Do Malaysian Politicians Lie Outrightly?

[Dr. J George]

DO MALAYSIAN POLITICIANS LIE OUTRIGHTLY?

This was the subject of discussion among a multi racial group of us over lunch at Putrajaya.

For example - We were indeed wondering why was it so difficult to come out with the truth pertaining to Malaysia’s own Lobbyistgate Scandal” where government were alleged to have paid US$1.2 million (RM4.6 million) to secure a meeting between ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and US president George W Bush three years ago.

Well Dr Mahathir has commented on it!

Or for example that - Ghazali Sheikh Abdul Khalidi the former Malaysian ambassador to the US – was former Finance Minister and Economic Adviser to the government’s brother in law? :D

Despite Syed Hamid Albar being grilled in the Dewan Rakyat over the allegation he denied!

The sad part is this act is well documented both here and in Washington and Syed Hamid’s denial will be cited in the International media all over since he denied this allegations in the nation’s highest legislature – the Malaysian Parliament.

That speaks volumes on the state of accountability, good governance and transparency preached so vigorously about in Peninsula Malaysia!

[jasonbhlee]

***this report was written by Raja Petra in 2003****

Then let us look at the following report which was published in the Free Anwar Campaign website on 24 June 2003:

Over the last two years, Dr Mahathir went overboard to prove to the US that Malaysia is its friend. We arrested 73 innocent Malaysian Muslims as proof of this friendship. All those arrested, currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the Kamunting Detention Camp, are supposed to be “terrorists” who have links with those suspected of being behind the New York Twin Towers disaster, popularly known as “911”.

Then Dr Mahathir made attempt after attempt to meet President Bush. After getting nowhere, he finally arranged for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to pay a US lobby firm RM60 million to wangle a tea invitation with the President on the White House lawn. (For his services, the TNB Chairman was appointed a Minister).

According to sources in Washington, but yet unconfirmed, the lobby firm is owned by Jews, so Malaysia has no hesitation working with the “enemy” when its suits it. Well, so much for Dr Mahathir’s Jew bashing. (Was it maybe but mere shadow play for the all-Muslim audience?)

That was three years ago. When I came out with the report then, again, everyone thought I was nuts for making an unfounded allegation without the benefit of tangible evidence. At best I was rumour-mongering, they thought.

About three weeks earlier, on 30 May 2003, I had made the same ‘allegation’ in the Free Anwar Campaign website as follows:

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad went out of his way to wangle an invitation to tea with President Bush on the White House lawn. Tens of millions of Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) money was spent in engaging a US lobby firm to ensure that Mahathir got invited -- after so many failed attempts when Bush said he was too busy to meet the Malaysian Prime Minister.

And, as a reward to the TNB Chairman, Jamaluddin Jarjis, who spent so much of the taxpayers’ money to make this invitation possible, he was made a Finance Minister (and squeezed a casino licence in the process).

Mahathir could not understand why the US President would not meet him after he had “endorsed” Bush by saying that Malaysia could never be friends with the US if Gore was to win the Presidency of the most powerful nation in the world.

However, after the cordial meeting, Bush “insulted” Mahathir by telling the media -- right in Mahathir’s face -- that the US still regarded Anwar Ibrahim a political prisoner. Since then, Mahathir was determined to get his revenge on Bush, and this opportunity came when the US invaded Iraq.

Now, read last week’s news report which was covered by almost all the international media, as well as Malaysia Today on 16 February 2006:

When the government of Malaysia sought to repair its tarnished image in the United States by arranging a meeting between President Bush and its controversial prime minister in 2002, it followed the same strategy as many other well-heeled interests in Washington: It called on well-connected lobbyist Jack Abramoff for help. It was a tall order. The prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, had been chastised by the Clinton administration for repeated anti-Semitic statements and for jailing his political opponents.

The government of Malaysia was looking for an influence merchant with access to the Bush administration and to Capitol Hill leaders. The Malaysians wanted to counter human-rights critics and to buff up the image of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was known for making anti-Semitic comments.

In May 2002, Mahathir met with Bush in the Oval Office, and his photograph with the president was beamed around the world. Abramoff received $1.2 million from the Malaysian government for his lobbying services in 2001 and 2002, according to an Abramoff associate.

A report by private investigators found PK Baru to be an inactive company run in part by Megat Junid bin Megat Ayob, a ruling party official and close ally of Mahathir who is also the chairman of Malaysia Exchange.

[Rocky19]

No brainer questions. Without any doubt they do! Remember Noh Omar and squatgate issue. And they think we are stupid thus will believe everything they say. :mad:

[burntan]

Politician are human too, ofcause they will tell lie.

[sirgalahad2010]

Well, lying is one thing, getting caught lying is another! :D

As if we haven't "stretched" the truth ourselves every now and then...

Let he who is without sin be the first to cast the stone (or words to that effect).

[Dr. J George]

something sounds rather familiar? huh? :rolleyes:

[sirgalahad2010]

Not really. I have, on occasion, lied, prevaricated, bluffed and stretched the truth - both in my private dealings and in my business transactions. Its not something that I am proud of, and on reflection, its to be ashamed about. So, I try my best not to do it now.

So, who am I to call another to judgement for lying?

At least, that's my philosophy. If you don't agree with it, then that's your business.

[tempuadua]

Politicians are the same everywhere!!! Malaysian's politician lies mostly to save themselves. Unlike other politicians where their lies sometime results in countless deaths and untold misery to millions of peole, Malaysian's politicians' lies, by comparision, are largely "harmless". In 2003, Bush and Blair told the world that they need to invade Iraq because Saddam got Weapon of Mass Destruction that can be launched against any country in the world in 45 minutes!! I think this is the "mother of all lies" in the new millenium!!!

[aurora97]

comes part and parcel with the career of a politician. Probably required in all resumes before proceeding to become a politician. Quote from somewhere: "The bigger the lie, the more people will belive it."

[Jose Mourinho]

Everybody lies.... one time or another. Prove me wrong.