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“Wang ehsan” model for Pakatan-controlled states?

The Star carries an alarming report today, the latest in developments which suggest that the BN-controlled Federal Government is looking into alternative models to by-pass the state governments in allocating federal funds to the various Pakatan Rakyat states.

Federal Govt mulling over project mechanism in Pakatan states

JITRA: The Government is seeking a suitable mechanism to ensure the smooth implementation of federal projects in Pakatan Rakyat-held states, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum.

Mohd Johari, who said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had appointed him to monitor the implementation of these projects, said the Government wanted the people to receive the benefits.

Mohd Johari, who is Kubang Pasu MP, said the Prime Minister’s Department was studying the mechanism used in Sabah, Kelantan and Terengganu to be implemented in Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor.

“So far, we have found that the mechanism used in Terengganu is the most suitable for these states. However, we need to improve on the mechanism,” he told reporters at a thanksgiving feast organised by him and Bukit Kayu Hitam assemblyman Datuk Mohd Zaini Japar.

Mohd Johari also said the department would re-structure the village development and security committees in Kedah so that they could continue to give their services to the people.

He said they would receive allowances from the federal government in the same way that they received the allowance when Barisan Nasional ruled Kedah.

The BN must realise that federal money is the people’s money. After all, the money comes from the people (and companies) through various taxes and from OUR (not the BN’s) petroleum resources.

It is an insult to the people to think that only the BN can ensure that federal funds is used for the people’s benefit. From experience, many ordinary people felt otherwise and that is why the voted in droves for opposition parties.

It is about time that reforms are instituted to de-centralise the allocations of federal funds so that state governments, elected by local residents, have a greater say in how they are disbursed. “No taxation without representation.”

Unfortunately, the BN seems intent on moving us in the opposite direction, where state governments have less and less say in how the people’s money is being spent. If they think that is going to win back support for the BN from the people, they’ve got another thing coming… Political Tsunami II, perhaps?

This entry was posted on Monday, 7 April 2008 at 11.09am and is filed under Accountability, Development issues, Malaysian politics. Visited 179 times, 4 so far today. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

39 Responses to ““Wang ehsan” model for Pakatan-controlled states?”

  1. “No taxation without representation.”

    That’s how Britain lost its American colonies on 4th July 1776

  2. All the money that the gov’t gets come from us, the federal gov’t doesn’t OWN any of the funds.
    Not perhaps! Definitely another Tsunami II, bigger than the one on Dec 26, 2004!

  3. Let BN do what it like, this is it’s last term in power. After next election, let start a witch hunt and finish all the corrupted politicians. BN will never learn, too arrogant and stupid to understand what the people want.

  4. Another round of “Patrick Badawi’s” in the making??? Why do they not learn from the recent happenings. Its totally amazing & amusing watching these people shoot themselves in the left foot after they shot their right foot 1 month ago!!!

  5. Its one thing to do it with Terengganu and Kelantan, its quite another to do it with Selangor, Perak and Penang. LKY tried to years to get rid of Chiam See Tong and failed to do it.

    BN will learn something new about Chinese educated when they will get angrier at them..

  6. It is only fair the people from PR states and the PR states government need not pay tax to federal government since the federal goverment is BN.

  7. Maybe the five state govts should get a legal team together to check on the possibility that the citizens of these 5 states pay NO federal tax & pay a state tax instead.

    Why should we pay tax to subsizide a govt that is not transparent and not listening to their citizens.

  8. Its the BN ways of frustrating PR so that they are unable to effectively carry out their development plans. Thats the way BN is playing their game, PR must counter them with a taste of their own medicine, no representation no tax. Anyway, the Rakyat will surely see BN’s evil way of choking the 5 non BN states.

  9. After taking over the reigns of power from Mahathir, PM Badawi is now saying that the rot in the Judiciary began during the stewardship of Mahathir. My question to PM Badawi is, what have you done to stop the rot since you came to power? Are you saying that the Judiciary that we have today is rotten?

    Why keep silent all these while Badawi, when you knew there was a serious problem in the Judiciary? Do you know dear Badawi, by saying that the Judiciary is in such a sad state of affairs, puts you in a very precarious position. You must now proof to the Rakyat that your allegations against the Judiciary is with basis and truth. If not, be prepared to face the music from the Judiciary. Remember, dear Badawi, you are not above the law. Whatever you say and do, can be used against you in a Court of Law. I hope you have not made this allegation out of desperation to stay in power and to counter attack Mahathir’s salvos against your regime.

  10. Learn from Kelantan and seek advice from them. They have survived for 18 years and they know very well how the federal game is played.

  11. This is the sole reason why PR should let Anwar go for the kill. Establish the PR at federal level and do away with this nonsense. BN will never learn and they will get dirtier by the day.

  12. Michael Spencer on April 7th, 2008 at 3.39pm

    I would like to suggest if you are Muslim, pay your taxes as Zakat. You can pay 100% of your personal income tax as Zakat. This way this government will not be able to get their hands on the money. If every muslim in this country do this, this government will be in trouble.

  13. Why this guy can say what they want, why PR is not setting up a team of legal team and bring them to court in every occasion. PR have to start getting them to court, dont juz let them do wat they want.

  14. looks like next election we must make sure the state gov and federal gov be the same coalition/party. Whic party should it be? If barisan try to bully/intimate the other party, we rakyat must really do some deep thinking

  15. sigh…. idiots never learn do they…? this johari fella should be (brought to account)…

    maybe he should be named Johari Badawi coz we know he’d (probably) gonna be the one to get all the funds flowing thru from the fed govt to Kedah - in the name of ‘wanting the people to receive the benefits’

  16. hi anil,

    Its possibble for me not pay my tax to federal goverment due to my believe they are not my goverment.I stay in selangor,so i do want to pay my taxes in form of income tax,my imported goods throu port klang AND what ever federal goverment charge me throu my smoking or car taxes.

    I dont support bn anymore and they are ousted by rakyat.So if federal goverment think pakatan rakyat not deserve to be paid to upbringing off the state,and continue their moron pocketing throu their parties,then why i should pay to the federal goverment all the taxes.i RATHER PAY TO MY STATE GOVERMENT.

    I am citizen of malaysia and i have the all the rights to ask where my taxes channel to.

    The goverment of the opposition state had to bag for money FOR development FEDERAL GOVERMENT ARE bullying us,because we ousted them.
    Can the federal goverment anwser to my question.We dont want then to rule this state.So why do they use this state tax payer money to sabotage the future project of pakatan rakyat.

    do the federal goverment still in denial mode that,we kick them out because all the abuse,corruption by federal goverment.

    Well if this going to happen,they are the morons of the world by denying pakatan rakyat to perform.Money needed to make money.If there are no money to be pump in into any idea,well pakatan just will die off and federal goverment will simply say,”you see,pakatan rakyat cant perform,only barisan can perform “.

    DAYLIGHT ROBBER(Y)…

  17. How can we, the law-abiding citizens allow this undemocratic move be perpetrated upon us without protest! The rakyat is now a galvanised group, it can consider options opened to it and decide on the action or actions it wants to take.

    The few options available to us are:-
    > register our protests with the PM through his website - http://www.warkahuntukkpm.com.my
    > start a ’signature campaign’ and sending the verdict to the government
    > register our protests with our MPs and get them to convey our stand to their parties
    > get the Perkatan Rakyat to get a referundum going through the parliament
    > get the Perkatan Rakyat and the NGOs to institute legal proceeding against the government
    > take a leaf from Gandhi - start a non-violent protest - refuse to pay taxes till the move is abandoned.

    The PM has repeated maintains that he has heard the rakyat voice, he must then respect the rakyat’s wish. This move of his contradicts his spoken words. Hope he reconsider and abandon the move.

  18. I always against pakatan rakyat take in the frog mp jumping into pakatan rakyat but due this “wang ehsan” factor,i wolcome all the frog and grasshopper jump into pakatan rakyat.

    Nothing to loose with some morons in pakatan to control the bn federal Moron for awhile.Any way there will be you,harris and sloone is there as a hawk to watch this so called pakatan rakyat.

    Lets take the chances b4 FEDERAL MORON (FINISH US OFF).

  19. I am beginning to wonder why you were not given a chance by Pakatan Rakyat component parties to stand in the March 8 elections. Maybe they will during political tsunami II? Hope you are not offended by my comments.

  20. Looks like 2013 is closer to “tah pau” the Barisan Nasional. I am glad I voted for the opposition. So 2013-lets all vote against BN

  21. its really typical of (some of) those in power as they r a bunch of morons who dont even have the basic decency or ethics although they profess to blieve in rukun negara .imbiciles.

  22. to,
    sebastian.
    i do wonder also why anil not in pakatan rakyat.He is chartered accountant and very capable one.

    Lets lobby for him for the next ge or whenever the pakatan rakyat form the goverment.Always can appoint anil as senator AND APPOINT HIM AS FINANCE MINISTER and he control the check book.

    to,anil

    I am not carry your balls anil.You deserve it with plus 10% commission for saving tax payer money as i told you b4.
    End of the day who perform,i believe they should be rewarded.No such thing as charity work.You still need to survive,drive a porch car or unless you want to be a monk.

    Raj raman.PAY PEOPLE WHENEVER ITS DUE AND DESERVE.

  23. Use Federal Constitution Articles 99,100,109 to scrutinise all
    expenditures to States.

    BN cannot by-pass BR State Governments.

    All BR 82 MPs take action to upheld ‘ detailed ‘ expenditures to the nearest cents in parliament.

    Syabas. Barisan Rakyat.

    Malaysia Bersatu.

  24. Wow, out of these 3 states … i tot Terengganu and Sabah are the two states with the highest number of poor people. How then does this model help the rakyat if evidence shows otherwise?

    i dun want to pay my tax can or not?

  25. If Badawi/(BN) carries this threat out then he is no better than Mahatiar! The fact that they could even think of it shows that BN has never and will never ever respect us “The Rakyat” at all.

    Let us “The Rakyat” remind’s BN least they have fogotten their duties - THE GOVERMENT IS BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

    No Respect for The Rakyat = No Taxes from The Rakyat (I do not mean literally, we still have to pay our taxes as all good RakyatS do, but only not directly.)

    Pakatan Rakyat could open escrow accounts within these 5 states for “The Rakyat” and all companies operating in these states to pay taxes into. That way if the federal goverment were to take legal action against us for non payment of taxes then we could defend ourselves in court; preferalbly in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia or an Internation court as we do not have confidence in our judiciary.

    Since I am on the subject of taxes, how about Pakatan Rakyat introducing an alternative vehicle road tax for cars running on these 5 states? Since it is only being used in these 5 states it could be cheaper and monies collected could then be used to widen up all inter-state roads. That way we may not have to be robbed by hiway robbers that are operated by BN cronies.

    Hidup Rakyat! Hidup Rakyat! Hidup Rak………….yat!

  26. Hamid Ibrahim on April 8th, 2008 at 6.56am

    Dear Anil

    Let the BN do what it likes; Actions like this will add
    to BN’s complete downfall.

    They have been making enough mistakes; but if they want to continue more, let them do; it will speed up things for the BR (BARISAN RAKYAT). The treasury does not belong to BN. It belongs to the RAKYAT. Rakyat will decide on the stupidity of the BN. History has full of evidence - the government that does not respect the wishes of the RAKYAT
    will pay ultimately.

    Hamid Ibrahim

  27. The Federal Govt has been running parallel governments in Kelantan and Terengganu (1999-2004). It’s good now that people from other states have come to notice this. SOmething must be done. Now!

  28. A true Malaysian on April 8th, 2008 at 10.21am

    It is a lame excuse to apply ‘Wang Ehsan’ model to government of Pakatan Rakyat states. It is not right to for BN to say ‘we want the money to be well spent’. It is not you to judge on this, but the Rakyat.

    If this unfairness happens, I would think that BN parliamentarians will be crossing over to Pakatan Rakyat. I don’t think it is ‘immoral’ for them to do so.

  29. How can we believe that BN wants us receive the benefits when it won’t even respect our choice of government? It doesn’t matter how many roses and presents you send someone who doesn’t love you. You can’t make them love you, but only detest you even more.

  30. Malaysia Watch Dog on April 8th, 2008 at 11.19am

    It’s expected sooner or later, RIGHT. BN and UMNO will never learn their mistake FOREVER.Pakatan Rakyat must move from now to out throw BN as Federal Goverment. Rakyat is not the BOSS but UMNO is, that is why they are so arrogrant even till now. Pak Lah i assume still have the same advisers as before the Election. What ever it is we must support ANWAR IBRAHIM as our next Prime Minister. We don’t have a better choice now.ANWAR is capable to take over leadership for Malaysian. UMNO cannot rule Malaysia anymore.Do Malaysian want NAJIB… as a future Prime Minister ? Malaysia must decide now. The more we wait more new strategy to out source the Pakatan Rakyat State Goverment will appear. Now we Malaysia can see the true COLOUR of UMNO and BN leaders RIGHT ?

  31. BN, please do not disunite Malaysia. Our effort and prayer of 50 years should not be wasted. As a governing party, please take lead and be example to unite the nation. Don’t punish opposition states as the people has done nothing wrong but merely exercising our citizen rights. Why must leaders punish their followers for not supporting them - bad management principle. Instead, find ways to win their respect and confident.

  32. While I like the idea of paying tax to PR state govts, it’d be too complicated to plan and execute at this stage.

    So, enough is enough. We already have a short-cut at getting the same objective:

    Let’s just expedite the change of government at federal level. BN needs to be put out of power asap. There’s no point in having them carrying on making idiotic policies. We need real clever brains to help propel us forwards, not a bunch of knobheads.

    I am so ready to have a PR govt to lead our nation. Warts and all.

  33. I agree with novice. I was aagainst party hoppers. Now that BN government wants to manage our funds as wang ehsan, I am all for a new government, as soon as possible and I will welcome party hopping. We have to taech BN another lesson, the first lesson unlearned.

  34. As a matter of fact, Terengganu’s wang ehsan was grossly mismanaged by the PM department. Our King knew it.

    This time we are talking about many many RM1.2billion. Who in BN are not tempted to lay their hands on these amount of money? Go ahead. Take as much as you like and at your own peril. This is Islam Hadhari for you.

    Dont forget God is watching and always fair. You bug**** will pay heavily in the your after life.Your generations will be cursed if they ever spend any of this ill-gotten money. Believe in retribution. Just wait and see.

    Remember the RM18 million Zakaria Istana? Did he live to enjoy ” the fruits of his labour”? Remember how he die?
    Will his children enjoy the “fruits of his labour”? Lets see.

    Well our honourable Prime Minister, being a muslim and Imam of Islam Hadhari, its your take. Dont forget your obligations to GOD!!!

    The development funds are tax payer money.Its simple as that. No body can deny us of these funds. Its so undemocratic and cruel. Is the action of the federal government ultra vires the constitution? Can the five PR state jointly institute legal suit against the federal government? Its worth exploring this course of action. The PR camp is not short of lawyers

    All the states under PR contribute more than 60% to the country’s GDP.

    Need I say more? What is becoming of you AAB? Pathetic indeed.

  35. Hei, if this was the agenda of BN then why did they opt for the GE 2008 - they cud just have been adamant and say no need for GE, only BN has the powers to rule this country. Why make a mockery!! Dont they know the meaning of democracy. What a bunch of sore losers - or is it the power of $$$$$ that is making them come up with these new gimmicks!!

    Probably in rush to make enought money before “Dooms Day” which is just around the corner.

  36. if bn dared to act so, perhaps bn is asking for a MEGA (probably 1 million people) peacefully rally towards putrajaya to express the rakyat’s will.

  37. This is another form of corruption committed by the Federal Government. Whether the state is controlled by the PR or BN, money for development should be channelled as was done before. Why the different method used after the election? Was not the money channelled to the state government before when projects and developments were to be implemented when the BN was ruling the states? Why the double standard? This also happened in Trengganu when PAS took control. Don’t forget that the money does not belong to the federal Government but to the citizens of this country. Or are there more Patricks who will benefit?

  38. artic turban on April 9th, 2008 at 6.47am

    … since the bn govt is going to be playing games with the federal funding, can the Pakatan rakyat write off the debts to the federal govt, as the debts were accumulated by the bn party in over spending like there no tomorrow, CAN THE DEBTS BE WRITTEN OFF ANYBODY?

  39. to
    navi,

    sorry brother,the comment of grasshopper is by me raj raman.not novice.I also looking for fame for my comment.
    to anil,
    sorry anil,just steal a bit from your fame.
    Anyway i just kacau2 a bit.Glad to meet you and how are u navi.RAj Raman.HOPE WE ARE UNITED NOT FOR FAME

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