He Floats Like a Gentleman, but Stings Like a Bee

Status is conferred by virtue of the position one occupies in society but strength comes from within.

In the eyes of many, the PM is perceived as weak or less capable than his predecessors are but upon closer scrutiny, just when one thinks Najib is about to be snuffed out by his enemies, he emerges – stronger than before.

The trail of events in the last two years echoes the boxing career of Muhammad Ali, especially of the famous Rumble in the Jungle fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali in Zaire, October 30, 1974.

In Kinshasa, Zaïre, the undefeated world heavyweight champion George Foreman fought against challenger Muhammad Ali who won by knockout, just before the end of the eighth round.

No one expected Muhammad Ali to win, but he did.

Similarly, Najib has been under siege from various angles, each more intense than the previous, but he survived each attack even though the odds were against him.

Each time people expected him to quit or to be kicked out, his Bugis heritage surfaces from beneath the courteous elegance. 

Strength wells up and he executes the right hook, an undercut and a jab smack at the faces of his foes just when they least expected it. 

Najib prevailed and won, albeit the next round comes far too quickly. Still, he is always ready.

A good example is the recent sacking of the former DPM, Tan Sri Muhyddin, whom many perceived as a threat as concerned Malaysians felt he might be part of TDM’s game plan to reposition his beloved son higher in UMNO hierarchy. 

Hence, Muhyddin, the once-upon-a-time knight in shining armour who flatted Badawi was knocked out of the game sans any successor to pursue the agenda. 

Contrary to many spins, our PM had been against the September 16 red shirt rally. Before the rally, rumours flew via social media of a conspiracy to trigger unrest so that emergency rule could be implemented. 

Utter rubbish indeed. 

A week after the rally, Tan Sri Annuar Musa revealed our PM only allowed the event to proceed after much persuasion by organizers. 

The real reason for his hesitation was his concern that the rally could “would irk the Chinese and had constantly reminded organizers not to stoke racial tensions.”

When the September 16 rally emerged with no untoward incident, the PM’s detractors, who had long before had enough time to plot another move against they PM, they inflicted their return blow for Tan Sri Muhyddin’s sacking by releasing the Al-Jazeera video on the murder of Altantuya. 

Even so, Najib successfully warded off the criticisms hurled against him and others.

Following that, the Malaysian Insider reported that Mahathir Mohamad raised the possibility of current Prime Minister Najib Razak being arrested by Interpol if he leaves the country.

Well, that statement has failed to ruffle any feathers as our PM stepped into New York peacefully for a working visit, which includes attending the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.

Let’s not forget the absurd and irrational Mahathir-Sarawak Report-Justo-Tony Pua- Tong Kooi Ong- Ho Kay Tat- etc connection which only gave Malaysians a serious disconnect from all the contradictions, revelations, admissions and nonsensical flip flops. 

Are there any more extensions to every failed plot that has yet to bring down our PM?

Will Najib emerge unscathed with attacks looming above his head and coming from all quarters?

Thanks to Designer TEAM @ audie61.wordpress.com for the fantastic artwork.

Is that the main concern or should we focus our attention on the diabolical conspiracies, plots and schemes in the battle to oust our PM – a war landscape which has affected Malaysians at large?

Speak up, Malaysians! Let's hear it from you.

Just Be Malaysian

I wish to say from the onset that I do not support Bersih or any form of demonstration. While I can understand the concerns Malays may feel regarding the high turnout of Chinese in the recent Bersih demonstration, I am stumped by the reaction of those who are retaliating by organizing the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu or people’s unity gathering on September 16, Malaysia Day.

To choose Malaysia Day to demonstrate feelings about Malay dignity in any name, be it Kebangkitan Maruah Melayu (Malay Pride Uprising), Himpunan Maruah Melayu (Malay Pride Rally) or Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu, completely goes against the spirit of Malaysia Day.

Bersih did not demonstrate on Merdeka Day and the crowd dispersed before 12am on August 31st, 2015.

So, this time, things have gone too far as they are deliberately showing disrespect to such an important day that commemorates the formation of Malaysia.

Malaysians have to act rationally, not irrationally.

1. Malays should rejoice that few Malays went for Bersih. With that perspective, there is absolutely no necessity to show Malay dignity.

Dignity cannot be quantified by the number of demonstrators in red-shirts.

Dignity can be seen in how we regard others with respect, honour and true Malaysian spirit regardless of class, creed and colour.

2. During such bad times, all the expenditure on red shirts and travelling to the demonstration in total could go a long way if those funds are diverted to the poor and needy in the form of food aid and other necessities.

3. The fact that the forthcoming demonstration has caused 500 shopkeepers and 773 small traders in Petaling Street to decide not do do business on the September 16 Malaysia Day public holiday means loss of revenue for those businesses and a negative impact on tourism and how the world views us.

4. I am very surprised that the authorities have not declared this rally as illegal. I note the following statements:

a. Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak previously said his party does not officially support the rally, but will not stop members from attending. This message was repeated by Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin. (Malay Mail)

b. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim previously said the rally will not be permitted to proceed due to “security implications”. (Malay Mail)

c. Twenty non-governmental organisations (NGO) are against the holding of the proposed rally, with the name “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu”. (Malaysian Insider)

d. Police have yet to receive any permit application from the organisers of the Himpunan Maruah Melayu rally next week. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar stressed that he would not allow the rally to go on, especially in downtown Kuala Lumpur. “We are not allowing it (the rally) due to security concerns. (NST)

NST went on to note that “It was reported that the organisers of the rally were adamant about carrying on with their demonstration, despite not receiving clearance from police to do so.”

I find it utterly deceptive for authorities to make such weak and contradictory statements.

If the IGP has stated that this rally is DISALLOWED, it makes this rally ILLEGAL.

So, why are heads of organisations saying that they cannot stop members from attending this rally?

Are they not condoning and indirectly encouraging people to partake in law-breaking behaviour?

e. What are the police doing about this rally? Are they going to send the FRU, water canons etc and personnel to cordon off the areas?

I exhort all Malays (including non-Malays who for whatever reason want to support this rally) NOT to go for this rally.

And I urge the authorities concerned to make AFFIRMATIVE statements FORBIDDING this rally if at all they are sincere in all their statements made.

Don’t say one thing and behind the scenes, do another. Be real.

Why are Malaysians so into rallies?

Grow up. We need no syiok sendiri orgasmic ecstatic feelings.

We need not be a jaguh kampung.

We need not be heroes.

All we need to do is BE TRUE MALAYSIANS living in harmony and indignity.


Also published by The Malay Mail and The Malaysian Insider and The Rakyat Post.