The Umno Supreme Council has suspended its Bukit Bendera chief Ahmad Ismail for three years over his alleged racist remarks, the Star Online has reported. The meeting chaired by Abdullah Badawi has also stripped him of all party posts.
I know a few people would have liked the ISA to be used against Ahmad. But if we are consistent about our position that the ISA is an immoral law, then to call for its use against Ahmad Ismail is not right.
Still, the party could have sacked Ahmad, but did not. (Remember Penang is Abdullah Badawi’s home-state.) Which raises the question: has the top Umno leadership lost control of its divisions – paving the way for, gulp, Mahathir and his allies to make their move? And you thought he would be contented passing his time with his carpentry hobby and looking after grandchildren, eh? He probably feels he has to save the country from Anwar!
Kadir Jasin has suggested that if Umno members are unhappy with the party leadership, they should change the leadership. He is also suggesting a unity council, with the return of Umno veterans, to save the party:
Apa yang diperlukan sekarang adalah mengembleng dan menggabungkan kuasa dan pemikiran akar umbi dengan kepemimpinan veteran Umno. Sudah pun wujud tanda-tanda yang hal ini sedang berlaku.
Inilah satu-satunya jalan keluar yang paling berdaya maju (viable) bagi Umno buat masa ini iaitu dengan pemimpin-pemimpin veteran Umno kembali memainkan peranan membina semula kepemimpinan dan perpaduan parti.
Untuk tujuan itu Umno memerlukan sebuah “majlis perpaduan” (unity council) atau badan penasihat yang terdiri daripada veteran parti (council of elders).
Can the party be saved? Should it be saved? Let’s see who the party’s “saviours” are going to be. I thought this remark by Anwar in Malaysiakini was cute:
On the reported move by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to return to Umno, Anwar quipped: “Is he trying to help the ship sink faster?”
Meanwhile, let’s hope we get some peace – and space to focus on more pressing issues.
Being racist is a crime against the nation not only the party. He should have been sacked for disgracing the party and insulting the constitution.
Maybe in the world of cari makan politicians like him, not being Ketua Bahagian is punishment enough. As the Penangites would say, “banyak miss syoru la… !!!”
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Will Gerakan feel placated and kiss and makeup? What about MCA? It seems the line has been crossed. It will be interesting to see what develops next. A revolt by Pg UMNO?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Koh Su Koon to forgive and forget? I doubt!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Too little, too late.
Whoa, be a racist and almost declared a war between races ; and he just got stripped of his stupid lousy UMNO position? I am not for ISA but this can be a sedition act trigger.
And, he will not lie down without a fight. We will continue to hear and see him. His 10 bussloads of supporters are a start. He is, in fact can be more dangerous.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
BN walk the talk but what about PKR on Zul the MP for Kulim and his infomous comments? We have not forgotten and we are still waiting for the result otherwise, PKR does set a precedent for others to monkey around. If Anwar wants justice from the High Court, likewise, those remarks and comments he direct to would like to see justice too. Otherwise, where is justice in Justice party?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
No expulsion?
http://romerz.blogspot.com/2008/09/no-expulsion.html
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Just wait and see the GERAKAN & MCA … will go … BADAWI’S & NAJIB… and show their loyalty to their masters.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Anyone knows Home Minsiter email.
Now the rakyat should write in and confron him why no ISA use.
I have a host of issue to bring up to him, but do not know his email.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I feel sad for my Malay brethren.
This light rap on the knuckles, which may not have come to pass if not for March 8th in my opinion, may only serve to reinforce the under-currents that Ahmad Ismail’s racist “for Malay audience only” taunts which he claims are in defense of the race and party, are not that bad after all.
And the racist chap just said (on NTV7 as I type this) the PM and DPM only took the disciplinary action for the sake of keselamatan of the nation.
Has Ahmad learnt his lesson? Not the slightest chance. Still defiant and self-righteous.
So will the same racist taunts be issued again, be it from the same chap or someone else of his ilk? 99.99% chance I think.
So of what use is the “stern action” 3 year suspension?
Does it reflect on Abdullah Badawi’s teetering on the edge hold on power?
I say again – The PM and the DPM need warlords like Ahmad much, much more than they need him. Especially with the looming UMNO General Assembly. Which has become so much more interesting with Dr M’s return and his reported backing of Ku Li for UMNO presidency.
Abdullah Badawi and Najib are more and more lame-ducks with every passing day.
Ordinary members of UMNO are still being led down a path towards darkness where stuff like racist statements from warlords prevail instead of being guided towards progress.
So what do 3 million (as UMNO claimed) fellow Malaysians have to look forward to unless fresh true leaders emerge to turn the party around?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
hello hostage 88,
our home minister syed albar (maybe) dont know to even on a computer,how send email to him?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Just a slap on the wrist!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Come on guys. Get off your high horses. Whatever you can say about Umno, they’ve dealt with this idiot Ahmad Ismail which is more than you can say about PKR’s Zulkifli Noordin. This is a guy who didn’t just utter mere words but condoned violence as well by storming the Bar Council forum. What action has PKR taken until now? And this is the Justice Party? Justice for whom?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Anil,
If a person has no political affiliation andutter the same stupid racial slurs as Ahmad Ismail, would he be subjected to UMNO rules and punishment? If that is thecase, RPK should ask that he be tried base on UMNO rules.
Looks like UMNO members are not subjected to our common law. They are exclusively under UMNO rules and regulation.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Jui Meng makes a second bid for MCA presidency
Giam Say Khoon
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10, 2008): Former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng today expectedly announced his second bid for the MCA presidency, immediately setting the tone for his campaign by speaking out against the continued use of the “Ketuanan Melayu” slogan.
Chua Jui Meng announce his candidacy in MCA
Presidential Election at Le Meridian Hotel, K.L.
“I am nobody’s ‘Tuan’, neither is anyone my ‘Tuan’. Everyone is born equal on this earth,” he said in a two-hour media conference at a hotel here. “Article 8 of the Federal Constitution ensures that all men are equal. We are equal citizens of this nation.”
He said such slogans will antagonise and divide the races in the country and cause young people to continue to vote against Barisan Nasional (BN).
Chua, 64, said he was firmly committed to Vision 2020 and the realisation of a Bangsa Malaysia (one Malaysian race).
Asked whether he would advocate a one-party system in BN, he said: “Not necessarily. We can still be a Bangsa Malaysia in the treatment of the law.
“We must return to the fundamentals of the Federal Constitution, which is all men are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law, so the law must not be discriminatory to anyone.”
Chua said he decided to contest not out of disrespect for presidential candidate Datuk Ong Tee Keat but “because the risk is too great for MCA should it not transform itself in the next three years”.
“There is only one post in MCA that can bring about effective change and reform. My mission is to transform MCA into an effective and true political party.”
Chua said MCA today is in crisis as many say the party has lost its direction following stinging defeats in the March 8 general election.
He said MCA cannot wait another three years to change and transform.
“I anticipated MCA’s problem three years ago in my manifesto and pleged new politics, new vision and a new MCA. But I did not expect the support for the party, especially from the Chinese community, to change so drastically. We must change MCA into a party of honour, incorruptible and a party that sets the tone for other parties in the country.”
Chua pledged to transform the party’s:
> mentality of little brother to Umno that prevents it from playing a more active role in formulating and deciding key policies;
> spirit of fear that it will offend Umno brothers and lose its positions and privileges if MCA speaks out against policies that are obviously detrimental to the unity and development of the nation; and
> focus to major issues and national policies instead of just social and welfare projects.
Chua urged MCA’s central delegates on Oct 18 to vote for a senior leader with sufficient experience in the Cabinet.
“MCA needs to groom middle-age and young leaders. But most important of all, MCA needs senior leaders in the Cabinet to lead and negotiate for the future of the Chinese community. If you have no seniority, how do you bargain and negotiate with the Umno leadership which have many seniors who understand the governmental process, economics and politics.”
Asked who his running mate was, Chua said he had declared in 2005, when he challenged president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, that his running mate is the MCA team elected by the delegates.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
has koh tsu koon been such a good CM to us Malays low end poor Malays?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
anil
the rakyat must realise that the current ‘sensitive’uproar is done by POLITICIANS not the rakyat. The rakayt should not be the victims.
Every Malaysian is entitled to go on with life in this nation Peacefully. The gomen has the responsibility to guarantee this peace to the nation. If a law if broken to disturb this peace then the law should take its natural course to reinstate this peace and bring the offender before the law.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nani … what ahmad said is inappropriate and certainly KTK has been a pathetic CM to every penangite not just the malays.
the general thing is this being a lousy leader is one thing, being a racist lousy leader is even worse….
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
and Mahathir coming back???
May the devils be freed.
and the Malay Dilemma revisited
and the usual rhetoric
…
in the name of Malay rights
as it goes to outsiders.out of Malay hands
like the large hectares of land
and the oil money …
and free education until university
and improved hospital services without sleeping on the corridors
and public transport getting completely unbearable
..and the exploitation of the Malays will continue…
it will continue until the Malays themselves have to say
enough is enough…
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Juat a bloody tap on the knuckles. Contrary to what you say Anil, as far as I am concerned, the BN/UMNO still weilds the big stick called ISA, Sedition act etc, So long as the acts are still active, the patsy, Badawi should use that on Ahmad…
Obviously UMNo has rules for UMNo members and even more lax rules for war lords and a different set of rules for us…
If Tsu Khoon accepts the so-called punishment handed out as acceptable, it just proves that he is nothing more than a grovelling eunuch in Badawi’s court… In which case, members of Gerakan you mught as well gerak out of the party … The comments above are correct. KTK you are bloody … pathetic.
What about MCA, after rattling your shields you also going to kow tow to the Tuans ah? If you do so, close hop also lah. …
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear Anil,
ISA WAS USED ON THE HINDRAF 5. NOT THAT I AM A SYMPATHISER OF HINDRAF OR NOT. THE POINT IS: IF ISA WAS USED ON THEM FOR RACIST REMARKS THEN SIMILARLY ISA SHOULD BE USED.
THESE DAYS TO COMMENT TOO UCH ELECTRONICALLY IS LIKE SIGNING YOUR DEATH WARRANT.
FORGET MALAYSIA. LOOK AT ZIMBABWE: THAT IS THE FUTURE. NOTHING WRONG TO LOOK AT ZIMBABWE IS IT?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It continues to baffle me as to why the very same people who profess freedom of speech and of expression for Malaysia suddenly cannot stomach Ahmad Ismail’s right to free speech.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hey people , don’t pay too much attention to A Mad low life ******, is not worth it.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am saddened that this man remarked this
“The decision was made by UMNO, so I accept it. If it is by BN, I will not”
No wonder Malays like myself are feeling disgusted that this man continues to hide behind the veil of “racialism” and shoot from his hips. So – is he a BN man or a racialistic bigot?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Oooh…just wait for spineless Ah Koon to warmly welcome the umno supreme council’s slap in the wrist for this goon. Ah Koon and Gerakan is surely predictable.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Really pity the Gerakan’s KST & MCA’s OKT, (Money blinded your eyes)? How many more years to continue (fooling) the Chinese Ah Pek…..Ah Hua….Ah Beng and Ah Lian.
Ask youself what can you do in this broken house of BN?
Will Umno listen and be good?
Don’t lies to yourself, face the true or get irrelavant
Do you need to vote according to BN’s instruction? Where is your brain?
Can you tell what is right and what is wrong? or money had blind your eyes….
Feel sorry to see Chua Tee Yong’s photos on his way to Taiwan…can a young man like him know what is right and what is wrong?
Ah Lian (Gelakan) flip flop on the leaving BN issue…who do you serve? the people or your master?
“A day MCA and Gelakan stay in BN, it is b’cos MONEY,MONEY n more MONEY”………by Tun Lim Kheng Yik
Wake up, Ah Pek, Ah Beng, Ah Hua and Ah Lian
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0