alaihissalam, Allah SWT telah menetapkan bahawa sebarang perbalahan yang berlaku di antara anak buah kamu (lihat sebahagian surah al-Baqarah Ayat 36) akan menjadi reda dan tenang (lihat pula sebahagian Surah al-Baqarah Ayat 38)sekiranya kamu menuruti hidayah-Ku. Atau, maksud kedua-dua perkara ini ada dirangkumkan dengan penuh didalam surah Thoha yang bermaksud, “Allah berfirman:turunlah kamu berdua dari syurga bersama-sama , sebahagian kamu menjadi musuh bagi sebahagian yang lain. Maka, jika datang kepada kamu petunjuk dari-Ku, lalu barangsiapa yang mengikuti petunjuk dari-Ku, ia tidak akan sesat dan celaka.”(Lihat surah Thoha Ayat 123). Ini adalah benda yang menjadi tugas utama yang amat penting para Nabi sejak daripada zaman berzaman termasuk Nabi Muhammad SAW.


Nabi SAW mewajibkan kita membaca Fatihah dalam sembahyang. Di dalam Fatihah, telah ditetapkan tiga perkara pokok. Satu laluan yang betul dan dua yang salah. Ayat “si ro thollazi na an ‘am ta ‘alai him” yang menuntut jalan yang lurus adalah betul manakala ayat “ghoiril maghdhu bi ‘alaihim waladdhol liin” adalah yang salah seperti yang di maksudkan. Aneh, bahkan silapnya Umno ialah Umno tolak yang betul iaitu “siro thollazi na an ‘am ta ” yang menjadi jalan Nabi-Nabi iaitu menolak Islam dan mengambil sistem sekular barat yang tidak pasal-pasal menimbulkan pecah-belah teruk di kalangan seluruh orang Melayu dan orang Islam bukan Melayu di Malaysia. Ini termasuk jugalah perpecahan antara orang Islam dan Non –Islam di negara kita.

Lebih buruk apabila semuanya ini menjadikan orang-orang yang belum Islam terkapai-kapai; yang mana yang sebenar samaada Islam atau sekular. Hasil daripada inilah saya rasa sudah sampai masanya untuk mengajak Presiden Umno yang menjadi Perdana Menteri sekarang ini bersemuka dengan saya di atas dasar “waja dil hum billati hiya ahsan” yang bermaksud, “serulah manusia pada jalan Tuhan-mu dengan hikmah dan nasihat yang baik “(Sebahagian dari maksud surah an-Nahl Ayat 125).

Persoalan yang ada di hadapan kita sekarang ialah kenapa Umno tolak Islam sedangkan Islam adalah jalan yang bersifat “siro thol mustaqiim”? Bahkan, sikap Umno melawan PAS sedangkan PAS yang ditubuhkan sejak 1951 meletakkan Islam sebagai dasar adalah sebuah kekeliruan yang cukup dahsyat. Pegangan Umno yang menolak jalan yang lurus inilah yang saya ertikan sebagai boleh membawa kepada perpecahan dan kesesatan.

Menyamakan atau membandingkan ajaran Ayah Pin atau komunis dengan UMNO yang menolak Islam adalah sekadar mematuhi kaedah al-balaaghah. Ini penggunaan perumpamaan atau kiasan semata-mata. Jauh dari segi maudhu’, ia bertujuan untuk menjelaskan bagaimana aliran asal sekularisme yang menolak agama khususnya Islam dari pemerintahan. Ini punca sebenar atau ibu kepada segala kesesatan. Apabila sekularisme itu adalah faham yang sesat, maka tidakkah faham kebangsaan yang merupakan cabang dari ajaran sekular bawaan Parti Kebangsaaan Melayu Bersatu (UMNO) itu juga turut sesat?

Seperti yang kita sedia maklum, perdebatan diterima oleh Islam dan diterima oleh demokrasi. Ia perkara fitrah dan perkara sedunia. Contoh terdekat ialah perdebatan antara Obama dengan saingan beliau dari parti Republikan. Begitu juga dengan debat antara calun-calun Presiden Indonesia terkini yang sedang berlangsung di Jakarta yakni antara regu Susilo Bambang Yudhono/Boediono, Megawati Soekarnoputri/Prabowo Subianto dan Jusuf Kalla/Wiranto.

Jika di Eropah dan negara negara demokrasi yang lain, debat lebih ditumpukan kepada perkara-perkara cabang yang bersifat keduniaan semata-mata maka apa salahnya jika kali ini kita perbahaskan perkara pokok yang menyentuh aqidah? Masalah yang saya bawa ini adalah perkara aqidah yakni persoalan tunjang yang menyentuh kedua-dua kepentingan secara bersekali, dunia dan akhirat.Jika tidak betul aqidah, sembahyangpun tidak diterima. Dunia demokrasi yang sekular; mana ada pedulikan masalah aqidah dan


persoalan “sesat tak sesat”? Soal sesat atau tidak, ini istilah ugama. Ini bukan isu perlembagaan dan undang-undang.

Sesat seperti yang terdapat di hujung surah al-Fatihah (adho- Lliin) bererti dholalah yakni tidak bertemu atau berjumpa jalan.Kita perlu sama-sama sedar bahawa jalan yang boleh diharap hanyalah jalan yang dibawa oleh Nabi Muhammad SAW. Ini persoalan “huda llil muttaqiin” yakni jalan yang menjadi petunjuk bagi mereka yang bertaqwa (lihat sebahagian maksud al-Baqarah Ayat 2). Tak turut jalan inilah apa yang dipanggil sesat.
Tidak timbul sama sekali soal menghasut atau mencetuskan keresahan. Ini isu ugama sepenuhnya. Ini persoalan teguran dan dakwah.

Demi mencari kejernihan dan menghentikan polemik, saya mohon mencadangkan sebuah debat ilmiyyah dianjurkan dalam tempoh terdekat kearah menjelas dan merungkai segala kemusykilan dari kedua-dua perspektif parti bertajuk “kerana apa Umno tolak Islam dan kerana apa Umno lawan PAS”; tidak lebih daripada itu. Insya Allah, saya bersedia untuk bersama Dato’ Seri Perdana Menteri dalam majlis berkenaan tanpa meletakkan sebarang syarat. Lantiklah mana-mana mufti atau salah seorang sarjana yang faqih lagi amanah, baik dari dalam mahupun luar Negara untuk menjadi pemudah cara yang adil bagi tujuan ini. Tempat yang sesuai boleh ditetapkan oleh pihak Dato’ Seri, baik di Kuala Lumpur atau di mana-mana. Hari dan masa juga adalah mengikut kelapangan dan keselesaan YAB. Saya boleh mematuhi kepada apa jua ketetapan asalkan Dato’ Seri bersedia untuk bersama dalam sebuah rapat ilmiyyah untuk dibuat siaran langsung demi manfaat Negara.

Seluruh rakyat akan menjadi hakim di atas pelbagai sandaran yang saya maksudkan ketika mengatakan apa yang telah saya sebut mengenai fenomena UMNO dengan persoalan kesesatan ini.

Jadi, sekali lagi saya dengan ikhlas mengangkat cadangan ini agar sudilah apa kiranya YAB. Dato Seri menerima pelawaan ini mengikut kesesuaian tarikh Dato” Seri demi kebaikan bersama. Semoga diizinkan Allah. Terima kasih, Wasalam.


Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat

RPK : What the public was not told: The Secret Cabinet Papers

That is why those behind the PKFZ scandal are not scared. They did not do anything wrong. They did not commit a crime. They just did what the Cabinet knew all along they were doing and with the full permission of the Cabinet.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

In Malaysia, Federal Cabinet papers and State EXCO papers are automatically protected by the Official Secrets Act -- whether stamped RAHSIA or not. Of course, so are any other papers marked RAHSIA, Cabinet papers or otherwise -- which is why Ezam was found guilty and sentenced to two years jail when he had in his possession ACA (now MACC) investigation papers related to Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz’s corrupt acts. And the irony of it all is that the ACA as well as the A-G had recommended that Rafidah be arrested and prosecuted although this did not happen in the end because the Prime Minister did not allow it.

One of the reasons these papers are marked RAHSIA, other than for purposes of national security, is to hide the corrupt acts of those who walk in the corridors of power. What the public does not know can’t hurt the public, is the warped logic of the government of the day.

What Malaysia needs is a Freedom of Information Act instead of the Official Secrets Act that we now have. Or at least classified papers (RAHSIA) not involving defence or national security should be declassified after, say, 15 or 20 years, so that the public will know what went on behind the scenes in the corridors of power. (And it should be the task of an independent Ombudsman-type committee that vets these papers and not the decision of just one man).

Well, Malaysia Today can’t wait for papers of public interest to be declassified or for the Official Secrets Act to be abolished and replaced with a Freedom of Information Act. That is why, today, we are publishing the ‘secret’ Cabinet papers related to the PKFZ scandal so that Malaysians will know that the Cabinet had actually endorsed the entire fiasco.

There is no corruption involved in the PKFZ fiasco -- at least not as far as the government is concerned. What happened was exactly what the Cabinet wanted to happen. And that is why no action is being taken with regards to the RM12.5 billion disaster. It was no disaster. The Cabinet knew all along what was going on. And the Cabinet approved it.

That is why those behind the PKFZ scandal are not scared. They did not do anything wrong. They did not commit a crime. They just did what the Cabinet knew all along they were doing and with the full permission of the Cabinet.

By the way, you had better not print out these papers as the police might arrest you and charge you under the Official Secrets Act. Tomorrow, we will reveal more. In the meantime take a look at these four pages. They reveal much as to why Malaysia is having to pay RM12.5 billion of taxpayers’ money to enrich a few who walk in the corridors of power, plus some of their cronies.

This is a Malay-Chinese ‘joint venture’ at its best involving those from Umno and MCA.

Stay tuned for more revelations and by the time we are finished you might just decide to pack your bags and leave the country.

The document is available at http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/26865/84/

(sorry i can't paste it here for security reasons)

Anwar promises a surprise in Bagan Pinang

By Adib Zalkapli

PETALING JAYA, Sept 14 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) acknowledged Barisan Nasional (BN) were the favourites in the upcoming Bagan Pinang by-election in Negeri Sembilan, but pledged his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) would give the ruling coalition a tough fight.
“God willing, with the people’s support we will pull a surprise,” said Anwar.
The Bagan Pinang state seat is an Umno stronghold situated within the Teluk Kemang parliamentary constituency represented by PKR’s Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the PR leadership council meeting today, Anwar also urged the Election Commission to be consistent in ensuring that polling is on weekends for all elections.
He alleged the election body was biased in setting polling day on weekends only for Barisan Nasional strongholds.
Earlier today the EC set polling for the Bagan Pinang by-election on Sunday, October 11 while polling will be held on October 3.
“I hope, beginning with Bagan Pinang, polling will only be held on a weekend. We should not be telling them this as the Election Commission should know better,” said Anwar.
In the last Permatang Pasir by-election, a PR stronghold, polling was held on a Tuesday.
Meanwhile PAS’s Datuk Mustafa Ali who was also present at the press conference said that he hoped the 5,000 postal voters in the constituency would be able to exercise their rights independently.
“This is a very different by-election, where out of some 14,000 voters, 5,000 are postal voters,” said the PAS secretary general.
“Usually the postal voters, majority of them would support BN, but this time God willing, they will use their wisdom, their freedom to support Pakatan Rakyat,” Mustafa added.
The by-election was called following the death of Umno’s Azman Mohammad Noor early this month.
In the last general election Azman won the seat by defeating PAS’ Ramli Ismail by some 2,000 votes.
Negeri Sembilan PAS has proposed three names to be considered by the party’s central leadership to stand in Bagan Pinang; its state chief Zulkefli Mohd Omar, former state PAS chief Dr Rosli Yaakop and Ramli.
The Teluk Kemang Umno division on the other hand has proposed the name of former party vice-president Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad to be fielded in the by-election.

Wang berlegar antara syarikat Tiong

Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang telah memberikan kontrak hotel, infrastruktur elektriciti yang bernilai RM 510,380,000 dan kontrak kejuruteraan awam dan elektronik dan jalan raya yang bernilai RM 335,800,000 kepada KDSB, masing-masing pada tahun 2005 dan 2006.

Neo Chee Hua, Merdeka Review

Skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ) sarat dengan misteri. Pada Disember tahun 1997, Tiong King Sing telah membeli sebahagian saham Pacific Chemicals Sdn Bhd daripada Nova Atlantic Sdn Bhd yang dikuasai Ting Pek Khiing, tycoon Cina Sarawak yang terkemuka.

Tiong (gambar kiri) kemudian membeli sepenuhnya saham Pacific Chemicals pada tahun 1999, dan menukar nama syarikat tersebut kepada Wijaya Baru Global pada tahun 2000.

Pada masa yang sama, setelah kabinet mengumumkan kelulusan projek PKFZ pada tahun 1999, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) yang dilantik Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang sebagai turkey developer, mengumumkan Wijaya Baru Sdn Bhd sebagai kontraktor utama PKFZ, dan Wijaya Baru Global sebagai sub-kontraktor. Kontraktor bertanggungjawab kepada pembinaan infrastruktur dan pembangunan. Jelas, wang PKFZ telah mengalir dari kocek kiri ke kocek kanan, memasuki akaun Wijaya Baru Global.

Menurut Laporan Tahunan Wijaya Baru Global tahun 2006, keuntungan sebelum cukai syarikat tersebut telah bertambah sebanyak RM 10,576,000. Daripada angka tersebut, WBSB telah menyumbang sebanyak RM19,342,000 yang kebanyakannya dari projek PKFZ. Selain daripada itu, Laporan Tahunan 2003 menunjukkan daripada keuntungan RM 54,480,000 (sebelum cukai), penjualan tapak tanah Pulau Indah kepada PKFZ merupakan penyumbang utama.

Satu lagi perkara yang perlu diberi perhatian, iaitu KDSB telah menjual 753.1 ekar daripada 1000 ekar tanah kepada Great Profile Sdn Bhd pada tahun 24 November 1997. Pada Jun 1999, Tiong King Sing melalui Wijaya Baru Global (Pacific Chemicals ketika itu), telah membeli Great Profile Sdn Bhd. Great Profile Sdn Bhd telah ditukar nama kepada Wijaya Baru Development Sdn Bhd kemudiannya.

Selepas persetujuan dicapai antara KDSB dengan Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang untuk transaksi tapak tanah dengan nilai RM 1,088,000,000 (RM 1.088 billion), Wijaya Baru Development Sdn Bhd telah menjual tanah yang seluas 753.1 ekar kepada Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang melalui KDSB.

Dengan kata lain, hampir 75% pendapatan daripada transaksi tanah tersebut telah memasuki akaun syarikat tersenarai milik Tiong King Sing-- Wijaya Baru Global, melalui Wijaya Baru Development Sdn Bhd.

Persoalannya, apakah Tiong King Sing telah bercita-cita untuk mencipta kekayaan sejak tahun 1997 lagi?

Kontrak dengan jumlah nilai 1 billion

13 kontrak penting yang ditandatangani Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang antara November 2002 hingga Oktober 2007, tidak pernah dirujuk kepada Lembaga Pengarahnya. Lapan daripada 13 kontrak ini ditandatangani dengan KDSB. Di samping itu, semua kontrak yang diberikan Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang kepada KDSB sejak tahun 2004, tidak dibincang dalam kabinet.

Misalnya, satu kontrak pembangunan bernilai RM 1 billion yang belum pun plan pembangunan disempurnakan, telah diberikan kepada KDSB. Tiada kandungan terperinci berkenaan kontrak pembinaan tersebut. Pembangunan yang berakhir pada tahun 2008 ini telah menelan kos sebanyak RM 1.216 billion, ditambah dengan kadar faedah dan kos penasihat pakar, jumlah kos telah mencecah RM 1.850 billion.

Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang telah memberikan kontrak hotel, infrastruktur elektriciti yang bernilai RM 510,380,000 dan kontrak kejuruteraan awam dan elektronik dan jalan raya yang bernilai RM 335,800,000 kepada KDSB, masing-masing pada tahun 2005 dan 2006. Ini bermakna, wang PKFZ telah mengalir ke akaun KDSB tanpa dipantau oleh mana-mana unit.

Lebih penting lagi, Tiong King Sing tidak perlu mengeluarkan wang dari koceknya sendiri dalam PKFZ. Persoalannya, dari mana datangnya dana untuk membangunkan PKFZ? Jawapannya KDSB. KDSB telah menubuhkan Special Port Vehicle Berhad pada 30 Julai 2003, menjual private bond sebanyak RM 1.310 billion, sebagai dana pembangunan PKFZ.

Private Bond ini membayar faedahnya dengan pendapatan yang diperolehinya daripada penjualan tanah KDSB kepada Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang. Dalam transaksi ini, Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang membeli tanah ini dengan RM1.088 billion, membayar secara ansuran dengan kadar faedah 7.5% setiap tahun. Pendek kata, jumlah pokok ditambah kadar faedah mencecah ke RM1.800 billion.

Tiong tidak perlu keluarkan wang

Kemudiannya, antara tahun 2004 hingga 2008, KDSB telah menubuhkan tiga lagi syarikat Special Port Vehicle yang serupa, menjual private bond masing-masing pada RM1,420,000,000 (1.420 billion), RM 545,000,000 dan RM 410,000,000 sebagai dana pembangunan PKFZ. Kadar faedah ke atas bond ini dibayar dengan dana yang diberikan oleh Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang kepada KDSB.

Dengan kata lain, KDSB berjaya memperolehi dana pembangunan PKFZ tanpa perlu mengeluarkan satu sen pun. Keempat-empat private bond ini bernilai RM3.685 billion. Lebih mengejutkan, KDSB seolah-olah tidak terlibat dalam proses bond issuing, hinggakan beban hutang ini jatuh ke bahu Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang.

Menurut rancangan asal, jangkaan kos tapak tanah dan pembinaan PKFZ ialah RM1.957 billion. Namun, selepas KDSB menyelaras semula kos projek tersebut, kos pembangunan PKFZ telah melonjak sehingga RM 3.522 billion, buat setakat akhir tahun 2008. Ditambah pula kelewatan pembayaran yang menjadi hutang kepada KDSB sebanyak RM1.425 billion, membawa kos keseluruhan PKFZ mencecah RM4.947 billion.

Akibatnya, Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang gagal menanggung kos tersebut, lantas meminta bantuan Kementerian Kewangan untuk pinjaman RM4.6 billion. Kadar faedah pinjaman yang dikenakan Kementerian Kewangan ialah 4% , bersamaan dengan nilai RM 2.506 billion, menjadikan jumlah kos PKFZ kepada RM7.465 billion.

Menurut laporan audit PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), KDSB mengeruhkan lagi keadaan pada saat-saat ini. Misalnya, KDSB mengenakan kadar faedah yang terlampau tinggi dalam transaksi tanah tersebut, dianggar antara RM51 million hingga RM309 millon. Selain itu, KDSB dan syarikat penasihat yang lain mengenakan professional consultation fee setinggi RM203 million, walaupun KDSB tidak berhak berbuat demikian.

Pada keseluruhannya, KDSB hanyalah sebuah syarikat tidak berisi (shell corp). Kemunculannya sebagai saluran untuk memunggah wang dari PKFZ. Syarikat seperti KDSB hanyalah satu butiran pasir di pantai. Biarpun KDSB berjaya dihapuskan pada kali ini, namun masih lagi ribuan KDSB yang sedang "mencari rezeki" sedemikian. Selagi kuasa politik bersubahat dengan kuasa ekonomi, kesilapan yang sama tetap akan berulang. (Bahagian kedua, tamat)

Kemunculan KDSB dan kebangkitan Tiong...

Seandainya skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ) tidak terbongkar, maka Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) yang dikuasai "orang kuat" Barisan Nasional, Tiong King Sing akan terus berselindung di dalam ribuan syarikat pembinaan, memeras kekayaan negara tanpa disedari ramai.

KDSB kini menjadi isu hangat dalam media.  Polis telah membekukan akaun KDSB menggunakan Akta Pencegahan Pengubahan Wang Haram 2001, setelah meneliti hasil siasatan isu PKFZ daripada Kementerian Pengangkutan.

Apakah wajah sebenar KDSB?  Jelas, KDSB hanyalah salah satu catur dalam permainan politik Barisan Nasional untuk memunggah kekayaan ekonomi negara.  Skandal ini memperlihatkan bagaimana Tiong berkongsi kek PKFZ bersama UMNO, dan MCA sebagai catur yang penting, turut merasai sebahagian kek ini melalui Kementerian Pengangkutan yang dikuasainya.

Dari zaman Mahathir...

KDSB ialah anak syarikat milik sepenuh Wijaya Baru Holdings Sdn Bhd (WBHSB), sementara Tiong adalah pemegang saham terbesar WBHSB dengan 70% saham dalam genggamannya.  KDSB ditubuhkan pada 22 April 1994, dengan tujuan utamanya--PKFZ.

Di samping itu, Wijaya Baru Sdn Bhd (WBSB) yang merupakan kontraktor utama PKFZ, ditubuhkan pada 9 Oktober 1990, berkecimpung dalam bidang pembalakan, pembinaan, pembangunan infrastruktur (seperti lebuh raya), jalan raya dan perparitan, pembinaan, turkey contract, financing project developement, perumahan serta hartanah komersial dan sebagainya.  Selain Tiong King Sing, antara pemegang saham terbesarnya ialah Omar bin Abdul Latip dan Idris bin Jani.  WBSB ialah anak syarikat kepada WIJAYA, 4022 Main Board Industrial Product.

Mengapa Tiong yang bangkit dengan bidang pembalakan, melibatkan diri pula dalam bidang pembinaan?  Sekali imbas, Malaysia berada dalam zaman peralihan ke ekonomi perindustrian ketika itu, di bawah pimpinan PM ke-4, Mahathir Mohamed.  Ditambah pula Asia didodoi dengan pujian "Alaf ke-20 milikan Asia" ketika itu, Malaysia berada di puncak kegemilangan ekonomi dalam sejarah.

Pasaran saham dan hartanah mula berbuih dalam kepesatan ekonomi.  Malah, kerajaan giat memperkembangkan bidang pembinaan, dengan meluluskan "projek gajah putih" yang "mega".

Pada ketika itu, projek pembinaan dan hartanah adalah kerjaya "cepat kaya", selain pasaran saham.  Kocek mereka yang berhubung rapat dengan kerajaan BN (khususnya UMNO), disarat penuh dengan kepentingan.  Lantaran itu, syarikat pembinaan berkongsi antara bumiputera dengan Cina tumbuh bagai cendawan selepas hujan, dan WBSB adalah salah satu daripadanya.

Perniagaan tanpa modal

Projek PKFZ bermula sejak tahun 1993.  Kerajaan berniat menukarkan pelabuhan Klang kepada national load hub, malah sebagai pusat transshipment di rantau ini.  Dalam Rancangan Malaysia ke-7, beberapa strategi diterapkan, melakar lengkuk projek PKFZ.

Mereka yang memiliki "otak berniaga" semestinya faham, apabila projek PKFZ terjana, maka projek mega pembinaan akan bertapak, sementara nilai tanah kawasan di sekitar pelabuhan Klang akan melonjak.

Tapak tanah yang mengundang kontroversi dalam PKFZ ini, telah diperuntukkan oleh kerajaan negeri Selangor kepada Koperasi Pembangunan Pulau Lumut Berhad, yang mempunyai hubungan rapat dengan UMNO.  Maka, UMNO-BN dipercayai berniat untuk membangunkan PKFZ sejak tahun 1992 lagi.

Tiong (gambar kanan) melalui KDSB, anak syarikat yang dimiliki sepenuhnya oleh WBSB, membeli tapak tanah tersebut dengan harga RM 95,000,000 atau RM3/kaki persegi daripada Koperasi Pembangunan Pulau Lumut Berhad.  Untuk pemimpin kanan UMNO dalam Koperasi Pembangunan Pulau Lumut Berhad, ini perniagaan tanpa modal kerana tanah ini diperuntukkan oleh kerajaan negeri Selangor kepada Koperasi.  Dengan kata lain, RM 95,000,000 telah dimasukkan ke kocek dengan mudah, hanya melalui pertukaran hak milik tapak tanah.

Onn Ismail, Pengerusi Tetap Umno merangkap Ketua UMNO Bahagian Klang ketika itu adalah Pengerusi Koperasi Pembangunan Pulau Lumut Berhad.  Malah, Timbalan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif KDSB, Faizal Abdullah bukan sahaja Bendahari BN Selangor dan Timbalan Ketua UMNO Umno Kapar, tetapi yang lebih penting, beliau ialah menantu Onn Ismail.

Tiong masuk gelanggang

Ini mungkin menjelaskan mengapa Faizal Abdullah (gambar kiri) yang berumur 30 tahun ketika tahun 2000 telah menduduki kerusi nombor dua dalam syarikat di bawah Tiong--termasuk Wijaya Baru Holdings Sdn Bhd, KDSB dan lain-lain, sebagai Timbalan Ketua Eksekutif.  Hanya melalui perkongsian kepentingan, barulah Tiong boleh menempah satu-satunya tiket untuk masuk ke gelanggang.

KDSB telah menjual tanah tersebut kepada Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang pada tahun 2002, dengan RM 1,088,000,000 (1 billion 88 juta), atau RM25/kaki persegi dan bayaran ansuran berkadar interest 7.5%, atau bersamaan RM1.8 billion secara keseluruhannya.  Pertukaran tangan ini membawa keuntungan bersih hampir RM 993 juta.

Belum lagi dikira keuntungan yang diperolehi KDSB yang mendapat "turkey contract" dari projek PKFZ.  Pada ketika itu, ADUN UMNO Abdul Rahman Palil merangkap jawatan Pengerusi bersama Koperasi Pembangunan Pulau Lumut Berhad dan Pengarah Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang.

Dari perkiraan masa, Tiong mungkin telah mula mengatur langkahnya ke dalam PKFZ sejak tahun 1993.  Sekiranya krisis ekonomi tidak meledak pada tahun 1997/98, lantas mencelarukan projek ini, PKFZ mungkin dijalankan lebih awal, dan bukannya diluluskan kabinet hanya pada 24 Mac 1999, selepas kemelut ekonomi. (Bahagian pertama, bersambung)

Pusat belum putuskan RM1 bilion royalti minyak K'tan

Kerajaan pusat telah menerima permohonan dari kerajaan negeri Kelantan berhubung tuntutan royalti minyak sebanyak RM1 bilion, kata Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin.

Beliau berkata permohonan tersebut setakat ini masih dalam peringkat kajian sebelum apa-apa keputusan mengenainya dibuat kerana kawasan tempat minyak yang dijumpai itu berada di zon antarabangsa.

"Kedua-dua kawasan tersebut terletak terlalu jauh dari pesisir pantai Kelantan. Jadi pendapatan dari minyak tersebut lebih sesuai diberi kepada kerajaan pusat untuk dibelanjakan bagi pembangunan negara dan perbelanjaan tersebut tidak hanya tertumpu kepada Kelantan.

"Salah satu kawasan tersebut adalah berhampiran Vietnam iaitu di perairan antarabangsa sejauh 250 kilometer dari pesisir pantai Kelantan manakala kawasan kedua pula terletak 150 kilometer dari pantai dan berada di perairan bersama dengan negara jiran, Thailand," katanya kepada pemberita di Ipoh hari ini.

Tuntutan royalti minyak oleh Kelantan bermula Jun lepas, apabila kerajaan negeri itu akan membuat tuntutan sebanyak RM1 bilion kepada kerajaan pusat untuk bayaran royalti minyak yang didakwa tertunggak sejak 2004.

Awang Adek berkata demikian selepas majlis penyampaian bantuan kewangan Yayasan Tun Hamdan di Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR) di sini.

Terdahulu, beliau yang juga pengerusi Yayasan Tun Hamdan menyampaikan bantuan kewangan kepada 32 penerima yang dipilih dari tiga buah sekolah di negeri ini.

Kesemua penerima telah dinilai prestasi pelajaran masing-masing sepanjang tahun ini dan dari keluarga berpendapatan rendah menerima bantuan sebanyak RM1,000 setiap seorang.

Tuntutan royalti minyak oleh Kelantan bermula Jun lepas, apabila kerajaan negeri itu akan membuat tuntutan sebanyak RM1 bilion kepada kerajaan pusat untuk bayaran royalti minyak yang didakwa tertunggak sejak 2004. BERNAMA