Home Tags Posts tagged with "Columnist"
Tag:

Columnist

google.com, pub-4655215500299199, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
Diskusi

Columnist: Are Malaysians ready to embrace digital citizenship?

by Roziya Abu
written by Roziya Abu

The responsible and ethical use of digital technologies is referred to as “digital citizenship.” It involves understanding the rights and responsibilities of individuals and communities in the digital world, as well as the impact that technology can have on society. Digital citizenship enables us to have a range of skills and behaviors that relates to digital capabilities, such as digital literacy, online safety and security, digital ethics, and responsible social media use. It also involves being aware of issues like cyberbullying, digital identity, and online privacy. Currently, technology plays an increasingly important role in all aspects of our lives. Therefore, being a responsible and ethical digital citizen helps to ensure that technology is used in a way that maximizes its benefits while minimizing its risks and negative impact on society.

In Malaysia, digital citizenship is an evolving concept that reflects Malaysians progress in embracing technology and the digital economy. We recognized the importance of digital citizenship and has taken several steps to promote it among Malaysia. One of the key initiatives the MyDigital program, which aims to transform Malaysia into a digitally driven economy by the year 2025. This initiative focuses on several areas, including improving digital infrastructure, building digital skills, digital entrepreneurship, and digital governance. There are also various activities launched to promote responsible online behavior and cybersecurity awareness among Malaysians, such as Digital Lifestyle Malaysia campaign, by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Building digital citizenship is a difficult task. It advocates for a holistic understanding of digital literacy and ethics that integrates knowledge, experience, and awareness. The Malaysian government has launched a number of projects to address local ethical and digital literacy issues, such as

  1. Digital Citizenship Education Program: where, the Malaysian Ministry of Education has integrated digital citizenship education into the school curriculum, aimed at instilling digital literacy, digital ethics, and online safety among students. The program aims to promote responsible digital behavior among students, encourage positive online interactions, and develop critical thinking skills in using digital technologies.
  2. Digital Civility Campaign: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched the Digital Civility Campaign, which aims to promote responsible online behavior and encourage positive online interactions among Malaysians. The campaign emphasizes the importance of respect, empathy, and compassion in online interactions and encourages individuals to report cyberbullying, hate speech, and other online abuses.
  3. Safer Internet Day: February 7th every year is an international education and awareness-raising effort, which is celebrated in over 100 countries. The Malaysian government supports Safer Internet Day. This is an international event that promotes online safety and cybersecurity awareness among children and young people. Various activities and events organized in schools and communities to raise awareness of the risks and challenges of online use and provide guidance on how to stay safe online.
  4. Digital Security and Privacy: The Malaysian government’s most significant step was the implementation of different rules and policies to improve the country’s digital security and privacy. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 is one such law that governs how organizations in Malaysia collect, use, and disclose personal data.

These projects seek to increase Malaysians’ digital literacy, digital ethics, and online safety. It demonstrates our commitment to fostering a digitally responsible and safe environment in the country and ensuring that digital technologies are leveraged to improve local digital citizenship. But the issue remains: are Malaysians truly prepared to be termed digital citizens?

Roziya Abu is Associate Professor from School of Information Science, Universiti Teknologi Mara

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: Dignified Economy for Greater Malaysia – What a bigger defence budget means?

by First Admiral Ts Dr Shaftdean Lufty Rusland
written by First Admiral Ts Dr Shaftdean Lufty Rusland

A dignified economy emphasises values such as social justice and human rights, with the aim of creating equitable society that is aligned with Malaysia Madani. Economic policies to be designed to promote the well-being of the citizens by addressing social and environmental challenges, reducing inequalities, and ensuring basic needs are accessible. However, the current global scenario is highly volatile due to uncertainties, and this leads the world towards inflation, price increment of food and energy, and supply chain disruptions, that affected the populations.

In defence perspective, uncertainties would trigger higher defence expenditure. This is to cater for the defence forces to be better equipped, and to become a credible force that can uphold the integrity and sovereignty of a nation.

Defence spending is a strategic investment. This is to guarantee that the nation will have protection when the time comes. Malaysia’s defence budget observed to be decreasing tremendously since 1981 with 5.8% of GDP allocated to defence until recently announced of only 0.98% defence budget allocation this year.

MAF faced difficulties and daunting tasks in their quest of developing its strength to become a credible force to safeguard nation’s sovereignty. Photo: Air Times/K.Azhar

The amount seems to be only enough for maintaining aging assets in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) inventory, and with current global scenario that inflict high inflation and unfavourable currency exchange, MAF faced difficulties and daunting tasks in their quest of developing its strength to become a credible force to safeguard nation’s sovereignty.

The development expenditure for the MAF has a lower multiplier effect and it is not as tempting compared to other public spending that accommodate higher multiplier effect contributed to better Return of Investment (ROI). However, defence expenditure will create job opportunities and enhance national defence industry, that will benefit the citizens and boost the economy of the nation.

Thus, the quality of investment from defence budget is paramount, so that the stakeholders’ money is spent wisely and efficiently. There are high perceptions of mismanaging and leakages of funds in Malaysia. These need to be stopped and the public need to be convinced that the funds are utilised prudently. The question here is not only on how the ministry should or MAF spend the budget allocated, but on how they spend to optimise the ROI to the nation’s defence that will be interrelated to resilience and sustainable economy.

A dignified economy which is balanced and respectful economic management with dignity for defence is paramount as to back up and support the nation from being bullied by others. Hence, the adversaries will not have ideas on challenging Malaysia, because we have the capabilities to strike or retaliate back! The importance of defence needs to be articulated explicitly. There is requirement of transparency for the Defence Ministry and MAF to convince the political masters and citizens due to ‘mishaps’ happened in regard to previous procurement processes.

Policy papers such as National Defence Policy (NDP) and Defence White Paper (DWP) need to be attracting enough in targeting the citizens.

This measure should be taken apart from creating greater awareness on the importance of defence and to inculcate element of patriotism, it is also to justify the investment made utilising stakeholders’ money. The roles of the MAF need to be made known publicly, especially the roles of introducing new technological advancement that always originated from defence industry and improving human capital development where the MAF nurtured a very credible work force not only for the defence industry but also to other sectors that require skilled workers.

‘Civilianising the military’ refers to the process of transforming the military organization and culture to be more closely aligned with civilian values and norms. The concept of civilianising particularly in the MAF perspective is the initiative of the wholeof-government and whole-of-society efforts to create awareness of the citizen in regard to the existence and roles of the MAF.

This concept is important for the population to gain knowledge and create awareness on the importance of our defence forces in safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation.

Policy papers such as National Defence Policy (NDP) and Defence White Paper (DWP) need to be attracting enough in targeting the citizens, for them to digest on what were transpired, so that the citizens may appreciate defence on layman terminologies and eliminate language barriers due to military jargons.

Defence deserves higher budget allocation to protect a dignified economy. It cannot be taken for granted, as an element of deterrence will assist and allow positive economic growth of the nation by deterring any harmful or ill intentions by others. It also will allow the contribution towards advancement of technology that can be generalised to other sectors, because historically it was proven that defence acts as the moderating factor towards the achievement.

Malaysia, as a sovereign nation, should be able to defend itself from being bullied by other intruding parties. Photo: Air Times/K.Azhar

Constant aggravations, interrupting oil and gas (O&G) exploration in our maritime domain, and kidnapping for ransom activities that discouraged tourists, greatlyaffect the development of nation’s economy.

Malaysia, as a sovereign nation, should be able to defend itself from being bullied by other intruding parties. A credible defence force plays an important role in mitigating those issues because uncertainties and volatile environment imposed the need for the nation to be always ready for any circumstances. – airtimes.my

First Admiral Ts Dr Shaftdean Lufty Rusland is a Naval Aviator with the Royal Malaysian Navy and currently he is undergoing National Resilience Course in National Resilience College Puspahanas in Putrajaya.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: How’s Malaysia doing so far?

by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri
written by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri

Since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was chosen as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister, the congratulations he has received from world leaders have gained a lot of attention. Everyone believes that after the neck-and-neck 2022 general election, things will return to normal and the government will work as it should, with no more turmoil. But it appears that the tale will continue. Domestically, things appear different on the opposite side of the coin. It began with a few arrests conducted by SPRM against ex-Prime Minister associates, the trial of the Sabah government coup, and UMNO assemblies turning ugly. Despite this, Malaysia’s tenth Prime Minister looks to be a rock-solid leader who has earned local and international support, and his global reputation means a lot to Malaysian economic development.

UMNO appears to be baggage for the mixed government.

UMNO must do its own spring cleaning to guarantee it is singing the same tune as the current Prime Minister. They are no longer Malaysian politics’ big brothers, and they have nothing to bargain with. The present government has given them a new lease on life following their devastating defeat in the previous general election, but they must curb their vanity and restore their reputation.

Simultaneously, the president must ensure that its members are dancing to his music rather than being viewed as weak leaders incapable of directing them. To restore order, firm and disciplined measures must be done.

In a recent development, UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan announced the sacking of former Selangor UMNO chief Tan Sri Noh Omar and former UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin as party members due to alleged breaches of party discipline according to UMNO’s constitution. UMNO also imposed a six-year suspension of party rights on Shahril Hamdan, former vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Maulizan Bujang and Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Sharif.

Even the party believe it will benefit from the dismissal, in order to ensure that UMNO is free from internal betrayals as it gets ready for the upcoming state elections in six states. It also shows The President (Zahid) fired a stern warning to the party’s members that he will not put up with any opposition to his leadership. According to Zahid, the purge will ensure party allegiance and alignment among the party leadership prior to the party elections in two months and will create harmony in all levels of leadership.

Away from Peninsular Malaysia, the failure of the Sabah Coup shows that they are getting far from the right track and even their own member are not in their favour. They need to show they are team players and no longer opportunists. To add salt to the wound, their special assembly just passed a motion opposing any challenge to Presidency and his deputy in the next party general election, this is a signal of disrespect toward democracy. This act has been opposed by numerous prominent members of the party, but it appears that their voices are not heard loudly enough.

Corruption and Nepotism Still Rooting in Malaysia

 The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has previously detained the CEO of a private company for allegedly acting as a middleman in the allocation of government projects. According to a source close to the inquiry, the arrest is related to MACC’s probe into the suspected embezzlement of Covid-19 stimulus packages worth RM92.5 billion by the former Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government of Tan Sri Mahyiadidin Yassin.

In other news, Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin confessed that his coalition’s election candidates had paid money to voters, but only at the voters’ request. Previously, The Islamic Party (PAS) president, who is in alliance with PN, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang allegedly that handing cash giveaways to voters prior to an election is not bribery. He called it “charity” instead, adding that although it was against the rules of the Election Commission, it was what some voters wanted.

On the other hand, the appointment of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter (Nurul Izzah) as his top economics and financial adviser stinks nepotism and creates a conflict of interest. It makes no difference if Nurul Izzah Anwar didn’t receive payment for her work.

I believe, if corruption and nepotism are believed to be acceptable in Malaysia, investors would flee the country. This must be addressed, and the authorities must take severe measures to prevent it from spreading.

The nomination of Nurul Izzah, for me, created a bad precedent and her qualifications to assume such a post are in doubt. He doesn’t have any particular training in finance or economics. While main political positions like ministers and deputy ministers do not require this, advisers and counsellors should be required to do so.

The actual cost of politics paid by the rakyat is not the cost of salaries, but the consequences of bad policies. Even with the best of intentions, bad policies may bring to the downfall of a country.

Anwar Making His Leadership Notice

Anwar Ibrahim has signalled his ambition to invigorate Malaysia’s foreign policy as he settles into his position as the country’s 10th prime minister Anwar will seek to restore Malaysia’s reputation for advocacy on international issues and proactive diplomacy in regional affairs. Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei have both publicly expressed optimism that ties with Malaysia would improve under Anwar’s leadership. Their statements would have had positive impacts on the image of the Anwar government among Malay Muslims in Malaysia.

This could bring about greater confidence in asserting Malaysia’s national interests in foreign affairs, particularly in enhancing diplomacy in multilateral platforms, strengthening bilateral ties in Southeast Asia, propounding non-alignment vis-à-vis the United States and China, and improving relations with the Muslim world. Such an approach, if undergirded by domestic political stability, would be conducive to promoting international trade and investments, which are critical for Malaysia’s economic growth.

Is there any hope for Malaysia?

It seems that Anwar is aiming to put Malaysia back on the global stage. The new government’s foreign policy will be largely shaped by Anwar himself. Since Malaysia’s foreign policy is highly consistent and institutionalised, his approach to foreign affairs will be like that of his predecessors but with his characteristic energy and self-confidence.

For instance, Anwar could leverage his warm personal ties with Indonesia’s leaders to improve bilateral atmospherics and economic relations. Nevertheless, bilateral concerns such as border issues and the rights and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia will take time to be better managed. And we still need them to provide us with the worker for a certain sector.

In fact, speculation that Anwar may have an interest in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict in southern Thailand has already made media headlines.

Even though domestically some Malaysian may have their own criticism of DSAI but we can recognize his role, capabilities, leadership potential and charisma that few can compare. We cannot deny that he was instrumental in the 2022 victory.

The main question remains, is does Anwar’s standing as a globally recognised leader improve the dynamics of Malaysia’s international relations, and enhance bilateral negotiations and trade ties, especially when the world is expecting a global economic recession?

As Malaysian we do hope so.

DISCLAIMER: Air Times News Network is not responsible for opinions expressed through this article. It’s the columnist’s personal view and doesn’t necessarily reflect our stance.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: There’s a first time for everything

by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri
written by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri

When Malaysians voted on November 19, we assumed that by midnight, we would have a new government. Never did we expect to face a hung parliament until this piece was published, and there is still uncertainty about what kind of government we are establishing – is it unity or is it a mixed government?

Let’s take a look at Malaysian politics to better grasp this predicament.

The Dewan Rakyat is Malaysia’s House of Representatives. There are 222 seats available. A simple majority would need 112 MPs.

At the end of the 15th General Elections, there were only four major coalitions with a substantial number of MPs.

  1. Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its allies had 82  MPs.
  2. Perikatan Nasional (PN) had 73 (this includes 22 seats contested under the PAS logo).
  3. Barisan Nasional (BN) had 30 MPs.
  4. The East Malaysian parties of GPS and GRS together (Borneo Block) have 29 MPs.

Pakatan Harapan, led by Anwar Ibrahim, with 82 MPs, is short of 30 MPs, which will help him form the government.

The leadership of BN  (with 30 MPs) at first indicated that it will not unite with any other party to form a government. But on 24 November, UMNO, who is the dominant party in BN, issued a statement saying they won’t work with PN and are not open to a unity government – they had ‘left it to the King to decide.

Of course, PH cannot attain the majority number of 112 without a ‘supply agreement’ with either BN, GPS, or GRS. If this happens they need to be transparent and the stakeholder needs to be notified immediately.

What does the Constitution say about a hung parliament? 

It is silent on how a PM is to be appointed when there is a hung Parliament. Where a written constitution is silent, one must consider if the law provides an alternative legal mechanism.

In the Westminster system, where the root of our constitution comes from, when the number of MPs in the highest bloc falls below the required majority, constitutional conventions come into play.

Constitutional conventions are unwritten rules, established by long practice. These rules guide the conduct of politicians and the monarch. I believe conventions are a ‘positive political morality’ which ensures that the electorate’s will is respected.

In the Commonwealth, most government functions are guided more by convention rather than written rule. Nevertheless, legal conventions have long been accepted. They have withstood decades of consistent practice.

The Main Question is: are UK conventions accepted in Malaysia?

Malaysia is a member of the British Commonwealth. We, therefore, follow the UK’s ‘bicameral’ system. In addition to that, several leading cases have ruled that British constitutional conventions are accepted and applied all over the Commonwealth. For example in the case of Dato Zamri Abdul Kadir v. Dato IR Nizar Jamaluddin [2009] 5 CLJ 265, the Court of Appeal accepted the existence of conventions ‘derived from English conventional practice’.

Ironically, constitutional convention, which is supported by many years of history, and consistent practice and custom, is one requiring the King to invite the leader of the party (or coalition) with the largest block of MPs – despite it falling below the simple majority – to form a government, pending the convening of Parliament.

For example, the United Kingdom’s House of Commons has 650 seats. A bare majority requires  326 MPs.  Since the 20th century, the UK itself has had several hung parliaments and minority governments. After the 10  May 2010 UK elections, there was a hung parliament. The Conservative Party emerged as a major bloc with 306 seats. Labour trailed with 258 seats. The Conservatives were short of 20 MPs. Within 24 hours, the then monarch, Queen Elizabeth II,  acting under an established convention, invited David Cameron, former leader of the Conservatives, to form a government. The Queen did not descend into the fray to negotiate with – or to offer advice to – the political parties.

India too has had its fair share of hung parliaments. The House of Representatives, the Lok Sabha, has a total of 545 seats. A simple majority required 273 MPs.  From 1977 to 2009, on eight occasions, no single party had a clear majority.  After the 7 May 1996 general election, the BJP, which is the largest bloc of MPs, could muster only 161 seats, short of 112 seats. Yet on 15 May 1996, President Shankar Dayal Sharma then invited BJP’s leader, Vajpayee to form a government. The President gave Vajpayee until 31 May to form a government or resign.  After 13 days in office, Vajpayee failed to muster a governing majority. He resigned. He was succeeded by H. D. Dewe Gowda.

Bringing this back to Malaysia, basically what the King did by inviting the leader of Pakatan Harapan to form a government is the right move and must be respected. Then, when Parliament convenes, the Prime Minister will know whether his government can survive the full onslaught of the opposition.

For me, the appointment of the Prime Minister is a numerical issue. Only when the numerical issue falls below the required majority, is the King required, by convention, to call upon the leader of the highest bloc to form a government.

Bear in mind that without 112 MPs in Parliament, it would be impossible to pass laws or to have the budget approved. If Parliament does not approve a government’s budget, then, by convention, that government must resign – immediately.

Lastly, I would like to thank those who voted for the anti-hopping laws. These anti-hopping laws prevented what would have been a more chaotic situation in Malaysia. Can’t imagine if the MPs keep hopping from one party to another in the last 5 days.

That said, I believe, with or without the anti-hopping law, there are recognised constitutional conventions that can guide the monarch on how His Majesty should appoint the Prime Minister. Therefore, the anti-party hopping laws, although helpful, are not essential for the appointment of a Prime Minister.

I hope you found this explanation to be of some use. But I will leave you with this: Stop politicking and start building Malaysia back!

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: One Vote Can Change Everything

by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri
written by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri

In our democracy, one vote can change everything. That’s why every single vote is so important.

There’s never been a more important time to get out and vote. The stakes have never been higher. There are candidates on the ballot who represent us and who will make decisions that will affect our lives. Over the next few days, you may need to make a crucial decision about whom will you vote for.

Why Your Voice Must Be Heard

When the founding fathers created our country, they designed our democratic system so that we all have a voice and that we all have a say in how our government works. One of the most important parts of this system is the right to vote. But now more than ever, we need to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. That’s why it is so important that you take the time to go to the polls on November 19th and exercise your right to vote.

Voter turnout has been declining in Malaysia lately, as seen in Melaka and Johor state elections. Fewer and fewer Malaysia get out to the polls as shown in those two state elections. And the consequences are serious. With low voter turnout, politicians ignore the needs of their constituents and are more focused on their interests than on serving the public good.

In addition to that, (first timer voter) Malaysian youth aged 18 and above need to cast their ballot during election season because it’ll help them make the most important decision of their life – choosing their next Prime Minister, political party or representative. Your vote matters! It can make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people and the country. It can even change the course of history.

Having the right to vote is one of the most important privileges of being a Malaysian citizen. It is one of the most important rights that we have as citizens. Photo: Air Times

Remember what happened in 2008? That was the year when Obama was elected President, the first African American to hold this office. Millions of people voted for him –every single vote made all the difference! Your voice needs to be heard at the polls. Make sure you exercise your right to vote this Saturday and be a part of the history of Malaysia.

Having the right to vote is one of the most important privileges of being a Malaysian citizen. It is one of the most important rights that we have as citizens. In fact, in most countries, people do not have the right to vote! They don’t have the privilege of choosing their leaders and their governments. So the fact that we have the right to vote is truly a blessing! We have so much to be thankful for in this country and we have many freedoms that many other people around the world do not enjoy.

However, it is important to be aware of the importance of voting. It is up to us to exercise this right and use it properly and responsibly. Voting is a right and not just a privilege. In addition, you should not let any political differences keep you from voting. You should always vote for the candidate or the party that you think best represents your interests, regardless of whether you think they are perfect or not.

The people you choose to vote for should be people whom you believe in and trust. Trustworthiness and honesty are important qualities in any leader that you choose to support. The most important thing is that you can fully inform yourself about the candidates and their policies so that you can make the best decision for yourself when the time comes to vote.

But always remember that even though you have the right to vote, many people are unable to cast their ballot for a variety of reasons. If you are not able to vote due to several factors such as sickness and being away on the day, you need to spread the word and encourage other people to vote!

On these remaining days, I urge the people and candidates to remain calm and avoid any provocations. As civilized citizens, we must learn to agree to differ. Voting should be done thoughtfully because it will determine the nation’s future trajectory. Let’s try to keep our future from being unpleasant. Voters should be wise in sifting out all of the information presented. Use reasonable reasoning without bias.

Pick those with powerful souls who perceive the future and have visions that go beyond it. Don’t make the future of yourself, your family and your country at risk.

For those who are already starting to think about not going out to vote in this GE-15, think twice, because one vote can change everything. Some of us may assume it is just a vote, yet with just one vote, we may make a major difference in our lives and future.

As evidence of the importance of one vote, let’s flip the historical fold:

  • In 1649, a single vote saved King Charles of England from being executed;
  • 1839, a single vote led to Marcus Morton being appointed governor of  Massachusetts, United States of America;
  • 1845, one vote allowed Texas to join the United States Confederation.
  • 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from being punished.
  • 1923, a one-vote advantage led to Adolf Hitler being appointed president of the Nazi party.

Let’s make Malaysia a pure democratic country, so we Malaysian can pick our leaders without manipulation by one party or another. So let us all fulfil our responsibilities as the determinant of the nation’s direction.

Our votes are valuable.  Votes cannot be sold.  So, vote for those who know to make Better MALAYSIA. – airtimes.my

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
DiskusiEkonomi

Columnist: Is Minimum Wages a Reason for Inflation?

by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri
written by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri

Malaysia’s annual inflation rate increased to a 16-month high of 4.7% in August of 2022 from 4.4% in the prior month, matching market consensus. Food prices rose by 7.2 per cent, the most on record, after a 6.9 per cent gain in July. Additional upward pressures also came from cost of housing (4.1% vs 3.8%), transport (5.2% vs 5.6%), alcoholic beverages & tobacco (0.7% vs 0.6%), furnishing & household maintenance (4.3% vs 4.2%), clothing (0.3% vs 0.3%), health (0.9% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.7% vs 2.5%), education (1.2% vs 1.2%), restaurants & hotels (6.4% vs 5.8%), and miscellaneous goods & services (2.4% vs 2.1%). Core consumer prices, which exclude volatile items of fresh food and administered prices, rose 3.8%, the steepest gain on record, after a 3.4% rise in July. Every month, consumer prices were up 0.2% in August, the least in four months, after a 0.4 per cent rise in July.

Economic uncertainty, global political unrest, and the ripple effects of Covid-19. These are just a few factors in the rise of the inflation rate.

Nonetheless, the inflation rate in Malaysia was one of the lowest in the world.

Most economists expect inflation to trend higher this year to reflect the rise in commodity prices and wages, but do not expect inflation to accelerate rapidly like in the US as domestic fuel subsidies limit the upside.

I believe the minimum wage policy is one of the key drivers of inflation which ultimately create a labour cost “snowball effect” for employers, pushing labour costs higher across all positions. But I am not denying global supply chain disruptions, escalating commodity prices, labour shortages and expiry of the government’s price control schemes, and potential subsidy rationalisation programmes contribute to this hike.

Businesses must plan for increased inflation and interest rates in this environment. Inflationary pressures reduce consumer spending and force firms to face greater business costs. If they are unable to fully pass on expenses, earnings will suffer.

Globally, there is a possibility of high inflation, prolonged periods of inflation, and decreased (economic) growth. This situation makes me very concerned if the government’s poor policies lead to a recession.

And it’s not going away anytime soon. With rising food, gas, and utility prices throughout the world, it’s no wonder that the workforce is feeling the pinch of inflation.

Employees’ psychological safety is jeopardised due to economic stress, leading to lesser involvement, silent resignation, and an increase in turnover. According to a Merdeka Centre in 2021 and Mindshare research, Malaysians with low income faced economic difficulty owing to price increases a year ago and may picture the scenario currently.

We urge the government to find a solution to the instability of inflation and to get through internal bureaucratic roadblocks so the measures may be implemented as soon as possible, giving the industry an instant boost to get over the inflation “hump.”

In the context of the COVID-19 incident, companies that act promptly succeed and endure. I sincerely believe that the present government must act quickly before businesses follow the layoff procedure and further destabilise our economy. – airtimes.my

DISCLAIMER: Air Times News Network is not responsible for opinions expressed through this article. It’s the columnist’s personal view and doesn’t necessarily reflect our stance.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: A Never Ending Story – Sulu and Malaysia Sovereignty

by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri
written by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri

On 12 July 2022, it was reported that two Petronas subsidiaries in Azerbaijan had been seized by bailiffs after a French arbitration court ruled in March that Malaysia had to pay the descendants of the sultan of Sulu at least RM62.59 billion.

The Financial Times reported that the move to seize the petroleum company’s Luxembourg-registered subsidiaries, Petronas Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) and Petronas South Caucasus, was part of legal efforts launched in 2017 by the heirs to receive compensation for land in Sabah they said their ancestor leased to a British trading company in 1878.

The claim was made during the proceedings at the Paris Arbitration Court in France.

The dispute has its origin in the 1878 Deed of Cession between the then Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Jamal Al Alam, and Baron de Overbeck, the then maharaja of Sabah, and British North Borneo Company’s Alfred Dent.

Petronas become new center of attention due to arbitration award to Sulu Heir in last June.

Under the agreement, Jamal ceded sovereignty over large parts of Sabah to Dent and Overbeck, who agreed that they and their future heirs were to pay the heirs of the sultan 5,000 Mexican dollars annually.

In 1936, the last formally-recognised sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram II, died without heirs, and payments temporarily ceased until North Borneo High Court chief justice Charles F Macaskie named nine court-appointed heirs in 1939.

Although Malaysia took over these payments when it became the successor of the agreement following Sabah’s independence and the formation of Malaysia in 1963, these payments – equivalent to RM5,300 a year – ceased in 2013 after an incursion by armed men into Lahad Datu, along the eastern coast of Sabah.

Lahad Datu 2013 witnessed the incursion of armed militia loyal to Sulu’s Sultanate.

Malaysia will consider itself lucky when A French court has reportedly granted Malaysia a stay of a US$15 billion award won by heirs of the Sulu Sultanate. According to Global Arbitration Review, the court made the decision yesterday after finding that its enforcement could infringe on the country’s sovereignty.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Malaysia had obtained a stay order on the RM63bil award.

He said the Paris Court of Appeal allowed an application by the Malaysian government to suspend enforcing the final award dated Feb 28 following claims by parties who alleged that they were heirs and successors in interest to Sultan Jamalul Kiram II through an international arbitration proceeding in Madrid.

With the stay order, the final award, which had been obtained by Spanish arbitrator Dr Gonzalo Stampa earlier, could not be enforced in any country pending a decision by the French court on the finality of the matter.

Wan Junaidi said the government was currently making preparations for the hearing to quash the final award, although a hearing date had yet to be fixed. Malaysia also filed criminal proceedings against Stampa for contempt of court in Madrid, which is ongoing.

However, Lawyers for the claimants, said the February ruling remains legally enforceable outside France through the New York Convention, a United Nations (UN) treaty on international arbitration recognised in 170 countries.

It means with some exceptions, such as diplomatic premises, any Malaysian government-owned asset within a nations party to the UN convention is eligible for enforcing the award,

On Monday (July 18), an Opposition MP, Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud), was suspended for two days for urging the House to address the matter of the Sulu claim on PETRONAS’s assets and Sabah.

The irony is that on Monday (July 18), the Sabah state assembly also unexpectedly rejected a motion to debate issues relating to claims by self-proclaimed heirs to the defunct Sulu Sultanate, among other matters. It appeared to be a matter better debated in the federal Parliament because it involved federal laws and jurisdiction.

Spanish arbitrator Dr Gonzalo Stampa obtained final award for Sulu Heirs.

Najib as an opportunist has played this issue to turn it into an advantage for him. Najib Razak has blasted PH for blaming him for the Sulu issue when it was the Pakatan Harapan government’s “ignorance” that made it worse.

He said the PH government did not do anything when the Sulu heirs made claims that the country had failed to make annual payments after the death of the formally recognised Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram II.

Najib added that to make matters worse, the PH-appointed attorney-general had written a letter acknowledging the Sulu heirs’ claims and offering a payment of RM48,300. He described the action as “the biggest mistake” under the PH government.

To add salt to the wound, on  19 July 2022, PKR lodged a wave of police reports against Najib Razak, internal information reveal that the Police have received more than 150 police reports nationwide, about his negligence in dealing with claims by the heirs of the Sulu sultanate. This is due to the failure to act on the claims by the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu sultanate. after halting the lease payment to the heirs in 2013.

A court document shows that the notice of the suit was sent in 2017 when Najib was still prime minister.

Some will say it is useless to make a police report against Najib but WR sees this as a strategy by Rafizi to unite back PKR after the party election which could cause friction among the camp. And he succeeded in doing so.

Recent Sulu claims have created the next level rivalry between Najib and Rafizi at social media.

Najib and Rafizi have made a series of attacks and counter-attacks on social media over the past few months since Rafizi made a comeback to active politics after a two-year absence, standing for election to fill the vacant post of PKR deputy president.

Meanwhile, Petronas said it was taking steps to protect the legal position of all its global assets after two Luxembourg-based subsidiaries were served with a seizure notice last week over a dispute with the heirs of a late sultan.

The steps Petronas was taking include engaging legal counsel, as a repone Malaysian Government A special team will draft action plans to address claims made by the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu sultanate

It will also comprise Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun and experts on international arbitration and led by the Ministry of Law.

We welcome the afford by the government views seriously the issues that threaten the interest of national assets in foreign countries by the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, particularly assets under government-linked companies.

To protect our national assets and sovereignty, the government must take proactive and forceful efforts to solve this issue.

The nature of the Sulu legal salvo is what makes this situation unusual for WR as well. Rather than regaining Sabah, it targeted Malaysia’s most important asset: Petronas. If the legal claim is based on The Sulu Sultanate’s possession of Sabah, shouldn’t the lawsuit centre fully and only on the state?

The demand for Malaysia to pay RM62.59 billion to the Sulu Sultan’s heirs is unreasonable, The unpaid amount, however you count it, is less than RM60,000. Even with interest, it doesn’t amount to anywhere near even RM1 billion, let alone over RM60 billion.

Recent move show Sulu Heirs have targeted national strategic asset, Petronas.

 

The weirdest aspect is that these historical facts are recorded by Don Carlos Cuarteron, who documented these historical occurrences in his journals, which are now available in Mike Gibby’s book “Crowned with the Stars.”

Because of his journals, we can now determine the Sultan of Sulu’s true intentions in terms of why he consented to the stipulations proposed by Dent and Overbeck and signed the agreement in 1878.

After 300 years of terrible battle and carnage, the Sultanate of Sulu was forced to surrender to the Spanish in July 1878. This final capitulation effectively terminated the Sulu’s dominance in the region.

So, on what basis did the Sulu Sultanate ever have any claim to Sabah as the royal household were neither originally from Sabah, never lived in Sabah nor had any ancestorial claims to the territory in any capacity going back in time.

There were no palaces, no cities and no centres of administration of the Sulu Sultanate in Sabah, unlike the Brunei Sultanate which was based in Borneo and historically ruled most of Borneo for almost 6 centuries and had vassals and administrators and Bajau Samah armies based in Mengkabong, Putatan, Abai, Kinarut and even in Marudu. Until the cessation of Sabah in 1877, the entire west coast of Sabah was controlled by the Brunei Pangerans and their Bajau Samah warriors.

If we talk about rights, I think Brunei has more legal rights than Sulu.

 

 

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: Is Malaysia’s mandatory death penalty being phased out?

by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri
written by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri

Malaysian on death row Kalwant Singh was executed early morning of7 July 2022 in Singapore’s Changi Prison, and his remains will be taken back to Cameron Highlands, later on, put another fight for the death penalty to be phased out in Malaysia.

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), said on June 10, 2022, that the cabinet has decided to eliminate the obligatory death sentence. The Cabinet decision came after the Special Committee to Review Alternative Sentences to the Mandatory Death Penalty presented its findings. Tun Richard Malunjun, the former Chief Justice, is in charge.

Malaysia now has 11 mandatory death penalty offences, including drug-related offences, which account for the biggest chunk of death sentence cases. The Cabinet decision would offer the judge’s discretion in the sentence.

According to a written response from the Malaysian Parliament in February 2022, there are presently 1,341 persons on death row, with 905 instances including mandatory death sentences for drug trafficking.

The Reality

Normally, the Prime Minister makes every major announcement by the present administration, even if it is a half-baked policy. Perhaps the Prime Minister wants to be the centre of attention in this wobbly alliance. However, after it was revealed by the designated minister, it created more confusion than clarity.

Before you start applauding, keep in mind that these revisions still need to be proposed and voted in Parliament before they become law. The statement did not say when the government expected to conclude its review of alternative sentences or give an indication of what the changes might entail.

Between the lines of the Cabinet decision, there are requests for more research to generate recommendations for alternative penalties for crimes that carry the mandatory death sentence. Who will undertake the research, when it will be tabled, and how long it will take to reach parliament remain unsolved questions.

Even though the present administration is claiming credit for this initiative, most of us have already forgotten that Malaysia took the initial steps toward abolishing the death penalty in October 2018 under the short-lived Pakatan Harapan government, and has a moratorium on executions today.

Despite the government’s massive marketing campaign, which may be aimed at gaining support from human rights activists, the death sentence will stay on the books. Judges will now have the option of imposing an alternative penalty for the 23 offences that carry the death penalty.

I believe the Malaysian government enjoys floating proposals for human rights projects because it realizes the world community has a short attention span and will interpret this as a sign of Malaysia’s development.

The announcement comes at a critical juncture. In April, Malaysia’s prime minister and foreign minister requested Singapore’s government twice to give mercy to Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, a 33-year-old Malaysian native who faced the death penalty in Singapore after being found guilty of importing heroin into the country in 2009. Nagaenthran, who was cognitively challenged, was offered a return to Malaysia by the Foreign Ministry.

The communication between Malaysia and Singapore revealed hypocrisy: Nagaethran would have faced the death penalty in his native country.

Additional Questions to Answer

To secure popular political support, the government must learn from the hasty repeal of the ISA (Homeland Security Act). There are now parties who are unconcerned with religious and racial sensitivities that endanger national security. They capitalised on the development of information technology, particularly the limitless freedom of social media. Many people were already repentant when the ISA was repealed, and they lobbied for its reinstatement. Regrettably, it is too late. This experience must be considered if the government wishes to abolish a statute such as an ISA. National security and justice for victims of forced crimes are also considered. The priority should not be to apprehend the perpetrators of the atrocities.

For situations of heinous crimes resulting in death, such as organised murder, the mandatory death penalty must be maintained. The government is more concerned with the destiny of vicious offenders than with defending victims of cruelty when it comes to protecting them.

It’s also important to consider the expense of funding life-sentenced offenders. Consider the amount of money needed to sustain thousands of life-sentenced criminals. Every year, the cost is undoubtedly in the hundreds of millions of dollars. These costs range from the use of taxpayer funds for food, medicine, and other necessities to the hiring of brutal criminals.

It is preferable for a fund of that magnitude to be utilized to assist the destitute or the victims’ families.

The death sentence is still enforced in Singapore, China, and several other nations. Even in China, corrupt offenders are subjected to death sentences. President Jokowi of Indonesia recently proposed introducing a death sentence law for corrupt offenders.

With Malaysia’s high prevalence of bribery crime, the death sentence might be one of the alternatives that the government should consider.

For me, the Malaysian government’s strategy should focus on the situation, the conditions, and the goals, rather than on popularity.

DISCLAIMER: Air Times News Network is not responsible for opinions expressed through this article. It’s the columnist’s personal view and doesn’t necessarily reflect our stance.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: Malaysia’s Skewed Transport System – Rising Costs Demand Bolder Solutions

by Liew Chin Tong
written by Liew Chin Tong

Malaysia’s failure to build an efficient and functioning public transport system has a price tag: a huge fuel subsidy bill, sizable accumulated public debts and a high level of household debts partly caused by car loans. Policymakers should think out of the box and consider subsidising commuters to take public transport.

The economic implications of Malaysia’s skewed transport system will deepen with high petrol prices and rising interest rates. The country’s heavy dependence on private passenger cars and penchant for rail-based “big toy” public transport projects are coming home to roost. With fuel subsidies – petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas – estimated to reach RM37.3 billion this year, the need to build a highly connected and bus-centred public transport systems has never been greater.

There are now 33 million registered vehicles in Malaysia. In 2020, Malaysia’s vehicle ownership reached 993.7 registered vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, second highest in Southeast Asia to Brunei Darussalam at 997.8. Very few adults do not own a vehicle, yet the mobility needs of many are unmet and traffic congestion is rife. Climate crises and severe flooding are further ramifications.

The skewed transport system imposes three major economic problems.

First, fuel subsidy burns a huge hole in the Budget. Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz has flagged the fiscal challenge. RM30 billion was budgeted for subsidies for 2022 but the government worries that this bill will reach RM77.3 billion, of which fuel subsidies alone cost RM37.3 billion, an explosive rise from RM13.2 billion in 2021 and RM 6.1 billion in pre-pandemic 2019.

Zafrul suggests that generous subsidies are untenable, but with a general election not far off, the government will be very careful with the unpopular step of reducing fuel subsidy. The finance minister is hinting at some form of targeted subsidy but the RM625 one-off payment during the June 2008 fuel hike was a disaster. No one has convincingly explained whether and how such a programme should be implemented today.

Second, transport-related public infrastructure projects constitute the bulk of the nation’s off-budget debts. Over the past decade or so, many big ticket transport projects were implemented, consisting of highways, city rail networks and inter-city electrified double tracking, and megaprojects such as the East Coast Railway Line (ECRL). Most of these projects were funded through off-budget channels with government-owned special purpose vehicles (SPVs) raising government-guaranteed debts. Should these SPVs become unable to service their off-budget debts, the government will be required to undertake the payments.

The most recent data show that government guarantees for DanaInfra Nasional Berhad, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd, and Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Berhad summed to RM149.1 billion, or 49.6 per cent of the RM300.4 billion of guarantees provided by the federal government (Table 1). Several of these guarantees, including DanaInfra and Prasarana, are considered committed guarantees as these companies are already unable to service their debt without direct financial assistance from the government.

Table 1 – The government guarantees for DanaInfra Nasional Berhad, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd, and Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Berhad summed to RM149.1 billion, or 49.6 per cent of the RM300.4 billion of guarantees provided by the federal government.

The majority of projects covered by these government-owned companies involve existing transport infrastructure, including the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Projects (MRT1, MRT2), Light Rail Transit Line 3 Project (LRT3), Pan Borneo Highway Project Sarawak, PLUS North-South Highway, as well as operations of the LRT, MRT, KL Monorail, and bus services in various cities.

The fundamental weakness of these “big toy” projects is that they still do not solve the issue of first and last mile connectivity challenges. They do not cover areas beyond the Klang valley, leaving other parts of the country even more dependent on private vehicles. Having spent or committed so much to “big toy” public transport, the onus is now on Malaysia to make the pricey infrastructure work better and to be commercially viable, or at least less anaemic than the current 20 per cent public transport use rate.

Subsidising public transport in a big way, especially through supporting bus services nationwide, would be more sustainable – both financially and for the climate – in the long run, rather than prolonging cheap fuel forever.

Since Penang pioneered free buses in 2008, other schemes at various levels of governments have followed suit — but in an uncoordinated and disjointed manner. An ad hoc arrangement recently announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri promises a RM155 million outlay for one month’s free public transport in Kuala Lumpur.

Unfortunately, the current administration still proposes to build 3 more highways around the Klang Valley. This is the wrong approach. Building more highways will only lead to a phenomenon known as “induced demand” – the more highways or roads you build, the more cars will be on the road and the more congested the city will be.

Third, loans for the purchases of private cars form a significant portion of private debt. Bank Negara Malaysia statistics showed that in April 2022, car and housing loans comprised 43 per cent of total loans provided by banks. Car loans to pay off a continuously depreciating asset are especially unproductive, but a lucrative and relatively straightforward business for the banks.

The fundamental weakness of these “big toy” projects is that they still do not solve the issue of first and last mile connectivity challenges, nor cover areas beyond the Klang valley, leaving other parts of the country even more dependent on private vehicles.

Bank Negra reported that, for first half of 2021, approximately 70 per cent of new banking system disbursements (excluding credit cards) are channeled to middle to high income borrowers, with 40 per cent and 20 per cent respectively of total new disbursements going towards purchasing residential properties and cars. Within the region, Malaysia has one of the highest household debt-to-GDP ratios at 89 per cent, equivalent to Thailand (90 per cent) but exceeding Singapore (66 per cent) and Indonesia (10 per cent).

In sum, the failure to build an efficient and functioning public transport system has a price tag: a huge fuel subsidy bill, sizable accumulated public debts via “big toy” transport infrastructure, and a very high level of household debts partly caused by car loans.

Policy makers and political leaders must first agree that transport cost is at the heart of Malaysia’s various economic questions. We must then be bold to think out of the box.

The notion of ‘paying’ the people to take the bus is not as outlandish as it may seem. Much more can be done to subsidise bus-based public transport and incentivise the public to take public transport, guided by three key elements:

First, public transport is unlikely to generate profit and thus must be largely paid for by the public coffer, in exchange of public goods such as less private cars on the roads, better mobility, savings on fuel subsidy, and reduction in carbon emission.

Second, public transport must go beyond “big toy” infrastructure; having many buses running on time is crucial in linking up the system and running it efficiently.

Third, regular use of public transport renders private vehicles a luxury and no longer a necessity. Confidence must be instilled, satisfaction earned. But should these happen, removal of subsidy will be the natural course of action.

The transport question in the Malaysian economy is huge and serious. Doing more of the same is a recipe for disaster.

DISCLAIMER: Air Times News Network is not responsible for opinions expressed through this article. It’s the columnist’s personal view and doesn’t necessarily reflect our stance. The original article can be accessed here.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Diskusi

Columnist: UMNO’s Dilemma – Court Cluster and Ismail Sabri-Zahid war

by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri
written by Dr. Hj. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri

As June 2022 proceed to the end, it was marked by several striking developments that happened within UMNO.  The Court Cluster and disunity within the party had caused UMNO’s dilemma, which later will affect the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the future.

1MDB and Najib

It was 1st June when BN held its convention in the World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur, with an emphasis on fostering unity and strength among the party’s constituent members. The convention includes UMNO, MCA, MIC, and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah as component parties. The event coincided with the coalition’s 48th-anniversary celebration a day (PBRS). A coalition party called “Friends of BN” would also attend the conference.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri thanked the leaders of UMNO and the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties for their support throughout his tenure as the 9th Prime Minister from August 21 of last year. The PM who is also the vice-president of UMNO said the confidence provided was not an easy one. And he is willing to bear the burden with the BN leadership.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed that he was charged was not charged with theft in his corruption trials but rather with laundering money he did not directly benefit from.

At the same event, former BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his speech informed the coalition that he was not charged with theft in his corruption trials but rather with laundering money he did not directly benefit from. He utilises this platform to promote himself and show that he is ready to make a comeback.

In the 1MDB trial, he is being charged with receiving four bribes totaling RM2.3 billion and 21 charges of money laundering totaling RM4.3 billion.

The 1MDB matter is seen as a political rather than a corruption case by some in the BN. They regard Najib’s actions as refilling the “war fund,” which is required to fight elections. This has been happening for decades.

The Malay political system used to defend its own until Mahathir utilised 1MDB for political gain. Najib would never have gone to court if it hadn’t been for intra-Malay squabbling. This is the storey of the UMNO coalition, driven by the ‘court cluster.’

The time is changing and BN itself cannot be constrained by the past, especially after its successes in the last three state elections.

The BN must reinvent itself to preserve voter appeal.

The war between Zahid and Ismail

While Najib keeps defending his stance on the 1MDB case, the war within UMNO itself has begun. This is especially in between the two main factions of the party – Zahid’s camp and Ismail’s side.

This can be observed when Tajuddin Rahman, Ismail Sabri’s firm supporter has been removed from UMNO’s Supreme Working Council (MKT) by Zahid Hamidi.

The Prime Minister and UMNO’s Vice President, Ismail Sabri did not attend the party’s MKT meeting. The absence was observed by several party leaders as Ismail took a position on Tajuddin’s concerns, which means “the struggle has begun”.

Furthermore, he also disappears from “Top 5” meeting which was held prior the MKT.

The removal of Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman from the Supreme Working Council (MKT) shows deeper turmoil and war that rages within UMNO

Instead, Ismail decided to participate in an online discussion on global development that was being led by the Chinese president Xi Jinping. Party insiders claimed that Ismail may delegate the position to a senior minister.

The scenario revealed Ismail’s incompatibility at the MKT meeting as an obvious sign of his position.

By removing Tajuddin, it’s a war within UMNO. The squabble between the two camps is impossible for one side to truly harm the other without also harming himself.

From UMNO’s side, the vote of no confidence cannot be used to oust the Prime Minister. Plus, the President doesn’t have enough support to win. Who would take his position, even if he could be dismissed?

It seems that PM will not listen to his party and ask for the dissolution of parliament immediately. For that, he can only be sacked as a UMNO member. Not exactly a confidence-booster for the party in an election year and a very risky way to take. Then, what’s next?

Clearly, Ismail Sabri is caught in a dilemma situation as well. If he dissolves the parliament right away, his leverage is gone. He can be replaced. If he agrees to dissolve, UMNO’s President, Zahid won’t select any of his allies in the cabinet cluster to run for office in the UMNO. Ismail Sabri is politically dead if he lives alone.

Furthermore, if he doesn’t call for an early general election as desired by his party, his supporters, even including himself, will not be chosen as candidates, anyway!

The squabble between the two camps is impossible for one side to truly harm the other without also harming himself.

The longer the poll is delayed, the riskier it becomes for UMNO, which is an overwhelming potential momentum loss. Ismail Sabri can be more damaging to UMNO every day he serves as prime minister, implementing measures like eliminating food subsidies that do not endear UMNO to the suffering of people.

Ismail Sabri is seeking a compromise in which the selection of candidates will include his supporters and his continued appointment as prime minister following UMNO’s victory at PRU15 would be ensured.

But by whom? Since the power to do that is lay on the President’s hand, it seems impossible.

If Zahid gives in to that demand, he will hand over the presidency to Ismail Sabri, who will be the incumbent Prime Minister. That is most certainly the beginning of Zahid’s demise as a significant political entity.

Will the rakyat or the country be the key determinant in whatever decision UMNO makes?

DISCLAIMER: Air Times News Network is not responsible for opinions expressed through this article. It’s the columnist’s personal view and doesn’t necessarily reflect our stance.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
google.com, pub-4655215500299199, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
error: Content is protected !!