Bugis bid for Bumi status opens ‘Pandora’s Box’

By Joe Fernandez

The Bugis call in Sabah in recent days for members of the community to be recognised as Bumiputera just as in Peninsular Malaysia has opened a new debate about an old problem, that is, how to extend the Bumiputera (son of the soil) umbrella term to as many Malaysians as possible in Sabah and elsewhere who are not Orang Asal (native).

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has been cited by wannabe Bumiputera among the Bugis in Sabah as the most famous member of their community who can still trace his roots to Sulawesi in Indonesia.

West Malaysian politics toying with Sabah

It’s common knowledge that Shafie dreams of becoming Sabah’s next chief minister and that Lajim who holds sway over westcoast Muslim in Sabah is an important ally for him. Rumours of Lajim quitting Umno began last year and was as quickly “settled” when another speculation broke that Shafie, who is Rural Development Minister, had appeased Lajim with a RM150 million road project.  

WIKISABAH

It’s finally arrived, the official announcement that Sabah Barisan Nasional MPs Lajim Ukin and Wilfred Bumburing have quit the coalition.

Lajim, who announced his withdrawal in front of 500 people at Kampung Bukit Kallam on July 18, said: “I will sacrifice my RM20,000 monthly pay and perks as a minister for my struggle to uphold Sabah’s rights and fight corruption and cronyism.”

Buy the election, not by-election

Dr Jeffrey is quite upset that Anwar is currently engaged in negotiations with a few Barisan Nasional leaders about the possibility of them jumping after the next general election. This would mean the opposition would have to ‘give way’ to these people and allow them to win the elections. That would be one issue. The second would be: what if after they win they change their minds and decide not to jump after all because Barisan Nasional has counter-offered a higher price?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The Federal Hotel in Kuala Lumpur was the first international-class hotel to be built in Malaysia -- then called the Federation of Malaya. It was, in fact, built purposely for the Merdeka (Independence) celebrations and opened for business just three days before Merdeka of 31st August 1957. 

It was said that Low Yat, a rags-to-riches junk dealer turned millionaire, built the hotel at the request of the First Prime Minister of independent Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Stories were told about how Yow Yat used to cycle around Kuala Lumpur collecting old bottles, and thereafter made his millions from his humble beginnings. 

An independent report by Morgan Stanley economist on corrupt Malaysia

A Morgan Stanley economist estimated Malaysia lost US$100 billions, that is equivalent to RM300 billions (not millions) to corruption. Time Magazine quoted this economist at Morgan Stanley in Singapore as saying that the country might have lost as much as US$100 billion since the early 1980s or the period since Mahathir came to power. FYI, RM300 billion = 300,000, 000 million. A  stupendous sum that is at the same time, mind-numbing.

 

A. The staggering losses accumulated over the years since Mahathir's era till now are as follows: Perwaja RM10 billion. Forex fiasco in early 90s RM30 billion. mid-80s Maminco scandal RM1.6 billion. Incessant Bank Bumiputra Scandals RM10 billion. STAR-LRT bailout RM3.256

billion. RM38.5 billion compensation to UMNO-linked highway companies. KL City-wide Putra transport system RM4.486 billion. PKFZ 12 billion. Bank Islam RM700 million. MV Agusta & Proton RM 348 million. Wang ehsan, oil royalty for Terengganu RM7.4 billion. Even KLCC Twin Towers Philharmonic Orchestra swallowed a total of RM500 million. Bailouts of Malaysia Airline

Kampung Berembang Struggle : The Story of Malaysian Unity

Kampung Berembang receiving their keys to their new house in Berembang Indah from the Selangor Menteri Besar on 18/7/2012 at 3pm was the email from a fellow comrade who said that the Chairperson of the Berembang committee has sent a sms inviting us. This message immediately stirred my memories on the various fights and confrontations we had in Kampung Berembang since end of 2006 -2007 to defend the houses of the urban settlers there. A struggle and fight that united various people from different backgrounds and ethnicities to defend the houses of the poor and oppressed.