Barisan’s chameleon MPs
Thursday, 08-12-2005Some people like to describe politicians as people who cannot be trusted as they change according to circumstances. I think it’s very true sometimes. It is particularly true of BN MPs in the Squatgate scandal.
I remember clearly that when I first showed the visual clips on my computer to the BN MPs and ministers like Nazri and Azmi Khalid during lunch break at the MPs’ lounge, both Nazri and Azmi Khalid, the in the presence of the media, immediately, consciously, strongly criticised the manner the police meted out punishment as shown in the clip. The BN reps were quite appalled by what they saw. They viewed it again and again. After watching, they shoke their heads, they expressed shock and regret, and they reprimanded the police for the abuses that were happening in the police lock-ups. They even invited every MP who walked into the lounge to have a look at the visual clip.
One gung-ho UMNO guy went as far as to suggest moving an emergency motion to debate the visual clip; another suggested that we should seek speaker’s permission to let all MPs view this 70 seconds clip before we start debating on the Ministry of Internal Security. The discussion on this in the MPs’ lounge outside the Dewan Rakyat was heated.
I didn’t expect that there could be a 180-degree change of emotions and positions in less than three weeks. During the debate on the Internal Security Ministry on Monday and Tuesday, these BN guys did a u-turn. They blamed us for “blowing up” the issue and claimed we have spoilt the relationship between China and Malaysia. They whacked us left, right, centre. I was particularly shocked to see the speech of Wan Junaidi, the Santubong MP. He and I are in the Parliament Select Committee in reviewing the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. When I first showed him the visual, he even suggested I show the clip to all members of the select committee and that the committee should discuss about the matter. During the debate on Tuesday, he stood up and scolded the DAP badly for blowing up the matter and hurt the country’s image.
The relationship between China and Malaysia has been affected not only because of the Squatgate scandal but also because of the illegal detention of the four Chinese woman by the police. The relationship between UMNO and DAP outside the Dewan Rakyat has also been affected. Those guys, in particular Wan Junaidi and Shabery Chik, are now avoiding me and avoiding talks about Squatgate. Shabery Chik, the Kemaman MP who was from Semangat 46, is sore over Kit Siang’s reference of being a “katak”. He felt Kit was out of line and was too personal. Kit had whacked him for singing different tunes now compared to when he was in Semangat 46. Kit called him an “intellectual eunuch” ( ha ha hah….way to go!) and said katak was trying to hop up the political ladder towards being a Parliamentary Secretary or deputy minister. He must have been very sore over it because he showed his sour face till the next day.
After the heated debate on Monday, early the next morning I saw Shabery complaining to Sharir at the Parliament lobby. Both of them asked me why Kit got so personal. I told Shabery that I did not agree with his speech either. In front of Shabery, I told Sharir not to send him to be the “bad boy” but keep him for academic or intellectual forums.
Yes, I am very disappointed with Shabery Chik after listening to some of his rather extreme racist remarks against Kit and the DAP. I have known Shabery Chik since 1991 when he was in Semangat 46. He is quite an intellectual and smart. Unfortunately, he cannot maintain his intellectual conscience, and he has to play to the gallery, play the role of “bad boy” in the Dewan Rakyat, with the hope that he can be accepted by UMNO’s inner circle. Kit’s criticism of Shabery was very hard, very clinical, and it is painful for Shabery because he played with fire and got burnt.
Among the many Umno chameleons, Nazri is till praise-worthy over the whole issue. This guy had to lie low after appearing together with the DAP MPs in his capacity as the Parliament Human Rights Caucus chairman. I believe he faced pressure from the BN back benchers for doing what he was supposed to do as caucus chief. I commend him for not changing his stand on police misconduct despite pressure from his Umno colleagues. When he was asked by the media whether I should be charged for showing the MMS clip to MPs, he defended me openly by saying that I was doing my job as a wakil rakyat.
I don’t understand why BN MPs cannot learn to leave political differences aside and look at the real issues. Why must they twist and turn the issue just because it was brought up by the DAP? Why don’t they focus on the 125 recommendations of the Royal Commission of police? Why must they turn this into a racial issue?
When the Human Rights Caucus (in the absence of Nazri) met with the Iranians who complained about the corruption of police, none of the Malay newspapers carried the story. Even The Star dared not carry it. Is this media self censorship or a political agenda by the media that’s ever so happy to project the DAP and I as Chinese chauvinists who only help the Chinese?
When debating the issue in internet forums and blogs, I have to frequently quote Makcik Nora’s case before it makes sense to those who view this on racial ground.
Many are confused and some intends to twist it into an issue about veracity of SOP.
I have reiterated on numerous occasions across the internet messageboards, the SOP is valid and legitimate only in “certain situations” such as detaining people who has the potential of causing great dangers such as the terrorists and people who are highly suspected of committing intolerable crimes such as drug trafficking/possession. There should be no way the ear-squat be applied on “ordinary detainees” like Makcik Nora who was forced to strip and ear-squats for hawking food by the roadside.
By agreeing with the SOP on harmless detainees like the food hawkers, tourists possessing valid travel documents and foreign students, they have already condemned ALL the detainees regardless of their situation as guilty.
I believe all media should highlight the plight of that Iranian student to balance out the growing of unhealthy perception.
The inconsistent stance of the BN MPs should also be made known to the public. The people need to see through their true colours!
I must say, I have grown to like DAP more as time passes!!
Comment by AdmiralChengHo — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 13: 28.18
Hi Teresa
I remember reading Najib telling the BN MPs not to contradict the government no matter what happens. Thus will come a time when the government says a cow has 3 legs, the UMNO MPs will say yes, yes.
These MPs are all hypocrites. They become MPs just for the money & privileges. Funny thing is they don’t feel shameful at all. I’m only sorry that you’ve to mix with these type of people.
Continue with your good work. Don’t bother with the opportunists. They make me puke.
Comment by cashanson — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 14: 09.13
these are the way BN do work. THe Spirit of BN. terrible. ceh.
Comment by khssim — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 14: 09.51
This time Nazri Aziz really amaze me. For the right reasons.
Thumbs up for Nazri Aziz for sticking to what is right although he had to keep his head low with the Iranians students.
Comment by carboncopy — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 14: 16.54
I do agree with many of the contributors to this blog that Nazri deserves praises for consistent stand on the issue. This is the principle-like stature of politicians we are looking at, politicians we can trust. For those who back-tracked, they are only fit for the trash bin.
Comment by Billy — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 15: 31.37
I have the highest of respect for you as an opposition politician BUT sometimes your lamentings demonstrate a degree of naiveness on your part. Do you in all HONESTY, expect the UMNO chappies to be sincere and objective in their blinkered views of anything? To them, whatever the subject, has to be viewed from a racial or Islamic perspective. They have to do this to thwart PAS, so as to be seen as being more Malay or more Islamic than the Malay ulamas or risk loosing votes from their own kind!
This issue of the nude “ear-squats” is so obviously an issue of human rights abuse irregardless who the victims are and yet some of them now choose to see it as a Chinese issue. So be it and let China take them to task for it
As a politician, let me advise you to go buy a copy of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and have a good read! Perhaps after that, you may begin to see things in a better perspective for that’s probably where the story of sheep followers arise!
Stick it in there, Teresa for we need brave and honourable people like you to champion the peoples’ rights and to high-light any wrong-doings by the powers-that-be.
I do not have the ability to make it as a politician but I will certainly be there to give you my vote and support. We do need a credible opposition amongst the sharks, abusers and chamelons(hic) in the political arena and we most certainly need more credible politicians like yourself.
Hang on in there!
Comment by kopimelaka — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 16: 39.05
Just pondering, who does the country the most damage? Cover up of allegations of police abuses and corruption as reported in the press,or the people who expose those alleged corruptors?
As has been reported, the MCA has first crack at the video clip,why did they not at least acknowlege that possible abuse might have taken place,instead of just keeping quiet?
“Kow Tow” mentality? Why the MCA came up with a’cock and bull” story after the fact?
Those Mps acted as if anyone who expose any bad news or wrong doings by our authorities are to be labeled “traitors or unpatriotic. Wonder how many coverups over the years and MCA in cahoots?
Maybe bad news like “MAS reported loss of ?millions of ringgit” should also carry with it,”don’t worry, the Gomen would provide soft loans?’
Comment by hawk — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 17: 07.39
I was disappointed not seeing any updates for a few days, so I thought you ponteng, but after reading your latest blogs I come away with the greatest respect for you after realising that you had been soooo busy. sorry for the misconception. you are not only pretty but also brainy, hardworking and fighting for a just and fair society. If you had been in BN I am quite sure you would have defected to the opposition long ago. Be strong in your conviction and keep bringing up such issues to force a change in the way the government and its departments are doing their work.
Comment by petyew — Thursday, 08-12-2005 @ 22: 39.33
I had a horrible dream last night. Since Government is adept in cover-up, it is offering RM100m ringgit worth of palm oil to the Chinese government for not pursuing the matter & saying nice things about us to the Chinese.
After all TDM had made a present of RM35m worth of timber to the Zimbabwe PM for his palace.
What is RM100m (taxpayers’ money, mah)?
Comment by cashanson — Friday, 09-12-2005 @ 16: 25.28
Did tourist arrivals from China drop BEFORE or AFTER you brought it up to the public? If before, then covering it up in Malaysia didn’t work; the Chinese already knew. If after, whom do you think did more damage to our nation’s image. The highlighting of the abuse or our erstwhile Deputy Minister?
Comment by banana — Friday, 09-12-2005 @ 19: 58.55
Hi Teresa!
Just remember one thing though, hypocricy is their trademark. Keep up the good work. You’re a gem and don’t let that vanish in thin air. Keep on exposing the irregularities within the administration for that’s the purpose you’re there. We can’t rely on them anymore. They’ve to toe the line, if not… you know what. Cari makan laaa!
Comment by Ibn Abd Halim — Saturday, 10-12-2005 @ 14: 42.49