Aliran president Rama has expressed serious concern over Raja Petra’s deteriorating health (Photo credit: Mustafa K Anuar)
- Pakatan wants Parliament to deliberate on “motion of censure”
- PM says Parliament will convene as scheduled on 13 Oct
- PM says no plans for more ISA arrests
- Aliran expresses serious concern over RPK’s deteriorating health
1921: The Cabinet has approved a proposed Race Relations Act, reports The Star online.
1904: Blogger Samuel Goh sends this prayer for all ISA detainees:
Indeed let us all pray for all the detainees
Let us all do so on our bended knees
Remember that God wants us all to be free
So from truth and justice let us not flee
1900: Blog reader Harman Amri adds:
Abdullah’s refusal, first to meet Anwar, then to call for the emergency session of Parliament, is solid proof in my mind that Anwar has truly secured the support of the majority in Parliament.
1855: Blog reader Abdullah (not the PM!) has responded to the Malaysian Insider’s analysis:
Anwar holds a constitutional office, Malaysia’s Official Opposition Leader, which represents the other side. What makes Abdullah fail to meet him? What does he fear? And if Anwar meets Abdullah and fails to show the list, wouldn’t that help Abdullah more than Anwar? What makes Abdullah fail in taking up this golden opportunity?
1850: Aliran president P Ramakrishnan has expressed serious concern over Raja Petra’s deteriorating health.
Marina has every right to be worried over his health because “her husband suffers from heart artery blockages and is on medication”. At this point in time nobody can confirm if Raja Petra is taking his medication or whether he is being monitored by a doctor.
What he is being subjected to is absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for. What makes it worse is the fact that Raja Petra’s human rights are being violated with impunity by a country that sits as a member on the United Nations Human Rights Council that is tasked with protecting and preserving human rights. The way he is treated makes a mockery of our position on this Council and renders it untenable.
1840: Responding to a question whether Anwar would be detained under the ISA, the Prime Minister said there was no suggestion from him to use the ISA on anyone, The Star online reports. According to Malaysiakini, Abdullah said that he had no plans to use the Internal Security Act “against Anwar or anyone else”. We will be watching to see if he keeps his word.
1828: The PM has rebuffed Pakatan’s call for an emergency Parliament sitting. He says Parliament would sit as scheduled after Hari Raya, reports the NST. Now what? How is the Pakatan going to respond? Meanwhile, Anwar”s sodomy trial is set for 24 Sept.
1803: Malaysian Insider is describing Anwar’s latest moves as a “master stroke in buying time” to allow him to persuade MPs to cross over.
The Opposition icon knows that failure to deliver 31 MPs and oust Abdullah and BN out of Parliament will hurt him in the court of public opinion. His latest challenge to Abdullah suggests that he needs more time to get the numbers.
1730: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Hasan Malek has made a report with the ACA, alleging that he was offered bribes to cross over to the Opposition, reports Bernama. He did not disclose the amount offered. “What was clear I was promised a very bright future. People can interpret that.”
1718: SAPP youth chief Au Kam Wah, who is also the Elopura state assembly member, has quit the party, reports Bernama. He will now be an independent rep. SAPP senior vice-president Jimmy Wong has also quit, according to the NST.
1600: The Umno Supreme Council meeting gets underway.
1443: “Tuesday is the critical date,” says Anwar. “I said we have the list of names, we want to share the list with the PM, failing which we will go to Parliament. You want me to reveal the list and let them be harassed?”
1440: He explains why they can’t wait for Parliament to convene on 13 Oct. He says the country is in a state of a political and economic flux and there is a need to resolve this quickly.
1438: The MPs want Anwar to give a guarantee that they will be allowed to attend Parliament safely on Tuesday. Teresa Kok too should be allowed to attend Parliament, insists Anwar.
1433: If this is rejected, Anwar says Pakatan will call an urgent meeting to discuss their options. “It is critical for the PM to respond.”
1431: “There is no reason for me to be arrested under the ISA,” says Anwar. “We have a major economic crisis… it is therefore important for them to think of the nation and not for themselves. This is now a minority government. The majority of MPs are now with us.”
1429: Anwar has met key fund managers and they told him they wanted to see comprehensive reforms: judificial reforms, free media, investor-friendly policies, a professional police force. The current administration has done nothing to advance these reforms.
1426: Anwar says a letter has been sent to the PM asking him to convene an emergency sitting of Parliament by Tuesday. “It warrants an immediate response.” Any delay would be interpreted as sabotage of the democratic process, he adds.
1422: The press conference gets underway. Anwar clarifies that the letter he sent to the PM used diplomatic language such as ensuring national security, “We can’t very well say we want to topple you.”
1419: The room is filled with the loud chattering of several dozen media personnel present. The media conference has not yet started.
1406: The press conference is about to start.
1234: The Shah Alam High Court will deliver its decision on the Altantuya murder case on 31 Oct, reports the NST.
1216: Anwar is holding a press conference at PKR headquaters at 2.00pm. “He must reveal more than he did a couple of days ago to show that he has a majority; otherwise, he could be in danger of losing the psychological battle,” a veteran political commentator tells me.
1157: All eyes are on the Umno Supreme Council meeting at 3.00pm, which could discuss the transition plan, Mahathir’s possible re-entry into Umno, and the Cabinet reshuffle. And how will they handle Muhyiddin?
1154: The KLCI has plunged to 966 points, dipping below the 1,000 mark.
Can someone please explain to me how a school drop-out could see the Deputy PM at his home to discuss scholarship BUT the Opposition Leader could not see the PM to discuss matters of national importance?
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On RPK, shouldn’t the Selangor Sultan does something now? Afterall, he is family, right? Let’s perhaps send a petition to the Sultan to intervene to get Pete out. Don’t know about you, but I am most concerned for his well being from what I read in the blog about his treatment in Bukit Aman. What do you guys think?
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Hi all,
Please sign and let others know about the following petition.
Petition to Free Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Teresa Kok and Others Held Under the Internal Security Act
http://www.petitiononline.com/isa1234/petition.html
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No use to argue now because the power now is still in Bad-awi hands, if it is you, you wouldn’t too. But I’m just curious is there any shortcut for this. But from what I’m seeing, having an audience with the Agung is a bit hard, if not DSAI would have done so or perhaps he follow every procedure tightly.
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RPK PLease Malaysia still need you. What is Malaysia without you. You say what you feel without fear or favours. Be strong coz you still have your family and thay need you.
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The question is why can’t DSAI just “go for it” now there is this ISA threat? Shouldn’t he be moving fast?
Well, DSAI can’t just go for it precisely because ISA may be invoked. DSAI may have his expectation or belief about how “desperate” AAB is. But he doesn’t know it for sure. He doesn’t know whether AAB will protect his power at all costs, even that means using martial law to rule the country.
But there is no way to ascertain without acting to see what AAB will do. Also, DSAI cannot delay his move because the sodomy trial is coming up.
So where do you start in facing such scenario? You start with the most “cordial” move, i.e., requesting a tea session with AAB. And hope that AAB would chicken out. If that’s refused, then a more formal request, emergency parliamentary meeting. Refused again, now the gloves have to come out. The stakes become higher.
It’s like persuading a person with weapon on his hands to drop the weapon. You always start with soft moves. You don’t draw your weapon until the last minute, even that means you are taking the risks while persuading.
AAB has not backed down, so don’t think “Abdullah chicken” is the correct description. In fact, his chicken act (refusal to meet) is actually a show of bravado. We are seeing an administration that is refusing to give up its power. …
By the way, DSAI has the numbers. No doubt about it. People should put the question to rest. Who are on the list is no longer important IF you accept the fact that he has the numbers.
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Simple… wanna come home coz BN only deals with ********!!
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Sheesh, Malaysians are really an impatient lot, aren’t they? Come on guys, surely you guys know that eventhough Badawi concedes to Anwar on 916, a new government cannot be formed on that day itself?
Forming a new government is not a simple process. What more with a government that has no qualms to sic the ISA on MPs! I for one, although a little antsy (only because I worry for the fate of Anwar and the Mps) am glad Anwar has taken the more ‘scenic’ route to Putrajaya.
What we’re witnessing right now is the most scary game of Chicken Malaysians have ever seen. I doubt Anwar would call for an emergency parliament session if he didn’t have the numbers.
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what the heck is this Race REligion Act??
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My kaki at PR tells me Anwar does have the numbers. Now the challenge is to get a smooth transition into government. I think now is the time for all members of parliament to do the rightr thing and give Anwar his moment in the Sunlight. Politicians are if they checked their politics 101 at Uni notes, meant to be public servants and selfless gentlemen. Well now is the time to convince us the cynical public that politicians indeed have some manners and docurum and class to allow for a smooth transition of government.
I think Mr. Badawi must now do the honourable think and allow Anwar the opportunity to form Government. There is no need for sabre rattling anymore. Anwar has the numbers. I have been told of the names on the list. Barisan Nasional must be gracious and allow the changes that are going to happen anyway.
My advise to the police is dont take sides and to the senior police officers is to do the right thing as officers of the law viz. if you now choose to play politics I can assure you that you will be putting your jobs on the line.
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I think this is a classic case of what they call the ‘free-rider’ problem of the ‘prisoner dilemma’ problem in social science.
Using the methodological indidualism approach, the theory argues that individuals as rational human beings act from self interest considerations.
Let us say that Anwar today has the verbal support 1,000 MPs, who has told Anwar to get an emergency parliamentary session, so that they can show support for him.
But during that parliamentary session, no one from the 1,000MPs is going to volunteer raising his/her hand to support Anwar first, lest the other 999 back out the last minute, landing himself/herself in hot soup.
Everyone in the parliament is going to wait for the others to raise their hands before they do so, as this would be in their best interest.
Everyone will think that if there is going to be wave of change, what is the difference if 999 MPs voted or 1,000 MPs voted or what is so wrong to raise your hand to support Anwar after the other 999MPs have done so.
Nothing wrong: if you raise your hands after the 999 MPs have done so, a wave of change still takes place, and you are safe–being the free rider.
If no one raises their hands, you are also safe, as you did not stick out your neck first.
An economic tsunami is blasting this way–one comparable to the 1930s Great Depression.
Due to the horribly low standards of education in this country, you can be assured not many people among the educated would know what was the Great Depression of the 1930s.
And yet they are more concerned with whether Anwar is going to be the next PM.
They in fact should be concerned over the economic future of the country.
They should be concerned whether the listed companies in which they have purchased shares can survived the crisis.
They should be more concerened with how to weather through the economic tsunami coming their way.
They should at least spend time understanding how this crisis came about, the nature of capitalism, and what is the Great Depression of the 1930s.
At least they will learn something from such questioning and know what is hitting them.
Some four months back, a researcher friend of mine in the US already told me that we are heading for a global meltdown with US as the ground zero.
I convey this to my colleagues who scoffed at me for being too negative, citing stable spending power in Asia and emerging markets.
In other words, I think there are better things to be concerned and worried about than over Anwar’s attempt to take over the government.
Only Anwar can tell you for sure whether he can take over as PM-but he is not going to share that with you.
this is the reason why till now no MP has come out to support anwar yet. even though they want to support him or have pledged support for him, they are waiting for others to come out first, as they do not want to be the odd one, sticking out like a sore thumb by the end of the day.
this is the reason why drastic social and political and economic changes in history are often not brought about by idealism…..changes are brought about by politics of economics…when people go out of work and are hungry…bread and butter issues spur changes, not idealism or reformasi—sorry to say.
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“I think this is a classic case of what they call the ‘free-rider’ problem of the ‘prisoner dilemma’ problem in social science.”
I think it’s more appropriate to say that this is the classic game of Chicken in game theory. They are playing the classic anti-coordination game.
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When I was a reporter, we were not allowed to make serious allegations towards someone with dubious sources and without asking the person who has been alleged to have done something to respond to the accusations about him/her. Our editors would kill us. I am suprised that such journalism is being practiced today, where you can make wild allegations that could incite racial hatred with dubious sources such as “my friend” and without use of terms such as “is alleged to have to…”. People who practice such dangerous journalism as this are the ones who should be hauled up to ISA and not Teresa Kok who had denied the allegations. Shame on Utusan for running such articles. Thank God for the release of Teresa Kok and may no one else be subjected to such harassment without real proof.
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AAB has to realise his time in govt is drawing to a close, more rapidly than he had hoped for. He has no control over events that are fast unfolding. The only one thing left that he can shape, is how history will judge him, what future Malaysians will be saying of him in the years to come.
Will he go down the road in ignominy, as someone who was hounded out of the premiership by his own party, who left the key institutions of the country in tatters, who left the country to wolves…?
Or will they be saying here was a man who tried to make good the mess he inherited from his predecessor, and against all odds, succeeded? In these last days, he has the ability to return the country back to the people by meeting with and working alongside DSAI, to usher out the old days of BN’s sinful excesses.
When he first took office, Malaysians saw him as the one who would be dismantling 20-over years of Mahathirism. The task proved beyond him. His own colleagues in UMNO are being unkind when they blame him for BN’s losses in the elections. It is supremely ironic that the person most vociferous in calling for his dethronement, Dr M, is himself the one most to be blamed for the electorate’s abandoning of BN.
There is no denying that AAB allowed some opening up of democratic space after the claustrophobic confines of the Mahathir years. People credit him for Anwar’s early release from an unjust incarceration wrought by a scheming Dr M.
Maybe if he comes to his senses, looks at the larger picture, he will do the right thing for a just and humane Malaysia, and finish what he fleetingly started. Then, in the years to come, his legacy will be this: his own part in the freeing of Malaysia.
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