POLITICAL DEBATE

This is the first time in the history of Malaysia to broadcast a local debate between the opposition (de facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and government (BN-UMNO Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek) on the 15th of July 2008. The topic for the great debate is “Form the government today, reduce fuel prices tomorrow”. Two guests were invited and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Chairman Datuk Johan Jaahar served as the moderator.

The political debate mainly focuses on the ability for the government to sustain high fuel subsidies as an oil-producing country. All the while, we are expecting to hear in full why the government cannot use Petronas profits to subsidise fuel. According to Information Minister, the debate will be able to provide a clear picture of it. Before the debate, everyone is glad to hear this but the end result is absolutely different. Through the debate, we learnt nothing from the BN government but just the tactics of using 'personal attack' against political opponent. If I am not mistaken, one of the representatives, fulled of courage to say that if he loses in the debate, he will resign from his post. In conclusion, being a politician is not easy, besides having ability in making empty promises at the very beginning, he/she must be brave to deny everything at last.

That is the voice of the people.

THE MONGOLIAN EFFECT

Altantuya's case seems to be extraordinary tough and 'mysterious' to for many can see until today, the powerful and effective Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDM) is still struggling to handle and to find out the truth behind it. Raja Petra Kamarudin, the most famous blogger in Malaysia was charged with Sedition Act for showing his personal 'act of justice' by sending a post entitled "Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell". Obviously, his effort was not appreciated by the government.

This issue was brought to the Parliament (Dewan Yang Mulia) for debate. Again, Raja Petra was accused by the young YB from Rembau, who claimed that only God (Allah) has the right to perform punishment. Sadly, this smart and capable MP who graduated from Oxford University failed to persuade the opposition again. In contrast to that, he was reprimanded by the them. Anyway, as Malaysians, we should be proud of him. Don't you think so?

That is the voice of the people.

DIPLOMATIC TENSION

Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa (1978 – 2006) was murdered by C-4 explosives or was somehow killed first before her body destroyed with C-4 in October 2006 in a deserted area in forested land near the Subang Dam in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam. The Mongolian lady was clamied to be introduced to Abdul Razak Baginda, a defense analyst from the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre think-tank, under Malaysian famous DPM, Najib Tun Razak, and reportedly began a relationship with him. She then worked as Abdul Razak’s translator on a shady deal he was brokering for the Malaysian government to buy submarines from France. The 'couple' seemed to have travelled to Paris together for the submarine deal.

Some rumours was saying that Altantuya came to come Kuala Lumpur with a cousin in early October 2006 to confront Abdul Razak. Then, she went missing on Oct 19. Her last letter that was uncovered showing that she had been blackmailing Razak. However, it was not clearly stated how she blackmailed him. Abdul Razak and three members of the police force were arrested during the murder investigation. The other two murder suspects (Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35) had been members of the Unit Tindakan Khas (the Malaysian Police Special Action Force or counter-terrorism unit) and were both assigned to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, who was also the Defence Minister at the that time.

Throughout the investigation, this incident seems to be more complicated when two statutory declarations were made. First evidence was told by Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin , saying that our dearest DPM's wife, Rosmah Mansor, and Acting Colonel Aziz Buyong and his wife, Norhayati, Rosmah’s aide-de-camp, were present at the scene of the murder and Aziz Buyong was the 'chosen' one who placed C4 plastic explosive on Altantuya’s body and blew it up. Aziz was seeking apology from Raja Petra to be published in certain website and newspaper. That's the end of the first new evidence. Soon after that incident, Abdul Razak Baginda's private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, disclosing Najib's links to the murdered Mongolian girl. He said the police omitted information about the 'intimate' relationship between Najib and Mongolian victim Altantuya Shaariibuu in his statement.

According to Bala, Abdul Razak was not directly involve in this case. He also said that all traces of allegations with references to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Altantuya Shaariibuu's murder were erased. On Sunday 6 july, our government police sought help from Interpol to find the brave private investigator who was missing together with his entire family. Balasubramaniam is said to take refuge in a neighbouring country with his wife and children. Well, will Bala be rewarded by keeping the truth as secret forever? On the contrary, will he and his family's life be threatened by telling the truth ? Nobody knows and even if some people know, they won't dare to care. Anyway, as Malaysians, our main concern is that this incident has badly impressed other countries with Malaysia's wonderful image. Hopefully this will not affect the 'intimate' relationship between Malaysia and Mongolia.

That is the voice of the people.

DREAMS of PENANG

All these years, Penangnites are facing traffic congested problem which seems to be a 'Mission Impossible' for the formal state government to get rid of. For many Malaysians like us, 'traffic jam' has become a part of our daily lives and therefore it is no longer a hot issue anymore. Early in the morning, car drivers and motorcyclists are speeding to their different destinations with the hope to avoid heavy traffic but as usual, their great effort is always in vain. However, life will be better for those who are using effective and safe public transport because they can enjoy having fellowship or gathering and even make new friends while waiting for spacious trains which arrive punctually, comfortable buses and taxis with skillful drivers.

However, the new Penang state government had fed up with all these, especially the heavy traffic in the island. Thus, they are trying their best to get help from the federal government to improve the infrastructure by planning many mega projects, such as second bridge, Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) and monorail projects. But now, due to some simple reasons, the sweet dreams of Penang vanished. Even though the federal government claimed that these projects will be deferred, who knows that will become another Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020), 3030, 4040 which we are heading to?

That is the voice of the people.

SAPP

The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) was formed in year 1994. According to the president, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, SAPP was formed because of the urgent need for a state- federal reconciliation in order to bring Sabah into the mainstream of development. Later, the party joined BN in continuing to strive for the rights and benefits of East Malaysians. After the 3/8 political tsunami, although two parlimentary candidates (Sepanggar-Eric Enchin Majimbun, Tawau-Dr. Chua Soon Bui) and four state assembly candidates of the party won in their contested territories, the party's leadership began to voice out their discontentment towards the BN government and rumours arise that this party will withdraw from the coalition of BN. For this reason, the party's leadership is strongly condemned by others, especially many respective BN leaders.

That is the voice of the people.