Cabinet Principles takes Precedence over Facts

The Malaysian government, or should we say, the Malaysian cabinet, decides that collective ministerial principles takes precedence over facts of wrong doings. At such, even if ministers sees or hear something that is wrong, including corruptive behaviors and kleptorism, they must shut up and close-both-eyes. This seems to be the stand of the cabinet.

In Ong Tee Kiat vs Hishamuddin battlecry case, the Cabinet reprimands Tee Keat for acting against directive not to over-step in commenting on another ministry's affairs.

The rare act of collective disapproval towards a ministerial official was made at the weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Najib on Wednesday. Najib said yesterday Ong had acted against a Cabinet directive that bars a government officers from commenting on issues involving other ministries.

“I do not want to discuss the facts of the issue, but more on the principles."

In this case, the deputy minister (Ong) had violated a Cabinet directive. “And for this, Ong was reprimanded by the Cabinet .

On Tuesday, Hishammuddin said Ong had made an irresponsible allegation that government officers had misused funds earmarked for refurbishment of several Chinese schools in Johor.Ong was alleged to have said this at a dinner with teachers and board members of a Chinese school in Muar recently.

Ong, denied this the following day and said his statement was wrongly translated, adding that he had only suggested that funds should be monitored. He also expressed disappointment that Hishammuddin had launched a personal attack on him following the "statement".

"It was a bad translation job, so don’t blame me," TK Ong said after he was blasted by Hishammuddin. Ong clarified, saying he merely gave the advice that money given by the government should not be wasted. "How can I say that government officers siphoned off money? I merely suggested funds should be monitored."

Ong said the issue was raised by the school board and as a guest of honour at the function, he had simply responded to it. "Hishammuddin asked why he was not informed first. As a politician, he should understand. As a guest of honour, how can I say ‘wait while I get clearance first’? "I advised them to complain to the relevant ministry if they knew of such cases ... It is wasting the government’s money, which belongs to taxpayers. My advice had nothing to do with race."

Ong also denied that he was trying to be a Chinese hero. "It is not for me to assess the authenticity of the claim. It is under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry. I was just giving my comments. Looks like it was best not to give any. "It could affect the relationship and friendship we have built. He said he would remember this forever as though I have committed a big sin."

Hishammuddin accused Ong of changing his stand on issues when it suited him, adding that the issue of bad translation or misinterpretation did not arise. "He forgets that I’m from Muar, Johor, where he made the statement and I have relatives there. "I know clearly what he said," Hishamuddin said.

He said his lashing out at Ong was "actually not a personal attack... it was about his personality". Clearly dissatisfied with Ong’s explanation about misinterpretation, Hishammuddin said "the damage has been done. Regardless of what he says now, he has caused a very negative perception towards government officers he intimated".

Mustapa has since apologised to Hishamuddin over the matter.

“The Cabinet decided that it is not appropriate for a government officer to openly criticise fellow officers in other ministries,” Mustapa promised the situation would not recur. He said if there were any issues, they should be raised directly with the Minister.

"I feel better now after Datuk Pa had apologised", Hishamuddin said. "That is a man with a good personality: humble, not at all arrogant". Thanking Mustapa, he said he gave an assurance to Mustapa that "this episode with his deputy would not affect the good working relationship between our ministries".

Najib said each minister and deputy minister must work within his jurisdiction. "He must refrain from touching on matters concerning the other ministries. "Only the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister are allowed to do that."

Ong declined to say much when contacted for comment. "What do you want me to say? I don’t want to talk... I reserve my comments," he said.

A similar case occurred in June 2005 involving Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk S. Sothinathan but that was more of party rather than government affairs. Sothinathan was suspended for three months for breaking ranks with the government over the de-recognition of the Crimea State Medical University by the Malaysian Medical Council.

In another development, Mustapa said he would request Ong, as his deputy, to patch up with Hishammuddin." I want to stop this as we have a bigger agenda to work on," he said. He said it was only appropriate for Ong to extend the olive branch as Ong’s rank was lower than that of Hishammuddin’s.

At the same time, Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang has come to the defence of Ong. He commended Ong for speaking out against "leakages", abuse and misappropriation of public funds. Lim, in a statement yesterday, said the apology by Mustapa was "most extraordinary", as it was made without giving Ong a chance to be heard, which is against the basic rule of natural justice.

It is observed we are moving into the archaic era, where anarchy persisted the rules of those days. Equality, fairness, natural justice and the rule of law are now displaced by sere brute and moronism. It doesn't matter if things are done wrong anymore; the rule today is about collectivism and about "you scratch my back, I scratch yours". Even in the era of Mahathir where autocraticism exists, there ain't so much of moronism and paganism. Why is happening? In Zaid Ibrahim's words, "Where is the nation heading? There is no direction..."

Zaid observed that there appears to be a clash "between the power rule of Mahathirism and the Islam Hadhari of Pak Lahism". Will Zaid be proven right, after all?