Abdullah, the biggest casualty of the ‘tsunami’
It’s People Power.
Exactly seven months after the 8 March political tsunami swept the land, Abdullah has announced that he will not be defending his Umno presidency. Consider it a delayed reaction to the stunning setback suffered by the Umno-led ruling coalition in the general election and the further erosion in support evident in the 26 August Permatang Pauh by-election.
Abdullah is the biggest casualty of the ‘tsunami’.
“It’s very disappointing,” said a Penang-based activist. “He was pushed out and he went away like a mouse.”
But before anyone celebrates, mull over this: it leaves the door open for Najib to take over, though he first has to navigate past Razaleigh in the party elections before Abdullah will hand over power. If he does, are we in for another round of repressive rule ala Mahathir?
Many Malaysians will be disappointed that Abdullah, who promised so much when he won the 2004 general election with a big bang, now appears to be going out with a squeak.
With nothing to lose now, Abdullah plans to push through some of his reforms - making the judiciary and the ACA more independent and reforming the police (what about abolishing the ISA?) - and shore up a little of his legacy. But if he couldn’t do it at the height of his popularity, how will he do it now as a lame-duck premier - without Zaid Ibrahim - and with Najib breathing down his neck?
Reforms that could have be carried out in the last five years now to be completed in five months (until March)? Unlikely.
Several questions now arise:
- How will Razaleigh fare against Najib?
- Will the BN component parties suffer a further erosion of support if Najib takes over?
- Will Mahathir and company be back? (Oh no! God help us…)
- How will Khairy fare against Mukhriz?
- What will be the fate of Muhyiddin? Will Abdullah still want him in his cabinet?
- Does any of this really matter - will Pakatan succeed in its motion of no-confidence? (Next show begins on 13 October!)
But Abdullah could have the last laugh. He can now just sit back and watch the fun as Najib tries to manage the Malaysian economy at a time when global markets are tumbling all over.
More damaging information could be “leaked” about Najib.
The RPK trials could take a dramatic turn, who knows. What happens if RPK is released from ISA detention and then gives Najib a hard time?
It’s not over till the fat lady sings… (no, I am not referring to anyone in particular! It’s just a saying-la).
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Printable version
- Can the BN save itself?
- Umno AGM put off to March; Abdullah to decide by 9 Oct
- Abdullah buys more time with 2010 handover deadline
- Why is Umno/BN not contesting in Penanti?
- Will Abdullah spring a surprise?
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Now we should try to kick out … Najib.
1 down and more to go !
one leaves as another takes over… exorcism not over yet folks…
The most undemocratic handing over, if it is true. I wonder how and why the leaders of the other BN component party can accept it. Or they just don’t care whoever sits as PM. It looks like a tough and a rough ride for the next PM-a lame duck in the making.
It is going to be even worst as Pak Lah was only facing the UMNO displeasure but the next guy will face the challenge of the whole BN component. Good Luck to the unlucky guy.
Before that Najib should clear his reputation first la……….
i agree with the statement by the activist above, we all got him out and now we are going to regret… nvm la .. good job to all malaysians.. haiz.. my future…
The economy is further worsening. This could create more political uncertainty.
CASINO CAPITALISM’S CRISIS CONTINUES http://asocialistmalaysia.blogspot.com/2008/10/economy-casino-capitalisms-crisis.html
Our leaders are hypocrites. They claim that Malaysia follows the democratic system, but their leader succession plan has always been autocratic. Passing your seat to your chosen successor without the latter having to undergo any elections at all is worse than absolute monarchy system.
Out goes Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. In comes Najib. What’s the difference? The difference is Najib could be a worse PM than Badawi. Sad sad sad.
The only hope is a total change in the government.
I was actually hoping, albeit against strong odds, that Pak Lah would say “to hell with the transition plan”, and actually stay for the fight. I’m rather disappointed with this turn of events, though it was rather ‘predictable’.
UMNO, in its ‘reform movement’, if one can still call it that, is actually taking steps backward. Instead of pushing for more freedom and democracy within the party, it seems that the ultimate say is still with the top few.
I like Pak Lah as a person but not as a leader.
It is a fact, he is too weak to lead.
He promised so many “good” things but none has come
to pass.
Najib to be Malasia’s PM??? And, Rosmah, Malasia’s 1st lady???
Where is Bala now?
Why do they need to hide him?
I am glad that Abdullah Badawi has at last bowed to the inevitable.
Cannot help thinking that he should have stepped down on March 8th. At least hten he may have salvaged a tiny bit of honour.
Now, I await a new Pakatan Rakyat government with bated breath.
May Anwar & Co succeed in their quest, and start to turn this country around towards a united and prosperous future.
Abdullah Badawi is a thinker and a philosopher. His concept of Hadhari islam is probably too advanced for local grassroot diehards.
I never had a bad thing to say about Badawi or his reforms. ‘Tis is unfortunate I think a man like him got involved in the slimy and murderous profession of politics.
Anyway Badawi if you have time come to my teh tarik store in Tapah and we can ‘tok kok’, minum teh and eat dosai or roti in the afternoon.
Badawi’s fall —Farish A Noor
At the rate things are going in Malaysia — Malaysia’s Central Bank has reported a capital flight of 1.1 Billion US dollars in August alone — the fall of Badawi and the UMNO-led government may come sooner than later
It is not often that I sermonise in my articles, and it has been a month since the OtherMalaysia.org research project was brought to a close. Yet despite everything, the tone and tenor of Malaysia’s convoluted politics and the country’s slide into decline forces us to take stock of how far Malaysia has, or hasn’t, travelled over the past 50 years of its independence.
With the feeble administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi teetering on the verge of implosion and collapse, Malaysians are preparing themselves for the worst to come. Since 2004, Malaysia has in fact been running on autopilot, a point made clear to me by a European diplomat who once asked me, “Is anyone running this country and does Badawi even know what is going on?”
Cocooned from the realities of a society that has experienced large-scale and even traumatic changes, the Badawi government proved itself to be totally dislocated and clueless over what was happening.
In time, historians like myself will have to take up our pens and write the political obituary of Prime Minister Badawi. The portrait will not be a pretty one: While this ‘man of the people’ was surrounded by a closed circle of relatives and family friends who were his confidants, Badawi seemed totally oblivious to the fate of millions of ordinary Malaysians who had to endure five years of his lacklustre non-leadership.
Badawi claimed to be the ‘Prime Minister of all Malaysians’, but showed scant concern for the plight of dozens of Hindu temples that were being demolished in the country. And when Malaysia’s Hindu community begged and pleaded for his intervention to save their cherished places of worship, this ‘leader of all Malaysians’ chose to look the other way and was cowed into submission by the more vocal, communitarian and sectarian bigots of his own right-wing ethno-nationalist party.
Time and again, Badawi could and should have done the right thing to control the extremists in the ranks of his own party. But he chose instead to let them play to the gallery to shore up his own flaccid personality and lagging popularity. On two occasions — at his UMNO party’s general assembly — the leader of the Youth Wing of UMNO brandished a weapon in public while professing that the Malays were the community that deserved a special position and privileges in Malaysia.
Such hotheaded right-wing rants are befit for a demagogue of a fascist party, but once again Badawi did nothing to curb the excesses of the extremists of his own party UMNO.
The most recent outrage came when yet another UMNO leader — Ahmad Ismail — caused a ruckus in the state of Penang when he and his followers openly threatened and insulted Malaysians of non-Malay origin at a press conference. In a statement calculated to inflame tempers, the UMNO members called on the Malays to unite and warned the Malaysian Chinese community not to behave like American Jews. A photo of a Malaysian Chinese politician was torn, and tempers flared as expected.
Again, the Malaysian public is asking: What is Badawi going to do?
For decades, Malaysians of all walks of life have had to live by the propaganda of the UMNO party and the coalition it has led. Malaysians have been warned about the dangers of communism, socialism, class-based workers and student movements; and even taught to fear a free and independent media. Yet the vile and poisonous racist outbursts that have emanated and echoed across the corridors of power in the country have by and large come from UMNO and its band of vociferous sabre-rattling leaders, whose only recourse to an intelligent argument has been vile racist remarks, sexist jokes and abuse.
How many times must Malaysians have to tolerate this party whose leaders and members remain the most brazen and vocally racist in the country? And how much longer do Malaysians have to wait before the present prime minister, whose impotence and inability to act and speak decisively has been one of the root causes of Malaysia’s social fragmentation?
It is doubly ironic that Ahmad Ismail’s racist remarks came just as the fasting month of Ramazan was beginning. This, being a holy month where patience and forbearance are lauded above all, made the timing of his press conference and abusive remarks all the more pointed and bitter.
At the rate things are going in Malaysia — Malaysia’s Central Bank has reported a capital flight of 1.1 Billion US dollars in August alone — the fall of Badawi and the UMNO-led government may come sooner than later. Historians will no doubt have ample time to write and ruminate about the manifold failings of Badawi, but his fall will serve as a benchmark in the country’s history as it signifies the moment when Malaysians have had enough of the most ineffective governance the country has had for five decades, and were willing to accept anything else instead, whatever the cost.
Dr Farish A Noor is Affiliated Professor at Universitas Muhamadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia
One down. Another battle for the rakyat to make the next one … bites the dust too.
However before AAB goes, please………..
1. Kick all the racialistic and religious extremists out of BN especially within Umno party.
2. Revamp the judiciary.
3. Whacked the inefficient and corrupted police force to shape. Just look at the numerous crimes in our nieghbourhood.
4. Release all ISA detainees.
5. Reveal evidence of the poor Mongolian woman murder.
Just do it . Please dont flipflop again.
TO AAB, Mr. Prime Minister… Before you leave, Do the Needful-
1) ABOLISH ISA….Which means Raja Petra be released….2) Drop all ‘framed-up’ charges against Anwar..
After all, you’re leaving, Do the above and you’ll be a Hero to us; THE RAKYAT… You have noting to lose, Mr. PM… The fence sitters who are within your compound are rejoicing your exit in silence, So why bother about them (Albar, Nazri, Najib and many more)
Use your Kuasa now and do it?? DSAnwar is human and is grateful to you, He’s not going to harass you when he takes over..And Take over, HE WILL… in a matter of time.. Khairy, if he’s still with Nori, may be accepted by Anwar and us, provided he knows when and what to talk…
You have now thrown Najib into the ‘Lion’s Den’, which is good for us… After which the Rakyat will rejoice…
PLEASE RELEASE RAJA PETRA, ABOLISH THE ISA AND SET ANWAR ‘FREE’…
THANK YOU MR. PM and I sincerely hope you get to read this plea, A Plea of the RAKYAT>>
As was evident in the GE 12, the tsunami was not only meant to sweep PM AAB alone. He is a nice and good guy but not of leadership quality. That’s why so many things he promised in GE 11 was never carried out!
There are also a number of good men/women in the BN still and they knew after the results of GE 12, the RAKYAT is not particularly against any individual but against the BN government as a whole!
Then only the narrowing of targets into particular individuals are carried out.
The incoming **** is even worst then the current inept PM!
Now the target is him and just watch the BRUNT of the RAKYAT would be even HARDER on HIM!
So YB PM AAB, please grab the credibility of being the ‘PM for MALAYSIANS’ before you leave us by doing the following:-
1. Abolish the ISA and set ALL DETAINEES free asap!
2. Get the JUDICIARY back in the RIGHT PATH to enable them to carry
out their duties without FEAR OR FAVOUR!
3. Set up the Independent Police Commission to eradicate the ‘dark’
side of the force (corruption, misuse of power and what not)!
4. Revamp the ACA, empower them further and make it a completely
INDEPENDANT entity!
5. And RID of all the wrong doings that YOU as the current PM can
see!
PLEASE DO IT FOR THE RAKYAT AND YOUR FUTURE GENERATIONS!
Anil, what happens should AAB ends up with the minimum 58 nominations and gang up with Mahyuddin to take on the Najib-Zaid Hamidi team?
“What can I do… UMNO members still want me to lead, I cannot refuse, right?” would be his comments.
“Didn’t someone said that the leadership should be left to the members? Najib said it, didn’t he? I am now just following that advice”
Malaysia is headed for some interesting times alright.
Pak Lah is going to step down for good? He is still an MP until the next GE 13. I doubt he will be joining the Back Bencher Club or to retire in Perth? Anybody there care to explain my doubts?
Mr Prime Minister - AAB
Before you relinquish your power and authority you should do the following:
1) Appoint Tenku Razaleigh as DPM
Investigate (certain top leaders in BN component parties)…
2) (Get rid of) Syed Albar and Muhiddin
3) Drop Najib
4) Release ALL ISA detainees
5) Investigate Toyol
6) Expose the C4 case
7) Expose the (alleged) submarine commissions
You had been protecting a lot of people and almost all of them have disown and disregard you.
If you can carry out 50% of above suggestions, you will surely leave behind your legacy as history is written by winners
[...] in Politics at 12:46 am by Bentoh 1. Goodbye Pak Lah. I guess most Malaysians would have say this deep in their heart. He was the one that brought some [...]
Goodbye Badawi but should we rejoice?
http://romerz.blogspot.com/2008/10/goodbye-badawi-but-should-we-rejoice.html
Hmph !
A lot of things left to make right. Just becos he stepped down, doesn’t mean we will see the end of out problems, it might just be the beginning of a new one.
I see a lot of things that can still go wrong. The two most glaring at this point in time :
1) Mukhriz wins in the UMNO AGM - still same problem - the Tua Kutuk still behind the scenes
2) Tun Zaki becomes CJ - this UMNO … moving up means the *** … for the judiciary !
Dear Anil and other progressive friends
Farish Noor’s article (posted by jc 8:12 pm) says it best!
As for all the mainstream media propaganda about AAB being a nice
guy, Mr Clean etc, consider the following:
Do nice guys arrest peaceful demonstrators under despicable laws such as the ISA?
Does a Mr Clean allow close relatives to indulge in all sorts of dubious financial transactions at tax payer expense?
Does a Mr Clean allow relatives by marriage to amass political power and exercise it irresponsibly?
George W. Bush is going down in history as the worst US President ever. AAB will go down in history as the worst Malaysian PM ever!
Concerned Malaysians should pressure the govt to convene a committee of the best brains in economics and finance (Malaysians as well as invited foreign experts) to quickly draw up action plans on how to deal with the approaching economic tsunami.
Although it won’t be easy, I hope that the more “progressive” people still in UMNO will press for Tengku Razaleigh to become the next UMNO President and get real reforms carried out.
i know many will hate to agree… but i reckon TDM was right to call for his step-down after the good 2004 run… his weaknesses (& sheer loack of strengths & intellect) will not be contained for long.
at least he has one true talent - prolonging a drama =]
common, PR… make this UMNO March elections a no-event, an opposition party elections!!!
!!!PEOPLE POWER!!!
____________________________
http://delcapo.wordpress.com/
“I left for UMNO’s sake.” Actually it’s quite sad to see him still talking to himself like this. SIL must be squirming.
Abdullah may be seen an ineffective and tame “sang kancil”, he allowed opposition a breathing space is a great contribution to this nation.
We are welcoming another … who threatened (people) with his kris during a 1987’s mass gathering in Kampong Baru….
How do we want to remember Abdullah Badawi as the PM of Malaysia in history?
http://www.kingsmary.blogspot.com/