Of the two poorest states in Malaysia, one receives oil royalties, the other does not. But whilst the Chief Minister of Sarawak manages to lead a life that is way beyond his official ***RM13,000 salary and is alleged to have built a multi-million fortune and stashed it abroad, the Menteri Besar of Kelantan lives a modest life, one that speaks volumes of the man.
By Mariam Mokhtar
COMMENT On 30 August, the state of Kelantan sued the national oil corporation Petronas, for alleged breach of a contract that had been signed between Kelantan and Petronas, in 1975. With Kelantan deprived of oil royalties, its people were robbed of the benefits that could have improved their lives.
If this is the federal government’s way of punishing the Kelantan people for voting PAS at the state level, then BN is defeated even before it has begun. Isn’t BN bothered that it is also punishing its own supporters in Kelantan?
The federal government treats Petronas like its personal kitty - a cash cow with which it can dip its grubby paws into, to reward those states which are compliant. The federal government is acting irresponsibly, by being spiteful and therefore, is unfit to govern.
Kelantan (population 2,100,000) is the poorest state; Sarawak (2,500,000) is the next poorest. Both Sarawak and Kelantan are blessed with oil reserves and timber, but they remain poor. Their poverty is because of different reasons.
Sarawak’s abundance of liquefied petroleum gas and petroleum is the mainstay of the Federal government’s economy and yet it receives only 5% royalty. Its state sanctioned logging and oil-palm industries, has resulted in massive deforestation. Only 5% of virgin jungle remains.
Despite the relative economic growth from timber, oil palm and oil, Sarawak still lags markedly behind the rest of the other states, bar Kelantan.
These two states have in common, elderly leaders who have been at the helm for decades: Taib Mahmud led Sarawak for 30 years whilst Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat served Kelantan since 1990.
But the two men, who are in their seventies, are like chalk and cheese. Taib belongs to BN whereas Nik Aziz is with PAS.
Apparently, after filing the suit against Petronas, Kelantan menteri besar Nik Aziz led 200 supporters in a solat hajat (prayer of need) at the nearby Federal Territory Mosque. Nik Aziz is famed for commanding support from non-Muslims in Malaysia and is instrumental in playing a leading role for the increase in popularity of PAS among non-Muslims.
However, the only recent suit we remember involving Taib Mahmud was the white one he wore (complete with red bow tie) on the night of the glittering high society banquet of the Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) Charity Gala Dinner in Monaco-Monte Carlo.
Together with various members of Malaysian royalty and 600 guests from Monaco’s high society, Taib watched as Malaysia’s “First Lady” Rosmah Mansor, the IFF patron, donated 270,000 euros (RM1,120,961) to the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco. The money had been raised from the promotion of Sarawak tourism, and an auction of items including a framed signed photo of Prince Albert
Tok Guru, as Nik Aziz, is affectionately called, commands huge respect from several people. He interacts well with non-Muslims, because they admire him for his honesty, views on moral issues and his candour.
They may not agree with all of his policies, but he is valued for his wisdom and his courage. How many in the Umno camp can match up to Tok Guru?
Taib Mahmud on the other hand, raised the ire of many, including a group of foreigners who joined a protest in Oxford when he went to the United Kingdom to woo investors with the ‘Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy’ (SCORE).
They were protesting at the destruction of the rainforests of Sarawak, the denial of justice for the Penan and also the construction of the 12 mega-dams project which will displace the indigenous people living in the affected areas.
The contrast between the two men continues on a personal level.
Read more at: http://www.malaysianmirror.com/media-buzz-detail/41-opinion/49102-a-tale-of-two-states-and-two-men
written by Nixcloud, September 02, 2010 20:22:46
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written by Awang Hitam, September 02, 2010 20:00:44
But then he was never the cunning type like the crafty old fox of Sarawak and and Paki-Blood-Melayu nee al-Mahafiraun mad-thief who screwed Malaysia and changed her from humbled country to a Most Racist State in the world. Even Boobby Mugabbeee cannot match him!
Mariam your article is always pleasant and well articulated! Send us more please
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written by arazak, September 02, 2010 18:17:59
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written by Semuaok, September 02, 2010 12:30:36
Chinese know and had enough but Malay has to grow up.
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written by SamYap, September 02, 2010 12:26:39
I would like to make a small request: please implement public stoning for politicians and civil servants who are found guilty of corruption, nepotism, cronyism, racism (like that practiced by TDM and Ibrahim Ali) and stealing from the public fund.
Public stoning would give us, the rakyat, a chance to truly punish the buggers. We can also hold an auction for the stones to be cast. Reserve price per pebble - RM10/= each. Proceeds from the auction will go towards helping the pregnant teenagers.
Pebbles only. We don't want to kill anyone, even if they actually deserve death for treason.
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written by Concerned_Citizen, September 02, 2010 12:24:51
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written by Oscar Winner, September 02, 2010 12:03:16
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written by budak kampong, September 02, 2010 11:55:03
ps: where can I get hold of a high resolution image of Tok Guru? like to keep his picture of him in my study.
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written by samadhi8, September 02, 2010 11:48:00
Taib, the devil, in life has unlimited material possessions. Whereas Nik Aziz, the saint has hardly any material possessions to talk abt.
Taib, the devil, on death has nothing to take with him except the curses (sumpah), ill feelings, spitfuls of hatred + animosity and retribution for his greed, to burden his next life and onward journey.
Nik Aziz, the saint has tons of baggage of love, respect, well wishes, merits + prayers for his well-being to take to his next life and onward journey.
What a difference! To the UMNOputras still alive, which do you choose?
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If the average citizen in Malaysia were to play the "gate keeper" at the gate to heaven, and both Taib Mahmud and Nik Aziz arrives at the heavenly gates , who shall the gate keeper allow into heaven ??
If both were allowed in, then heaven is not the place we wish to enter into.
If only Taib Mahmud is allowed in, then heaven is no longer heaven.
If somehow Nik Aziz is denied entry, then we are all doomed.
This make-believe Malaysian gate-keeper is the same citizen who cast his or her vote come the next General Elections. Life on earth in Malaysia is very much determined by the rakyat's response to the ballot box. Heaven can touch earth or we are bound to hell while on earth. We have to open up the manual in living a decent life simply by following the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.