Something happened in Washington that day. And they are not telling us what really happened. Then they lied and tried to wangle out of this very embarrassing situation by spinning untruths. But they did not know that Malaysia Today has eyes and ears all over the world. So we have now caught them with their pants down.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Read what Ernest Bower wrote in the Center for Strategic & International Studies website on 2 February 2010. Then study the invitation to the seminar held on Wednesday 24 February in Washington below that piece.

What happened? Ernest Bower had nothing nice to say about the Malaysian government in his 2 February piece. And then he suddenly did a U-turn on 24 February, just three weeks later.

Okay, look again at what the invitation to the 24 February seminar says. There were supposed to be THREE (3) speakers. Then only Nazri turns up while Gani Patail and Abdul Hamid Mohamed go MIA (missing in action, in case you did not know what it means). And note the part that says: The discussion will be on the record. Why did they suddenly announce that it is now OFF THE RECORD?

Nazri then explains that it was just a coincidence that he, Gani and Abdul Hamid happen to be in Washington at the same time. He then said he did not know where the two missing persons were.

In other words, Nazri is telling us that these two MIAs were not supposed to be part of or involved in the seminar. But the official invitation clearly mentions their names. So Nazri lied. And Ernest Bower also did not explain the sudden change of plan.

Something happened in Washington that day. And they are not telling us what really happened. Then they lied and tried to wangle out of this very embarrassing situation by spinning untruths. But they did not know that Malaysia Today has eyes and ears all over the world. So we have now caught them with their pants down.

Malaysia Today: 12 -- Malaysian Government: 0

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A Low Note for Malaysia: Start of the Anwar Trial Today

By Ernest Bower

Feb 2, 2010

For anyone watching Malaysian politics over the last five years, the message is clear: people want their political system to move on to represent a modern Malaysia and its more sophisticated electorate. Voters are fed up with the old ways and anachronistic political structures, as well as with some of the personalities that have become inextricably identified with those structures.

Yesterday saw the start of the second trial of Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister and leader of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat Party (PKR). It was a sad day for Malaysian politics because the fact of the trial itself is a result of the old politics of Malaysia panicking in the face of the inevitable—change. The most recent allegations against Anwar came amidst clear signals that voters were dissatisfied with governance and would no longer rubber stamp the ruling coalition at the ballot boxes. Whatever the mechanism was, the old system blinked and snapped him up on new charges of sodomy.

The trial can rightly be seen as part of a tragic last stand by those who fear change and reform. That group no longer seems to include Prime Minister Najib Razak. Recent statements and moves to begin serious reforms of his ruling party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), suggest that he has internalized the need for the party to change if it is to survive politically. The Anwar trial will not be helpful in that regard, because to enact real change, a viable opposition is a helpful, if not a necessary, condition. Najib has to convince a majority of the UMNO faithful that they must adapt to survive. That argument won’t come easy to a generation addicted to the politics of entitlement.

Even from a Machiavellian UMNO political perspective, prosecuting Anwar risks making him, once again, a political martyr and beacon for those seeking a new way. Left to his own devices, Anwar promised to be a strong opposition voice, but unlikely to wrest control of the political leadership of the country. He is leading an unlikely coalition of conservative Muslims, left-leaning Chinese, and vibrant reformers.

Most countries in Southeast Asia are in the process of working through historic political evolutions. Indonesia’s path to change is playing out most clearly—with the downfall of former president Soeharto and the breathtaking audacity of the introduction of democracy in the region’s largest country. Thailand is going through a less linear but no less dramatic change where forces are aligned similarly in some ways to those in Malaysia—one side wanting to preserve the status quo and others demanding new political structures and broader engagement. Vietnam is deep into its political cycle ahead of the January 2011 Communist Party Congress, with conservatives pushing hard on the reform-minded government of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; and the Philippines has elections coming in May. Even Singapore is undergoing a quiet challenge to its postcolonial political structure dominated by the People’s Action Party (PAP), with indications that younger voters want new channels for political expression including, perhaps, an opposition that can speak freely and make the case for alternative approaches.

Putting the course of political evolution in Malaysia in a regional context, the country has a great opportunity to move ahead by implementing needed reforms, regaining full political stability, and concentrating on its competitiveness and economic growth.

However, victimizing Anwar is as counterproductive for Malaysia’s political progress as it is for the efforts of his political adversaries in UMNO to reform and regain political dominance. Therefore, this second Anwar trial is a sad and ironic benchmark in Malaysian political history.

Ernest Z. Bower is a senior adviser and director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

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CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES & CSIS SOUTHEAST ASIA PROGRAM

Pleased to present

SEMINAR ON GOVERNANCE & RULE OF LAW IN MALAYSIA & MALAYSIAN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

Featuring

1. The Honorable Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department

2. The Honorable Abdul Gani Patail, Attorney General of Malaysia

3. The Honorable Abdul Hamid Mohamed, Former Chief Justice of Malaysia & Chairman of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission

At CSIS Conference Room B1B, 1800 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Wednesday February 24, 2010

10:00 AM – 12: 00 PM

CSIS Malaysia is honored to invite you to a presentation and discussion with a panel of leading Malaysian officials with the responsibility for the legislative agenda, parliamentary affairs, governance, rule of law and anti-corruption initiatives in Malaysia.

The discussion will be on the record.  Please RSVP the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Tuesday, February 23, 2010.  If you have questions, please contact Mary Beth Whyel at (202) 775 3278.

AGENDA

10:00 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks by Ernest Z. Bower, Senior Adviser & Director, CSIS Southeast Asia

10:05 AM: Introduction by the Honorable Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis, Ambassador to the United States, Embassy of Malaysia

10:15 AM: Keynote RemarksThe Honorable Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office

10:30 AM: Introduction of Expert Panel

1. The Honorable Abdul Gani Patail, Attorney General of Malaysia

2. The Honorable Abdul Hamid Mohamed, Former Supreme Court Justice & Chairman of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission

11:15 AM: Question & Answer

11:55 AM: Closing Remarks

___________________________________________

Ernie Bower

Senior Adviser & Director - Southeast Asia

Center for Strategic & International Studies

Translated into Chinese at: http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post_8893.html

Comments (36)

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written by capricorn, March 02, 2010 06:08:25

The Ambassdor JJ is a buttock pinching or ass grabbing man. So he had an orgy arranged for the 2 MIA's. That is why they had no time for the session. Nazri had wanted to join the orgy but then he being the Minister representative cannot tuang lah.

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written by indaddysfootsteps, February 28, 2010 04:44:54

"Nazri lied in Washington"

that's like saying "the moon rises at night..."

He's not a liar because he lies... it's not what he does that defines him; he lies because he's a liar - which seems to characterise most OhUmmmNO! politicians. Makes all the difference in the world.

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written by whlau, February 27, 2010 23:36:40

If 2 of the 3 stooges who were supposed to speak at the seminal seminar were MIA, and if indeed they were in Washington, then isn't this a dereliction of duty? Can we ask them to cough back all the expenses incurred in sending them there to the taxpayers?

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written by hunkeyboy, February 27, 2010 14:15:05

good form, bad form. same lah.
nazri lied? so what. to begin with, he's already a disgraced lawmaker, more suited to the ways a mafia-type organisation works than a parliament. he's so very macho and biggie thug-like. so he took on washington huh?
as for the other two, haiyah why bother with washington when there is new york just a shuttle flight away? can do so much more and fruitfully than talking, even just around times square.
GOVERNANCE & RULE OF LAW IN MALAYSIA & MALAYSIAN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES .... who cares (when we don't)?

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written by alpha1, February 27, 2010 10:59:16

Not only in Washington. He lies wherever he is and that is the only things he knows!! This bald moron!!

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written by Motherchell, February 27, 2010 10:24:22

""""""""""""The seminar's chairman, Ernest Bower, looked tired and nervous, saying that he had received a number of e-mails expressing concern that the seminar would not be balanced.""""""""""""

This is what i heard from my DC contacts. -----------there was a blast of emials hogging the State Dept and the CSIS sites. They were not at all impressed with the way CSIS was operating --especially with the kind of Govt Obama promotes. The rest is history. Bower must be sulking in some backyard of some McDonalds the way his career was rotting.

I would like to give my special thanks to all here AND AROUND THE World. My gratitude to all the MT deepthroats around who work thro formidable terrains the World to give us the freedom and justice. Thanks buddies.

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written by malaysianforever, February 27, 2010 07:09:51

When the price is right, those unscrupulous changed camps la!!!!

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written by aryn, February 27, 2010 05:05:43

Ernest Bower sold himself to the BN govt...

But at what price! After the incident, his and CSIS integrity and credibility is in tatters. And in America where you come under the microscope, he might as well jump off the Brooklyn Bridge!

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written by batsman, February 27, 2010 02:03:36

Dear Americans - Malaysian govt representative went to your house to tell lies to you. This is the utmost disrespect a Malaysian can do to you. It is like spitting in your face. They are not representative of the Malaysian people - why don't you slap them?

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written by anakmalaysia777, February 27, 2010 00:25:00

Just wait and see what Nazri will tell the people in Malaysia. The US$20 million American PR consultants will help him make another spin. With his normal smug face, he will shout to who ever cares to listen that his mission was a mighty success and that he succeeded in telling the Americans and others to go and fly a kite. He might or might not even mention the seminar. Then UTUSAN and its cohorts will go about drum beating and declare the success of the mission. He might also turn around and say that all this new media babble is misinformation planted by the ghost CIA.

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written by tompipi49, February 26, 2010 23:17:54

How pitiful,they have to prematurely closed their Semen (oops) seminar for they found out that the other two chiefs they brought along to speak, speaks no good english and the americans speaks no bahasa. Also the other two were also ashame to be called Malaysians outside Malaysia. Their jagu kampong attitude speaks well and loud. Remember no english in court?

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written by Gary Q, February 26, 2010 22:36:19

You know, I am curious...It was reported that Ernest Bower sent an invite to the Opposition to debate as well, what happened there?

Did anyone actaully receive an invite? Why didn't they send someone over?

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written by Awang Kuku, February 26, 2010 22:30:01

The two were sighted in Disneyland. Apparently they went there on the recommendation of Kikir Toyol.

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written by NSTPravda, February 26, 2010 22:02:40

CSIS Malaysia is dishonored to con you into a presentation and discussion with a panel of misleading and corrupt Malaysian officials with the responsibility for the UMNO legislative agenda, mocking parliamentary affairs, mis-governance, under-mining the rule of law and pro-corruption initiatives in Malaysia.

The discussion will be on off the record. Please RSVP the \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to be vetted by the Malaysian Corrupted Security and Internal Security. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots and other real freedom loving entities. If you have questions please keep them to yourselves, please contact Mary Beth Whyel at (202) 775 3278 if your are not stupid enough to be conned, we will give you another trial spin. Ra$uah $ayang eh, daripada berkhidmat kerajaan di-tipuan rakyat dan raja.
Al-UMNOdollarlah!

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written by NSTPravda, February 26, 2010 21:53:58

What happened? Ernest Bower had nothing nice to say about the Malaysian government in his 2 February piece. And then he suddenly did a U-turn on 24 February, just three weeks later. Elementary Matson, guess where some of your missing petronas-ringgit and taxpayer's duit went? $emua-nya OK - Silence may not be golden, but certainly worth some ringgits!!

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written by z3_demarco, February 26, 2010 18:02:54

The remaining two jokers are having some threesome with some blondes. Free trip, free accomodation, free fark man! So ask those 3 motherfarkers to fark off!

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written by educationist, February 26, 2010 18:01:26

It's nothing new, isn't it?
The UMNOputras have been lying through their teeth for umpteen times now.
But, good to see themexposed in the public scrutiny in Washington and be found lacking!!

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written by DezMalaysia, February 26, 2010 15:17:05

Next time, the Bower guy will say Najib's balls are fragrant than his daddy's !

I wonder how much that so-called Senior Adviser & Director - Southeast Asia of Center for Strategic & International Studies, Bower had pocketted from Malaysian Government for doing a U-turn.

Remember last time Malaysia paid NASA another handsome payment just to declare our Space tourist as ASTRONAUT !??? There goes our Petro-Dollar & people's money, "dulu, kini dan akan lagi ! !"

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written by rocky, February 26, 2010 14:42:41

Ernest Bower needs to make a living and the UMNO/BN govt is paying top dollar, so why not organise one and then change the rules and not explain missing expert panels. did CSIS lie about the panel or the AG decided to fly there and then chicken out? Nazri lied, he says of PM instruct MACC,he will quit...yeah, who does MACC report to?

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written by Daryl, February 26, 2010 14:38:03

Hate to use the race to point out things but you always noticed that only UMNO people are handling all these issues. If Malaysia is a multiracial country why would you think the delegation is only of one race and more important one PARTY. Even if they mixed it up for publicity purposes it will provide a more believable scenarios to the outside world. I believe PR delegation (if there is one) will truthfully reflect the Malaysian make up but this UMNO team is totally dumb.

I hope this Ernie Bower is not taking what he is not suppose too. Also, if that takes place in USA that might be spying for a third country and I think FBI can jump all over that.

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written by gewdgreef, February 26, 2010 14:27:18

Re-phrased with apologies: "I just barfed in my mouth reading this nonsense. Is the best that Malaysia can come up with?"

Dunno whether to laugh, cry, cringe or hide my face!

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written by betasigma, February 26, 2010 14:01:26

who were those forty buffoons cum morons from the us side being there listening to piece of shit from nazri??

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written by betasigma, February 26, 2010 13:49:36

to these umno muslim ,lying is part n parcel of their life, a norm within the realm filled with thieves,bandits,murderers,goons,robbers,conmen...n of course liars plus shit heads who believe in canning women,trawling of cow head n burning of others' places of worship.to these umno muslim scum..lying n twisting of facts can never be a sin,it is their survival kit as a matter of fact!!this minister taxi n samseng parliment nazri would of course never be different...

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written by gewdgreef, February 26, 2010 13:43:14

I just barfed in my mouth reading this crap.

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written by savemalaysia, February 26, 2010 13:26:07

I thought all muslims must follow all the teachings in the Quran, whether they like it or not. But some muslims in malaysia especially from muslims from UMNO never stop to amuse me about lying again and again to the world until malaysia has become the laughing stock of the world. I hv gone thru the Quran but still cannot find any teaching that allowing the muslims to lie to other people.
SHAME on you UMNOputra muslims!!!!!!

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written by malgal, February 26, 2010 12:57:34

Our correspondents in Washington DC report that the bottom pinching/fondling Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Dato Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis has taken delivery of a brand new Porsche at an estimated cost of US$ 150,000. The Ambassador, who is also notorious for making racist remarks, is currently living it up at the taxpayers’ expense jetting about between Washington, Boston, Kuala Lumpur and Rompin. In the months since assuming office, he has barely spent a few days a month at his duty post which is treated as a golfing resort. He has yet to make contact with the movers and shakers in the US capital despite the efforts of APCO, the lobbying firm in the US capital that has collected some RM20 million of the Malaysian taxpayers money to prostitute the corruption ridden UMNO led regime in Bolehland headed by JJ’s close buddy Najib. JJ is currently maintaining a life style that few can dream of.

In the meanwhile, JJ has called for reinforcements from KL to support his efforts to spread disinformation about the Anwar trial, the canning of women, other human right violations and the breakdown of the rule of law with the judiciary playing a despicable role. Minister Nazri Aziz, AG Gani Patail, and former CJ Hamid Mohamed are in town and will attempt to provide spin to a highly skeptical American audience. The trio is likely to be closely questioned. They are also likely to be told in no uncertain terms that Malaysian violations of human rights and disrespect for the rule of law is rapidly pushing Malaysia into the group of countries such as Zimbabwe, Burma, North Korea.

The official statement issued by the powerful Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Kerry, condemning the trial of Anwar Ibrahim is clearly a first salvo. The Malaysian Ambassador to the US was wholly whistling in the dark when he dismissed the statement as a personal view held by Senator Kerry. It was a statement issued in his capacity as the Chair of the Committee. As a next step, JJ is very likely to be summoned to the State Department and put on the mat for Malaysian transgressions. In the event Putrajaya ignores these diplomatic actions, Najib is likely to be told to his face by President Obama that behavior of this nature is unacceptable and carries consequences.

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written by Kaneeneh, February 26, 2010 12:53:47

They wanted to go look at the snow storm. So, we foot the bill

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written by storm62, February 26, 2010 12:41:55

JJ was seen busy trying to sms to both of them but was shown the middle finger via mms.

Gani and Abdul Hamid happen to be in Washington enjoying their advanced honeymoon, once they are back in Malaysia, they will announce their wedding date.......ask Bung of Kinabatangan....hi hi hi.

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written by malgal, February 26, 2010 12:36:58

did the 2 missing speakers not show up because they dared not face up to a grilling audience?
did the forum change to closed session to filter audience who might not all be sympathetic?
did ernie bower have a schizophrenic turn?
did nazri decide to do a solo?
did the panel have a more interesting lunch agenda and decided to shorten the session?
did they all want to testdrive jj's new porsche?

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written by malgal, February 26, 2010 12:20:27

bad form to absent on invite which lists them as speakers.
what a showcase of govt talent.
what an irony on the dialogue title - governance and rule of law - flagrantly flouted.
give them the silken cord!

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written by cheekhiaw, February 26, 2010 12:19:25

Those thieves lied about that dialogue with idiots. Which part is not quite right?

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written by malsia1206, February 26, 2010 12:08:23

That Nazri had lied is no longer any surprise. The whole entire Barisan gangbang had lied for the past 30+ odd years in Malaysia and abroad since the days of Tun M. This is the typical culture of UMNO. It's all built on a house of cards only.

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written by Bullchick, February 26, 2010 12:07:00

Mr. RPK, you are one hell of a great Malaysian! Nazri lied, the Honorable Groper yawned, read the Washington Post, read and send SMSs on his BBerry, Guinea Pigtail and friend goes MIA. Bodohland Boleh! So what's new from the Great Malaysian Sarkas (circus)? Please go for the jugular asap, RPK! We are already fed-up with all the shenanigans of Jibby, Big Fat Mama and Co.

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written by Littlebird, February 26, 2010 12:03:38

Yes! why did the Mat Salleh U-turned? And what happened to the 2 chicken? Americans should ask the questions now about the behaviour of Ernie Bower.

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written by ganbing, February 26, 2010 12:02:16

Hmm...wonder how much they paid that whore Ernest Bower to make him change his tune so quickly. Why is Umno patronizing whores with our money?

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written by storm62, February 26, 2010 11:50:33

Nice one RPK, you surely got him by the balls this time......MalaysiaToday Boleh !!!

Najis better send the floating submarine to fetch them back, if not how to show their faces at the airport?

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