Umno Vs Dap Real Victims Are The People

---

 


When the Urban Renewal Bill was tabled in the cabinet, some ministers were either asleep or did not pay attention to its contents and implications, especially for the lower-income group.
A few days before the tabling in Parliament, despite being the foreign minister, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan broke ranks to demand a postponement just days before its tabling.
In postponing the tabling, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry is aware of the concerns raised by many parties regarding the demographic composition of areas involved in urban renewal projects.
“Hence, the ministry will amend this clause accordingly to guarantee the demographic (composition) of the affected areas, subject to details that will be discussed with the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” he said.
ADSThis begs the question: If the Housing and Local Government Ministry was truly “aware of the concerns”, as Nga later claimed, why was he so adamant about ramming it through? Why ignore the deafening opposition from special interest groups like the Bar Council, the National Housebuyers’, and experts?
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor MingOr was the whole exercise to reinforce the belief that Umno, despite being the third largest party (in terms of MPs) in the coalition, wields more control, even veto powers to kill a government bill?
Or was it an exercise backed by Putrajaya to show that Umno calls the shots where policies are concerned?
Why were the objections not raised in the cabinet? Was it to show that Umno is more powerful from the outside, preferring to make its views known, openly, to show that it is superior to DAP?
Was it a “war” between Umno and DAP? It was not meant to be because of the concept of collective responsibility for all cabinet decisions?
It’s all about power
The answer has nothing to do with policy and everything to do with power. This was a naked display of political dominance. Umno, desperate to prove it is no one’s puppet, flexed its muscles to publicly humiliate its coalition partner, DAP.
The remarks by Umno Veterans Club secretary Mustapha Yaakub provided the answers. He claimed “victory”, boasting that their party is not “controlled by DAP”.
This was a calculated show of strength meant for public consumption, with the bill itself merely a pawn in the game.
Umno Veterans Club secretary Mustapha Yaakub“BN’s decision to push for the postponement clearly shows that BN and Umno representatives are not being controlled by DAP, and they are not afraid to speak up.
“Tok Mat’s (Mohamad) strategic and well-timed move as BN deputy chairperson and Umno deputy president had succeeded in convincing the government to delay the tabling,” Mustapha said.
This was underlined by Umno’s statement that the party will form a special team to study the bill.
ADSClear message
Nga and DAP emerged not as consensus builders but as losers who ignored civil society only to cave to raw political pressure.
The message is clear - in this coalition, Umno still calls the shots, and the business of government is secondary to proving who is the mightiest.
Nga was adamant in pushing the bill through despite the apolitical voices of opposition, and yet caved in to Umno, ignoring the views of even civil society groups.
These events reveal a government at war with itself, where political point-scoring trumps good governance.
The African proverb “When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled,” and this “I am mightier than you,” show of strength has serious consequences.
The real victims in this fight between elephants are the Malaysians. They are the grass being trampled underfoot by this unwarranted display of political dominance.
Now that Nga has agreed to review the bill, it must be in totality and not piecemeal and restricted to Clause 18. It should be inclusive, taking into account suggestions and feedback from the public.
No more shoving laws down the throats of the people and ignoring their plight. A consultation paper must be published so that we, the citizens, have a say in the administration, running, and operation - a promise made by Pakatan Harapan in the run-up to the general election. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who tries to live up to the ethos of civil rights leader John Lewis: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Comments:[email protected]
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

---