The 59th UMNO General Assembly

Will it bring new hope?

All eyes are on the United Malays National Organisation ( Umno) General Assembly this week. Malaysians from all walks of life regardless of ethnicity are watching closely what transpires at this assembly as the deliberations by the 2500 or so delegates and the resolutions adopted by them to some extent affects every Malaysian in some way or another.

Umno has played such a dominant role in the country’s 52-year rule under the Alliance and then the Barisan Nasional(BN)coalitions. Together with its major non-Malay partners, the MCA and MIC and other minor partners, it can be said that it had ruled the multiracial and multi religious nation reasonably well to elevate the status of the country to where it is today. However like all political parties, in uninterrupted power for so long, of late signs of arrogance, apathy and corruption have begun to set in which were glaring in the eyes of the voters in the last general election.

The results of that general election showed that the support of the people for the coalition has declined drastically and the BN was forced to undergo an in-depth soul-searching for the reasons for their loss. It was the first time in over 50 years Unmo-BN realized that it could lose its power to rule the nation to an opposition. It was the first time it dawned on them that they can be rendered irrelevant by the next elections in 2013 if genuine change does not come.Umno-BN realizes the need for drastic change and its leaders have pledged to bring that change but unfortunately Malaysians have yet to see any tangibles signs that those changes are coming.

The Umno General Assembly this year is of special significance as it marks the transition of power of its president and thereby the PrimeMinister.In his speech at the opening of the Umno Youth and Wanita, incoming president Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called for a change of mindset and adopt wide ranging reforms to remain relevant to the younger generation.

Najib is taking over the premiership at a very difficult time when the nation is ethnically divided, corruption rampant, a stronger and more hostile opposition to deal with and not to forget the looming economic crisis. Most importantly it is a time of increased maturity and wisdom of the populace that demands greater accountability and transparency. Will Najib be able to turn these unfavorable factors to his advantage remains to be seen in the coming weeks and months.

To show that he is sincere and serious in wanting change, Najib can start by ensuring that the Umno General Assembly this time conducts itself in a manner that will be earn the respect of Malaysians of all races. It should debate the issues facing the country in a fair and unbiased manner refraining from resorting to words and actions that hurt the sensitivities of other races. The assembly should not be an avenue to bash the opposition but rather one where discussions made to find solutions to the problems of the nation.

Umno may be an organization for the Malays but, being the backbone of the multiracial BN, it cannot confine itself to championing the rights Malays alone but has the moral obligation to cater for the welfare of all Malaysians, working hand in hand with its other partners in BN. The people, not just the Malays but the non-Malays as well, look up to Umno for their well being and opportunities.

It was the fairness and the caring attitude of the pioneer leaders of Umno towards all citizens that earned them the admiration and respect of all the races. Unfortunately of late Umno is becoming increasingly more suspicious of the other races and adopted a pro-Malay stance. It is due to the unfounded fear that the non-Malays are undermining their rights and authority to rule. It has gone to the extent of labeling the Malays who cooperate with other races in the opposition Pakatan Rakyat as being traitors. If this continues the future for racial integration, unity and peaceful coexistence will be remote.

Najib, the incoming Umno leader and Prime Minister, has an important task of eliminating the mistrust and suspicion among the races and uniting them to build a harmonious nation where everyone regardless of ethnic origin is proud to be called Malaysian .We hope he can bring about the change he promised, a change that will envisage the mutual cooperation between the various races in the country for lasting peace, comradeship, progress and prosperity.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Spend taxpayers’ money wisely

Prudence needed in use of public fundsMalaysians in general read with aghast the Auditor General’s Annual Report 2006.It was unbelievable that the various government departments have paid exorbitant prices for common items. Imagine paying RM224 for a RM32 set of screwdrivers, RM1,146 for a set of pens costing RM160, RM5,700 for a car jack worth RM50, the list is long and shocking. Besides over-spending other flaws included corruption, poor management of funds, incomplete and outdated data and lack of enforcement and manpower

What is distressing is that such mismanagement of tax payers’ money does not seem to be isolated incidences but part of a generalized malaise that had inflicted almost the whole civil service. Nearly all the departments in all the states appear to be involved in some form of misuse of public money.There has been total disregard for financial prudence in the management of taxpayers’ money. 

These irresponsible actions are due to the lackadaisical attitude of many government officers. If they were to be spending their own money will they do such a thing? The money comes from taxes paid by the people. Money is not easy to come by these days and the people are overburdened with the escalating cost of goods, utilities, housing, education, healthcare and transportation. Despite all these financial burdens, as law abiding citizens, people still continue to pay their taxes which come from their sweat and blood. If there is dishonesty and wastage of public funds, it would be greatest betrayal and injustice to the people by the very people who are employed to serve them. This is not the first time that an audit report has revealed the inconsistencies and abuse in government departments. Year in and year out similar reports have brought out such discrepancies in financial management. Unfortunately no remedial actions were taken. Malaysians seem to have very short memories for such unpleasant incidences and the culprits are soon forgotten.The Auditor-General,Tan Sri Ambrin Buang,has proposed  a  star-rating system for ministries. It is a good in the right direction. If implemented properly it will go a long way to ensure that everyone in the civil service, from secretaries-general to clerks work effectively. However the Government must first find out why such mismanagement of public money occurs year in and year out. Why remedial measures are not taken despite the AG’s recommendations every year? There are set procedures and protocol for financial dealings, purchases and transactions, why are these being blatantly ignored? The government should go to the root of the problem so that it can be overcome once and for all. Those responsible for the mismanagement of public funds must be identified and made to face appropriate disciplinary action without fear or favour.Only by firm action against these irresponsible officers can repetition of similar misuses can be prevented. 

At the same time civil servants should be educated to carry out proper management of their assets and responsibilities. They should be made to realize that they are managing hard earned taxpayers’ money.Every ringgit saved by their prudence will benefit the rakyat. If there is dishonesty and wastage of such public funds, it would be greatest betrayal and injustice to the very people whom they are employed to serve.

The Prime Minister has promised to look into the problem and we hope that action would be taken against those responsible so that these would not be repeated next year. We hope with his National Integrity Plan,Pak Lah will be able to strengthen the financial prudence, honesty and integrity of the officers at all levels of our government departments.The Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang and his team should be commended for the excellent job they have done to expose the weaknesses in the financial management of the various departments.We hope all department heads do their duty to check these abuses. The ball is now in the court of our political leaders. Do they have the will to stop this misuse of public funds?

Dr.Chris Anthony