Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Kadazans (KDMs) to Decide the Course of Malaysian History
- Najib, what happens after 5 May? How do Malaysians survive?
- Part 3 - BN and Hindraf MOU
- Red Tape of stupidity knows no bounds at the NRD
| Kadazans (KDMs) to Decide the Course of Malaysian History Posted: 30 Apr 2013 02:40 PM PDT
As you may be aware of, it was the KDMs in PBS-UPKO-PBRS who slavishly propped up the UMNO led Sabah government for the past decade. It will largely be the KDMs in those parties who decide if UMNO continue to rule Sabah and, or help ensure BN secure an overall majority nationwide. Jaikol Situn, Barrister-at-Law (Grays Inn); LLM; LLB; BA(Hons) I happened to bump into this West Malaysian friend of mine a couple of days ago at an airport terminal while waiting for my flight to KL. Having renewed our acquaintance, our topic quickly moved to politics, although we picked our words carefully for fear of giving away our true political identity, as it were, lest the other was on the opposite side. We tried to be professional about it as we both took a somewhat neutral stance or can't-care-less attitude so that our conversation remained pleasant and civil. My friend then told me something that has dwelt in my mind ever since. He said: "Jack, it looks like the Kadazans will decide the course of Malaysian history this election." What? A mere 2% of the Malaysian population with the ability to do that? On second thought, the Kadazans, at this present moment, are in an astonishingly rare position to determine which way Malaysian politics and governance are headed. By the way, whenever I mention Kadazans, I also mean to say Kadazandusun-Murut or KDMs which include all the 40 or so Dusunic tribes totalling more than half a million or about 30% of the "official" population of Sabah Recent developments seem to corroborate my friend's assessment. For the first time in a decade, the leaders of the three KDM-based parties of PBS, UPKO and PBRS in Sabah BN came out together to proclaim their full support for BN and Najib's continued leadership. Then, Najib's last week's visit to Sabah covered predominantly KDM areas underscoring the crucial role this community now plays in politics and nation building. As you may be aware of, it was the KDMs in PBS-UPKO-PBRS who slavishly propped up the UMNO led Sabah government for the past decade. It will largely be the KDMs in those parties who decide if UMNO continue to rule Sabah and, or help ensure BN secure an overall majority nationwide. On the opposition side, again, it will be the KDMs who determine if the locally-based parties of STAR and SAPP fare well in the election, and should they do well, they would go on to press for new terms and conditions for Sabah's membership in the Malaysian federation. So you see, the KDMs now command formidable clout on both sides of the political divide. What about the more than 800,000 illegal immigrants in possession of genuine Mykads on the electoral rolls? We know they have been traditional BN and UMNO supporters, but after the Lahad Datu conflict, nobody is so sure which party they would be voting for in this election. The opposition particularly STAR and SAPP would like to think that many would now support them while those in BN and UMNO are confident their loyalty remains intact. However, due to some damming revelations during the now adjourned Royal Commission on Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants, political parties are for the time being, taking a cautious approach on this issue to avoid any suggestions that they are in cahoots with these newcomers. We would know which party or parties these so-called illegal immigrants supported come May 6th. Should BN and UMNO retain many seats, we would know that these people are quite happy with the status quo. If STAR and SAPP managed to wrest control of seats in traditional UMNO strongholds, we would know these illegals have switched sides, thus setting a trend for an unlikely Sabahans/KDMs-illegal immigrants' alliance against the "neo-colonial power" in the years ahead. This would cause shivers down KL's spine. So how would KL prevent the possibility of a Sabahans/KDMs-illegal immigrants' link up in the not so distant future? KL cannot just drive away hundreds of thousands back to the Philippines and Indonesia as they are now Malaysian citizens in their own right with genuine Mykads. KL might carry out various measures to ensure that the discord and enmity between them persist and try to convince Sabahans that these illegals are the enemy and KL are the ally. At the same time, KL would endeavour to placate the KDMs by whatever means and manner necessary thus, creating a win-win-scenario for KDMs again. Whatever happens, you can bet your life that it will mainly be the KDMs with overriding native rights who would serve as the catalyst for any geo-political change in Sabah that would have far reaching consequences in neighbouring Sarawak and subsequently throughout Malaysia. There have been quite a few derogatory remarks that are annoyingly true about the KDMs, such as, "Dusun senang disusun" (Dusuns are easily fixed) or "Orang KDM macam kerbau kena tarik hidung" (KDMs are like buffaloes that can be pulled by the nose). In the light of recent developments, these demeaning remarks no longer hold much water. Indeed, the KDMs will be the sculptors, navigators, and kingmakers of Malaysian politics in this election and beyond. So for once, if you are a KDM, be proud of your roots. Search your soul and use your wisdom to decide the course of Malaysian history on 5th May 2013.
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| Najib, what happens after 5 May? How do Malaysians survive? Posted: 30 Apr 2013 02:35 PM PDT
P Ramakrishnan asks Najib what will happen to the poor until the next BR1M they receive. How do the poor carry on with their lives in the meantime? You have bribed the entire country with your BR1M. You have thrown money recklessly and wantonly. You did it not because you suddenly became generous; not because you genuinely felt the suffering of the poor; not because you are compassionate and caring for the disadvantaged. You did it to win the elections! That is all!! That is the simple truth!!! What will happen to the poor suffering people after the election is over? How are they going to survive without your BR1M? You promised them RM1,200 next year to induce and dupe them into voting for you. But how do they carry on with their suffering and struggling lives from 6 May until they receive your promised RM1,200 next year? |
| Posted: 30 Apr 2013 12:40 PM PDT
This is the third article in a series which aims to set a standard of reference for what needs to be done to uplift the Indian poor in Malaysia. Hindraf Economic Unit There are not many occasions where the average Malaysian voter will take the time to consider his fellow citizen who comes from a Low Income Indian Household, aka the people whose interests Hindraf represents. This is simply because the Indian poor does not work where the average Malaysian works, or eats where the average voter eats, or shops with him or lives in the same neighbourhood. Even though the Indian poor who has been displaced to the urban areas goes about his life amongst the more affluent Malaysians, he is usually invisible, except when the two worlds collide. The collisions are sometimes violent when crime is involved, and at other times are of the benign sort, like when the Alam Flora trucks come trundling along. For example, how many middle class voters would have noticed that 90% of Alam Flora workers are from the ranks of the Indian poor, in stark contrast to the usual 0% that the Indian poor occupy in most other industries and businesses? On the same note, the problems that afflict the Indian poor are also vastly different to those that concern the average Malaysian voter. That is why, come election, one of the few times where the Indian poor cannot be ignored because they will actually be there queuing up at the voting centres amongst the rest of the voters, no one seemed to know how to get them to vote one way or another beyond the usual rice packet and instant noodles, tray of eggs and RM 50 in an ang pao packet. It will not be wrong to say that for the current elections, both coalitions would have not enjoyed having to talk to Hindraf in order to ensure that they will get the lion's share of the support from the Indian poor. The only difference among the two coalitions is that BN was willing to commit itself in writing and actually have the decency to offer an apology to the Indian poor along the way, while Pakatan at times seemed unable to tell its arse from its elbow. But signing an MOU with anyone does not mean that the problems of the Indian poor will disappear. The only way the problems of the Indian poor will ever go away is if the rest of society does what is needed to ensure that marginalisation becomes a thing of the past for all Malaysians. Foremost amongst those who can make a difference in the lives of the Indian poor are the other Indian voters, who are actually the main targets of these articles. But what has become evident over the days and weeks since the signing of the MOU is that a significant portion of the Indian middle and upper classes have as poor an understanding of the problems of the Indian poor as the rest of Malaysia does. Perhaps it is time to spell things out so that the Indian voters out there, regardless of who they vote for, will have an idea on how to help their less fortunate brethren improve their lot. First of all, there is no Malaysian Malaysia (PR) or Satu Malaysia that makes an iota of difference in the lives of the Indian poor. Slogans do not create jobs or opportunities, only targeted policies do. As long as jobs are advertised as Chinese only or Malay only, that is the real Malaysia for the rest of the country. Secondly, while the chances are that BN will hold on to Putrajaya, there is always an outside possibility that Pakatan will do the impossible and march into Putrajaya. If this does happen, it is up to the pro Pakatan Indian voter, to ensure that Pakatan implements the policies that will uplift the Indian poor. Do not worry about figuring out what to do and how, just take the 5 year Hindraf blueprint as well as the steps outlined in the BN-Hindraf MOU and run with it. Third, and this is the most probable outcome, Pakatan will continue to form the State governments in a few states. If the pro Pakatan Indian voter does not want a repeat of what has transpired in GE 13, then get your respective state governments to implement policies that will actually target and reach the Indian poor in your respective states. A word to the wise, it may seem like Hindraf has become the favourite target of the pro Pakatan cyber supporters of late, but that is not the case. Hindraf has always been one of the favourite targets of the pro Pakatan cyber troopers, the only difference being that most of the attacks of yesterday came from the Chinese Pakatan supporter. Now, it is the Indian Pakatan supporter who carries the ball. The attacks against Hindraf are at best a nuisance to us, and all we can say is that you will be better off spending your time actually doing something useful. Anyone that thinks that ad hominem attacks or allegations of being bought will do anything but get Hindraf and subsequently BN even more support from the Indian poor, has got another think coming.
Hindraf Economic Unit
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| Red Tape of stupidity knows no bounds at the NRD Posted: 30 Apr 2013 12:04 PM PDT
No country in the world has an IC system. The IC system, introduced to combat communism terrorism in Malaya, should be scrapped because there's no need for such documentation. The birth certificate will suffice to prove citizenship status, whether Malaysian or foreigner, and in the case of the former, whether one is an Orang Asal or otherwise. Joe Fernandez The National Registration Department (NRD) cannot refer non-Muslims, non-practising Muslims, murtads, fallen Muslims, and those who had no choice in the matter when they were declared Muslim, to the Syariah Court. Any such reference is unconstitutional and the matter should be brought before the Federal Court, the King and the Conference of Rulers. |
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