It’s time to quit as BN head, Abdullah

On my way back from office last night, I received sms news: “Sin Chew Daily News reporter Tan Hoon Cheng arrested at her home in Bukit Mertajam at 8:30pm”. She was later confirmed to be detained under ISA.

It is widely believed that Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested due to her honest and verbatim reporting of the infamous “Chinese squats (tumpang) in this country” statement uttered by an ultra extremist Ahmad Ismail.

I received many sms later. All cried about foul play and abuse of power of the authority. Members of the public were absolutely shocked and dissatisfied with the arrest of a reporter, who was merely performed her duty diligently and professionally. Any reporter, regardless of race and religion who has been assigned with tasks, will report the statement made by speakers of the event. Using the standard of the excuse given for the arrest, it would only mean that more journalists who carry out their jobs dutifully could be detained under the ISA. Many reporters are living in fear, wary about they may be the next target of ISA. Perhaps, this is the scare tactic used by those who are desperate. Only desperate men will act unreasonably and recklessly, and even resort to the extreme measures.


A leader who is unable to command his/her subordinate is considered as a desperate man. For example, after Ahmad Ismail’s ultra statement was made public, the Prime Minister and the UMNO President Abdullah Badawi did instruct Ahmad Ismail to explain and apologise. However, Abdullah changed his mind and softened his tone later after chairing the Penang UMNO State Liaison meeting—as he witnessed Ahmad, the local UMNO strongman was backed staunchly by the 12 UMNO Divisions. Being the leader of Barisan Nasional, Abdullah has placed his fellow partners within the coalition in a hostile position. In struggling to survive for the remaining 2 years within UMNO, it seems that Abdullah has chosen to sacrifice the interest of Barisan Nasional as a whole.

Despite his later effort to punish Ahmad Ismail by suspending the latter’s membership of UMNO for 3 years, his good deed was buried altogether with the blunder that he made in arresting the innocent reporter.

Tan Hoon Cheng was released today, after MCA President Ong Ka Ting intervened in this matter. The public was relieved. However, image of Barisan Nasional administration has suffered an irreparable damage. Some people told me that nothing could be worst than having Pak Lah to head the administration and they started to consider Pakatan Rakyat as a realistic alternative.

Besides being an indecisive leader, the public simply could not take Abdullah’s words seriously. His word cannot be bonded. Few incidents such as he assured that Parliament would not dissolve in near future but he changed his mind just the next day; his Minister publicly denied an increase in petrol price and the next day he overruled by allowing the highest hike of petrol price. As a Prime Minister, his credibility has been severely tarnished.

After suffering a crushing defeat in the political tsunami of March 8th, I was relieved when Abdullah conceded to a 2-year power transition plan, i.e. by June 2010. He claims that he has many pending jobs to be completed such as reforming the judiciary, setting up the IPCMC and implementing the Economic Corridor projects.

3 months passed after the countdown begins; the ordinary folks have been experiencing the worst inflation and, with no salary increment. Moreover, the public is pessimistic over the economic outlook. Most are living in a very difficult time. The Economic Corridor projects are simply a far-fetched idea that is impossible to relief the immediate hardship suffered by the people.

As a matter of fact, it will be wiser for Abdullah if he choose not to talk about judiciary reform and IPCMC from now on. He has resorted to an evil law ISA to detain an innocent reporter and DAP MP Teresa Kok without putting them into trial. Until now, we are still uncertain as to the supposed guilt of Teresa Kok given that the Masjid and residents have refuted any involvement of Teresa Kok on the issue of azan matter. In fact, Teresa has denied firmly any involvement on azan matter and intended to sue Khir Toyo, the maker of the allegation. Just like many others, I am not convinced on the excuse given to detain Teresa.

Detention without trial under ISA is definitely an insult to the judiciary system. It brushes aside the adjudicate function played by the judiciary, a core mechanism for a democracy country. Being a lawyer and an officer of court, I firmly disagree with the use of such draconian law.

ISA gave absolute power of arrestment and detention to the police. It is a Pandora box which allows the floodgate of power abuse. Even the implementation of the so-called IPCMC, if it could be materialized, would not be able to curtail any police power exercisable under ISA.

After the arrests made on Friday night, I can see no valid reason for Abdullah Badawi to remain as the head of Barisan Nasional and the Prime Minister. His prolong staying as leader of the coalition party will only disintegrate the entire Barisan Nasional. Abdullah should step down with immediate effect. He should be replaced by someone who is more focus, decisive and can lead the government with direction.