SYARIAH COURT HEARS MORE DIVORCE CASES, MOSTLY MESSY, NASTY & UGLY

Who said marriage is made in heaven? With the greater number of couples terminating their wedding vows each year in Malaysia, its clear that divorce rates especially among muslim couples is on a rise during this past two years or so although the manner to divorce among muslims by syariah law to accepts a divorce, the man need to state once, twice or three times "I divorce you" to his wife in the presence of an another adult. Currently, even mobile phone text messages saying "I divorce you" sent to the wife seem to be entertained by certain quarters. Statitics reveals that last year alone, 15,000 muslim couples terminated their marriages compared to their non- muslim counterparts (the chinese and indians) of about 3,000. It was also revealed that divorce is turning uglier and becoming more public. Couples who are parting are resorting to reveal to the public their bedroom secrets. But the main reasons among most couples is, no other than MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. It is also felt that during these recent years, the figure had been increasing termendously and family lawyers are stating that divorce cases are becoming very messy and 'dirty'.

A marriage is termed as a partnership between two individuals, a male and a female. If one finds their partnership is not working out as expected, a break is eminent, which is called a divorce. That is what, one ought to do. Then, you need to seek a new life partner who would be more compatible with one another or remain single. But, whatever said, it is far better to try to reconcile the differences and save the existing marriage. If only reconciliation really fails, it is far better to divorce, but do it amicably and gracefully.

An on-going case that is receiving wide news coverage involves Dr Rozita Halina Hussein, the daughter of our former prime minister Tun Hussein Onn, with Dr Shafiq Sit Abdullah. After 15 years of marriage, Dr. Rozita filed for a divorce sometime in 2003. Both sides had very ugly accusations against each other, such as allegations of infidelity, of faking illnesses and of disregarding parental duty which had been bandied at the Syariah Court. By the sound of it, the trail of acrimony could continue when the court hearing continues this coming monday. While the rest of the Malaysian divorces are not making it into the print media, things are still pretty nasty out there in a divorce court.

Syariah lawyers claim that couples go to great lengths to humilate each other in court, by making false accusations or to the extend of hiring someone to admit having an affair with the other partner and these are committed by the rich, who have millions in their bank accounts and many valuable properties, and the parting partner would claim a stake on these assets. The greater their assets, the uglier and nastier the divorce proceeding would turn out to be. Usually in these sort of cases, the husband would have had a second marriage with a younger woman. In seeking revenge, the first wife will stake a claim for everything and would go to such extends to do anything to succeed in her claims. The fight will be over nafkah (maintenance) for their children, custody of the children, the properties and payment of mutaah (compensation) to the wife. There was an instance where the woman had a self-inflicted bruises on her face and lodged a police report claiming her husband had abused her, but on further examination by the trial judge, it was revealed that her husband was actually outstation. There were instances where the husband would have hired someone to admit that he was having an affair with his wife and likewise, the wife would have engaged some other woman to admit that she is the husband's mistress.

Another issue of contention is the payment of mutaah or compensation to the wife. The wife can ask for anything from RM100 to millions of ringgit. The amount will depend on the wife’s status, her contribution to the family and the husband’s capability. However, the decision on the amount will be decided by the court. Under the Islamic Family Law, mutaah cannot be awarded if the wife is an adulterer, leads a wild lifestyle or is an unfit mother. The husband will find ways to make the wife look bad to ensure that he does not have to pay.

But there are circumstances where divorce cases among middle income earners are usually solved amicably unless there is interference from a third party. The third party being parents, siblings, relatives and friends from either side. More often than not, the couple would rather listen to these people than to their lawyers. Especially when it comes to custody of the children and division of the matrimonial assets (harta sepencarian). In illustration there was a case where the parents-in-law made up stories about the husband, accusing him of abusing and neglecting his wife and children and not supporting them financially.Usually family lawyers would advise their clients about the consequences of lying in court, but some of them refuse to listen and do things their way without telling them, and these lawyers are caught by surprise by their actions.

While in the civil court, between 30 and 40 divorce cases are heard weekly in Kuala Lumpur. The intention of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 which came into force in March 1982 was to make divorces less contentious. The concept of "consent divorces" (joint petition for divorce by mutual consent) was introduced where the law tries to encourage couples to reach a settlement on all issues with the intention of a removal of fault (blaming the other party for the breakdown of marriage). It doesn’t matter whose fault it is since the marriage is no longer there, but one of the requirements of a "consent divorce" is proof that the marriage has irretrievably broken down using facts such as adultery and unreasonable behaviour, which are faults, so in effect, the legislation had not done away with the concept of fault in divorces.

Lawyers involved say that whether couples had an amicable divorce or not depended on the parties involved. If both parties have the objective of keeping things amicable, then it will be easy. Usually problems arose if one or both parties went into court looking for absolute justice for themselves only and not a resolution of the dispute. Parties must go to court with a greater objective in mind, and that includes considering the interest of the children, as they are the prime victims of any divorce.

There are three issues that could make divorces contentious, firstly about division of property. If the stakes are high in terms of property division or amount of asset that they have, then it has the potential to get ugly. Usually when property is large, then people start throwing in other issues to embarrass the other party.

The next issues are children and the inability of one party to let go of the other.Usually it’s the woman who has a problem of letting go, because she feels that she had invested so much in their marriage like "She’s made him into the man he is, and suddenly now he wants to go off to be with a pretty young thing, to enjoy the fruits of years of building up their fortune. Whereas they could have been very poor in the beginning. So she won’t give up so easily."

Some divorces start out contentious, but may eventually end up with a settlement based on what would be the best for both parties. Sometimes to avoid a long-standing trial, parties may use certain formulas based on existing cases on how division is arrived at.

Lawyers who frequently handled divorce cases cited that the couples fought over custody of the children or property.Then there are the cases where things get ugly after the divorce. This is when their ex-husband defaults on child maintenance, and it’s usually not because he cannot afford to pay but he just refuses to pay. If the wife wants custody of the children, she should deal with the finances. The ex-husbands look at maintenance as enriching the wives. They think it’s their wives who suffer but it’s actually the children.

WHY UMNO SUPREME COUNCIL DECIDED TO DEFER POLLS

It was announced yesterday evening that the UMNO Supreme Council had decided to postpone holding their party elections by 18 months to March 2009, purportly to concentrate on the coming general elections. The UMNO Supreme Council had done this during the previous ocassions in 1999 and 2004, to defer their party polls to concentrate on the general elections. But this time, it seems very suspicious that the main motive is the general elections. Insiders reveal that since former premier and past president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is on a warpath with PM Abdullah, PM Abdullah need to retain these powerful positions to counter-attack Tun Dr Mahathir. It is very obvious that followers only support the powerful and even Tun Dr Mahathir himself had admitted that his crusade is fought by himself alone currently although previously when he was the 'power man', he had a string of people to assist him, even 'kiss his hands' frequently. It is learnt that PM Abdullah has the support of a good group of people to assist him in his trail, since he is currently holding that powerful positions. This could be the main reason for defering the party polls. Being the president of UMNO, he remains as prime minister. Although with the current in-fighting, the Barisan Nasional seems to be of having a poor record, since alot of 'dirt' seems to be exposed, more expected in the days to come, especially with dealings directly linked to PM Abdullah and his family. It seems that from this move, there is more trouble ahead to come. PM Abdullah is fully aware that Tun Dr Mahathir has documentary evidence to justify his allegations and as everyone knows, people tend to believe proof rather than a mere word. Although PM Abdullah is not an angel himself, but may have been force to commit these allegations to show he supports the calls of his family. But PM Abdullah need to realise that his enemy is a great 'actor' who could mesmerize his audicence and PM Abdullah have to be really cautious of his moves. Tun Dr Mahathir had done these things in the past to many leaders like Musa Hitam, Anwar Ibrahim, Daim Zainuddin, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and others. So he knows what to do and when to do it too.

If PM Abdullah is unable to contain his current situation, the likelihood would be that he will team-up with former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Tun Dr Mahathir will be forced to concede once such a move by PM Abdullah is taken, since Anwar will go all out to smear the reputation of Tun Dr Mahathir and finish Tun Dr Mahathir and his legacy. But PM Abdullah knows that Anwar is not an angel too. PM Abdullah may easily admit Anwar into the UMNO fold since Anwar had be acquitted of the crime which he had been sacked for. As such, he need to be reinstated to his former positions - that is Deputy President and Deputy Prime Minister. Anwar was elected as Deputy President in the UMNO General Assembly. The only problem is that many UMNO top officials are not in favour of this move since their propects will also be hindered. The one who will be badly affected with be current deputy president and deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Najib status of being the deputy president is by way of appointment.

So, we need to wait and see what happens next.

TUN DR MAHATHIR ASK TUN SALLEH ABAS TO RESIGN OR BE SACKED

Its confirm that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our former premier had asked Tun Salleh Abas to resign in 1988 and had offered to give him a lucrative position at the Islamic Bank. Tun Dr Mahathir reported that initially Tun Salleh Abas agreed but subsequently after a few days, rejected his advice and a Tribunal was set-up to remove him on the consent of the Agong (then Sultan of Johor). Since the removal of judges could only be performed by the Agong, on the advice of a tribunal set up by their peers. Its is very clear that the reason for the removal of Tun Salleh Abas was connected to the UMNO case but Tun Dr Mahathir refused to comment further.

It has been reported that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, who is in-charge of law, Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz informed that he had briefed the Cabinet on this issue yesterday and it was resolved that this matter will remain closed unless fresh and important facts emerge.

In the meanwhile, the Bar Council had made a statement that it will still keep the issue alive and would probably hold an EGM to discuss on this issue.

Will the review ever take place?

COVERING HIS TRAIL ON UNITED NATION'S OIL-FOR-FOOD SCANDAL AND SCOMI'S NUCLEAR COMPONENT SUPPLY SCANDAL

It is been speculated that the recent official trip to United States by PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was to meet US President George Bush (meeting President Bush is a private meeting-according to sources) to request for his favour to ensure that certain US Congressmen will quash their investigation into PM Abdullah's involvement in the Iraq Oil for Food scandal, although his name clearly appears in the list distributed and had benefitted almost RM11 Billion with just a mere single government letter, which PM Abdullah denies any personal involvement and Scomi's involvement in supplying nuclear components, which if it was investigated further will badly damage the good reputation of PM Abdullah and his family due to the current feud with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Almost every member whose names had appeared in the list distributed in the United Nation's Oil for Food Programme have resigned from their respective position to avoid further shame. Some Japanese involved in the nuclear component scandal have also been arrested. It has be revealed that a Malaysian directly involved in this scandal, Tahir, is currently held under detention under Internal Security Act (ISA), not in fear of national security but to avoid further problems if this Tahir were to speak out and implicate Scomi's involvement in the scandal.

In any negotiation, there must be a compromise and if US President Bush is going to use his good office to quash these scandals, surely he will demand some favour in return. What is that favour is worrying most Malaysians. Just to protect the good name and reputation of a single family, the whole country has been 'mortgaged' so as to speak. PM Abdullah has no choice on these matters. If he is unable to cover his trail, for sure Tun Dr Mahathir is going to expose his weaknesses, brand him a 'liar' and demand for his resignation, which will eventually embarrass him and his family much further. PM Abdullah is left in the crossroad. PM Abdullah is fully aware that Tun Dr Mahathir is having documentary evidence to prove his point and that is the main reason for the silence so far by PM Abdullah. Why attack the hornet nest when you know you are going to be sting.

Only time will tell what actually transpired.

NEW FACTS EMERGE TO SEEK REVIEW OF 1988 JUDICIAL CRISIS

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and de facto Law Minister, Datuk Seri Nazri Tan Sri Abdul Aziz had informed Parliament last week by written submission that unless there is new and important facts emerging, the issue of re-examining the 1988 Judicial Crisis will not be possible and as it stands now, there is no necessity for a review since there must be a finality to the matter .

In response to this call, former Lord President, Tun Salleh Abas had revealed today five new and important facts that will enable the minister in charge, Datuk Seri Nazri to seek the government's approval to review the 1988 Judicial Crisis which led to the sacking of Tun Salleh Abas and another two Supreme Court judges, Wan Sulaiman Pawanteh and George Seah.

The new five facts revealed by Tun Salleh Abas are:-

1. Ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad told him to quit or face a tribunal.

2. A messenger for a “very important minister” came to persuade Salleh Abas to resign or go on long leave. Otherwise, he would face dismissal. Salleh Abas was offered a lucrative job in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as a director of Islamic Bank should he resign. To sweeten the deal, he was offered "a high salary I could never have dreamed of".

3. A month after Salleh Abas’s suspension, the Malay rulers reached an agreement that should Salleh Abas tender his apologies to and ask for forgiveness from the King for having written a controversial letter to His Majesty, his suspension would be lifted and the matter ‘would end there’. It however did not happen when Salleh Abas went to see the King in Johor Baru.

4. The suspension of five Supreme Court judges - with the eventual dismissal of two of them - was “engineered” for the purpose of thwarting them from hearing Salleh Abas’s judicial review application challenging his suspension and the composition of the tribunal to deal with his dismissal. He gives details on how the suspension was engineered.

5. The Sultan of Johor (who was then King during Salleh Abas’s dismissal) told Salleh Abas he (the sultan) had been “made use of”. The sultan was about to tender a public apology for his role in Salleh Abas’s dismissal but “mightier hands from Kuala Lumpur” managed to persuade the sultan from keeping to his pledge.

Tun Salleh Abas further quoted that “These incidents undeniably go to show that come what may, I must be made to give up my judicial office”. Tun Salleh Abas further said that there were other incidents and other details which he could reveal in the event a review was held, and for the time-being he shall keep the identity of those unnamed persons in this statement concealed. Tun Salleh is hoping that Nazri will present a proposal to the cabinet for a review of the 1988 judicial crisis so that the truth of this important episode in our nation's history is uncovered.

Will Datuk Seri Nazri do this?

A CLIMATE OF FEAR AWAITS

A friend messaged me a couple of days ago, saying that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is fed-up with all these bickering that is going on and wants to put a stop to all these, by having Tun Dr Mahathir placed under house arrest. Of late, Tun Dr Mahathir, after returning from an overseas holiday and after his dreadful loss to be a delegate at his own Kubang Pasu UMNO division, had been accusing PM Abdullah as weak, a 'liar' and is not managing the country properly, talking about Scomi's involvements (company owed by PM Abdullah's son, Kamaruddin) on obtaining government contracts without tenders and about Khairy Jamaluddin(son-in-law of PM Abdullah), the power-man behind PM Abdullah decision-making in running the country and UMNO and is also said to be ruling Terengganu with his chinese business buddy, Patrick Lim. PM Abdullah feels that the freedom given by him and enjoyed by Malaysians have been abused and not appreciated. Its true that he has a different style and ways of administering the country. Since being humble and religious, he practices slow, calculative, moderate and god-fearing sort of government and wants to give every Malaysian a equal chance to voice their dissatisfaction - no more dictatorial rule as practiced by Tun Dr Mahathir, so that its could be the government of the people, for the people.

But this rule had been undermined by a few powerful as being weak and have been creating a mockery of the current situation. Its time for drastic actions. Whether this is going to happen or not, no one knows except PM Abdullah. But indications are showing that something drastic is on its way, what, who and when, no one knows. Bloggers are also taking steps to restrict bad comments on their sites. Blog reports have also been one of the reasons for the current blow-up as they seem to write anything, without caring for the sentiments or after reactions, but just to capture their audience. If everyone had observed tolerance, these situation would not have to arise. Just because of a few inconsiderate people, everyone will have to face this music. The clock can't be turned back to make it right now. Its just too late.

I could be wrong on my assumption but feel Malaysians should know what is boiling at home. It is hope that during this holy month of Ramadhan, no such thing will arise.

RAMADHAN - HOLY MONTH, RECONCILIATION OF LEADERS HOPED

With the beginning of Ramadhan today, and being a very holy period in ones (muslims) religious time, it is hoped that our leaders will use this holy month to reconcile their differences. There have been speculations that something unpleasant could occur before the UMNO General Assembly sometime in November. Our leaders need to realise that differences could always be settled by communicating with each other. I am sure that Malaysians from every walk of life want to see this thing happening. I am sure to humble oneself is the greatest gift of life and more so, if it is done during this holy month.

I take this opportunity to wish all my muslim brothers and sisters, SELAMAT BERPUASA.

TUN DR MAHATHIR - MUKHRIZ HAD TO 'BEG' TO REINSTATE OPCOM-TM DEAL AND KHAIRY & PATRICK LIM ARE CONTROLLING TERENGGANU

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister informed that his son, Mukhriz had to beg the ‘powerful’ Umno Youth deputy chief and son-in-law of Mahathir's successor, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Khairy Jamaluddin to have the Opcom-Telekom Malaysia project reinstated, but ended up having the project’s value slashed by 15 percent. This RM200 million project deal was scrapped after Tun Dr Mahathir had stepped down as prime minister in 2003. This forced his son to request Khairy assistance although Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has denied the critics claim that Khairy influences the premier’s decisions with some claiming to the extent of describing the 31-year-old Oxford Graduate as the country’s de facto prime minister. In the meanwhile, Tun Dr. Mahathir defended that the RM200 Million contract that Mukhriz had obtained from Telekom Malaysia (TM) was a deal obtained through proper channel. Mukriz is the Chairman and Managing Director of the fibre optic company, Opcom Sdn Bhd.

Dr Mahathir spoke to reporters in Terengganu in response to an article by Malaysiakini, on thursday that reported that documents pertaining to the business dealings involving Mahathir’s children are being posted in the internet. Sources disclosed that this was done to counter Mahathir’s criticisms of Scomi Bhd’s involvement in government projects. Tun Dr. Mahathir has alleged that Scomi, which is controlled by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s son, Kamaluddin had received numerous government contracts after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took office since 2003.

A document from the Finance Ministry dated 7 October 2003 is being circulated in a ‘pro-Umno’ blog that an agreement letter to appoint Opcom as the supplier of fibre optics worth RM214.2 million to Telekom Malaysia was done through a direct deal and not via a tender process.

During the same interview in Terengganu, Tun Dr Mahathir informed that Khairy Jamaluddin, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law and his business partner, Patrick Lim are controlling Terengganu. Tun Dr. Mahathir further quoted that a Singapore newspaper, Straits Times refers Patrick Lim as 'Patrick Badawi'.

HAS 30 PERCENT BUMIPUTRA EQUITY TARGET ACHIEVED

One of the aspiration of the New Economic Policy was to achieve a target of 30 percent bumiputra corporate equity ownership. There is currently a conflicting report that claims that it has gone beyond 30% as targeted but the government figures show a stagnant figure of 18.9%, and due to this, the government had extended its implementation for a further 15 years, to year 2020. The New Economic Policy was initiated after the racial riots of 1969 and was aimed at bridging the socio-economic disparities between the races in Malaysia, particularly to uplift the bumiputra participation (then found to be inadequate) to at least 30 percent and its target to achieve this goal was set by 1990.

A recent study conducted by Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI), reveals that the true estimated figure should be around 45 percent and their basis in arrived at this figure is derived from the statitics of September 2005 available from Bursa Malaysia. The study - entitled 'Corporate Equity Distribution: Past Trends and Future Policy' - had estimated that 70 percent ownership of government-linked companies (GLCs) was attributable to bumiputeras. While basing on a 2005 report from UBS Equity Research Malaysia, the study revealed that GLCs made up about one-third of total market value at the time. ASLI’s Centre for Public Policy Studies director, Dr Lim Teck Gee told from the UBS report, the top-10 GLCs alone - which include Tenaga Nasional, Telekom Malaysia, Maybank Bhd - approximately made up about one-third of the market value in 2005. “Our study was established based on the best available information and informed opinion. The government does not make such data available easily to the public,” he quoted when met recently. Dr. Lim further illustrated that ASLI’s study was aimed at providing updated facts to support their argument that the NEP’s 30-percent target had been achieved. “I and many other experts believe that the 30 percent bumiputera corporate equity requirement should either be removed or reformed,” he quoted. “Firstly, it was part of the larger NEP programme which was supposed to end in 1990. It is now more than 15 years. “The NEP programme has already long achieved its objective of nurturing a dynamic Malay business community and strong Malay wealthy and middle class,” he added. Lim warned that if such ‘crutches’ continued, it would only encourage rent-seeking and induce other distortions and inefficiencies that would hurt our national interests. Dr Lim proposed that instead of encouraging race-based corporate equity ownership, it would be better if the government encouraged efficiency, competition and productivity of our economy. In the light of the facts revealed, Lim hoped the government would exercise more transparency and publicise the methodology used by the government in providing its own figures. ASLI’s forecast and proposal was published in February this year, was meant for various government agencies, but it was also distributed to various groups including a number of Members of Parliament.

So has the 30% bumiputra target achieved? Only you can judge for yourselves.

LEE KUAN YEW REMARKS ABOUT MALAYSIAN CHINESE BEEN MARGINALISED.

Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew in his recent statement have given the chinese community in Malaysia a wake-up call that they should not keep quiet but to demand for their rights to enjoy the wealth of the country as a equal partner in every field. Lee Kuan Yew had expressed that the chinese community in Malaysia(and also in Indonesia) have been successful because they are hard-working but have been systemically marginalised in every area, even in education. The chinese communities comprise about more than one-third of the population of Malaysia and have since 1969 up to now, have been sympathetic to the calls of the bumiputras, especially the malays, so that their community could be uplifted to a reasonable level of progress (30% as targetted) so that every races will be able to enjoy the richness of the country together. Since 1969, with the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP), the bumiputras have had enjoyed privileges in every field and some of them have now become very successful with a few being millionaires too. In the education sector, the intake of bumiputra students in local tertiary education is more than 75 percent of the places available, sometime depriving the really bright student from the non-bumiputra (chinese, indian and others) communities. This is the reason why most of these non-bumiputras pursue their further education overseas and had caused a brain-drain to be caused since these countries offer them better living conditions and life. Recently, our prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had been appealing to Malaysians aboard, mostly non-bumiputras to return home once they have received their education, so that our country could progress rapidly with this elite peoples contributions to the Malaysian society. Furthermore, it was reported by our former premier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the chinese communities are the biggest contributors of income tax, through which various development projects are undertaken. Taking these factors into consideration, the statement made by Lee Kuan Yew could be justified. Many Malaysian leaders have been expressing ill-feelings towards Lee Kuan Yew, but will have to face up to reality. Recently, it was also reported that the NEP had outlived its purpose since the 30 percentage bumiputra corporate equity target had long been reached athough the government figures speak otherwise.

Do you feel that the non-bumiputras, especially the chinese are going to be sympathetic any longer, with various conflicting reports been circulated.

VERNACULAR SCHOOLS - EMBLEZZLEMENT OF FUNDS AND NO ALLOCATION IN 9MP.

It looks as though the issue of vernacular schools projects funding raised by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat have a lot of merits in them and his recent humilation not only by his so-called 'friends' in the Barisan Nasional but also from the Cabinet without properly investigating the allegations raised. Datuk Ong Tee Keat had informed that he was told by a school in Muar of this incident, and just to bring calm, he had told in public that he is been given to believe that some embezzlement of school project funds have been reported to him and he will bring this matter up for consideration. This good gesture received alarming results the following day since the chinese dailies had reported them. Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein and his deputy Datuk Hon Choon Kim had the next day rebutted the issue saying there was no such incident as reported and went further to accuse Ong for interferring into the affairs of the Education ministry. Now, we have come to realise that there is such a embezzlement of funds, where a payment of about RM30,000 was paid out while the amount of work done is only valued at RM3,000 in a chinese school in Muar, Johor. But to our surprise, the Cabinet had not taken any action against Hishamuddin, Hon Choon Kim or Samy Vellu for misinforming them and the rakyat on the issue. Even Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the whole Cabinet need to be reprimanded for not investigating the issue before imposing sanction against Ong for his mere statement to calm the situation. It looks to us that the whole Cabinet is just sleeping similarily like our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, as reported in the media recently(picture shown). It had been reported yesterday, that Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu is personally investigating this matter. It seems that there is some deficiency on the part of the government in controlling these projects. This is a mere RM30,000 project, how about the Millions and Billions spent. Surely, there must be a similar issue there that our government is covering-up. The Auditor-General and the PAC need to conduct a thorough investigation and let the rakyat know of any shortcomings that have been detected.

Today, it was further informed that the Nineth Malaysia Plan (9MP) had not provided any allocation of funds for the construction or renovaction of vernacular schools despite the assurance given by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the lack of Barisan Nasional non-malay leaders caring for their respective communities.