Arrest Tony “Liar, Liar” Blair for mass murders!

ARREST TONY BLAIR FOR MASS MURDERS

Blair: His hands are soaked in Iraqi blood and fire of a thousand moon

IT IS DISTRESSING TO NOTE THAT FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, IS BEING INVITED TO MALAYSIA AS AN HONOURED GUEST OF SUCCESS RESOURCES  INTERNATIONAL FOR THE NATIONAL YOUNG ACHIEVES CONGRESS, 23-25 APRIL 2010 @ SUNWAY PYRAMID CONVENTION CENTRE.

TONY BLAIR IS A WAR CRIMINAL AND PERPETRATOR OF MANY CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THIS IS THE OPINION OF MOST INDEPENDENT SCHOLARS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.

THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT TO WHICH BRITAIN IS A SIGNATORY HAS RECEIVED A RECORD NUMBER OF PETITIONS AGAINST BLAIR.

THE WORLD TRIBUNAL ON IRAQ HELD IN ISTANBUL IN 2005 HEARD EVIDENCE FROM 54 WITNESSES AND PUBLISHED RIGOROUS INDICTMENTS AGAINST BLAIR, BUSH AND OTHERS.

THE BRUSSELS WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, THE BLAIR WAR CRIMES FOUNDATION AND THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL LAW JURIST RICHARD FALK HAVE AMASSED IMPRESSSIVE EVIDENCE OF BLAIR’S COMPLICITY IN INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES.

HERE AT HOME, THE KUALA LUMPUR WAR CRIMES COMMISSION, AFTER TWO YEARS OF METICULOUS INVESTIGATION, RECEIVED FIRST HAND EVIDENCE FROM IRAQI VICTIMS OF WAR THAT THERE HAVE BEEN GRAVE VIOLATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW OF WAR IN IRAQ.

LAST YEAR THE KUALA LUMPUR WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, CONSISTING OF SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL JURISTS, UNANIMOUSLY ADJUDICATED THAT BUSH AND BLAIR DO NOT ENJOY ANY IMMUNITY IN THE INTERNATIONAL LAW OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

SPAIN’S CELEBRATED JUDGE BALTASAR GARZON HAS CALLED FOR BUSH, BLAIR AND AZNAR (FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER) TO BE PROSECUTED FOR THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF IRAQ WHICH GARZON HAS CONDEMNED AS “ONE OF THE MOST SORDID AND UNJUSTIFIABLE EPISODES IN RECENT HUMAN HISTORY: A DEVASTATING ATTACK ON THE RULE OF LAW” THAT LEFT THE UN “IN TATTERS”.

THE MAIN INDICTMENTS AGAINST BLAIR RELATE TO HIS COLLUSION WITH BUSH IN AN ILLEGAL WAR OF AGGRESSION AGAINST IRAQ IN 2003.

BLAIR REPEATEDLY AND DELIBERATELY DECEIVED THE UN, HIS ALLIES AND HIS OWN PEOPLE THAT SADDAM HAD WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT COULD BE RAINED ON ANYONE WITHIN 45 MINUTES.

IN DECEIT AND CONSPIRACY, BLAIR INCITED PASSIONS FOR WAR, CAUSING 1.4 MILLION DEATHS, 4 MILLION REFUGEES, COUNTLESS MAIMINGS AND TRAUMAS AND THE NEAR-TOTAL DEVASTATION OF IRAQ’S INFRASTRUCTURE, ITS HEALTH, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS. IRAQ’S ASSETS HAVE BEEN LOOTED.

IN THE PROSECUTION OF THE ILLEGAL AND RACIST WAR, INDISCRIMINATE ROCKET ATTACKS ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN RESORTED TO; THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF FALLUJAH WAS EXPELLED SAVE FOR YOUNG MEN OF MILITARY AGE IN 2004; BANNED RADIOACTIVE AMMUNITIONS, WHITE PHOSPHOROUS AND CLUSTER BOMBS HAVE BEEN USED AND TORTURING OF PRISONERS OF WAR HAS BEEN PRACTISED ON A LARGE SCALE.

THESE CRIMES BY BLAIR ARE PUNISHABLE UNDER THE UNITED NATION’S CHARTER, THE 1998 ROME STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, ARTICLE 146 OF THE 1949 GENEVA CONVENTION AND ARTICLE 3 OF THE 1907 HAGUE CONVENTION.

WHAT IS ALSO NOTABLE IS THAT BLAIR HAS EXPRESSED NO REMORSE. INSTEAD, HE STRUTS AROUND THE WORLD AS AN APOLOGIST FOR THE US IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ISRAEL. HE RECENTLY RECEIVED AN ISRAELI “PEACE PRIZE” WORTH A MILLION DOLLARS.

MALAYSIA MUST STAND UP AND BE COUNTED IN THE COMMUNIY OF CIVILSED NATIONS. IT MUST NOT ALLOW THIS PERPETRATOR OF EPIC CRIMES, WHO FAKES FAITH IN DEMOCRACY AND IN “GOD’S WORK AND GOD’S WILL”, TO TOUCH OUR SOIL.

IF HE DOES ENTER THIS COUNTRY WE SHOULD ARREST HIM. THOUGH MALAYSIA HAS NOT RATIFIED THE ROME CHARTER, WE DO HAVE A PENAL CODE. MURDER IS A CRIME. THE KUALA LUMPUR WAR CRIMES COMMISSION HAS COUNTLESS REPORTS FROM IRAQI SURVIVORS AGAINST BLAIR FOR COMPLICITY IN MASS MURDERS, TORTURES, LOOTING AND OTHER WAR CRIMES. THE POLICE MUST ACT ON THESE REPORTS AND ARREST THIS RAPACIOUS MASS MURDERER.

IN ADDITION, CITIZENS’ GROUPS MUST FILE COMPLAINTS AGAINST BLAIR WITH THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND WITH THE ATTORNEY-GENERALS OF ALL COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION STATUTES TO PURSUE AND PROSECUTE TONY BLAIR FOR WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGIANST HUMANITY.

Proposed by Prof Dato’ Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi, Law Faculty, UiTM Shah Alam

Trait of a liar: Touching something on the body, whilst addressing

This is the press release at the media conference, organised jointly by Perdana Global Peace Organisation and Viva Palestina this morning:

Press Release

Tony Blair, the War Criminal Should Not be allowed in Malaysia

The Perdana Global Peace Organisation is disappointed with the decision taken by the National Achievers Congress here in Malaysia to invite former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to deliver a talk on success.

As an anti-war and peace society, the Perdana Global Peace Organisation is aghast that this war criminal whose inhumane decisions have caused the deaths of millions of innocent lives in Iraq and Afghanistan has been invited to speak to Malaysians.

We strongly oppose this invitation because Blair is a war criminal for his role in the war of aggression in Iraq. In international law and under the Nuremberg principles, war of aggression constitutes the supreme crime. This war also contravenes the United Nations Charter and has led to the death of over one million Iraqis.

To have him on our soil is a travesty of natural justice and a mockery to those Iraqis who have been killed, continue to be killed and maimed, and those forced to endure enormous suffering due to Blair’s illegal war.

It is very disappointing to know that Success Resources, the Singaporean company organising the event has found it fit to invite a man who is under investigations even in his own country for misleading the British public about the true intentions of the Iraq invasion.

It is our utmost hope that Malaysian NGO’s, their members and supporters who feel and sympathise with the Iraqis and who respect International Law, will support is in this civilian effort to show how much we despise this war criminal. We also hope that the companies and sponsors involved in this event will withdraw the invitation to Tony Blair as he must not be allowed to earn an income here in Malaysia.

We seek the cooperation of all Malaysians who despise war to protest his visit to Malaysia as well as assist us in conducting a citizen’s arrest on him. We must show the organisers that they cannot make profits using services of a man whose lies and deceit have led to the destruction of the Iraqi nation.

Perdana Global Peace Organisation

April 14 2010

Tony "Liar, Liar" Blair, the 'Prime Monster' as described by British Media

PGPO also is pleading for Malaysians from all walks of life to sign the online petition against Former British Prime Minister Tony “Liar, Liar” Blair coming to Malaysia and should be treated as a war criminal.

Liberal Zaid Ibrahim is PKR’s man for conservative P094

Sacked UMNO member and former Minister of Law Dato’ Zaid Ibrahim is Pakatan Rakyat’s endorsed PKR’s candidate for the P094 Hulu Selangor by-election on 25 April 2010. An ‘anointed successor’ to party-less Opposition Leader Anwar “Mat King Leather” Ibrahim, Zaid is seen to the be former’s  ‘desperate man in a desperate situation’ solution if and when his second sodomy trial did not go his way, of which many believed to be.

Zaid has been seen as a ‘Johny-come-lately’ for the P094 Hulu Selangor race, since the demise of Dato’ Dr. Zainal Abidin Rahmat the name which cropped up more often than not in eminent neurosurgeon Dr. Halili Rahmat. Dr. Halili was KeAdilan’s candiddate for the constituency twice, before Dr. Zainal’s shot at the 12th General Elections.

Even amongst the PKR stalwarts and local supporters, the choice to pick Zaid did not come well at all. When his name was finally announced, people started leaving. By the time he spoke, the hall was just half empty. The body language of those who actually stayed on could demonstrate they are neither pleased with the PR joint decision, just 12 hours earlier.

It is not entirely surprising for the reaction. For one, Zaid did not strike to so many as the sort of leader who is comfortable and willing to serve the rakyat with all the pettiness at grass root level. He is more often than not being regarded as ‘pomp and snob’ and is actually ‘selectively cordial’ with people. For someone who  started from a humble beginning and benefited immensely from New Economic Policy programs such as via ITM, now is trying very hard to deny other Malays the benefit he enjoyed like being an advocate of the dismantling of the affirmative action policy and plan. Many likened him as ‘Kacang lupakan kulit‘.

Zaid's book. Why would a Malay man badly needed to the world that he is 'still a Malay'?

He liberalism stance, thinking and lifestyle is seen as being detached from the mainstay of the Malay majority, which also include constituency like P094 Hulu Selangor. So much so, he desperately needed to reiterate his ‘Malay-ness’ in a book called, “Saya pun Melayu” (literal translation: “I’m a Malay too”). Probably is because despite of his liberalism stance and shedding his Malay-ness, he was one of those UMNO cronies who benefited immensely  from his close ties to the party and leaders. His firm Zaid Ibrahim and Co, which he started in 1987 obtained so much corporate work in the bullish 1990s and recovery post 1998 market, such as privatisation, IPO and M & A jobs. Of course, this firm was a legal which UMNO employed to recover their assets when it was de-registered in early 1988.

Zaid who portrays himself as being a ‘liberal’ and advocates universally sponsored concept such as ‘freedom of expression and press’, is actually not. As cabinet material leader, he sued Supremo-bloggo-journo Dato’ A Kadir Jasin, which did not come down well with so many media savvy Malaysians.

The signs are clear. As a  choice candidate for ‘Parti Kumpul Reject’ (a term being used by two DAP YBs  to describe their fellow ‘partners in crime’ for us here in BigDogDotCom) Zaid is being rejected by Hulu Selangor folks right from the start. This is one liberal candidate who is definitely the wrong choice for the laid back and conservative Hulu Selangor folks.

Ultimatum for Samy: Ensure BN’s victory in P094 or go

MIC President Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu must ensure the victory of BN’s candidate for P094 Hulu Selangor by election on 25 April. This is because despite UMNO’s pressure to field their candidate in a Malay majority constituency, it was summarily turned down by PM Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, announced last week.

Three names are being speculated for BN’s candidacy. MIC Deputy President Dato’ G Palanivel, who is Samy’s personal choice and currently the most talked about. Palanivel served as the MP for four terms, before being defeated by PKR Dato Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad at the last General Elections by a slim majority of 198 votes..

The other is MIC Youth Vice Head V. Mugilan, an Hulu Selangor native. He also Hulu Selangor MIC Youth Head.

The other is MIC Information Chief P. Kamalanthan, who hails from Rawang. He is the most popular amongst the locals, even within Malay communities. Kamalanathan is also a blogger and was a former educator. He is currently serving one of the subsidiary under Bernas Group and a PR and Corporate Communications Manager.

Our bet here in BigDogDotCom goes to Kamalanathan.

This is a huge challenge for Samy and MIC. The failure on 25 April means that MIC lost twice consecutively in a constituency once regarded as a ‘safe haven’, because of the Malay ‘ fixed deposit’.

MIC must be seen as losing their ‘political currency’ with this defeat, if it happens.. Samy’s thirty-over-years-near-dictatorial Presidency has already been plagued with huge resistance from the Indian community and personally has been regarded as ‘ failed to deliver’, despite having the luxury of being the third most senior partner in BN. The dismay of the Indians have been clearly demonstrated in the HINDRAF demonstration-turned-ugly in late 2007 and the inception of Makkal Sakhti as a political party.

Many already deduced that once ‘safe haven’ constituency like P094 Hulu Selangor lost to the Oppositions is due the Malays now can no longer be influenced by UMNO to support MIC, which opinion also include Supremo-bloggo-journo Dato’ A Kadir Jasin’s. The series of scandals which include MAIKA Holdings fiasco and  inability for Samy to ‘pacify’ the majority Indians into the mainstream dynamism of development and progress have resulted into chronic poverty related social issues. One of the outcome is the ill feeling harboured and as a minority, coming out blaming the majority for their massive misfortunes has been thought to be the factor of the lost of ‘camaraderie’ by even UMNO grass root. For the record, Samy himself lost his traditional seat of Sungai Siput in 8 March 2008 12th General Election, also considered a ‘safe haven’ due to the Malay majority ‘fixed deposit’.

The relationship of MIC as a component of BN of which had been always benefitted from the grace of UMNO canvassing for Malay majority support which has already managed to put countless number of Indian ethnic politicians into position of power, had been preicarious lately. We here at BigDogDotCom had demanded Samy Vellu’s resignation and MIC being sacked from BN for the ‘kurang ajar’ness of their own leaders, in official party fuunction.

Regardless, Samy’s poor leadership already cost DUN Bukit Selambau lost to the Oppositions, twice within a span of slightly over a year. He should have resigned or ‘be made to resign’, a year ago. This should be an ‘ultimatum’ for Samy: Shape up or ship out!.

Anwar is contemplating to field an Indian @ P094

Party-less Opposition Leader and de facto Supremo of PKR Anwar “Mat King Leather” Ibrahim is contemplating to field an Indian ethnic in the upcoming P094 Hulu Selangor by-election, which announcement of the candidacy is just around the corner. This is contrary to the expectations of many at the Malay majority electoral constituency, where previously former Selangor Exco Dato’ Dr. Zainal Abidin Ahmad was fielded against BN’s Dato’ G. Palanivel.

Dr. Zainal won by a slim majority of 198 votes.

It was said that former-abuse-of-power-convict Anwar is under pressure to ‘play to the gallery’ where BN already promised to field an MIC candidate, despite immense pressure from UMNO Hulu Selangor to field former MB Selangor Tan Sri Muhammad “Mike Tyson” Muhd. Taib.

This is coupled by ‘pressure’ imposed by PKR leaders of Indian ethnic origin namely Padang Serai MP P. Gobalakrishnan, Subang MP R. Sivarasa and especially Kapar MP Manikavasagam “Mike” Sungaram. Manikavasagam who is a PKR Supreme Council member is questioning party leadership why an Indian ethnic candidate was never even considered in the first place and preference had always been for a Malay candidate all along.

Pakatan Rakyat partners-in-crime DAP MP for Ipoh Barat M. Kulasegaran was said to be supporting the Indian ethnic MPs position in putting the pressure, within the ‘friendly cohort’. This recent development display the ‘true colours’ of PR leaders despite their constant call to be non racial about their politics.

Thhe fact is that PKR is considering a Non Malay candidate in a Malay majority constituency which is ‘traditional’ Malay allocated candidate for the multi racial party shows that sensitivity to ethnic background is actually important to them. MB Selangor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim stated that PKR would be considering a candidate without taking the ethnic background clearly demonstrating their readiness to shift their pattern of fielding a candidate, with the intention to play to the gallery.

Bernama.com reports:

April 11, 2010 16:43 PM

Race Factor Not Considered When Choosing PKR Candidate, Says Khalid

SHAH ALAM, April 11 (Bernama) — Selangor Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) liaison chief, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said PKR did not give importance to race when selecting its candidate for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election on April 25.

He said PKR would merely choose the “best” candidate who would be dedicated, hardworking and strive for the betterment of the people and voters of the constituency.

“No need to politicise the issue (of race) when selecting the best candidate for an election. This is a political matter. The issue (of race) shouldn’t be seen as a “sandiwara politik pilihan raya” (an election political drama).

“We in PKR do not look at that aspect (race) but instead look for an eligible candidate who can win the hearts and minds of the voters in Hulu Selangor,” Khalid told reporters after launching the Selangor-level People’s Tuition Programme, near here, on Sunday.

Khalid was responding to a statement made by Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan in a Malay daily which challenged PKR to field a non-Malay candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election in an attempt to give fairness to all races in that constituency.

Voters in Hulu Selangor will go to the polls on April 25 to elect a new member of parliament following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad of PKR on March 25. BN will field a candidate from the MIC in the by-election, nomination for which is on April 17.

Khalid, who is Selangor Menteri Besar, said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders would meet in the next two days to decide on the “right” candidate, expected to be announced on Tuesday night.

On another note, Khalid said the state government spent RM3.4 million each year for the People’s Tuition Programme and about 5,600 pupils in the state benefited from the programme every year.

– BERNAMA

*********************

Obviously, leaders within PR is actually racial-sensitive despite constantly stating other wise and this statement made by MB Khalid shows that they have to reiterate their multi racial attitude in politics.

Since the demise of Dr. Zainal, many expected eminent neurosurgeon Dr. Halili Rahmat to contest in the seat where he previously was fielded in the 1999 and 2004 General Elections. The ‘shift’ of the candidate is expected to come down rather unwell for the PKR machinery. PKR has previously seen how their machinery ‘sabotaged’ their own candidate, made prominent in the 2006 Sarawak State Elections.

Zahid Hamidi: Su 30 MKM is the right choice

Thumbs up from the Defense Minister as a seal of approval for the Su 30 MKM

Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the acquisition of Russian made Sukhoi Su 30MKM multi role combat air-crafts was “The right choice”. He said this at a media conference at the end of the visit to TUDM Gong Kedak and Sqdn No.11., were the 18 first-line of defense air superior fighters are based, at the border of Kelantan and Terengganu.

Dr. Zahid attended a briefing by top TUDM brass and was taken for a ‘joy ride’ on the Su 30 MKM to be personally demonstrated of the capabilities and operational readiness of the ATM’s air defense latest and most prized asset. The purpose built air base was completed in 2008, the same time the Su 30 MKMs were delivered in batches from Irkutz in Siberia.

The Su 30 MKM 'cobra' maneuvres, to 'allow' a chase aircraft fly pass and then have the advantage

The Su 30 MKM is unique but highly lethal war machine because it can do maneuvers such as sharp turns at high speed and the famous ‘cobra attack’ which many fighters in the same class and size are unable to do, as it had vector thrusters. The TUDM Su 30 MKMs are particularly unique because it has a blend of East and Western European avionics and weapon systems, first of its kind. It flies more tha  twice the speed of sound and has an operational range (with air refueling) up to off the coast of East Sabah, despite being deployed from TUDM Gong Kedak.

In a special ‘media chat’ at TUDM Subang, Dr. Zahid said “We (MINDEF) have to look at the cost effectiveness. We are looking to upgrade and develop the defense industry (as per PM’s plan), which will be focused on offset programs, transfer of technology (from acquisitions of foreign vendors) and training. We can no longer regards ourselves as end users but playing active role in the defense industry. As for the ‘New Economic Model’ (NEM), I reckon we will plan into the next decade meaning after 2020, we would like to contribute to the economic growth (which previously regarded as end users)” answering to the question on the planning and role of MINDEF in Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak’s NEM announced on 30 March 2010.

Su 30 MKM: Poetry in motion

“With the defense industry, we will be a profit centre instead of cost centre. We will contribute in terms of not only reducing foreign exchange but the growth of the economy”. According to Dr. Zahid, PM Dato’ Seri Najib would chair the Malaysian Defense Industrial Council (MDIC). As previous Defense Minister for two separate terms, PM Dato’ Seri Najib was instrumental in setting up the MDIC and actively refer and consult the members, which comprised of Science Adviser to the Prime Minister, Chief Secretaries of relevant ministries, service Chiefs, IGP, industry prime movers and players and GLCs, which include Malaysian Industrial Group for High Technology (MIGHT). As per nine years ago, PM Dato’ Seri Najib managed to foster a strong and tight Government-to-Industry collaboration and working relationship, for the betterment of the nation.

On the question of the increasing the service industry as part of NEM’s plan into making the economy double in size by 2020, Dr. Zahid responded ”Indeed. We are working with a few prime movers in the defense industry, in clusters namely automotive, ICT, transport, maritime and aerospace”. He also said as part of the human capital development program for ex-servicemen who are regarded as still ‘productive’ and able to contribute to the economy, PERHEBAT will enhance their training programs based their existing skills, experience and exposure. This program is designed for ATM personnel who will be retiring or terms of service ending and part of the program is to work with institutes of higher learning as early as 18 months before they leave and diplomas be awarded.

Defense Minister Dr Zahid giving 'thumbs up' for his first Su 30 MKM experience

Dr. Zahid reiterated the role of the ATM as part of Malaysia’s foreign policy and involvement in international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions will not change, as per the previous 50 years. In 1960, then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra send the Army to Congo as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force and ever since, ATM have been involved in several missions and operations, which include Bosnia, Somalia, Cambodia, Western Sahara, Lebanon and Timor Leste. Dr. Zahid also said that ATM would be involved in training and development of the Afganistan armed and security forces.

He also said that ATM would be actively involved in exercises with foreign armed forces within the region and friendly countries. Example he gave was the recently concluded tri-services exercise with Indonesian counterparts.

Earlier after taking the flight with the most senior Su 30 MKM pilot Lt. Col. Mohd. Nor “Giro” Aris, Dr. Zahid dismissed Oppositions’ wild accusations that the TUDM Gong Kedak and Sqdn No. 11 were not operational, which include the runaway was damaged due to shoddy work. It is obvious, that the counter productive politicians were wrong  with ill intent and misleading. He also announced that MINDEF will propose to the Cabinet soon for an air terminal be built in TUDM Gong Kedak, to facilitate for bigger operations which include transport aircrafts. If approved, the project would be included in the 10th Malaysia Plan.

The visit to TUDM Gong Kedak was hosted by Air Force Chief Jen. Dato’ Seri Rodzali Daud TUDM. Also present in the visit is Chief Secretary to the Minister of Defense Dato’ Seri Abu Bakar Abdullah. The Officers of TUDM Gong Kedak surprised Dr. Zahid with the first year commemoration celebrations as Defense Minister which is today, by presenting a pulut kuning right after lunch at the officers’ mess TUDM Gong Kedak Wisma Perwira.

*Updated Sunday 11 April 2010 0800hrs

Tahir Majid: Then an exemplary agent of NEP and 1 Malaysia

Tahir Majid with yours truly, then still a small pup (circa late 1968)

Allahyarham Prof. Sr. Hj. Mohamad Tahir Bin Hj. Abdul Majid (FISM, FRICS, FCIOB, FCICM, AAACE) would have been eighty years old today, had he not succumbed to cirrhosis of the liver after a long and painful illness almost seventeen years ago. The Dean of Academic Affairs and a long serving Deputy Director of MARA Institute of Technology (ITM), he was one if not the earliest Malay chartered surveyor in Federation of Malaya.

When ITM was incepted in 1966 after the birth of MARA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural Development Tun Abdul Razak Hussein personally asked Tahir to set up the Architecture School, ITM. Then a practicing chartered surveyor, he summarily quit his lucrative job to accept the challenge which he had to start from scratch. ITM was then designed to give second tier Malay school leavers, mainly from the rural and under developed Malaysia an opportunity to have a stint of tertiary education at the times where the was only one university (University Malaya) and not much opportunities to be enrolled for good schools which offered sixth form, which are in the urban areas.

His indirect contribution to the Malay Agenda, realising in force the full potential of the rural and under privileged Malay students in the pre and infant times of the New Economic Policy (NEP) is immense. and unsurpassed He started as the founder of the Architecture School and then worked tirelessly to make sure the unknown ITM’s qualifications were recognised in the late sixties, at the times when JPA did not recognise the polytechnical college for government positions and so does Universiti Malaya. Tahir then the Dean of Academic Affairs, he took it to task to ‘market’ ITM graduates into direct entries for degree programs at universities in the United Kingdom and United States. Later as the Deputy Director, he worked further  to  develop and offer first ‘twinning’ programs such as BBA from Ohio University.  ITM was one of  local institution which offered high value courses such as ACCA, CIMA (then ICMA), ICSA and CIOB.  Tahir himself then was a fellow Institute of Surveyors Malaysia, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor, Institute of Chartered Builder and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Results came almost instantly. ITM graduates became a ‘prize’ for either the job market or institution of higher learning, mainly in the UK, US and Australia. From the early seventies, ITM was seen as tool for the realisation of NEP (eradication of poverty and alleviation of the socio-economic standing from development programs such as education, which include tertiary). As the COO, Tahir was instrumental in expanding the Shah Alam main campus in size and courses and developing branch campuses all over the nation, in the shortest time possible. Being a chartered surveyor and builder, he personally took  active role in overseeing these projects.

Many of successful ‘Towering Malays’ today were nurtured under his watch (1966-1984). Names like Dato’ Seri Mohd. Salleh Sulong (former CEO DRB Hicom), Dato’ Mohd. Salleh Abd. Majid, (former President KLSE),  Dato’ Khalid Ahmad (former CEO MRCB), Prof. Tan Sri Dr. Ibrahim Abu Shah (former Vice Chancellor UiTM), Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ir. Shahol Hamid  Abu Bakar (current Vice Chancellor, UiTM), Dato’ Zaid Ibrahim (former Chairman Zaid Ibrahim & Co), Dato’ Noripah Kamso (CEO CIMB Wealth Advisors), Datuk Ahirudin “Rocky” Attan (CEO and Editor of Malay Mail), Nuraina A. Samad (Managing Editor of NST), YB Dato’ Ibrahim Ali (MP for Pasir Mas),and YB Dato’ Ir. Mohamad Zain Mohamad (former Minister of Works).

He was also Institute of Surveyor Malaysia President. He promoted the progression of the profession regardless of ethnic background. For a brief period before Prof. Dr. Nik Rashid Nik Ismail of UM assumed his new posting, he was the Acting Director of ITM (now the position has been alleviated to Vice Chancellor). He obediently served as deputy to ITM Directors Tan Sri Arshad Ayub, Dato’ Lokman Musa, Prof. Tan Sri Dr. Awang Had Salleh and Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nik Rashid Nik Ismail.

Upon retirement an illustrious technical training and institute of higher learning, his  immense wealth of experience, exposure, skills and knowledge was still valued, not only within Malaysia but regionally. Not only he served ‘Malay’ institution like assuming the post of Visiting Professor of Quantity Surveyor at UTM, he also served Non Malay institutions. He was a willing and proud external examiner for the School of  Building Tunku Abdul Rahman College where his name lent credence to the qualifications awarded, mainly to the Chinese youths.

He later served in advisory role and capacity in the YTL Group of Companies, where in the late eighties and early nineties were in high gear with landmark construction projects.

In his last weeks of his life (then wheel chair bound), then Deputy Prime Minister Tun Ghaffar Baba honoured the supremo of the architecture, building and quantity survey professions amongst the Malays by announcing that the School of Architecture, Planning and Survey ITM be renamed as ‘Kompleks Tahir Majid’. He was the second person whose name to be honoured for a building within ITM, after the library was named ‘Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak’.

His legacy lives on. He worked tirelessly for the benefit of the rakyat and the fruits of his labour is par excellence.  By today’s convention, Tahir Majid upheld the 1 Malaysia struggle of, ‘Rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan‘.

May Allah s.w.t. bless his soul.

NEM still carrying through the affirmative action (NEP) agenda?

Prime Minister VI Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak announced his ‘New Economic Model’ (NEM) on 30 March 2010, as a transformation plan for Malaysia to move forward, especially in the challenges of globalisation and dynamism of the ‘innovative economy’. Malaysia is set to be a ‘high income economy’, which is on the third phase of socio-economic development strategic plan since Merdeka a little over 52 years ago. The agenda of ‘Vision 2020′ for Malaysia to be developed nation status still stands.

The media, especially mainstream carried the announcement across the board. Many are bullish about the prospects of the NEM transforming the economy to be more than double, within 10 years. The ‘broad-strokes’ are promising, to a point of inspiring for the optimists. However, the fine graphical lines have yet to be seen. Needless to say, many are willing to give the NEM a chance despite that some Malay NGOs already crying foul that the ‘Malay Agenda’ is feared to be excluded, whether in spirit or practice. This is something potentially emotional which the skepticism is already gathering momentum.

Yesterday, MSMs carried the story the agenda of the affirmative action plan, designed to alleviate the socio-economic status of majority of Malaysians especially in the rural areas and eradication of poverty seen from New Economic Policy (launched by Prime Minister II Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in 1971) and later renewed and adrenalised further in New Development Plan (launched by Prime Minister IV Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in 1990) is to be carried through in the NEM.

Bernama report:

Affirmative action policy to be more merit-based
‘Let’s create sense of belonging,’ says PM Najib

2010/04/04

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not do away with its affirmative action policy but will carry it out in a fairer and more transparent manner to improve the lives of Malaysians in the bottom 40 per cent of the population, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said last night.

The prime minister said the implementation of the policywould be more market-friendly, more merit-based and more on a needs basis.

“For example, I say if you want to eradicate poverty, if you want to address the lower 40 per cent population with income below RM1,500 a month, you must take care of the non-Malays or non-Bumiputeras as well.

“When you talk about Bumiputeras, it is not synonymous with Malays. What about the Iban, Kadazan, Bidayuh and the like? They are also Bumiputeras and they have the same rights,” he said in an exclusive interview aired by Bernama TV in conjunction with his first year in office.

The special interview on “Setahun di Aras 5: Temubual Khas Bersama Perdana Menteri” (One Year on Level 5: Special Interview with the Prime Minister) was helmed by Bernama deputy editor-in-chief Zulkefli Salleh and economic service editor Mikhail Raj Abdullah.

Najib took office on April 3 last year as Malaysia’s sixth prime minister
and, in the last 12 months, has introduced a slew of measures, including the 1Malaysia “People First, Performance Now” concept, the Government Transformation

Programme and, on March 30, the first part of the New Economic Model (NEM).

“Let us not be too corrupt with a certain way of looking at things, but let us look at ways that really create the sense of belonging that we are together as one nation and one people.”

Najib was responding to a question on Perkasa, a Malay non-governmental organisation that had said that 67 per cent of the country’s wealth should belong to the community.

He said the government’s goal to raise per capita income from US$7,000 to US$15,000 in 10 years, as outlined in the NEM, referred to average income.

“Obviously, not everyone will earn US$15,000. It is the same in any country. There will be rich people and there will be poor people. But the poor should not be overly poor to the point of being destitute.”

He also called on employers to improve their working environment and set higher salaries to entice Malaysians to take on jobs considered dirty and dangerous.

“Employers should do this and not make it too easy for them to hire foreign workers. And if we can increase the levy on foreign workers to be commensurate with the number that they want to hire, then there comes a point where it makes more business and economic sense to engage Malaysians, not foreigners.”

He spoke of a paradigm shift to move Malaysia from being a low-cost producer to an innovative economy to draw talent, including Malaysians working abroad because of better wages.

On the 1Malaysia concept, he said it was an idea mooted following discussions with groups to create a new instrument to strengthen solidarity.
“I frequently invite groups for discussion and exchange of ideas and when I outlined the idea, when we had a brainstorming, the idea of 1Malaysia came up.

“They (the opposition) dare not attack the 1Malaysia concept. They cannot dispute it, so they try to destroy and tarnish the concept by alleging that the idea came from another country. This is slander.” — Bernama

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NEP and NDP managed to bring up the Bumiputeras’  (as the 65% of the populous) ‘ownership’ of wealth from below 2.4% in 1970 to 19.8% in 2000. Programs like unit trusts such ASN and ASB under Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) consolidate wealth previously owned by foreigners and galvanised strength of the full potential of these corporations and eventually managed to spread the ownership of high value and blue-chip corporations to the masses. Bumiputeras are encouraged to be in SME/Is in various specific programs, intensified after NDP was revved up into high gear. During Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir’s tenure, essential services and several Government operations were corporatised and Malay professionals were exposed to corporate management and games, which proven to be very successful in the expansion of Bumiputera controlled PLCs.

Malaysia Inc. was born. A lot of the nation’s infrastructure was privatised and Bumiputeras who were allowed to developed themselves in these corporations, prevailed. Government Linked Companies (GLCs) were born and went through an exponential growth rate in form and substance. Malay controlled corporations grew into giants and world class conglomerates. Some even made it into the Fortune 500 list. The public sector-private sector successful partnership is now being revived back in the NEM. Within 30 years of NEP, Malay professionals now have proven themselves to be world class managers and owners of PLCs.

All of these managed to create a pool of Bumiputera controlled asset based conglomerates and PLCs, which is now the bulk of the 19.6% of wealth of the nation now in the hands of the 65% of the citizens. Besides GLCs led by Khazanah Holdings Bhd.(TNB, TM, Axiata, Malaysia Airlines, CIMB etc), PNB (Maybank) and conglomerates such as Sime Darby, Johor Corp, Bukhary Group, Sapura Holdings, Emkay Holdings, UEM and Naza Holdings became training grounds to multiply and expand the talents of Bumiputera professionals, especially amongst the Malays.

However, the practice in the market even by GLCs is not reflective of the ‘agenda’. In fact, it is very much contrary to PM Dato’ Seri Najib’s announcement that the affirmative action plan as a national policy is here to stay, for the same spirit that NEP and NDP were devised and implemented. Malaysia have seen change of policies before. However, the ‘interegnum’ period of PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003-2009) saw so many that have been put in place and worked by previous administrations, especially the industrial transformation boom during Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure (1981-2003).

Every time after new policies have been announced, television news reports are quickly followed by heap of praises by some not too unfamiliar faces on how the policies are timely, exactly what are needed by everyone, how the policies will further improve our country and so on. In all fairness, sound policies should be encouraged and praised.

Setting the right policies are of course very important. Get them right, we will even be what so many are dreaming of right now – being a truly ‘high income economy’ with high degree of competitiveness, economic liberalization, transparency, social equalities and what ever benefits associated with them.

What many people conveniently forget is that these policies often require for employment of right resources that must be steered into the right direction. This is the part where we must thread very carefully and it is rather worrying that none of those who heap praises on the PM Dato’ Seri Najib’s recent announcement of the NEM have cautioned the side-effects of the newly announced policies.

In his speech on the NEM, the PM Dato’ Seri Najib talked about accelerating the rate of divestment of GLCs in order to “enhance private sector opportunities and appropriately recalibrate the relationship between the public and private sectors”.

Every now and then, it is inescapable that, when policies (and the top people) are changed, there appears to be resources that are classified as ‘non-core’ or ‘non-competitive assets’. How does assets classification work? It is never terribly difficult to come up with the convention on what are deemed as ‘non-core’ or ‘non-competitive’. One may just need to redefine the present situation.  In reality, such classification depends on the degree of difficulties of justifying their divestment.

Take for example scandal of the sale of MV Augusta, during PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah’s and ‘Level Four Boys’ watch. The sale consideration for 1 Euro was spun in such a way that in the end, the spin doctors even made it look like the previous management were at fault for buying the motor cycle builder in the first place. The initial act of purchase was deemed so bad that in the end, the sale for 1 Euro should be easily considered as a smart move. Never mind about subsequent resale of a unit of Huqsvarna, a unit of MV Augusta to BMW for undisclosed sum  and the subsequent sale of MV Augusta to Harley Davidson for USD100 million. How strange that very little is said about the deal maker of that 1 Euro sale. It is not hard to imagine that such deal maker extraordinaire undoubtedly never needs to work for his living again for the rest of his life.

Currently, they are not very visible at the moment. Not much appears on the corporate radar. Nevertheless, this is the time when the vultures are fully awake and busy at work looking for delicious deals. With the help of some ‘sympathetic’ parties, it would not be too difficult to pry on assets of GLCs and it is even easier when the regulators are looking the other way. It happened to Avenue Capital and this episode even reminded us that the vultures can even resort to share swapping transactions aided by accounting hocus pocus of goodwill and assets impairment. The vultures in this case need not even have a respectable war chest before devouring their meal.

The NEM, will no doubt be used by some people to justify the sale of assets of GLCs in the manner that it is easy to forget the reason for their existence. It is true that there are some GLCs that are competing with private Bumiputera business. There are even some that are (consistently) loss making and uncompetitive and their propose disposals are therefore academic.

The bulk of the GLCs however have exposed many Bumiputera professionals to corporate and international business. They would not have otherwise been able to horn their corporate and management skills and many of them have, later on, added to the pool of capable professionals that private sectors have tap into. Some of the GLCs have also made it possible for Bumiputera to involve themselves in businesses that otherwise would entirely be the playground of those other than Bumiputera. For instance,  ‘Non Mandarin speaking’ professionals are working in companies that are colonial legacies which, prior to them being GLCs, were already competing as private businesses. They are used to competing with others and they even do so at international level. It is these types of GLCs that are actually worth more than their monetary value due to their contribution in enhancing the interest of Bumiputera in the corporate world.

The NEM therefore must not be used to justify the sale of GLCs and their assets just because some vultures say they are to ‘enhance private sector opportunities and appropriately recalibrate the relationship between the public and private sectors’. The vultures will no doubt spin their way, pay for sums that will be glossed as ‘way above the market value’ and their sales are pacified by virtue of  ‘releasing the GLCs of non-core and uncompetitive businesses’.

The funny thing is that no matter how these assets are considered as ‘non-core’ or ‘non-competitive’, there will always be some who are drooling to land these assets. Vultures, by nature, always do!

Judge Dredd?

The news about the judgment on lawyer and former Political Secretary to Prime Minister Matthias Chang from a RM 20,000.00 fine to the jailing for 30 days was just simply shocking. A devout Christian Chang is a litigation lawyer and we are very confident his ability to know where to draw the lines, especially in court.

"I am da-low (the law)!"

We were away overseas for the whole week when the case was heard and we only followed the developments of the case and Chang’s sentencing via e mails, news portal including MSMs’ and smses from friends. This include Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s take on the ‘Judge Dredd’-like behaviour in his latest blog posting of “Contempt”.

However, the e mail we received from his son Christopher Chang this afternoon was equally shocking too. We produced it verbatim for the benefit of bloggosphere readers:

If you look at the Committal Order, it is in Malay. However, do not worry, as Para 1 in summary is just talking about how the Court finds Matthias in contempt of court under Order 52 1(A) of the Rules of the High Court.

Then followed by para 2 – In English – THE CHARGE, which was not even read out to him before he was arrested, under the instigation of the Defendant Counsel (who shouted ARREST HIM! ARREST HIM!) and my father was taken into custody. My father did not leave the Court. In the charge it said “thereafter left the Court during the Court Proceedings.” He was still in COURT!! and the judge ORDERED THE POLICE OFFICER “TANGKAP DIA!” “TANGKAP DIA!” “TAHAN DIA!” which literally means ARREST HIM! ARREST HIM! in Malay, echoing the words of the Defendant Counsel. The charge was only prepared after the Judge ordered the police officer in charge to take him into custody and sent to Basement 2 (Police station/lock-up) of the Court Complex. In any event, Justice Noor Azian said, “You can do what you like.” when my father said that his counsels and him have been abused by her the whole morning, and he will complain to the Chief Justice and will now take leave and retire.

You may not wish to comment on what happened that day. But if you can, please comment on the charge itself as prepared by Justice Noor Azian. and express your views.

I will post them on the website and circulate.

Yours sincerely,

Christopher Chang

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Was the charge defective?

If what Matthias Chang claimed that the charge was not read properly and he was still in court where else the charge stated that otherwise is true and as what had actually happened, then a thorough investigation has to be carried out. Malaysians have the right to know whether what had happened to Matthias Chang in Court was proper or not and was there any miscarriage to the process to sought justice.

The stature of the courts to be fair and just and the continuous perception  of such must be maintained for Malaysians to have comprehensive confidence in seeking recourse. It would probably be wise for the YAA Chief Justice himself to personally investigate the matter for the sole purpose of maintaining the integrity and divine perception on the Judiciary of the nation.

Matthias Chang have since went on hunger strike as a sign of ultimate protest to his sentencing. We are very sympathetic to his family, respect his wishes and struggle and we seriously hope that he gets the justice he deserved, as soon as possible so that he could end the strike. He was said to be getting weaker by the day.

God help Matthias Chang. God also should protect the Malaysian Judiciary from any attempt to have a ‘Judge Dredd’: Judge, jury and executioner.

*Updated Monday 5 April 2010 1945hrs

Matthias Chang is getting physically weaker. He was transfered to Serdang Hospital for medical treatment. The fifth day into the hunger strike, it is starting to seriously affect his health. Never the less, he is adamant about being ‘victimised’ by the Judge and is still going ahead to prove his point.

His brother Michael Chang, has visited Matthias in Serdang Hospital, and has issued this statement:

“I understand from the Prison Authorities that Matthias has been transferred to Serdang Hospital as they fear for his health.”

“Matthias is physically weak but is lucid and still determined to carry on his campaign. He is on a drip and will only drink water.”

“I would also like to thank the Pengarah (Director) of Penjara Kajang (Kajang Prison), Tuan Nassif, DSP Basakaran, DSP Mohd Asri and all the prison officers who have extended every courtesy to me and the family.”