MM Online - Manifesto that glosses over past mistakes by Karamjit Gill (extracts):
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Pakatan’s manifesto is very much a document that laments blame to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s government, completely ignoring the fact that it was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that planted, fertilised, and harvested the mess. While we have seen Najib acknowledging limitations and faulty administration with 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1 MDB), Dr Mahathir is yet to genuinely embrace his dark and dirty past.
Till today, Mahathir still defends his Project IC. He still insists his sons are self-made billionaires and no element of nepotism was practised.
In 1999, Keadilan’s youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor revealed secret documents of a meeting chaired by Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (then International Trade and Industry Minister) on approving shares to Mahathir’s son. Rafidah admitted that Mahathir forced her to ensure the sitting committee approves shares to his son. Ezam was later slapped with a two years jail sentence under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
The late Tunku Abdul Rahman is mentioned multiple times in the manifesto when chiding the government. In actual fact, Tunku never favoured Mahathir in the first place. Tunku did a nationwide tour pleading with the people to reject Mahathir. Hence, if the words of Tunku are highly respected, then Mahathir should be rejected.
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In the manifesto, Pakatan has pledged to highly value the opinions and suggestions of the “Duli-Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja-Raja Melayu,” abiding the Constitution. Several respected Sultans have publicly voiced disgust over Mahathir and have rejected the idea of him ruling again.
In fact, Selangor & Kelantan palace has recently revoked a royal award conferred on Mahathir. While Johor Sultan has openly criticised Mahathir.
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The manifesto stressed on the notion that an international publication, The Economist, has ranked Malaysia 2nd (after Russia) in the Crony Capitalism Index 2016. Singapore is fourth place in the same index. Does that mean Singapore is administratively the fourth worst and corrupt country in the world?
Whether crony nepotism actually impedes economic growth is a topic of international debate that has been unanswered. Alan Beattie in his book False Economy explained that Indonesia prospered under a crooked leader while Tanzania remained poor under a clean one. [...]
In one of the promises, a special commission will be formed to investigate scandals such as 1 MDB, Felda, Mara, and Tabung Haji. What about the Forex scandal, Carrian scandal, Maminco affair, Perwaja Steel scandal, Pan Electric crisis, North-South highway scandal, and Penang undersea tunnel? Why only mention scandals that involve Najib? Humongous public funds were allegedly lost in all scandals.
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Everything wrong irrespective of political ideology should be thoroughly investigated. The late Karpal Singh was not shy of castigating anyone that was faulty.
Till today, Mahathir still defends his Project IC. He still insists his sons are self-made billionaires and no element of nepotism was practised.
In 1999, Keadilan’s youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor revealed secret documents of a meeting chaired by Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (then International Trade and Industry Minister) on approving shares to Mahathir’s son. Rafidah admitted that Mahathir forced her to ensure the sitting committee approves shares to his son. Ezam was later slapped with a two years jail sentence under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
The late Tunku Abdul Rahman is mentioned multiple times in the manifesto when chiding the government. In actual fact, Tunku never favoured Mahathir in the first place. Tunku did a nationwide tour pleading with the people to reject Mahathir. Hence, if the words of Tunku are highly respected, then Mahathir should be rejected.
In the manifesto, Pakatan has pledged to highly value the opinions and suggestions of the “Duli-Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja-Raja Melayu,” abiding the Constitution. Several respected Sultans have publicly voiced disgust over Mahathir and have rejected the idea of him ruling again.
In fact, Selangor & Kelantan palace has recently revoked a royal award conferred on Mahathir. While Johor Sultan has openly criticised Mahathir.
[...]
The manifesto stressed on the notion that an international publication, The Economist, has ranked Malaysia 2nd (after Russia) in the Crony Capitalism Index 2016. Singapore is fourth place in the same index. Does that mean Singapore is administratively the fourth worst and corrupt country in the world?
Whether crony nepotism actually impedes economic growth is a topic of international debate that has been unanswered. Alan Beattie in his book False Economy explained that Indonesia prospered under a crooked leader while Tanzania remained poor under a clean one. [...]
In one of the promises, a special commission will be formed to investigate scandals such as 1 MDB, Felda, Mara, and Tabung Haji. What about the Forex scandal, Carrian scandal, Maminco affair, Perwaja Steel scandal, Pan Electric crisis, North-South highway scandal, and Penang undersea tunnel? Why only mention scandals that involve Najib? Humongous public funds were allegedly lost in all scandals.
Everything wrong irrespective of political ideology should be thoroughly investigated. The late Karpal Singh was not shy of castigating anyone that was faulty.