BigDogDotCom mengucapkan Selamat Menyambut Maulidur Rasul kepada semua pelayar Islam dalam alam blogosfera ini. Semoga kebaikan yang Allah s.w.t. kurniakan kepada Rasulullah S.A.W. akan menjadi pedoman dan panduan kita agar menjadi hambaNya yang cemerlang.
Mari kita sama sama salawat kepada junjungan besar kita, Muhammad, Rasulullah S.A.W., sempena memperingati Keputeraan Baginda, hari ini.
An NGO, The Federation of Malay Development and Education Organisation, invited former Finance Minister, UMNO Vice President and Semangat 46 President, Y.B.M. Tengku Tan Sri Razaleigh Hamzah as the speaker for this round’s lecture series. Tengku Razaleigh gave a lecture titled “The Thoughts and Vision of Tun Abdul Razak in the Nation Building-Nation State, Across Ethnic Boundaries”. It was held at the Main Hall, Akademi Islam, Universiti Malaya. The lecture was in Malay and 150 people attended.
The video can be viewed from Malaysia Today (www.malaysia-today.net)
Tengku Razaleigh started by saying Tun Abdul Razak was a very visionary man and his thoughts were much ahead of his time. At a time where the nation was still lack of so many essential services and basic needs, he had slowly crafted a solution to bring the nation forward.
According to Tengku Razaleigh, the British had a very cunning “Divide and Rule” manner, where different ethnic group were treated and managed with different set of policies and pace, regardless by design or default. The most glaring policy differences that were planned and implemented were on developmental economics and education.
Developmental economics then, can be called as “segregation economics”. The were serious disparity between the ethnic groups, their economic standing and progress and productivity, were at different level. The rural areas, where generally the Malays live, were left undeveloped where as the industries and commercial activities were carried out specifically in the urban areas; where the British placed the Chinese. The Indians were mostly in the estates.
Therefore, there is a serious poverty and under development issues amongst the Malays, who were the majority of the people in Malaya, being shunned away from the basic needs, essential services and infrastructure. The employment and vocation patterns shows further disparity. The Malays were only allowed subsistence economy status. The Chinese, however, were encouraged working the tin mines, then opening businesses and do trading. The Indians worked as estates and railroad / public work labourers. Some Indians, from the British experience in India, were allowed to practice technical and professional services.
Tun Razak saw that continuous socio-economic standing gap and further disparity between the ethnic group will one day create a serious imbalance in the country. This, will hinder the nation building and nation state process and goal.
He then devised a specific plan to correct this problem and it is about a more equitable solution to this ethnic related problem, left by the British.
One is education. In 1955, Tun Razak created a special committee. This committee comprises representatives of all races and includes the British educationists produced a report known as “The Razak Report” which recommended:
1. The entire school system within Federation of Malaya should adopt and implement one uniformed system; a common content syllabus
2. The post Merdeka education should use a uniformed national language by all schools
According to the report “Education in Malaya should aim to bring together the children of all races under a national education system in which the national language is the main medium of instruction though we realize that progress towards this goal cannot be rushed and must be gradual”, Razak Report, Ch.11, Pg. 12.
It was taken to the Federal Legislative Assembly and enacted as the Education Ordinance 1957 (superceding an earlier Education Ordinance, put in place by the British in 1952).
National language is a tool for national unity. It is a tool to bridge the cultural and religious divide between the different ethnic groups. National integration could be fostered there on.
The other is affirmative developmental socio-economic plans. When the serious social and economic disparity widens in the late 60s and the Malays being underdeveloped state were left where else the rest of the nation progress, a racial unrest easily erupted when provoked.
The National Operation Council (NOC) assumed the country’s management as the Parliament was suspended, due to the racial riots of 13 May 1969. Tun Razak chaired the NOC and instructed an economic development policy which is more ‘integrative and co-operative’ and fairer, between the ethnic group, is put in place.
To achieve that, the Malays, being the 60% of the people, had to have their economic standing be alleviated to at least 30% of the economy, within an initial time frame of twenty years.
Their underdevelopmentness in the rural areas should be addressed. Programs to ensure infrastructure, access to essential services and communications and develop their economic activity beyond subsistence economy, must be developed and implemented in order to make ‘the playing field more level’, especially between the Malays and non Malays.
The economic cake needs to expanded so that the Malays can play in the game by not taking from the non Malays existing portions. An extension to the economic cake is to provide the 30% requirements of the Malays.
A consultation between all the parties were called (with the exception of DAP, which refused!) and they came to a consensus. The New Economic Policy (NEP) was born in August 1971.
Tengku Razaleigh explained that NEP was not against free market principles. NEP is a tool just to adapt and allow the Malays into the free market game. He also explained the NEP is a structured social re-engineering package and it is actually a National Agenda (not a Malay Agenda). It is necessary to form national integrity.
Tengku Razaleigh further said even the developed West also adopt ‘Affirmative Social Actions’. President Bill Clinton adopted this policy to narrow the widening gap suffered by the Black Americans.
Some people called Tun Razak a socialist. Actually, Tun Razak mixed between the principles of free market economy and a pro-under developed-rural developmental national economy. Tengku Razaleigh reiterated that NEP is not about taking away from any ethnic group but expand the economy to incorporate the developmental economics programs.
Another important topic which Tengku Razaleigh touched is National Culture Policy (NCP). NCP is about a tool of national integration and unity. NCP main components are:
1. The indigenous peoples’ culture is the core basis of the National Culture
2. Other cultural elements which are suitable and able to be assimilated into the National Culture will be allowed
3. Islam is the very important aspect in the development of the National Culture
Tengku Razaleigh explained that the NCP does not intend to ‘Malay-nised’ the culture or ‘Islamize’ the faith of the non Malays. NCP will be the model the foster common national values. In short, NCP is a ‘social re-engineering’ plan to integrate Malaysians, crafted by Tun Abdul Razak.
Tun Razak also wanted the Malays to shed off the “rural mindset” and start to adopt “urbanization thinking”. Tengku Razaleigh then went on to tell about his long, close working relationship with Tun Razak, beginning in 1962 till the latter’s demise in 1976. Tun Razak had asked Tengku Razaleigh to start and develop landmark agencies such as Bank Bumiputra, PERNAS and Petronas.
Tengku Razaleigh reminded that its not Government’s duty to go into business. The one of the responsibility of the Government is to induce investments from abroad, to generate economic activities. The Government, however, has moral duty to protect the country’s sovereignty not allow the land within these borders be economical assets of powers from elsewhere.
Tengku Razaleigh ended his lecture by asking everyone to go back to Tun Razak’s thinking and policies, for the betterment of the Malays and the others, as well as the nation.
Amongst those in the audience was former Prime Minister and UMNO President Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Tun Dr. Mahathir was then invited by the organizing Chairman, Tan Sri Arshad Ayub, to off-the-cuff address the seminar.
Tun Dr. Mahathir took the rostrum and talked how he was given a second chance by Tun Razak and appointed as the Education Minister in 1974, after being sacked from UMNO earlier by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra. He also explained that Tun Razak was instrumental to ensure that Dato’ Hussein Onn appointed him as his Deputy.
Tun Dr. Mahathir sportingly said that he had differences with Tengku Razaleigh once. However, he went on saying that he allowed many people who went against him to comeback to the fold for the sake of Perjuangan, even appointed some of them as Cabinet Ministers, including the current Prime Minister. Tun Dr. Mahathir coyly joked that he almost took Tengku Razaleigh back into the Cabinet one time but after an article appeared in Far Eastern Economic Review, the former had to “review” the appointment. This two men’s sportsmanship drew laughter from the audience.
Tun Dr. Mahathir last word was he considers himself to be a Tun Razak man as well. However, he has his own interpretations to Tun Razak’s social re-engineering package plan and consider this a ‘norm’, although some people might interpret the variations as “differences”.
Although the weather was terrible, it was indeed a very good afternoon to have the two best Malay minds, on the same platform.
*photos taken from photo-blogo-journo Mr. Jinggo’s posting in MyKMU.net forum (www.forum.mykmu.net)
“The fate of the people is determined by the people themselves” and “The people gets the Government they deserve”.
These are the two phrases which can sum up former UMNO President and Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s spicy 90 minute speech in Kulai, this evening. The forum, titled “Kepimpinan Melayu di Era Globalisasi” was organized by Kulai Besar branch of the Kulai UMNO Division, at a local sports club multi purpose hall. Over 800 people attended. Even though the event was organized by an UMNO branch, many local non Malays attended with zest. It became a Malaysian affair.
Like the one before, this time Tun Dr. Mahathir is shifting the responsibilty to correct the many skewed situation currently in our beloved country on thr people.
Tun Dr. Mahathir started by saying the Malay rulers almost gave everything up to the post World War II British Military Administration suggestion to colonialised Malaya instead its earlier ‘protected territory’ status. However Dato’ Onn Jaafar consolidated all the Malay organizations to form UMNO and with this, a very strong uniformed Malay force exist.
Dato’ Onn Jaafar, Dato’ Panglima Bukit Gantang, Zaaba and Nik Ahmad Kamil had the overwhelming support of the Malays and made them so popular and influential. As the leaders of a popular and strong peoples’ movement, the British administration were unable to do anything to them. With this strong backing of the people, these leaders dared to take risk against the British, a superpower which recently managed to win the World War. Indeed, they were succesful.
He said it is important for the people to be sensitive of their surroundings. It was reminded that the Malays should not easily agree with the leadership, for the sake of being subordinates. Disagreement with leadership does not tantamount to treachery. If the leadership is making decisions no longer benefited the majority of the people, then the people should do the necessary to ensure that the leaders who are protecting the interest of the majority is elected to office.
In the past, the Malay Rulers agreed to allow the British to ‘manage’ their state because they had become obtuse and looking for ‘easy money’ (Where Malay Rulers are offered handsome pay and lifetime pension for their powers and sovereignty). The pattern is much history repeating itself when he talked about Iskandar Development Region (IDR). The Government is now inviting foreigners to indiscriminately develop the prime area in Asia’s continent southest tip.
Tun Dr. Mahathir talked about how Globalisation is actually a scheme where the rich and powerful nations benefitted immensely and at the same time, oppress the poor and human-rich nations. He then cautioned for the people to look into whether is Globalisation bringing benefit to us or otherwise.
A strong message that the former Premier making a point today was its our duty to protect our sovereignty and not allow our “Kemerdekaan” eroded, bit by bit. The example he specifically made reference about is the IDR and its Free Access Zone (FAZ) foreign ‘carte blanche’ and decision made to cancel the Johor Scenic Bridge.
The IDR FAZ seamless movement of people, products and capital crossing into Malaysian border (from Singapore) will not require any form of documentation, inspection nor regulations. This seamlessness will give ample opportunites for “rogue business people” and “robbers” (penyangak dan perompak) to own businesses and properties and buy into interests, with ease. This fear also is extended against Israelis; people, products and business interests (for the record, Malaysia does not recognize Israel and Israel is a strong Singaporean ally).
The Gerbang Pintu Selatan CIQ complex and Scenic Bridge were planned for increasing number of traffic in and out of Singapore and to alleviate any intrusion in regular increasing Johor Bahru local traffic. Of course, to make the water in Johor Straits passable was in the interests of Malaysians as well. One interesting point Tun Dr. mahathir highlighted that the Gerbang Perdana project grew from RM 800 million to RM 1.4 billion and was wondering on the escalation.
Tun Dr. Mahathir repeated that our policies towards Singapore has been overbearingly too generous and lop-sided. He reminded the audience that First Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra expelled Singapore from the Federation because of the Singaporeans’ selfcentredness and if he was to see how situation developed today, after 42 years, he will be very disappointed.
Tun Dr. Mahathir cynically challenged the Johoreans since all these decisions made by Kuala Lumpur which involves the Johoreans, there wasn’t much response. Even when Tun Musa proposed that NEP is withdrawn from IDR, the Malays kept quiet.
On the issue of the economy, Tun Dr. Mahathir admitted and appreciated that the Chinese played an important role of nation building in their entrepreneurial nature. However, lately since business opportunities are sliding here at home, many chose to try their luck elsewhere, including China. He said if the Chinese wholesomely leave the country to do their business elsewhere, then the nation’s economic system would seriously suffer.
Tun Dr. Mahathir took snipes against the Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, as usual, again. He possed a striking question “What is more important, the suffering of the Johorean because of the Great Flood or go on holiday and officiate a nasi kandar restaurant in Perth?”
He also said the Prime Minister Abdullah lied when he cited the reason of the cancellation of the Scenic Bridge is because “the people don’t want it”. Tun Dr. Mahathir now calls Prime Minister Abdullah as in the same league of leaders such as George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard; Liars!
During the zestful Q & A session, a local resident suggested that a referendum be made pertaining to the Scenic Bridge issue undertaken for once; to set the record straight. Another audience, a local resident of Indian ethnicity who lives in Gelang Patah said that if the Malays within IDR suffer because of NEP no longer gives them advantage against foreign businesses, then naturally the Indians and Chinese will be affected too.
A local UMNO Youth ask about Tun Dr. Mahathir’s opinion about UMNO Youth. According to Tun Dr. Mahathir, UMNO Youth supposed to be the activist within UMNO but that is not the case. For example UMNO Youth did not have an opinion and stance on FTA with the US issues. He was honest enough to point out that when his son, Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir commented to the media on the UMNO Presidential Address in November 2006’s AGM, there weren’t any new materials in the speech a result, UMNO Youth spend a lot of time reprimanding him instead.
Undoubtedly, this is the feistiest critic Tun Dr. Mahathir had against current issues and the administration. I am so glad he did it on an UMNO platform and it attracted so many non Malays Malaysians’ attention and participation. This only shows that Tun Dr. Mahathir now has overwhelming support of Malaysians and his speech is getting more prickly and open.
More of this 82 year old much loved statesman were to come, within this 2007.
Post Scriptum: Tun Dr. Mahathir’s speech in Kulai video is up, courtesy of Malaysia Today (www.malaysia-today.net).
I’m in Johor Bahru today. I am in the city where my in laws live and where I got married almost twelve years ago (Yes, I read the oath of ‘taqliq’ in Jawi!). I am in the city where my father grew up and spend a great deal of time during his adolescence. I am in the city where UMNO charter was declared on 11 May 1946 at the Istana Besar. I am in my most favourite city!
The journey into the city, I drove getting off at Skudai interchange, through the old Skudai-Johor Bahru road. We then had Mee Rebus Hj. Wahid, at Plaza Angsana. A must, whenever I am in Johor Bahru.
Then soon afterwards, we proceeded to the hotel. On the way, I showed a close friend of mine places of interests like Istana Bukit Serene, Danga Bay, Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar, Ungku Aminah Hospital, Istana Besar, Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, Johor Bahru City Centre and the largest white elephant in the country, the new CIQ at Gerbang Perdana project. The building is now redundant because the Scenic Bridge project was canceled by the Prime Minister, March 2006.
On the way, I was explaining to my friend about Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak. He was born in 1850 and received education in England whilst accompanying Ungku Othman, a nephew of the Sultan of Johor in 1871. He came back to Johor in 1878 and assume the position of what it is today the Assistant Director in the Secretary of State’s Office.
He was a commoner, who rose successfully in the Johor Civil Service and single handedly created landmark in the history of Malaya when he drafted the Johor Constitution, the first amongst Malay states and came into effect on 14 April 1894. Earlier, as the Assistant Secretary of State, he persuaded His Majesty Maharaja Abu Bakar, the Sultan of Johor to enter a treaty with the Governor Sir Fredderick Weld, representing the British. It became a protection for Johor against British colonialisation. He was bestowed the title “Dato’ Seri Amar DiRaja”.
The Johor Constitution became the fundamental reference for the other states’ constitutions, there onwards. As the Sate Secretary, he also put in place a very structured civil service system, which still being practiced till present day and an envy by the other states’ civil service .
During the launching of South Johor Economic Region on 4 November 2007, His Majesty Sultan Iskandar, Sultan of Johor said the area should be named for “Rahman Andak Development Region”, instead of Iskandar Development Region. His Majesty breached protocol to say that Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak did so much for the state and protected the state from British Colonialisation.
This is taken from Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) about Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak
Abdul Rahman bin Andak yang bergelar Datuk Seri Amar Diraja adalah pembesar yang sangat pintar di Johor. Bapa beliau ialah Haji Andak bin Haji Jamak manakala adiknya Tan Sri Taib Andak. Beliau telah mendapat pendidikan British. Oleh itu, beliau mempunyai hubungan yang rapat dengan pegawai British dan pedagang asing di Johor.
Tugas utama yang dilakukan oleh Datuk Seri Amar Diraja ini adalah mengawal hubungan yang dijalankan di antara kerajaan Johor dengan pihak British. Tugas yang dilakukan sememangnya amat berat. Beliau harus menentukan agar hubungan berjalan dengan seimbang. Dengan begitu, British tidak dapat mengambil kesempatan untuk menguasai dan menjajah negeri Johor. Beliau telah menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik sehingga terdapat pihak British yang amat tidak menyukainya kerana sikapnya yang tegas terhadapa mereka.
Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak adalah anak Johor yang pertama melanjutkan pelajaran di England dalam tahun 1870’an. Abdul Rahman memulakan kerjayanya dalam JCS dan berakhir dengan jawatan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri. Dalam menyelamatkan Johor dari terperangkap dengan muslihat penjajah Inggeris, Abdul Rahman selaku Penasihat Sultan bertanggungjawab menasihat Sultan Abu Bakar menandatangani teriti persahabatan dengan British dalam tahun 1885, Perlembagaan Negeri Johor 1895 dan menyekat percubaan Inggeris melantik Penasihat Am Inggeris. Inggeris mendapati selagi ada Abdul Rahman Andak mereka sukar menguasai Johor. Oleh itu Sultan Ibrahim telah dipengaruhi untuk menamatkan perkhidmatan Dato’Sri Amar DiRaja dan di’amankan’ di England dalam tahun 1909. Keadaan ini membolehkan Inggeris bertapak di Johor dalam tahun 1909 dan menguasai Johor mulai 1914.
Pada tahun 1888 satu pertubuhan yang dinamakan Pakatan Belajar Mengajar Pengetahuan Bahasa ditubuhkan oleh Muhammad Ibrahim Munsyi . Tujuannya adalah untuk mengkaji dan mempelajari bahasa Melayu agar pengetahuan bahasa Melayu itu lebih mudah disebarkan kepada orang Melayu. Usaha yang utama organisasi ini ialah menterjemahkan istilah atau perkataan daripada bahasa Inggeris ke dalam bahasa Melayu. Beberapa perkataan yang dicipta ketika itu dan kekal hingga sekarang adalah seperti : setiausaha, pejabat, dan kerja raya.
Pada tahun 1934 nama pertubuhan ini ditukar kepada Pakatan Bahasa Melayu dan Persuratan Buku-buku Di-Raja. Pertubuhan ini dipimpin oleh Dato’ Abdul Rahman bin Andak.
As the Johor Secretary of State, Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak criticized the Johor Advisory Council in 1905, which led to all the members resigned. The British used this to instigate His Majesty the Sultan of Johor. Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak fell out out favour from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as the British, through Governor Anderson had instigated His Majesty further that Rahman were an obstacle to Johor-British relations. His Majesty then ‘retired’ Rahman with an annual pension of a thousand sterling pounds and he went to ‘exile’ in England in 1914. His position was filled with a British Officer name D. C. Campbell and it became the beginning of British direct influence in the Johor Government administration.
Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak passed away in London and was buried in Woking, 1930.
Post Scriptum: In the Wikipedia write up, it states that Dato’ Abdul Rahman Andak is the elder brother of Tan Sri Taib Andak, former FELDA dan Maybank Chairman. It is not possible because the two were born 70 years apart.
Former UMNO President and Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has been invited to speak at a seminar, organised by one of the Kulai UMNO Division local branch on Thursday (29 March 2007) afternoon. This is Tun Dr. Mahathir’s first speech on the political platform since the one in Johor Bahru, 10th February 2007.
The event called “Majlis Seminar Melayu ke Arah Globalisasi” and it will be held at Dewan Putri, Kelab Taman Putri, Kulai, Johor on Thursday, 29 March 2007 at 3.30 pm.
This is Tun Dr. Mahathir’s first speech on an UMNO platform, this year. The last time he was invited to speak at an UMNO organised event was last year in Johol, Negeri Sembilan. He has been a strong critic on few issues based on the decisions the current administration has made and changed. Tun Dr. Mahathir is very pleased that UMNO organisations are inviting him to speak and has said will continue to speak as long as the UMNO members wants him to do so.
Tun Dr. Mahathir complained no less than 14 events which he was invited to speak were canceled because the organizers were put under “pressure” not to have the event proceed.
He suffered a mild heart attack last November after a hectic schedule and trips abroad. However, his spirit to meet the people, especially UMNO members is not dampened despite the strong advice by his physicians for him to reduce his engagements, especially involves traveling.
Today is the 200th Anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). This morning, I woke up to a lazy Sunday morning, watching the special parade at Dataran Merdeka for the celebrations, from the absolute comfort of my bed.
His Majesty the SPB YDP Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin graced the event. His Majesty did the trooping of colours and bestowed the 19th Battalion of the General Operations Force, based in Central Brigade, Cheras with its Royal Colours.
Prime Minsiter Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is the Minister of Internal Security, was also present. So are the top brass in the RMP, Chief Police of Asean countries and other dignitaries, which include former and a very long service IGP, Tun Mohamed Haniff Omar. Of course, the wives of the policemen were also there.
As soon as the parade ends and we had our usual Sunday morning nasi lemak breakfast, my wife struck the idea to bake our local police a cake. At noon, she left for the nearest Tesco to buy the ingredients. Late afternoon, a chocolate cake a foot in diameter, two inch thick and all the sweetness trimmings were completed. I never thought she actually baked a rich chocolate cake. So, there was I and Girl-Girl left for our local police station.
When I arrived, I asked the sweet policewoman behind the desk who is in charge in the station, this evening. She then went looking for her immediate superior. I explained to the corporal in charge that we wanted to show our appreciation to the local police for providing us the blanket of security that enable us to sleep well at night, every night. He was surprised, but with glee. In his 15 years service, no one ever did this whilst he is on duty.
That is the thing. Our lives are so much better because the Police Force is there. They recorded all our complaints like thefts, robberies and especially accidents. Their police report copy is a valid document everyone must posses, to claim from insurance, replace a lost identity card or driver’s license. They provide traffic duties every morning when we go to work or every evening when we come home, rain or shine, so that the horrendous traffic jam is much bearable. When we die, without a police burial permit, we cannot commit the body. In short, the Police are so much integral part of our daily lives.
And yet, we always take them for granted. They work, tirelessly, so that we sleep better at night and our properties do not get violated. Some lives even sacrificed, in the line of duty. All that just for a meager pay. I have seen policemen going to incident sites in their own cars or motorbikes and making calls on the own personal mobile phones because the Police Force unable to meet all logistical and equipment requirements. And yet the still serve, relentlessly. Their motto is “ready to serve” and “friendly, fast and accurate”. Without their dedication, our nation would have already turned chaotic and into the state of lawlessness.
So let us dedicate today as the Police Appreciation Day. Like us, they need love. They also need to be appreciated. Like us, they also feel good when they feel that they have friends. I hope I taught my dear sayang something about civic duty, today. This is my way of instilling patriotism, to my ten year old.
To the men in dark blues, Happy 200th Police Day. May God al Mighty bless you.
Hari ini, adalah ulangtahun ke 200 perkhidmatan Polis DiRaja Malaysia. Hari ini adalah hari memperingati satu pasukan yang ‘sedia berkhidmat’, secara konsisten, untuk masyarakat Malaysia berada dalam keadaan yang aman, harmoni, berstruktur dan sistematik. Pasukan polis hari ini telah berubah menjadi pasukan yang mengunakan teknologi, peralatan canggih, imbuhan komunikasi dan bantuan logistik, sains forensik, pengkhususan tertentu dan kerjasama agensi antarabangsa untuk menentukan siasatan jenayah berjaya diselesaikan, undang undang dihormati, rakyat merasakan keselamatan terjaga dan keadaan Negara untuk melakukan dan menjalankan aktiviti harian seperti kegiatan intensif sosial and ekonomi yang kondusif, walaupun dicabar dengan kehendak masyarakat yang lebih rumit and sofistikated.
Pasukan yang berkembang dari unit kepolisian Negeri Negeri Selat, disusun semula dibawah satu pasukan yang dipanggil Pasukan Polis Perkhidmatan Awam selepas British Military Adminsitration (pentadbir Malaya sejurus selepas tamat pendudukan tentera Jepun, 1941-1945) dan mempunyai sistem hieraki umpama tentera darat British. Pasukan ini mula diuji kemampuanya semasa Darurat (1948-1960), iaitu menangani ancaman getir pemberontakan penganas komunis dan berusaha menjamin keselamatan orang awam serta harta benda.
Peristiwa serangan diBalai Polis Bukit Kepong pada 23 Februari 1950 adalah titik hitam yang sentiasa menjadi aspirasi pasukan polis untuk menegakan keamanan dan menentang jenayah, terutama keganasan pemberontakan komunis. Balai polis terpencil diUtara Johor tanpa sistem kommunikasi, termasuk jalanraya ini diserang oleh 200 ketumbukan penganas komunis dan pasukan Polis dibawah Sjn. Jamil Md. Shah mempertahankan balai ini selama 6 jam, apabila diminta menyerah diri. Akhirnya, 25 orang terkorban termasuk Jamil sendiri, 13 orang anggota polis lain dan 3 orang polis bantuan. Balai Polis Bukit Kepong kemudian dibakar hangus.
Kejayaan pasukan polis mengekang ancaman keganasan komunis dengan berkesan, termasuk dengan penglibatan angkatan tentera Commonwealth, membolehkan Kerajaan Persekutuan Malaya dibawah pimpinan Ketua Menteri Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra berunding dan berjaya beroleh kemerdekaan dari Whitehall pada 31 Ogos 1957, 3 tahun sebelum Darurat secara rasmi ditamatkan.
Pasukan polis ini kemudian dipanggil Polis Diraja Malaya (PDRM) pada 24 Julai 1958 apabila DYMM SPB YDP Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman perkenan mengurniakan taraf “DiRaja” kepada Pasukan Polis Persekutuan. Walaupun Darurat di isytiharkan tamat pada tahun 1960, namun ancaman komunis masih lagi berleluasa, terutama dipendalaman dan gerakan subsersif. Ini jelas apabila dua orang pegawai terutama PDRM iaitu Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hashim (pada 7 Jun 1974) dan Ketua Polis Perak Tan Sri Khoo Chong Kong (pada 13 Nov 1975) ditembak mati.
Selain dari rusuhan kaum 13 Mei 1969, PDRM melalui tiga episod yang melibatkan konflik bersenjata lagi iaitu peristiwa serangan keatas Balai Polis Batu Pahat oleh kumpulan ajaran sesat yang diketuai Jaafar Fatullah pada tahun 1981.
Peristiwa Memali pada 19 November 1985 menyaksikan pasukan FRU dan Pasukan Polis Hutan PDRM cuba masuk ke Kampung Memali, Baling, Kedah untuk menahan Ibrahim Libya dan beberapa orang kanan beliau. Ini ditentang hebat 400 orang kampung, termasuk wanita dan kanak kanak yang begitu taksub dengan ajaran Ibrahim dan sanggup mengunakan kekerasan dan senjata bagi menghalang dari Ibrahim ditahan polis. Akhirnya, setelah berlaku pertempuran sengit, 18 terkorban termasuk 4 anggota polis. Sebuah Kertas Putih dibentang diParlimen , kesan peristiwa berdarah ini.
Terbaru ialah Insiden Al Maunah. Ini ialah dimana kumpulan ajaran sesat Al Maunah telah merampas 97 laras M16, empat laras GPMG dan lima laras pelancar grenad dari Bn 304 Askar Wataniah, Kem Banding, Grik dan melarikanya ke Bukit Jenalik, Kampung Sauk, Perak pada 2 Julai 2000. Peristiwa ini menyaksikan dua orang anggota keselamatan iaitu Detektif Korporal Sangadhevan, dari Cawangan Khas, PDRM dan Truper Matthew Ak Medan dari 21 Commando Pasukan Gerak Khas Tentera Darat berjaya ditangkap, seksa dan bunuh dengan kejam. Chif Inspektor Abdul Razak Mohd. Yusof dari unit elit VAT 69 PDRM telah berjaya memujuk Muhd. Amin Razali dan pasukanya meletakan senjata dan ditahan serta merta. Razak dikurniakan pingat tertinggi Negara untuk keberanian iaitu Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (S.P.) kerana kejayaan ini manakali Amin dan dua lain dijatuhkan hukuman mati kerana didapati kesalahan memerangi DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda diPertuan Agong.
PDRM terus beroleh kejayaan untuk mengekalkan keamanan dan harmoni agar kegiatan kehidupan rakyat Malaysia seperti aktiviti ekonomi. Cawangan Khas, satu legasi kekuatan PDRM yang ditinggalkan British, merupakan tunggak kekuatan untuk menentang dan melemahkan anasir subsersif. Bermula dari Darurat, unit ini berjaya mengunakan kemampuan risikan untuk merancang pergerakan. Ini juga terbukti berkesan dalam konflik komunism serantau dalam era 60an dan 70an dimana begitu banyak aktiviti anasir subsersif dalam tanahair kita ini. Salah satu insiden antarabanga ialah Tentera Merah Jepun menceroboh bangunan AIA diKuala Lumpur yang menempatkan Kedutaan Amerika Syarikat dan Sweden.
Kejayaan Cawangan Khas sampai kemuncaknya apabila Pengarah Cawangan Khas Dato’ Abdul Rahim Noor berjaya berunding dengan Chin Peng dan saki baki kepimpinan Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) untuk beberapa tahun, diThailand dan China dan akhirnya pada tahun 1989, Persetujuan Perdamaian berjaya ditanda tangani antara Kerajaan Malaysia dan PKM di Hatyai, Thailand. Ini kejayaan terbesar bagi PDRM yang memerangi PKM selama 41 tahun dan telah mengorbankan banyak nyawa dan harta, kini mengisytiharkan perletakan senjata mereka secara rasmi. Rahim kemudian dilantik menjadi Deputi IGP dan akhirnya IGP apabila Tun Mohamed Hanif Omar bersara pada tahun 1994.
Kini PDRM menerima cabaran baru kepolisian dengan mengunakan sistem gerak kerja yang lebih sistematik, effisyen dan pengunaan teknologi, sesuai dengan kehendak masyarakat dan Negara yang makin mencabar. Methodologi canggih seperti sains forensik, ICT dan jaringan risikan kepolisian yang ekstensif mula digunakan secara berleluasa untuk mencegah jenanyah jenayah seperti kes kes bunuh kejam, perjudian, kongsi gelap, dadah dan pelbagai jenayah perdagangan, yang makin rumit. Ini ditegaskan dalam sidang media Ketua Polis Negara, Insp. Jen. Tan Sri Musa Hassan semalam, sempena sambutan khas ini.(dipetik dari Bernama).
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Mac (Bernama) — Polis Diraja Malaysia menyambut ulang tahun ke-200 penubuhannya esok dengan visi baru untuk menjadi “penguatkuasa utama yang berintegriti, kompeten dan komited untuk bekerja dalam masyarakat”. Sejajar itu, Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Musa Hassan juga memperkenalkan misi baru pasukan itu iaitu “pasukan PDRM komited untuk berkhidmat dan melindungi negara dengan bekerjasama dengan masyarakat dalam mengekalkan undang-undang”.
“Misi itu mempunyai objektif supaya polis dapat meningkatkan keberkesanan ketenteraman awam dan keselamatan negara, mempertingkatkan kecekapan dan keberkesanan perolehan bagi membanteras kegiatan yang mengancam keselamatan negara dan mempertingkatkan integriti polis dalam memberikan perkhidmatan yang berkesan,” katanya kepada pemberita di sini sempena sambutan ulang tahun Hari Polis ke-200 itu.
Musa berkata visi dan misi baru itu tidak akan mencapai objektifnya jika pegawai dan anggota PDRM tidak mengubah minda mereka.
“Mengubah pemikiran anggota dan pegawai merupakan cabaran utama yang terpaksa dihadapi berbanding dari cabaran luaran,” katanya.
Misi dan visi itu adalah antara usaha Musa dalam melaksanakan 125 cadangan yang telah disyorkan oleh Suruhanjaya Diraja Penambahbaikan dan Perjalanan Pengurusan PDRM.
Beliau berkata secara dasarnya sebanyak 90 peratus daripada cadangan suruhanjaya itu telah dilaksanakan manakala empat lagi cadangan masih dalam tindakan.
“Integriti dan disiplin yang tinggi, penuh beramanah dan bertangungjawab dalam menjalankan tugas, tekun, tabah serta jujur adalah ciri-ciri yang perlu ada bagi setiap warga PDRM,” katanya.
Setiap anggota polis juga dikehendaki bersikap prihatin dan mesra serta mengutamakan hak asasi manusia, kata Musa.
Antara usaha lain yang sedang beliau usahakan ialah untuk meningkatkan kualiti modal insan dengan memberi pelbagai pendedahan ilmu serta latihan bagi meningkatkan tahap kecekapan anggota polis.
Beliau juga berhasrat untuk menambahkan jumlah keanggotaan pasukan sebanyak 60,000 orang lagi daripada 97,000 pada masa ini, agar polis dapat memberi khidmat yang lebih memuaskan kepada masyarakat.
“Penambahan itu juga membolehkan polis menghadapi ancaman-ancaman yang datang dari dalam dan dari luar,” katanya.
— BERNAMA
Dalam laporan lain, Musa juga mencadangkan kepada JPA dan Kerajaan bahawa gaji anggota polis dinaikan dan kelulusan minima untuk menjawat sesuatu pangkat, dijadikan syarat bagi pengambilan baru dan kenaikan pangkat, sesuai untuk menentukan professionalism kepolisian mereka dan mengelakan amalan rasuah.(laporan ini dipetik dari Mingguan Malaysia, 25 Mac 2007)
Oleh: RUHAIDINI ABD. KADIR dan SITI MARIAM MD. ZAIN
KUALA LUMPUR 24 Mac – Kenaikan gaji pokok anggota dan pegawai Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) sebanyak 20 peratus lebih tinggi daripada kakitangan sektor awam lain merupakan antara cadangan penstrukturan semula PDRM kepada kerajaan.
Turut diberi perhatian dalam penstrukturan semula PDRM ialah penambahan anggota dan kenaikan taraf kelulusan sekurang-kurangnya Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) untuk konstabel, diploma bagi jawatan sarjan, manakala ijazah untuk jawatan inspektor.
Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Musa Hassan berkata, penstrukturan semula itu seharusnya dilihat sebagai lonjakan bagi membaiki taraf dan meningkatkan kualiti profesionalisme anggota serta pegawai polis.
‘‘Anggaran (peratusan kenaikan) itu agak besar tetapi ia dilihat penting dalam usaha meningkatkan keberkesanan PDRM dalam memberi perkhidmatan cemerlang kepada masyarakat,’’ katanya dalam wawancara dengan Mingguan Malaysia sempena Ulang Tahun Pasukan Polis Ke-200 di Ibu Pejabat Polis Bukit Aman di sini, baru-baru ini.
Kertas cadangan penstrukturan semula PDRM telah dikemukakan kepada Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) dan kini dalam proses semakan untuk kelulusan.
Dalam skim sekarang, jawatan konstabel bermula dengan gred gaji YY1 RM690 dan sarjan RM1,164. Gaji berkenaan tidak termasuk elaun.
Menurut Musa, skim gaji sedia ada amat rendah, tidak setimpal dan cadangan itu jika diluluskan dapat meringankan beban hidup kakitangan PDRM dan mengelak amalan rasuah.
Selain itu, PDRM turut mengemukakan usul skim baru kenaikan pangkat bagi anggota dan pegawai dengan memansuhkan proses temu duga, sebaliknya melalui kursus yang akan menjadi ‘medan’ menguji kualiti calon berkelayakan.
– Mingguan Malaysia
Dalam sidang media yang sama, Musa juga menegaskan sebuah Universiti Polis juga akan diujudkan untuk menentukan keperluan kepolisian PDRM dan secara langsung, memenuhi harapan dan kehendak masyarakat dan Negara yang makin mencabar. Rancangan lima tahun PDRM yang diumumkan Musa ini sebahagian dari proses pemodenan dan penjenamaan semula PDRM, yang lahir dari laporan Suruhanraya DiRaja menyiasat kes “ketuk ketampi dalam lokap polis”, pada Mei 2005. Sebuah Suruhanjaya Bebas Mengawal Selia dan Salahlaku Perkhidmatan Polis (IPCMC) telah dicadangkan. Sebilangan besar dari cadangan dalam Suruhanjaya DiRaja yang dipengerusikan mantan Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah ini diterima pakai, disesuai dan terapkan dalam perkhidmatan PDRM hari ini. Penjamaan semula penting bagi PDRM agar imej dan penerimaan rakyat keatas professionalism pasukan polis sentiasa berada ditahap tinggi dan moral pasukan terus teguh.
Masyarakat Malaysia moden tidak mungkin mampu mendapat kualiti hidup yang sebegini baik tanpa imbuhan dan keberkesanan PDRM menjalankan tugas mereka, setiap masa tanpa penat mengenal sebarang bentuk cabaran dan halangan. Interaksi masyarakat moden Malaysia secara langsung atau tidak dengan PDRM seharian seperti pasukan trafik menentukan pengurangan kesesakan dan keselamatan dijalan raya, pasukan tugas am untuk menentukan jenayah dikurangkan, perairan Negara dijaga dan penyeludupan melalui sempadan dihalang. PDRM juga terlibat dalam kes kes sosial seperti jenayah keganasan domestik dan melibatkan orang dibawah umur. PDRM juga setia berkhidmat dan terlibat setiap kali berlaku bencana. Pasukan Polis Hutan (sekarang Pasukan Gerakan Am), satu unit para-military awam paling berkesan dalam dunia, berjaya mengurangkan ancaman penganas komunis untuk 40 tahun. Pendekata, tanpa pasukan polis yang professional, tidak mungkin kita menikmati keselesaan kehidupan seperti sekarang.
Sempena Hari Ulangtahun Polis DiRaja Malaysia ke 200 ini, diucapkan setinggi tinggi tahniah dan penghargaan tidak terhingga keatas perkhidmatan, professionalism dan pengorbanan satu pasukan keselamatan dan agensi menegak undang undang yang begitu dedikasi, untuk kepentingan masyarakat dan Negara.
A lot of hue and cry were recorded about former Deputy UMNO President and Prime Minister, Tun Musa Hitam’s statement two days ago. This was reported by Bloomberg (www.bloomberg.com), which got many Malay nationalists jumping
Malaysia Must End Race Policy in Johor, Adviser Says
By Angus Whitley and Haslinda Amin
March 21 (Bloomberg) — Malaysia should exempt the southern state of Johor from policies that favor the ethnic Malay majority to help attract foreign investors to the area, former Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam said.
Policies that give the racial grouping privileged access to government contracts and guarantee a minimum presence in the workplace may deter foreign companies from coming to Johor, said Musa, who is advising the government on the state’s development.
Contract awards “will have to be on merit,” Musa, the country’s deputy leader from 1981 to 1986, said in a March 19 interview. “The Malays will have to face competition.”
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is seeking foreign investors to help fund a two-decade, 382 billion ringgit ($109 billion) redevelopment of Johor, bordering Singapore. Scrapping the race-based program could lure investors and pave the way for the country to completely drop its 36-year-old policy in support of ethnic Malays, who comprise 60 percent of the population.
“It would be an exit route, politically,” said Manu Bhaskaran, a Singapore-based partner at economic research company Centennial Group. Johor “is an extremely important project. The affirmative action program and all the related problems do turn off foreign investors.”
Foreign direct investment in Malaysia in 2005 dropped to 15 billion ringgit from 17.6 billion ringgit in 2004, according to the government’s department of statistics. Last year’s figures haven’t been released.
Wealth Imbalance
The racial program, introduced under the New Economic Policy in 1971 after clashes between ethnic Chinese and Malays, also known as Bumiputras, aimed to increase the wealth of the nation’s poorest grouping through benefits ranging from cheaper housing to greater access to initial public offerings.
Concern about the policy’s validity grew last year after a report by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute in Kuala Lumpur showed the original targets to address the wealth imbalance had been surpassed.
The February report by the Centre for Public Policy Studies, controlled by ASLI, said ethnic Malays may own as much as 45 percent of Malaysia’s corporate equity. That was higher than the government’s estimate of 19 percent in 2004 and surpassed the New Economic Policy’s goal of 30 percent.
ALSI on Oct. 10 last year said there were “shortcomings” in its report. Lim Teck Ghee, director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies, quit a day later to protest the retraction.
Policy Revision
A five-member council including Musa and Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok that’s advising the Johor project agrees the ethnic program should be dropped, Musa said.
“I am confident that this Bumiputra thing, if I may put it this way, need not be the negative factor, and I am stressing this in this particular exercise,” Musa said. “There needs to be a revision, updating, of the way we approach it.”
Incentives to take part in the Southern Johor Economic Region are being finalized, Musa said. Middle Eastern and Japanese investors are among those that have agreed to plow funds into Johor, he said.
The 2,216-square-kilometer development will include roads, offices, homes, theme parks, hotels, factories and hospitals and is Malaysia’s biggest real-estate project. Development of the region will require 382 billion ringgit of investment from 2006 to 2025, according to Khazanah Nasional Bhd., Malaysia’s state investment unit, which is leading the project.
The site will generate more than 800,000 jobs in 20 years, Prime Minister Abdullah said in November. It may boost growth in Johor to an average of 7 percent from 2005 to 2025, compared with 5.5 percent without the revamp, Khazanah said.
Its seems that Musa’s sweeping statement is for the revocation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) for the South Johor Economic Region (SJER). The NEP is currently extended by the BN administration from its original period due to inability to reached its planned target. This is expected to bring forth a lot of flak from UMNO stalwarts, especially the ultra Malay factions.
Let’s re-look into the basis of Musa’s arguments. The New Economic Policy, launched by the late Tun Razak in August 1971, as a long term solution to the serious imbalance of development between the Malays and Bumiputras, which comprises 60% of the population, as compared to the other ethnic groups. The gist of NEP is to alleviate the bumiputra socio-economic standing through education, improved infrastructure and business opportunities made by expanding the economic cake (not taking from the others). NEP was launched as a result of consultation with all the political parties, Oppositions included (with exception of DAP, which declined to sit in the consultative committee).
NEP targeted to achieve 30% of the nation’s wealth being held by Bumiputras. So far, they only managed to get eighteen odd percent. Even NEP is an affirmative action, it is not easy to achieve the desired target. The truth is, the Malays and Bumiputra’s were greatly disadvantaged by almost all perspective, in 1970. They only hold 2.4% of the economy, of which 1.8% of that is institutional. It was a Herculean task.
Their history of being underdeveloped in the rural areas, which is lacking of every basic infrastructure imagined today, needed a lot of assistance, to minimally put them at the level playing field, with the other ethnic groups. For the biggest composition in the society left behind, in almost everything, the country was in a time bomb. When provoked, the inherent ugly side of the imbalance and socio economic disparity exploded, translated at the 13 May 1969 racial riots.
Programs were designed and implemented. Some were successful. Some were not. Indeed it wasn’t easy. However, since the Second Malaysia Plan, the economy has been expanding healthily. From a primary industry and agriculture based economy, Malaysia moved into manufacturing and industrialization. Within thirty years, the economy was greatly transformed.
NEP was part of this transformation. Underhanded, even using Government machineries, the Malays and Bumiputras, numbering over 15 million today, have had some transformation in their socio-economic standing. Many is still below the poverty level.
However, this was not enough. The population is growing and resources to be utilized for the NEP gets smaller and smaller per capita, by the day. Even after 36 years, many areas in the rural still unable to be provided with reasonable basic infrastructure, including schools with electricity and running water and teachers. Health services are still not available for many in the interiors, especially Sabah and Sarawak.
On the same track, some managed to progress from NEP. Most of the group within the Malay business community, who have made it, owed their success to some degree of the affirmative policy. Although Government wanted to achieve a target of 30%, some Malay businesses managed to etch themselves a notch or so, because of the economic cake being expanded.
Let’s not equate the builders into this analysis because many will argue that Government favours ONLY Malay contractors, which is never true. Many non-Bumi contractors benefited from Government contracts as well, including direct negotiations. YTL Corporations, Ekran, Berjaya Group, IJM Group, Tan & Tan, Hong Leong, Country Heights, etc. are some of those who benefited immensely.
Bumiputra groups now like Sapura, Am Group, Ramunia Corporation, Peremba, Emkay, Halim Mazmin, KN Kenanga, AKN, KPJ and personalities like Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary, Kamaruddin Meranun and Azman Yahya and before, Taiping Consolidated, Land and General, RHB Capital, Diversified Resources, Promet and Landmarks made the mark, in the Malaysian business arena, mostly on their own strength to deliver.
Some made it abroad, where no longer any ‘affirmative protectionist policy’ enforced. Personalities like Tan Sri Halim Saad is said to be actively involved in new infrastructure markets like Sudan, Iran and Turkey. It is said his experiences from UEM and Renong managed to win some RM 10.8 billion in book order. Tun Daim group also is now involved in many business ventures abroad. One of it is a bank in Indonesia. This group also said to have substantial holdings in several investment bank all over Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Recently, the once nearly bankrupt Lankhorst is now known as Ark Resources and is said to have excess of RM one billion book order from projects in Thailand and Saudi.
Most probably these are the people which the former UMNO Deputy President meant. These groups are those who no longer require the affirmative action protectionists’ policy. These are the people who can compete in the deep end of the pool. These are those no longer require the “training wheels”.
Never the less, this is a small composition of the Malays and Bumiputras. The larger groups still need the NEP, to uplift them. This includes the small and medium enterprise / industry business players who are unable to compete, due to many obstacle and limitations.
Inherently, the Malays have no place in the middle level economy. Almost entirely the distribution and wholesalers market is controlled by the non Malays, especially Chinese. Malay SME/Is do not enjoy any opening into this very important business network and supply chain. Sometime, there are direct interventions from non Malays’ firms to deny Bumiputra firms participation in the business networking.
I knew of this because I used to work with a construction company, which has operations including Johor. Once, this Bumiputra firm did very well recording 90% of their book order NOT from Government jobs but private developers, all over Johor. It was reported as a highly potential Bumiputra firm not depending on Government jobs in Johor in the local builders bulletin. Suddenly, there is a serious surge of credit standings from building material suppliers all over South Johor on the firm. Eventually we found out they were given “advice” to do so, by the local industry cartel.
So instances like this justifies the NEP protectionists’ policy. NEP is also designed to develop the Malay and Bumiputra professionals and educated lot into SME/Is. Unless the game is really at real level playing field, the very essence in lifting the NEP will create the imbalance and the state of unhappiness that once everybody so vehemently want to avoid is being revisited, unintentionally.
One of the many issues why the NEP programs are sluggish to reach its desirable level is the delivery system. This has been analysed and said by so many people, in so many ways, over and over again. The civil servants, being the custodian of Government’s administration service has not manage to translate the Federal Government policy, successfully and effectively. The bureaucracy and lack of administrative abilities and resources seems to be a convenient excuse.
A little about the Iskandar Development Region (IDR). The Federal Government forced this onto the Johor State Government’s throat the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) grand masterplan. The project is about tapping into the Singaporean economic powerhouse growth, strength, expertise (which is cordially now labeled as “human capital”) and of course, capital abilities. The plan is to create a Free Access Zone (FAZ).
SJER is about the Federal Government taking over many State Government’s power on matters like land and local government. Khazanah will play a major role as the prime developer and co-coordinator in wooing investments and participate in property development projects that will be launched. A target of RM 140 billion worth of properties and investments are targeted for the next 15 years. The State Government will play the role of co-coordinator in the Iskandar Development Region Authority.
Once the 2,200 sq. km. area all over South Johor zoned as FAZ, the movement of people and products from Singapore, will be seamless. It means that no documentation and/or inspection required. Singaporean investors now freely own properties, indiscriminately within IDR.
It’s wrong for Musa, especially being appointed as a member of the IDRA Advisory Panel, only to aim at the able few to be the serious players within IDR, competing against the Singaporean businesses but instead he making sweeping statement like uplifting the NEP protectionists policy entirely, within the SJER borders.
In reality only some of the Malay giant firms are able to compete at that level where else the larger SME/Is segment, are able to be supplier and complimentary role to the industry. These SME/Is can play a very important role within the supply chain for the MNCs and major industries that is operating within IDR.
The creation of the Malay and Bumiputra middle class business community had been a serious agenda for the Federal Government since the resolutions of the Fourth Bumiputra Economic Congress (KEB IV) in 1999. Many programs like Tekun and Prosper, have been created to ensure this segment within the Malay and Bumiputra entrepreneurs are being fulfilled.
IDR could be the platform for expediting the creation of Malay and Bumiputra middle class businesses. The local SME/Is actually represent the existing bigger portion of the Malay and Bumiputra middle class business community, which their would be participation categorically denied because the tournament that people like Musa wants to see is only about those who can actually swim in the deep end. In reality, many Malay and Bumiputra SME/Is still need some sort of flotation, to prepare and condition them before the deep end.
This is UMNO Johor’s Information Chief, Sen. Dr. Mohd Fuad Zarkashi’s reaction on Berita Harian, today.
BATU PAHAT: Kenyataan bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tun Musa Hitam yang mencadangkan dasar mengutamakan Bumiputera dalam pembangunan dihentikan bagi menarik pelabur asing ke Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar (WPI), mengelirukan.
“Kejayaan banyak syarikat multinasional milik Bumiputera mendapat kontrak di luar negara tanpa bantuan kerajaan membuktikan kewibawaannya untuk menyiapkan projek mengikut jadual ditetapkan.
“Kejayaan syarikat Bumiputera melaksanakan pelbagai projek mega di negara ini juga membuktikan bahawa mereka memang berdaya saing, mempunyai merit serta kompetitif,” katanya
Beliau diminta mengulas kenyataan Musa berhubung dasar kerajaan memberi keistimewaan kepada Bumiputera dalam pembahagian ekonomi yang didakwanya boleh menghalang pelabur asing menanam dana di WPI.
“Saya kesal dengan kenyataan beliau yang seolah-olah memperlekehkan keupayaan orang Melayu dan menganggapnya sebagai amat tidak wajar serta boleh mengelirukan orang ramai,” katanya.
Johor is a home ground of 500,000 of the 3.2 million UMNO members. Johor Bahru is the birthplace of UMNO 60 years ago. Musa’s call will not go well with the Malays’ sentiments, especially in Johor. The irony is that, Musa Hitam himself is a Johor Bahru native. He is an English College alumnus. In 1969, he was sacked as a Junior Minister of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra’s administration and from UMNO because of his ‘ultra Malay’ stance against the the administration’s lackluster attitude towards the needs and demands of the Malays, being gravely under developed.
It seems Musa is a changed man now. Even his one time partner-in-crime Tengku Tan Sri Razaleigh Hamzah says so. Of course, this call by Musa will not earn points from former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s sharp political criticisms, expected in Kulai, next week.
There is a suggestion that a special forum be organised soon, to react on Musa’s call. Anyone could guess, it will not be a pretty place for Musa to hear about it.
Sheih came out with this poster, depicting me, commonly and cordially known as “Big Dog”. It’s his latest posting in www.kickdefella.wordpress.com
I really love it! Honest to God, I do.
The expression is awesome. The pose is intimidating. The size is morbidly overloaded with corpulence. The discipline and training regime that goes with the profession is a principle I really value, in life.
As long as no one calls me, ‘Konekichi Ichibawa’ after this, I am quite alright with the image and persona it depicts. 🙂
This poster makes a validation. This poster marks the acceptance. This poster symbolise my existence in the Blogosphere is certified. A film maker’s interpretation of the BigDog. Maybe one day, we can film this. Get John Goodman or George Wendt, to play, the BigDog.
Thanks, Sheih.
P/S
BTW, with the current prices of gold, this guy looks like he is easily valued at least RM eighteen million!
Hahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahahaaha 🙂
The "thirteen million plus Ringgit" guy rambles.... 
Kepentingan Melayu terabai dalam WPI
Kerajaan mengumumkan pada Oktober 2006 bahawa sebuah kawasan pembangunan khas di Selatan Johor akan diusahakan. Kawasan ini merangkumi 2,217 km persegi dan akan menjadi kawasan wilayah pertumbuhan ekonomi khas. South Johor Economic Region (SJER) ini ada diterajui sendiri oleh Khazanah Holdings Bhd., agensi pelaburan Kerajaan Persekutuan paling utama, sebagai pemaju utama keseluruhan projek.
Kawasan ini melibatkan keseluruhan kawasan perindustrian, perdagangan dan penempatan yang terangkum dari Pasir Gudang disempadan timur ke Tanjung Pelepas disempadan barat dan Senai ke utara. Ini merupakan projek pembangunan bersepadu paling besar dan strategik dalam sejarah Malaysia. SJER merupakan percambahan dari idea asal UEM World membangunkan 2,200 ekar tanah Nusajaya, lewat 90an.
Sebuah agensi dalam SJER akan dijadikan sebagai agensi ‘pusat satu perhentian’ (one stop centre) untuk mengko-ordinasi dan meluluskan keseluruhan permohonan pembangunan, perindustrian dan perdagangan yang dimajukan untuk pertimbangan. Sekali gus, agensi SJER ini akan mengambil penuh kuasa kuasa mutlak Kerajaan Negeri Johor seperti hal ehwal tanah, kerajaan tempatan, perancangan pembangunan dan fungsi fungsi unit perancangan ekonomi negeri (UPEN). Inilah pertama kali system ini diperkenalkan diMalaysia tanpa kawasan itu diambil dan diubah hak milik kepada Wilayah Persekutuan.
SJER akan terbahagi kepada lima kawasan Flagship iaitu:
Sebuah plan pembangunan komprehensif akan dirangka untuk SJER ini. Keseluruhan pembangunan dalam 2,217 km persegi Selatan Johor ini akan disusun semula secara rapi dan sistem yang lebih mantap akan diguna pakai.
DYMM Tuanku Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, Sultan Johor, telah berkenan untuk mencemar duli dan merasmikan SJER yang dijenama semula sebagai Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar (WPI) dalam satu upacara khas diDanga Bay, Johor Bahru pada 4 November 2006.
Sultan Iskandar, dalam titah ucapan semasa merasmikan WPI membelakangi protokol apabila mengesa Kerajaan Persekutuan memecahkan Tambak Johor dan membiarkan kapal melalui keseluruhan Selat Tebrau.
JOHOR BARU: Johor Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail caused a stir during his address at the launch of the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) project yesterday when he digressed from his written text and said the Causeway should be removed.
To the shock of the 2,000 people present and thousands of viewers at home of the live telecast over RTM 1 and TV3, the Ruler said it was built by colonialists who had used dirty tactics to deceive his ancestors.
He said the building of the Causeway was to deliberately prevent ships from passing local waters, resulting in the development of Keppel Port in Singapore instead.
“The Causeway has to be removed to allow ships to pass,” the Sultan said before launching the multi-billion SJER.
At this juncture, the audience broke into laughter and applauded.
In his address the Ruler, who was clad in a T-shirt, said he would not “give face” (bagi muka) to the foreigners (Mat Sallehs) and urged the people not to hold them in high regard.
He also reminded locals and their children to be wary of them as they were “vultures”.
The Causeway was built in 1920 when Malaya and Singapore were ruled by the British. It is 1,050m long and has railway lines, a road and a water pipeline and is used by tens of thousands of people daily.
(dipetik dari akhbar The Star, 5 Nov 2006)
Baginda dengan tegas mengingatkan agar jangan mempercayai bangsa barat. Perancangan WPI adalah untuk mengalakan zon zon pembangunan bagi kommersial, perindustrial dan perniagaan utama dibuka untuk dijual kepada pelabur asing, dengan harapan banyak industri industri baru dibangunkan dalam kawasan pembangunan WPI ini
Amat jelas bahawa Singapura merupakan objektif utama sasaran untuk pelabur dicari bagi menjayakan WPI. Ramai yang percaya banyak boleh dimanafaatkan dari kekuatan ekonomi, pasaran modal dan punca kewangan dan modal insan dari Republik itu.
Apabila disingkap, idea asal SJER sebegini besar magnitudnya ini dimain dan usahakan oleh Dr. Vincent Lim, Setiausaha Politik Perdana Menteri. Dr. Lim, seorang bekas anak didik Singapura dan Oxford, telah pergi beberapa kali ke Johor untuk berunding dengan pegawai pegawai Kerajaan Negeri, terutama Pejabat Menteri Besar dan UPEN. Dalam penghujahan beliau, limpahan dari pembangunan ekonomi pesat Singapura sepatutnya disalurkan kepada SJER dan digunakan sebagai pemangkin pertumbuhan ekonomi diSelatan Johor pula. Beliau juga menegaskan begitu banyak pelaburan baru dari Singapura akan dinikmati Johor apabila semua halangan halangan yang ujud di’angkat’ dan memudahkan pemilikan hartanah dan kawasan kawasan kommersial dan perniagaan bagi perusahaan perusahaan republik itu yang pada masa ini rancak melabur/dilabur-semula di Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam dan China.
Ketua Unit Polisi diPejabat Perdana Menteri Ahmad Zaki Zahid juga menyokong kuat idea konsepsual ini. Khazanah kemudian dilibatkan sebagai pemain utama dalam merangka plan tindakan SJER. Asalnya, plan ini dirangka secara unilateral dan di’paksa’ Kerajaan Negeri Johor menerimanya. Selepas begitu banyak kepincangan ujud dalam draf asas SJER, maka imbuhan dari Kerajaan Negeri Johor mula dimasukan dan Khazanah merundingkan semula plan draf SJER mereka.
Maka setelah tujuh kali draf dirundingkan antara Khazanah, UPEN dan EPU dan dipinda, Bill untuk Iskandar Development Region Authority (IRDA) siap dibentangkan diDewan Rakyat pada 13 Dis 2006 dan Dewan Negara 21 Dis 2006. Bill IRDA ini menerima perkenan DiRaja pada 12 Februari 2007, digazetkan pada keesokanya dan mula berkuat kuasa 17 Februari 2007.
Sebuah syarikat yang akan bertindak sebagai “Super Developer” bagi WPI diujudkan pada Disember 2006, yang dikenali sebagai South Johor Investment Corporation (SJIC). Khazanah memegang 60% kepentingan dan bakinya dimiliki KWSP, 20%, dan Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ), 20%. Modal permulaan SJIC berjumlah RM 3.4 billion, dalam bentuk asset hartanah dan tunai.
Sejumlah besar nilai ekonomi akan diharapkan dijana dari WPI, iaitu RM 140 billion, menjelang 2015. Menjelang 2025, pelaburan dan kegiatan ekonomi bernilai RM 383 billion dianggarkan dan peluang pekerjaan untuk 800,000 orang akan diujudkan. Menurut Khazanah, Johor akan mengalami pertumbuhan ekonomi yang mantap pada konsisten 7% setahun.
Kepentingan strategik Singapura kepada kejayaan projek Mega ini ditafsirkan seterusnya apabila tahap Zon Akses Terbuka (Free Access Zone) akan diujudkan dalam WPI. Ini bermakna pergerakan orang dan barangan keluar masuk dari Singapura akan begitu terbuka dan mudah sehinggakan tiada proses saringan langsung (samada dokumentasi atau inspeksi) diperlukan. Kunun kununya model Shenzhen diChina menjadi rujukan.
Pada 21 Mac lepas, mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tun Musa Hitam, yang juga ahli panel penasihat IRDA dalam temuramah kepada akhbar antarabangsa AP menegaskan bahawa sepatutnya Selatan Johor ini tidak lagi dikenakan sebarang keputusan yang berlandaskan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB), untuk menentukan program program yang dirancang terlaksana sebagaimana wilayah pembangunan khas yang berthemakan pelaburan dan penyertaan perniagaan antarabangsa berjalan dengan jayanya. Pendekata, menurut Musa, SJER sepatutnya menjadi kawasan bebas untuk semua.
Ini semua membawa pemikiran yang paling tidak terlatih sekali pun kearah kecenderungan membuat kesimpulan bahawa WPI ini adalah agenda yang secara langsung menguntungkan Singapura. Pelabur dan pemilik perniagaan diSingapura sekarang dengan mudah membeli hartanah dan kawasan perniagaan, perindustrian dan perdagangan dalam WPI, terutamanya Flagship A; zon perniagaan utama sekitar Bandaraya Johor Bahru.
FAZ juga bermakna rakyat dan barangan dari Singapura begitu bebas keluar masuk dari mana mana pintu sempadan dalam SJER, terutama Johor Bahru tanpa sebarang sekatan atau pemantauan langsung. Ramai berpendapat, ini tidak wajar kerana Singapura adalah sahabat karib Israel. Ini bermakna barangan dan perkhidmatan yang asalnya dari Israel hanya perlu dikemas-semula (repackage) diSingapura dan dibawa kedalam WPI untuk diagih agihkan keseluruh Malaysia atau mana mana destinasi kepada 200 juta umat Islam seluruh rantau Asean dan sub-benua Asia Selatan. Pelabur Israel juga begitu mudah membeli hartanah dan saham dalam perniagaan perniagaan dalam WPI, terutama melalui penama penama Singapura.
Minggu lepas, Perdana Menteri Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mengumumkan cukai Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) dan kelulusan FIC bagi membeli hartanah telah dimansuhkan. Ini bermakna, golongan pelabur dan hartawan dari Singapura dan negara lain, bebas membeli mana mana bidang tanah sekitar WPI dan akan berlaku satu keadaan lonjakan harga hartanah mendadak. Ini semua berlaku secara ‘tiruan’ (artificial) kerana permintaan yang ujud kepada hartanah ini adalah spekulatif semata mata. Dirasakan paling rugi dan tercicir dalam persaingan kompetitif ini ialah pemilik pemilik dan pelabur hartanah Melayu, yang akan tertinggal dengan keputusan untuk membuka pasaran hartanah dan menjadikanya begitu terbuka dan kompetitif sebagai arena pemain hartanah bertaraf dunia.
Tanpa menerapkan DEB dalam apa apa keputusan, kelulusan dan/atau pertimbangan mana mana perniagaan atau perusahaan dalam WPI, maknanya keutamaan menjaga kepentingan dan membangunkan usahawan Melayu, terutama golongan kommuniti usahawan menengah akan terabai. Sebenarnya, sekiranya pertumbuhan perdagangan dalam WPI berada dalam keadaan sihat, pesat dan progresif, maka golongan usahawan menengah Melayu, yang boleh memainkan peranan besar memenuhi keperluan jaringan pembekalan (supply chain) dan sokongan keatas industri industri utama dan besar. Jika saranan Tun Musa itu diterima-pakai, maka usahawan usahawan industri kecil dan serdehana (IKS) Melayu akan perlu bersaing dengan syarikat syarikat yang telah sedia bertapak dengan akses kepada modal yang banyak dan mempunyai sistem jaringan yang mantap. Ini sebenarnya bukan permainan di’padang rata’ (level playing field).
Secara realistiknya, orang orang Melayu sekitar Selatan Johor adalah mereka dari golongan yang tidak banyak mempunyai kecairan dan sumber kepada dana yang banyak. Oleh demikian, jika berlaku ledakan hartanah sekitar WPI, yang membenarkan mereka yang melabur menikmati kesan spekulatif yang bernilai berpuluh puluh billion Ringgit itu, ialah kuasa kepada modal tunai dan pembiayaan. Sebilangan besar orang orang Melayu Selatan Johor akan tertinggal dari persaingan ini kerana diluar kemampuan mereka, baik secara individu maupun institiusi. Ini bermakna ledakan industri pembangunan hartanah tidak akan melibatkan mereka sebagai pemain dan sebaliknya, pelabur pelabur Singapura yang mempunyai kekuatan sokongan pasaran modal dan kewangan, terutama dari pembiaya kewangan bertaraf dunia, akan memonopoli segmen industri ini dalam WPI.
Jika dinilai dari kepentingan politik, sekiranya begitu banyak pemilikan hartanah dan perniagaan terbuka tanpa langsung sekatan sekitar Selatan Johor, maka pertimbangan politik untuk orang orang Melayu juga akan terjejas. Ini adalah kerana begitu banyak ahli ahli UMNO yang mencari kehidupan melalui perniagaan kecil kecilan dan IKS, sekitar Bahagian Bahagian Johor Bahru, Pulai, Tebrau, Pasir Gudang, Gelang Patah, Tanjong Piai, Senai, Kulai dan Pontian akan merasa bahang kesanya.
Johor, sebagai negeri tulang belakang kekuatan UMNO, dimana 500,000 dari 3.2 juta ahlinya tinggal. Johor Bahru juga tempat kelahiran UMNO 60 tahun dahulu. Yang anihnya, program perancangan SJER ini dilaksana dengan kadar begitu cepat sekali. Orang orang UMNO juga tidak pernah dibawa berbincang dan berunding, mengenai WPI ini walaupun ianya secara startegik akan melibatkan mereka. Boleh dikatakan ramai kepimpinan menengah dan akar umbi UMNO sekitar Selatan Johor tidak berapa jelas mengenai program program WPI serta kesan taktikal dan strategik keputusan Kerajaan ini.
Ada yang berpendapat, sekiranya DEB dikecualikan kepada apa apa program, termasuk peluang membeli hartanah dan perniagaan di Selatan Johor, maka ini boleh ditafsirkan sebagai menafikan hak hak orang Melayu, yang sedia termaktub bawah Artikel 153 Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Apa apa pun, WPI ini amat dicurigai ramai Melayu yang bersemangat nasionalism sekitar Selatan Johor. Belum lagi nampak bagaimana secara langsung, program program dibawah WPI akan menguntungkan orang orang Melayu secara langsung.
Realitinya, ramai mereka yang berada didalam jawatankuasa pelaburan Khazanah dan boleh membuat perancangan strategik adalah mereka yang bukan Melayu. Ini boleh diandaikan bahawa kecenderungan apa apa keputusan yang diambil oleh Khazanah tidaklah mengutamakan imbuhan Agenda Melayu atau DEB, tetapi pertimbangan dan deliverables lain. Beberapa kedudukan strategik seperti Pengarah Eksekutif Pelaburan, Ketua Ekonomi dan empat Pengarah Pelaburan Khazanah Holdings Bhd. adalah terdiri dari bukan Melayu.
Jika tidak, boleh ditafsirkan Kerajaan Persekutuan dibawah kepimpinan Presiden UMNO Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mewujudkan WPI dan kesan sebenarnya ialah kepentingan Melayu diSelatan Johor diabaikan. Ini amat mendukacitakan kerana orang orang Melayu Johorlah selama ini setia mendukung dan memberi kekuatan tulang belakang UMNO Malaysia. Orang Melayu Johorlah yang memberikan BN menang selesa 100% di Johor dan memberi muka kepada BN, tatkala pengaruh UMNO kepada kawasan kawasan Melayu lain tiris pada Pilihanraya Umum ke XI, November 1999.
Benar kata mantan Presiden UMNO, “Melayu mudah lupa”.
- Commentary
on March 26, 2007 at 19:31 Comments (25)