Pertikai pembinaan istana bukan bererti anti sistem beraja

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Nov (Hrkh) - Pada 13 November lalu, Menteri Kerja Raya, Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu mengumumkan rancangan kerajaan untuk membina istana baru berharga RM400 juta bagi menggantikan Istana Negara yang sedia ada.

Begitupun pengumuman itu amat mengecewakan kerana projek pembinaan tersebut tidak diberikan secara tender terbuka tetapi diberikan kepada kontraktor secara runding terus, kata Koordinator Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti Korupsi (Gerak), Badrul Hisham Shahrin kepada Harakahdaily hari ini.

Gerak memandang serius pembaziran wang rakyat dalam keadaan ekonomi negara yang teruk dan kehidupan rakyat yang terhimpit selain mempertikai isu tindakan kerajaan tidak membuka projek ini untuk dibida, kata Badrul Hisham.

"Apakah ia merupakan projek yang amat mendesak dan berkepentingan rakyat terbanyak sehingga ia perlu dipercepatkan dengan diberi secara runding terus. Siapa yang mendapat projek tersebut dan apa kriteria pemilihan kontraktor? Sudah tentu penyelewengan dan salah guna kuasa bakal berlaku,"katanya lagi.

Mengulas laporan Polis terhadap Ketua Pembangkang Malaysia, Lim Kit Siang yang dibuat oleh Majlis Angkatan Permuafakatan Ngo Malaysia (Mapan) pada 28 November 2006 di Balai Polis Dang Wangi, Gerak meminta Mapan benar-benar memahami isu sebenarnya.

Bagi Gerak, mempertikaikan pembinaan istana tersebut bukanlah bermakna ia satu tindakan anti sistem beraja.

Gerak kesal dengan kenyataan melulu Pengarah Sekretariat Mapan, Dr Izham Nayan yang menyatakan, kenyataan Lim itu seolah-olah mencerminkan sentimen anti institusi raja negara dan hak Yang di-Pertuan Agong yang tidak boleh dipersoalkan.

"Mempersoalkan perkara ini dianggap biadab, menghina dan mencabar kewibawaan rakyat negara ini," katanya seperti yang dilaporkan Utusan Malaysia.

Gerak menghormati sistem beraja di Malaysia tetapi pembinaan istana ini isu yang berlainan kerana ia melibatkan ketelusan dan integriti kerajaan dalam menguruskan projek.

Kebimbangan itu disuarakan kerana sebelum ini terlalu banyak ketirisan dalam projek-projek yang dijalankan oleh beberapa kontraktor yang dianugerah projek kerajaan termasuk dalam projek-projek mega seperti bangunan Matrade.

Mapan seharusnya memahami permasalahan sebenar dan bertindak berdasarkan rasa getir rakyat terbanyak bukan hanya bertindak melulu membodek, kata Badrul Hisham

Rakyat Malaysia amat memerlukan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (social society movement) yang memperkasakan kedaulatan rakyat, katanya.

Sementara itu pada 28 November lalu Mapan telah membuat laporan polis berhubung kenyataan Lim yang mempertikaikan pembinaan Kompleks Istana Negara baru pada sidang Dewan Rakyat Selasa lepas.

Dr Izham Nayan berkata, kenyataan Lim itu seolah-olah mencerminkan sentimen anti institusi raja negara dan hak Yang di-Pertuan Agong yang tidak boleh dipersoalkan.

Seramai 16 anggota pertubuhan bukan kerajaan dari Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia dan Kongres Indian Muslim Malaysia hadir ketika laporan dibuat.

Selasa lepas, persidangan Dewan Rakyat gamat apabila Lim, yang juga Ketua Pembangkang dan Anggota Parlimen Ipoh Timur, meminta kerajaan menjelaskan mengenai kelulusan pembinaan kompleks Istana Negara baru bernilai RM400 juta berhampiran Jalan Duta.

tuntut beri keADILan permit akhbar

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Nov (Hrkh) - Laungan reformasi serta slogan yang menuntut kebebasan media oleh kira-kira 200 penyokong reformasi dari pelbagai latar belakang bergema di hadapan Menara Tun Razak, Jalan Raja Laut kira-kira jam 2.15 petang tadi.

Perhimpunan anjuran Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) itu adalah bagi menuntut kebebasan media serta hak-hak asasi lain yang dinafikan. Ini termasuk permit akhbar Suara KeADILan yang masih 'digantung tidak bertali' oleh Kementerian Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (KKDN). Dalam masa sama mereka menyerahkan memorandum kepada pihak Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Malaysia (Suhakam).

Perhimpunan dimulakan oleh moderator Timbalan Ketua Penerangan KeADILan Badrul Hisham dengan melaungkan kalimah "reformasi", "hidup rakyat" dan "bebas media" dengan disambut oleh para penyokong yang hadir.

Presiden PKR, Datin Seri Wan Azizah yang turut berucap menggesa kerajaan di bawah pimpinan Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi supaya mengembalikan hak dan kebebasan suara rakyat dengan memberi permit penerbitan kepada Suara Keadilan.

"KeADILan adalah sebuah parti politik berdaftar dan sepatutnya diberikan permit akhbarnya sendiri. Saya ucapkan terima kasih kepada semua parti politik, NGO, mahasisiwa dan rakyat yang memberi sokongan pada hari ini," katanya lagi.

Pada mulanya mereka berhasrat menemui pesuruhjaya Suhakam untuk menyerahkan memorandum tersebut. Bagaimanapun, Pesuruhjaya Suhakam, Dato' N. Siva Subramaniam bersedia untuk turun ke tempat perhimpunan dan menerima sendiri memorandum tersebut.

Kemunculan Siva diiringi tepukan dan laungan reformasi. Seterusnya memorandum daripada Datin Seri Wan Azizah bertukar tangan.

Hadir sama dalam majlis tersebut ialah Bendahari Keadilan, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Timbalan Presiden JIM yang juga Presiden GMI Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Timbalan Ketua Penerangan KeADILan Badrul Hisham, Wakil DAP Lau Weng Sang, eksekutif SUARAM Yap Siew Seng.

Dalam ucapannya Badrul turut mengalu-alukan kehadiran Ketua Pengarang Kumpulan Harakah Ahmad Lutfi Othman yang datang memberi sokongan moral.

Siva yang diberi kesempatan untuk berucap berkata beliau akan menyerahkan memorandum tersebut kepada Pengerusi Suhakam, Tan Sri Abdul Talib Othman dan memberi jaminan memorandum tersebut akan dikemukakan kepada pihak kerajaan.

"Suhakam sentiasa mengambil serius isu-isu kebebasan dan hak asasi di Malaysia. Suhakam sudah membuat syor kepada kerajaan supaya memberikan permit dan saya berjanji akan menyerahkan memorandum ini kepada pihak berkenaan ," katanya

Sebelum perhimpunan bersurai, Badrul Hisham sempat berseloroh.

"Kepada semua sebelum kita bersurai, pegang telinga masing-masing. Telinga kita masih ada dan tidak hilang. Ini bermakna tiada keganasan yang berlaku dan perhimpunan kita berlaku secara aman,"katanya sambil disahut ketawa peserta perhimpunan.

Dalam pada itu, sebelum majlis bersurai ditampilkan replika berbentuk peti penjara sebagai acara simbolik bagi memperjuangkan kebebasan media.

Majlis perhimpunan yang berjalan secara aman itu berakhir pada jam 3.30 tanpa sebarang insiden walaupun di pantau oleh sekitar 20 anggota polis. - mns.

boleh tengok video dgn link ini http://www.tvpas.com/material.php?cat=berita&id=4406

Khairy dicabar buktikan Anwar kaut kekayaan dari DEB

SEREMBAN, 26 Nov (Hrkh) - Naib Ketua Pemuda Umno, Khairy Jamaluddin dicabar membuktikan dakwaannya bahawa mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim pernah mengaut kekayaan dari pelaksanaan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) ketika Anwar berada dalam kerajaan, kata bekas Pengerusi Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN), Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Beliau yang kini menjadi Bendahari Parti KeADILan Rakyat (KeADILan) melaungkan cabaran itu semasa bercakap dalam program Dialog Ekonomi dan Pelancaran Dana Pilihan Raya Angkatan Muda KeADILan Negeri Sembilan (AMKNS) di Dewan Sekolah Tinggi Chung Hwa, di Seremban hari ini.

Turut hadir sebagai panelis dialog ialah, Naib Presiden Parti keADIlan Rakyat (PKR) Dr Lee Boon Chye dan Pengerusi Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti Korupsi (Gerak) Ezam Mohd Noor.Sementara Penolong Setiausaha AMK, Badrul Hisham Shahrin pula sebagai moderator program.

Turut menyerikan majlis ialah, Pengerusi Perhubungan KeADILan Negeri Sembilan Dr Mohammad Azzam; Naib Ketua Pemuda PAS Negeri Sembilan, Mohd Taufek Abdul Ghani; Setiausaha Kelab Penyokong PAS Negeri Sembilan, Yau Khoon Seng; Ketua M|AMKNS, Haji Ramlan Roes dan Setiausahanya; Amiruddin Wahab merangkap Pengarah Program.Kira-kira 200 hadirin dari pelbagai latar belakang hadir dalam program tersebut.

Anwar tidak guna kedudukan

Mengulas lanjut cabaran itu Khalid berkata, kenyataan Khairy itu tidak berasas kerana baginya sepanjang mengenali Anwar, bekas TPM itu tidak pernah menggunakan kedudukannya sebagai Menteri Kewangan untuk mengaut kekayaan dari DEB.

Sebaliknya Anwar memiliki daya usaha sendiri yang diiktiraf dunia yang kini menjadi penasihat Bank Dunia dan Pelaburan di sebuah negara di Timur Tengah dalam urusan kewangan. Oleh itu Anwar katanya mendapat ganjaran yang tinggi dengan kepakarannya itu.

Guna kedudukan

"Tidak seperti Khairy yang berpendidikan dari Oxford University dalam jurusan etika, tetapi tidak ada etika di sini dengan menggunakan kedudukan sebagai menantu Perdana Menteri, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi untuk mendapatkan pinjaman bernilai RM8 juta dalam masa singkat untuk membuat pelaburan dalam satu syarikat berkepentingan kerajaan," katanya kepada peserta dialog.

Menurut Khalid yang pernah memegang jawatan tinggi dalam kerajaan, DEB yang dirangka kerajaan sejak dahulu adalah satu dasar yang cukup baik kepada seluruh peringkat rakyat.

Malangnya apabila pelaksanaannya dijalankan, pemimpin negara terutamanya pemimpin Umno menggunakan kedudukan bagi mengesampingkan kepentinmgan rakyat, sebaliknya mengutamakan kepentingan mengaut keuntungan sendiri, kata Khalid lagi.

Bolot kroni

Sebagai contoh banyak projek yang dijalankan hanya dibolot oleh segelintir individu yang duduk di dalam lingkaran pemimpin kerajaan (kroni) yang akhirnya hanya akan mengkayakan kelompok tersebut sahaja, katanya.

Akibatnya, ada sesetengah projek yang gagal dan tidak mencapai sasaran yang terpaksa pula ditanggung kerugiannya oleh rakyat.

"Inilah yang dikatakan kerajaan membuat kerugian, rakyat menanggung hutang, akhirnya rakyat yang sengsara, jurang kemiskinan kian melebar tidak seperti dalam tahun-tahun 70-an, tidak kiralah Cina, Melayu dan India, hanya segelintir sahaja yang kaya iaitu mereka yang rapat dengan pemimpin negara," katanya lagi.

Rasuah musuh nombor satu negara

Sementara itu Ezam pula dalam hujahnya berkata, masalah utama yang membelenggu negara ialah amalan rasuah di kalangan kakitangan kerajaan, pemimpin negara dan sektor korporat.

"Kita sibuk mengatakan bahawa dadah musuh nombor satu negara, tetapi tidak melihat bahawa rasuah adalah musuh nombor satu negara, saya tidak menolak dadah adalah berbahaya dan musuh tetapi perang terhadap rasuah itu sangat penting," katanya.

Beliau yang juga bekas kakitangan Kementerian Kewangan sewaktu Anwar menjadi menterinya berkata, dasar DEB yang dibawa kerajaan sejak sekian lamanya hanya tinggal sebagai satu legasi kepada sejarah pemimpin mengaut keuntungan dari pelaksanaanya.

Katanya, ini semua kerana amalan rasuah dan penyelewengan kuasa yang dilakukan oleh pemimpin negara sejak sekian lamanya sejak bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad menjadi PM hinggalah kepada zaman Abdullah, rakyat tidak merasai nikmat DEB kerana rasuah dan penyalahgunaan kuasa di kalangan pentadbir negara.

Apa yang perlu katanya, rakyat harus mengorak langkah bersama-sama membasmi gejala rasuah ini dengan menukar kerajaan yang sedia ada kepada sebuah kerajaan yang lebih bersih dan amanah.

Kata nak perang, tetapi dah tiga tahun terbiar

"Kita jangan hanya terpengaruh dengan lakonan seorang pemimpin negara yang hanya berkata nak memerangi rasuah sebaliknya setelah tiga tahun memerintah, indeks rasuah semakin meningkat kepada tahap yang lebih buruk, sementara ekonomi negara semakin merudum," katanya.

Untuk itu Ezam menggesa kerajaan meminda semula akta berhubung rasuah dan media dan segera meletakkan Badan pencegah Rasuah (BPR) di bawah kuasa Parlimen dengan memebri kuasa kepada BPR membuat pendakwaan.

Justeru beliau mengulangi seruan kepada rakyat supaya membuktikan kebencian kepada sebuah kerajaan yang rasuah dengan membuat perubahan dalam pilihan raya akan datang.

"Kita tidak mahu lagi lihat lakonan memperjuang martabat Melayu, hak melayu oleh mereka yang menghunus keris di hadaoan rakyat kerana rakyat telah jemu dengan sikap berpura-pura pemimpin yang sebegitu rupa," katanya lagi.

Khairy dalam perhimpunan Agung Umno baru-baru ini melemparkan tuduhan bahawa Anwar adalah pengkhianat negara dan mengaut kekayaan dengan pelaksanaan DEB.

Bahasa : Laporan UNESCO tidak dipeduli

Pertukaran bahasa bagi mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik, yang diilhamkan oleh Perdana Menteri ketika itu (2003), Dr Mahathir Mohamad, dilaksanakan tanpa sebarang kajian perintis (pilot study) atau perbincangan.

Sehubungan itu, ia dikhuatiri akan menuju kegagalan sekalipun ada pihak mendakwa negarawan yang memperkenalkannya mempunyai prihatin iklas berhubung kemerosotan mutu bahasa Inggeris di kalangan rakyat Malaysia.

Selepas hampir empat tahun dilaksanakan, rakyat dan pemimpin Malaysia masih kabur mengenainya. Bayangkan di Parlimen baru-baru ini seorang wakil rakyat BN bertanya apakah kemerosotan keputusan Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) yang diumumkan baru-baru ini disebabkan oleh penggunaan bahasa Inggeris dalam mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik.

Wakil rakyat tidak buat 'homework'

Jelas sekali wakil rakyat ini tidak membuat 'homework'nya. Dia seolah-olah tidak meneliti perkembangan semasa sebelum melontarkan pertanyaannya kepada Menteri Pelajaran atau wakilnya. Dia juga hampir pasti tidak mempunyai anak di sekolah rendah, jika tidak masakan dia bertanyakan soalan itu. Jika dia ada anak di sekolah rendah, dikhuatiri dia tidak mengambil tahu perkembangan anak-anak di sekolah rendah.

Sebenarnya UPSR tahun ini tiada kaitan langsung dengan pelaksanaan pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris. UPSR tahun ini (dari segi penggunaan bahasa) adalah sama seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya. Jadi soalan wakil rakyat BN itu tidak relevan sama sekali.

Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Noh Omar, yang menjawab soalan itu berkata kemerosotan mutu UPSR tahun ini tidak ada kaitan dengan penggunaan bahasa Inggeris dalam mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik. Ini kerana murid Tahun Enam yang mengambil ujian itu masih mengikuti mata pelajaran itu dalam bahasa Melayu dan bahasa ibunda di sekolah Cina dan Tamil.

Kumpulan murid pertama yang akan menduduki UPSR membabitkan mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Inggeris kini berada dalam Tahun Empat. Tahun depan (2007) mereka akan berada dalam Tahun Lima dan pada UPSR tahun 2008-lah mereka akan menduduki kedua-dua subjek itu dalam bahasa Inggeris.

Jika wakil rakyat BN itu membuat 'homework'nya, mungkin dia tidak akan bertanyakan soalan itu. Seorang guru atau bapa yang prihatin tentulah tahu bahawa subjek bahasa Inggeris diperkenalkan pada tahun 2003 kepada murid-murid Tahun Satu dan Tingkatan Satu.

Jadi kumpulan pertama dari sekolah rendah akan menduduki UPSR dengan Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris pada tahun 2008 manakala kumpulan pertama sekolah menengah menduduki PMR dengan subjek Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris tahun lalu (2005).

Kumpulan pertama di sekolah menengah itulah yang kini menghempas pula belajar bukan saja subjek Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris tetapi juga subjek berkaitan seperti Matematik Tambahan, Fizik, Biologi dan Kimia.

Berdasarkan artikel, surat pembaca dan laporan akhbar, sejumlah orang yang tidak peka tentang perkara ini turut mengulas isu Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris ini. Contohnya pada 24 November, dalam sepucuk surat pembaca dalam Berita Harian dengan tajuk 'Usah pertikai kepentingan bahasa Inggeris', penulisnya antara mencatatkan: "Walaupun penggunaan bahasa Inggeris dalam mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik kini hangat diperkatakan, ia lebih menjurus kepada kemerosotan mata pelajaran berkenaan dan pencapaian murid yang menduduki UPSR tahun ini."

SMI bermula dengan murid Tahun Dua, Tingkatan Dua?

Rencana tulisan Ku Seman Ku Hussain dalam Mingguan Malaysia pada 12 November 2006 dengan tajuk 'Jangan separuh jalan' lebih teruk apabila beliau antara lain menulis: "Dasar Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris (SMI) diperkenalkan tahun 2003, bermula dengan murid tahun dua bagi sekolah rendah serta tingkatan dua dan enam bagi sekolah menengah dan matrikulasi."

Bagaimana Ku Seman mendapat maklumat ini tidaklah diketahui. Hakikatnya SMI bermula pada tahun 2003 membabitkan murid-murid Tahun Satu dan Tingkatan Satu. Kalau fakta yang penting ini pun salah, bagaimana Ku Seman dapat berhujah dengan meyakinkan dalam rencananya itu.

Pada 'intro'nya beliau menulis: "Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menegaskan dasar pengajaran SMI dikekal seperti dirancang. Eloklah selepas tidak ada pihak yang cuba membangkitkan isu dasar SMI yang pernah dipersetujui sebelum ini.

Persoalannya siapa persetujui perkara ini? Seperti dinyatakan sebelum ini, ia adalah idea perdana menteri yang kini tidak lagi berkuasa. Banyak pihak menentangnya tetapi kebanyakannya tidak disiarkan akhbar berbahasa Melayu. Yang disiarkan ialah persetujuan pak turut dan kaki ampu pemimpin politik Umno, yang kini mulai sedar seperti yang dibuktikan melalui resolusi Umno Johor.

Berbanding rencana dan surat pembaca yang kurang kritis yang disiarkan akhbar berbahasa Melayu, pandangan pembaca bukan Melayu dalam akhbar bahasa Inggeris lebih rasional dan kritis.

Kajian Unesco

Dalam surat kepada pengarang di akhbar the Star, bertarikh 14 November 2006, penulisnya K Arumugam dari Petaling Jaya antara lain menulis: "After three years of implementation, questions are being raised if the language switch has been effective. There are now calls for the move to be reviewed.

"Everyone is free to discuss the issue. But one must comment with honesty and substantiate any argument with some base findings.

"WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR CHILDREN AND THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF OUR COUNTRY. IT IS CERTAINLY NOT AN ARENA FOR POLITICAL MILEAGE AND PATRONAGE.

"Three years is too short to determine the full impact of the switch in primary schools. On the other hand, if we wait to realize the full impact of the move, it may be too late to remedy the situation.

"It will be a sad case of missed opportunities and a costly waste in HUMAN CAPITAL (modal insan?) and material. Unesco's findings include a comprehensive research review carried out for the World Bank in 1997.

"The most important conclusion drawn from this research says: "...when learning is a goal, including that of learning a second language, the child's first language (i.e. his or her mother tongue) should be used as the medium of instruction in the early years of schooling.

"The first language is essential for the initial teaching of reading, and for comprehension of subject matter. It is the necessary foundation for the cognitive development upon which acquisition of the second language is based.

"Unesco quotes from 'Education for All: Policy Lessons From High-Achieving Countries (Staff Working Papers, New York, Unicef': "In a situation where the parents are illiterate...if the medium of instruction in school is a language that is not spoken at home the problems of learning in the environment characterized by poverty are compounded, and the chances of drop-out increase correspondingly."

Penulis K Arumugam mengemukakan hujahnya berdasarkan kajian Unesco, tetapi adalah amat malang sekali pemimpin negara dan kuncu-kuncunya termasuk penulis Melayu membuat sesuatu tindakan tanpa sebarang kajian. Selepas itu ia disokong bulat-bulat tanpa sebarang rujukan.

Kementerian Pelajaran melalui Menterinya, Hishammuddin Hussein selepas diasak oleh cendekiawan Melayu dan Umno Johor, berkata dasar SMI mungkin akan dikaji selepas kumpulan pertama pelajar UPSR menduduki peperiksaan itu pada 2008.

Tahun 2008? Ohh, tidak tahulah penulis betapa lambatnya Melayu bertindak. Jika prestasi bagus, dasar akan diteruskan; jika tidak, akan berpatah balik? Ohh, alangkah malangnya Melayu, hasil kajian Unesco sudah ada di depan mata tidak dipedulikan tetapi pemimpin Melayu bertindak berdasarkan rasa syok sendiri.

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Kembalikan penggunaan bahasa Melayu dalam Sains, Matematik

Sebagai seorang bapa yang mempunyai beberapa anak di sekolah rendah dan menengah, penulis begitu prihatin dengan prestasi mereka terutama apabila mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik mula diajar dalam bahasa Inggeris mulai tahun 2003.

Ketika cuti raya baru-baru ini penulis berpeluang berinteraksi dengan sejumlah guru yang terbabit dalam pengajaran subjek berkenaan dan cabangnya seperti Biologi, Kimia, Fizik dan Matematik Tambahan.

Seorang guru Biologi memberitahu daripada tujuh kelas Tingkatan Empat di sekolahnya, hanya sebuah kelas saja yang murid-muridnya berupaya menjawab kertas ujian Biologi dan Sains dalam bahasa Inggeris. Kelas ini menempatkan pelajar-pelajar terbaik. Enam lagi kelas, pelajarnya tidak dapat menjawab langsung.

Ertinya, yang boleh menjawab hanya 1/7 iaitu kurang 15 peratus. Itu yang boleh menjawab, belum lagi yang 'pass' kertas itu. Demikian betapa buruknya senario yang melanda dunia persekolahan anak-anak masa kini.

Guru tergigil-gigil mengajar

Seorang guru lain memberitahu, seorang guru Matematik sekolahnya tergigil-gigil dan menjadi kaku, tidak dapat berkata apa-apa ketika mengajar apabila menyedari sekumpulan pemerhati daripada jabatan pendidikan negeri sedang memantau kelasnya.

Akibatnya dia terpaksa dikaunseling dan dihantar berkursus untuk 'menajamkan' lagi bahasa Inggerisnya yang lintang pukang. Jika guru tidak mahir dalam bahasa Inggeris, bagaimana dia mahu mengajar anak muridnya dengan berkesan.

Seorang lagi guru memberitahu, kebanyakan pelajar yang menduduki peperiksaan awam seperti Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), memilih menjawab menggunakan bahasa Melayu dalam subjek Sains dan Matematik.

Ketika ini kertas peperiksaan masih menggunakan dwi-bahasa (Inggeris dan Melayu) sebelum bahasa Melayu 'dihapuskan sepenuhnya' dalam tempoh beberapa tahun lagi. Beliau berkata sekalipun menghadapi masalah istilah dan terma (di sekolah subjek berkenaan diajar dalam bahasa Inggeris), kebanyakan pelajar tidak peduli, mereka 'pakai hentam saja', asalkan boleh jawab soalan menggunakan bahasa Melayu.

Anak-anak Melayu makin ramai menuju ke 'longkang'

Masalah guru dan murid-murid yang 'merana' akibat pembelajaran subjek Sains dan Matematik semakin kronik, tetapi anehnya pegawai dan orang politik terus menghebahkan bahawa rancangan Dr Mahathir Mohamad itu mendapat kejayaan cemerlang, gemilang dan terbilang. Apa yang cemerlang itu tidak tahulah, tetapi yang jelas anak-anak Melayu semakin ramai menuju 'ke longkang'.

Apa tidaknya, kata guru Biologi tadi, apabila murid-murid tidak memahami apa yang diajar, mereka jadi bosan. Mereka tidak ada minat untuk belajar dan bagi menghabiskan masa di sekolah, mereka terbabit dalam gejala kurang sihat seperti menjadi samseng, kaki pukul, kaki buli, mat rempit dan kaki rokok.

Beliau terlalu bimbang anak-anak Melayu sekarang semakin parah. Beliau ketawa apabila diberitahu bahawa Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Noh Omar, mencadangkan pihak sekolah mendenda, menggantung persekolahan atau membuang pelajar-pelajar yang terbabit dalam aktiviti mat rempit.

Katanya, budak-budak sekarang ini lebih suka jika pihak sekolah menggantung atau membuang mereka daripada sekolah. Perkara ini ketara di kalangan pelajar Tingkatan Tiga, Lima dan Enam Atas.

Selepas mereka mendaftarkan diri untuk menggambil peperiksaan PMR, SPM atau STPM, mereka masih boleh menduduki peperiksaan berkenaan sebagai calon sekolah sekalipun mereka telah digantung persekolahan.

"Akibatnya," kata guru berkenaan, "pada hari peperiksaan, akan muncullah calon-calon yang berpakaian tidak senonoh, berambut panjang dan penampilan yang teruk, duduk di kerusi sebagai calon."

Katanya, jika tidak digantung pun, ramai pelajar tidak lagi hadir ke sekolah terutama pada penghujung tahun ini. Pelik tetapi benar kerana ada yang sudah bekerja, ada yang 'sekejap ada, sekejap tiada', ada yang jika datang ke sekolah pun hanya menyakitkan hati guru dengan mempamerkan gelagat samseng mereka.

Sementara itu, seorang bapa yang ditanya melahirkan rasa kecewanya, kerana anaknya yang kini bersekolah di sebuah sekolah yang kerap melahirkan bilangan ramai pelajar UPSR yang cemerlang sudah mula tidak terbawa subjek Matematik dan Sains.

Menurutnya, sebelum ini anaknya dalam kelas-kelas persendirian, tuisyen serta latih tubi yang diberikan dapat menjawab soalan-soalan subjek berkenaan dengan cemerlang, tetapi apabila dihadapkan dengan versi alih bahasa, semua soalan berkenaan tidak dapat difahaminya.

"Bukan dia tak tahu nak jawab, cuma bahasa dan istilah yang menjadi penghalang. Guru pula kerap mengajar dalam dalam bahasa Melayu dan pihak sekolah tidak mahu mengadakan sebarang kelas tambahan terutamanya dalam meningkatkan mutu penguasaan bahasa Inggeris para pelajar.

"Itu kelas pertama, kelas yang diletakkan harapan oleh sekolah, murid-murid yang memang telah dipilih, macamana pula dengan nasib rakan-rakannya di kelas-kelas yang lain,"jelasnya panjang lebar sambil melahirkan kebimbangan dengan situasi yang berlaku.

PM perlu bertindak segera selamat generasi muda

Guru-guru ini berharap Perdana Menteri, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dapat berbuat sesuatu dengan segera bagi menyelamatkan generasi muda, terutama anak-anak Melayu yang hanyut selepas tidak dapat menguasai pembelajaran di sekolah disebabkan penggunaan bahasa Inggeris dalam subjek Sains dan Matematik.

Kata mereka, jika Abdullah 'berani' menyanggah sesetengah tindakan Mahathir, tidak ada sebab beliau tidak dapat berbuat perkara yang sama mengenai bahasa dalam dunia pendidikan, apatah lagi hampir semua pihak termasuk cendekiawan tidak menyetujui langkah drastik penggunaan bahasa Inggeris yang dipaksakan oleh bekas Perdana Menteri itu.

Mahathir sebelum melaksanakan rancangan 'syok sendiri'nya itu tidak pun mengarahkan pakar membuat kajian impirikal, cuma berdasarkan pandangannya mengenai kepentingan penguasaan bahasa Inggeris.

Selain guru, ibu bapa juga berpendapat, Abdullah perlu bertindak segera kerana jika hal ini dibiarkan berlarutan, semakin hanyut dan rugilah anak-anak Melayu. Tidak ada sebab untuk tidak kembali ke pangkal jalan.

Kata mereka, jangan biarkan ego menguasai diri sedangkan anak-anak Melayu semakin tersisih dan tidak mendapat tempat di negara sendiri. Apakah pemimpin Melayu mahu semakin ramai anak-anak Melayu menjadi mat rempit, mat 'fit', mat 'stone' serta kaki buli, kaki botol, kaki ganja dan macam-macam kaki lagi disebabkan mereka tidak berminat dan bosan untuk ke sekolah? tanya mereka.

Altantuya Shaariibuu: Your Guide to the Facts

1. The Victim

Name:

The victim: Passport photo
Altantuya Shaariibuu. Has also been referred to as @ Aminah Abdullah @ Anna Ana Ang.

NST used the name Anna Ana Ang @ Aminah on 7 Nov, then Attantuya Shariibu @ Aminah on 8 Nov, then Attantuya Shaariibuu @ Aminah Abdullah on 9 Nov.

On 9 Nov NST reported that “Syed Abdul Rahman said Attantuya’s sister, Altantuya Shaariibuu, came to his office on Oct 28 to discuss her (Attantuya’s) disappearance before lodging a police report.” But then on 10 Nov NST used the name Altantuya Shaariibuu until today.

The Star, citing Bernama, used the name Anna Ana Ang on 7 Nov, Altantuya Shaariibuu @ Anna on 8 & 9 Nov, and then just Altantuya Shaariibuu from 10 Nov until now.

Harian Metro 7 Nov used the name Anna, then on 8 Nov used the names Anna Ana Ang @ Al Tantuya @ Aminah, then from 9 Nov until 12 Nov used the names Altantuya Shaariibu @ Aminah @ Anna Ana but on Nov 13 started using only the name Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Harian Metro 10 Nov, reported the Honorary Consul as saying “Wanita berkenaan juga tidak menggunakan atau mempunyai nama ‘Aminah’ seperti dilaporkan sebelum ini.”


Altantuya: Picture from Mongolian newspaper

Religion:

Buddhist.

Reports that she was also called “Aminah” led to many believing her to be a Muslim.

The Star 9 Nov reported that the Honorary Consul for Mongolia in Malaysia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi had said that “Altantuya's family claimed to have in their possession a valid marriage certificate, he said, adding that she might have converted to Islam in Mongolia. ”

But Harian Metro 10 Nov, reported the Honorary Consul as saying “Pasangan itu tidak pernah berkahwin atau wanita berkenaan sudah memeluk Islam. Ia tidak tepat dan boleh menimbulkan kekeliruan.”

The subject of her religion was not raised again until 17 Nov when the family gave her a Buddhist funeral at the crime scene at Puncak Alam Shah Alam.

Age: 28

Occupation:

She was reported to be a model as early as 8 Nov by all Malaysian newspapers. That she might not be a model is reported in The Star Nov 10 which carried out a telephone interview with Mongolian Messenger editor-in-chief Indra Borhondoi. Mr Borhondoi said that local modelling agencies in Mongolia had never heard of her.

In Star 12 Nov, her cousin Amy is reported to have said that “Altantuya is a university graduate, teacher and also a translator. She owns a travel agency. … and is a part-time model … She always travels overseas for business.”

S. Ouynaa, a close friend who went to school with her for an English course, said Altantuya was involved in the textile and clothing business and imported the items from China, after returning from Paris. (in the Star, Nov 15)

In Star Nov 16, Altantuya’s mother said that she never modelled. “People think she was a model because she was pretty”, she said

Descriptions of the Victim:

On 8 Nov, Harian Metro said, “Gambaran awal menunjukkan mangsa mempunyai fizikal tubuh badan yang tinggi, jelita, rambut lurus paras bahu selain kerap tampil berpakaian seksi.”

Star 8 Nov: “said to be a stunning beauty from Ulaanbaatar”

Star 12 Nov: “She is a very loving person, beautiful inside and out. She received formal education. She lived in Russia until she was 12 years old. She is really an attractive person.” said the cousin who wished to be known only as Amy.

More from Amy, Star 12 Nov: “She speaks among other languages English, Russian and Chinese (Mandarin). She has her own house and car.”

The Star, 15 Nov: Altantuya had a mole on the right side of her upper lip and it was removed about five years ago. “She had the birth mark removed to make her look more attractive,” said S. Ouynaa, a close friend who went to school with her for an English course. (This mole removal thing confirmed by Altantuya’s mother, reported in the Star 16 Nov.)

The Star 15 Nov: Altantuya was also very fashion conscious and would always dress to kill even for a normal occasion – more from S. Ouynaa,

The Star 15 Nov: “She was a smart woman and she knew how to survive even in the toughest environment” – Maadai, Altantuya’s ex-husband,

Family Details:

Father: Shaariibuu Setev, director of centre of information and education, National University of Mongolia. (Star 12 Nov). Before 12 Nov, some papers reported differently. NST 9 Nov said “Her father is a contractor in the Sukhbaatar district, near the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator.”

Mother: Sh Altantsetseg

Sister, Altantzul, 27

Q: Is Altantuya married or single?

The Mother claimed she was married once, to Maadai, a popular Mongolian singer from the Khar Sarnai (Black Rose) band which is famous for its American-style pop music (The Star Nov 16)

A family friend, interviewed by the Star, said Altantuya married Maadai in 1996 when she was 18. Maadai was then 22. They divorced after 2 years. She then married S. Khunikhuu, the son of a famous designer. They divorced two years later without having any children. (The Star Nov 15)

Q: Does she have kids?

From the start, all major Malaysian newspapers except for the Star claimed that Altantuya and Razak Baginda has a 16-month-old love child.

As early as 7 Nov, Harian Metro said this, “Menurut sumber … Anna, berusia 30-an, menjalin hubungan cinta sebelum mengadakan hubungan seks dengan lelaki Malaysia terbabit ketika dia melawat Mongolia, tahun lalu. Hubungan itu menyebabkan Anna melahirkan seorang bayi di negara asalnya, tahun ini.”

Then, on 9 Nov, Harian Metro said this, “Menurut sumber … Pada masa sama, bapa Altantuya dijangka tiba ke negara ini dalam tempoh terdekat membawa bersama cucunya berumur 16 bulan yang dikatakan hasil hubungan sulit wanita itu dengan seorang penganalisis politik tanah air.”,

and this

“Mangsa datang ke Malaysia pada 6 Oktober lalu bersama seorang sepupunya untuk mencari penganalisis politik berkenaan yang didakwa suaminya dan bapa kepada bayi mereka berusia 16 bulan.”

and this

“Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, hasil hubungan intim pasangan itu, mereka dikurniakan seorang anak lelaki berusia setahun empat bulan. Bagaimanapun, kanak-kanak ini menderita penyakit ‘Hidrocephalus’ iaitu lebihan cecair di kepala yang memerlukan pembedahan segera dan kini ditempatkan di sebuah hospital di Ulan Bator, Mongolia.”

NST also carried the same allegation. On 7 Nov, NST said “The case, which has led to the detention of three members of the police force, has been linked to the affair between the analyst and the victim which had started from a sexual encounter during the former's visit to Mongolia last year, and which had also resulted in the birth of a baby.”

Treating this as a fact, NST said on 9 Nov that “The father of Attantuya Shaariibuu, victim of a gruesome murder, is expected to arrive here on Monday accompanied by his 16-month-old grandson.”

Utusan Malaysia also came out with the same allegation on 8 Nov, also citing “sumber”.

However, on 10 Nov, Harian Metro and NST changed the story. They suddenly came out with the news that the 16-month-old baby was not Altantuya’s kid with Razak Baginda.

Harian Metro said,

“Bagaimanapun sumber memberitahu, anak wanita berkenaan yang berusia 16 bulan bukan hasil hubungan penganalisis politik terbabit. … Difahamkan, penganalisis politik terbabit yang mendapat tahu anak berkenaan bukan hasil hubungannya menjauhkan diri daripada wanita berkenaan.”

and

“Kesamaran status anak lelaki warga Mongolia yang dibunuh, Altantuya Shaariibuu, sama ada ia hasil hubungan sulit dengan seorang penganalisis politik tempatan terjawab apabila disahkan bukan hasil hubungan pasangan itu.

Status berkenaan dinyatakan Konsul Kehormat Kedutaan Mongolia di Malaysia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, yang mengatakan laporan sebenar perkara itu sebelum ini disalah lapor oleh media.

Kanak-kanak berusia 16 bulan itu lahir sebelum Altantuya serta penganalisis politik tempatan itu menjalinkan hubungan.”

NST also reported the same denial, and from that day onwards, stopped any mention about the 16-month-old baby.

The family itself denied the existence of the 16-month old baby.

The Star 16 Nov : The Mother claimed the victim had a 10-year old kid with Maadai named Atanshagai. Altantuya also had a 3-year-old kid with a different father who is also Mongolian, but the victim never married him. (). The Mother denied the existence of any 16-month-old kid, as alleged in Malaysian newspapers.

NST 16 Nov: “The father admitted that Altantuya has two sons, ages nine and three, but said his daughter was only married once. Her husband was a rock star in Mongolia.”

The Star 12 Nov : The cousin, Amy, neither denied nor confirmed the existence of the alleged 16-month-old kid, although she admitted Altantuya has a sick son named Altanchagai.


Amy


The Star 15 Nov : The family friend claimed that both children are living with her parents in a three-bedroom apartment in a 12-storey block at 34th Street in Ulanbataar, an upmarket residential area behind the popular shopping zone in the city.

The Star 16 Nov : But the Mother said the children lived with Altantuya.

Other Background Details:

NST 9 Nov: “She has completed secondary school education”.

Star 15 Nov: Altantuya attended High School 84 at the Bayazurkh district.

Star 15 Nov: She enrolled in Otgontenger University, a private education centre specialising in business and language studies in November 1996 but left school in January 1997, but, “She was absent most of the time. She skipped classes and examinations. She never completed the course because she was pregnant.”, said D. Orlomkhorol, university director.

Star 15 Nov: She went to Paris in 2000 and enrolled in a modelling school there after her divorce. “She was there briefly and got a certificate for modelling”, said Opoccoo Puntzag, Altantuya’s biology teacher in High School 84

2. The Accused Persons

Policeman 1 – Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30, from the elite Special Action Force (UTK) in Federal headquarters in Bukit Aman. Member of escort guard branch, tasked with the protection of VIPs (Star 8 Nov). Charged under s 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

NST 16 Nov said that “Azilah, believed to be from Sarawak, was an investigating officer with the Sepang district police headquarters for at least five years before he joined the Special Action Squad in 2002.

NST 16 Nov also said that Azilah is “a bachelor, he is said to be in a relationship with a lance corporal attached to the Petaling Jaya anti-vice unit.” (the Policewoman suspect)

Policeman 2 – corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 member of the Special Action Force (UTK), member of escort guard branch, tasked with the protection of VIPs (Star Nov 8). Charged under s 302 of the Penal Code for murder. He is said to be married with a child. (NST 16 Nov)


Sirul Azhar Umar (left) & Azilah Hadri

*Reports differ as to the rank of Policeman 2. The above facts is from The Star, but Harian Metro, NST and Bernama say that he is a police constable, not a corporal.

Abdul Razak Baginda – Top Malaysian strategic and defence analyst. [Click here]


Razak Baginda

3. Also Remanded:

Policewoman - detective lance corporal from the anti-vice and gaming branch (D7) in Petaling Jaya. She was remanded with the two Policemen accused with murder, but was released on police bail. She was said to have a relationship with Policeman 1, Azilah Hadri (NST 16 Nov)

46-year-old private investigator
35-year-old ex-cop (Harian Metro & Guang Ming Daily said he is also a private investigator)

These two PIs were first remanded for investigation folowing the victim’s police report she made on 19 October, where she said she was being threatened to be put in jail. (Utusan Malaysia 10 Nov). They were released but were rearrested on 15 Nov to assist police in their ongoing investigations into Altantuya’s murder.

On Nov 22, the two PIs were released on a RM50,000 court bond each as provided for under Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Star 23 Nov said they would be testifying as prosecution witnesses during the trial of the two policemen. The same Star report also said that the female lance corporal is also likely to be one of the main prosecution witnesses in the case.

Note that both Altantuya and Razak Baginda had engaged PIs. So if these two were the only PIs detained to assist investigation, then 1 must be the PI engaged by Altantuya and the other the PI engaged by Razak Baginda.

4. Other Characters Involved:

1. Amy, the victim’s cousin
2. Namiraa Gerelmaa, a friend of the victim (NST 18 Nov claimed that Amy and Namiraa Gerelmaa is the same person)
3. Honorary Consul for Mongolia in Malaysia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi
4. Mazlinda Makhzan, Razak Baginda’s wife who is a former Magistrate
5. The lawyers - Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah & M. Puravalen (representing Abdul Razak Baginda), Shaun Tan Kee Shaan for Policeman 1 and Policeman 2


Father and cousins: Shaariibuu, Amy & Ochir

5. Relationship Between Persons Involved:

Razak Baginda & Policeman 1 & 2:

Of course, now we know from the charge against Razak Baginda what his relationship with Policeman 1 & 2 is.

Razak was charged of having abetted C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar to commit the murder of Altantuya between 9.54am and 11.05am on Oct 18 at Level 10, Bangunan Getah Asli, 148, Jalan Ampang.

So, investigations must have showed that the 3 met the day before Altantuya died at Razak Baginda's office. But Razak was not charged as the one asking the police to commit the murder, only for helping them. How he help them will be proved during trial.

Before the charge, only twice did the papers mentioned anything about Razak's relations with the 2 policemen.

On Nov 8 Harian Metro, citing a “sumber polis”, put it like this: “Berikutan gangguan melampau, kenamaan berkenaan meminta bantuan anggota polis di Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) Bukit Aman yang dikenali untuk ‘menyelesaikan’ masalah itu”. However Harian Metro did not specifically say that this “anggota polis” is the same anggota polis that was arrested or not.

NST 10 Nov: “It is learnt that the analyst sought help from police friends after alleging that no action was being taken on his two earlier reports. A private investigator, whom he had also hired to keep the woman away from him and his family, had also allegedly failed.”

Razak Baginda & the Private Investigator(s):

“The PIs were believed to have been hired by Razak. Altantuya had lodged a police report against them on Oct 19, claiming that they had threatened to throw her into jail. According to Altantuya’s report made at Balai Polis Tun H.S. Lee, they were alleged to have made the threats to her at 5am on Oct 19 at Hotel Malaya where she was staying with her sister and cousin.” (Star Nov 10)

But note that both Altantuya and Razak Baginda had engaged PIs. So if these two were the only PIs detained to assist investigation, then 1 must be the PI engaged by Altantuya and the other the PI engaged by Razak Baginda.

Razak Baginda & the Victim:

There are numerous conflicting reports on this matter.

All the newspapers reported that they had an affair. Read for yourself some excerpts:-

NST 7 Nov: “The case, which has led to the detention of three members of the police force, has been linked to the affair between the analyst and the victim which had started from a sexual encounter during the former's visit to Mongolia last year, and which had also resulted in the birth of a baby.”

NST 9 Nov: “Attantuya Shaariibuu’s family alleges that she and the analyst enjoyed more than just a platonic relationship. They allege that he paid for her trip to South Africa in December last year and spent holidays in Europe and South Africa. … They claim that they knew of her relationship with the analyst and had met him. The analyst does not deny knowing Attantuya but alleges that it is impossible that the child is his.”

NST 9 Nov: “Syed Abdul Rahman also said that Attantuya had been to Malaysia several times since March 2004 and that her close relationship with the political analyst was "no secret" and was known by the woman’s family members.

He said the political analyst would meet up with Attantuya in Shanghai and they would return to Malaysia together.”

"During each meeting, he will give Attantuya gifts in the form of jewellery, including diamonds. He had also deposited US$30,000 (RM108,000) into Attantuya’s account," said Syed Abdul Rahman.

Her family also kept receipts for the purchase of the jewellery and also photographs of them together. The couple had also visited South Africa and several European countries.

He said the political analyst had also promised to buy Attantuya a house in Malaysia.”

Harian Metro 9 Nov: “Hubungan itu bukan saja tidak ubah seperti pasangan suami isteri, malah penganalisis terbabit pernah beberapa kali menemui ibu bapa mangsa ketika dia berada di kampungnya di Sukhbaatar, Mongolia.

Dia juga membiayai sepenuhnya tiket penerbangan atas nama Altantuya atau mesra dengan panggilan Anna Ana Ang yang dibeli dari sebuah agensi pelancongan di Jalan Raja Chulan di sini.

Selain itu, penganalisis itu yang juga seorang kenamaan (VIP) di negara ini, pernah memasukkan wang AS$30,000 (RM114,000) ke dalam akaun wanita berkenaan melalui sebuah bank di Mongolia.

Difahamkan, mengikut adat Mongolia, sekiranya lelaki dan wanita bersama dan mendapat anak hasil hubungan mereka, pasangan terbabit dianggap sudah menjadi suami isteri.”

Harian Metro 9 Nov: “Kebiasaannya, apabila Altantuya ingin ke negara ini, kata Syed Abdul Rahman, penganalisis itu akan bertemu dengannya di Shanghai sebelum membawanya masuk ke negara ini.

“Mereka akan menginap di hotel terkemuka di ibu negara setiap kali Altantuya berada di sini,” katanya.

Beliau mendakwa, penganalisis itu juga pernah berjanji untuk membelikan Altantuya sebuah rumah di negara ini sebagai tanda kasih mereka.

Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, hasil hubungan intim pasangan itu, mereka dikurniakan seorang anak lelaki berusia setahun empat bulan.”

Harian Metro 10 Nov: “Harian Metro difahamkan, mangsa dipercayai kali pertama memasuki Malaysia pada 2002 dan ketika itu hubungan pasangan berkenaan dikatakan baru berputik selepas penganalisis berkenaan pulang dari Mongolia.

Difahamkan, selain itu Altantuya … turut menyimpan gambar penganalisis terbabit ketika zaman mudanya.”

Utusan Malaysia 9 Nov: “Konsul Kehormat itu berkata, salah seorang sepupu mangsa yang menemuinya baru-baru ini mendakwa dia pernah menemui lelaki itu sebanyak dua kali iaitu di Starbucks di Shanghai dan Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf di Hong Kong.

Menurut Syed Abdul Rahman, semua maklumat yang diperoleh serta bukti yang dikemukakan oleh dua orang sepupu mangsa kepadanya, termasuk gambar lelaki tersebut, menunjukkan mereka memang mempunyai hubungan.”

Utusan 11 Nov: “Altantuya Shaariibuu dipercayai pernah datang ke Malaysia sebanyak lima kali dalam tempoh dua tahun ini.

Dalam lawatan pertamanya ke Malaysia pada 2 Mac tahun lalu, wanita yang berasal dari Ulan Bator, Mongolia itu pernah tinggal lebih seminggu di negara ini.

Bagaimanapun, dalam lawatan keempatnya pada 11 Ogos lalu, Altantuya hanya berada di negara ini tidak sampai 24 jam.

Difahamkan, Altantuya yang tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) pada kira-kira pukul 12 tengah hari hari berkenaan telah meninggalkan KLIA pada kira-kira pukul 7.30 pagi keesokan harinya.

Menurut sumber, lawatan kedua mangsa ke Malaysia juga pada bulan Mac tahun lalu manakala lawatannya dua bulan selepas itu merupakan yang terakhir ke negara ini bagi tahun 2005.

Pada tahun ini, Altantuya telah direkod masuk ke Malaysia sebanyak dua kali iaitu pada 11 Ogos dan pada 8 Oktober lalu sebelum dilaporkan hilang pada 20 Oktober,’’ kata sumber itu ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.”

Some papers went further claiming that the couple was actually married.

The Star 9 Nov: “The father of murdered model Altantuya Shaariibuu will come with documents to prove that she was married to the prominent political analyst, Mongolian honorary consul Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi said.

Syed Abdul Rahman, who is based here, said Altantuya's father would also be bringing his grandson for DNA tests to ascertain the identity of the father.

Altantuya's family claimed to have in their possession a valid marriage certificate, he said, adding that she might have converted to Islam in Mongolia.”

But this was later denied by Syed Abdul Rahman,

Harian Metro 10 Nov: “Selain itu, beliau meluahkan rasa kecewa kerana ada beberapa fakta lain yang tersalah lapor seperti status agama wanita itu serta kononnya pasangan berkenaan sudah berkahwin.

“Pasangan itu tidak pernah berkahwin ... Mengenai sijil perkahwinan, beliau turut menafikan ia ada dalam simpanan keluarga wanita itu kerana mereka tidak pernah melangsungkan perkahwinan.”

6. Sequence of Events:

It is impossible to gather from the newspapers what really happened. Newspapers reported different versions, and key facts were changed daily by these newspapers, almost always without citing sources. Below is the sequence of events:-

Oct 8: Arrived in Malaysia (Utusan 11 Nov). We based this on Utusan Malaysia, since they appear to have an Immigration source.

Q: Who did she arrive with?

Newspapers’ version differed. Some papers said she came with her sister and cousin (NST 7 Nov, NST 10 Nov, NST 15 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Harian Metro 12 Nov). Star 10 Nov reported this: “According to the Mongolian model’s report, they were alleged to have made the threats to her at 5am that day at Hotel Malaya where she was staying with her sister and cousin.”

But NST Nov 18 said “Amy and Ochir had accompanied Altantuya from Mongolia early last month.” NST Nov 18 claimed that Amy is Nirmalaa Gerelmaa, and that Amy and Ochir were the victim’s cousins.

Others said she came with her best friend, Namiraa Gerelmaa, 22 (Utusan 8 Nov). (Note that Namiraa Gerelmaa is recorded as the complainant in the subsequent court case, so she must be the one who made the eventual police report of Altantuya’s disappearance).

The Honorary Consul for Mongolia, though, told a different story, as reported in Harian Metro 8 Nov:

“Kehadiran Altantuya bersama seorang sepupunya, Galochir Uuriintuya, 29, ke negara ini pada 6 Oktober lalu untuk mengadu nasib dengan penganalisis terbabit yang dianggap ‘suaminya’ di samping ingin meminta wang bagi membiayai kos pembedahan yang bernilai AS$5,000 hingga AS$10,000 (RM19,000 hingga RM38,000).

Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, apabila Altantuya tidak pulang ke hotel, Galochir cuba membuat laporan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Brickfields tetapi gagal kerana dia tidak boleh berbahasa Inggeris dan terpaksa menghubungi sepupu mangsa, Namiraa Gerelmaa, 22, di Hong Kong bagi mendapatkan bantuan.

… Mereka berdua membuat laporan di balai polis sama keesokannya pada jam 11.48 malam dengan menyatakan Altantuya hilang dan khuatir akan keselamatannya. Galochir turut membuat laporan pada 28 Oktober lalu di balai polis sama memberitahu pasport antarabangsanya disimpan Altantuya kerana kehadirannya ke Malaysia dibiayai rakannya.”

Q: Why did she come to Malaysia?

The papers really went to town with this one.

Check this out from NST 7 Nov:

“Investigations are expected to cover various scopes, including the possibility that the strategist, well known on the international lecture circuit, fell victim to a US$500,000 (RM1.9 million) blackmail pulled off by the woman … investigators are now looking at the possibility that this "missing person" incident has brought them up against a sex-cum-blackmail scam whose players have international links.”

And this the day after:

“ (she) allegedly demanded US$500,000 (RM1.85 million) as payment after he signalled the end of their affair. She claimed that she had given birth to his child and threatened to go public if her demand was not met.” (NST 8 Nov)

NST 9 Nov: “Attantuya’s family says that she came to Malaysia to obtain money to treat her toddler son. But the political analyst alleges that a woman was extorting US$500,000 (RM1.82 million) from him and had harassed him with SMSes.”

However, the Star and Utusan never reported this 500,000USD extortion story.

Star 8 Nov: “It is learnt that Altantuya, mother of a 16-month-old baby boy, came to Malaysia to seek help and financial support from the analyst for the baby, who is in need of medical treatment.”

And according to Utusan 8 Nov, “Difahamkan, Altantuya yang ditemani rakan karibnya, Namiraa Gerelmaa, 22, datang ke Kuala Lumpur pada 6 Oktober lalu untuk menemui ‘suaminya’ yang sudah berkahwin dan mempunyai anak.”

As stated earlier, the Honorary Consul for Mongolia’s version was reported in Harian Metro 8 Nov:

“Kehadiran Altantuya … ke negara ini … untuk mengadu nasib dengan penganalisis terbabit yang dianggap ‘suaminya’ di samping ingin meminta wang bagi membiayai kos pembedahan yang bernilai AS$5,000 hingga AS$10,000 (RM19,000 hingga RM38,000).”

So, from the reports, it cannot be satisfactorily concluded why and with whom she came to Malaysia, although we can safely say that she came with her lady companion or companions with the objective of meeting Razak Baginda.

Oct 9: Altantuya and her lady companion or companions check into Hotel Malaya, Jalan Hang Lekir. (all reports)

Oct 10: She/they meet with private investigator to help her meet Razak Baginda. (NST 7 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Utusan 17 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

Oct 10-Oct 15: - She/they made numerous phone calls to the private investigator from their hotel rooms. (NST 7 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

- Private investigator met Razak Baginda at the latter’s office.

Oct 15: Razak Baginda filed two police reports against Altantuya and the private investigator (NST Nov 9). He alleged that he was being intimidated by certain individuals. (all newspapers)

Q: What did Razak say in the police reports?

We don’t know but the following news excerpts are interesting:-

NST 9 Nov: “His team of lawyers are arguing that he had no role in the murder …, had co-operated fully with investigators since his arrest and had lodged two police reports last month on being blackmailed by the woman. As such, he should not be held in remand for five days, as ordered by a magistrate’s court yesterday.”

NST 10 Nov: “Shafee is saying that the analyst has no role in the murder. He pointed out that his client had lodged two police reports last month, claiming that he was being blackmailed and harassed by the woman.”
Utusan 9 Nov: “Dalam laporan yang dibuat di Ibu Pejabat Polis (IPD) Brickfields di sini pada pertengahan Oktober lalu, pengarah eksekutif agensi pemikir itu mendakwa beliau telah diperas ugut oleh model itu sejak lebih setahun lalu.”

Before Oct 19: - Altantuya turns up at the building where the analyst’s office is housed but is turned away by a security guard. Allegedly told the guard to pass a message to the analyst, claiming that she had given birth to his child. (NST 8 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Metro 9 Nov)

- Razak Baginda hired private investigator(s) following contact(s) made by Altantuya/her private investigator (NST 10 Nov, Star 10 Nov)

Oct 19: - Altantuya lodged a police report at the Tun H.S. Lee Police Station at about 1 p.m., claiming that certain parties had threatened to throw her into jail. According to Altantuya’s report, the threats were made to her at 5 a.m. that day at Hotel Malaya. It is believed that those making the threats are the two PIs currently being remanded, or at least one of them. (Star Nov 10, Nov 17, Utusan 10 Nov)

The other events happening on October 19 had many different versions:-

NST 8 Nov:
“(Altantuya) and her sister turn up at the prominent personality’s home in Bukit Damansara in a taxi. A security consultant hired by the analyst allegedly stops her from entering the house, and warns her to leave. She persists. The security consultant threatens to call the police. She leaves in a taxi and returns to the hotel.

Several hours later, she leaves the hotel. That was the last time she was seen alive.”

The Sun 9 Nov:
“Altantuya and her cousin turn up at the analyst’s home in Damansara Height in a taxi. A security consultant hired by the analyst prevents them from entering the house and warns her to leave. She leaves and return to her hotel. Several hours later she leaves her hotel room.”

The Star 8 Nov:
“Altantuya managed to find out where the analyst lived but failed in her attempt to meet him until Oct 19 when she was said to have received a telephone call to meet him at his house.

She was said to have contacted her sister and cousin over the handphone, informing them that she had reached the analyst’s house.

While she was outside the house, she was seized by several men, pushed into a car and driven away.

Her sister and cousin, who last heard from her that night, became worried and sought the help of the Mongolian Embassy in Bangkok after they were told that there was no embassy or consul here.”

Utusan 10 Nov:
“Selepas 13 hari menanti, akhirnya pada 19 Oktober lalu, mangsa dijemput oleh seorang lelaki di hotel penginapannya di Jalan Hang Lekir di sini untuk bertemu ‘suaminya’.

Mangsa dilaporkan tidak kembali ke hotel keesokan harinya dan Namiraa yang gagal mengesan Altantuya telah bertindak melaporkan kehilangan wanita itu kepada Konsulat Mongolia di Thailand. “

Metro 9 Nov:
“Altantuya ditemani seorang saudaranya ke kediaman penganalisis politik itu di Bukit Damansara tetapi sekali lagi dihalang menemui lelaki itu.

Dia enggan berganjak bertemu lelaki itu tetapi selepas pegawai keselamatan mengatakan akan memanggil polis, mereka pulang semula ke hotel penginapan.

Bagaimanapun, beberapa jam kemudian, Atlantuya meninggalkan hotel penginapannya dipercayai ke kediaman penganalisis politik itu. Itulah kali terakhir, model sambilan itu dilihat.”

The same Harian Metro edition then proceeded to give a different story in a different article!

Metro 9 Nov:
“Syed Abdul Rahman berkata, kira-kira jam 7 malam pada 19 Oktober lalu, Altantuya menerima panggilan daripada seorang lelaki India bernama Bala yang memperkenalkan diri sebagai pengawal peribadi penganalisis terbabit.

Lelaki berkenaan memaklumkan VIP itu ingin menemui mangsa bagi membincang masalah mereka.

Mangsa yang kegembiraan terus mendapatkan teksi dan ke rumah ‘suaminya’ di Jalan Setia Jaya. Bagaimanapun, menurut pemandu teksi yang membawanya, mangsa ditarik seorang lelaki sebaik keluar dari kenderaan itu dan dibawa masuk ke sebuah Proton Wira merah.

Kereta itu bergerak ke kawasan tidak diketahui dengan diikuti sebuah jip Suzuki. Pemandu teksi yang masih belum menerima bayaran itu kemudian mendapatkan Bala lalu diberikan RM50. Dia kemudian diarah datang semula keesokannya bagi mendapatkan baki bayaran berikutan mangsa menggunakan teksinya selama sehari bagi mencari suaminya,” katanya.”

From the reports, there is no way we can say what happened on that fateful October 19. But what was constant in all the reports was that Altantuya left her hotel and took a taxi to go to Razak Baginda’s house. She never returned.

What we do know is that the charges against the two policemen was for having jointly murdered the 28-year-old freelance model between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam.

So for Oct 19, the following events are added:-

Oct 19: - Altantuya left her hotel and took a taxi to go to Razak Baginda’s house. She never returned.

- Between 10pm that night and 1am the next morning (Oct 20) at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam, in the darkness of the jungle and the night, she was jointly killed by Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 from the elite Special Action Force.

The rest of the events were well recorded and not disputed. So, after taking out all the deductions and discussions, we arrive at the following ‘clean’ sequence of events.

Oct 8:
Altantuya arrived in Malaysia

Oct 9:
Altantuya and her lady companion or companions check into Hotel Malaya, Jalan Hang Lekir. (all reports)

Oct 10:
She/they meet with private investigator to help her meet Razak Baginda. (NST 7 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Utusan 17 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

Oct 10-Oct 15:
- She/they made numerous phone calls to the private investigator from their hotel rooms. (NST 7 Nov, Harian Metro 9 Nov)

- Private investigator met Razak Baginda at the latter’s office.

Oct 15:
Razak Baginda filed two police reports against Altantuya and the private investigator (NST Nov 9). He alleged that he was being intimidated by certain individuals.

Before Oct 19:
- Altantuya turns up at the building where the analyst’s office is housed but is turned away by a security guard. Allegedly told the guard to pass a message to the analyst, claiming that she had given birth to his child. (NST 8 Nov, The Sun 9 Nov, Metro 9 Nov)

- Razak Baginda hired private investigator(s) following contact(s) made by Altantuya/her private investigator (NST 10 Nov, Star 10 Nov)

Oct 19:
- Altantuya lodged a police report at the Tun H.S. Lee Police Station at about 1 p.m., claiming that certain parties had threatened to throw her into jail. According to Altantuya’s report, the threats were made to her at 5 a.m. that day at Hotel Malaya. It is believed that those making the threats are the two PIs currently being remanded, or at least one of them. (Star Nov 10, Nov 17, Utusan 10 Nov)

- Altantuya left her hotel and took a taxi to go to Razak Baginda’s house. She never returned.

- Between 10pm that night and 1am the next morning (Oct 20) at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam, in the darkness of the jungle and the night, she was jointly killed by Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 from the elite Special Action Force.

Oct 21:
Police report made by Altantuya’s companion(s) at the Hotel about her disappearance. They named Abdul Razak as being involved in the disappearance.

Oct 21-26:
Woman detective lance corporal detained to assist investigation.

26 Oct:
Chief Inspector Azilah detained to assist investigation.

6 Nov:
Corporal Sirul Azhar detained to assist investigation.

7 Nov:
Razak Baginda detained to assist investigation.

15 Nov:
- DNA test result confirmed that the remains found at the crime scene belong to Altantuya

- Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30 and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 are charged for having jointly murdered the 28-year-old freelance model between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 at Lots 12843 and 16735 in Mukim Bukit Raja in Shah Alam under s 302 of the Penal Code read together with s 34 of the same.

- Woman detective lance corporal released on police bail.

16 Nov:
Razak Baginda charged of having abetted C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar to commit the murder of Altantuya between 9.54am and 11.05am on Oct 18 at Level 10, Bangunan Getah Asli, 148, Jalan Ampang, here - the official address of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, under s 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 302 of the same code. If convicted, he will be sentenced to death.

18 Nov:
Altantuya’s father, relatives and monks carried out last rites for Altantuya’s soul at the crime scene at Puncak Alam.

23 Nov:
Razak Baginda pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. He was released on court bond for RM1 million.

61% agree with ASLI's key finding

61% of Malaysia Tomorrow readers agreed with ASLI’s key finding that Bumiputeras now own 45% of equity in Malaysia's stock exchange despite various statements in the media that disputed the findings.

We posted the poll on 9 October 2006, when the issue was only coming out in the national newspapers. Throughout the next few weeks, the issue became the hottest issue in the news and was widely debated in the media. with ASLI finally retracting the report which contains the finding.

The poll was live for 30 days, from Monday 09 October 2006 to Tuesday 07 November 2006.

There was a technical glitch with the polling numbers, as the system states that 107 votes were returned but the voting columns showed that only 104 votes were recorded in the voting column. 3 votes were relegated to the Twilight Zone. So we have recounted the voting percentage, counting only the recorded 104 votes.

Technically, we allowed a voter to only vote once, as the poll would create a cookie stored in the voter’s PC or notebook which prevented him or her from voting twice.

Here is the question we posed and the choices we provided:-

Question:
Do you agree with Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI)’s key finding that Bumiputeras now own 45% of equity in Malaysia's stock exchange?

Options:
1. Yes
2. No

From the 104 votes recorded, 61% answered yes. This is very surprising since there were numerous statements denying the figures made by national leaders. In fact the ASLI report which contains the finding was even at the end retracted by the research body.

A voter (salam_mesra@hotmail.com) posed a question: do the Malays realized that they are the malaysian americans?
Food for thought.



The setting for a recent elite Malay wedding


But many Malays still live like this

Pejabat GERAK di pecah masuk !

16 Nov - Seluruh team GERAK yang baru pulang daripada Siri Jelajah Penerangan GERAK di Perlis, Kedah dan Penang awal pagi ini terkejut mendapati Pejabat GERAK telah dipecah masuk.

Kunci pintu hadapan pejabat telah dipecahkan. Semua laci – laci yang berkunci di pejabat GERAK juga telah dipecahkan anehnya tiada satu pun barang berharga yang hilang termasuk beberapa komputer riba (laptop) yang diletakkan dalam laci berkunci yang telah dipecahkan.

Siasatan awal mendapati hanya beberapa dokumen yang membabitkan rasuah hilang. Beberapa fail dan thumb drive juga turut hilang. Pihak keselamatan bangunan telah memulakan siasatan dan laporan polis telah pun dibuat pada jam 10.19 pagi ini di Balai Polis Kelana Jaya. Laporan bernombor K.Jaya/009097/06.

GERAK menyakini kejadian ini berkait langsung dengan laporan polis yang dibuat oleh yang membabitkan beberapa pemimpin utama negara dan ahli keluarga mereka termasuk Perdana Menteri dan anaknya Kamaluddin Abdullah dan kempen pendedahan serta penerangan GERAK yang berhubung perkara tersebut yang telah bermula sejak seminggu lalu.

GERAK akan terus menjalankan operasi di pejabat yang sama dan kejadian tersebut tidak menjejaskan tumpuan GERAK untuk terus berjuang memerangi rasuah.

Dalam perkembangan lain GERAK percaya kenyataan Presiden Umno dalam Perhimpunan Agung semalam yang kononnya bersungguh sungguh memerangi rasuah dan mengajak semua pihak membantunya merupakan satu kenyataan kosong dan retorik semata - mata. GERAK hanya percaya kepada komitmen Perdana Menteri untuk memerangi rasuah sekiranya beliau berani membuat pindaan perundangan di Parlimen untuk membebaskan Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR) dari struktur Jabatan Perdana Menteri itu sendiri dan meletakkan BPR terus di bawah Parlimen secara langsung.

GERAK ingin mengingatkan rakyat sepanjang 3 tahun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menjadi Perdana Menteri (PM), tidak ada satu pun pindaan undang undang yang membabitkan akta rasuah dibuat untuk memperkasakan BPR.

GERAK yakin Abdullah telah berbohong kepada rakyat khususnya perwakilan Umno semalam. Berdasarkan pendedahan kes – kes korupsi mutakahir ini yang membabitkan salah guna kuasa beliau sendiri sebagai PM dalam memperkayakan anak dan menantu beliau, Abdullah sebenarnya tidak mempunyai kekuatan moral dan jati diri untuk memerangi rasuah.

GERAK menyeru Abdullah untuk secara jujur mengakui ketidak kemampuan beliau untuk melaksanakan tugas besar ini iaitu memerangi rasuah dan dengan ini mendesak beliau untuk meletakkan jawatan di akhir Perhimpunan Agung Umno kali ini.

p/s : apa yang nak di curi sebenarnya ?

What ASLI report ?

This is what I dig from the ASLI report:

• Although the equity holding by Bumiputera has declined, the volume of wealth may not necessarily decline.
• Although the Chinese owns more than 40% of corporate equity, the Chinese have learned to create smart partnerships with influential Bumiputeras to protect their interest. Conclusively, the Chinese do not own a substantial amount of the economy as widely speculated.
• Market cap is not a true representation of wealth because of fluctuation of share prices. Private wealth must also be taken into consideration.
• The capital ownership of Bumiputera is 18.7%, which includes foreign interest of 28.8% and nominee companies of 9.2%. Not a true representation of ethic ownership. If these ownerships are taken out, Bumiputera equity holding is 30.2%.
• The decline of Chinese direct participation in sectors such banking, oil & gas, education and the more apparent presence of Bumiputera in key positions.
• The actual ownership of Bumiputera on the bourse is 45%, which means that the NEP has achieved its goal.
• ASLI has found that the NEP’s goal to nurture a selected few has failed.
• The NEP does not allow true entrepreneurial spirit and does not promote foreign investment.
• Non-Bumiputera enterprises have cherished in Malaysia because they are open to competition during the NEP implementation.
• SMEs of all races must be developed.
• Malay agenda has to be replaced with Malaysian agenda to futher grow the economy.

It’s hard to argue with reports churned by established institutions. However, after reading this report, I think more than half of the report is just plain rubbish (Tan Sri Muhyiddin, you da man). When the report argues that the Bumiputera usually benefit from divesting interest during public offerings and channeling their wealth to other avenues such as real estates and trusts, we have to also measure what is the current volume owned by the Chinese. Amanah Saham Nasional is not the only trust agency in Malaysia! You want to compare apple to apple, let’s open up all the accounts in all financial bodies and look at the true volume.

One contradiction I find in this report is that first it talked about how the Chinese usually look for influential Malays as partners to protect their interest. Then it talked about the rise of smart partnerships between Chinese and the Melayu Baru especially in manufacturing that contributes to the economy. Which is which??? So first kutuk the Malays because the NEP has not worked, and then puji the Malays again because we’re afraid that the Malay political masters will whack us?

The decline of ownership in anchor banks by the Chinese needs to be looked at from the perspective of market penetration, not ownership of individual banks. In other words, we don’t know whether 3 out of 10 banks are controlling the majority of the market or not.

It’s sick reading this report. It undermines the intelligence of the Malaysian community. I hope ASLI does not think that the Melayu Baru are as gullible or naïve. If we counter this report with another report, this will only start a chain reaction of academic discussions.

The MAJOR point of this whole issue is that we see the rise of the Chinese trying to speak up more about Malay rights in our Tanah Melayu or ‘Malay’sia. What are we going to do about it fellow Melayu Baru or Lama?????

ASLI's Major Finding

• The ownership of Bumiputera equity is largely contributed by participation of GLCs
• Corporate growth through debt was Government’s main strategy prior to 1997 crisis. Bumiputeras running large conglomerates took a big fall after.
• There is a new breed of Bumiputera from the middle class with sound education and access to human development opportunities to climb up in the private sector.

ASLI believes that the Government’s intention to redistribute wealth through affirmative action may jeopardize economic growth. ASLI says that the Government should focus on the growth of SMEs in the Ninth Malaysia Plan to promote genuine entrepreneurial capacity.

The objective of the NEP was to eradicate identification of race by economic functions. The NEP was to increase the economic ownership ration of 2.4:33:63 (Malay:Chinese:Indian) to 30:40:30. However, the Government was unclear of the method to be used to redistribute wealth. This would suggest that should one Bumiputera hold most of the 30% and other Bumiputera hold little or nothing, the goal would have been achieved. Following the implementation of this policy, the Bumiputera equity increased from 2.4% in 1970 to 18.7% in 2004 through GLCs and Government agencies. ASLI believes that the 18.7 percentage is deceiving.

The Malaysian Government through its numerous trust agencies and GLCs such as Khazanah, Petronas, PNB, MOF and others have acquired equity in companies as investment. Most are now major equity shareholders in these companies. The acquisition exercise includes participation by various State Economic Development Corporations (SEDC).

The Government has also used Bursa Malaysia as a platform to increase Bumiputera equity. During Tun Mahathir’s premiership in 1981, Tun Mahathir was of the opinion that the stock market was the avenue to create wealth for the Bumiputera by selectively choosing a small group of Malay businessmen and enabling them to use government-linked assets into the stock market. This resulted in swift corporate growth.

Another method was privatization. This involved the sale of government entities to selected Bumiputera businessmen. This resulted in a massive increase of Bumiputera equity in the early 1990s.

Legislation and enforcement agencies were established to maintain to enforce equity distribution among ethnic communities such as the Industrial Co-ordination Act 1975 and Securities Commission and Capital Issues Committee. The regulation includes a minimum equity holding of 30% by Bumiputera. MIT was responsible to ensure that companies going for listing either sell 30% of the equity to approved Bumiputera companies or 30% of the paid up capital is already owned by Bumiputera before listing.

Through these mechanisms, Bumiputera equity increased from 2.4% in 1973 to 20.6% in 1995 and 18.7% in 2004. Chinese equity went from 27.2% to 40.9% in 2004. In terms of value, Bumiputera held equity amounting to RM73.2billion in 2004 compared to RM447 million in 1970.

However, many recipients of share equity divested their interest for a huge profit. Much of the proceeds are rechanneled to Government trust agencies which provide a return of 12-18% per annum, much higher that commercial banks fixed deposits of 3-4%.

Some divestment found its way into the property sector. Value of properties owned by Bumiputera especially in prime areas have appreciated considerably. Bumiputera also enjoy discounts from purchase of real estates. Although the equity holding by Bumiputera has declined, the volume of wealth may not necessarily declined.

A survey of market capitalization of top companies in Bursa Malaysia done in 1993 indicated that the Government owns 40.5% of this equity. Another report indicated GLCs’ market cap amounted to RM260billion, or 36% of total market cap.

Although the Chinese owns more than 40% of corporate equity, the Chinese have learned to create smart partnerships with influential Bumiputeras to protect their interest. Conclusively, the Chinese do not own a substantial amount of the economy as widely speculated.

There is also a dispute in the NEP figures, that the true Bumiputera ownership of equity is 50%, according to Ramon Navaratnam. This is because equity owned by politicians in UMNO and other influential figures are hidden in nominee companies to conceal from scrutiny.

Bumiputera apportioned stock during public offerings are usually sold for a profit. The companies involved need to maintain the 30% Bumiputera equity as part of regulation. This means that although the Bumiputera ownership is seen to have dropped, the actual volume has increased.

Incentives and privileges for Bumiputera are prone to abuse. The access to wealth is usually privileged to middle and upper class Bumiputera, thus hindering the under-priveleged Bumiputera to improve their standard of living. Equitable distribution of wealth can only be done effectively if distributed based on income level.

The regulation of ensuring 30% of Bumiputera equity in foreign companies wanting to conduct business in Malaysia hinders foreign investment. This does not allow the company to truly reflect its true fund raising ability because of this artificial requirement. Not only that, hypermarkets are instructed to have 30% of their shelves allotted for Bumiputera SMEs. Numerous foreign companies are not keen of such regulation.

Bumiputera presence is also more apparent in emerging sectors, such as oil & gas, finance, banking and education. The staffing for big enterprises are usually Bumiputera. A number of large firms originally owned by foreigners or non-Bumi are now owned by Bumiputera or government control such as United Asian Bank, MISC, UMW, NSTP, MMC, Sime Darby, Golden Hope, UEM, Guthrie and others.

Bumiputera presence in executive positions is also more apparent especially in large enterprises such as PETRONAS, MAS and Maybank.

A huge decline of influence of non-Bumiputera is in the banking sector. Because of consolidation exercise, numerous non-Bumiputera-owned banks were under the direct control of less enterprising banks owned by Bumiputera, despite public outcry. Now there are only 3 Chinese-owned anchor banks. Among the ten anchor banks, the Government and Bumiputera own the rest of them.

The conventional method of Government’s initiative to boost up Bumiputera equity ownership through debt has taken a tremendous backlash, in particular, after the economic crash in 1997.

There is also an encouraging increase of inter-ethnic partnership since the 90’s. Because the NEP has so far uplifted the Bumiputera status and the creation of more well-educated middle and upper-class Bumiputera, Bumiputeras now are at par and have the ability to compete better. This now wealthier and smart Bumiputera are creating smart partnerships with non-Bumiputera especially in the area of manufacturing, suggesting that the trend of ‘Ali-Baba’ alliances are diminishing and a more productive business partnerships are being created.