ACA = ICAC ?

        

Bravo!  I’ve been talking about this issue for many years but are they for real?

In today’s Star:  “ACA will be given more independence…announced by PM”  ‘More independence’?  Why not full independence?  He did mentioned with the new MCAC (konon like ICAC), they are to be “fully independent”.  Nonetheless, some of them argue that even in HK, the ICAC must report to the chief exec and BPR (or ACA) has always been independent as they are a statutory body under the Act.  From the reform herein, all the reports would go to the Parliament instead of PM.  Again my contention is not how the report, papers or system works but the ACA must has the autonomy with the right, fearless and intelligent people to use all avenues to detect/arrest the offenders irregardless of status and ranks, is that possible?

Many would say the recent actions taken by the PM were a great move but some say it was aimed at winning back support for BN (which is denied by PM).  Undoubtedly, we can see the government as well as the opposition are doing their works with more accountability now.

A day in ISA Kamunting Detention Camp…

      

Monday 21.04.2008 -  Tina and I started our journey at 7.00 am from Bukit Jalil before picking up Edmund Bon.  The plan was 7 of us to be in the force of our 1st trip this term but Ambiga could not make it for unknown reason (yalah sudah jadi Datuk) as well as Hj Sulaiman due to his PC not found.  Arrived at about 11.30 am,  met Dara and Maniam, registered, waited and had lunch in the camp while waiting for the detainees to see us.  Had chicken curry, not bad…We applied to see the 5 Hindrafs leaders but was refused.  Anyway Edmund managed to shout from one building to another, talking to YB Manoharan, what a joke!   At about 2.20pm there came the ten JI detainees.  To my surprise in contrast to Sg Buloh or Kajang prisoners, most of them looks decent, clean and intellectual.  They also speak good English.  What transpired between us and the detainees are P&C, even the warden tried to hear what we are whispering….Two of them have been there for about 5 1/2 years already..likely to be extended.  Some of the Philipine and Indonesian detainees were seeking political assylum or avenues to go back to their respective countries.  We agreed to file in several habeas corpus applications.  We informed that there will be a campaign of ‘Hash Run For ISA’ at around Kamunting on 26/4, some of them volunteered to be in the run…  We bought some foods and drinks for them as they are only paid RM6 a month as allowance!  Discussion, plans and agendas ended at about 4.15pm.  Before leaving I had a long look at the surrounding, trying to figure out an escape route but it seems to be a tough one…

Lee Kah Choon’s Resignation Part II

[Latest 7.05 pm]  The Gerakan CWC has decided to issue a show-cause letter to Lee.

Tengok! gua sudah tahu mesti ada hal di dalam perlantikan Lee di P.Pinang itu!  After election all party members were directed to relinguish appointments of civil sectors ruled by Pakatan, now join balik pulak.  As discussed below we have yet to know whether what Lee is doing is for the sake of the party or DAP or himself (though the latter seems to be the logic answer).  Anyway the followings are some statements transpired between the leaders in relation to his appointment:

                 

DPM Najib:  “BN component parties should not take up appointments in Pakatan Rakyat-led Govt.  What is Gerakan stand?”

Lim Keng Yaik:  “Difficult for Kah Choon as both the Gerakan and DAP would be suspicious of him, don’t know how he is going to work.  I really pity him”

Guan Eng:  “We want to be fair to everyone.  We do not want to differentiate or discriminate”

Kah Choon:  “Kerja saya dalam InvestPenang tidak ada kaitan dengan politik dan tak semestinya  saya dalam InvestPenang saya kena berundur dari parti,”.
    
Ditanya kemungkinan beliau menyertai DAP pada masa akan datang, Lee  berkata: “Politik sudah menjadi sejarah buat saya. Biarlah ia begitu.”

Andy:  “Time will tell but my guts feeling is mana ada Cina kasi musuh tolong kerja begitu senang?”

PM:  “Bagi saya, ia OK selagi tidak bertentangan dengan dasar,” kata Pak lah.

“Mungkin (tindakan Lee) ini membuka jalan kerjasama (antara BN dengan Pakatan Rakyat),” tambahnya.

Andy:  “Hmm, isn’t he is being more positive than the DPM?”  Gerakan CWC is meeting tonight, let us see what they will do…

[Latest 5.17pm] Kah Choon:  “Let me focus on my job.  My political background and appointments are 2 totally different things.  I hope Gerakan will not link them”

PM:  “I want to hear the views of Gerakan acting president Koh TK on this matter.  Any subsequent action will be left for Gerakan to decide”.

Karpal Singh:  “It was wrong for Lee to accept the posts and should not have offered it in the first place”.