BN TAKESOVER PERAK

Over the last week, Perak has been swamped with political talk not only by a single party but also by all from both sides of the political divide. Day before yesterday, all had become clear. Four state assemblymen from the Pakatan Rakyat government declared that they had become independents and that they were supporting the Barisan Nasional. The new government took oath at about 3.45pm this afternoon.
The talk of elected representatives jumping ship was started by none other than Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Soon after the March 8, 2008 general election, where the Barisan Nasional lost its two-third majority and some five states to the opposition, Anwar declared that he had some 30 members of parliament in his fold and that they would crossover to the Pakatan Rakyat. This he had said, would ensure the fall of the Barisan Nasional federal government.
He even went to the extent of saying that the Barisan Nasional government would fall by Sept 16, 2008. Then the dates began changing based on where he held a ceramah. This was his so called trump card to keep the Barisan Nasional on its toes.
While all this was taking place the same Opposition leaders, who are now calling for fresh elections in Perak, had applauded Anwar and said that they would form the federal government in a matter of time.
Then Opposition leaders, except for DAP chairman Karpal Singh, had supported the crossover and felt that it was fair to form a government based on crossovers.
But now, the scenario had been reversed and now all of a sudden crossovers are a taboo for the opposition. Yes, I agree that the people voted for a change at the 2008general election and their wishes must be respected.
The razor thin majority in Perak where the opposition had 31 seats compared to the BN's 28 was the result of the polls. Now after the crossovers the BN's seats is still 28, while the opposition's had been reduced to 28 due to three of its representatives jumping ship. They did not jump to the BN but they choose to become independents and declare their support to the ruling federal government.
Now the score has become Pakatan Rakyat -- 28, BN -- 28 and Independent -- 3.
One fact that I noticed is that the Indian community, which threw bulk of their votes for the opposition at the polls, have become the major losers result of the latest political manoeuvre.
Under the opposition, the community had a speaker and a state exco member. But not anymore. There are no Indian representatives in the BN in the Perak state assembly.
Where does the Indian community takes its problems? Who do they go to in case of problems and they need assistance? I am not bragging or anything like that but I seem to be the only Indian BN elected representative in the state by virtue of being the member of parliament for Tapah.
The answer to the above questions have yet to be answered by the BN leadership. The leadership needs to create a position on par with a state exco to look at Indian affairs in the state. He must be given powers to instruct any state-run bodies, like an exco member. This person must also be hardworking as he would be instrumental in trying to bring back the Indian voters into the BN fold. Although it is still early days, plans must be put in place so that the community in Perak does not feels neglected or sidelined by the ruling Barisan Nasional government.
With all this in mind, I wish to remind the Indian community about one thing. Politics are played by politicians and as members of the Indian community, I urge the people to come united on this matter. Please ensure that we are not left behind in any development.
This post is just a gist of what I have to say on the matter. More will follow. Thank you.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

I would like to wish all Malaysian Chinese a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. Wish the year of the OX brings us good fortune and a better life. It is also my feverish hope that this Lunar New Year bring bring us prosperity being the year of the bull.

I had a comment asking me on my stand on the death of A. Kugan, who died at the USJ 8police station earlier this week. I had already stated my stand and it has appeared in the media. However to the benefit of those who have yet to read it, I would like to state that I am against any violent behaviour towards anyone arrested by the police. The police should be protector of Malaysians and not take laws in their own hands.
If Kugan was involved in any illegal activity, then it is only right that charges are levelled against him. If this is not the case due to lack of evidence, there are provisions in our laws to send him to the Simpang Renggam detention centre.
Instead the 23-year-old was beaten and this is evident from the photographs of him obtained at the Selayang Hospital.
It really made me angry when I saw the photos on the net. This is not the way to treat a person, even if he was a criminal.
To say that the boy sustained the injuries while being arrested does not hold water. He was arrested on Jan 15 and he died some six days later. But the wounds in the photograhers appeared fresh. The police or the Home Ministry must start an independent enquiry to find the source of the death. Did Kugan really die of asthma or was there foul play. This is not time to protect any wrongdoer.
Let the truth be known. I know that the police have a job to do. But his does not mean that they are the law. They are only there to ensure that the laws are not broken and if the laws are broken, then penalise the offender not kill the offender. This applies not only because Kugan was an Indian or Hindu. This should not happen to any Malaysian, may the person be Malay, Chinese, Kadazan and what not. This is not about a race of a person. This is about humanity and dignity of a person. I am not preaching or anything like that. What I am saying is that a person deserves to be treated humanely as possible. Malaysia is not some third world nation where lawlessness prevails. We do not have kangaroo courts. We are a striving democracy and hold on to the rule of law. This could be just one isolated case but it should not have happened. Judging from what has happened to Kugan, I would say that the deed was conducted not by one person. It would have been a collective action of a few people.
I have been an anchilary policeman previously and I know how hard the men in blue work, sacrificing the time of their family and friends. They are stationed on 24-hour shifts and get irritated easily. But taking it out on a suspect is a big NO. Respect the uniform you use. It is not just a job but a duty and responsibility for the good of the nation.
Some might even say that I have passed judgement against the police. Yes, I have. The force should have come clean on the case in the first place. Allow family members and relatives to see the body of Kugan on the first night. Be transparent, and open about things. If your man is wrong, then take the necessary action. Do not at anytime cover-up things. That is all the rakyat ask.
If the police are not guilty then tell it all. From what I have learnt, Kugan was never held in a cell during this stay at the USJ8 police station. He was kept in the questioning room the whole while. I hope this is untrue. I am really saddened by the death of a 23-year-old who had a future in this promising land but now all is dashed. No matter what action we take against the perpetrators, it is not going to bring him back or heal the hurt suffered by his family and friends. But at least, it would a lesson for others. It would be an eye opener for many. Once again my deepest condolence to the family of A. Kugan.

THE KUALA TERENGGANU BY-ELECTION

Attended the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat by-election nomination early this morning. It was with fanfare from both sides of the political divide.
The seat would witness a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional (BN), PAS and an independent candidate.
The BN candidate would be Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, against PAS' Mohd Abdul
Wahid Endut and an independent Azharudin Mamat @ Adam.
Election for the parliamentary seat had been fixed for Jan 17. The Election Commission revealed that the constituency had 80,229 voters. Indian voters here are less than 800 with Chinese numbering more than 15,000 voters.
The BN as well as Pakatan Rakyat have brought in their heavyweights to campaign for the polls. Let us hope we would have a trouble-free by-election that is free and fair.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Malaysians a very Happy New Year. Hope 2009 would be a better year than the previous and grant everyone success in all undertaking.
My new year would be hectic as I have to be in Chennai India, the first week of the year. All in the name of work.
I would certainly wish for a peaceful world with lesser problems in 2009.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR PEOPLE.

PRIVATISATION OF IJN

The privatisation of Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) has become big news. There is a lot of hue and cry over the privatisation of the Institute, which offers reasonable fees for saving lives due to government subsidies.
The government late last week announced that it had agreed in principle to sell 51 percent of its stake in IJN to conglomerate Sime Darby group. Views of many published in newspapers and the internet shows the public feedback on the matter.
As far as I am concerned, although I am part of the government, the feeling is that the plan should be scrapped altogether.
IJN has proven and continues to prove that it is a premier heart institute in the country. It had produced several firsts in heart transplant and doing fine on its own. It is also reported to have some hundreds of millions in its coffers and this is to be used for future expansion.
I do not really know why the government choose to privatise an organisation which was already making profit, providing aid to the poor and needy and had become a benchmark for other heart institutes in the region.
My stand is that no healthcare services provided by the government should be privatised. This is our (the government's) responsibility and we should live-up to it. We should not in any circumstances leave healthcare to the private sector, as when this happens, our low and medium income group suffers. Let us work for the betterment of the people and not to burden the rakyat.
Although Sime Darby has suggested that it would not burden the needy, there is no guarantee how long they could hold-up to this promise. Companies can suggest various reasons to hike fees and this would be at the expense of the people.
I feel organisations like the IJN should be left alone, just like any government run hospital in the country. Instead of selling stakes, the government should pump in more funds to upgrade these government-run-hospitals to ensure the people enjoy better healthcare services.
Waiting time and scary stories of government hospitals should become something of the past. We should strive for something that could be enjoyed to the fullest by the rakyat.
The saying Health is Wealth is apt for this scenario.