NCCPF proposal draws more questions

Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Razak's call to set up the National Consultative Committee on Political Funding (NCCPF) at this point of time is like worshipping the sun (heliolatry) after becoming blind.

The question about RM2.6 billions deposited into Najib's bank account  has not been satisfactorily answered. Leaving aside, for the time being the real source of the money, there has not been any satisfactory explanation as to:

*how much of that money was spent;
** for what purpose it was spent;

*** what was the balance that was in the account before it was closed;

**** and what happened to the balance money and what was its destination.

These are not difficult questions to answer and the people are entitled to the answers as they are the ones who trusted him and his party to rule the country minus corruption and void of questionable issues.

The people are also concerned as to the source of the RM2.6 billions. It is said that the fund is from a  MiddleEast source. 

Why did he or they make such a huge donation? What was his or their aim to donate such a hefty sum?.What sort of interest does the donor have in Malaysia that prompted the huge donation? What guarantee is there that this money which found its way into Najib's account is not tainted with some illegality or is not the fruits of crime committed somewhere.

When all these questions remain unanswered the initiative to set up a committee to work on the rules relating political funding will only be viewed as a clever attempt to digress from the RM2.6 billion issue and the related unanswered questions.

Political Donation in Najib’s Personal Bank Account?

Political Donation in Najib’s Personal Bank Account?

By K.Siladass

            The plethora of excuses that are now offered in regard to the huge amount deposited in the personal account of the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Razak do not satiate the troubled Malaysians. These excuses indeed raise far more profound questions which call for acceptable answers.

            Firstly, if it is a political fund as it is now claimed why was it not disclosed earlier? Aside that, why is this childish challenge to the opposition that they disclose their donors before you disclose yours? A leader leads by example. He is a role model to be emulated and the challenge to the opposition is not a prudent move.

            Secondly, it is not the opposition alone to whom Najib is answerable. He is also answerable to all Malaysians and to those who truly and sincerely love Malaysia and have its welfare at heart.

            Thirdly, it is now claimed that the money deposited in Najib’s personal bank account was, in fact, a political donation. Was this fact revealed to the UMNO Supreme Council members? If such a disclosure had been made, then why was Muhyiddin Yassin querying about it after The Edge had published about the huge deposit? If the disclosure had been properly made to the Supreme Council, it was unnecessary for all the accusations and counter-accusations to then surface. This seems to indicate that the Supreme Council members were unaware of the deposit in Najib’s bank account. Even if what now as claimed i.e. the huge deposit in Najib’s account was a political donation, it was unnecessary to call in MACC to investigate the deposit in Najib’s personal account. The explanations and new versions do not help Najib’s cause. 

            Fourthly, was Bank Negara informed of this colossal deposit? If not, why was the omission? On the other hand, if there was any notification to Bank Negara what was its response then? Was the donor identified to Bank Negara? Did Bank Negara accept Najib’s explanation? Was the purpose and objective of this huge donation disclosed to Bank Negara? If there had been proper disclosure then Bank Negara is under a duty to disclose the purpose. On the other hand, if there had been no proper disclosure what action did Bank Negara take against the bank in which the billions were deposited?

            Fifthly, how were the billions in Najib’s personal bank account disbursed and to whom? If the billions were spent during the country’s 13^th General Election as alleged, then would it not be in violation of the country’s election laws because there is a ceiling as far as election expenses are concerned. In such a case what action would the Election Commission take?

            Another point Najib is canvassing is that perception is substituting the truth. This line of argument will not take Najib far. One important thing Najib has to appreciate is that when certain facts are self-evident or are alleged to exist those who are answerable should explain to prevent negative inferences. What is in issue is not the perception of the truth but the omission to disclose the truth. What the Malaysians and the whole world have before them is an explanation from Najib and his supporters which do not help prevent negative inferences.

FOREIGN MUSLIMS & SYARIAH

A foreign Muslim seems to be immune to all the Syariah laws that are applied against Muslims in this Country. For instance, (khalwat) proximity between Muslim and non-Muslim is an offence. Many people, from ordinary to law makers and enforcement officers have had been hauled before Syariah courts for their amorous activity within the four-walls away from the public eye. But, a foreigner, a Muslim, who had lived with a non-Muslim and had a child by such a relation in this country, Syariah seems hesitant to act.

If it was a Malaysian Muslim, the Islamic Religious Department would have acted like speed of wind to haul the Muslim man (or woman) for breaching the Syariah law. It would not end there, for the Islamic Religious Department would try to snatch the baby born out of wedlock between a male Muslim and non-Muslim female as it must be treated as a Muslim, so goes the argument.

Is it the contention of Malaysian Syariah law that its powers only extend to Malaysian Muslims living in this country but not to foreign Muslims? In other words, no action can be taken against foreign Muslims living in this country notwithstanding their flagrant violation of Syariah laws. And the foreign Muslim seeking remedy from his (her) lover whether it be a Muslim or otherwise could do so in the civil court, but which remedy is not available to local Muslims.

K.Siladass

BAT TOWN PROJECT

(speech delivered by K.Siladass to officiate this event on 22^nd December 2013)

I am very delighted that a group of youngsters from Kluang have shown immense creativity in thought and action by organising this Bat Town Project. These youngsters of Kluang have shown that there is always a correct way in life and pursue that course to better and reach greater heights. A very thoughtful attitude and approach at a very young age.

It is not an exaggeration if I were to say that we see youths in great numbers who have lost their way and found themselves in activities which are socially and legally incorrect. The organizers of this event have shown, given a chance their energies individually and jointly could be directed to activities which could benefit the society, and the country as a whole.

By dedicating their energy in re-discovering Kluang, I believe it is the first step in right direction to acquire more knowledge and bring it to the notice of the whole Malaysia and the world. History is all about the past. Sometimes history is lost under the weight of ignorance and disinclination to know and understand the past. These children are indeed reminding us of the necessity to understand, appreciate and treasure the past. I am confident that other towns would emulate our young organisers.

When I first came to this town in the mid-fifties I was just
passing by which was forced upon me. The train service between Labis and the south had been interrupted because of derailment caused by terrorist activities. We had to travel in military truck from Labis to Kluang and here I had to take a cab. At that time it was a small town
surrounded with many plantations of rubber trees. When passing by it did not strike me I will return to Kluang one day.

However, a few years later, may be at the end of 1957 I returned to Kluang and not long after that I began to work as clerk in a law firm along Jalan Ismail. I am told by the organisers of this event that they have begun their discovery along Jalan Ismail.

It is in No. 19, Jalan Ismail, I first met the late Chelvasingham McIntyre, who was then the High Commissioner for India. Before entering the diplomatic services, McIntyre was an active lawyer with an office in Kluang and that too at Jalan Ismail. McIntyre would, in later years, become the judge of the High Court in Malaya and the Federal Court. He also served as the head of the Industrial Tribunal.

It is at No. 19, Jalan Ismail, I began my legal career.

Along the same road, just beside the Chinese School there was a law firm of M.P.D. Nair & Co. M.P.D Nair was a prominent politician in Singapore and he had also served as a Minister in the Labour Front Government in the
mid-fifties.

Jalan Ismail is noted for its other important occupant. Dr. Wee Lee Fong, my friend, practised medicine on one of the premises along Jalan Ismail. Dr. Wee Lee Fong, a soft spoken medical practitioner, was the Secretary-General of the Labour Party of Malaya and a very fiery speaker.

I left Kluang in the late fifties and returned in July 1964 and continued as a legal clerk at 12, Jalan Lambak, Kluang. Once again I left Kluang in the early seventies to read law. My law firm began the practice on the same premises in 1987 and continues to be there. The number of premises had changed but not the structure.

Perhaps the youngsters who have boldly ventured into this marvellous project must also give impetus to nature and beautify the town. Nature by itself is beautiful and let us not destroy it. It is nature which gives us the encouragement to see things in better perspective. Nature is a great artist and we all derive our inspiration from it. So let us not destroy it. Gunung Lambak is a natural beauty providing immense rich scenes in the mornings and evenings when lights add further glamour to the town. Another important feature we need to acknowledge is the significant role played by Kluang Rail which had its humble beginning at Kluang Railway Station in 1938, and the aroma of its coffee has spread throughout the country. There are many out of Kluang who express their enthusiasm to visit Kluang just to taste the rail coffee.

One of the direct descendants of the founder of Kluang Railway Station Coffee Shop, Mr. Jack Lim, still holds the family tradition and had indeed spread the aroma of rail coffee to various places in Kluang itself. Kluang Rail has become synonymous with Kluang Town.   

I wish the organisers the best in their endeavour and I am confident they will succeed. And I am also confident that the citizens of Kluang will wholeheartedly support this project and the organisers.

These are the youths with whom the future of Malaysia is destined. And I am confident that these youngsters are the symbol of the future with dynamic mind and dynamic future.

I am glad and honoured to declare open this worthwhile project.

MANDELA A BEACON FOR MALAYSIA

K. Siladass

The sad news that Nelson Mandela had become part of nature would bring sadness to those who had vigorously opposed racism, religious fanaticism and views based on colour of the skin and continue to do so. When the minority white regime in South Africa practised apartheid thus suppressing and oppressing the basic rights and dignity of the majority black race Mandela fought against it and for that he was incarcerated for more than a quarter of a century.

Upon his release from prison, considering the welfare of South Africa and the people he sowed the seed of reconciliation and found oneness in the people and in South Africa.

It is said that at one time when the South African Constitutional court declared that a law approved by Mandela, when he was President was a nullity, he instructed his legal advisers that the court’s decision should be followed. This illustrates the respect he had for justice. He did not condemn those (judges) who nullified his legislation, and his acceptance of the verdict brings out the magnanimity that resided within him. He believed in justice and justice can only mean that it is for all.

Unlike those, who, once having achieved power refused to let it go this Nobel prize la ureate served as President of South Africa only once and retired, spending the rest of his life serving the country and the people. He showed the world that political power is not the only means by which good things can be done.

The most important treasure Mandela had bequeathed to the human race is his ever oozing humane consideration. Although he was deprived of liberty at a young age by forces which implemented racist policies, but upon attaining freedom he did not show any animosity or hatred towards the minority white race which was instrumental to those ignominious laws: instead, he brought them into his fold and showed the world all can live happily as one family. This is a lesson to racists and religious fanatics.

Should Malaysia follow Mandela’s broad minded, meaningful and  useful approach it can achieve national reconciliation. On the world stage Malaysia claims to be a modern country. This is not enough, it must have the political will to declare and implement laws to show that there is no place for racism or religious fanaticism in this land of multiple races, religions and cultures.

It is no use crying over Mandela’s death or giving lip service to racial and religious understanding. Would his sacrifice and devotion to peace and human understanding be respected and his efforts carried on? Looking from that point of view one could say in a multi-racial, and multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia Mandela can be a beacon.

                           

Mandela is a time which had merged with nature. Memories remain. His work and his thoughts towards a better human relationship must continue. If the human race could continue that journey of Mandela that would be the greatest respect the human race can show Nelson Mandela.  

Dated: 11.12.2013