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Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Najib Razak’s carefully constructed international image may come unstuck. The reason, the silly deal he made with the Australian government on a refugee swap.
An Australian refugee rights advocate group, led by Mr. David Manne, will challenge the Australian federal government’s Malaysia solution with two arguments:
(i) that asylum-seekers arriving in Australia have a right to have claims for refugee protection assessed here; and
(ii) that the High Court can review Immigration Minister Chris Bowen’s declaration that Malaysia is a suitable destination for off-shore processing.
A full bench at the High Court of Australia will decide this.
The second argument will be of interest to Mr. Najib Razak.
Mr. Manne was quoted as follows in The Australian:
Mr Manne made it clear that Malaysia’s human rights record, and particularly its treatment of refugees, would be put on trial.
“Amongst the claims that are being made among many of those that we are acting for are that they in fact would face the real risk of being persecuted in Malaysia due to the human rights situation there,” he said.
“Malaysia has a long standing record of very serious mistreatment of asylum-seekers and refugees including, as we know, arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention, beatings, whippings, canings and even deportation. A number of our clients have made very strong claims of fearing that they would not be protected in Malaysia.”
Thus far, Mr. Najib Razak has had the upper hand in winning admiration from the international community through a very successful international public relations campaign. However, this momentum changed on 9, July 2010, with his heavy handed clamp down of Malaysians advocating for free and fair rlections.
A further blow came when Sarawak Report exposed how the Government of Malaysia was promoting itself unethically abroad.
We (Sarawak Report) revealed how BN politicians, including the Prime Minister Najib Razak, Abdullah Badawi and Taib Mahmud have been paying the production company, the UK-based FBC Media, millions of ringgit of taxpayers’ money to buy them positive publicity on the show. (The video above is one such example.)
Allowing slots to be purchased in this way, deceiving millions of viewers who thought they were watching impartial programming, is a serious breach of broadcasting laws, for which broadcasters such as CNBC’s parent company, the American broadcasting giant NBC, would be held ultimately responsible.
Last night the company’s Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Charlotte Westgate, made this statement to Sarawak Report confirming the decision to withdraw the show:
“In light of serious questions raised last week, CNBC immediately initiated an examination of FBC and its business practices and has withdrawn the programme ‘World Business’ indefinitely.”
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has also suspended its ties with FBC.
I had wondered why the Government of Malaysia would take such a high risk of exposing itself to the international community through this deal. The millions of dollars of tax payers money spent on promoting Mr. Najib Razak’s image abroad is about to go down the drain should the High Court of Australia decide that Malaysia is not a suitable destination for refugees.
Update 1: Government of Malaysia fires FBC
Putrajaya has now ended its contract with British publicity firm FBC Media after an embarrassing exposé last week revealed Malaysian leaders routinely appeared in paid-for interviews on global television programmes.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) terminated FBC Media’s contract in the past week, just months after another public relations firm, APCO Worldwide from the United States, met an ignominious end for alleged links to Israel.
Extract from “Putrajaya ditches FBC Media as image experts after exposé“, Jahabar Sadiq, The Malaysian Insider.
Whart can be done to eradicate wastage of tax payers resources ?
Should we waste the umNO led goverment at the next general election ?
A majority are of the same opinion and perhaps the incumbent leaders are milking the cow while they can .
It is also disapponiting to note CNBC are not without fault .
However their prompt response is much apprreciated and should be set as a gentle reminder for responsible broadcasting etchics.
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Poor old Malaysia, didn’t they know that everything Australia’s worst PM in living memory, Julia Gillard, touches turns into a disaster? They should have done some homework first as she certainly never does hers. She is even now unraveling Bob Hawke’s sensible reforms, Malaysia should get as far away from her as possible, they may have hated Keating in his day but at least he knew what he was doing.
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This article is correct. Its very obvious NAJIB and Hisham rushed through this deal as there are massive money involved. The RM 900M for the swap will go into their own accoutns by default as NAJIB controls the Finance Minstry and Hisham controls the Home Ministry. They have no regard whatsoever for the wellbeing of the refugees, only their own personal wellbeing. I think also that the current Australian regime has made a severe error in judgement in ratifying the deal. If this deal was meant to discourage the human smugglers and traffickers, its doing a very bad job. In fact, going by economics, these human smugglers and traffickers can charge more for their services simply because their ‘clients’ are no going to be ‘guaranteed’ a job, proper housing, healthcare, education, welfare, etc, etc, if not in Australia, in Malaysia.
So, YES, NAJIB and Malaysia will suffer humiliation on the international stage becuase of their own vanity, greed and selfish interest.
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The deal would actually increase Australia’s net refugee intake from Malaysia by 200 per year for the next 4 years. Details are available in this press release:
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2011/cb168739.htm
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One quick solution for Malaysia is to ratify the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. It would then technically meet the international best practises.
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Quoting a bias-prone website, Malaysian Insider is totally absurd. Read the original story at the link below. FBC was not terminated of its contract but the contract ends and not renewed. FBC was a debacle inherited from Abdullah and not Najib.
http://www.rockybru.com.my/2011/08/once-there-were-two-fs.html
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Daniel #6
Appreciate if you can explain the difference between a contract not being renewed and a contract being terminated.
With regards to the substance of the issue, I’m wondering what you think about the fact that the company received millions of ringgit from the Gov of Malaysia to improve its “image”? Do you think this is ethical, both of the Gov of Malaysia and also the firm to mislead viewers?
What do you think of the money that was spent. I’m talking about a recorded RM57.68 million paid out by the Prime Minister’s office to FBC Media in 2008-2009, RM42 million in 2010. Also the fact that Taib Mahmud – the Chief Minister of Sarawak – had also contracted FBC Media for a further RM15 million a year. Do you think its ethical to use tax payers money to rehabilitate the personal image of leaders?
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Public would appreciate seeing more constructive work done ,feasible projects for job creation implemented.More pro-active ideas being brain -stormed to revive the lack-lustre economy.Improving Malaysia’s image overseas will help only if everyone puts in an effort to uplift the economy when the opportunity is given.Effort of one single leader will not really matter that much if no co-operation is given to him.It will not bear fruit if no support is rendered.
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Improving Malaysia’simage abroad is a tall order. Unless the more well read “abroad” do not read any news coming out of Malaysia at all;
How does one do a positive spin on the following;
1. Reporter arrested under ISA (internal security act) for her own protection
2. Perkasa – under patronage of Mahathir – threatening violence and arson against Christians and Chinese (as if they are one and the same??) – no action by police
3. Umno politician – just yeaterday – threatening to burn down online news portal (after talking to Allah – friday prayers, no less) – no action by police
4. Ministers behaving as if they are absolute monarch – declaring yellow T shirts illegal. – don’t know what to say here!
5. Police behaving the same way declaring anything yellow illegal
Anecdote – Friend was stop at a police road block before the Bersih march, and asked why he was driving a yellow car into the city area??? – almost died laughing when told this.
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Readers be warned. Greg Lopez is not an unbiased and academic writer he wants to us to believe.
It is well known in Malaysia that Greg Lopez is a strong supporter of the Pakatan Rakyat, which is currently the Opposition in Malaysia. Greg is also noted for his regular articles and letters to the Malaysia media attacking the current government. While such criticisms are part and parcel of democracy, but Greg’s articles are more personal with hidden agenda of undermining the BN govt with half truths and unproven allegations, as it is the case here.
The Sarawak Report that Greg quotes here is hardly a reliable source since it has been exposed as being funded by the political opposition for the sole purpose of undermining the current govt.
While Malaysia’s record in human rights is not up to the level of Australia, many of these allegations are untrue.
The real reason why Pakatan supporters like Greg is against this agreement is that this will bolster the relationship between Najib and Australia which has been strained for some years. Australia has been a friend of Anwar and with this agreement, Anwar and Pakatan feel their ties to Australia being cut off.
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Good day Killer #10.
(1) For the record, these are my professional analysis – as an economist and a long time political observer of Malaysia. I am not a card carrying member of any political party neither am on the payroll of any opposition political party.
(2) For the record, Sarawak Report (SR) is trusted by the Al Jazeera, BBC, the ABC, CNN and NBC who have carried their reports and who have also dumped FBC based on investigations by SR.
(3) If you read my articles carefully, you will notice that I prefer for the present moment Pakatan Rakyat to Barisan Nasional for one simple reason – Barisan Nasional is not taking the needed reforms to improve the economic and social welfare of Malaysians. My analysis has been consistent. You can read my articles in Malaysia’s mainstream newspapers such as the The Star when I was a senior research officer at the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research – pointing out the lacklustre efforts of the Gov of Malaysia in implementing economic, social and political reforms.
(4) You will notice that there is no article that glorifies Pakatan Rakyat. We do know that Pakatan Rakyat have many weaknesses as political parties and as a coalition. However at this present moment, it is my professional opinion, that Pakatan Rakyat is the better option to lead Malaysia – as a coalition, as a composition of political parties and as individual leaders within these parties than Barisan Nasional. Not only I think this way but about 51 % of Malaysians on the Peninsular also think this way.
(5) You note that I am an opposition supporter when I logically point out the failures of this government. This is not a good convention. Instead, I would encourage you to counter my arguments in true academic fashion with arguments of your own as many of New Mandala readers often do and which is one the main objectives of New Mandala – to encourage vigorous debate.
(6) I also rather you not make motherhood statements (in typical Barisan Nasional style). Instead I invite you to pen op-eds at regular intervals espousing why you think that the Barisan Nasional policies are better than that of Pakatan Rakyat for New Mandala readers to debate.
Visit my website http://malaysiasdilemma.wordpress.com/ for a better grasp of my views.
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Hai Greg,
Great response to “Killer”. He /she is very typical of person or persons, unable to come up with a logical or intellectual arguement. I don’t blame “killer” though. It is really hard to spin against my comments #9. One is left with simple accusations and hope no one else reads anything but Utusan Malaysia.
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Dear Greg
Let me also reply in simple, point by point style.
1. No one had accused you being a card carrying member of Pakatan (though you might well be since I have no means to prove that). However since you are an economist, why would you focus on issues that are not economics in nature. The last I checked you have no qualifications in political science so I wonder how “academic” your views could be.
2. Sarawak Report : Trusted by the international news agencies ? How do you conclude that ? Care to present facts to support it? Also FBC was suspended in the light of allegations by SR and not dumped solely based on SR’s allegations. Your comments here are highly misleading and unacademic.
3. I don’t think I can dispute your views when you comment on economic issues. But in most cases your analysis tend to be highly biased on picking up points on how to attack the BN govt rather looking at economic issues in general and provide commentary. That’s why I question your impartiality and credentials as academic. 10 out of 10 times your articles focus on attacking BN and using emotive languages. In many cases even when commenting on economic issues, your comments tend to be emotional and subjective and deviate from economic analysis to political commentary.
Even here for example, why would you chose to select this particular issue when there are many other more important issues in Malaysia. For example I have not seen you writing the most important issues in Malaysia economy, the ETP and the liberalization. All I see is picking up minor points and attacking it with the sole point of making the BN look bad.
4. Of course, you don’t glorify Pakatan as undermining BN will do the same trick. I am sure a lot of Malaysians think the same way as you do about PR but that’s an issue for the elections and not for academic discussions.
5. I am more than happy to argue objectively but unfortunately as I had mentioned before you are not playing the academic but the politician. But giving sources such as SR and MI, you have done a cardinal sin as an academic. You should know that SR and MI do not provide sources to back up their claims but just quote “sources”. This I would hardly consider as academic, don’t you think so ? Both SR and MI are well known as the staunch supporters of Pakatan, even you must know that. I think you would hardly accept if I quote some BN bloggers to support my accusations against PR.
6. I think you sort of scored an own goal here by admitting your intentions. As for my intentions, I am no academic nor intersted in writing ops-ed to support BN policies. I just detest those fake academics who pretend to be impartial but in fact have hidden political agenda.
And finally I must say that even when you write about purely economics matter, I am unimpressed by the intellectual depth of the analysis. Only Pakatan cybertroopers such as “neptunian” might consider them as masterpieces….
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Dear Neptunian
Let me assure you that I don’t read Utusan nor I believe in everything they report. At the same token, I don’t believe in everything Malaysiakini, MI, Malaysia Chronicles, SR,etc print either.
I don’t support the ISA detention (which was done a few years ago) or Perkasa’s antics. However these provocative actions are not one way. Pakatan and their supporters’ actions too have contributed to such heightened level of politics.
The constant accusations and attacks on BN by pro-PR on line media and cyber troopers are often overlooked by pro-Opposition folks. Anwar’s Sept 16 plan, DAP’s using of TBH and Altantunya cases to falsely and maliciously attack BN are hardly ethical or good politics.
On daily basis PR attacks BN via all kinds of channel, throwing accusations of racism, corruptions, criminality,etc without a shred of evidence. They set up websites like MI,SR. MC for example with the sole aim to attack BN. Are these not provocative ?
DAP talks about removing NEP and Malay’s special positions. They order mosques to silence the loudspeakers for prayers (btw I am not a Muslim),etc. Are these not provocative ?
PR get their puppets like Ambiga to organise rallies like Bersih purportedly for clean elections but in reality to seize power via street demo. Aren’t these provocative ?
Police actions against Bersih was not because they are anti-clean election but this whole thing was planned, funded and organised and executed by Bersih. This is not a call for reform but a political hijack.
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Dear Killer,
I really like your “accusation of corruption etc etc without a shred of evidence” bit
One has to be blind / deaf and dumb (my apologies to the politically righteous) to not see or admit to corruption and the abuse of power in Malaysia. It is so blatant that it is indefensible. One does not have to be pro-opposition to see that. If you really believe that anyone who attacks the BN govt’s record of corruption and power abuse is simply pro-opposition, then I feel really, really sad for you.
For the record – I was a GLC scholarship holder and am eternally grateful for that help. I am not of the chosen race, and have worked internationally for more than 25+ years, then chose to return to Malaysia. It is still home, and I choose to ignore bottom dwellers like Perkasa and the likes. I am not pro-opposition but pro-logic and good governance.
I can see Malaysia going down the drain in 12-15 years time, when the petroleum resource cannot sustain the govt’s patronage and wastage anymore. (assuming the current BN govt is still in power) Even if PKR comes into power, it will be very difficult to dismantle the patronage system – given the fact that even an obviously educated person like yourself fails to see that excessive patronage is bad for the country.
I believe you are a BN, if not an UMNO member, so I suggest you talk with some UMNO technocrats and see what they think. You will be surprised by the fear they have with regards to the degradation that patronage has done to the Malay capacity for productive work.
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@ Killer #13
This is more like it. You’ve raised valid points supported by valid arguments. Allow me to respond over the weekend as I will be at a conference for the next three days.
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Dear Neptunian
Well, now at least you speak with logic and not behaving like a twenty-something DAP cyber trooper.
I was a GLC scholar too but I have spent my days both overseas and locally. As such I believe I see a more balanced perspective instead of relying on the “news” reported my the likes of MI, Mkini,etc.
Let me assure you that I share your concerns of corruptions and the patronage politics. I know, perhaps better than you, on the ground level impacts. I also understand the real impact of NEP, and not just what reported by on line or MSM.
However, I don’t think PKR or DAP are any better than UMNO/BN in corruption or patronage as seen in their 3 years rule. They have not demonstrated that they are any better and this is just 3 years. Give them a few more years, they might well over take BN.
As for PAS, I understand their mindsets well, having attended their ceramahs since my uni days (thanks to my Malay looking appearance) and I know they are not the modernist party they would like us non Muslims to believe. While not materially corrupted, they are even more dangerous as they will destroy the country with their fundamentalist policies.
As such, while I am well aware of the shortcomings of BN, I have yet to see any credible alternative to them yet. Also I am encouraged by Najib’s transformation and reforms. While these might not be far reaching as we would like to, but without the requisite political mandate he would not able to push hard. I see the democratic space being expanded and anti corruption efforts being ramped up.
However, the Opposition is not helping by their constant undermining and mischief making. You can accuse BN of political motives in sodomy 2 but this is does not mean Anwar’s is not guilty. Also much of BN’s reactions are due to attacks by PR. For example no party with good ethics will use TBH, Altantunya and other race issues to attack BN, with the help of the rabid on-line media. Anwar’s Sept 16 plan was also another reason for BN’s charging him for Sodomy 2 I believe.
The record of PR in managing the 4 states not really brilliant, as you can see. So unless I can see a credible Opposition that can earn my respect, I will not vote for them.
Please remember that I am not a BN supporter but more of a neutral person. I did not support BN during Mahatir or Pak Lah. But as I see it now, Najib has done far more than PR to earn my respect.
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Good day Killer,
I would like to ask your opinion on a few issues before I formulate my response. Its meant to understand your perspectives on Malaysia.
(1) What is your opinion on the quality of Malaysia’s democracy?
(2) What is your opinion on the removal of Tun Salleh Abbas as Lord President (in 1988)?
(3) What is your opinion on Operasi Lalang (in 1987)?
(4) What do you think of Barisan Nasional’s stewardship of the Malaysian economy?
Thanks very much.
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Dear Greg
I fail to see how my responses to these questions can affect your answers. I have no issues in answering them but do not wish to let my answers distract our debate. Please do respond to my questions first.
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Killer # 13,
In response to the points you raised.
Education (my Phd, my double masters, my degree) is an investment in human capital, while learning is the process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience or teaching. Knowledge is the awareness and understanding of interconnected facts, truths or information gained in the form of experience, learning or introspection.
As noted, I’ve been deeply involved in researching on Malaysia for the past 12 years.
Refer to the article Malaysia – a simple institutional analysis. Its norms that drive politics and politics that determine the economics.
Don’t take my word. Recommend that you ask various reputable media outlets (such as ABC, BBC, CNN, CNBC, The Guardian, The Independent, etc) who have interacted with SR and ask them if Sarawak Report is credible.
Also wonder why they are not being sued (everyone knows Claire Rewcastle Brown is the founder) by aggrieved parties if their reports are defamatory.
I think your not used to democratic norms. Debating government policy and actions is a norm especially for someone analysing government policies.
Refer to article Malaysia – a simple institutional analysis . My focus is on national leadership. Should Mr. Hadi Awang, Mr. Lim Guan Eng or Mr. Anwar Ibrahim take over national leadership, I would apply the same scrutiny.
Just wondering – they (UMNO/BN) cheat at elections, put individuals advocating for social change in jail, allow their supporters to wreak havoc, 1500 people have died in government custody, 400 people have been shot dead by the police, and billions of dollars have been squandered by the government, your ancestors are called prostitutes, pariahs, beggars, your temples and sacred objects are desecrated and destroyed, your religion and culture are constantly humiliated and denigrated, your constantly reminded that you exist at the mercy of UMNO Malays – How would you react?
ETP and liberalisation – read here.
Refer to response to point 3.
The media both online and print are subject to Malaysian laws. For example Rocky Bru has lost a case to Rais Yatim for alleging that Rais Yatim had raped his maid. Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak has sued Malaysiakini for its expose on corruption.
Aggrieved parties have a right to sue MI and SR but they haven’t.
Also, the problem as you know is that the mainstream media is totally unreliable to provide an objective view. Have you read Utusan Malaysia?
Own goal. Not really. I’m being honest. Whenever I’m interviewed by the Australian media, I tell them upfront that I have been a consistent critic of the government when they deserve to be criticised based on the values that I hold. I have values. I put a premium on human rights, rule of law and democratic norms. These values inform my analysis.
Your last paragraph appears to contradict your point number three.
By the way, I notice that you have not actually challenged me on the merits of any my actual arguments. That’s why I asked you what you thought about the sacking of the Lord President, Operasi Lalang, etc.
If you value human rights, the rule of law and democratic norms, then we can have a meaningful engagement. We can also have meaningful discussion if you focus on the points I raise rather than attacking me.
.
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Greg is a brave M’sian.Speaks his mind & is no hypocrite.
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Extract from, “Malaysia deal invalid“, Ross Peake and Bianca Hall, The Canberra Times, 31 August 2011.
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Najib Razak will remain a strategic asset to the US and Australia although his carefully crafted international profile takes a beating after the Australian High Court ruling.
I discuss this on Radio Australia’s Connect Asia.
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Greg
Good try….
This shows the “depth” of your knowledge and your analytical skills. Obviously you don’t understand the workings of international diplomacy and geo-strategy and I am not about to educate you either.
FYI, even if this deal doesn’t go through Najib has cemented his position with the Australian govt. What matters more is the spirit of cooperation and Najib has amply demonstrated that.
Also, PR and their supporters such as you shouldn’t be too happy for there gonna be a backlash soon. This court decision will have a huge repercussion that a lot of opponents of the deal in the Oz will pay for it.
Also, PR will also directly pay for it as well. Their staunch opposition and undermining of the deal (directly as well indirectly via NGOs and people like yourself) will not be forgotten or forgiven by the Oz govt or the ordinary people (especially when the flood of migrants who will hit Australian coasts in a matter of weeks)…
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“…The leader of the Australian Green Party, Senator Bob Brown, has invited the Editor of Sarawak Report to Hobart, in order to speak about corruption in Sarawak this week….”
There were suggestions that The Sarawak Report was not a credible source of information. The Greens, who are part of the current Australian government, the Australian, Swiss and German governments, appears to think otherwise.
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The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has pledged to apologise for airing paid-for programmes that were favourable to some countries including Malaysia. This is in reference to the FBC made “documentaries”.
FBC has been exposed to have also doubled up as a publicity firm for the Najib Razak administration and was paid millions of pounds to conduct a “Global Strategic Communications Campaign”.
What do we do with UMNO?
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