Image of fake racist tweet purportedly made by me is the work of amateurs

The attached image was circulating widely via Whatsapp yesterday, particularly among the Indian community.

Based on the image, I had allegedly tweeted that “The Indians really behave like thugs and act like Pariah! i will not be threathen by them!”

The above tweet is clearly a fake image and I have never written anything remotely close to what was written above.  It is clearly fake because you would notice that the time stamp next to every tweet has been removed.

In addition, I would like to think that I would not misspell “threaten”, nor would I be grammatically wrong when it should be “threatened”.

Regardless, I have never used the word “pariah” to describe anyone and I most certainly do not believe that Indians “behave like thugs”.  However there are those among us – Chinese, Indians, Malays, who do behave like thugs.  The person or persons who made the above image is certainly a shameless “thug”, regardless of his race.

Perhaps the above malicious fake tweet, was a vicious response to me when I described those who had prevented licensed Indian traders from setting up their stalls, and those who disrupted my press conference at the Deepavali Bazaar in Sungai Way, Petaling Jaya last week as “thugs”.  They had come to intimidate those who were present by heckling, shoving and spewing unprintable expletives.

The fake image is clearly designed to inflame racial sentiments against me.  I have no idea who designed and spread the above image to defame me.  However, it will not in any way stop me from carrying out my duties to serve my constituents and all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or creed without fear or favour.

Finally, I would also like to give thanks to all concerned parties who had forwarded me the image last night expressing their continued support and trust in me, knowing without having to ask, that the image is a fake.

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Zahid Must Stop The Desperate Lies

Dato’ Seri Zahid Hamidi must stop the scurrilous allegations that I am a “tool” for a foreign country in repeated attempts to deflect his Ministry’s lack of transparency and accountability

Chinese newspapers carried the story that Dato’ Seri Zahid Hamidi has accused me of being a “tool to a former professor who has become a professor in a foreign country” on 2nd January 2012. He has added that “the foreign country is the puppet-master of a particular party in Malaysia”. He has even claimed that he has documentary proof to validate what he has said.

I have obtained the full transcript of the comments made by the Defence Minister on 1st January, and the relevant accusation is as follows:

“Saya fikir Tony Pua ni adalah seorang yang menjadi alat saja seorang bekas professor yang telah menjadi professor di university di luar negara, dan negara itu memang menjadi dalang kepada sebuah parti di negara ini. Saya fikir asal politik di Malaysia biar dibentuk oleh ahli-ahli politik Malaysia. Jangan pernah menjadi dalang daripada mana-mana negara . Saya tidak menuduh tapi saya ada dokumen-dokumen dan bukti-bukti untuk mengesahkan apa yang saya katakana ini.”

The is the second time the Defence Minister had implied that I am a foreign agent. In March 2011, Dato’ Seri Zahid Hamidi was reported in Utusan Malaysia to have said:

“Dia [Tony Pua] dulu ditangkap di Singapura, dibawa ke mahkamah, tetapi sebab hubungan dia mungkin baik dengan pejabat tertentu di sana, beliau dilepaskan (dan) tidak dapat jadi ahli Parlimen (di sana)”

As I’ve responded last year, I’ve never even been fined for jay-walking in Singapore, what more being arrested and charged in the court of law in the island city.

All these scurrilous accusations arose as a result of the continued pressure placed on the Defence Ministry to be transparent with its military equipment purchases, especially in the light of a poor assessment by Transparency International (TI). The TI scored Malaysia at only 4.5 points out of a maximum of 12, or only 37.5%, well below the failure mark. This was the score given in the inaugural “Transparency of Defence Budgets Report” launched on 19 November 2011.

Director of the International Defence and Security Program for TI in United Kingdom, Mark Pyman, who launched the report in Subang Jaya said “Malaysia ranked far below other countries (for this), where the budget lacked details and no audits were undertaken of the secret programmes.”

Malaysia is ranked alongside Afghanistan, Rwanda, Georgia and Azerbaijan in the report, well below other countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The results of the research indicate that approximately 14 per cent of the countries under review in this study scored high and these are primarily developed countries with strong democratic systems in place.

Treason as accused by the Defence Minister is a crime of the highest order in Malaysia and is punishable by death. The accusation by Dato’ Seri Zahid Hamidi is as serious as it is outrageous, and such contemptuous behaviour is completely unbecoming of a Minister.

Given the severity of the allegations that I am compromising the nation’s security, I challenge Dato’ Seri Zahid Hamidi to come up with the so-called “documentary proof” that I am a “tool” of a professor in a foreign university and charge me accordingly. However, if the Minister fails to furnish the proof, then he should immediately withdraw the remarks and make a public apology for making such unfounded statements.

It appears that Dato’ Seri Zahid Hamidi does not realise that he is being fed with fictitious stories from his chief intelligence officer, Papagomo – who had recently enjoyed the unrivalled privilege of sailing in the country’s first submarine. Papagomo is also the source of the scurrilous allegations against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s son recently who was wrong victimised as having sexually assaulted a female student in his school.

It is extremely worrying that the country’s Defence Minister is relying the country’s intelligence from a blogger who is an obsessive liar without any morals and ethics. In fact all Malaysians should be terribly concerned that our Defence Minister who wields great powers, can be so gullibly compromised by a writer of unbelievable and outlandish fiction.

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The Tiger That Lost Its Roar: Order Here!

By popular request, you can now order an autographed copy of my book - The Tiger That Lost Its Roar - here and make payment with your Paypal account or credit cards.

To purchase a RM30 PAPERBACK copy, select your shippping destination below and click "Buy Now":

Shipped To

West Malaysia (Courier) RM36.00East Malaysia (Courier) RM40.00Asean (Normal mail) RM45.00Australia (Normal mail) RM50.00Europe (Normal mail) RM80.00

To purchase a RM60 HARDCOVER copy, select your shippping destination below and click "Buy Now":

Shipped To

West Malaysia (Courier) RM66.00East Malaysia (Courier) RM70.00Asean (Normal mail) RM75.00Australia (Normal mail) RM80.00Europe (Normal mail) RM110.00

For those who wants to know more about the book, you can read the Foreword here.

And for those who prefers to pay via Maybank2U or other internet banking channels, cash deposit, special requests, bulk quantities etc., feel free to email me at tonypua@yahoo.com. Please include your shipping address and contact number.

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"The Tiger That Lost Its Roar" - Petaling Jaya Book Launch!

You are cordially invited to the book launch of "The Tiger That Lost Its Roar" by Tony Pua, MP Petaling Jaya Utara and DAP National Publicity Secretary. The book is a tale of Malaysia's political economy.

Date: 25 Jun 2011 (Sat)
Time: 2-5pm
Venue: 1Utama New Wing, Ground Floor (next to Coffee Bean)

At the same time, a public forum with invited speakers will be held to discuss how the Malaysian "Tiger" can regain its "Roar".

RSVP on Facebook here.

The distinguished panel of speakers include Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Dr Muhammed Khalid and Dr Ong Kian Ming.

Join us, for a lively, no-holds-barred discussion on our children's political and economic future! Read the foreword of the book here or place your order for the advance copy here.

Of course, you should come purchase a copy of the book as well and get it autographed on the spot! ;-)

About the panellist:

* Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam

Tan Sri Ramon is the former Deputy Secretary-General of Ministry of Finance and Secretary-General of Ministry of Transport, and author many books on the Malaysian economy including "Healing the Wounded Tiger".

Ramon is also currently a member of the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) and the president of Transparency International Malaysia. He is a member of the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) Globalisation Committee and Director of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli).

* Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid

Dr Muhammed is a Research Fellow with the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His
PhD thesis ''Wealth Inequality in Malaysia'' was awarded magna cum laude by SciencesPo Paris in December 2010. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs (cum laude) from the same institution, as well as a Master of Economics from University of Malaya and Bachelor of Sciences (Finance) from University of Southern California. He is currently on a secondment to ISIS Malaysia as a senior analyst focusing on economic policy.

* Dr Ong Kian Ming (moderator)

Dr Ong is currently a Lecturer, Faculty of Economics and Policy Science, UCSI University. He received his PhD in Political Science from Duke University, M. Phil. Economics from University of Cambridge and B.Sc. Economics, London School of Economics.

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"The Tiger That Lost Its Roar" - Penang Book Launch!

I'll be going on a roadshow over a few cities to promote my new book on Malaysia's political economy "The Tiger That Lost Its Roar".

The first stop will be in Penang, where Penang Chief Minister as well as DAP Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng will be officiating the event.

In conjunction with the Book launch, a public forum with distinguished speakers will be held to discuss how the Malaysian "Tiger" can regain its "Roar". The speakers once confirmed, will be updated here.

You can also order your advance copy here, before it hit the bookstores.

The details of the event are as follows:

Date: 12 June (Sun)
Time: 4pm
Venue: Eastern & Oriental Hotel (Arshak Suite), 10 Lebuh Farquhar, Penang

To help us gauge attendance, please RSVP at our Facebook Event

page. Join us, for a lively, no-holds-barred discussion on our children's political and economic future!

p.s., the next stop will be in Petaling Jaya on 23 June evening. Details soon!

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Chinese Forum: Politics Can Be Young!

MP for Serdang, Teo Nie Ching will be launching her maiden book "念念有群" which is a compilation of her Chinese column articles over the past 2 years, which is published by DAP.

In conjunction with the book launch, she's organising a forum entitled "Politics Can Be Young!". It certainly can, for she's the youngest MP in the House. The forum will be conducted in Mandarin. I've also been invited as one of the speakers at the forum.

Date: 09-06-2011 (Thursday)
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
Time: 8.00pm

(Yes, I'll be doing an official launch of my English book "The Tiger That Lost Its Roar" later in the month as well. Watch this space. And if you want an advance copy mailed to you, click here)


“政治也可以很YOUNG！”

你对政治的了解和认知有多少？政治的主要特徵是什麽？政治和年轻一代有着怎样的关系？我们将告诉你，政治可以很 “YOUNG！”

民主行动党总部今天发表文告说，行动党订於6月9日（星期四）晚上8时，於隆雪华堂1 楼会议室主办主题为“政治也可以很 YOUNG！”的青年交流会，以及“张念群《念念有辞》新书发表会”。

文告指出，民主行动党全国宣传秘书兼八打灵再也国会议员潘俭伟丶副宣传秘书兼沙登区国会议员张念群和时事评论员凌国文将担任主讲人，与大家分享他们对国家政治时局的见解，并告诉你什麽是“政治可以很 YOUNG”。

文告说，当晚也是张念群《念念有辞》新书发布会。这本著作是张念群把过去所撰写的文章集结成集，里面不乏她对时事议题发表的精辟言论和见觧。

上述活动入场免费， 欢迎各界人士踊跃出席。欲知详情，可在工作时间联络民主行动党总部：03-9200 5000。

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"The Tiger That Lost Its Roar" - A Foreword

"The Tiger That Lost Its Roar", a tale on Malaysia's political economy has just been published. I've been asked to give a synopsis on the book, which tends to be a little difficult when it's 350 pages and covers a wide range of topics. But I thought the Foreword in the book provides a good background to what I've written, so I'll "blog" it here for those keen to find out more.

It's still kinda long, so enjoy ;-). For those keen on having it shipped to you (a personal autographed copy), before the book hit the bookstores perhaps in a month's time, you can order direct, details here.

Foreword

In writing and producing this book “The Tiger That Lost Its Roar”, a book on Malaysia's political economy, I wanted to present the state of Malaysia's economy, supported by all the necessary facts and figures, in a fashion which a typical man-on-the-street will be able to easily digest and understand without complicated jargons or abstract economic theories. The economy is a subject matter which affects all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, age or gender, but it is often poorly understood or worse, neglected as a subject best left for the “authorities”.

At the same time, the developing Malaysian economy is deeply and inextricably intertwined with the country's politics. Any attempt to decipher the former, without understanding the impact of the latter will only give a distorted abstract on the relevant issues. What is perhaps the most important is to debunk the myth that “politics and economics do not mix”, and what happens with the countries' politics, whether it is race-based policies or political rent-seeking and patronage does not significantly affect the economy at large.

In the past, it is often heard that patronage and corruption can be tolerated, as long as projects get completed and the economy continues to grow at a rapid pace. It's a “win-win” situation, so what is there to complain. However, the above cannot be further from the truth as Malaysia had sacrificed the future growth and prosperity of the country and our future generations to create this short-term feel-good mirage of economic euphoria, particularly in the 1990s. The Barisan Nasional government then continued to maintain a facade of economic growth in the 2000s with the support of windfall oil and gas income, papering over cracks which have started to widen significantly.

It was with the drastic drop in global oil prices in 2008 which finally “exposed” the naked emperor, triggering a whole series of supposed “reform” measures in the guise of the “New Economic Model”, the “Government Transformation Plan” and the “Economic Transformation Plan” to slam the brakes on our economic decline and reverse the years of damage caused by not only our economic policies but also the country's politics. I wanted to relate in this book how the economic implications of its politically-driven policies had severely affected the performance of our economy, and how our economy cannot be reformed without transformative changes to the entrenched political culture in Malaysia.

Putting this book on Malaysia's political economy together has certainly been a lot more challenging than I had initially anticipated. There was a ready pool of source materials for the book, which was in the form of my articles and columns written for my blog and newspapers respectively, as well as hundreds of press statements which I have written over the past few years. However, I didn't want to turn the book into a compilation of articles and statements which are related, but aren't properly “connected” in the context of a book. In addition, such articles will often carry repeated background information on particular issues which will not contribute towards an easy-to-read, concise and coherent book.

Hence much time was spent not only on organising, integrating and editing the hundreds of existing articles into cohesive chapters for this book, I realised that I had to write many new sections, or even brand new chapters to ensure that readers will be in possession of a more complete and coherent picture of the “stories” which I'd like to tell. The chapter on the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal for example, got expanded to 2 separate chapters due to the amount of “juice” flowing from the story, which if left unwritten, will do injustice to the scandal. After all, it is the ultimate example of a “perfect brew” of BN politicians from various parties getting their fingers dirty with crony businessmen, stinking of corruption and abuse of power, abetted by blissfully ignorant and incompetent government officials and unchecked by the country's top enforcement agencies. The scandal probably deserves a book on its own, but for the moment, a condensed version packed into 2 chapters will suffice.

The initial chapters gives the macroeconomic overview of the country's economy and the country's defining economic policies, the overaching “New Economic Policy” and its proposed replacement the “New Economic Model”. This is followed by the chapters reviewing the Government's privatisation policies on highways, water and electricity and their lasting distortionary implications.

Readers will then be “treated” to a series of scandals which reflects the decay in governance and its impact on our tax-payers' funds. These scandals further exacerbate the misallocation in the Government's budgetary expenditures, particularly in the accelerating operating expenditure which puts to waste the immense windfall revenue contribution from the oil and gas sectors. The ineffective use of crude interventionist policies such as price controls, subsidies and fiscal instruments further destroys competitiveness and efficiency, without at the same time achieving the objectives of such policies in the first place.

Finally structural issues within the Government, particularly that of the civil service, as well as infrastructural bottlenecks such as the country's transportation system, or the lack of it, with their root causes in politics, continue to impose an artificial glass ceiling on the growth potentials of the country's economy.

On top of all of the above, in my personal view, the biggest failure of the BN Government is its inability to protect and develop our excellent pool of human capital due to political expediency. Our economy has been able to remain “above water” thus far has less to do with the socio-economic policies of the Government, but in spite of it. This is because the Malaysian human talents were able to make do with whatever limitations and hurdles placed in their path. The chapter “Education Simplified” tells the simple tale of how our education system has been desecrated and debased, which not only fails the future generations of Malaysians but also at the same time encouraged them to look for greener pastures overseas.

The book isn't meant to be a book of unbridled negative criticisms with no corresponding positive and constructive proposals. Throughout each of the respective chapters, alternative policies with varying degrees of detail are outlined to achieve the goals for economic competitiveness and efficiency while protecting social and distributive justice for the man-on-the-street. I've also called for a “New Deal” to overhaul the archaic and increasingly centralised planning, decision-making and implementation of the government machinery which not only makes a mockery of our federal system, but severely restrains the development of dynamic regional economies in the country.

Malaysia today is a “tiger” that is weak and impoverished from years of neglect, abuse and malnutrition. As a result, it has not only lost its bite, it has lost even its roar. However with the necessary tender loving care, the right dose of medication and therapy, the Malaysian Tiger has every opportunity to bounce back, stronger than ever before. This can only happen if the Government of the day has the political will and moral courage to face its demons, place the interest of the rakyat above that of the vested interest parties and slaughter the sacred cows.

With the country on the cusps of change, there is no better time to bring back the Malaysian roar.


Tony Pua
11.12.2010

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"The Tiger That Lost Its Roar" Out Now!

My new book, the first one in English, "The Tiger That Lost Its Roar" is finally printed after countless "interruptions" (like by-elections)! It's a tale on Malaysia's Political Economy, written in such a way that I hope will be accessible to all Malaysians (and everyone else who's keen on Malaysia's political economy).

It's 350 pages thick, covers issues from foreign investment, privatisation, subsidies, NEP/NEM, financial scandals (especially PKFZ), education as well as other problems and solutions to be implemented to resolve our declining competitiveness.  Plus, I drew that sad, scrawny-looking tiger on the cover. ;-)

It'll take a few weeks before it hits the bookshops around the country, but for those who'd like to have it shipped to you next week, send me an email - tonypua@yahoo.com.

Give me the following details:

1. Name
2. Shipping address
3. Quantity
4. Hardcover (RM60) or softcover (RM30)

There'll be a shipping charge of RM6 for local postage. You can pay via Maybank2U or Visa/Mastercard credit cards.

The book is published by DAP and the profits will of course go towards a good cause by the Party.

Thank you for all your support!

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Application to Strike Out Syabas Defamation Suit Withdrawn

Together with my lawyer, we've decided to withdraw the bid to strike out Syabas defamation suit against me, to give the earliest possible opportunity for the full trial to be carried out and witnesses summoned for testimony. We are looking forward to putting Syabas CEO, Tan Sri Rozali Ismail on the witness stand to answer various allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement in the Selangor water concessionaire.

I see no element of defamation in the alleged "defamatory words" published in Nanyang Siangpau, and I look forward to defending them during the trial. We are also expecting to bring in experts from the industry as witnesses to provide evidence in support of our case.

The judge has set June 20 for case management, and expects the trial to be carried out in July/August.

Full hearing for Syabas suit
2011/05/19

KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament Tony Pua has withdrawn his application to strike out the defamation suit against him by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).
This is because both parties have agreed for all issues to be heard at trial, Pua's lawyer Ang Hean Leng said yesterday.

Ang said the court had set June 20 for the next case management.

The water company claimed that Pua had caused to be published an article entitled "Tony Pua: Selangor Government must have water rights to prevent rate hike" in a Chinese daily last November. It stated that the words were understood to mean that Syabas was incompetent in managing water supply rights and that the defamatory words had affected its business.

In his statement of defence, Pua claimed he was appointed as the spokesperson for "Return Water Rights to the People" campaign, launched by the Selangor state government and had offered his views when asked during a forum.

He also disputed the translation of the title of the article as stated in the statement of claim. He added that it should have been translated to read as, "Tony Pua: To ensure no hike in water tariff, Selangor state government wants management rights of water supply".

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Tony Pua to strike out Syabas suit

PETALING JAYA: Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament Tony Pua has moved to strike out the defamation suit filed against him by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).

In a Bursa Malaysia filing yesterday, Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd said solicitors of its unit Syabas were served with a striking-out application by Tony Pua on April 26.

It also added that at a hearing yesterday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court had directed both parties to resolve all affidavits in reply by the next case management scheduled on May 19. The court had also fixed the defendant’s striking out application to be heard on May 30.

From The Star

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Zahid Unfit To Be Minister

Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi’s malicious lies and his refusal to apologise for spreading falsehood about me makes him unfit to be a Minister and proves UMNO’s rotten at its core

Last Friday, Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi accused me of having been previously arrested and charged in Singapore, and as a result was unable to become a Member of Parliament there. He further alleged that due to my good relations with certain authorities in Singapore, I was released and insinuated that the deal was for me to become a Singapore “agent” and infiltrate Malaysia.

I had immediately called for a retraction of the above baseless and malicious allegations, as well as a public apology within 24 hours. However, over the past 72 hours, I’ve heard only a pin-drop silence from the Minister, which not only makes him unfit to be a Minister but also proves that UMNO’s leadership is rotten at its very core.

Zahid Hamidi is unfit to be a Minister not only because of the complete lack of honesty and integrity, but also because it shows the failure of his Ministry’s military intelligence to be able to filter fact from fiction, hence raising concerns as to whether he will be able to fully protect our country from external threats.

Instead of answering to the rakyat on questions posed to him, the most senior ranking UMNO vice-president attempted to tarnish my reputation and insinuated repeatedly that I’m not loyal to this country and that I’m acting in the interest of another country. He even argued that if I should join the Territorial Reserve Army (Tentera Wataniah).

Let me just say that Zahid Hamidi has no right and is in no place to question my loyalty to Malaysia. If it were at all true that I had joined politics in Malaysia for personal interest or the interest of a foreign country, then surely it would have been easier for me to join a BN party like the MCA, which has a track record of producing top leaders charged for corruption and abuse of power. Instead, by joining an opposition party like the DAP, I’m only subjected to persistent threats and abuse, like the leaders before me who have been subjected to authoritarian punishments like the ISA.

Every person in this country demonstrates his or her loyalty differently, and not only through the Army. I’ve chosen this path to fight for the rights of the oppressed and the impoverished.

Is Zahid implying that all the BN Members of Parliament, nearly all of whom had not joined the Army less loyal to the country as well? That appears to be his thinking because he has said as much that the non-Malays of this country are less patriotic because they have not joined the Army. Despite the controversy over his slight on the minorities, he has refused to apologise.

As a result of the Minister’s refusal to apologise, I have instructed my lawyers today to proceed immediately to file a suit against Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for defamation and spreading malicious falsehood.

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Zahid Must Apologise

I read with shock and horror the report in Utusan Malaysia today, quoting the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who said:

“Dia [Tony Pua] dulu ditangkap di Singapura, dibawa ke mahkamah, tetapi sebab hubungan dia mungkin baik dengan pejabat tertentu di sana, beliau dilepaskan (dan) tidak dapat jadi ahli Parlimen (di sana)”

I cannot believe that a senior ranking Minister and the highest ranking vice-president of Umno would stoop so low as to spin venomous lies beyond imagination against me and my character.

The above falsehoods is clearly an attempt to divert the public and the media’s attention away from the mega-procurement deals which the Defence Minister signed last month, amounting to RM13.55 billion.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has to date failed to provide clear and detailed explanation for the RM6 billion purchase of 6 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) from Boustead Holdings Bhd as well as the RM7.55 billion purchase of 257 8x8 armoured wheeled-vehicles (AWVs) from DRB Hicom Bhd, whether to the media or in Parliament.

I had at various times called the Minister to explain in detail what exactly are we purchasing, at prices seemingly much higher than other countries. What’s more, both of these contracts were awarded without any competitive tenders.

However, instead of being accountable to the rakyat, the Minister has chosen to spread malicious lies to tarnish my character and reputation as a diversionary tactic. In fact, his attempt to deflect the call for answers on the above military transactions with frivolous personal accusations leads me to believe that the Minister has something to hide from the people.

Let me make it clear in no uncertain terms that:

1. I’ve never ever been arrested in Singapore, not even for jay-walking.
2. I’ve never ever been charged in Singapore, for civil or criminal cases.
3. I have no relationship whatsoever with the Government of Singapore
4. I’ve never been interested in taking part in politics in Singapore, what’s more as a Member of Parliament in that country.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also claimed that I studied in Singapore from primary to tertiary level, which is factually wrong for I completed my primary school in SRK Montfort, Batu Pahat and for my Bachelor’s degree at Oxford University. I was only in Singapore for my secondary education at Raffles Institution as a recipient of the ASEAN scholarship.

What’s more I’ve never even taken up permanent residency in Singapore or any other country, unlike certain Barisan Nasional Ministers.

The insinuation by the Minister that I am now a “Singapore agent” due to a deal with Singapore authorities is downright evil. The story painted by the Defence Minister is so outrageous and incredible that perhaps he will make a better spy fiction writer like John Le Carre, than he is as the country’s defence minister.

I call on Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to retract his statement and make an unreserved public apology within 24 hours or I will instruct my lawyers to file a defamation suit against him next week.

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Bung Mokhtar Escapes Unpunished

An enraging joke
Tarani Palani | March 16, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Tasteless and inane jokes are quite common in the Malaysian Parliament, but Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin might have gone too far in his attempt at comedy yesterday.
Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) was definitely not amused by Bung’s reference to him as a “Singapore agent”.

Pua told reporters today that he did not enjoy having his loyalty questioned.

Bung Mokhtar’s unfunny statement was a rejoinder to Arau MP Ismail Kassim’s complaint that foreigners were referring to rambutans as the Singapore lychee.

He interrupted Ismail, telling the latter to talk to Pua, the “Singapore agent”. And he laughed at his own joke.

Several opposition MPs were up in arms over the remark. Fong Po Kuan said it was a serious allegation and demanded a retraction.

Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee said the comment was made in jest and managed to restore calm to the house.

Pua, who was not in the house when the incident took place, tried to raise the matter this morning, but was greeted with laughter from the government backbenchers.

Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia said he could not overrule the decision made by his deputy.
Pua told reporters later that he was not amused, that to be accused of a serious crime was no laughing matter.

“If I am a real Singapore agent, then I am subjected to the death penalty,” he said.
He said Bung Mokhtar should have been subjected to some punishment. “When Anwar linked Umno to Apco, he was suspended,” he said.

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SYABAS Sues Me!

Obviously the Selangor state's campaign against water price hikes and the return of the water concessions to the state have hit a nerve, for Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor has filed a defamation suit against me.

They found an article in the Chinese daily, Nanyang Siang Pau on 16 November last year which quoted me as saying (as translated by Syabas lawyers):

"Tony Pua Kiam Wee mendesak SYABAS untuk mengembalikan hak pengurusan pembekalan air kepada Kerajaan Negeri Selangor. Kerajaan negeri telah melancarkan kempen "Kembalikan Hak Air kepada Rakyat"... Beliau berkata bahawa selepas perundingan bagi Kerajaan Negeri Selangor untuk membeli 4 syarikat konsesi air tidak berjaya, ini telah membawa kepada kempen untuk menghalang kenaikan tarif sebanyak 37%... Beliau berkata bahawa jika syarikat-syarikat konsesi air tidak mempunyai wang yang cukup untuk membayar hutang mereka, mereka perlulah memulangkan hak pembekalan air kepada kerajaan negeri. Kalau mereka tidak mempunyai keupayaan untuk menukar paip air baru, mereka perlu menghentikan atau menamatkan servis pembekalan air mereka..."

You decide if it was defamatory.

Anyway, Syabas served the Writ of Summons dated 28 January 2011 on me claiming:

1. (a) an injunction be granted to restrain YB Tony Pua Kiam Wee whether by himself, his servants or agents or otherwise howsoever or wheresoever from further publishing or distributing or causing or permitting to be published or distributed, the defamatory words complained of as set out in the Statement of Claim filed or any similar defamatory words of and in relation to SYABAS (the Plaintiff);
2. (b) general damages;
3. (c) interest at the rate of 8% p.a. from the date of judgment to date of full payment;
4. (d) costs; and
5. (e) such further or other relief as deemed fit and proper by the High Court.

Syabas sues Khalid Ibrahim, Pua for defamation
UPDATED @ 04:20:12 PM 15-02-2011By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal February 15, 2011

SHAH ALAM, Feb 15 — Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) has filed defamation suits against Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and the DAP’s Tony Pua over recent statements against the water utility company.

Both Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders were served with a writ of summons on February 11, they confirmed today.

The first mention for the case was heard yesterday at the High Court here, where Pua (picture) and Khalid were each given a month to prepare their statement of defence. Gobind Singh Deo will represent Pua while Edmund Bon will act as counsel for the Selangor MB.

“Our lawyers have been directed to prepare our defence,” Khalid told reporters here today.

Khalid is being sued over statements made last year, where he claimed that Syabas’ Tabung Budi fund was in violation of its water concession agreement.

The fund allows Selangor residents who wish to waive their right to free water to pay for the 20 cubic metres they receive gratis from the state every month, worth RM11.40.

The sole water distributor then uses the money collected to help other residents who lack access to clean water.

A total of 11 households in Selangor have received assistance from Syabas since the fund’s inception on August 24 as an internal Syabas and Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd initiative. The fund has collected over RM350,000 to date, according to Syabas.

“This suit does not change our stand in the Tabung Budi issue. Syabas has not right to ask water users to surrender their funds because these funds were given by the state government through the free 20 cubic metres of water programme,” added Khalid.

He said that state officials have already written a letter to Syabas to ensure that all legal fees in this suit would be borne only by Syabas directors and not the company, as the case has “nothing to do” with Syabas’ function as the water supplier to Selangor residents.

The Selangor MB maintained that his administration would still push for Selangor’s takeover of the four concessionaires including Syabas.

Pua, on the other hand, is being sued over recent media statements made to Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau Press.

He had said that if the water concessionaires could not settle their debts, the state government should take over the rights of management of water supply in Selangor.

“I don’t understand what is defamatory in my statement.

“The action by Syabas is an act of intimidation and comes at a time where the state is in the process of restructuring the management of water supply in Selangor,” said the Petaling Jaya Utara MP who was also present at the press conference today.

The Malaysian Insider understands that Syabas has sent a letter of demand to another Selangor PR federal lawmaker over remarks against the water utility.

Syabas has already sued Selangor for RM472 million on November 10 last year for preventing the water distributor from increasing water tariffs in 2009 as provided for in its concession agreement.

The deal involving Syabas, the Selangor government and the federal government allows for conditional tariff hikes every three years.

Selangor’s water players — Syabas, Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Syarikat Pengeluaran Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) and Konsortium ABASS — are at risk of debt payment default as water bonds approach their maturity dates.

The debt service problem started when Syabas was barred from implementing a 37 per cent tariff hike agreed upon in January 2009 after the Selangor government claimed the sole water distributor had not done enough to reduce leakages which cost the state millions.

This, in turn, led to payment problems between Syabas and water treatment concessionaires PNSB, Splash and Konsortium ABASS, who supply it with treated water.

Selangor, which already owns 80 per cent of the state’s water assets, is in the process of taking over the remaining assets from the concessionaires to fulfil a statutory restructuring which will see water supply across the peninsula centralised under the federal government.

Selangor’s latest RM9 billion offer for the assets and liabilities of all four concessionaires fell through after it was rejected by three of the four water players.

A project to obtain water from Pahang has also been delayed due to the issue.

The state government has made two previous offers for the water assets.

But privatisation plans under a federal water agency have been put in deep freeze as federal and state governments engage in what industry watchers have called “excessive politicking”.

PR wants to control the state’s water assets so it can fulfil its promise to keep water cheap for Selangor residents by controlling tariffs.

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Howdy Australia!

I will be making a trip to Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne later this month September and will be meeting up with Malaysians there. For those keen on meeting up, the following are the schedule details:


1. ADELAIDE

Afternoon Tea @ Lincoln College
Date: 19 Sept 2010 (Sunday)
Time: 3.00pm
Venue: The Chapel, Lincoln College, Brougham Place, North Adelaide
Contact: tonypua@yahoo.com
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149597108405516&ref=mf

There's no cover charge for Tea, but voluntary donations are welcome to cover the cost of the event. Any excess proceeds will go towards DAP for its activities.


2. SYDNEY

An Evening with Tony Pua & Jeff Ooi @ Delima
Date: 23 Sept 2010 (Thursday)
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Delima Restaurant, Shop 69, Level 5, One Dixon Shopping Centre
Contact: 92677045 (Dennis/Delima) or migsyd@yahoo.com
Tickets: AUD$45 per person (AUD$35 for students) for a 7-course dinner
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107459695981224&index=1

Limited seats available, please book to confirm. This event is organised by the Malaysia Interest Group Sydney (MIGSYD). Any excess proceeds will go towards DAP for its activities.


3. MELBOURNE

1. Dinner with Tony Pua @ Kedai Satay
Date: 24 Sept 2010 (Fri)
Time: 7pm
Venue: Kedai Satay (Upper Floor), 186 King's St
Contact: tonypua@yahoo.com, david.teoh@gmail.com

2. Malaysian Aspiration Programme (MAP) Forum
Date: 25 Sept 2010 (Sat)
Time: 12pm - 3pm
Venue: Elizabeth Murdoch Theatre, University of Melbourne
Contact: http://map.mascavictoria.com/

This event is open to students and public, organised by the Malaysian Students' Council of Australia (Victoria). Admission is free. It will feature other prominent speakers from Malaysia - Dr Awang Adek Hussin (Deputy Minister of Finance), Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz (President, Inst for Democracy & Economic Affairs) and Assoc Prof Abdul Razak Ahmad (Research Fellow, University of Leeds)


Please forward the above details to all Malaysians and Malaysians-at-heart who are interested to meet up in Australia, and email me for any additional details required. I look forward to meeting and catching up with all of you! ;-)

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Bullets

Much have been said, but here are the photos which speak for themselves.

M16 5.56mm live bullet

Threats from a coward

Posted in a brown envelope to my office

Postmarked from Tangkak, Johor

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Trip To Australia

Hi all, I'm in the midst of planning a trip to Australia, more specifically the cities of Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney for about 8-9 days starting 18 September.

If there are Malaysians, university students or working professionals who would like to help organise a gathering/forum cum a mini-fundraiser in these cities, please do contact me so that I can make the necessary arrangements. I can be reached at tonypua@gmail.com.

It will be my first trip to these cities. See you at the Land Down Under! ;-)

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"Toothy Grin" Interview A to Z

It's an edited 8 minutes (part 1) interview from a total of probably 45 minutes(?) with Klik4Malaysia, which covered issues A to Z. The MP with the toothy grin? ;-) Heh...

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Ayah! Ayah!

I got this joke via an email which is making its rounds of the internet. While not entirely correct as an allegory, it's certainly instructive ;-)

A man came home from work and his children ran to him and called out ‘Ayah! Ayah!’.

His neighbor got very upset and said to him, “Can you please tell your children not to call you ‘Ayah’?”

The man asked, “Why?”

The neighbor retorted, “Because my children call me ’Ayah’ too. They might get confused and mistake you to be their father.”

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'Saints' Family Day Out

The Saints Go Marching In...

I had the privilege of being invited to join the Nuffnang - Friso Gold 'Family Day Out' for 80 blogging families at Kidsports & Gym, 1Utama this morning, so the least I could do is to 'blog it' ;-)

The missus even made my day for offering to outfit in Saints jerseys ;-) (Just don't ask where they are in the league ;-)) So Tony, Ting Fong, Totto and little 'Peter Parker' Pua made it to 1U @ 10am in the morning and the kids certainly had a good time courtesy of Nuffnang and Friso Gold.

Mommy & Yi Zhe

Yi Zhe fiddles with his ride

Xin Ying hits the bottom of the slide

Yi Zhe enjoying the floor time

Daddy trying to get Yi Zhe to smile at the camera

Xin Ying looking after little brother (who obviously needs his nap!)

Xin Ying concentrates on her sand art

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