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Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:59 PM PDT

Apart from that, chances of Gerakan retaining two parliamentary seats - Simpang Renggam (Johor) and Gerik (Perak), that the party won in the 2008 general election also seem to be getting tougher because Gerik was on loan and is speculated to be returned to Umno as Gerakan will get back its Taiping seat from the People's Progressive Party (PPP).

Bernama

With Sunday's Gerakan national delegates conference just days away, many delegates and political observers cannot help but ponder on at least five pertinent questions, answers for which must be made crystal clear for the party to steer its future.

First and foremost, of course, is the question of whether first-term elected president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon wants to go for a second term at the party elections next year.

Dr Koh has stated his intention to lead the party for at least two terms but until now, after he was verbally attacked for not coming out strongly in defending himself and Gerakan, party members claim they are unsure of that as there have been no signals to that effect as yet.

Secondly, many wonder if Dr Koh will contest in the next general election, the 13th, or choose to lead and strengthen the party's position in the Barisan Nasional without any other post for himself that could affect his solid focus on the party.

"It depends whether he wants to continue to lead the party for a second term. If he wants to lead the party, then he has to contest," said political analyst Datuk Cheah See Kian in an interview with Bernama.

He believes that should Dr Koh decide to lead the party for a second term, he would likely stand as a candidate in a parliamentary seat either Batu in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur or Batu Kawan in Penang.

"But I don't think he would want to go back to Tanjong (Penang). It very much depends on whether he wants to be in Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Even if he decides to lead Penang, I still believe Batu Kawan is still the better bet for him," he added.

Dr Koh stood in Batu Kawan in the last general election, in 2008, and lost to Prof P. Ramasamy, the current deputy chief minister of Penang.

Internally, some party members and leaders are already getting restless with Dr Koh who has so far kept the answer only to himself despite his earlier stand that he will lead the party in the next general election.

He may already have the answer but is still keeping it very much to himself, being the careful leader that he is.

There is talk that he may even decide to contest in Simpang Renggam (Johor), a seat considered safe for him.

"However, many leaders and party members are against him standing in Simpang Renggam, including those from Johor. They feel it is inappropriate for him to do that," said a party insider.

Many would love to see Dr Koh as a gallant party president contesting in a tough seat and being an undisputed winner, which would automatically earn him more respect from party members and even from BN leaders.

Gerakan Youth chief Lim Si Pin announced two months ago that he would not defend his youth chief post and would not want to be a candidate again in the next general election.

In the 2008 general election, Lim, who is the only son of former Gerakan president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, was fielded to contest the Batu parliamentary seat but was defeated by PKR vice-president Tian Chua.

Thus, another question arises and has put Gerakan Wanita chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe (who represents Gerik) in limbo as to where she would be contesting in the next general election should the party decide to retain her in its line-up.

Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow did not rule out the fact that some delegates may raise this issue and seek clarification from Dr Koh during the delegates conference.

"We can't stop delegates from asking that. It's the delegates' right and they can raise any issue they want at the conference," he said.

However, party vice-president Datuk Mah Siew Keong believes that Dr Koh will do what he thinks is best for the party as the situation is quite fluid at the moment.

"In not announcing ahead, Dr Koh has made the correct move. Why disclose everything before the time is ripe. I'm sure he has the party interest at heart and will make the best decision," he said.

Apart from that, another question is whether Gerakan will take a similar stand as the MCA not to accept any Cabinet post if it fails to perform in the next general election.

Dr Koh has said that the party has yet to decide whether or not to accept any Cabinet post if it fails to perform in the next general election.

However, many political observers would like to hear what the party veterans, through the party's Life Members Council, have got to say about the current party affairs when they meet on Oct 15. Keng Yaik is the chairman of the Gerakan Life Members Council.

Many party members believe it will only be fair to them to have Dr Koh give them crystal-clear answers to all the questions.

Malaysia's youth energises political landscape

Posted: 10 Oct 2011 08:47 PM PDT

Malaysia's youngest sitting politician says his generation of leaders is ready to move away from race-based politics. Politics in Malaysia is centred on race and religion, with the Malay UMNO dominating a multi-racial political coalition. 29 year old Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad says all signs are pointing to an early election - as soon as November this year, or in the first quarter of 2012. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also calls for a more equitable distribution of wealth in Malaysia.

Sen Lam, Radio Australia

Presenter: Sen Lam

Speaker: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Selangor state assemblyman, Malaysia and Communications Director for the opposition Parti Keadilan. He was in Melbourne as a guest of the Asia Institute, Asialink and the Asia Society

Listen:
Windows Media

NIK NAZMI: The problem we have today is that the economic policy we have in Malaysia is very much a trickle-down one for the ordinary people, regardless of race. Of course, the politicians would like us to see in terms of racial paradigms but in reality, the ordinary Malaysians regardless of race, lose out, whereas those who are politically-connected, regardless of race benefit. So I think that currently, the government talks about liberalising the NEP (New Economic Policy), moving away from the NEP adopting our own rhetoric, which is good, but in terms of reality, we think that it also means an over-emphasis on liberalisation, without a balance in terms of social justice, which is bad I think, for the country as a whole.

LAM: But in politics, appearances count for a lot as well, how do you think that will sit with your Malay constituents, who might feel that they're losing their rights?

NIK NAZMI: It is, the problem for the ruling coalition is that they they have shaped the debate for so long in terms of race-based analysis. If a Chinese gains, then that means the Malays and Indians lose, and vise versa. Whereas our emphasis has always been about the ordinary people against the powerful. Even the One-Malaysia campaign (of Prime Minister Najib Razak) is not being accepted by their own (UMNO) party, because they've always been talking about Malay supremacy - Ketuanan Melayu. So I think that's where the government faces a problem, as a result of they've become the victim of their own rhetoric.

The children of those who benefitted from the NEP, the younger Malays, who, their parents studied in Australia, in the US and in the UK, come back and they start to question the analysis, that Malays are naturally weak and that the Malays need political protection in order to survive. So in that sense, I believe that rather than being a headache for us, it's actually a headache for everyone in the country, because this is your 'Gen Y', which is shaped by a different mindset than the previous generations. They tend to be critical of the government, which means BN (Barisan Nasional) rather than the (Opposition) Pakatan. But they're not as loyal in terms of party politics, as their parents were. You know, I think that's a phenomenon across the world, where in the past, our parents' time, where they would vote for a certain party from cradle to grave, but today, the younger generation are more interested in voting along the lines of issues.

LAM: So are you saying, that the future in Malaysian democracy and in a more vibrant political landscape, lies in this current and future generations of younger people?

NIK NAZMI: Definitely, I mean, Malaysia especially being a very young country - the population pyramid in Malaysia is very broad-based because of the number of young people. So in that sense, definitely, the young people are the ones we should focus on. They are shaped by a very different view and things are changing so fast, the tools that are out there, we cannot take them for granted anymore, definitely.

LAM: If elections were called in early 2012, how do you think the Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition coalition, how do you think you'll fare? Do you think you'll get more than five states?

NIK NAZMI: Predictions are not my thing, but I would think that generally, the two coalition systems are here to stay. Malaysians do not want the time where one coalition knew best or one party knew best, or during Mahathir's time, perhaps one man knew best. I think those times are over. People see the benefit because now, both parties, the Opposition coalition has just been elected. I think there's a greater desire, younger more energetic, they work harder but at the same time, the ruling coalition has been to a certain extent, woken up from their slumber. And they're trying to win (voters) over. At the end of the day, the people benefit. So I think the people are smart enough to realise that. The government has lost the monopoly of information...

LAM: Through new and social media?

NIK NAZMI: New and social media, definitely. People are more interested to hear both sides of the view.

LAM: So, is the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition.. are you prepared to take over federal politics? To take over government?

NIK NAZMI: We are better prepared than we were in 2008, definitely. It was a loose coalition in 2008, there was no formal coalition between Keadilan, the Islamic PAS and the DAP. And we have come out with a common 'Orange Book' which details our common policies. Yes, there are differences, I will admit that, but it's natural. There is no coalition or party in Malaysia that would not have differences, because it's a reflection of the diverse spectrum of Malaysian society.

LAM: Well, some people might argue that the Barisan Nasional stayed in power for so long because it had UMNO at the helm, it had a galvanising factor, a party that's strong enough to hold everyone together. It might be argued that Pakatan Rakyat lacks that cohesiveness -what do you say to that?

NIK NAZMI: Well, that model worked in the 20th century. It worked in 1955, it worked all the way until 2008. But I think the Big Brother model of politics, where you have one dominant partner is not relevant for the 21st century. People want a partnership of equals. And I think it has to go out from the race-based political situation that you have today.

Definitely, there have been differences, issues, but I think at the end of the day, all the three parties have accepted the Constitutional concensus in Malaysia, where Islam is the religion of the Federation, but the rights of other adherents to practise their faith are fully respected. We need to stick to things that we agree on, rather than harp on the things that divide us. I mean, I think we're all learning here. It's all a maturing process.

The 'Arab Spring' has shown whether you're Islamist or whether you're a liberal, that democracy is ultimately the most important thing to fight for, because it's something that we need to run governments. At the end of the day, without a functioning democracy, then countries cannot function, nation states cannot have peaceful transitions of power.

LAM: I read in one blog, that recommended you as a politician of the future, and as the sort of politician that Malaysia needs, because, the argument of the blog goes, you are Malay and ultimately, Malaysia still needs Malay leaders because the Malays are the majority. So that's still race-based though, isn't it?

NIK NAZMI: That is the reality in Malaysia, because I think you want to talk about political change. It used to be about Malay supremacy, I think the Opposition has rejected that. We talk about "people's supremacy" but I think at this point of time, change still needs to be Malay-led because people still vote along racial lines, that's a reality. I think all countries have this - I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's a political reality. But what is better is that enlightened Malay leadership is better than this ignorant Malay leadership.

But I would say that, while there are those challenges, the good thing is that because of social media, because of the internet, people are better-informed. This is the Reformasi, the Bersih generation, you know, the concerns are different. So in that sense, the parameters are different, that provides an opportunity. The problem is that some politicians still want to dumb down old politics, but I think if we keep making the argument for a Malaysia that moves forward, then I believe that the younger generation is ready to step into the 21st century.

Umno not ready for Nov/Dec polls

Posted: 09 Oct 2011 07:12 PM PDT

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is not heeding his former mentor Dr Mahathir Mohamad's unsolicited advice.

(Free Malaysia Today) - A former prime minister who was also a former finance minister and never known for fiscal frugality has warned the west not to spend in denial.

Was Dr Mahathir Mohamad also targeting our current Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak?

In a world set upon by slower economic growth, where do we sell our exports? Can we maintain our price of oil and gas to ensure we have enough funds to finance the RM232.8 billion Budget 2012?

For now these factors seem not to worry Najib who is also the current finance minister.

Najib isn't heeding the unsolicited talking-to and advice of Mahathir because he has that one tool which he thinks can earn the loyalty and allegiance of people who will ensure Barisan Nasional (BN) stays in power – the Budget.

Before the 2008 general election, former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi presented the budget in much the same way as Najib did – giving out goodies to everyone he could capture in the dragnet.

But it didn't stop the BN losing a large number of seats and five states. But Najib knows best. So, he will and can call elections anytime.

March 2012 polls?

Best, call it before the end of the year. But then, the Umno people are just going through the drill attending courses here and there.

The Umno assembly is slotted sometime at the end of the year.

And Najib is leaving for haj pilgrimage for about two weeks. Perhaps there he will be seeking divine signs on the dates to hold elections.

God is on BN's side just as God is a Republican in the US. It's impossible not to win. I will say, the elections will be around March 2012.

People can easily be overwhelmed by the feel-good nature of an election budget.

But wait till it sinks in, then the questions will come. Has Najib addressed the issue of rising cost of living in his Budget 2012?

READ MORE HERE

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Rabu, 12 Oktober 2011

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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