It is apparent that, for more than 50 years, Umno had successfully hoodwinked the simple, trusting rural Malays. Umno has successfully used RTM and the mainstream media, especially the Malay press, to indoctrinate these simple people with the so-called political ideology that Umno was their saviour and the defender of Bangsa and Ugama. Our special correspondent zeroes in on one such ‘champion, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.
On 21 May 2008, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib was interviewed on RTM1. It was indeed heart-rending to listen to his narration of the pathetic condition of rural Malays. He had recently visited some kampungs in Sik, Gerik and Selama. He displayed deep emotion when he explained that these kampungs he visited had no piped water, electricity or roads. He must have gone into some homes and was obviously distressed about their poor diet – nasi, ikan bilis, ulam and sambal belacan. The pathetic condition of these rural Malays would move anyone to tears. Tan Sri, it was kind and caring of you to obtain first-hand knowledge of the conditions under which poverty-stricken Malays live in spite of our 50 years of independence.
Incidentally, I went to these places in the 1980s. On my school visits, I had great difficulty travelling to rural schools – no roads, no signboards, no piped water or electricity in the schools I visited. I wonder whether Tan Sri took the bus from Gurun to Sik, from Baling to Gerik, from Kulim to Selama. Chameleons change colour to suit their surroundings. It would have been unwise of you if you had gone in full suit with matching Bally shoes to these places in your chauffeur-driven Mercedes Benz. Tan Sri, you probably went to the kampungs in your shirt-sleeves, cheap long pants and Japanese slippers or Bata shoes to convince them that their defender’s heart, mind and soul are with them in their plight.
I spent ten years of my life in rural areas and I know the goodness, generosity and hospitality of rural people. They display the best in Islam. So, Tan Sri, these deeply spiritual people would have accorded you the best treatment.
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Tan Sri, this is 2008. We became an independent country in 1957. More than 50 long years have gone by. We had our first general election in 1959 and on 8 March, we had our 12th election. Before each of the 12 general elections, Umno candidates had promised piped water, electricity, roads and an improvement of their living standards. It is apparent that, for more than 50 years, Umno had successfully hoodwinked these simple, trusting rural Malays. Umno has successfully used RTM and the mainstream media, especially the Malay press, to indoctrinate these simple people with the so-called political ideology that Umno was their saviour and the defender of Bangsa and Ugama.
While the rural Malays have continued to suffer in their rural environments, Tan Sri, you live in a palatial mansion. Your healthy sexual appetite included more than one wife, including a sultan’s daughter. And while the rural Malays were living in utter poverty, you were caught smuggling a huge amount of money, ill-gotten gains no doubt, into Australia.
In one of my visits to Sik, I happened to speak to a Tuan Haji at a pondok kopi. He was a retired teacher and a man of wisdom and deep spirituality. In the course of our conversation, I pointed out to him that for more than 25 years then Umno MPs had not kept their election promises repeatedly and had done little to improve the lives of the people. He replied that the poor are helpless when they are used, manipulated and exploited by politicians. “We cannot punish the politicians,” he said. “However, when they stand before Allah, they will have to answer to Him.”
As I was driving back to Gurun, I pondered over the words of Tuan Haji. Then a chilling thought came to my mind: what if these Umno MPs are masquerading as Muslims and do not believe in Allah and the noble teachings of the Holy Koran?
Tan Sri, you had the audacity to organise an Umno meeting at the PWTC to stir up antagonism towards and hatred of Raja Petra, whom you portrayed as an unpatriotic man who had insulted race, religion and the Malay rulers. You obtained the assembly’s mandate to lodge a police report against our beloved Raja Petra on a whole hogwash of dubious charges. Poor Raja Petra, truly a noble Muslim, had to suffer the indignity of grilling and rough treatment at the hands of the police while you were strutting the corridors of power as a hero of your race and religion.
When Raja Petra challenged you to book the PWTC at your convenience and name the date and time for him to appear in person aided by witnesses and documents and accuse you in public of massive corruption, abuse of power, currency smuggling and immorality, you came across as a scumbag, gasbag and a coward. Up to today, you have not had the courage to take up Raja Petra’s challenge.
Tan Sri, stop your fallacious rhetoric. With your appointment as Minister, through the backdoor, the PM demonstrated a lack of IQ and wisdom and ruined his reputation.
You are a great liability to Umno. If you love Umno, resign immediately. But I know you love yourself and your position too much to do so. If you continue in the Cabinet, you will be a great asset to the Pakatan Rakyat in the next election.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
