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Anwar’s Press Secretary responds: ANWAR IS SCRUPULQUS

0 Ascendency of 0 When AIDS 0 Politics of the new Malay struck my family alcohol Anwar's Press Secretary Responds: Anwar Is Scrupulous

ANWAR'S FRIENDS Factionalism and Momly Politics In UMNO Bllru

Ali ran's coverage of the run-up to the UMNO elections featured in the Aliran Monthly 1993:13(9) has upset certain quarters In the Ministry of Finance, which is headed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar's Press Secretary, Khalid Jaafar, in a 10-page response has taken Ali ran Monthly and its writers to task for allegedly ridiculing Anwar's credibility.

We reproduce his letter In full.

CONTENTS Anwar Is Scrupulous. .. 2; Money Politics and People In Public Office. .. 7; Letters ... 9; Critique of the U.S. Department of State on Human Rights Practices In 1992- Malaysla.. .1 5; Beef for Business, Peanuts for People... 17; When AIDS Struck My Famlly ... 19; Thinking Allowed ...20; Public Accountability & Bakun ... 23; The Politics of Alcohol. .. 28; Book Review ... 31; Current Concems... 31 ; Ascendency of the New Malay.. .40

Aliran MonJh/y 1993:13 ( JJ) Page 2 PEJABAT MENTEIU KEWANGAN, KHA.Z.ANAH MALAYSIA, Tdi/011: 2546ro), 2546066 JALANDUTA, Ttlttram: Tu.uun 50S92KUALAt.:.UMPUR. Tela: FEDTRY MA. 30242 Far 03-25S6264

"When one erects a throne to lies one erects a gallows to truth."

"Slander, meanest spawn of Hell"

t is with great reluctance that we respond to the articles appearing in the Ali ran Monthly I1993 :13(9). After careful consideration we choose to depart from the usual practice of our of- fice of not responding to articles or reports in the media concerning the person of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his position as a Cabinet Minister, or in his capacity formerly as a vice- president of UMNO. Anwar, like many public personalities, has his own unfortunate share of occasional misrepresenta­ tion, misquotation or unfair treatment by the local and foreign press. But they do not call for reply, ex­ planation or rebuttal from our office.

Aliran Monlhly1993:13 (11) Pagt 3 However, we have to make this case an exception pecuniary advantage dari kontralc tersebut" (I do not because it is not merely the credibility of Anwar is accuse the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister of subjected to ridicule, but the dispar:lging remarks and gaining pecuniary advantage from the award of the coo­ conclusions made on UMNO and the Government. We tract). Vincent Tan is not an intimate friend (sahabat welcome criticism but not /carib) of the Minister ofFinance slander. And we believe your ar- and the award of the privatiza­ ticles have exceeded the bounds tion project is the prerogative of of fair comment. and honest and u ••• the motive is the Economic Planning Unit of decent criticism. the Prime Minister's Depart­ Edmund Terence Gomez's ar­ clear indeed, to ment and the Cabinet. ticle "Anwar's Friends: Fac­ The sewerage project was tiooamm and Money Politics iD portray Anwar as awarded to a consortium of UMNO Baru", is rich in accusa­ which the major interests are tion but empty of evidence, a a shady charac­ held by the Police Cooperatives pathetic case of a writer ruMing (20 percent) and armed forces amok. picking his victims as they ter, using his of- fund - Lembaga Tabung come by - the big, the small and Angkatan Tentera (20 percent). the insignificant. But the motive is fice as Minister of representing hundreds of clear indeed. to portray Anwar as thousands of policemen and ser­ a shady character, using his office Finance to dish vicemen. The Government as Minister of Finance to dish out should in fact be given the credit favours and contracts to his out favours and in awarding the project to such a cronies. consortium, which has the inter­ What Mr Gomez refuses to contracts to his ests of so many people who had understand is this: It is the duty of made many sacrifices for the the Govenunent to promote a cronies." peace and security of the vibrant business environment country. Undoubtedly Vincent which, among other things, re- Tan, through his company, also quires an understanding of the has a 17 percent stake in the needs of the business community. This could only be consortium, but only a myopic observer like Gomez achieved by closer rapport between the Government and would swallow the opposition's line that this was a "sell business groups. Thus Anwar makes no apology for out" on the part of the Government to Vincent Tan. having effective working relationships with the business If there is ingenuity that we could attribute to Gomez community in carrying out his duties as Minister of is his incorrigible ability to distort and to blacken modes Fmance. Any justified criticism against a Minister's be­ of business activity that is normal in a system of free haviour must be based on whether in the cow-se of the enterprise. On careful reading one could smell his con- relationships, the Minister has tempt towards business and engaged in any corrupt practices or entrepreneurship. abused his position for his own ad­ His treatment of Yayasan vantage or that of his relatives and "We would not Bumiputra PulauPinang's in­ cronies. In dealing with any volvement in business. espe­ businessman or business group, deny that the cially its partial ownership of Anwar has always been scrupulous public listed Setron. is a case about maintaining propriety and local media has in point. To him it is a revela­ transparency. tion of Anwar's link to the Gomez mentions Anwar's been friendly to corporate world, one among "fierce rebuttal" of Lim Kit Siang's many he seeks to "expose" to accusation that Tan Sri Vincent Tan Anwar." his reader, with passion one was awarded the national sewerage could only ascribe to religious pivatizalion project because of his zealots. friendship with the Minister of Finance. What Gomez The truth of the matter is that, what is a discovery to failed to mention was the most significant of all state­ Gomez, is a matter of public knowledge and very much ments made by Mr Lim during the exchange with the on public record. The foundation was formed in 1980 by Minister of Fmance in the Dewan Rakyat. I quote from Pulau Pinang UMNO, in accordance with the New the Hansard. "Saya tidak menuduh Yang Berhormat. Economic Policy. with the specific purpose, as stipulated Menteri Ktwangan dan Perdana Menteri mendopat in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, "to

Alirrua Monlhly 1993:13 (11) Page 4 selectively acquire the reserved shares in enterprises on mitted to the University of Malaya last year, that betrayed trust for Pulau Pinang Malays". The founder chainnan of contempt towards the rise and success of new crops of the fowtdation was Datulc Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, by Bumiputem entrepreneurs in recent years. virtue of his position then as the Pulau Pinang UMNO Two: Gomez writes: "Strong rumours already abound liaison chief. Anwar became chainnan of the foundation that the bull run on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1988 when he took over the leadership of Penang during the early and middle parts of this year was UMNO that year from prccipi~ted by influen­ Datulc Abdullah. Anwar tial businessmen seek­ did not resign "following ing to mise funds for the disclosure of his in­ "Yayasan Bumiputra their political patrons to direct links to Setron" as garner support before Gomez would like to Pulau Pinang ... The the UMNO Baru elec­ believe, but did so on his tion in November." It is own accord upon his ap­ founder chairman of the pathetic that a success­ pointment as Minister of ful doctoral candidate Fmance so as to avoid a foundation was Datuk choose rumours to sup­ conflict of interest be­ port his thesis, than to tween the two positions. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi" exercise his analytical The above two ex­ skills in observing amples are sufficient, for market behaviour. If the rest mentioned in the there is any truth in the articles, are mutatis rumour, the market mutandis descriptions of would have collapsed Malaysian corporate bat­ after Anwar had ob­ tles and high finance, all tained a clear lead in too familiar in a free nominations or at least enterprise system, albeit immediately after viewed with anti-busi­ Ghafar's withdrawal. ness prejudices. On the contrary the Gomez made several market continues to other serious charges surge, rewriting its own which must not be left records. tmanSwered. I think Gomez is the Erst After pouring fll'St writer to have writ­ contempt towards Vin­ ten a book on UMNO's cent Tan, Ananda Krish­ involvement in the cor­ nan and other non-Bumi porate sector, tending to businessmen, Gomez give an alarming picture writes "The debates at of UMNO •s domina­ the 1992 UMNO Baru tion of the corporate (sic!) geneml assembly scene. Yet even if it is indicated not only the true that UMNO has tremendous presswe Ull been actively involved UMNO Baru leaders to in acquiring assets, the ensure the development amount acquired ap- of Bumiputera pears to be quite insig­ capitalism, but also the limited tolerance towards the rise nificant. It was Gomez himself who pointed out in his of new non-Bumiputera businessmen". I think it is still doctoral dissertation that "In July 1990, it was roughly fresh in the memory of the thousands of delegates and estimated that the value of shares owned by UMNO was observers at the assembly last year of the context of the almost RM4 billion, of which approximately RM2 bil­ question asked and only asked by one delegate. Anwar lion-worth were shares of listed companies. This figwe replied on behalf ofthe Government Neither the question then represented almost 2 percent of Malaysia's stock nor the answers reflect anything approaching the "in­ market capitalization." It is only through Gomez own tolerance" towards new non-Bumiputera businessmen as jaundiced imagination that a paltry two percent can be described by Gomez. On the contrary, it is Gomez, judg­ portrayed as domination! ing from his article and his doctoral dissertation sub- On a lighter vein, one cannot but notice Gomez's

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (ll) Page 5 consistent use of the name "UMNO Baru." To all UMNO highest party positions. It is certainly an affront to the members and according to the law there is only one collective wisdom of generations of UMNO members UMNO that is the United MalaY.S National Organization who since its inception have elected leaders to govern this (Baru) or in short UMNO. Only one group consistently country. To discern whether they had chosen the right or mentions the present UMNO as UMNO Barn, that is the wrong leaders, one has to look at the success of Malaysia Semangat 461 and the tremendous progress made by the Bumiputra Both Gomez and the leading article under one NPP community. UMNO members would be the last group to (sic) highlighted the alleged editorial control by Anwar assert that their party is perfect, but they have a conscious over the media, otherwise how could the media be so desire to improve, and the most recent manisfestation of favourable to him at this point oftime. We would not deny this desire is the quest for renewal. that the local media has been But to the deep thinkers in friendly to Anwar. But it was not Aliran, and their like, this process only this time. One can say that is sneered at and viewed with for his entire public career, right "... this is not the condescension. It requires some from Abim days. The myth of effort to grasp the articles' coded Anwar's • "control" over the first nor, we language. To the writers, UMNO media certainly cannot stand can never be in the right position. scrutiny. Otherwise how would suspect, would it If there is a contest the situation one explain the favowable is described as "factionalism." If coverage by media, usually con­ be the last time,... there is unity, that is described as sidered beyond his control, the authoritarian. Page after page of Chinese and the Tamil ver­ A/iran seeks to in- the article, and even the entire nacular media, for example. Cer­ journal, is sprinkled with emotive tainly, it is beyond us to influence sinuate into words to instill contempt or the editorial policy of reflect the contemptuous attitude Singapore's Straits Times. Far UMNO affairs its of the writers. Datuk Seri Dr Eastern Economic Review, Mahathir was named "the Great Asiaweek, Euromoney (which own partisan One." On one occasion "the voted Anwar as one of the Great One virtuously declared ... " world's best fmance ministers of prejudices... " Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz is the year),Asian Wall Street Jour­ described as "the woman mini- nal. Some international ster" and "the lady.". newspapers, such as the Interna- For this country to progress tional Herald Tribune and even the Jerusalem Post, had there must be reasoned discourse and we must have the published Anwar's articles and speeches. Our media capacity and preparedness to undertake refonns. We policy is consistent, to treat them as professionals and deeply regret the fact that Aliran, which has taken upon with respect, which would include an openness to accept itself the task of promoting critical consciousness among differing views. Malaysians, can publish articles that do not rise above the The rest of both. articles is an exercise in rumour­ quality of "surat layang" and opposition diatribe. As for mongering with high moral posturing. Otherwise how reform, the articles, as it seems to ·us, show how deep would one explain the frequent use of unattributed sour­ Aliran has regressed into a reflctionary position. ces under the guiseof"they said", "some said", "everyone said", "some think", "political observers are of the opinion", the "widely-held view" etc. and yet could come Sincerely up with astounding and sky-crashing conclusions that the main victims of the current UMNO election are "cherished principles such as loyalty, friendship, ethics, integrity and honour. In its place has emerged the ugly traits of treachery, ruthlessness. deceit and slander." ~~ ·· L Although the 1993 UMNO elections are now over, (Khalid Jaafar) this is not the flJ'St nor, we suspect, would it be the last Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance time Aliran seeks to insinuate into UMNO affairs its own partisan prejudices against the party. The accusations in NEXT ISSUE: The A/iran Monthly 1993:13(12) will the articles are indeed harsh and severe and would not be carry TERENCE GOMEZ's response to the above taken lightly by almost two million UMNO members article - Editor who regularly choose their leaders from branches to the

Aliran MonJhly 1993:13 (11) Pag~ 6 A/Iran responds... MONEY POLITICS AND PEOPLE IN PUBLIC OF'F'ICE

l.iran is pleased that En Khalid Jaafar, Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance Datulc Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has replied to the article entitled "Anwar's Friends: AFactionalism and Money Politics in UMNO Baru" published in the Aliran Monthly 1993:13 (9). It is regrellcd that En Khalid fmds the article as having "exceeded the bounds of fair comment, and honest and decent criticism", and that it "is rich in accusation but empty of evidence, a pathetic case of a writer running amok. ... " On the basis of this assessment of the article, he surmises that "the motive is clear indeed", namely, "to portray Anwar as a shady character, using his office as Minister of Ftnance to dish out favours and contracts to his cronies".

MONEY POUTICS IS THE KEY ISSUE Such a misreading of the article is unfortunate. It was not our intention to be offensive to the person of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Rather, it was our intention to highlight the trend towards money politics in Malaysia, and how in the case of the recent UMNO Baru elections, it had become intertwined with factionalism within the party. In this regard Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir' s address to the party in the recent General Assembly is especially noteworthy: he called party members to close rnnks and to cwb the practice of money politics. In essence, his remarks confirms the existence of money politics. Aliran 's criticism of money politics, lilce our criticisms against all fonns of bigotry and un­ democratic practices, are longstanding. It is only within such a context that we have criticised particular individuals, especially those holding public office. Aliran strongly believes these individuals and others (like community, religious, business and indeed NGO leaders) should be held accountable for maintaining the unity of our multiethnic society, the essence of our parliamentary democracy, social justice for all, and IJle moral fabric of our society.

PUBLIC OFFICE En Khalid Jaafar will surely agree too that those in public office should be held accountable. From his criticisms, however, it appears that there exists a difference between him and us over what constitutes "fair comment, and honest and decent criticism". En Khalid Jaafar informs us that Datuk Seri Anwar lbmhim has always been "scrupulous about maintaining propriety and transparency" in his dealings with any businessman or business group. However, these business and other forms of dealings are hardly ever transparent in Malaysia. As is well known, there exists the Official Secrets Act and other restrictive ordinances. As a result of government control of part of the major instruments of mass media, and direct or indirect ownership and control of the rest by the BN parties, we have a muzzled media. Hence rumours abound. It is difficult for ordinary Malaysians to have access to all the facts of any dealing. Yet when it is an issue of public interest, there needs to be comment and public discussion. The Maika-Telekom scandal is a case in point Although without access to all the

Aliran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page 7 necessary infonnation, Aliran thought it our responsibility to research into and comment on the issue. Through our, and the efforts of others, official investigation of the incident followed. Likewise, in the case of rising money politics and factionalism in UMNO Baru, which is of great public interest, Alimn felt it our responsibility to investigate and discuss the issue. For En Khalid Jaafar lO accuse Aliran of publishing articles "that do not rise above the quality of 'suratlayang' and opposition diatribe" is completely unfair. Alimn has always researched a case carefully before commenting upon it These are then made available in the fonn of articles in our registered publication. Aliran's altitude and sense of responsibility sterns from the following: in view of the sh

THE 'FREE ENTERPRISE' SYSTEM: MASTER OR SERVANT Aliran is also perturbed by En Khalid Jaafar' s accusation of Gomez, and by extension Aliran, of contempt towards business and entrepreneurship. This accusation is complete­ ly unfounded. Even more unfounded is the accusation that we despise bumiputera businessmen. Rather, Aliran's position since its inception has been that the market is a very useful mechanism to serve the needs of society. However, society's needs should not be detennined by lhe market. It follows, therefore, that we are critical of those "modes of business activity that is nonnal in a system of free enterprise" but which we consider morally questionable. This should be so even if such business activity is legally permissible. In other words, morality not legality or what is considered "normal". should rule. In this regard, the distinction between what is public and private in economic ma.uers should be clearly distinguished, and made distinguishable to the public. This, really, is the crux of the matter. The active involvement of political parties and of politicians in business activities - including involvement in government contracts and privatisation schemes - which blurs the distinction between what is public and private is the issue. It is not the market per se.

POliTICS OF MORALITY En Khalid Jaafar also accuses Aliran of "high moral posturing". That is certainly not our intention either. But our struggle is certainly one motivated by a politics of morality based, in tum, on the universal values enshrined in all our religions and spiritual trnditions. UMNO members. En Khalid states. "have a conscious desire to improve, and the most recent manifestation of this desire is the quest for renewal". AJiran members share this desire lO improve and the quest for renewal. We do not understand. therefore, why En Khalid should conclude that Alimn is unprepared to undertake reform, and that we have "regressed into a reactionary position"; unless, of course, he thinks the market should lead and detennine all, whereas we have always maintained that the market must serve society which is to be founded on the universal, sometimes seemingly "old-fashioned", spiritual values. 0

A/iran MonJhly 1993:13 (11) Poge 8 "I tried to make it plain that I was not there representing my na­ LETTERS tion because I have strongly dis­ agreed with and condemned the human rights policy of my own country in the last 12 years," said Carter in reaction to the incident. It is not surprising that Carter only referred to the 12 years of Republican rule under Reagan and Bush and conveniently left out his four years in office from 1976 to 1980. The human rights record of the Carter administration, how­ ever, was no different from those of Reagan's or Bush's. For those with short memories, the follow­ Suffian's Book on Malaysians. ing are some of the highlights of If I am correct. the second edi­ Carter's human rights record. Constitution: Third tion was the last one and it was In May 1980, the people of Edition Needed published in 1976. The constitu­ Kwangju, a southern city in South tion has Wldergone numerous Korea, protested against the Being a novice to the Federal amendments since then and many military dictatorship of General Constitution, I found Mohd. Suf­ court decisions have affected its ChWl Du Hwan. Carter received fian bin Hashim's accoWlt of that construction. In this respect. an up­ two requests from the Koreans. in his book ·An Introduction to the dated edition wiU be very much in Constitution of Malaysia' most il­ demand. The noble task under­ luminating. taken by Suffian when the fust edi­ In the preface to the second edi­ tion was published in 1972 ought tion, he said that his main task is to be sustained for the benefit of to attempt to make the constitution future generations. intelligible and understood 'by the MYow man in the street'. He has suc­ KUilntan ceeded admirably in this because of the clear and Wlcluttered lan­ guage he uses. Being the supreme law of the land, the constitution Carter is No Human should ideally be accessible to all Rights Lover

I would like to refer to the inci­ Carter: His human righta record Is no dent involving Carterwhich was better than Bush's or Reegan's. mentioned in Dr Ariffin Omar's ar­ ticle on the World Conference on One was from the Citizen Commit­ Human Rights (Part 2) - Aliran tee of Kwangju, pleading for him Monthly 1993:13(8). to help in bringing about negotia­ That incident happened during tions for a transition to democracy. the NGO Forum, which was run The other was from General Chun simultaneously with the World who asked Carter to offer 20,000 Conference. Carter was invited to American troops which were sta­ give the closing address against tioned in US military bases in the wishes of a majority of Third South Korea to help him in quell­ World NGOs which were present ing the protests. Carter supported there. As a result, he was booed SuffiM: Illuminating IIC:ClOUilt of the General Chun and the repression Constitution. when he turned up to give his which followed. The Kwangju speech.

A/iran MonJhly 1993:13 (11) Page 9 which shouted down Carter must be given credit for keeping the memory of the victims of human rights violations under the Carter administration alive. Finally, a philosophical note on the freedom of speech - it is incor­ rect to conclude that Carter's freedom of speech was violated during the NGO Forum because he was shouted down. It is true that in theory everyone should have the freedom to speak at meet­ ings. But in the case of a big forum where thousands are present, it is clear that not everyone can exercise their right to speak - otherwise it would be chaotic. Thus in a huge forum, there is a general agreement that the freedom of speech is limited to a few selected speakers, who have the consent of the people present. Carter did not receive the consent of the majority of the apdience in Genocide in East runor while Carter increased military lid to Indonesia. the NGO Forum, therefore like everybody else, he had to be con­ massacre by the military claimed about a third of the population. tent to listen rather than to speak. the lives of 2,000 people. died as a result of the Indonesian Also in May 1980, El invasion and occupation. While SuvenGan Salvador's human rights advocate, Carter was denouncing the Pe/Qling Jaya Archbishop Romero wrote to genocide in Cambodia, US Carter appealing to him to stop military aid to Indonesia was in­ giving military aid to the Sal­ creased. The US supplied over vadorean military junta, whose 90% of the weapons used by the Compensation death squads stalked the country - Indonesian military. murdering, torturing, raping and Carteralsosupportedthehated Claims for World War assassmating those "who are fight­ Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua. II Victims ing to defend their most fundamen­ In 1979, with the overthrow of tal human rights" (in the words of Somoza by the Sandanistas, Carter I am a regular subscriber of Archbishop Romero). Carter ig­ authorized the CIA to support a yow- esteemed monthly A/iran. I nored his pleas and increased US destabilization campaign against am also a regular subscriber of support for the Salvadorean Nicaragua - a policy which was Third World Resurgence and military. A month later, fine-tuned to perfection by Reagan Utusan Konsumer. Archbishop Romero was himself and Bush. This resulted in a 10 Some time ago. some friends assassinated by the death squads. year civil war which left 50,000 asked me about compensation In late 1975, Indonesia invaded dead and a country in ruins. claims for World War Two victims a tiny nation, East Timor, which There is indeed no difference like those victims who were used was emerging from 400 years of between the Republicans and the for the "comfort" of Japanese Im­ Portuguese colonialism. During Democrats. They are in fact operat­ perial troops in Sarawak, those tor­ the Carter years, the Indonesian ing like two factions in govern­ tured and killed by them and those military brutally conducted a ment. So much for the democracy who had their properties confis­ genocide in East Timor - without a which the US is trying to export cated by the Japanese. whimper from Carter. An es­ all over the world. The Latin Can the victims' next-of-kin timated 200.00 East Timorese, Americans and the Asian NGOs claim compensation from the

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page 10 Japanese Government if they can was wrong according to Anwar's prove their claims? Is there any or­ boys and fence-sitters, because it ganisation in Malaysia which can seems that the winners are always help? If so, could you please let right in UMNO Baru politics. The me have their contact address? winners take all the goodies and And, is there any deadline for such losers take all the blame. claims? Surprisingly, Ghafar's boys Thomas T H Lim came out fighting and they were Labuan not as dumb and old as Anwar's boys made them to be. Ghafar's boys bypassed the mass media and TV using facsimile machines, Not the Way of the Media Islam and Mingguan Tempo Malays to disseminate their message. Anwar's boys (Melayu Rahim Thamby Chik Ia worth at l.. t Baru/Modern) were taken by I took a ride in a cab in Kuala RM24 million! surprise by this old chap's modern Lumpur, days after Ghafar was onslaught. forced to withdraw from the UMNO contest. Two letters written by Lim Melayu" call ringing out at every Guan Eng (DAP Member of Parlia­ I asked the Malay cab driver UMNO party election. Nowadays, ment), one to the Prime Minister what he thought of the situation in with the advent of ringgit-politics, and another Lo the Anti-Corruption UMNO. UMNO has inadvertently acquired Agency, about Rahim Tharnby He stared vacantly for a few a new meaning, that is, Ultrn Chik's (Anwar's boy) huge, unex­ minutes, then he said 'Tm an Millionaires' New Ornament plained wealth of RM24.15 mil­ UMNO man. I don't approve of (UMNO). lion were faxed throughout the this. It is not the way of the Anwar's growing influence in length and breadth of the country. Malays. This was not reported in the "There was a time, when the party made almost everyone in UMNO Baru jump onto his English press because, to the Es­ Ghafar was everything ... Ghafar bandwagon. The message is clear, tablishment, anything bad reported ..,as the problem solver for the XXL (extrn-extrn large) rice about Anwar's boys in the press is everybody and for every recession. pot is in Anwar's hand. Even the in bad taste and thus irresponsible. MCA problem • Ghafar; MIC media has gone .over to Anwar·s But anything bad or half-true problem • Ghafar; Sabah problem • side. RTM and TV3 gave a never· printed about the opposition and, Ghafar; Constitutional problem · before exclusive coverage to lately, Ghafar Baba is good. Ghafar; problem with royalty • it's Anwar's announcement of his responsible reporting. Ghafar ... It was Ghafar every time. desire to contest the Deputy MCA President Ling Liong "Where were all these great President's post with his boys-· Sik, recently challenged and ques­ leaders then?" Menteris Besar and Ministers • tioned Lim Kit Siang about the He paused ... he stared ahead ... hovering around him. money collected during the "Save Then he muttered more to himself According to Ghafar's boys, Bukit China Campaign." The than for my benefit, "Ini bukan Anwar should have waited until English press reported the chal­ cara Melayu". all the nominations from the 153 lenge. But when Lim Kit Siang He seemed terribly sad ... and divisions were known before countered the allegation by calling upset. taking this drastic step. Although a public debate on Bukit China, PavanaralVJIUI this step was small compared to Ling not only chickened out, he Ptnang the one taken by Neil Annstrong sent his boys to disrupt the debate. (ftrst man on the moon) more than This event was not reported by 20 years ago, it seems more like a the English press. Apparently, this kick in the face rather than a slap. left a bad impression in the minds UMNO Baru's Ringgit Inevitably, we will see more of of the English educated public that Politics Ghafar in "Hari Ini Dalam the DAP was not clean. Well, this Sejarah" instead of the news. is the politics of the Barisan Gone were the days where one Poor Ghafar, after the an­ Nasional. could hear UMNO's "Hid up nouncement, everything he did According to Lim Guan Eng's

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Paxe 11 widely circulated letters, ~im is sidelined. Iamie culture, which they feel is alleged to have bought with cash: At 71 Dr M would not only be the best. Culture is culture and • an imported Porshe 928 old but would be lonely just as religion is religion, a fact that most valued at RM1 million with the Ghafar was when he was ditched. Malays fail to understand. Being a plate number MP1; At that time, many young men Malay does not mean being a first • an imported Mertedes Benz would be in a hurry to move up. class Muslim or vice-versa. Islam 300SL sports model valued at RM And those who stand in their way, is a universal religion. Religion 900,000 with the plate number would be booted out of their way, docs not change one's race. A Mus­ MXl; just as Ghafar was. lim may also practise Indian cul­ • a BMW 525i (A) for his wife Take heed Dr M. It would be ture or any culture for that matter. valued at RM210,000 with anum­ your turn in 1996. Then you would Mrs Ferida Choudhory ber 5 plate number; be just as friendless as Ghafar was Penang • an expensive bungalow, Sri and. like him. you would be Jebat, valued at RM500,000; dropped unceremoniously, your • another expensive bungalow, Vision 2020 would become ir­ Sri Kasturi, valued at RM300,000; relevant, your achievements would Another Guiness • five shop houses (three be pooh-poohed and your contribu­ floors), valued at RM875.000 and tions would be dismissed con­ Record? RM40,000 shares of Dayamik Sdn temptuously. Bhd which were held secretly by Some would describe your fate Dr Mahathir, who talks about him; in 1996 as poetic justice. human rights. democracy and jus­ • Dayamik Sdn Bhd, indirectly tice, practises double standards VisWn1996 and violates human rights and owns Aycr Keroh D'Village, Kelantan valued at RM20 million. democratic norms. Do you want to Rahim's ten year salary as know more? Just read the follow­ Chief Minister comes to about ing alphabetical list All this hap­ RM1.8 million. Where did he Allow Mixed pened during his tenn of office: manage to amass RM24.15 mil­ 1. Abdullah Ang Prison Waterbed lion within this period? Marriages Fiasco In short, the whole UMNO 2. Attomoy-GeneraWijandran Por­ Baru party election boils down to With reference to Mr nographic Scandal Harikrishnan 's view on 'Promote the Battle of the Ringgit, nothing 3. Angkasa Scandal more. Mixed Marriages' in Letters, Aliran Monthly 1993:13(7), I 4. Amendments to Selangor Ad­ ChooSing Chye would like to highlight my ex­ ministration of Islamic Law Enact· State Assemblyrruzn for Tebing perience with your readers. ment (Section 63,70) Tinggi Religion is personal. I find it 5. Amendments to Article 150 ridiculous to compel conversion (Authoritarian Powers for the when marrying Muslims. This Prime Minister, 1983) practice leads nowhere. I have 6. Bank Negara Scandal (RM22 Watch Out, Dr M! seen many mixed marriages like million) this (nonnally marriages with 7. Bank Negara Foreign Exchange Within a short time Anwar had Malay Muslims) ending up in Losses (RM16 billion) 1993 moved up the UMNO Baru ladder divorce. This happens mainly be­ so rapidly that it had surprised 8. Bolton Fmance Share Scandal cause the convert (male or female) (RM5 million) many and dismayed others. is unable to cope and adapt. Party tradition was sacrificed 9. Bukit Kiara KLCCC Scandal Generally. Malays demand that (1993) to allow personal ambition to these converts practise Islam the prevail. A man such as Ghafar way the Malays do. To the 10. Bakun Dam issue Baba who had contributed so Malays, convert means 'masuk 11. Bank Pertanian Scandal much to party and country was un­ Me/ayu' not 'masuk Islam'. So, (RM260 million) ceremoniously dumped. 'masulc Melayu' means not only 12. BMF Scandal No. 1 (RM2.5 bil­ In three years' time Dr the conversion of religion but also lion) Mahathir would be 71, an old adapting, adopting and practising man, just as Ghafar was described, 13. BMF Scandal No. 2 (RM1 .1 bil­ the Malay culture. Most Malays lion) and it would be time for him to be feel that the Malay culture is Is·

A.linlt1 Mottlltly 199J:lJ (11) Pt~XI 1~ 14. BMF Scandal No.3 (RM72 mil­ 45. North-South Highway Scandal lion) (RM3.4 billion) 76 Scandals and major issues! 15. Charas Toll Clash 46. Nuri Heli Crash Cover-up Guiness World Record! 16. OCB Scandal 47. Official Secrets Act (Amend­ The people of USA sent Presi­ ments) dent Nixon home simply because 17. Denying Independence of of one Watergate Scandal! Judiciary 48. Operasi Lall~ng The people of Japan 18. Deposit-taking cooperatives 49. Pan-El and MPH Scandal (Tan 'bungkus'ed the then PM of Japan Scandal Koon Swan) simply because of one 'Lockheed' 19. Destruction of Press Freedom 50. Plan to destroy Bukit Cina Scandal! (Temporary closure of The Star, 51. Papan Radio Active Dump The people of India sent Watan, Sin Chew Jit Poh) Conner PM Rajiv Gandhi home 52. Police Raid on SOP Office 20. Dismissal of Lord President (Feb. 1984) simply because of one 'Bofors' SallehAbbas Scandal. 53. Perwaja Steel Scandal 21. Detention of PAS Youth The South Korean people sent Leaders (July 1984) 54. Police Act (Amendment) their President home simply be­ 22. Detention of PAS Legal Adviser 55. Printing Presses Act (Amend­ cause of one 'Peace Dam' Scandal. (13 March 1982) ment) The LDP in Japan was toppled after 38 years in power simply be­ 23. Election Amendments, 1986 56. Perwira Habib Bank Scandal (The Gateway to Money Politics) cause of corruption and money 57. Publishing Act (Amendment) politics. 24. EPF Scandal (RM9.9 million) 58. Sports Toto Scandal And what about us, with 76 25. Ghazali Shafie Scandal (Papua 59. SPM Paper Leak (1991) scandals and major issues? New Guinea) 60. Sabah Gas Financial Fiasco JApalasamy 26. Illegal Indonesian Immigrants Cameron Highlands Menace 61 . Saujana Taxi Scandal 27. Improper Award of Tender 62. Sungai Buluh Disaster (1992) (Penang State Govt's Housing 63. "Injustice to Sim Kie Chon (Sim Project for RM250 million in May Kie Chon hanged, Mokhtar Hashim Make House 1992) pardoned) Ownership Scheme a 28. KBSM Scandal 64. Sabah's Submarine Mystery Law 29. Kobena Scandal (1 00 million) (1985) 30. KSM Scandal (RM1.5 billion) 65. Suspension of Nadi lnsan's KDN (Oct 1983) In 1973, the government under 31. Kg Bercham Squatters issue the able leadership of then Prime 66. Suspension of Mimbar Socialis 32. KL City Council Volvo Scandal Minister, Tun Abdul Razak set up (Jan. 1986) a committee to look into the state 33. Land Acquisition Act 67. Suspension of National Echo of affairs in the plantation and min­ 34. Logging Against the Penans (25.4.1986) ing sector. The committee iden­ 36. Langkawi Scandal (CHOGM, 68. Suspension of Asian Wall tified housing as one of the major RM300 million) Street Journal (Sept. 1986) woes in these sectors. Based on 37. Mak Foon Tan's Case 69. SRP Paper Leak (1992) their recommendation, the Govern­ 70. The Constitutional Crisis ment launched the House Owner­ 38. Maminco Scandal (RM1 billion) ship Scheme in February 1973. A 39. MttJBarisan Nasional Government's 213 majority to have reached this stage. when PAS Government has always promised make House Ownership Scheme is prepared to go ahead with lhe in­ better housing to the plantation into a law and to make it compul­ troduction of lhe Hudud law. community through the BN sory for all plantation companies If only MCA had opposed manifesto during general elections. to implement Housing Schemes UMNO Baru 's pressure on PAS, if Despite disappointing perfor­ for the workers by 1995. only MCA h:ld the guts to tell off mance of bolh the owners and the ii. Failing lhe above, the UMNO Baru from the begiMing, government, it is surprising to note Government should use the exist- we would not be troubled wilh the that in 1992, these parties had situation emerging in Kelantan. signed a 5-year development plan Does MCA want the Hudud in the plantations. The under­ .. .it is impossible law to be implemented? Does standing was reached between for the workers to MCA support UMNO Baru's role UPAM and the Human Resource in forcing lhe hand of PAS in this Ministry to uplift the standard of work in remote matter? housing in the plantations. and rural Willlhe MCA have the Wilh regards to this housing plantations if they courage to respond to this letter? issue, we should realize that plan­ I'm sure Aliran will carry !heir tation workers have a "right" for are not provided views. How about it, MCA? housing as recognized by the law with housing Newly Registered Voter and in the Collective Agreement lpoh (CA) signed between MAPA and facilities. NUPW. Secondly, the companies

A liNn MonJhJJ 1993:13 (11) PatI U HUMAN RIGHTS

Critique of the U.S. Department of State country reports on human nghts practices for 1992 • Sl

country. to the targeted populabon, me Last year in AM The introduction to the report bumiputra.r (Malays and other in­ 1992:12(10)- 1992:12(12) states that Malaysia's human rights digenous peoples), have c:lisprorpa­ we carried in three parts recoo1 "continued to be mixed in tionately improved the livelihoods 1992." 11 is unclear what this means, of those who were already weU-off. the Country Report on since the overall situation remained The discussion of the ISA is Human Rights Practices relatively static and for 1992 (Malaysia) there were no other prepared by the US positive develop­ Opposition members of Department of State. The ments. The total num­ parliament have very little ber ofpersons detained opportunity to raise Issues following section on under the Internal Malaysia is taken from Security Act (ISA) before the parliament, Critique, a report declined in 1992, but pose questions to prepared by the Lawyers no changes have been cabinet-level ministers or Committee for Human made in the law, which allows long l.eJT!I have legislation Rights, New York which detention without considered. reviews and analyses the charge or trial. US State Department's The introduction Country Report for also notes the rising accuracy, completeness standard of living in the country and con­ and objectivity. cludes that it has - "[led) to reduced ten­ sions between rnces." Here the State Depart­ ment has again ac­ he report on Malaysia cepted the official provides a good historical government line on Toverview of human rights economic develop­ developments in the country as weU ment without provid­ R as a useful discussion of laws that ing contrary views. I infringe on basic rights. It fails, how­ The report ignores Opposition l•~•r Um Kit Siang ever, to cover adequately the key compelling arguments good and includes a useful discus­ human rights incidents of 1992. by others that the government's sion of restrictions placed on Conner Moreover, as in the past, it neglects economic policies have hurt non­ mem~rs of the Communist Party of the broader political context of Malay ethnic groups, particulary Malaysia. However, in its brief his­ government repression in the ethnic Indians, and that the benefits tory of the ISA, the report once again

Alinut Monlltly 1993:13 (11) Page IS makes no mention of the 1987 Drugs Act for drug trafficking. Capi­ against the staff responsible. Operation Lallang arrests, in which tal punishment as carried out in The report's discussion of more than 100 persons, including Malaysia does not meet the stand­ freedom of religion ignores efforts opposition politicians and political ards set out in the International by the state government in Kelantan, and social activists, were detained Covenant on Civil and Political ruled by Malaysia's Islamic Party and in many cases held for long Rights, which permits periods without charge or trial. the death penalty only These arrests have had an important for the "most serious ... the report makes no. .. lasting impact on all fonns of politi­ crimes." cal activity in Malaysia. The section on mention of UMNO Baru's The report fails to convey the full freedom of the press control over large facets of extent of repression by the ruling misses the most impor­ the Malaysian economy, in National Front coalition, which is tant press story of the dominated by the United Malays year. In September,the large part possibly · National Organization (UMNO government-controll­ because of UMNO Baru's Baru). As we have noted in the past. ed Radio Television political domination. the report makes no mention of ~aysia aUed a UMNO Baru's control over large foreign news report facets of the Malaysian economy, in that showed docwnent3ry footage of (Pas), 10 introduce an Islamic large part possible because of Indonesian troops shooting on criminal code. This would mandate UMNO Baru 's political domination. demonstrators in East Tunor in the amputation of limbs ofconvicted While the report discusses elec­ November 1991. After the In­ persons for certain offences. Prime toral restrictions on opposition par­ donesian government requested an Minister Mahalhir stated that the ties, it says little about restraints on explanation for the broadcast, the federal government would not op­ opposition members in parliament, Malaysian Minister of Wonnation pose efforts to amend the Malaysian where the ruling coalition has long apologized to Indonesia for what it constitution to pennit Kelantan 10 maintained a greater than two-thirds termed an editorial mistake and took. establish an Islamic criminal majority. Opposition members of unspecified disciplinary action code• parliament have very little oppor­ tunity to raise issues before the par­ liament. pose questions to cabinet-level ministers or have legis­ lation considered. There are indications that the opposition's opportunities to par­ ticipate in the work of parliament decreased in 1992. As a sign of the Our zvor[d lias sprouted opposition's diminishing role, on May 14, the parliament suspended a zvien{ concept of security and a opposition leader Lim Kit Siang for the remainder of the year. This was zvarped sense of morta[ity. the fU'St time in Malaysia that the leOOcr of the opposition had ever IJVeapons are sfie[tered [i~ treasure been suspended. The section on torture provides wfiife cfii[dren are e;rposecf to detail on the legally sanctioned punishment of whipping. It is unfor­ incineration. tunate that US government support for the death penalty results in its Bertrand Russell exclusion from discussion in the State Department reports. As we have noted in the past, in Malaysia. the death penalty is mandatory under the ISA for unauthorized possession of fuearms, ammunition or ex­ plosives and under the Dangerous

Alirrut Mofllhly 1993:13 (11) Page 16 BUDGET Beef for Business Peanuts for People

------The changes in taxes have only a marginal impact on individuals. What was offered to the people really was peanuts, writes RAM.

he 1994 Bu

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (II) Page 17 and Service Tax (SS1). Last year below RM25,000) he unveiled a Negara and the government The this tax was extended to include RM1.4bn low-<:ost housing package remaining RM300m the Minister professional services like account­ that is ambitious though the efficacy hopes to receive from corporniions ants and lawyers as well as telecom­ of the scheme is to be seen. with a social conscience. It will be a munication services. This year, the A RM900m Low-Cost House true test of the private sector's com­ 5% charge is further extended. to Fund is to be established to provide mitment to a caring society to see cover courier services, parking char­ ges, plus dental and veterinary ser­ vices. Thus the bill that customers have to pay for these services will be increased by 5 sen for every RMl originally charged by the respective companies. The companies will charge their customers this extra amount and then remit the amount to the government. There could well be problems in implementing this increase in ser­ vice charge, particularly for small charges like parking. A parking bay that used to charge 50 sen for limited parking will now have to charge 52.5 sen. And when you give aRMS note to pay for what used to be RMl parking charge, you will now get RM3 plus 95 sen back as change. Apart from the inconvenience, ... uAfter two successive years ofsteep there is a more important objection to the extension of the SST. Essen­ increases in excise duties for tobacco and tially this tax is a charge on con­ liquour, the Finance Minister decided to sumption. lltO:>e who spt:nc.J a let off smokers and drinkers this time.'' greater amount of their income will have to pay more (for the range of services that are now subject to the financing to developers at a conces­ how fast contributions conic for the SS1) and it is the lower income sionary rate to speed up develop­ fund. earners who would in general spend ment of low-<:ost houses. But if more of their income. Those with private developers presently do not Peanuts For People fixed and low incomes fmd their meet their quota of low-cost housing There were various other small spending as a proportion of total in­ because it is unprofitable, it is hard incentives given to various in­ come rising uncomfortably just with to see how a little bit of interest dividu:.tl.s. Academicians, artists and inflation persisting at a steady rate. saving on loans for these projects writers get a bigger tax rebate. Im­ A consumption tax like the SST will result in these companies speed­ port duties on caligraphy and etch­ is a greater burden on the lower in­ ing up the hardly profitable projects. ings are to be abolished. Import come-earners compared to the weal­ The government will also use the duties are to be reduced on some 500 thy. Extending this tax to cover an fund to build flats to be rented out to items including infant and baby ever increasing range of items thus the very poor. This may turn out to food, building materials and con­ puts a greater tax burden on those be a more effective solution to the struction equipment, medical equip­ who can least afford it problem. Low cost flats, however, ment as well as spare parts for motor can be rather inhumane places to vehicles. Low Cost Housing habitat and the government should The changes in taxes have only a The Finance Minister did how­ be encouraged to stick to simple marginal impact on individuals. ever show his instinct for giving houses which would allow lower What was offered to the people real­ something to those least well off. population density and thus better ly was peanuts. Business got the beef Realising the problem of developers living conditions. in the form of a RM1.8bn reduction not finding sufficient incentives to RM600m for the Low-Cost in corporate taxes .• produce low cost houses (priced at Housing Fund will come from Bank

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page 18 HEART TO HEART

When AIDS struck my family

y youngest son Steffen was 13 when he came into contact with drugs at school 15 years ago. Ha\'ing an in­ quisith e nature, he tried them out and got deeper and deeper into the drug scene \\ith all its consequences.

Of course we tried different Aids. praying for us. Getting to know ewes but they did not help. For­ This death sentence was a shock people in similar situations also tunately we had, and still have, a for the whole family. I felt helpless, helped. It freed me not to circle strong family life so that my other wondering whether I had done any­ around myself the whole time. sons never rejected their younger thing to make Steffen take drugs. I Elke and Alexander moved to brother. wanted to help so much but there her parents'. She wanted to care for But anyone who has ever ex­ was no way to stop the illness. Alexander herself, and started treat­ perienced something similar will We could only invite the young, ment and ajob.ln December '91 she know what it is like when your child disillusioned couple to stay in our caught a fever and had to give up the lies and steals to get money for house, as our way of caring for them. job. Her mother and I looked after drugs; what it means when the police Amidst the tragedy we were her. I often prayed with her. She died come to a welJ-lcnown, respected happy and thankful for our grandson with the awareness of Jesus having famiJy (my husband is responsible Alexander who was born healthy. forgiven her sins. for 1,000 people in four factories), We think of him as God's present Through all this pain we learned ransack the house and fmd some Five and a half years ago Steffen to accept God's plan for us and to suspicious things; what it means to died in a car-crash. The accident praise him in any situation. We could stay awake night after night. till one happened on the motorway. He not thank him for that awful accident day your son is taken off to prison. drove into a lorry and couldn't get and the terrible illness. of course. But What it means to visit him there! It out of the car. It was a dark night, so we learned to praise him for the time was hell for the whole family. I often the driver behind him drove into we had together with Steffen and asked why this had to happen but I him. Steffen burnt to death. This was Elk e. did not get any answer. both a horrible ending and a release To all parents I would say, never After a few months, my son was after a long, painful period. give up your children, but keep your released free from drugs, started a I had many nightmares, seeing hearts and homes open to them. job in one of our factories and mar­ my son burning to death. For many whatever may happen. Try to speak ried Elke, a friend he had known nights I could not sleep at all and read with God about your children more earlier. She got pregnant and every­ psalms with my husband to calm than you speak with them about thing looked hopeful and happy. down. We have a strong relationship God, and enjoy the time you are One morning a woman phoned, and had committed ourselves to God allowed to spend together with them. telling me that her daughter had Aids early in our marriage. That helped us and used to share a syringe with Stef­ a lot Our friends were also with us Source: FOR A CHANGE­ fen. SteffenandElke were examined during that time and it was wonder­ October/November 1993 and learned that both of them had ful to know that they were caring and

Aliran MonJhly 1993:13 (11) Page 19 Biased Media as they do in politics. In the days of the Wild West frontier, a cowboy who Recently, the Great One accused the western media of decided to hang up his gun and his boots would ride off into bias for DO( n:porting his speech at the UN. While be is on the sunset. Here, it seems that politicians who are forced to the subject, he might as well take a look at our local media retire/resign take a ride to the nearest golf course never mind which is well known throughout this region for its bias and if there is no sunset My theory is that giving fue golf ball distortion. Aren't our local news editors and journalists several ~olid thwacks with tl1e club is a therapeutic means concerned about this sad state of affairs? Apparently not. ofreleasUlg all those pent up frustrationsovermoneypolitics They seem to be preoccupied with Other Thots. and what might have been. • • Vety Touching Waste not, Want or not?

Recently, the Great One-in-waiting said he was very A group of Jap~ scu:ntists had found a way to make touched that Ghafar had decided to withdraw from the 'proper' use of ~wage. They had c.Jeviscd a way to process e~~tcstforthe UMNO Baru deputypresidcnt'spost. Surely, sev.age ullo. emr. -an ai1ble !ugh-protein eruich meat C1tu.en Ghafar, who now shuns VIP exits at airpons, perhaps substitute' . Yes. sc.,., age made palatable. out of a sense of unworthiness, would have bxn equally Quipped ~Ltsuyui...i Ikeda. a member of the technical touched to know that his dear ex- colleague was touched team v.;hich developed the material, "The sewage department .,.,ants_ to show that sewage isn't such a dangerous and dirty thing, and it can be rocycled into something useful· • This Japanese discovery may make many a head (if not tununy) tum, and perhaps make the enterprising wonder whether sewage is their next lucrative project. The sceptic Ghafar Escapes To The Golf of course might argue that this is all really one big bull. But given the amount of sewage Malaysia has acquired over the Course years particularly as a result of urbanisation and industrialisation, such a proposition can indeed be food for Soon .after his annoWlCement that he was withdrawing thought as a candidate for the post of deputy president of UMNO And it may be within the stretch of our imagination to Baru, incwnbent Ghafar Baba screeched off to the golf think: of a future that is not too far away when fast food joints c~ (Rahman Putra?) in his shiny Mercedes, leaving a sprout all over the COWliiy, selling SuperSi.zzling Suewage. trail of hungry news- starved reporters biting the dust. And, incidentally, this could be just the thing that could This was exactly as Thinking Allowed had predicted attract the tongue-tied tourists. If and when this thing some months ago when we said that Ghafar would soon be ha~pcns, the entreprcnuerial -- if not the greedy- will wag spending a lot more quality time at the greens than in politics. theLr tongues and say that sewage is no waste after all. But then again, many politicians- that is those who have not It looks like litis is the shape of things to come in the yet retired- also spend almost as much time at the golf course next century.

A/iran MonJhly 1993:13 (II) Poge 20 • • Imprisoned no more The Malaysian Connection

Johor prisonen can now, apart from merely 'serving Looks li.lce once again the privatised Telelcom Malaysia time •. spend their time reading. This was made possible after is in an indecent haste to not only disconnect Jines for late the Jobor Public Litrary Corporation provided a mobile payments but also to collect more profits. As many ofus are library. What's pleasantly surprising is that there were more all aware, the telecommunications company had decided to than 300 books being lent out in Johor Baru Prison during impose a RM50 fme recently on those whom the Conner the litrary's recent visit. considers paying their bills a bit late. Needless to say, Ulis is a positive development given the This prompted many individuals and groups to publicly fact that the powers-that -be had always stressed the need and display t11cir anger via newspapers as they felt that such a importance of creating a literate and informed society. fme is indeed too harsh a penalty. And it would even be a major step if these enterprising Given the prevalent mood of monopolist Telelcom prisoners would also learn to read say, many of the local Malaysia to go hard on the ordinary subscribers (as opposed newspapers and television programmes, in between the to their corporate clientele), perhaps it's about time the lines. Only then would they be able to appreciate the stark: former collccti vel y thought of taking some concrete steps to and harsh reality 'out there' , the political and corporate oppose this wlhealthy tendency and trend. For instance, the jungle that is. By then, these prisoners would have learnt that affected consumers might want to take legal action against the early bird does catch the worm Tclckom Malaysia if and when it causes considerable hardship after failing to provide telephone service to a new hou.~ng estate within a 'reasonable period oftime'. Not only that, the recurrent problem of certain subscribers being • charged for calls not m3de by them must also be addressed and taken care of. In other words, Tclekom Malaysia must appreciate the Spreading anti-corruption importance of connecting profit-making with social messages responsibility and the basic needs of the ordinary Malaysians. • The Press and Di

What a society's elites do and say almost always become the subject of curiosity, concern and conversation of the general public in general and of the media in particular. This seems to be one of the cardinal rules of journalism, rightly or wrongly. At times the lifestyle of tile rich and powerful can be so attractive to some members in the media that The Perlis Anti-Corruption Agency has come up with a questionable practices become quite acceptable. And this is new approach to combat c01111ption and bribery. 1be agency one of those moments when their ethical colleagues in the di.~tributed video tapes regarding the importance of weeding media also get indirectly or otherwise, a bad name. out corrupt practices to schools, institutions of higher The lure of lucrative returns (in terms of soaring learning and affiliated associations of the State Youth circulation, increasing advertisements) makes yellow Council to educate youths. journalism rear its ugly head. We're talking about that Going by the audiences identified by the agency, one is certain tabloid in Britain which recently preyed upon the tempted to 'read' that these are the groups of people whom hapless and innocent Lady Di. She was, in her leotard, busily the agency felt m~& be cautioned and advised about the pumping her muscles in various positions in a private gym. dangers of the evil practices. without knowing that t11e gym's owner took it upon himself Surely the agency must also have, a~ the next line of to place a hidden camera in order to enable him to take strategy, plans to distribute t11ese videos to political parties, pictures ofDi that were later sold to the local daily. governrnent department~ and commercial organisations. This certainly is an invasion of privacy. Not only that, After all, the possibilities (of such misdeeds) are much this invasion was highly corrm1ercialised to the public greater here than ot11er places. embarrassm(.:nt of the victim. The newspaper concerned

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Pagdl could have spent time, money and editorial space in a much kind'. better fashion had it diverted its attention to, say, the plight The Israeli regime could then concentrate on other of the homeless, the jobless, the down and out. matters such as buttressing its own security (with the help 1n other words, the newspaper should, apart from of Uncle Sam), repairing its domestic economy, and also thinking of making money and more money, try to make a establishing political, economic and cultural ties with conunitment to be socially responsible by responding countries (like those in Africa and China) which used to shun conscientiously to the needs of the community. Baring the it. ills ofsociety, needless to say, is certainly better and morally acceptable than exposing the different parts of a mere princess. • • You light up their Jives Remember the occasional power breakdowns and Nouveau riche kids and politics unannounced power failures? Well, these unfortunate occasions might have caused a lot ofheartaches and nervous The lifestyle of the rich and famous, at times, should be breakdowns to many of us, but they certainly did not deter the concern of the ordinary people, especially if it involves the powerful company in the land, T enaga N asional Bemad, politicians and their families, the very people who are from enjoying a whooping profit. suppo!lcd to provide good example to their own people. It was reported that Tenaga Nasional Berhad's pre-tax So when the Indonesian business magazine,/nfo B isnis, profit rose by 31 per cent despite a difficult year of reported that three ofPresident Suharto 'schildren are among load-sheddings. The electrifying company achieved a the 10 richest indigenous fudoncsians, it should not only pre-tax gain ofRM1,849 billion for its fmancial year ending provoke applause and national pride but also pertinent Aug 31 over the RM1.415 billion recorded in the previous questions such as how did they manage to get to the top? year. This was recorded on turnover of RM5.030 billion Could it be that their business success was entirely due to compared to last year's RM4.283 billion, an increase of 17 their own sweat and tears? No political linkage or 'cable' percent. involved? One may be excused for associating this phenomenon Unlike the Di case, prying into the business affairs ofthe with the saying. there's a light at the end of the tunnel. presidential kids should be seen as a matter of duty and responsibility of the media professionals. Such an investigative journalism would go a long way towards establishing whether a conflict of interest occurs. The • powers that be shouldn't consider such a journalistic inclination dangerous to U1e 'political and economic stability of the country'. Development, Komtar and the Loo

Penang's State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Abdul • Rahman Abbas, reminded the people concerned that Komtarshouldbe well maintained to reflect the state's rapid development and its position as a major tourist destination. The carrot and peace He said some of the areas within the state's tallest building were dirty and that the escalators were not The so-called peace accord that was recenlly signed functioning most of the time. He added that the walls had between the PLO and the Tel Aviv regime was meant to not been repainted for years and in some areas were covered eventually allow the Palestinians have political control with moss. (doesn't necessarily mean political independence and a What the Honourable Speaker should also mention, if creation of a Palestinian State) over the Gaza Strip and the he hadn't, is the sorry state of many of the toilets in the West Bank town of Jericho beginning this December. building. Mind you, members of the general public are The peace accord notwithstanding, there are others, charged a fee for using some of these poorly maintained and Palestinians and fundamentalist settler Israelis alike, who stinking toilets. If such a deplorable situation still prevails, are opposed to the accord have invariably found themselves the State Assembly certainly should decide to pass a motion, indulging in violence. At the rate things are going, the PLO that toilets should be 'policed' and polished effectively. may in the end realise that the accord was in effect to compel mica itself to relieve the Israelis of the burden to police and control its own Palestinian people. In other words, the PLO may be confronted with a situation of 'fighting between your own

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page 22 ACCOUNTABILITY Public Accountability & Bakun

Alirrln Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page23 mation and deprived of choices, has been glaringly absent or The revived Bakun dam resentment builds up that ul­ when it has been blatantly proposal only reminds us timately explodes. The only denied. There have been oc­ of all the earlier questions· variant is perhaps the time scale, casions where I have directly but the day of reckoning always that had gone unanswered. spoken out or criticized its denial comes. in the context of other public con­ At the same time, even troversies. greater confusion Glaringly Absent As civilizations have evolved, al­ I believe that public account­ surrounds the nature of ability is intimately linked to the the project itself, writes most all people finally want to have a say in how they are concept of sustainable develop­ GURMIT SINGH K S. governed and the trend is to ment, which is rooch tal(ed about adopt the democratic approach. these days. How can there be Because even the most sustainable development if en­ alaysian notions of public benevolent of paternalism even­ vironmental problems are accountability have tually degenerates into hushed up, if people are not ade­ Mgenerally been vague - authoritarianism and the best of quately informed of sustainable ranging from the publication of dictators become vampires and modes of development - in short, annual reports to broad political national swindlers. if decision-makers are not ac­ speeches harping on elected countable? representatives protecting the So for these and many other public interest. This is perhaps reasons, all countries and groups Avoiding Public Discussion due to the feudal background of humans require the observa­ In 1986, when discussing the from which Malaysia arose and tion of public accountability. It is controversy surrounding the the colonial legacy of ignoring the necessary to reduce exploitation, proposed Bakun Dam, I said: natives. corruption and down-right fraud. During all the forums and This lack of awareness of the It is vital for the existence of basic events organized by the BDCs (Bakun Dam Committees) importance of public account­ trust between the public and whether in PJ or Kuching, ability has suited local political, managers of both the public and private sectors. It is the glue that EPSM (Envirorunental Protec­ religious and business elites per­ tion Society Malaysia) em­ fectly. They have been able to get holds the confidence between phasised that the intention was away with nepotism, corruption, producers aod consumers. not to condenm the dam or the swindles and other forms of During the last two decades, I govenunent but to'concretise hanky-panky with almost com­ have come across many instan­ our concerns ranging from the lack of public accountability to plete impunity. The opponents of ces when such accountability public account- the unavailability of a com- prehensive EIA (En­ ability have also vironmental Impact been able to exploit Site of the proposed Bakun Dam Assessment). Yet we the Asian weak­ had the rather ill-in- ness to defer to formed, illegal assemb­ authority and to } ly in PJ demonstrating 'give face'. -N- against EPSM and me for opposing the dam. 1 But history shows Yet both the Minister that ordinary 'I j of Energy and the Min­ ''~-,'\, ,/ people basically ,A., ister of Environment want to know what \ \ .. .., ___ .., / / I ! (both of whom repre­ ... ___.~ I sent Sarawakian politi­ is happening, ...... ____,...... _ ~ ( - especially when it ,. cal parties in the affects their lives in Cabinet) failed to at­ terms of resources, tend our May Forum in PJ or even to send freedom, happi­ KEY: s..• :1 : uoo.iJoo representatives. All we ness and the future got, after making a of their children. -·-·- ...... tionalllorde< written request, were When they are ----- Dt-.lllotrktllowldaty denied basic infor- sy Project Informa­ tion: Bakun o Town

A/iran Monlhly 1993:13 (11) Page 24 Hydr~ltctric Project booklet. economic and environmental Shunning Open Debate Why has the Government consequences of the dam on been avoiding public discussion downstream fisheries and We fail to understand the at­ of this controversy! If the transportation1 titude of the Goverrunent and Government Ministers and offi­ 8. Where is the risk the Barisan politicians in shun­ cials do not like attending func­ analaysis of the construction and ning open debate on this con­ tions organized by us, could operation of such a huge man­ troversy and resorting instead to they nO( have invited us to be co­ made struclllre? innuendoes and emotional ac­ paoellists at the two functions 9. What will happen to the cusations against anyone who that they recently organized in tribal people and their land? dares to question this controver­ Sara wale? Have they been adequately in­ sial project. Why the hypersen­ For years, EPSM has been formed and consulted? Have sitivity? urging political parties to incor­ they been given fair choices? 1be public should be porale an environmental plank 10. What will happen to reminded about the statements in their political platforms. En­ their culture and their identity? and absolute assurances of vironmentalists are naturally Will they become yet another en­ safety given by various Mini­ keen to know the position of our dangered species as a result of sters during the Papan Con­ pilitical parties vis-a-vis en­ the dam? troversy, without any vironmental issues, especially 11. Why has not the govern­ meaningful interaction with the now that the General Elections ment encouraged open debate in­ local people or comprehensive are imminent. Needless to say, stead of criticising EPSM and scientific investigations. We are this does not mean Lhat EPSM is olher Malaysians who have ex­ once again being asked to place taking part in partisan polititics pressed doubts? our blind failh in the experts by supporting any particular 12. Why are some Sarawak engaged by the Government. party but our members as politicians hypersensitive to any Sorry, the Papan experience Malaysian citizens have the fun­ critical discussion of the project? prevents us from aCcepting these damental right to vote for can­ assurances since they are unsup­ It is shocking that for a didates and parties whose ported with solid, impartial, project which is now estimated scientific and technical positions come closest to our to cost more than $10 billion causes/views. evidence. Let us remind the (some sources put the figure at governemnt that it does not have $21 billion to account for many Unanswered Vital Questions a monopoly over knowledge and components omitted from the wisdom, which, in the final For the fourth time in the Government's booklet as well as last 6 months, I wish to reiterate analysis, reside with Lhe people the depreciation of the of Malaysia_ the following 12 fundamental Malaysian ringgit) and whose We are almost hoarse with questions that have been articu­ feasibility studies have lasted advocating that the Government ~led by us in the past and which over 8 years and cost $37 mil­ allow open debate on this very have not been answered to any lion, the Malaysian public is still important issue, both for satisfactory extent (despite the denied full information. glossy booklet brought out by Sarawak and the rest of I continued: the Government). Malaysia, and refrain from l. \\'here are the economic As for the tribal people, their making a fmal decision until and environmental impact as­ rejection of the proposal during after all views have been fairly sessments? t11e press conference of 4 assessed We believe that Balcun 2. \\'ho exactly will benefit February certainly vindicates is not the sole (and may not from the project and to what ex­ our questioning whether Lhey even be U1e best) option for the ten~? have been given fair choices. development of either the 3. \\'hat will be the real cost Despite U1e accusations and Rejang or Malaysia. There are of consttuction. where will Lhe Lhreats made against 'outside other options and choices. money come from and what will elements' for having instigated We urge the Government be the terms of repa}mcnt? these 'simple people', the 2000 not to rule out these options and 4. What v.ill be the realistic signatures show that when not to rush headlong into what life of the dam, it.s maintenance presented with both sides of the will be tl1c nation's most expen­ cost and vwbat v.ill then be the arguments, the tribal people are sive single project. Surely fmal cosc of geoc:rated power? able to make up their own Bakw1 is not a test-case of the 5. Is there any prior e;(­ minds. We should be saluting 'politics of development' (as if perience anywhere of laying them for their courage to speak all other politics is not related to such a long undersea transmis­ up against the full power of the development). sion line across tropical intema­ Stale and Federal Governments, EPSM has so far been plead­ tioml vwaters and transmitting ralher than insulting their ing for public accountability and COOlparable pov.er continuously? capacuy to make their own consultation but we have been 6. What "'ill be the decisions. rewarded with criticisms or

A.linJn Monthly 1993:13 (II) Page 2S silence at best from the relevant private sectors of the country. scious of its rights. We must authorities. Despite this, we can The foremost example that strengthen this consciousness. take all the mudslinging because comes to mind is the Bumiputra We must act from this very day our conscience is clear since we Malaysia Ftnance (BMF) Scan­ onwards to demand greater have always stood for develop­ dal in which neither Bank public accountability from all ment without destruction (no Bumiputra nor the highest sectors. An important prereq­ matter what demonstrators and echelons of the Malaysian uisite for tlus is greater morality politicians say). Government have been and higher ethics among forthcoming with adequate facts Malaysians, especially at the per­ Public Accountability and action. sonal level. In 1985, on the occasion of Wor1d The stonewalling going on But naturally much higher levels Human Rights Day, I spoke on with regards to the Bakun Dam of public accountability are to be the theme Diminishing Public Ac­ is another sad example of expected from civil servants. countability In Malaysia. Not diminished public account­ Thus, in a book entitled ability. Neither the Federal nor Malaysians Know Your Rights much has changed since then Sarawak Governments have and it is useful to quote what I made a single move to release published in 1986, I wrote: said on that occassion then: the Economic and Envirorunen­ ... How can a citizen ... Although public account­ tal Impact Assessments of the demand public accountabili~ ability is not specifically spelt project despite spending almost from elected and appointed offi­ out as a right in the Universal $30 million of public funds on cials? Declaration ofHuman Rights, it feasibility studies. Yet Ministers The concept of public ac­ is implied by Articles 19 and 21 insist that a further expenditure countability needs to be stressed of the Declaration. of almost $16 billion is and clarified flfSl Such account­ Public accountability is a thoroughly justifiable despite all ability requires all individuals vital ingredient to ensure respect the secrecy that surrounds the holding positions of public trust for fundamental hwnan rights. A project. like those in the Government Govenunent that does not prac­ and civil service, to discharge tice public accountability is very Without Referendum their official duties in a manner beyond reproach that they likely also to deny its citizens Major constitutional changes and be answerable to the public (not their fundamental rights. Public have occurred without a single just the Executive) for all their accountability is also required referendum and with little par­ actions (as well as inactions). from fmns/multinationals and liamentary debate. With the ex­ All such actions, including the even individuals whose actions ception of a couple of public have significant impacts on the hearings, almost all legislation expenditure of public funds, must be publicly accounted for country or who have been has zoomed through Parliament. on a regular basis. They have to entrusted with the management despite the protests of the small inform, of national resources. opposition, without even as ask for and act on the public's reactions. In our opinion, the discharge much as a 'by your leave' ges­ A citizen can demand for of public accountability involves ture to the electorate. A senior this accountability by: more than the occasional press Minister once stated boldly that • directly requesting, either statement. the brief parliamen­ the electorate needs no account­ verbally or preferably in writing, tary report or the glossy annual ability once it has elected the elected and appointed officials report. Meaningful public ac­ MPs. As long as the Govern­ for information and explanations countability can only be said to ment can win the day in Parlia­ occur when there is full dis­ ment, the public must not ask of their actions; • writing to the newspapers closure of the extent of com­ for any further explanations. It is and the PubUc Complaints pliance with specifications of this low priority given to public Bureau on issues where he major public works or full ex­ accountability that has resulted believes that public account­ planation as to how efficiently in the deterioration of ability has been ignored; have public funds been ex­ Parliament's effectiveness. pended. In the case of the The private sector continues • writing to the Speaker of private sector, it requires truthful to evade public accountability the relevant legislature or the reporting of financial transac­ under the excuse of business relevant D..:partrnental head for tions so that neither the Govern­ secrets and in the absence of a the necesarry information/ex­ ment is cheated of revenue nor really investigative and free planation; the public swindled. press ... The list could go on. • organizing or signing a Using the above basic Yet the evidence is adequate to public petition on the relevant criteria. we are disappointed to show that public accountability issue; and note that public accountability has been on the decline in • joining/supporting social has generally been on the Malaysia, at the very time that action groups that are fighting decline in both the public and the public is becoming con- for freedom and justice.

Aliron Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page 26 Atmosphere ofFear a similar mandatory imprison­ the vanguard of the struggle for ment in the Banking Act? We greater press freedom (with the The sad fact is that very few are not talking of the passing of possible exception of the present Malaysian citizens have state secrets to any foreign amendment to the OSA)- demanded for public account­ power, but the punislunent will Public funds must always be ability on a sustained basis. Even be meted out even to any buck­ handled with the utmost trust and when the zeal is generated, it reporter who somehow receives public accountability and open­ erodes away in the face of official any docwnent which bas not ness must be maintained been declassified by the Mini­ hostility and the fear of victimiza­ throughtout the public and tion. It seems to be so rooch ster or government official. ... Titis move may be the private sectors of Malaysia. Only easier to grumble a little and then masterstroke to gag all critics men of unquestionable integrity start 'minding one's own (not just journalists) by depriv­ should be allowed to have control business', unless one is ing them of any means of find­ of sizeable (why not even bankrupted or pauperized by a ing out the basic facts about how private?) funds. massive swindle. The normal the country is run. SGS views apathy is perhaps worsened by this move as tantamount to im­ The press continues to be cen­ the atmosphere of fear that has prisoning public accountability. sored as well as self-censoring, existed in Malaysia ever since How can there be any meaning­ not just because of the OSA Independence. ful public accountability if offi­ amendments but perhaps also cial infonnation remains because of the Printing Presses One of the major obstacles in the virtually sealed up within & Publications Act (and other way of effective public account­ government vaults? reasons that can be guessed at) . ... Yet there is an urgent ability has been the Official Although some inquiry reports Secrets Act (OSA) since almost need for greater opcrwess in the adminstration. especially the have been made public, the time all civ~ servants are able to use it fmancial segments, of the public delay has been long enough to to evade any meaningful ac­ and private sectors. Vested inter­ neutralize much of the impact of countability. In 1986, it was dras­ ests invoke excessive and un­ these releases. The docility of the tically amended to introduce a necessary secrecy, without press has helped the Govern­ mandatory one year jail term. At providing adequate checks and ment and power-brokers to be two public meetings in ear1y 1986 balances. Consequently fman­ shielded from the full glare of to oppose the amendments. I cial shenanigans seem to be easy public accountability. On the spoke on the theme Imprisoning as witnessed both by the BMF other hand, the press has been scandal as well as the Pan-El af­ Public Accountability and said: used to attack instead citizens fair. We have grown up saddled Integrity and morality is not campaigning for effective public with the OSA from Merdeka just for the birds but vital at the accountability. Day, (it being) one of the many highest levels of management. Once again, after millions more repressive laws bequeathed to us Unless our leaders overnight ringgits have been spent on more by our colonial masters. The transform themselves into years of independence, instead paragons of candour and truth, studies, the Government has of lessening the restrictions, there is no choice but for all revived the Bakun dam proposal. have instead seen three tighten­ thinking Malaysians to cam­ All the earlier questions remain ings of this particular piece of paign for a Freedom of Informa­ unanswered while even greater legislation. the latest being the tion Act to replace the OSA and confusion (intended or other­ wWndest of all. Titis example the tightening of the Banking wise) surrounds the very nature oC overkill has even moved our Secrecy Regulations. of the project itself. The size, the controlled and docile press (in­ Despite the PM's assertion location, the cost. the EIA, the cluding the Organisation of of a liberal ani tude to the press, benefit, the people to be dis­ Newspaper Editors) to protest! we have just seen two jour­ SGS (Selangor Graduates nalists charged and convicted placed - all these are wonderous Socict}:) fails to understand the under the OSA, the tightening of mysteries. lop: behind the sudden intro­ the Printing Presses and Publica­ Will Malaysians be once again duction of this amendment tions Act in 1984 and now this! denied basic public account­ •~by a mandatory 1 year im­ ... We, as patriotic ability by Malaysian Ministers pruoomml has replaced almost Malaysians, must continue to all &he riDC$ stJpulated in the campaign for a free and respon­ and civil servants on this vast OSA. Is this a more heinous sible press which is overseered project? • cnme llwlnindling BMF of by a Parliamentary Om­ millions of nnggits, and yet no budsman. It is regrettable that in (Gurmit Singh KS is the Pre,sident move bas been mlde to provide Malaysia, journalists are not in ofEPSM) LIFESTYLE

The Politics Of Alcohol Most experts lision. TI1e a"'ociation between al­ Malaysians drink more cohol and road tmffic accidents is alcohol per capita than the believe established beyond doubt. In Japanese and the consumption of Amenca, alcohol complicates about alcohol has 25% of all road accident<; and about Germans. But is the 50% of all fatal accident<;. There Government more increased was a faJl m casualties after the dependent on alcohol than dramatically in hreaU1alyser was introduced in any alcoholic, asks DR B many parts of the Britain in 1967. GUNASEKARAN. world in the past Alcohol in small doses may cause perfonn.'Utcc of driving related 30 years. skiJls to tall off; m moderate to bigb runount'>, alcohol d1mirlishes pcrfor­ According to U1e Consumers As­ ing. me vary, as do Ule moral, medical, consumption. taxes. 1l1e brewing of cheap il.licit MX:JHJ m1d \Ctcnllfic responses. The * In every com1try studied, in­ liquour (samsu) is frequently con­ mlc'> of alcohol consumption and al­ creases in per capita consumpuon of taminated by pmsons and methyl al­ cohol related problems vary greatly. alcohol are paralleled by nscs 10 all cohol which cru1 result in death or ln nonJ1em Europe, U1e drinking indices of alcohol induced damage. blindness. of spinL'\ had added to a pattern of Alcohol induced damage include mtenniLtent ru1d explosive drunken­ liver cirrhosis, malnutrition, Control Of Alcoholism ness, while in souU1ern Europe wine psychiatric problems, progrcss1ve What then must be done to con­ dnnking bas been integntted into a intellectual deteriomtion ru1d dis­ vince society hy tbose of us who way of life with little public ruption to family, working ru1d social believe that alcoholism needs to be dnulkcnne'>'> ru1d high rates of liver life. t:tcklcd now? orrho'>i'> ((k'Unage to liver). 1n be­ * A fall in consumpuoo. m~t Those concerned about Wttclnng to the more reward- litre\ 111 Japan ;md 4 htre" in Ger­ problems in a society retlects Ule rrmny level of consumpuon which m turn The association Consumption and is affected by cost and avatlab1ltty. between alcohol Aforbidity * Scientific investigations bave produced 50 years of accumulated andd road traffic It is difficult to get ~tatistical data evidence showing a direct relation­ accidents is on alcoholi\rn 10 Ul•" country. From ship between increasing blood al­ U1e tnU'>hr

AZU.an Monthly 1993:13 (11) Pagt 28 A graduated increase in price will be Struidardised health W<:Uning acceptable if people arc convinced label<> against alcohol consumption that it would cut down the harm should be incorporated into alcohol done. It is sometimes argued (espe­ advertisements as well as hotlle cially by the drinks lobby) that in­ lahels. creasing the cost of alcohol puts an We must seek legislation to raise unfair burden on the innocent social ll1c minimum drinking age to 21 drinker without altering the be­ years and stipulate strong penalties haviour of the heavy drinker, but for providing alcohol to ll1ose there is plenty of evidence llmt ll1is younger than 21 years. is not so, ru1d figures show a tall in Alcohol impairs driving skills by harmful effects runong heavy its eftect<> on ll1e central nervous sys­ drinkers after a modest price rise. tem. ln renders slower and less efti­ Public attitudes are slow to cienL boll1 information acquisition chru1ge; complacency and ignorance and infonnation processing, making are widespread. Progrrunmes are divilled-attention ta<;ks such as steer­ needed to stinmlate public debate, to ing

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A ~iron Molllhly 1993:13 (11) PDg• 30 Fezzan province of Libya while the (Israel's secret service) was in­ BOOK REVIEW British and Americans began setting volved in the bombing. Terrorist up their military bases in various groups in Syria and other countries parts of Libya. Fan reveals how by are also more likely to have been giving Libya independence and involved in the bombing than the The Continuing placing a Western puppet, King two Libyan suspects who have yet Terrorism Idris, as the constitutional ruler of had any concrete evidence brought Against Libya Libya, Britain and America further against them. strengthened their position in this Fan reveals how the aggressive northern African state. actions of the US and Britain against by Fan t'tw Ttng 1JWJ J Fan exposes in no uncertain Libya and the use of Resolution 748 terms the profits and allowances that to economically blockade Ubya are Egrtt Publications were ceded to Western powers in the in total violation of international law Kuala Lumpur course of King Idris' rule of Libya. procedures. He also highlights at­ Price.· RM6.00 He clearly shows that oil, in par­ tempts by Gaddafi to bring the two ticular, was a prominent considera­ suspects to a fair trial in the Interna­ Rt\'iewed by tion in the West's exploitation of tional Court of Justice or in a third Santn G Marshall Libya In addition, various treaties country. The US and Britain have concerning anns and military bases obstinately refused to even consider were signed by British and this option in their dealings with American diplomats with the Libyan Libya, a country with which they government during King Idris' have no extradition treaty. reign. Fan, in the final analysis, shows The book is Fan thus trings to Jjght how the how the economic sanctions im­ written with the purpose of show­ 1969 revolution that deposed King posed on Libya have served merely ing the hypocrisy of the United Idris and brought Colonel Murunrnar to hurt it.; civilian population that is States, Britain and France who are Gaddafi to JX>Wer, upset the im­ becoming increasingly im­ presently pressing Libya to ex­ perialistic plans and designs of poverished and is suffering greatly tradite two Libyan nationals Western nations in Libya. For from the lack of medical supplies suspected of bombing Pan Am Gaddafi's fierce non-aligned stance, and facilities. 103 (Lockerbie, 1988) and a his achievement in nationalising In a predictable conclusion, he French UTA jet (Niger, 1989). many foreign~wned businesses and highlights the Western powers' and From the outset, Fan denounces his refusal in renewing the contracts their allies' transgressions in the in­ the actions of these Western na­ on military bases in Libya, was a sore ternational arena and how these, tions who have always imposed blow to the US, Britain and France. though equivalent to or worse than their own imperialistic designs on Gaddafi furthermore managed to the supposed terrorist crimes of Libya without any real concern raise oil prices in the international Libya, have never been labelled as for international law and order. market above the dirt- cheap mtes "terrorism." Hence the title "'The He begins his argument with a that the OPEC countries under Continuing Terrorism Against close look at Libya's colonial past. Western patronage had always con­ Libya" seems like a move towards Tracing foreign involvement in ceded to. fmding a suitable name for the Liby3 to pre-World War I times, Fan Against this background Fan crimes committed by the accusers of ~bes Italy's brutal conquest of builds a sound argument that the cur­ Libya. ubya through the years that even­ rent actions of the West in demand­ The book is well written and it tually reached its zenith under the ing that ubya hand over the two avoids the high-flown academic direction of dictalOr Mussolini and suspects for trial has more to do with abstractions that are all too often .Marshal Graz..i3ni. In Fan's analysis, Gaddafi's refusal to bow to the West found in commentaries on interna­ he emphasizes the total lack of com­ and Libya's refusal to shoulder the tional politics. In translating the sub­ passion of the Italian military in its yoke of Western domination. ject matter to the reader in a clear and brutal campaigns against the Libyan Fan subsequently shows how the concise language, Fan makes his ar­ resistance and the Libyan civilian charges brought against the two guments seem all the more valid. For population. Libyans suspects are far from justifi­ the reader it is also worth noting that With the defeat ofltaly in World able as there are other parties that by the book is nation-specific: it at­ War ll, French, American and right should be suspected of bomb­ tempts from the first to give a very British pov. ers soon came into play. ing Pan Am 103. There are indica­ comprehensive account of Libya, The Frcnc h v. ere happy to obtain the tions, for instance, that Mossad history and all. •

Aliran MonJhfy 1993:/J (II) Page JJ must be made clear as to how they were utilised. NGOs involved in •POLITICS fund raising for the Penans are accountable to both the Penans and the public. •RELIG-IDN Such openess is necessary in order to maintain the integrity of the NGO movement as well as to •ELECTIONS ensure public confidence in NGOs. NGOs that exploit the Penans for • HU N RlMahathir Mohamad to curb money politics and the abuse of public facilities. This is not the first time that the Prime Minister has talked about the evils of money politics. Since the 1980s money politics has dominated the political system and yet not much has been done to curb the evil which has now assumed serious proportions. However, for Dr Mahathir's call to have any effect, money politics and the abuse of public facilities must be curbed at the Helping the Penans: Government and NGOs should work together. level of the government. If there are clean elections, no cynical ex·

Aliran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page 32 UMNO Baru Is itself seriously affected by money politics. ploition and abuse of the media lish diplomatic relation with gain is attractive, we should only then will UMNO itselfbe free South Africa should be viewed remember that Malaysia stood of the stigma of money politics. with grave concern by Malaysians shoulder to shoulder with the It is obvious that the many who value justice and freedom black South Africans in their calls to end money politics has be­ over political expediency and struggle to dismantle apartheid. come urgent only because UMNO monetary gain. Let us not betray them now for itself is seriously affected by it. It Up to this point, the black monetary gain. is doubtful if Dr Mahathir's call South Africans are still suffering Diplomatic relations with will ever be heeded unless of course leaders both in the govern­ ment as well as in the political parties found guilty of indulging in money politics and other un­ ethical practices are brought to court and prosecuted soon. If there is no headway in the struggle to curb money politics, it will be a matter of time before Malaysia falls into the hands of the corrupt and unscrupulous politicians who value money above country, position above principles, expedience above values. Dr Arif]m Omar Presidem Black South Ame- .. stll suffering. 12 October 1993

under the effects of apartheid South Africa should only come even though officially apartheid about when black majority rule DIPLOMATIC has been dismantled. The has been established in South RELA TJONS WffH Pretoria regime is still dragging Mrica and not before. its feet over open, frank and sin­ Dr Arjffua Omar SOUTH AFRICA cere negotiations with the ANC PrtsidtnJ over the issue of black majority The announcement by the rule. 13 October 1993 Malaysian Government to estab- While the lure of economic

Aliran Molllltly 1993:13 (11) Page 33 ASCENDENCY OF THE NEW MALAY Anwar Ibrahim and his boys move to centrestage

Politics is a blood sport. - Anuerin Bevan

Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. -Ambrose Bierce, The Devll's Dictionary

The art of government is the organisation of idolatry. - George Bernard Shaw

f the UMNO Baru general as­ Concordc ood Shangri-La. supporters of the most powerful sembly was any indication of how It was like icing on the cake for political organisation in the land is Ifar the Malays have come in life, some of them had newly returned perhaps best epitomised by then they have come very far indeed from all-expenses-seen- to pleasure Malaysia's Prime Minister-to-be, - materially at least trips to places like Medan and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, It was truly a week of living Langkawi. Several divisions went only 46, has also experienced a luxwiously (beyond their means, on Umrahs fully sponsored by a cer­ transformation in fortunes ~ribcd some admitted) for the 1,800 tain Menteri Besar who, unfor­ by a local writer as "very much like delegates to the party assembly held tunately, is not particularly known that of Hans Christian Andersen's in the glittering tower block of the for a moral lifestyle. Ugly Duckling". Putra World Trade Centre. There seemed no end to the at­ Delegates, many flown from their tention rained on them for many THE MOST respective states, were put up in the delegates spoke- some complained POWERFUL MAN poshest hotels in Kuala Lumpur. -of being showered by all manner of The Pan Pacific Hotel, one of the presents that were brought ala From a role confmed largely to most expensive places on the face of Greeks bearing gifts to their the fringe of real power, Anwar is this country to stay the night, was doorstep. What a life! It was a far cry arguably the most powerful person booked out on account of this event from the days when delegates were in UMNO Baru today, and in that of events. Johor delegates for in­ ferried into the city by buses, putting sense, the country. Even before the stance- traditionally a huge contin­ up in community halls and schools UMNO Baru general assembly gent - occupied a beehive of rooms and eating IUlSi bWigkus. came to a close on the evening of at no less than the Crown Princess, This reversal of fortunes for the November 6, Anwar had already at-

A/iran MonJII/y 1993:13 (11) Pag• 34 tained his heart's desire. By November 1, the incumbent Datuk deputy president, Abdul Ghafar Baba, had packed his bags and taken Abdullah off for an undisclosed destination with his new and young wife. Badawi said Ghafar's departure just days before the assembly was to begin had fol­ ... Mahathir lowed several other major decisions - his resignation as Deputy Prime had been Minister, his withdrawal from the No. 2 race and then his quitting the "abandoned" seat of controversy - the deputy presidency. ~· by two The man was clearly fed-up, probably hurt too over the way he Deputy Prime Ministers ... had been treated by party chaps some of whom were still crawling on Hopefully, the next deputy fours when he was already deep in Malay politics. Ghafar' s withdrawal would be loyal to Mahathir from a contest that was beginning to assume the ugly tones of an earlier until the time was right to battle took many by surprise. But as expected, those who had take over. only moments ago harangued him as a "selfish, old man who did not know The outcome ofthe UMNO Baru in each state and planned the ap­ when it was time to go", now praised general assembly has been, by any proach to win their support. him, describing him as wise and standards, quite an astounding good. It was little wonder then that achievement for Anwar. In less than LOP-SIDED FROM he felt an overwhelming need to a dozen years, he had managed to THE START make a quick exit. shimmy his way up the slippery There were also endless specula­ rungs of the UMNO Baru hierarchy. Anwar, it is said, had managed to tion that his withdrawal would pave He had moved in a way he only knew demolish Ghafar's camp from the a path of sympathy votes for Datuk how from somewhere out in the day he announced his decision to Abdullah Badawi to retain his seat as wilderness into the epicentre of stand against the latter at a power­ vice-president. At one point, some Malaysian politics. packed press conference in the party imagined that the wave of sympathy On the face of it, it all appeared headquarters. would sweep even Datuk Seri quite effortless, but those who know His only problem thereafter, was S:musi Junid, the other incumbent how this former Abim leader works, to ensure that his desire for the No. 2 vice-preSident aligned to Ghafar, say his talent lies in getting others to post did not make him appear too irJao lJMNO Baru' s top echelon. do his bidding especially when in greedy or impatient, adjectives his harnessing grassroots opinion and loyal aides appear quite sensitive GANG OF FOUR sentiments. He is charismatic, no about. (They really ought to take doubt about that, and can be likeable heed of what Adlai Stevenson, an All that. of course, is now history American statesman, once said: My b the elections saw first, Tan Sri and even charming if he chooses. He also does not hesitate to con­ definition of a free society is a Rahim Thamby Chik. the Menteri society where it is safe to be un­ Besar of Malacca, winning the sult those whom he knows are ex­ perts in areas he himself is less sure popular.) Youth chairman's post and then, the Secondly, he wanted to win by a three vice-president posts going to about. He is said to have around him teams of experts and advisors and big margin so that he could turn the so

A linin Molllhly 1993:13 (11) Page 36 Albae of Johor. whom a large num­ ber of UMNO Baru members Defence regarded as a person still possessing a semblance of intellect. morals and Minister idealism. These were qualities that would have better projected the ~ Datuk Sel aspirations of the Youth wing. Syed Hamid was clearly pres­ v"' Najib Razak, sured to withdraw from the contest. otherwise why would he have cried the like a baby on television? Hamid chose to heed Anwar•s plea not to considered contest although the signs were that he enjoyed much better support and favourite, could have won easily. Some said he had settled for a trade-off - the ended with 211 votes below secretary- general's post of UMNO Baru. Far more likely though is that Muhyiddin. Syed Hamid saw the dangers of dis­ agreeing with the future Prime Min­ ister of Malaysia. Rahim, he probaly sees someone symbolic of renewal and an emer­ That Anwar stuck up his guns for who could be more easily controlled gence of a new corporate and Rahim had quite little to do, accord­ and persuaded to a certain viewpoint presumably better Malay, the idea ing to some. with commitment or or way of doing things. With Rahim, has been parodied as an equation for loyalty. but more to do with the he would not need to waste time greed. excessive ambition. wealthy­ politics of power and control. Those intellectualising or moralising. without-work and generally, an at­ close to Syed Hamid say that Anwar titude of getting-what-you­ was dependent on Tan Sri Muhyid­ MELAYUBARU want-whichever-way-you

A.liran Monthlv 1993:1UI 1l Pave 37 in top oratory form, drummed home pleasure with others who were chairman. H that was true, one would again to delegates - only about 700 similarly garang in their attacks. dread to imagine the sums that must of them turned up - the need to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib have been expended by others vying deliver a solid endorsement of his Razak. the considered favourite, for far more crucial positions. team and why they should not spend ended with 211 votes below The question that follows then their vote on the other side. Muhyiddin. Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar would be: Where did all this money It was likely that the delegates Ahmad, who used to snare the most come from? Surely not many of went ahead to vote for Anwar's votes slipped down to sixth place. He these candidates are rolling in that kind of money? The obvious deduc­ tion would be rich corporate backers. Certain "Umno Baru-related And this is perhaps the most dangerous part of money politics. stocks" climbed to dizzying Accepting flnancial support for one's campaigns involves both heights during the duration monetary and political obligations that would have to be repaid at a of the campaign, future date to the detriment of the government and her people.

Wawasan Team partly because they was one of those who had leapt over HOT TIPS believed in him and partly out of the fence. The stock market is widely pragmatism. This led an UMNO Wan Mokhtar's previous believed to be one of the sowces of Barn member to comment privately popularity was due to his reputation funds for some of the candidates. that nobody seemed to be listening as an authority on matters religious. Certain "Umno Barn-related stocks" to Mahathir anymore: "He said he Datuk Dr Yusof Nor, who enjoys a climbed to dizzying heights during did not favour a contest and Anwar similar reputation secured the most the duration of the campaign, thus went ahead to challenge Ghafar. votes this time around The shrunk leading market analysts and man-in­ Then he said he did not favour teams votes delivered to another MB and the street speculators to the con­ and the delegates ignored him and ardent Wawasan campaigner, Tan clusion that they were being voted in the Pasukan Wawasan." Is Sri Khalil Yaakob, was also a fonn artificially driven upwards by the writing on the wall then? of rap on the wrist. politicians to raise money for their In this contest, what Datuk Ab­ campaigns. dullah Badawi said in his winding­ MONEY POLITICS For instance, "hot tips" that some up at the party assembly may be As was expected. money market analysts circulated among worth repeating. He said Mahathir politics, allegedly on a ~e quite their favoured clients focussed al­ had been "abandoned" by two unparalleled in the history of most exclusively on stocks linked to Deputy Prime Ministers (Datuk UMNO, or for that matter, UMNO Barn. An example was one Musa Hitam and more recently, Malaysian politics, dominated the circular entitled "UMNO Election Ghafar). Hopefully, the next deputy debates once the elections were over Play" which recommended some 20 would be loyal to Mahathir until the and done with. Those who failed to counters to play. AU of them were time was right to take over. get the seats they coveted pointed to said to be connected to either Anwar, their loss as evidence they had not Najib, Muhammad Taib, Muhyiddin SLAP IN THE FACE indulged in sufficient money politics orGhafar. However, the delegates showed and seemed to imply that the win­ Anwar, for one, was linked to Rahim what they thought of him and ners, especially of the important MRCB, Idris Hydraulics, 101, also the deputy Youth chief Senator seats, were the arch practitioners of Wembly, G Plus, TV3 and NS1P Nazri Abdul Aziz. Nazri, who had this crooked tactic. while counters linked to Ghafar in­ won the post unopposed, suffered Money politics is not a problem cluded Pegi, Sateras and Innovest the humiliation of being booted out exclusive to UMNO Barn. But what Muhyiddin's name was mentioned of the Supreme Council. Nazri, in­ distinguished UMNO Barn from the in relation to Johor government-re­ cidentally, took a particularly offen­ other political parties in this unethi­ lated counters such as Mulpha and sive stance against Ghafar while cal habit was the scale of its employ­ Kulim while Selangor government­ lavishly endorsing Rahim for Youth ment. A certain candidate was said related counters like WHB and CIM chief. to have reportedly spent close to $1 were linked to Muhammad. The The delegates also showed dis- million just to become a division stock analysts tied up Najib's name

Aliran MonJhly 1993:13 (11) Page 38 with an impressive array of counters concentration on account of his flit­ pected to be held late next year. - Road Builders, Mentiga, MGIG, ting from one Ministry to the next Anwar and his boys went to great Kretam, FEHB and Kumia. This could be due to his limited op­ pains to express their support and Anwar, cwiously, has rarely portunities to see policies and loyalty to Mahathir dwing the three­ been reported in the local media as programmes through. Before he had day party assembly. There is no condemning or denying involve­ time to learn the ropes, he was reason to doubt their commitment to ment in money politics. It was as moving again. Mahathir- for the time being at least. though the domestic media, par- The brief stints however af- After all, people are still trying to get used to the idea of Anwar as Deputy Prime Minister. But surely the day Where did all this money when he feels impatient for the top seat will dawn and some say it may come from? Surely not many be sooner than thought In a sense, the success of Anwar of these candidates are and his Wawasan ooys have estab­ lished a coup of sorts in the history rolling in that kind of money? of UMNO. They have succeeded beyond tltcir wildest dreams, cutting into the line of succession where a ticularly the English and Malay forded him a wide array of experien­ certain Kelantan prince had failed ones, did not even wish to mention ces that would come in useful now miserably and overturning com­ his name in the same line as the tenn. that he is clearly on the way to being pletely the established ways of doing money politics, However, he ttas Prime Minister. His supporters also things. told foreign magazines that allega­ like to point out his commitment to There is really nothing wrong tions of him buying support ure "an poverty eradication and efforts to about ch

A/iran Monthly 1993:13 (11) Page 39 ASCENDANCY OF THE NEW MALAY Anwar Ibrahim and his boys move to centrestage

Rahim Muhyiddin

Anwar has shattered the long-held perception of the incumbent having the upper hand in any contest. He has demonstrated what a challenger can achieve given unlimited resources, observes NNP. Taib Najib

Full story on page 34 ...

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