Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Scared or not?
- GE13: For some, economy, education matter more than hudud
- BN, Pakatan both counting on a perfect storm
| Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:00 PM PDT
These are the real fears of the people. These are the issues that people feel strongly about. And if you were to get off your arrogant high horses and actually think about us, the people, instead of yourselves, you'd know our fears too – I'm voting for a government that does. Gan Yue-Li, TMI People were rightly scornful of the series of print advertisements by MCA. Just like the false threats that spewed from the lips of our Prime Minister and his minions at their ceramahs. It is obvious that all these fear-mongering tactics are in the hopes of subduing and frightening a nation that is hopeful for a new dawn. But I am not afraid of the possibility of hudud. Instead, I am afraid that our young Malaysians will grow up without being properly taught to think, or speak, or debate. I am afraid they will, one day, have no choice but to leave the country because they are unable to find a better job, or a place in university. I am not afraid that my right to enjoy a drink with friends will be curtailed. I am afraid for my dad every time he takes our dog out for a walk. I am afraid for my female friends every time we say goodnight and walk back to our own cars. I am afraid for my aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, and everyone else, every night even after we've locked our doors, turned on the alarm and imprisoned ourselves in our homes. I am not afraid that my church will be forced to close by PAS. I am afraid that our children will one day think it's ok to tell their non-Malay friends to "balik Cina" or "balik India" because they saw or heard adults screaming it. I am afraid that more people will think it's ok to insult other religions because our Home Minister defended a few that did. I am not afraid that I won't be able to have my hair cut by a male hairdresser. I am afraid that my gay friends will be beaten up when they walk outside tomorrow, because the government of today is spreading and inciting the message that being gay is a sin or a disease. I am not afraid of the possibility of another May 13 if Barisan Nasional loses. I am afraid that my friends will get hurt when they attend Opposition ceramahs that are disrupted by paid gangsters and Mat Rempits. I am afraid for the many prisoners in police or MACC's custody who are tortured, beaten and who lose their lives while in the hands of the very people who should be protecting us. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/scared-or-not-gan-yue-li/
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| GE13: For some, economy, education matter more than hudud Posted: 30 Apr 2013 11:35 AM PDT
"Are you afraid of the hudud law?" This question was posed to a group of Chinese "uncles" who were sitting by the Kuala Kangsar riverside. Chen Shaua Fui, fz.com And their reply? "This is just frying cold rice." "Frying cold rice" is a Chinese expression to describe a situation where issues that have long died off are played up again. For this group of middle-aged Chinese men, hudud law is of no concern as it applies to only Muslims and in their words they are "more than happy to see those who took bribes or are convicted of corruption get their hands chopped off". The six of them are friends who had gathered to exchange political observations. Five are voters of Kuala Kangsar, and one of them is voting in Padang Rengas. All declined to give their names. A 20-minute chat with them revealed that they are more concerned about the economy of the country rather than the seemingly hot election issue of PAS' intention to implement hudud law should it take over the federal administration. MCA has been playing up the hudud issue over the past few years, and had repeatedly claimed that its rival DAP is helping PAS to implement the law which will ultimately affect non-Muslims in the country. "How can we continue to vote for people who can't even manage the economy properly? We have deficit every year. We must do something now, or else it will get worse," says an "uncle" in a white polo T-shirt, who opined that Malaysia's economic performance "is getting worse". Another "uncle" chipped in with an analogy, "If your company manager keeps making losses for your company, do you still want him to work for you?" When it was time to go to the PAS ceramah held at Arena Kuala Kangsar, where PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang would be addressing the crowd, one of them said he came to listen to the talk and wanted to donate money to the party. Read more at: http://www.fz.com/content/ge13-some-economy-education-matter-more-hudud |
| BN, Pakatan both counting on a perfect storm Posted: 30 Apr 2013 11:33 AM PDT
The thing about this Chinese wave is that it has sent a counter Malay wave surging towards BN. There is no denying that the outcome of this general election will be decided in a big way by the politics of race. Joceline Tan, ST THE crowds at Democratic Action Party (DAP) ceramahs are growing and, as anyone who has been to one would know, they are predominantly Chinese. Those supporting the party are very upfront about it. They surround the stage, clapping and cheering at everything said. They put their money where their mouth is - they hand over red and even big blue notes when the collection box goes around while in Penang, the "Ubah" soft toy has been sold out. The ones who hang around at the back are quieter and harder to read. They will just smile when you try to strike up a conversation; some of them will not even say if they are voting in the area while others quickly walk away. The joke among reporters is that these are the ones planning to vote for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition but are afraid to say so for fear of being scolded or bullied by DAP supporters. It used to be that the pro-BN supporters were the vocal and aggressive ones, but the tables have turned and the aggressors are now on the other side. This is especially so online and in urban centres like Penang, the Klang Valley and Kinta Valley where the Chinese dominate political discussion and harangue anyone who does not toe their line. The Chinese mood, after more than a week of campaigning, has not softened for BN. The conventional wisdom is that only about 20 per cent of the Chinese vote is firmly committed to BN in the urban seats. Some call it an urban wave, others say it is a largely Chinese wave. It is nothing as devastating as the political tsunami of 2008 where the Indians and Malays also came along but it is giving the BN a big urban headache. The thing about this Chinese wave is that it has sent a counter Malay wave surging towards BN. There is no denying that the outcome of this general election will be decided in a big way by the politics of race.
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