PETALING JAYA, 18 May 2009: Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is a liability in the cabinet and must be removed, said the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).
Hishammuddin (Pic courtesy
of theSun) “Hishammuddin’s abysmal and misjudged performance is now a liability to the new cabinet,” said a Bersih press statement dated yesterday.
“A minor reshuffle of the cabinet is inevitable if [Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak] means business in his slogan ‘performance now’,” the statement added.
In its statement, Bersih supported the Malaysian Bar Council’s call that Hishammuddin resign over the arrest of five lawyers on duty on 7 May 2009.
The Bar Council also urged for the resignation of Police Inspector-General Tan Sri Musa Hassan, and plans to file a civil suit against the government.
Responding to the Bar Council on 17 May, Hishammuddin said “Are lawyers immune to the law?” He added that the police would do whatever it takes to maintain peace and order in the country.
Bersih, in its statement, said that Hishammuddin’s response implied that lawyers representing detainees could be construed as a criminal act.
“Such responses reveal a lack of both competence and integrity on the part of the Home Minister,” stressed Bersih.
“The Bar Council’s resolution to demand political accountability and seek judicial remedy … is an act to protect public interest, and must not be seen as driven by self-interest,” the statement added.
The coalition called on civil society groups, including other professional organisations, to show solidarity with the Bar Council in its demands.
It also urged Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to weigh in on the issue.
“Koh’s portfolio in quality control would be pointless if he does not respond to crises but produces a key performance indicator (KPI) report only after months of disastrous ministerial incompetence,” the Bersih statement said. 
yong says
What can Tan Sri Koh do since he is a backdoor minister. Even when Gerekan has more seats they cannot say anything because all the other BN parties are under the control of big brother Umno 1988. What Umno says is always right and no BN party dares to go against it because they are all working for themselves and their cronies.
mike says
Datuk Hisham is new in this portfolio and it looks like he is trying to be fair. I feel that the IGP should be held responsible for what has happened because he would have advised the new minister. From his press statements I feel that he does not understand what he as the IGP is supposed to do. He should also read or have someone read to him the constitution of the Bar so that he understands what it stands for.
His primary concern at the moment is to get rid of the mat rempits and snatch thieves. Not have his men mend road blocks and arrest people having breakfast.
elected says
At least this guy is elected by the people. However, none of the “Bersih” team are so-called elected, they just nominate themselves. Maybe they should stand in the next GE, rather than talking nonsense. Get yourself elected first, before asking someone elected to vacate their seat.
baguk21 says
Chief of police Musa Hassan has got to go. He’s responsible.
chinhuatw says
@elected,
Since when does a citizen need to run in elections before s/he can speak? 1SILENTMalaysia?
elected says
To chinhuatw
Fair enough, then don’t asked someone who is elected by the people to vacate their seat. No matter how bad they are perceived to be, the next GE will tell. In the mean time, prepare yourself to get nominated in the next GE, try to get elected. Then do something about Malaysia. Don’t waste your time with your political theories.
chinhuatw says
@elected,
It would do you good to read the BERSIH’s statement carefully. BERSIH (or the BAR for that matter) did not ask him to resign from Parliament, only from Cabinet and that’s because of what he said.
Should someone – incidentally a lawyer too – who thinks lawyers representing detainees are criminals hold on to the post in-charge of law and order?
It’s like a heavy smoker holding the ministry of health and promoting healthy lifestyle.
If you want to defend for Hishamuddin against the call of the Bar and BERSIH, why don’t you make a case that holding opinion contradicting rule of law does not disqualify one from being the Home Minister? Simple, isn’t it?
Am I wasting my time with my political theories? Not when you have low quality politicians amongst the elected.
elected says
To chinhuatw,
Since there are many low quality politician among the elected, both from PR and BN, like I said before, prepare yourself to get nominated in the next GE, try to get elected, do something about Malaysia. Don’t waste your time with your political theories. Try your luck with political realities.
chinhuatw says
@ elected,
I ask myself if I would contribute more as a good politician or a good political scientist. My answer is in the latter.
Trained in economics initially, I have always been very realistic.
And this is what John Maynard Keynes had to say about those who do not believe in theory:
“Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.”
Thanks for your appreciation.
Sumat says
To elected:
If you need to be elected to put an opinion, it’s ok then, are you an elected rep to cough off this opinion?
elected says
To elected;
A good political scientist will always be neutral in his thoughts and put up a balanced, two sided view. Please be fair when you put up comments and opinions. That’s the hallmark of a good political scientist. Not just mere statements.
elected says
@Sumat
The article above, using words such as abysmal,misjudged and liability, is not an opinion but a condemnation.
YM says
To Elected :
Malaysia is a country with law and order. No one is above the law. In this case the police abused their authority in arresting the 5 lawyers. Even a suspect in a criminal case has the right to an attorney.
What is the nonsense that only elected persons are allowed to speak up their minds? We have the right of speech in Malaysia. We also have the right to comment. If you are not happy with the comments please do not read.
chinhuatw says
A good political scientist cannot have his/her value judgment?
If a political scientist says the holocaust and ethnic cleansing are dead wrong and should be condemned, s/he is then a bad political scientist?
This is like saying a doctor should feel indifferent to all microorganisms because s/he should not have value judgment.
False sense of neutrality is either brainless or heartless.