After 3 false starts, the takeover is now a non-starter. I hope this doesn’t stop the Government from continuing the offer for the fuel rebates though. What with oil prices coming down, they might just do a change of mind and cut the rebate. I haven’t renewed my road tax and car insurance yet. Its only due in December. ARGH!!!!

And its a slap on the wrist as I expected. (read here)

3 years suspension is nothing for breaking down 51 years (or more) of racial harmony.

Worse still are the following statements:-

After stopping 10 busloads of his supporters on their way to the Putra World Trade Centre where the supreme council meeting was held, Ahmad said he would not retract his statements, but urged his supporters and all Malays to remain calm.

At a press conference, he said he accepted Umno supreme council’s decision to suspend him, but added he would “make a comeback.”

He accused Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon of “raising temperatures” on the issue of race relations.

Still unrepentant, still thinking he’s upholding the integrity of the race at the expense of others, still in denial, still blaming others for his own wrongdoing.

This other statement by the PM makes me mad though:-

Abdullah told a press conference after the meeting that the Cabinet at its meeting Wednesday also discussed racial relations in the country.

“The Cabinet feels that racial tension may arise if sensitive issues are raised. The Cabinet has ordered ministries with laws pertaining to this to enforce them.

“If it is necessary, the ISA may be used on those who stoke racial tension,” he added.

So, they are saying they can and may use the ISA on the likes of Raja Petra Kamaruddin but will let Ahmad get away scot free with a little flick of the wrist.

Oh and what about this:-

Abdullah also told Barisan Nasional component parties to be firm and take disciplinary action on their members, who also made statements that stoked racial sentiments.

Hmm… who else but UMNO has done this recently? Who dares questions the rights of the Malays at the risk of having the keris thrust in their guts? Ooh i quake and shiver at the thought of any brave soul who dares risk that.

I’m predicting this little slap on the wrist will not ease the tension between races but will only further drive a wedge. Now, I want to see what will the police do. Will they be like lambs and obey the shepherd, closing their file? Or will they take the matter to court?

Lets watch the drama that unfolds.

1. During the campaigning for the Permatang Pauh by-election won by Anwar, Ahmad Ismail was alleged to have said that the Chinese community were “immigrants who do not deserve equal rights” (source)
2. A furore blew up and Chinese leaders were upset and called for an apology (source)
3. Police reports were lodged (source and source)
4. PM said Ahmad did not mean it and that he will tell him not to do it again (source and source)
5. Ahmad Ismail went off the radar and could not be reached for comment even by PM (source and source)
6. Najib apologised on behalf of UMNO for the comment and said it was not the party’s stand and Nazri says there’s nothing wrong in saying sorry (source and source)
7. Ahmad Ismail gives police statement
8. Ahmad Ismail said he was misquoted by the press and asked for an apology (source)
9. Gerakan is vocal on this issue of alleged racial statements (source) and the newspapers stand by the story (source and source and source)
10. Police complete probe into alleged sedition remarks (source)
11. Ahmad calls for Gerakan to be expelled from BN (source)

I’m waiting to see what is the reaction to this latest statement. Will action be taken? Will this shake the coalition? Will this mean September 16 is becoming a reality?

As a citizen I am only worried about my safety especially after statements yesterday about supporters taking to the streets. I’m worried that no action will be taken and that culture of hooliganism will permeate, after seeing the actions of the supporters on tv tearing up posters with glee.

Dr. Mahathir, for anyone unfamiliar with the name, is Malaysia’s 4th and former Prime Minister. He’s nudging 84 years and going strong. I don’t deny that he had wronged many but I grew up in his era and I think Malaysia was the strongest it had ever been under his rule. We weathered the currency crisis and economic crisis of 1997 and we came out the other side.

When he handed over the reins of power, we saw everything slide downhill.

I’ve always been respectful of this man. I love listening to his speeches and reading his writings. He is so educated and lucid – such a sharp contrast to the present premier.

So, I am happy that he is now blogging! Tun. Dr. Mahathir – blogging! I hope his is a personal venture, not just some ghost writer. So many politicians have set up blogs – Khir Toyo and his blog, Dr. Chua Soi Lek and his blog, but they are all just glorifying their past deeds and parroting news reports. They aren’t written as a blog, but as a compilation of press releases.  I will be keeping an eye on Che Det’s blog from now! I’m sure he has lots to say

Dr. Khir Toyo was the previous Chief Minister of Selangor until the state fell to the Opposition party after the elections.

Apparently, in the drama that followed, Balkis, an association set up by the wives of the state exco set about to dissolve the association and purported to transfer RM9m to Bakti, the association set up for the wives of the Federal Ministers.

Dr. Khir’s wife said that it was so that the money would not fall into the hands of the opposition party because it was meant for orphans and the underprivileged.

If you ask me, I say it makes no sense whatsoever.

I don’t know what these BN people think but the Opposition party is hardly a monster devouring all the money in their way. In fact, I’d say that describes the BN to a T. They see money and they have to find ways to spend it or take it for themselves.

In any event, I do not see why the association must be disbanded. If it is to consist of the wives of the MB and the Exco then it should continue whoever the party in power is.

I don’t know if this is corruption or if its just yet another example of sour grapes. But if you ask me, I’m absolutely SICK of all this drama with the BN and Opposition parties. Lets all move on already!

Other countries can do it, why can’t we?!

The Opposition has no experience running a government. PAS may have because they have been running Kelantan for so many years now. So, administering Kedah may not be much different. However, the DAP has never formed a government and they have now to do so with PKR and PAS. The DAP will be helming Penang as they have the majority of seats there. I think it will be interesting to see what happens. Everyone needs a first time and if this is the start of a DAP stronghold in Penang, so be it! I believe that so long as the economy isn’t affected and people’s lives go back to normal, no one will really object. It is only when development stops and economy drops that people start getting concerned.

Selangor will be another interesting state because it was a surprise win for the Opposition. I don’t think anyone really saw it coming.

The thing to note is that Penang and Selangor are both industry rich states. There is a large potential for money to be made and this might enrich the coffers of the Opposition parties to assist them in the next election. All that said, with the level of corruption and the shoddy way Selangor has been run under the past Government, it might be high time for a change to happen.

The most interesting question I think, is whether the Opposition can put aside their difference long enough to be an effective state government. The opposition parties are separate. They have never been a coalition – previous attempts failed mainly due to different ideologies. So, will thye be able to pull together now to be effective? Time will tell.

The only thing I can say is that it will be a difficult 4 years to come. There will be much in fighting in Parliament and between the Federal Government and the State Governments. However, it will be a good lesson for us all.

Malaysia has never known any other government than the BN. So, this will be trying times. Will it be good or will it be bad? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure – Parliament sessions will be much more interesting now, with a stronger opposition. Perhaps we might even be moving towards a bipartisan government. That would be true maturity.

Or it might all be a disaster and the people will return the BN to full power again in 4 years. We’ll see.