Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
| Posted: 16 Aug 2011 05:34 PM PDT By Douglas Tan Over the past couple of days, the Merdeka Center appears to be publishing a lot of their findings, dampening optimism that Pakatan Rakyat could potentially win enough parliamentary seats in the 13th General Election to form a new government for the first time in our nation's history. The study released by political scientist Wong Chin Huat presented on August 9th, would put Opposition gains to 100 federal seats up from 75, but short of the 112 seats needed to form the government. Looking deeper into the study, one can see that the biggest hurdle for the opposition to overcome is the rural folk, where Barisan Nasional continues to have a strong foothold. One of the studies published mentioned that urban areas are more likely to vote for PR candidates, but rural areas would favour BN candidates. This is especially true for areas with low or no Internet penetration. Even in rural areas which do have Internet connection, those who use the Internet may not necessarily be interested in political news or access alternative media. In a country in which the printed media has been monopolised by BN since independence, to tell those who have been relying on this medium for donkey years would find it very difficult to accept that they are publishing anything other than the truth. For many, it is important to maintain status quo, as many worry with a change of government, there may be potential repercussions on their daily lives. Rural folk may not even care what is happening down in the cities because it would not affect them. There is also the element of apathy, especially when the Merdeka Center came out to say that the effect of Bersih 2.0 in the rural areas were minimal at best. This is predominantly as a result of the government controlled media portraying the demonstrators as hooligans, but also due to the fact that it is engrained in our culture to accept the status quo ie. accepting what we are told without question. The fight for electoral reform, civil liberties and fundamental freedoms appear to only gather lukewarm responses at best from the rural folk. There are those who perpetuate the view that we should not even get ourselves into trouble in the first place by questioning the authorities. If we keep our heads down, and mind our own business, we shall continue to live in peace. However, I do not believe for a moment that these people do not care about their nation. For 54 years, they have believed that their government always has their best interests at heart, whereas rampant corruption and misuse of government funds continue to go unreported. The BN government know that the best way to win and retain seats in these rural areas, is to keep them in the dark as much as possible, and throw some occasional goodies at them to keep them happy and content. Now comes the time for awakening. Pakatan Rakyat need to get their machinery out to these areas to talk to the people, make the people understand, and show them that PR can be a capable and competent government. The grass-roots support in these areas cannot be underestimated. BN strongholds can fall, as seen during the Sarawak elections, and the hard work and faith must be maintained. For all the screaming, shouting and finger pointing which is done in the cities, we must not forget the real battle must be fought in rural heartland, where they are the true king-makers in the coming elections. Only when they are on board with the rest of us, can we see begin change for our beloved nation. Everyone must do their part during the 'balik kampung' period over Hari Raya to spread the word and the truth to their kampungs, and urge the need for change in our nation. We are all responsible for future and progress of our country, and God willing, we shall see change take place for the better. Salam Berpuasa.
DOUGLAS TAN is a DAP member from the Segambut Branch. He blogs at dougtan.blogspot.com |
| Statement from LDP Deputy President Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin Posted: 15 Aug 2011 10:50 PM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Deputy President Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin has refuted Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman's statement that LDP is putting pressure on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over the issue of seats allocation in the coming general elections. He said like other BN component parties, LDP President Datuk VK Liew was merely expressing the aspirations of party members during the annual general meeting of the LDP divisions. "The LDP never put pressure on the Prime Minister. In fact, those who put pressure on the Prime Minister are certain leaders who created problems within the BN coalition. "We strongly believe that the BN leadership need to take action to resolve the problems within the BN coalition in Sabah so that all the component parties can unite and work together in ensuring BN victory in the 13th general elections," said Chin when responding Abdul Rahman yesterday. Chin said there is nothing wrong for Liew to voiced LDP's aspiration to defend the four seats - the parliamentary seat Sandakan and the state seats of Tg Kapor, Karamunting and Merotai - that wwere allocted to the party in the 2008 general elections. "We worked really hard to win the four seats despite the back-stabbings from certain quarters within the BN coalition who were bent on destroying the LDP. "We in LDP strongly believe that we've the right to defend the four seats," he added. Chin also fully supported Liew that LDP is the only Sabah-based Chinese party eligible to lay claim on the six seats left 'vacant' following the pull out of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from the BN in September 2008. In dismissing Abd Rahman's contention that Liew's statement amounted to putting pressure on the Prime Minister into a defensive situation, Chin pointed out it is normal for any of the BN component parties to voice out their stand and the problems raised during the AGM. "It's not just the LDP, even other BN component parties like Upko and Umno are also doing the same thing. At one time, Sabah Umno openly laid claim on the Merotai seat currently held by LDP and Putatan parliamentary seat now held by Upko. "When Sabah Umno made such claims, does Umno care about the feelings of other BN component parties," he asked. "LDP president only stated the party's aspiration to defend the four seats it had won in 2008 general elections, apart from conveying the party's members wish to contest the six seats now held by SAPP. Ultimately, we will leave it to the wisdom of the Prime Minister's in deciding on the seats allocation," he stressed. Chin also reminded Abd Rahman of the latter's obligations as the State BN Secretary he must be fair to all the BN component parties and not just to speak up for one person only. "Each time LDP makes a statement, you said it's wrong but every thing said by your big brother is always right," he said, without elaborating. He added as the State BN secretary, Abd Rahman should remain neutral. Chin also disagreed with Abd Rahman that the BN component parties in Sabah can sit down together as a family in deliberating on issues affecting the coalition. "If that is actually the case, then there should not be any disagreement amnong the BN component parties in Sabah," he contended.
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