Monday, July 7, 2008

Now I'm Even More Fed-Up!




OK, that's it! This time I'm really fed-up. For the next few days I'll really try not to blog about politics, unless it's some earth-shattering news.

First, you have the Private Investigator making a Statutory Declaration (SD) saying that the Deputy Prime Minister had a sexual relationship with the murdered Mongolian model. The very next day, he made another SD to retract what he said earlier; then went missing.

Next, you have the bombshell dropped by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) about 3 weeks ago saying that its MPs would move a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister in Parliament the following week for "failure to solve Sabah's problems and the fuel price hike." Sabahans became excited. At last there was a local BN component party which dared to stand up for them, or so it seemed. It reminded them of the then newly-formed Berjaya party (1975) and the infant PBS (1985). Suddenly there was fresh air and new hope. Overnight, despite being a BN party, SAPP became the new Berjaya or PBS and its president Yong Teck Lee was the new hero in the eyes of Sabahans, just like Harris in 1975 Pairin in 1985.

Yong's bombshell statement was endorsed by SAPP's supreme council 3 days after his first press conference. In the top picture, Yong (left) is seen with his deputy Raymond Tan (right) with Tawau MP Dr Chua Soon Bui just before the 2nd press conference to announce the endorsement despite BN's warning. Yong also said then that SAPP was prepared for whatever consequences, including being kicked out of BN. (For the record, Tan did not stay for the press conference.)

When Parliament sat the following Monday, nothing happened. SAPP's two MPs were not even there. The reason, according to SAPP, was that the duo had received death threats and were recalled to party headquarters for consultations.

One of the MPs, Eric Majimbun, started attending Parliament last week but still nothing happened. He kept a low profile, giving no press interviews.

The other MP, Dr Chua Soon Bui, finally showed up today as the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House) enters its 3rd week of sitting. She said she had been on sick leave.

She paid 'courtesy calls' on the Speaker, Pandikar Amin (a Sabahan) and the Minister-in-charge of Parliament, Nazri Aziz. (See lower picture, above.)

The Doctor-of-Philosophy degree holder also spoke to the press who surrounded her as soon as they realised her presence. That was when she dropped another bombshell: "Motion of no-confidence against PM no longer on agenda of SAPP and that the party never intended to leave the BN!".

Among the reasons she gave was that SAPP dos not want to be blamed in the event of unexpected consequences affecting the public such as the declaration of a state of emergency in the country which also means emergency rule for an indefinite period. She added the PM also seemed to be doing something about Sabah's problem including the illegal immigrants issue. Malaysians already 'tasted' emergency rule after the 1969 racial riots.

The possibility of emergency rule (in which case the Constitution would be suspended and Parliament ceases to function) was first touched upon by SAPP president Yong Teck Lee when he spoke to the Press at Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu yesterday. He said talks or even hints of such a possibility worried SAPP. Dr Chua was with him.

To be fair, I leave it to my readers or visitors to judge for themselves. But just like many Malaysians including popular blogger Ahiruddin Attan (Rocky's Bru), I am confused or, to borrow Sunday Star's headline, Simply Fed-Up.

In two days, Malaysians have seen as many unbelievable 'about-turns'. I wonder what's up next?

Good night. I'm mentally tired because of all the confusion caused. Better get some sleep.

1 comment:

Bob K said...

That's why some of us opt not to get our news from the mainstream media exclusively. Multiple sources are required to check the facts.

The Tawau MP was recorded to have said that SAPP won't be tackling the issue of the vote of no confidence for the moment .. at least according to Malaysiakini.

I think I can understand why. The threat of the suspension of Parliament and the Constitution is very real. That could be the main reason why even the Pakatan Rakyat parties are playing it very carefully now (moving the PROTES gathering to a stadium, asking people to not demonstrate on the streets, etc).

Just my 2 sen.