Shahrir quits as BBC chief in a huff
Thursday, 04-05-2006http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/50588
Shahrir quits as BBC chief in a huff
May 4, 06 11:56am
Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad announced his
resignation abruptly outside Parliament this morning.
Earlier, Shahrir who is also Johor Bahru MP, had walked out of the House
after his fellow backbenchers did not join him in supporting Opposition
Leader Lim Kit Siang’s motion to refer a member of parliament to the
privileges committee.
The MP concerned, whose identity was not disclosed, was reported to have
allegedly asked the Customs and Excise department to ‘close one eye’ in a
case involving the import of illegal sawn timber in Malacca.
According to a report in New Straits Times today, the MP was said to have
gone to the Malacca Customs Office last month to ask the department showed
leniency for a company which had imported sawn timber in breach of regulations.
The company had tried to bring in sawn timber with a cross-section of more
than 60 inches when only timber below such measurement is allowed into the
country.
The report said that Custom officials had rejected the MP’s request, seized
the consignment of timber and fined the errant company.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/50588
I salute Shahrir Abdul Samad and the customs office on this case. For once we can see a case of honourable resignation in Malaysian politics.
Are the other BBC members trying to protect the wronged MP, since Customs Department has refused to entertained his request?
What is their justification of not supporting the notion?
Clearly they do not want to be seen to be in line with the opposition. Such that it is ok for the opposition to agree with the government (not builing the bridge)but die die anyone cannot from BN government to agree anything with the opposition, like for example, if birds can fly.
So does it mean that if there is a case of miscarriage of justice that is exposed by the opposition then the administration will refuse the recourse, regardless of the fairness of the matter?
Now we shall see if the PM walk his talk. This is serious enough to warranr his attention. Let’s see whether he will discipline this MP or not. My money is on the conclusion that no further action will be taken.
Comment by lee wee tak_ — Thursday, 04-05-2006 @ 16: 24.55
According to this report http://www.malaysia-today.net/blog/2006/05/shahrir-samad-mahu-letak-jawatan.htm
Sharir only express his intention to resign.
A wrong is wrong no mater who commts the act but then BN has the habit of protecting its own kind. All of them have skeletons in the closet so it is logical they protect one another.
Resignation is the only honourable thing to do under the circumstances. Tell me, how is the government going to conbat corruption when such is the attitude of BN reps?
If it was a PAS MP who was involved they will cry for his blood.
Remember even Rahim Thaby Chick was protected of an even more serious crime.
Comment by Libra3 — Thursday, 04-05-2006 @ 16: 38.27
Kudos Shahrir. Shame on the rest of you BBC members! Shame on you Najib if you don’t exercise your whip!
Comment by firehawk — Thursday, 04-05-2006 @ 18: 49.56
Yes wee tak, I agree. There will be no action taken.
Ms Kok, get DAP to snap up Shahrir, and you get my vote.
Comment by pemerhati_msia — Thursday, 04-05-2006 @ 20: 21.45
I fully support the action taken by Shahrir to step down as the BBC Chairman.This will serve as a wake up call to the bunch of yes man and no guts BN MP not to toe blindly on any issue raised by the Opposition.Bravo Shahrir.
Comment by yeahwho — Thursday, 04-05-2006 @ 23: 11.57
By the time you read this comment, you would know that Jasin MP, Mohd Said, has come and admit he is the ONE.
Wow, another precedent. Why does he do that?
1) he has a conscience (wow)
2) he thinks he is protected and not worried about coming out (ok, plausible)
3) he thinks hornesty is the best policy and this will get him re-elected (yeah, candy grews on trees)
4) he thinks Pak Lah would do nothing, just like the police chief, there is no repercussion on an outburst. (what say you, oh our beloved PM?)
The rest of the BN backbenchers, and the Sun quoted Raja Ahmad Zainuddin (Larut) and Datuk Mohamad Aziz (Sri Gading) were especially against Unle Kit’s motion,really baffles me.
It looked to me as defending against the undefendable. Then again, this administration is littered with blatant wrongs unpunished (IGP against IPCMC, collapsing bridges and no culprit identified, no open tender for custom building) , it would be interesting to see what will unfold next.
No wonder the parliment procession cannot be live telecast! Imagine if I taped it and re-run this in 2008!
Thanks Pemerhati_malaysia for your agreement.
Comment by lee wee tak_ — Friday, 05-05-2006 @ 07: 34.03
In order for a society to progress and advance, there must be some principle values that shall not evolve by time, change of government, policy or whatsoever. These principle values shall be the guide for betterment of everyone in the society. Some of the core principle values, inter alia, like morality, justice and what is right and wrong should be upheld no matter which side of the fence one stands i.e BN or Opposition. This is what I want to see in our MP. There are the people that legislate and the mould the Dewan Rakyat. I understand if one is a minister he/she would need to take side because they have a master to serve. However, when you are a voted MP, your master shall be guided by your conscience , the core principle values of life and society and your object shall be for collateral good rather than individual right. When all our MPs have such attribute, that is when Malaysia will prosper and become a better nation.
Comment by seequa — Sunday, 07-05-2006 @ 21: 21.00