| EC: Airtime offer to Pakatan to be serial, not one-off Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:13 PM PDT 
(The Malaysian Insider) - The government's airtime offer to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to present its election manifesto on national television was to have been part of an ongoing series and not a one-time deal, the Election Commission (EC) has said. Its chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said opposition leaders had misunderstood the proposed 10-minute airtime offer and rejected it before the election regulator could finalise any deal with the bloc. "Before we could give a briefing and discuss, they already rejected," he told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview, referring to PR leaders. "Actually, the 10-minute offer was not for a one-off broadcast, but for a few episodes... perhaps one episode on the economic issue, a second episode on the social aspect or even others that they wished to tell people about their manifesto," he added. Abdul Aziz (picture) said he was disappointed that PR leaders had soundly snubbed the proposed 10-minute offer without first meeting the EC. "We have made the effort to give them mainstream media space, but they rejected... our effort all this while has been wasted. "They should consider," he said, and repeated the offer made last month. PR had turned down the government's 10-minute airtime offer on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), with anchor party PKR saying it was an "insult" as the channel only screened Barisan Nasional-friendly (BN) news and advertisements at all other times. Its ally the DAP also refused the offer, saying it did not want to give BN the justification that the ruling coalition was practising freedom of speech, while PAS said it was concerned because its manifesto presentation would not be shown live. Abdul Aziz defended the government's decision to pre-record the manifesto presentation, saying it was necessary as the clip would be screened repeatedly and not because the authorities wanted to manipulate the broadcast as alleged by PR leaders. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ec-airtime-offer-to-pakatan-to-be-serial-not-one-off/ |
| MCA - three strikes and you're out! Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:04 PM PDT 
It's lamentable that Chua refuses to take on Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah in what could have been a show of morale-boosting confidence for BN in general and MCA in particular. If he wins like Lee San Choon he will be a hero; if he loses he will at least go down in glory KTemoc Konsiders After the 1969 general election the late Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, then deputy prime minister, was known to have said, "MCA dan MIC nampaknya tidak mahu hidup dan tidak mahu pula mati", using a Malay idiom 'hidup segan, mati tak mahu' (figuratively 'neither alive nor dead') to sneeringly describe a virtually political-defunct Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). MCA had then been dealt its first strike in the game of politics. Undoubtedly May 1969 was a bad time for the MCA, losing in disastrous measures to a loose coalition of the (original) Gerakan Party, a then very new Democratic Action Party (DAP), the People's Progressive Party (PPP) (then under the Seenivasagam brothers), and even Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). But embarrassing as it was for MCA, it wasn't its worst moment yet, because successes and failures are part and parcel of politics, and while depressing, we expected the MCA to pick itself up again. And it did. In 1985, during the acrimonious dispute for the party's presidential post between Tan Koon Swan and Neo Yee Pan, MCA disgraced itself in no uncertain terms by having the then deputy prime minister, the late Ghafar Baba and a Malay, occupied the MCA's top position to moderate a settlement between the two Chinese contenders. That incident would not have been disgracefully controversial if the MCA had been a multiracial political party. That it was, and still is, a Chinese race-based party, in having a Malay as its head, no matter how temporary it had been, was certainly a dubious Malaysian first, an utterly shameful indictment on MCA's inability to represent itself, let alone the Chinese community. That was the second strike against MCA. March 2008 was merely a repeat of May 1969. As George Santayana said: "Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them", and did the MCA? As Stanley Koh, a former MCA member said, the party had done nothing to promote the democratic process but instead supported Umno in the latter's numerous constitutional amendments to legalise and perpetuate unjust and undemocratic processes, including harboring a questionable electoral system. As an observer I would like to add that MCA has shamed and angered many Chinese Malaysians more than once because of its silent cringe when Umno issued policies disadvantageous or hurtful to Chinese. As if its usual in-fighting driven by individuals' interests, drive for power, avarice and Machiavellian backstabbing weren't enough, it now has de facto abdicated its claim to representing the Chinese community. MCA is repeating its shame of 1985 by calling upon and relying on a Malay to defend its Chinese-majority stronghold of Gelang Patah in Johor. The Chinese community have been urging Chua Soi Lek to stand in Gelang Patah against DAP's Lim Kit Siang in the final fight at the Chinese OK Corral in the way former MCA president Lee San Choon had done in 1982 in Seremban. But all their cries have fallen on Chua's deaf ears, as had been the case on other political issues affecting Chinese interests. Read more at: http://ktemoc.blogspot.com/2013/04/mca-three-strikes-and-youre-out.html |
| Sabah opposition’s tangled politics Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:01 PM PDT 
The multiple U-turns and what some would call deceptions, have only served to make Sabahans as suspicious of the motives of their leaders. Myles Togoh, FMT KOTA KINABALU: The tussle to be the "rightful" heirs to the Umno-led Barisan Nasional coalition government in Sabah, which has splintered the opposition into several stubborn camps, is pointing to a potential voter free-for-all in the approaching 13th general election. On-going skirmishes between the anti- and pro-Pakatan Rakyat parties and groupings have not subsided and firebrands on both sides continue to pelt each other with jibes, possibly torpedoing their chances of succeeding the current government in the process. A seat-sharing formula that will satisfy all parties remains log-jammed and time is running out to unify voters – disenchanted with the government – under one banner. What has come instead into the minds of many voters, all of whom are aware how 99% of their leaders have constantly switched sides after singing a different pre-election tune, is the timeless question: who to trust? The state-based Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) appears to have dealt itself out of a bargaining position, which perhaps it never really had, and is increasingly in danger of facing competition on multiple fronts. SAPP's singular demand that only it had a right to half or more of the 60 state assembly seats from the two it now holds after a series of defections has been declared "unreasonable" by Pakatan. Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, PAS and the DAP along with the Sabah-based friendly groupings – Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) and Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) headed by Wilfred Bumburing and Lajim Ukin respectively – insists that the seats should be shared equally by all six. That means 10 seats for each. It's a bitter pill for SAPP to swallow as it leaves the pro-Pakatan grouping as potential "kingmakers" and has caused party leader Yong Teck Lee to direct some choice caustic remarks at Bumburing and Lajim, his former Parti Bersatu Sabah colleagues. Voters are well aware that all three are former Barisan Nasional supporters – Bumburing and Lajim as recently-turned BN MPs and Yong as a former Sabah chief minister. Sabahans suspicious Lurking on the sideline of all this power play for the "hearts and minds" of voters in Sabah and Sarawak is the unconventional Jeffrey Kitingan, the leader of the State Reform Party (STAR). He is adamant that no "Malayan" party should be allowed to contest in either state. He, too, is not untainted given his ambiguous role in the downfall of PBS in 1994. And PBS, no one can argue, was at that time the real thing: an authentic, homegrown Sabah party. All four were linked to its collapse and the Umno-led BN administration of the state. Paradoxically, both Yong and Jeffrey are now at the forefront of resurrecting what many say they helped kill off. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/04/09/sabah-oppositions-tangled-politics/ |
| GE13: Jui Meng to contest Segamat seat Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:59 PM PDT 
(The Star) - Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng has been named as the candidate for the Segamat parliamentary seat. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement at aceramah in Tangkak last night, during which he also named five other candidates. Johor PKR vice-president Hassan Karim will be contesting the Ledang parliamentary seat while state election committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar will stand in the Sri Gading parliamentary seat. The candidate for the Sekijang parliamentary seat is Juleily Semani while Onn Abu Bakar will contest in Sembrong and Johor PKR deputy chief Dr Ahmad Faidi Saidi in Pasir Gudang. |
| Tian Chua denied entry into Sabah for his own safety, says CM's office Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:57 PM PDT 
(The Star) - PKR vice-president Tian Chua was barred from entering Sabah for his own security and safety, the Office of Sabah State Affairs and Research in the Chief Minister's Department said. Secretary Dr Moktar Ajam said the state government has never had any problems with Tian Chua being in Sabah prior to his remarks on the intrusion of Sulu militants into Lahad Datu as part of some political drama. "However, in light of his remarks that has upset a lot of people in Malaysia including Sabah, we have cause to believe that his presence here may be a risk to his own personal safety and may possibly spark off public disturbance," he said in a statement. "Tian Chua has been in and out of Sabah countless times. "So have other PKR leaders like Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang, who are allowed to come here and move freely," he said. "However, when you have an individual who has ignited anger among so many people, we must take precautions to avoid any untoward incident," he said. Tian Chua, who arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.05am on Sunday was denied entry to Sabah. |
| 'It is haram to support Pakatan' Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:48 PM PDT 
(NST) - UN-ISLAMIC: Ulama conference says opposition politicising Islamic issues SUNGAI PETANI: A GROUP of ulama have issued a declaration that it is haram (forbidden) for Muslims to support the opposition. Minda Pondok information chief Harun Yahya said the declaration was nothing political and urged the Muslim community to treat the matter as a threat against Islam. "We are concerned with many Islamic-related issues which have been politicised by the opposition," he said at a conference of some 200 Islamic scholars from "pondok" schools, Islamic religious schools and Tahfiz Al-Quran schools nationwide. Other NGOs which attended the conference were Ikatan Cendekiawan Islam Kelantan, Yayasan Pondok Malaysia and Muafakat Jaringan Melayu Muslim. Harun said: "This is why we had decided to meet and share as well as raise our concerns with all Muslims regardless of their political affiliation. "Taking all factors into consideration, especially based on the tenets of the Sunnah Al-Jamaah, we have unanimously agreed that it is haram for Muslims to support Pakatan Rakyat." On the use of the word "Allah", Harun said if non-Muslims were allowed to use the word, then it could also be interpreted that all religions belonged to Allah. "This is not true. The only religion created by Allah is Islam and the great Prophet Muhammad is our Messenger." Another participant, Mohd Zawawi Awang, urged Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to declare his stand over Pakatan's pledge to maintain and adopt the Federal Constitution. "Previously, Nik Aziz labelled Umno as khafir (infidels) for adopting the Federal Constitution, which he claimed was a constitution created by the colonial powers then. "However, I learned recently that Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had expressed his support for the Federal Constitution if Pakatan Rakyat wins Putrajaya. "I just wonder what is Nik Aziz's stand on that now." Zawawi also said it was wrong for Nik Aziz to label Umno as infidels. "Umno upholds an article in the Constitution, which states that Malays must be a Muslim. This means Umno is a party that upholds Islam and the Islamic struggles." |
| 'DAP shouldn't use Pas logo' Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:33 PM PDT 
(NST) - "We are also made to understand that DAP and PKR would welcome a bisexual to be prime minister. I believe it is only right that DAP uses PKR's logo" DAP is better off pairing up with Parti Keadilan Rakyat rather than Pas. Commenting on Pas vice-president Salahuddin Ayub's offer to lend DAP the party's moon symbol should it be de-registered by the Registrar of Societies over its recent party elections scandal, former Terengganu Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth chief Fakhrul Azman Abu Bakar said DAP should instead use the PKR logo in the general election. He said although many "Anwar-ians" would want DAP to use the Pas logo to win Chinese votes, the PKR logo would better suit DAP as both parties shared many similarities. "DAP and PKR members are multiracial and both parties are run by family members. Both parties have no morals or dignity and like to blame others for their mistakes. "We are also made to understand that DAP and PKR would welcome a bisexual to be prime minister. I believe it is only right that DAP uses PKR's logo," he said in a statement yesterday. Former Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa had also taken a swipe at Salahudin for allowing DAP to use the Pas logo without understanding the repercussions. He said DAP should explain their stance on an Islamic state, hudud law and the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims, before being allowed to use the party's logo. Several complaints had been lodged from January by DAP members to the RoS, urging action against the party over its central executive committee election fiasco. |
| Cost of Living: The Short Termed ‘I Promise’ of BN Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:28 PM PDT 
Najib has chosen to place a political brand name on the basic needs of the Malaysian people such as education, housing, essential goods, health, Najib has in turn politicise the everyday life of Malaysians. KPRU (Kajian Politik Untuk Perubahan) In his 'I Promise' launching, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has launched a manifesto that is similar to the election manifesto launched by Pakatan Rakyat (PAKATAN) a few weeks ago. However, what is lacking from Barisan Nasional's (BN) manifesto is a sure mechanism to increase the living standards of Malaysians in the race to face the increase living standards in Malaysia. Where Najib chooses to continue with the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) handouts, Najib failed to state a sustainable and long term effort to increase the living standards of the the people, particularly the poor. The continuation of the BR1M is apparent in which it is not sufficient to cover a year or even a week's worth of family expenditure, particularly city areas in developed areas such as the Klang Valley. Where PAKATAN plans to decrease the water and elektrical charges as an effort to reduce the financial burden faced by Malaysians, Najib continues with cash handouts that will not alleviate poor Malaysians from poverty. Najib also seems to want and continue with more 1Malaysia Shop (KR1M) openings and the goods sold by KR1M stores may be cheaper for not being branded goods but with the low quality and even dangerous scandals, Najib has rejected the rights of Malaysians to access to items of good quality at reasonable prices. He has instead, encouraged a situation of low quality, low prices, and a disregard to ensure the safety and good health of Malaysians in the long term. Najib has also planned to increase the 1Malaysia book voucher (BB1M) from RM250 to RM300 and yet, at the same time, Najib has also failed to forward any foolproof plans to financially assist students in the long run. This follows the ever increasing entry fees of universities, particularly in the private sector in which there is no alternative for students except to obtain a loan from the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) in which in reality the fund actually provides profits for institutions of higher learning at the expense of holding students ransom for obtaining education post graduation. As such are the plans for Najib to introduce a new policy called 1Country 1Price for essential goods. Yet, at the same time, Najib has again failed to provide a foolproof mechanism to ensure that new policy does not instead, profit any particular parties. This policy differs from PAKATAN's plan to raise the minimum wage to RM1,100 a month as a start to help Malaysians face the stiff rise in an ever increasing living standards. Other than placing a political brand on essential goods, it also does not provide any solutions to the cabotage issue in Sabah and Sarawak. On another note, Najib also failed to disclose any plans to help people of Sabah dan Sarawak to face the the ever price increase of goods considering the fact that both states hold one of the highest poverty rate in Malaysia. Seeing how the 1Country 1Price only covers basic essential goods, it has a myopic scope than the wide scope given by PAKATAN's plan to abrogate the cabotage policy for once and for all in Sabah and Sarawak. Read more at: http://kpru2010.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/cost-of-living-the-short-termed-i-promise-of-bn/ |
| Megatrends of madness, Part I Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:24 PM PDT 
Azly Rahman, Illuminations We are at a critical juncture - at a dangerous crossroad of either a peaceful transfer of power or a descent into utter chaos. These few weeks we will see more drama unfolding - the ultimate aim is to win and win and win and kill and kill and overkill our critical sensibility. We have not recovered from the shock of a Sulu incursion and we are ill-prepared for a general election that is plagued with all kinds of issues from many angles and manifesting in all kinds of dimensions. This is our megatrend of madness. CrossroadsWe have perfected Machiavellianism that lives in our world of Oriental Despotism. We live in a mediated world - of truth no longer can be discerned, in a world of perception management wherein politics is so complex yet cannibalistic. In our society lies Italy's Mussolini and Germany's Hitler and Japan's Tojo; of hegemonisers, of annihilators, and Asian-looking imperators. In these three-in-one deadly concoction of cultural contradictions lies the icing of the one-dimensionality of Malaysiana and that sloganism of 'Truly Asia'. The show goes on. Who will win will be determined by the complexity of the game of deceit, the closer we are to the finishing line, the more complex the nature of deceit to even be displayed and rationalised. We will arrive at our Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel of book burning and the end of reason) in which everything will be heating up, in flames, and explode - because our politics is a politics of plunder, pornography, and parasites behind a facade of rhetoric of morality and multiculturalism. READ MORE HERE: http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/ |
| MRT Communications Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:17 PM PDT 
Is MRT Corp afraid of what the public has to say? Tan from Damansara Damai MRT Corp has done a good job so far in trying to communicate and engage with the public on various issues affected city dwellers. However, I noticed recently that it has redesigned its website, and in the process, lost many of the user functionality that was previously there.
For instance, the map on the alignment was interactive and convenient to scroll and zoom in to see where the stations are on where it passes through. The current map is just flat and static and serves very little purpose. I have also noticed that that the poll feature has been removed. Is MRT Corp afraid of what the public has to say?
The pictures and video galleries too have been removed. I would have thought that would be the best way to show the nation what the progress is looking like and highlight engagements with various communities.
The twitter has also recently been used to promote contests and traffic diversions only. There does not seem to be a will to engage in conversations, which I find odd.
On a final note - what is the purpose of the MRT info centers? There is the rental of prime lots, staff and utility costs, but almost negligible people coming in. The location of the centers are ill conceived and I am sure no one would drive all the way to a Kota Damansara center, try to find parking, just to see posters and videos when a good, well designed website will do the trick. Does the final costs for the MRT take into account these spending? |
| Repeated Warnings Were Not Taken Seriously Says SEPA Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:10 PM PDT 
Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA), President Lanash Thanda expressed deep regret that the repeated warnings were not heeded by the quarry company and government agencies resulting in the incident on Saturday which saw boulders crashing down to the village under Kukusan Hill in Tawau. "Since 2012, SEPA's past President, Wong Tack had repeatedly highlighted this issue and went down to the ground with SEPA member, Gary Yap to check the situation of this quarry that was allowed to be carried out after the Kukusan Forest was downgraded from being a Class I Forest Reserve to Class II," stated Lanash who was recently elected to the new committee for 2013. SEPA had challenged the validity of the quarry, which damaged the environment of the Forest Reserve and endangered the community living at the foothill of the Reserve. "We deeply regret seeing that once again the needs of development outweighed the wellbeing of not only the environment but also people living in the surrounding area," said Lanash at a Press Conference held at the SEPA office in Kota Kinabalu. In September 2012, the company Hap Seng who runs the quarry issued a statement that claimed that the quarry was compliant with the terms of approvals from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Department of Environment (DOE). "If the company did comply, this shows that the standard requirement for carrying out quarrying was flawed as it resulted in injury of people in the surrounding area and now the government has said it would relocate all the people living within the area," pointed out Lanash. SEPA proposed that the quarry be closed for a thorough investigation which should look into two aspects aspect; firstly on the blasting that has been allowed within the Forest Reserve and secondly on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) particularly on environmental and safety standards that were approved. "We need to ask if the company had taken into consideration the proximity of the Kampung Tanjung Batu Tengah (Besi Buruk), was this issue identified in the mitigating measures, and if not why not?" asked the SEPA President. There have been many incidents that show that development has priority over the environment and the safety of people. Like many other issues that SEPA have highlighted over the years certain developments are accidents waiting to happen. "It was very fortunate that this incident did not result in deaths of the residents of the village but we must learn from our mistakes and we have to move forward by having more stringent measures and standards," concluded Lanash. Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) |
| Election promises: Who copied whom? Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:02 PM PDT  
All of its overarching policy statements, ranging from eliminating discrimination to promoting culture to better education to job opportunities, have been the guiding principles of the ruling party these past 55 years. Wong Sai Kim Have you heard this story before? At the launch of a new book, a visitor jumped up and down, screaming: "This is plagiarism. I have read every word in this book before." When he was asked 'Where?' he replied with a chuckle: "In the dictionary". I was reminded of this joke when I read in the newspapers about Pakatan Rakyat's allegation that Barisan Nasional had 'plagiarised' its manifesto. PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar claimed that parts of the Barisan manifesto were 'lifted' from the Pakatan manifesto. I have read the Barisan manifesto and I have re-read the Pakatan manifesto. I find instead that the reverse is true. Every policy in the Pakatan manifesto is a rehash of Alliance/Barisan policies which have been in existence since Malayan/Malaysian independence. No, this is not an exaggeration. All of its overarching policy statements, ranging from eliminating discrimination to promoting culture to better education to job opportunities, have been the guiding principles of the ruling party these past 55 years. There is not a single policy guideline that is new in the Pakatan document. As a specific policy, Nurul singled out the 'reduction of car prices' as her example of BN piracy. Let's look at this claim closely. The BN Government had introduced the National Automotive Policy way back in 2006 with the following as one of its aims: "To safeguard the interests of consumers in terms of value for money, safety and quality of products and services". Inherent in this clause is the promise to not only review car prices but more importantly, to look into the whole question of making the total cost of transportation more affordable for all Malaysians. If reducing the price of cars is to make them more affordable, one must remember that the national car project was launched almost 30 years ago, making car ownership affordable to a larger section of the Malaysian population than before. Pakatan proposes to 'restructure the automotive policy'. The Automotive Policy is a dynamic instrument which has already been restructured over the last seven years. So, who is copying whom? Another Pakatan proposal; to abolish tolls, is also not new. The BN government had in the past abolished tolls in selected areas and will continue to review toll collection on the expiry of toll concession periods. The Pakatan manifesto does not promise to abolish tolls immediately. Its stated policy is to 'gradually' abolish tolls. The word 'gradually' is not defined, and it could take 10, 15 or 20 years. It must also be remembered that collecting tolls is not anathema to Pakatan. In Penang, the State Government is proposing toll collection in its proposed undersea tunnel project. Again, who is copying from whom? Yet another Pakatan proposal is to abolish monopolies. But isn't this the same purpose for which the Competition Act 2010 was introduced by the ruling government? So again, who is copying from whom? Other copycat policies of Pakatan include the following: • Building affordable houses for all. • Basic health access • Social safety network • One million new jobs • Minimum wage These issues have always been the cornerstone of BN government's policy thrusts. SO, ONCE AGAIN, WHO IS COPYING WHOM? |
| Malaysia’s Oil Royalty Rumble Posted: 08 Apr 2013 11:53 AM PDT 
Anas Alam Faizli
One of the issues that are bound to crop up in the 13th general election campaigns is the oil royalty. In the past, many reasons have been presented by political parties from both sides of the divide on who is entitled to what. Perhaps this article will help shed some light on the issue. When rulers and representatives of the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States and the Non-Federated Malay States signed the Federation of Malaya on the 31st January 1948, nobody imagined the significant petroleum money conflicts that would ensue for the years to come. One component made all the difference; jurisdiction over all areas beyond three nautical miles of the state shores is handed over to the federal government. Section 4 of the Emergency Ordinance 1969 also defines territorial waters as three nautical miles, subject to some exceptions, including the newer states of Sabah and Sarawak. This is the case against petroleum-related royalty payments from the federal government to some state governments today. For oil found beyond three nautical miles (beyond state territories), no royalty monies are due because they belong within federal government territories. If we hold that the story ends here, we will conclude that no royalty is due to currently petroleum-producing state of Kelantan, or rightfully, even Terengganu and Pahang. But, the story does certainly did not end here. Petroleum Development Act 1974In 1973, the world witnessed an Oil Shock caused by a six-month embargo on oil supplies by the Arab members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Crude oil prices climbed four-fold overnight causing severe disruptions to many industries. Most developing economies that produce oil, including Malaysia, then began to realize the strategic and economic importance of having national control over this Black Gold. Malaysia responded by setting up Petroliam Nasional Bhd or Petronas on August 17th 1974, our home-grown oil giant which we have slowly grown dependent upon, up to 40% of federal government budget. It was oil money that financed the RM6 billion Petronas Twin Towers and the RM22 billion Putrajaya. In fact, oil-generated income, thanks to soaring crude oil prices in the past decade, was the only way we could have afforded the whopping RM135 billion increase in government operating expenditure in 2012 compared to 2000. The incorporation of Petronas paved the way for another defining milestone in the history of Malaysia's petroleum industry, namely the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA). The PDA is the "antagonist" to the federal constitution, used by proponents of royalty payments to states when it comes to oil exploration beyond three nautical miles of state shores. By section 2 of the PDA 1974, Petronas is vested with the "entire ownership in petroleum lying onshore or offshore Malaysia", as well as exclusive rights, power, liberty and privilege of exploring, exploiting, winning and obtaining them. The generic term "offshore Malaysia" is thus the main contention, since neither specific length from state shores were explicitly stated, nor were references to the Federal constitution "three nautical miles" component, made. The PDA was a powerful manifestation of Malaysia's control and sovereignty as it essentially made uniform all previously separately standing agreements between the international oil operators and state governments, with regards to Malaysia's hydrocarbon resources. It entailed three major developments; one, that all finding will be under Petronas custodianship; second, that existing concession agreements will be replaced with Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) where the government via Petronas effectively undertakes expenditure; and third, that there would be an additional five percent royalty payment to the federal government (from Petronas) on top of five percent royalty payment to state governments (also from Petronas). There were monies paid to state governments under the previous concession models but the specific magnitude is not known. Supplementing the PDA 1974 were 13 identical Assignment Deeds and Vesting Grants, which were also separately signed between each of 13 states and the federal government between 1975 and 1976. All of them vested the rights to "petroleum whether lying onshore or offshore of Malaysia" to Petronas, in return for cash payments in the form of a yearly sum equivalent to 5% of the value of petroleum produced. Again, no length from state shores was specified with the generic term "offshore". Thus, these new deeds only exacerbated the controversy. Sarawak and SabahUntil 2010, Sabah had received a total of RM7.2 billion in oil royalties. Meanwhile, Sarawak is estimated to be receiving about RM600 million per annum currently. Having a federal share of the Sabah and Sarawak petroleum industry was actually the more overbearing intention behind the PDA, compared to the 1973 Oil Shock. By then, the Borneo states Petroleum industry was close to its centennial, with Shell and Esso having fully entrenched production in place in Sarawak (80,000 bpd) and Sabah (5,000 bpd) respectively. However, these operations were under legacy British-granted concession agreements with the state governments, generously skewed in favour of the oil operators. Naturally, the latter were then unhappy to fork out extra petroleum royalties to this new federal government. The first chairman and chief executive of Petronas, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, or fondly known by Malaysians as Ku Li, took to himself the arduous task of convincing Sabah and Sarawak to agree to the PDA. His job then seemed like a tall order, since the pre-conditions were extremely delicate. First, there were contracts in place between the oil majors and the East Malaysia states, whose sanctity needed to be honoured. Secondly, Malaysia was a federation of previously sovereign states in their own rights, which entailed dues. Recollections of the process spanning 2 years include one where Ku Li was apparently barred from entry into Sabah at the airport! Today, even though Petronas and its contractors are operating and producing out of more than three nautical miles beyond the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak, both states still receive royalty monies by way of constitution. In addition to royalties, unlike the peninsular states, both states are constitutionally entitled to export duties on "mineral oils", which petroleum qualifies for. Both royalty and duties total 10 percent. TerengganuTerengganu found petroleum off its shores in 1973. From 1978 to 2000, it received a sum of RM7.13 billion in royalties. Not only does the state enjoy tremendous growth from federal government allocations and royalties, it also reaped economic benefits from the formation of petroleum townships. Rantau Petronas in Kerteh is one of the most advanced full-fledged petroleum centers housing a little economy of its own. However, royalty payments were stopped in 2000 during PAS government's one term tenure in the state. Under the constitutional clause allowing for discretionary payments from federal to state, a fraction of the due royalties known as the "Wang Ehsan" (goodwill token) was paid instead through government agencies. Royalty payments were only continued in 2009 when Terengganu is back under the Barisan government, even though productions were from areas sitting beyond three nautical miles from the state. This makes the task of concluding whether or not Terengganu should receive royalties a confusing one, considering the payment was not fulfilled the moment it was a different ruling state government. KelantanPetroleum was only found off of the shores of Kelantan in the 1990's when Kelantan was under the rule of PAS, so the PDA, Vesting Grant and Assignment Deed stood unquestioned until then. As it happens, findings were either 150km (about 81 nautical miles) from Kota Bharu, or within free economic zones where the federal government has joint development agreements with Thailand and Vietnam. For production coming off these areas, namely from blocks PM2, PM301, Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Agreement (MTJDA) and PM3 CAA Malaysia-Vietnam, the federal government has received its share of 5 percent in royalties, totaling RM4.59 billion. While the same number is theoretically due to Kelantan state as well, the latter has received no sum, in royalties. Worse still, Kelantan enjoys absolutely no spill over economic developments in the form of a supply base, processing or transportation activities. Gas extracted off of Kelantan's shores through MTJDA bypasses Kelantan and is directly funneled to Thailand, despite it being less economical to do so. The federal government maintains that the Federal Constitution dictates for Kelantan to not receive royalties for rights over areas it did not own in the first place. On the other hand, Kelantan bases its claims on the sanctity of the PDA, the Assignment Deed, and the Vesting Grant 1975/1976, claiming that they should not be deprived of royalties since these documents used the generic term "onshore and offshore Malaysia" in the case of petroleum, instead of three nautical miles in the general case of territorial provisions. Experts have clarified that the constitution supersedes any other laws in place, being the supreme law of the land. In August 2010, the Kelantan state government filed a lawsuit against Petronas for failing to pay the state royalties. The government responded to this with a special study panel, which has yet to come up with a conclusion. Substance over FormWe should be able to conclude by now that this is a complicated battle of legal interpretation. Aside from the litany of agreements and documents signed, one cannot help to discard the stark reality that both Kelantan and Terengganu were denied royalty payments during PAS' rule. It is hard to not label the issue as a politicized one. As members of the public, the continuous debacle leaves us with some pertinent questions. First, the three nautical miles component in the Federal Constitution articulated the maritime border of states, but what about ownership of petroleum assets specifically? Surely when the relevant preceding documents were enacted, the intention was to designate petroleum and gas as a specially-treated issue given its economic and political importance. Thus, can it be seen lumped together with other maritime border issues under the constitution? If the signing of these documents were intended to cajole previously sovereign and independent states into handing over custody rights of oil blocks to Petronas, is not depriving them of royalties now a blatant dishonouring of past promises? Second, why is the application of the "three nautical miles" component inconsistent across all peninsular states? Experts go as far as to label the Assignment Deed 1975 unconstitutional and containing serious defects because it failed to specify that Kelantan can only assign to Petronas areas that belonged to it. Even so, why does it apply to Terengganu and now, Pahang who is without question promised the five percent oil royalty for the recent Bertam PM307 discovery 160km (86.3 nautical miles) offshore Kuantan? Terengganu and Pahang too then should rightfully have no claim over portions of gross oil revenues from areas beyond state borders. This is against Article 8 of the Federal Constitution that calls for equal treatment of all and non-discrimination. Third, what was the initial intention of promising cash payments to the state government? If it was to appease the sovereign states into agreeing to share revenues from their natural resources with the rest of the country, is it fair to dishonour them after making them believe their interests were protected prior to the signing? As it is, annual allocations to state governments are only 8.6 percent of the federal government's annual budget. At the end of the day, we conclude that there are two parties using two contending documents; the PDA and the Federal constitution. But what point is there for the claims to be tossed between legal documents, while the reality is the four producing states are amongst the poorest states in Malaysia? Kelantan sees the lowest household income averaging RM2,536 below national average of RM4,025, while Sabah's incidence of poverty of 19.2% is a stark level above national level of 3.8%. Have we ever wondered then, if the states would be as willing to sign the PDA 1974 and various petroleum-related agreements vesting rights to Petronas, if not misled into believing that they would be able to enjoy at least some of their natural endowments? As Plato said, "We deny that laws are true laws unless they are enacted in the interest of the common wealth of the whole state." ** Anas Alam Faizli is an Oil and Gas professional. He holds a Master's degree in Project Management and is pursuing a post graduate doctorate. He tweets at @aafaizli |
| Why Are Uthaya and Hindraf Helping the Enemy? Posted: 08 Apr 2013 11:48 AM PDT 
Kee Thuan Chye People who want to see change at the upcoming 13th general election and the end of Barisan Nasional (BN) rule are angry with P. Uthayakumar and his Hindu Rights Party (HRP) for declaring their intention to stand in Selangor seats currently held by Pakatan Rakyat. They see this as a betrayal. Standing in these seats as independents (because HRP's application for registration has been rejected by the Registrar of Societies), HRP members will create three-cornered fights that will bring advantage to BN. Why Uthayakumar and his party would do this to help BN is shocking to many. After all, this is the same BN that treated them like pariahs when Hindraf, of which they were a part, held its mammoth rally in November 2007. Despite its being a peaceful demonstration, with numerous participants carrying pictures of Mahatma Gandhi to emphasise that, the BN-led government unleashed tear gas and water cannons on them. A total of 136 demonstrators were arrested. Uthayakumar himself was hauled to Kamunting as a detainee without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA). So were a few other Hindraf leaders. Hindraf was unjustly accused of being linked to the Sri Lankan terrorist group Tamil Tigers. It was even outlawed by the Government – until just last January. An irate pro-change citizen has this to say: "I am terribly angry. I remember when they were in Kamunting, we defied the police and held candlelight vigils praying for them to be released. We even contributed cash to their families. All that has been so quickly forgotten." Putting two and two together, observers have come up with the theory that BN may have wooed over Uthayakumar and his ilk the way it has been wooing the Indian community as a whole. BN Chairman Najib Razak, in order to win Indian votes, has been throwing out cash and goodies of all sorts to the Indian community under the pretext of helping them. Observers believe he could be doing the same for the political groups, like HRP and the Makkal Sakthi Party headed by another ex-Hindraf leader, R.S. Thanenthiran, who was given a datukship soon after his party aligned itself with BN. Obviously, there is nothing Najib would wish for more than to also win Selangor back for BN. He knows that winning Putrajaya would not be complete without that much-coveted state in the bag as well, and his job as Umno president and therefore prime minister could well depend on that if BN doesn't win by a two-thirds majority. Not surprisingly, therefore, he made himself the Selangor BN chief. And going by his track record of stealing Perak back from Pakatan in 2008, one can expect him to pull off any kind of tactic, including unsavoury ones, to steal a march on Pakatan again – in Selangor this time. The word going around now is that some Indians are planning to vote for the third candidate standing in all seats nationwide, not just in Selangor. This will definitely split the Opposition votes. Their reason for doing this is that they want to protest against Pakatan for not accepting Hindraf's blueprint to benefit the Indians. This is not quite fair. Pakatan met with Hindraf Chairman P. Waythamoorthy to discuss the blueprint and has not rejected it. As of Feb 18, 2013, Pakatan's leaders said they were still attempting to translate the blueprint into "implementable policies and amendments to the law". On the other hand, BN has not accepted the blueprint either. So why should this former enemy of Hindraf be suddenly favoured? Furthermore, the DAP, one of the main parties in the Pakatan coalition, has announced a 14-point plan billed the "Gelang Patah Declaration" specifically addressing the socio-economic needs of the Indians. However, Hindraf advisor N. Ganesan chooses to see it as a "plagiarised version" of Hindraf's blueprint. He says it incorporates 11 of Hindraf's proposals, and questions the sincerity behind the declaration. One would think that the DAP's incorporation of Hindraf's proposals would be seen as a positive move, but apparently Hindraf is also playing political games. It is holding out for a better deal from BN after having met with Najib on March 25. Ganesan has revealed that he is now awaiting a second formal meeting to take place, and he thinks it will be soon. In criticising the DAP's Declaration, Ganesan now brings up all the grouses Hindraf has against the DAP dating back five years, and even accuses it of coming out with a race-based declaration when all this while it has been arguing along needs-based lines! When Pakatan, which advocates rejecting race-based policy-making, did not specifically address Indian needs in its election manifesto, choosing instead to address the poor and the marginalised as a generic entity, it was accused of neglecting the Indians. Now when the DAP goes the way of attending to Indian needs, it is accused of "doublespeak". |
| Hadi says voters will decide who is Pakatan’s choice for PM job Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:15 AM PDT 
Syed Jaymal Zahiid, TMI PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today that voters would ultimately decide who gets to be prime minister if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) wins Election 2013. The former Terengganu menteri besar said the pact would first focus on winning the upcoming polls before discussing on the matter. Hadi also refused to state if he felt he was a suitable candidate for the country's top post, saying the issue would be determined by the voters. "This thing we need to go through the democratic process. I would not say more on this, we should be ensuring the victory of all our candidates first," he told reporters after giving a talk on the party's "welfare state" push here. Hadi added that whoever from PR becomes prime minister has to be accepted by voters and noted that this included non-Muslim voters. The president of the Islamist party also emphasised that the candidate must be a Muslim and also accepted by the King. "What is important is that the candidate is accepted by the people including non-Muslims. We also have a King. The candidate must be accepted by both the people and the king," he said. The pact had previously agreed that the post should be given to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. PR parties have repeatedly had to reaffirm their endorsement of Anwar as prime minister-designate to deflect criticisms from their political foes in Barisan Nasional (BN) that they were unable to achieve consensus on numerous issues. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Anwar admitted that the coming 13th general election may be his last shot at power, saying that he may quit politics if PR fails in its bid to claim Putrajaya. |
| Stop dilly-dallying: Reopen Altantuya’s case; probe Najib’s involvement! Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:11 AM PDT 
The Attorney-General is singing the same song and harping on the same point: There must be new evidence that the prosecution considers justifiable to re-open investigations into the murder of the Mongolian national. What new evidence is he expecting to persuade him to re-open investigations into the grisly murder of Altantuya? Doesn't the recent disclosure by PI Bala's lawyer, Americk Sidhu, constitute new evidence? Isn't that reason enough to re-open the investigation? Americk's disclosure negates the second Statutory Declaration (SD), which sought to white-wash Najib. To mitigate his alleged involvement in the murder of Altantuya, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, then Deputy Prime Minister, had instructed a senior lawyer, Cecil Abraham, to prepare a subsequent false SD to nullify the contents of the first SD, which implicated Najib in this ghastly murder of an innocent woman. Strangely, the second SD was prepared in the name of Bala but without his knowledge, without seeking his consent and without obtaining his instruction for this fraudulent SD to be prepared. It was surreptitiously and deliberately made to give the false impression that Bala had on his own accord prepared this second SD to recant and retract his first SD. Bala was then induced and forced to sign this second SD to exculpate Najib from this foul deed. Now that it has been established that Bala was not the writer of the second SD, there is no legal ground to accept it as a legitimate document. It is a criminal document that attempted to extricate Najib's culpability. It now enjoys no legitimacy at all as a Court document. Under the circumstances, the only document that is available and on record is the first SD. This is the new evidence that should warrant the re-opening of the Altantuya murder case because damning and damaging allegations are contained in this SD. And yet, the AG insists, "The case has gone through a trial, where everything was adduced." Yes, Mr AG, what was adduced also included a false criminal SD that was meant to save Najib. This false document was accorded legitimacy in order to discredit the contents of the genuine document – the first SD. Bala had disclosed troubling details concerning Najib that cannot be glossed over. They deserve to be seriously and thoroughly investigated. Bala had revealed: - He (Abdul Razak Baginda) had been introduced to Aminah by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a diamond exhibition in Singapore.
- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak informed Abdul Razak Baginda that he had a sexual relationship with Aminah and that she was susceptible to anal intercourse.
- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Abdul Razak Baginda and Aminah had all been together at a dinner in Paris.
- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wanted Abdul Razak Baginda to look after Aminah as he did not want her to harass him since he was now the Deputy Prime Minister.
He further added: - "They (the police) then proceeded to record my statement from 8.30am to 6.00pm everyday for seven consecutive days. I told them all I knew including everything Abdul Razak Baginda and Aminah had told me about their relationships with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak but when I came to sign my statement, these details had been left out.
- "I have given evidence in the trial of Azilah, Sirul and Abdul Razak Baginda at the Shah Alam High Court. The prosecutor did not ask me any questions in respect of Aminah's relationship with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or of the phone call I received from DSP Musa Safri, whom (sic) I believe was the ADC for Datuk Seri Najib Razak and/or his wife."
How can you then claim, "The case has gone through a trial, where everything was adduced." Bala continued: - "On the day Abdul Razak Baginda was arrested, I was with him at his lawyer's office at 6.30am. Abdul Razak Baginda informed us that he had sent Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak an SMS the evening before as he refused to believe he was to be arrested, but had not received a response.
- "Shortly thereafter, at about 7.30am, Abdul Razak Baginda received an SMS from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and showed this message to both myself and his lawyer. This message read as follows: "I am seeing IGP at 11.00am. today … matter will be solved … be cool".
Was this the reason why Baginda was discharged without his defence being called? READ MORE HERE |
| Reopen Altantuya’s case, says ex-IGP Posted: 07 Apr 2013 07:59 PM PDT 
Former IGP Musa Hassan believes Altantuya's case should be reopened following latest revelations by the Bar Council. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan wants the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case reopened following new "evidence". He said the case should be reopened following revelations that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had instructed senior lawyer Cecil Abraham to prepare the second statutory declaration for former private investigator P Balasubramaniam. Musa said this when asked if further investigations must be carried out following the startling revelation by the Malaysian Bar last month. "If there is new evidence… the case must be reopened. Further investigation must be carried out," Musa told a press conference here. "So if there is new evidence in this case, then there should be an investigation," he added. When asked who had the power and authority to reopen the case, he pointed at the police and the Attorney-General Chamber's. "I don't know what he [Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar] meant by old stuff put in new way," Musa said, referring to the former's statement that there was no need to reopen the case as it was revealed previously that a "Tan Sri" lawyer and his son had been involved in the
preparation of the second SD. "It must be reopened because there is new evidence," he added. The late Balasubramaniam, in his second SD, retracted all his shocking allegations linking Najib to the murder of the Mongolian model. Balasubramaniam's lawyer Americk Sidhu claimed he met Abraham who apologised to him (Americk) over the drafting of SD2 and admitted that it was done on the instruction of Najib. Investigate Lahad Datu allegations On the Lahad Datu incident, Musa believed the claims that opposition leaders were involved in the incursion must be investigated to clear the matter once and for all. "They [the government] say that the reports [that opposition leaders are involved] are obtained from overseas. I say they must open an investigation to confirm if they [Pakatan Rakyat leaders] are involved," Musa said. "To me, an investigation is to show proof… if there is proof, then action can be taken," he said. "If there is no investigation and no proof, then the claims are just slanders. That's why an investigation is important," he added. READ MORE HERE |
| Pakatan, BN economic pledges: A comparison Posted: 07 Apr 2013 07:55 PM PDT 
Pakatan's manifesto relies heavily on dismantling BN's handiwork, whereas BN pledges to expand the economy without a glance backwards. Anisah Shukry, FMT Although Pakatan Rakyat has accused Barisan Nasional of copying its manifesto, a comparison of their economic pledges leaves the impression that the opposition coalition is out of its depths. To begin with, Pakatan falls noticeably short with regard to creating jobs for locals. Its manifesto says it will generate one million new jobs simply by reducing foreign labour. This means that under Pakatan, the new jobs available for Malaysians will be of the non-skilled variety: waiting on tables, cleaning the streets, mixing cement. In Pakatan's own words, these jobs are in plantations, the construction sector and the service industry. In contrast, BN has promised 3.3 million new jobs, two million of which are in the high-income sector. This will be achieved not through driving out the people currently occupying those jobs, but by attracting new investments worth RM1.3 trillion. Whether either of them will succeed is a big question mark, but credit must be given to BN for having more vision – or better job offers. Floor wage
Pakatan mentions the minimum wage in its manifesto. BN does not, most probably because the coalition is already implementing a minimum wage. But Pakatan promises a floor monthly wage slightly above RM1,000. BN has promised a slightly lower wage of RM900 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM800 for Sabah and Sarawak. With the figures cutting so close, they are barely worth comparing. But keeping in mind the uproar BN's minimum wage has caused among employers – critics are claiming prices will soar and cash outflow will become "cash outflood" – one could conclude that things would be worse if Pakatan's higher floor wage were to be implemented. According to media reports, BN is relying on a cash-less solution to the foreseen problems – by deferring implementation to July. Pakatan's solution is to dip into public coffers and create a so-called Minimum Wage Implementation Facilitation Fund worth RM2 billion. Neither one is guaranteed to succeed, but Pakatan's minimum wage and the solutions to the problems that will come with it will clearly cost taxpayers and employers more money. Taxes
One glance at the taxes in BN's manifesto suggests that it has taken a leaf out of Pakatan's book but twisted it a little. Pakatan says that the income band will be broadened so that the 26% tax rate will be payable for taxable income exceeding RM400,000, compared with the current RM250,000. This is apparently to prevent a situation where millionaires pay the same tax rate as executives in the private sector. But since the existing tax rates are not increasing to compensate for the fact that fewer people will be paying them, far less money will enter the governments' coffers. Meanwhile, although taxable income remains the same under BN, the ruling coalition has vowed to lower individual and corporate taxes across the board, in stages. Again, that's obviously less money for the government, but without knowing BN's exact tax rates, the jury is still out on whether Pakatan's or BN's tax options are better for the economy. Small and medium industries 
While the benefits BN and Pakatan have outlined for SMIs both lack detail, Pakatan's is less impressive as it appears to be a shallow retread of what BN has already accomplished. Pakatan has the National Innovation Fund totalling RM500 million "to strengthen the copyright industry and idea bank" and "to promote the commercialisation of ideas and inventions". It also aims to "coordinate and promote SMI financing by financial institutions". But BN's manifesto points out that it has already facilitated funding for SMIs through a RM1 billion fund managed by the SMI Bank, provided RM2 billion from 2008 to 2013 to Tekun for small-scale entrepreneurs and established Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, which provides micro credit facilities for small-scale entrepreneurs, mostly women. And to match Pakatan's National Innovation Fund, BN has unspecified "special incentives" for "innovative and creative ventures" on top of a "transformation plan" and the establishment of a National Trading Company to source overseas markets for SMI products. READ MORE HERE |
| The Battle of Election Manifesto (WITH CHINESE TRANSLATION) Posted: 07 Apr 2013 07:14 PM PDT 
Nonetheless, there are weaknesses in both PR's and BN's Election Manifestos. In order to woo the voters both sides have made promises that are beyond their current capability to fulfill. For example, they both vow to provide different types of subsidies and welfare but they never explain how they intend to implement that without hurting the country's economic health. Original text by Tay Tian Yan, Asst. Chief Editor, SinChew Daily Translated text by Gilbert Yeoh-Tan Following PR's declaration, BN has recently come out with their own Election Manifesto covering 17 different categories with over 100++ subcategories. Women's rights, public welfare, automobile, housing …… etc, BN have had a hard time summarizing their Manifesto even after several advertising pages in newspapers have been used to publish their promises. To be frank, I am a bit dazzled at this. This is just like Malaysia's Mega Sales season all over again: every shop in every shopping mall puts on their flashy "SALES" or "Buy-1-Free-1" posters. The consumers do not know where to begin shopping, and whether the deals are really as appealing as advertised. Many beautiful promises are made in the Manifesto with aim to project a happy, harmonious future in the voters' minds. However if you are to erase the word 'BN' or 'PR' from the front page of their Manifestos, I will honestly tell you that I won't know which Manifesto belongs to which party. What I am trying to say is, there are many promises of considerable quality coming from both sides trying to capture the 'customers', but 'Whatever they offer, we will match it' is the main theme of these Manifestos. PR vow to subsidize the needy, BN of course react by beefing up the BR1M; PR promise to reduce car tax, BN simply announce that they will reduce car price by 30%. PR pledge to abolish the highway toll fees, BN will …….. well, this is a tough case, so they just promise to reduce the number of toll stations. Other issues like protecting women's rights, reinforcing the anti-corruption agency, building more affordable housings, improving security etc., both sides basically offer the same package. And for as long as I can remember, the Election Manifestos have never been this 'cheap' and 'grand' at the same time. There is a good analogy to describe what is happening; before there was only a supermarket in the town, so the consumers had to buy the products that supermarket was selling at the fixed prices. Now another supermarket has emerged, the competition is present and to win over the consumers both have to bring out their promotions. Furthermore, the items sold have to be of good quality as well. The good thing of these Manifestos is that both sides have stated their policy agendas and since both are selling their policies they have to compete on coming out with the better policies. I think this can indeed benefit the society; their goal is to gain more support from the people, and in order to do that they will have to agree to the good policies put forth by the people that involve society welfare, anti-corruption, transparency, improvement of traffic system, improvement of security etc. These demands can also help shifting focus from negative issues such as differences (and disputes) between races and religions to other greater issues that are beneficial to all races and religions. This also serves as a good indication that our society is taking the correct direction towards a better, more matured democracy. Nonetheless, there are weaknesses in both PR's and BN's Election Manifestos. In order to woo the voters both sides have made promises that are beyond their current capability to fulfill. For example, they both vow to provide different types of subsidies and welfare but they never explain how they intend to implement that without hurting the country's economic health. I do not know how much money and resources will be needed to materialize these welfare policies, but the bottom line is, both sides have not put forth a concrete strategy to increase national income to cope with the sudden increase in spending resulting from these policies. Just like some supermarkets that offer fire-sales with steep price-cutting, although they may get all the business, they are making huge loses as well. And in the end, they have but to declare bankruptcy and close down their shop. ***************************************** 鄭丁賢‧競選宣言，互別苗頭 繼民聯之後，國陣發表了競選宣言；17個領域，項目應該過百。 從婦女、福利、汽車、房屋……，連報章都要用好幾版面，才勉強呈現一個大概。 老實說，我有點眼花繚亂；這就好像馬來西亞購物節來到，購物中心大減價，每一家商店和攤位，都貼出大平賣、大促銷、買一送一的特惠。 購物者不知如何買起，也不知是否真的如此好康。 政黨的競選宣言，同樣也是美麗承諾很多，未來是一幅幸福美滿的景象。 然而，老實說，如果把宣言之前的"民聯＂和"國陣＂字眼拿走，我大概也分不清楚誰是誰。 我的意思是，承諾很多，但同質性很高，你有的，我也要有，為了爭取顧客……，噢，選民，絕對不能輸陣。 民聯要給弱勢群體津貼，國陣當然是"一馬援助金＂加碼；民聯要取消汽車國產稅，國陣干脆宣佈車價要降30%；民聯要廢除過路費，國陣……唔，這個有點困難，那就減少收費站吧。 其它如提昇婦女地位，加強反貪措施，興建可負擔房屋，改善治安等等，也差不多。 印象中，競選宣言從來未曾那麼大平賣，也沒有那麼盛重其事。 當然，這就好比之前鎮上只有一家購物中心，它賣甚麼，消費人就得買甚麼，賣多少價錢，大家也得掏腰包。 而今購物商場增加了，競爭激烈，彼此搶顧客，就要有各自的大促銷；此外，賣的東西，品質也要有保障。 民聯和國陣的競選宣言，優點是各自提出施政綱領，賣的是政策，雙方必須在政策上一較高下。 我覺得這是大馬政治趨向好的發展。一旦彼此在政策上競爭，就必須爭取更多的群眾，而提出對多數人都有好處的政策，包括社會福利、反貪和清廉，透明和公平、改善交通和治安。 競爭的層面擴大之後，可以把種族和宗教的分別淡化，把重點放在不同族群和不同宗教的共同需要之上。 這也顯示民主發展朝向正面的發展。 不過，民聯和國陣的競選宣言也都有共同的弱點。 為了爭取選票，雙方可能都做出了超過能力和本份的承諾；譬如提供林林總總的福利固然誘入，但是，如何在不傷害國家經濟體質的情況下落實，卻缺乏說明。 我無從計算這些福利政策究竟要消耗多少資源和成本，問題是，雙方的競選宣言都沒有具體說明執政之後，如何增加國家的收入，以應付這些開銷。 這就好像購物中心的跳樓大促銷，拚命削價賣，然而，即使做到生意，結果卻是虧大本，到時一樣要結束營業。 |
| Yes, but the question is how? Posted: 07 Apr 2013 06:54 PM PDT 
Let us discuss the salient points in these two Election Manifestos, though not in order of priority or importance (since each person will have different priorities on what they expect from life). And the first item would be the issue of abuse of power, corruption, cronyism, nepotism, mismanagement of the country's wealth, and so on. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin I have been observing with interest without much comment since the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament and thought that maybe today I would write something as food-for-thought for Malaysia Today's readers. You may have noticed that I like to write controversial pieces and would usually take the opposing side in a debate or argument just so that, as I always say, I can throw the cat amongst the pigeons. For example, when people take a stand opposing the Islamic Sharia law of Hudud, I take a stand supporting its implementation and when people take a stand propagating that law I take a stand opposing it. People ask me why I do that. Well, I suppose it is in my genes. It is what I do. More importantly, however, it teaches people to think and if they disagree with my stand then they would be forced to argue their case in defense of their stand. No doubt this does not always work as planned. In some instances, when people do not have the ability to debate with decorum and civility, they resort to name-calling, swearing and cursing. I suppose we can only blame these people's parents who did not bring them up the right way. I remember my teenage days when I visited the homes of my Chinese school-friends. The whole family would be playing mahjong and the children would scream tiu niamah in front of their parents whenever they got a weak 'card'. Hence, when children scream tiu niamah over the mahjong table in front of their own parents you can imagine why they are so coarse and rude when they comment in Malaysia Today. It is the way they were brought up by their parents. Anyway, that is not the point of what I want to say today. What I do want to talk about is the promises made in the run-up to the coming general election, which some call Election Manifesto and some call Akujanji (I promise). There appears to be some confusion or misunderstanding about the meaning and implication of an Election Manifesto. In the past, the Bahasa Malaysia translation of Election Manifesto was Manifesto Pilihanraya. Now that it is being called Akujanji makes it even more confusing, especially since Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, the Selangor Menteri Besar, said that an Election Manifesto is not a promise. The voters need to be told whether this is a firm commitment or merely an aspiration. And they also need to be told that there is a difference. For example, I aspire to become rich but since I am unemployed and am surviving on welfare that aspiration will remain unrealised. However, if I borrow a million dollars from the bank and I invest this million together with another million of my own money into a business that can turn water into oil, then definitely that aspiration will become reality. The thing is, I may aspire, but the question is how do I plan to meet that aspiration? That is what appears missing in these election promises being made by both sides of the political divide. Hindraf says that Pakatan Rakyat stole their Manifesto while Pakatan Rakyat says that Barisan Nasional stole theirs. In that case I need not address the Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional Election Manifestos separately since both are duplicates of each other. Let us discuss the salient points in these two Election Manifestos, though not in order of priority or importance (since each person will have different priorities on what they expect from life). And the first item would be the issue of abuse of power, corruption, cronyism, nepotism, mismanagement of the country's wealth, and so on. Now, while everyone claims that reducing or eliminating corruption is going to be one area of priority, can we be told how this is going to be done? The aspiration of attacking corruption is commendable. How we are going to achieve that is more important. For example, are we going to send convicted corrupt government officials and politicians to the firing squad like they do in China? Or are we going to execute them by chopping off their heads like in Saudi Arabia? Or maybe cut of their hands like in Afghanistan? You see: corrupt people do not fear God. In fact, they may not even believe in God. Hence it is pointless to try to put the fear of God in them. We need a stronger fear factor. And a bullet in their head or their head chopped off or their limbs severed may be a stronger deterrent to corruption. And how do we gain a conviction? Most times, just from their lavish lifestyle, we know these people are corrupt. But to prove it in court is another thing. Less than 1% of corrupt people actually get sent to jail. Can we, therefore, do what they do in Iran (or used to do back in the days of the Revolution of 1979)? In Iran, they torture (or tortured) suspects to gain a confession and after they confess to these crimes these people are executed. So you see, we need to know the modus operandi that is going to be applied. Having an aspiration to reduce or eliminate corruption is one thing. Being able to achieve it is another thing altogether. So we need to know how this is going to be achieved. And that is missing from the election promises. The next thing is about the people's welfare. This, of course, would involve a few things such as education, health, safety, quality of life, and so on. We will need details on how the people's welfare is going to be taken care of. And if we talk about change then we need to be brave (plus honest) and talk about a paradigm shift. And if we are not brave enough in committing ourselves to this 'revolutionary change' then nothing much is going to change. I have written about all these issues more than once in the past so I do not think I need to repeat myself here. Nevertheless, at the risk of boring you with the 'same old story', allow me to summarise the issues as briefly as I can (and being brief is not something within my nature, as you may well be aware). Will all Malaysian citizens irrespective of race, religion and gender be guaranteed a place in school, college and university? Will all Malaysian citizens irrespective of race, religion and gender be guaranteed financial assistance to attend school, college and university if they deserve and require financial assistance? Will the poverty level be reset at a more realistic level -- say RM2,000 for the big towns and cities and RM1,500 for the rural areas -- and will all those families living below this poverty level be guaranteed financial assistance to attend school, college and university if they deserve and require financial assistance? Will a National Health Trust be set up so that all Malaysian citizens can receive good and free healthcare even in private hospitals, the cost to be borne by the National Health Trust? Now, these are just some of the issues and certainly not the only ones. However, to me, education, health and the safety and welfare of our citizens take priority over all other issues. Hence we need a strong welfare, education and healthcare system to achieve this. And of course someone has to pay for this 'welfare state', if that is what you would like to call it. Petronas brings in billions in revenue. The states receive only 5% of this while 95% goes to the federal government. Say the states' share is increased to 20%, as what Pakatan Rakyat promises. Can, say, 5% be paid to a National Health and Education Trust so that all Malaysian citizens living below the poverty level can receive free education and healthcare without exception? A law can be passed in Parliament, say called the National Trust Act, where Petronas, by Act of Parliament, pays 5% of its oil revenue to this Trust. This National Trust then pays for the cost of education and healthcare to those registered with the Welfare Department. They are then given a National Trust Registration Number where with this they can qualify for free education and healthcare. Of course, we need to fine-tune the mechanics to weed out those who do not qualify or who no longer qualify because their income has already exceeded the poverty level. Whatever it may be, the system must be colour-blind. If you deserve it you get it, never mind what race, religion and gender you may be. And that would automatically make the New Economic Policy irrelevant without even needing to officially abolish it. Note that the points above are just examples of some of the issues and in no way make the list complete. If I want to cover every issue then this piece needs to run into 20 pages. Nevertheless, I trust this demonstrates the point I am trying to make in that the aspirations in the Election Manifesto is only the skeleton and what we now need to see is some meat on that skeleton. |
| Rafizi: Pakatan will retain Najib’s BR1M Posted: 07 Apr 2013 04:18 PM PDT 
It is, however, pointless to increase cash aid without addressing the structural problems plaguing the economy, says the PKR leader. G Vinod, FMT Pakatan Rakyat would not phase out direct cash aid to those in need, PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said today. He said this after being questioned by reporters on whether Pakatan would phase out Najib-initiated Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) if it takes federal power. "However, there is no point in increasing cash aid without addressing the structural problems plaguing the economy," Rafizi said at a press conference held at the party headquarters. He said that the structural economic issues Barisan Nasional failed to address in its manisfesto, among others, are corruption, monopoly and poor education quality. "On top of that, BN talks about increasing aid under BR1M but never came up with proposals to reduce prices of goods and controlling inflation. "Without addressing those matters, whatever cash aid given will be diluted by soaring prices," said Rafizi. On Saturday, BN chairman Najib Tun Razak unveiled the ruling coalition's manifesto at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, in an event attended by about 50,000 people. Among the promises made by Najib was to increase the BR1M aid from the existing RM500 to RM1,200 gradually to each household if voted back to power. He also took a leaf from Pakatan's manifesto and promised to build the Pan Borneo Highway in East Malaysia and slashing car prices between 20% and 30%. Pakatan's manifesto better
Rafizi, who is also the PKR candidate for the Pandan parliamentary seat, said there is nothing new in the BN manifesto as many of the ideas were copied from Pakatan's manifesto. "It's either copied from our manifesto or it's something they are already implementing right now," he said. READ MORE HERE |
| DAP to retain most of its reps in NS Posted: 07 Apr 2013 04:12 PM PDT 
Loke Siew Fook, the party's chief in the state, may move to the risky seat of Chennah. Zefry Dahalan, FMT SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan DAP looks set to retain most of the candidates the party fielded in the 2008 election. So far, the names of seven candidates for state seats have been mentioned at low-profile functions held in the respective constituencies. State DAP chief Loke Siew Fook said these names were among those submitted to party headquarters. Topping the list is Loke himself, who will contest in Chennah, the only state seat DAP did not win out of the eleven it contested in 2008. It is a bold move for Loke, who is leaving his Lobak constituency for the risky seat. Besides Lobak, DAP also won the state seats of Temiang, Nilai, Kepayang, Rahang, Mambau, Senawang, Lukut, Repah and Bahau in 2008. It also won both the parliament seats it contested for—Seremban and Rasah. Chennah remains the toughest seat for DAP to capture because of the high number of Malay voters there. They account for 45.03% of the electorate. The Chinese represent 52.52% and the Indians 2.45%. Lobak would be much safer for Loke. The Chinese make up 74.51% of voters there, the Indians 20.23% and the Malays only 5.15%. State DAP legal bureau chief Siow Kim Leong is expected to replace Loke in Lobak. Cha Kee Chin and Ng Chin Tsai will be retained in Bukit Kepayang and Temiang respectively. Cha is the secretary of Negeri Sembilan DAP. Deputy state DAP chief P Gunasekaran will defend his racially mixed state seat of Senawang. The electorate there is composed of 53.50% Chinese, 23.54% Indians and 22.95% Malays. S Veerapan and Ean Yong Tin Sin will go for another term in Repah and Lukut respectively. DAP national youth chief Teo Kok Seong is likely to stand in Bahau again. However, the party may field new faces for three state seats. READ MORE HERE |
| DAP to reduce Indian MPs? Posted: 07 Apr 2013 04:10 PM PDT 
DAP has been accused of sidelining its Indian leaders by reducing the number of MP seats to be given to them for the GE. K Kabilan, FMT Indian leaders in DAP are deeply concerned and worried that the party would reduce the number of seats given to them for the coming general election. Their fear stems from movements within the party to allocate seats, especially parliamentary seats, to parachute candidates and new faces who are mostly Chinese. The Indian leaders who spoke to FMT on condition of anonymity for fear of party reprisal said todate the party has not made any moves to dispel their fears. "Instead, based on what we are hearing and seeing, it looks clear that the party leadership is seriously thinking of dropping some of the incumbent Indian MPs," said a party leader. The leaders told FMT that the DAP leadership could only offer four to five MP seats at most to Indian leaders, including to the incumbents. "Parliamentary seats that could be taken back to be given to non-Indian candidates include Batu Kawan, Seremban, Teluk Intan and Klang," said the source. Batu Kawan was won by P Ramasamy, Teluk Intan by M Manogaran, Klang by Charles Santiago and Seremban by John Fernandez in 2008. They are all first-time MPs. The other MP seats held by Indians in DAP are Puchong (Gobind Singh), Bukit Gelugor (Karpal Singh) and Ipoh Barat (M Kulasegaran). "The party leadership has been silent on the fate of these MPs. From what we gather, some of them could be dropped," said the source. Lost Indian support However, another Indian leader in the party said not all four of the leaders could be dropped. "Maybe two, and the other two could be reassigned to contest elsewhere," he said. DAP Indian leaders also pointed out that not only incumbents were in danger, but also several grassroots leader who were promised seats and now told that those seats would be allocated to others. READ MORE HERE |
| Bersih wants Australia to ensure peaceful, fair polls in Malaysia Posted: 07 Apr 2013 03:18 PM PDT 
Boo Su-Lyn, TMI Polls watchdog Bersih urged Canberra today to ensure a peaceful and fair Election 2013 in Malaysia, pointing out that violent incidents have increased in the lead-up to the polls. Global Bersih — the international arm of Bersih 2.0 — also said that it would similarly call on Britain and the United Nations to address the violence and allegations of tainted electoral rolls ahead of the 13th general election, which is expected to be the most keenly-contested in recent times. "Given Australia's claim in upholding democratic values and political freedoms in the region following its new membership of the United Nation's Security Council, Australia's ALP government and Senator Carr (Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr) have an obligation to publicly call on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) government to respect and observe free and fair elections in practice as well as in principle," said Global Bersih in a statement. Putrajaya, however, deported independent Australian Senator Nick Xenophon last February shortly after he arrived in Kuala Lumpur to review the country's electoral system. Global Bersih also pointed out that no action has been taken after death threats were issued against the opposition. "When Malaysia's Parliament was dissolved on April 3, Najib's Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wrote on Twitter: 'We shall move to the warzone to kill all adverse political intruders'," said Global Bersih. Umno party workers also shouted "Kill Tian Chua" during a gathering last month when Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein urged them to rally behind BN and "eliminate traitors" like PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, whose Pakatan Rakyat (PR) allies have been accused of instigating the Sulu incursion in Sabah. Najib and his coalition have come under fire for their muted response to several violent attacks on the opposition recently, allegedly perpetrated by BN supporters or members of hardline groups linked to Umno. PR MPs Nurul Izzah Anwar and Charles Santiago also failed in their recent attempts to get the court to compel the Election Commission (EC) to clean up the electoral rolls in their Lembah Pantai and Klang constituencies respectively. "Australia can and must play a critical role in ensuring a close UN member, Commonwealth friend and long-standing ally like Malaysia heeds its democratic obligations and respects the rights of its citizens without resorting to widespread violence, intimidation and electoral fraud," said Global Bersih. |
| Sabah DAP grassroots leader quits for BN Posted: 07 Apr 2013 03:08 PM PDT 
Upko president Bernard Dompok's call for the revoking and re-issuing of MyKad to bona fide Sabahans is drawing support back to the party. Queville To, FMT PENAMPANG: With elections in the air, some of Sabah's hundreds of wannabe politicians are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. DAP's Stephen Jimbangan is among them. The party's Kapayan branch chief called it quits as far as his support of the opposition is concerned and joined the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Upko), a party aligned to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. Speaking at a ceremony where he and 127 other former DAP members handed in their applications to join the BN party here, Jimbangan said his election-eve conversion was to help unify his community under one party. He said he had "sleepless nights" before deciding to join the BN coalition through Upko after the three KDM based parties Upko, Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah pledged to unify the community. "I feel at home because its like coming back home and I am happy to see a lot of familiar faces here today. There is a feeling of solidarity and unity here," he said. Upko president Bernard Dompok's efforts in raising issues in Sabah especially the presence of illegal immigrants in the state, he said had also motivated him to switch parties. Jimbangan also claimed that he had read all 25 volumes of Upko's research and suggestions pertaining to the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah and the documentation had proven to him just how determined the party was towards getting the government to find a solution that can finally address the issue. "It is because of that and Gelombang Tataba that I decided to join Upko. I spoke to a few friends and managed to convince them to also make the move. "We have been divided for far too long and I believe the 'Gelombang Tataba' is the right first step towards a united and progressive KDM," he said. The 2008 DAP candidate for the Kapayan state constituency who narrowly lost to the BN's Khoo Keok Hai added that he agreed with Upko's proposal for all Sabah Identity Cards to be returned and re-issued only to genuine Malaysians. "I hope (Tan Sri) Bernard (Dompok) will continue his struggles … we need you Tan Sri. You are our leader," he said in a direct message to the Upko leader pledging full support for his bid to retain his Penampang parliamentary seat. |
| Saifuddin Nasution antara 4 muka baharu calon PKR Kedah Posted: 07 Apr 2013 03:05 PM PDT 
Beliau akan berpindah dari kerusi Parlimen Machang untuk bertanding di Kulim/Bandar Baharu. (Bernama) - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) menyenaraikan empat muka baharu dan seorang penyandang bagi mempertahankan lima kerusi parlimennya di Kedah pada pilihan raya umum ke-13 ini. Mereka termasuk Setiausaha Agungnya Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yang akan bertanding di kerusi Parlimen Kulim/Bandar Baharu. Saifuddin merupakan penyandang kerusi Parlimen Machang, Kelantan. Ketika berucap pada satu ceramah di Bandar Laguna Merbok dekat sini malam tadi, Ketua Umum PKR Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim turut mengumumkan Naib Presiden parti N. Surendran sebagai calon di kerusi Parlimen Padang Serai. Dua lagi muka baharu ialah Ketua Wanita Cabang Sungai Petani Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina Abdullah (Parlimen Merbok) dan Ketua PKR Cabang Kuala Kedah Dr Azman Ismail (Kuala Kedah), manakala Datuk Johari Abdul kekal bagi mempertahankan kerusi Parlimen Sungai Petani. Pada pilihan raya umum 2008, PKR menang di lima daripada tujuh kerusi parlimen yang ditandinginya. Mereka tewas di kawasan Parlimen Alor Setar dan Langkawi. Di kerusi Parlimen Merbok, PKR menang menerusi Datuk Rashid Din yang menewaskan calon Barisan Nasional Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain dengan majoriti 3,098 undi. Kerusi Parlimen Kulim/Bandar Baharu dan Padang Serai pula masing-masing dimenangi menerusi Datuk Zulkifli Noordin dan N. Gobalakrishnan namun kedua-duanya bertindak keluar parti selepas itu dan menjadi Anggota Parlimen Bebas. Bagi kerusi Parlimen Sungai Petani, Johari menewaskan bekas Menteri Penerangan Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin manakala kawasan Parlimen Kuala Kedah dimenangi oleh Ahmad Kasim. Anwar baru-baru ini mengumumkan Ketua Biro Perundangan PKR Gooi Hsiao Leung sebagai calon di kerusi Parlimen Alor Setar tetapi mendapat bantahan DAP Kedah yang turut mahu bertanding di kerusi itu. |
| Bersih – Anwar’s global fundraising ‘vehicle’? Posted: 07 Apr 2013 02:59 PM PDT 
Former Transparency International president Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim said he was the first choice to head US-funded Malaysian election watchdog for free and fair polls. Athi Shankar, FMT Election watchdog, Bersih, is a vehicle created by Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to obtain foreign funding for his political activities, alleged Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, the former president of Transparency International Malaysia TIM today. Tunku Aziz suggested that Bersih co-chairpersons S Ambiga and A Samad Said could have been wittingly or unwittingly engaged by Anwar, to conceal his international funding network. "Anwar makes good use of his international networking to get these funds. I don't know whether Bersih leaders knew it or not. "But Bersih is Anwar's vehicle to receive international funds under the guise of democracy and free and fair elections. "Bersih is not a non-partisan independent organisation. "It's Anwar's baby," Tunku Aziz, the former DAP vice-chairman and senator, told FMT. He said he knew about Bersih's foreign funding when he was invited for talks by Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah a few years ago on the possibility of heading then an unnamed election watchdog. At the time, Tunku Aziz was still involved in TIM. He had not joined the DAP. He said Nurul Izzah, certain PKR leaders, Anwar's aides and two Americans were present when he attended the meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. International funding Tunku Aziz said he understood that the two Americans were heading different US-based foundations. He said during their discussions, it was the foreigners who were calling the shots and outlining the functions and operations of the imminent watchdog. "In the meeting, I was offered to head the watchdog because they said I have the credentials, integrity and credibility for the post. "They told me that the movement was to ensure free and fair elections in the country," said Tunku Aziz, disclosing that he was offered some US$4,000 monthly plus other perks and allowances for his position READ MORE HERE |
| GE13: Khalid Jaafar: The unknown local in Hulu Selangor Posted: 07 Apr 2013 02:47 PM PDT 
Pathma Subramanian, fz.com YOU would think that being a homegrown candidate would give one the upper hand in the face of a tough challenge in a general election. But Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) Khalid Jaafar has proved that adage wrong not once, but three times. Khalid, widely tipped as PKR's candidate for the parliamentary constituency of Hulu Selangor in the upcoming general election, now faces a different challenge as he tackles a whole new electorate. But he is undaunted and insists he can pull off an upset in the largely rural seat. Though he may seem like a new face in Malaysian politics, the former journalist has experience contesting in (and losing) general elections: he had previously stood as candidate in the constituencies of Batu Berendam and later in Bukit Katil, Malacca since 1999. Now, he's shifting his election hopes to Hulu Selangor. The executive director of the Institute for Policy Research (IKD) however rejected the notion that being parachuted to Hulu Selangor would be a disadvantage after having operated in Malacca for 14 years. "Although the normal thing is to go back to your roots to contest, I think is a fallacy," Khalid told fz.com. "I was born in Batu Berendam, Malacca, yes but at the age of 15 I went to boarding school in Seremban and I would only visit during school holidays. I didn't have much interaction with the peers in my age group in my village. After graduating from college, I started working and eventually settled down in Selangor, where I've been since. "The only time we used to go back after that was for Hari Raya or to visit our parents. I have no engagement with the people (there). "This is what happened to most us in PKR – we went back to our kampung after 10 years and some even 20 years – thinking that people know you but the truth is, they forget you. You were not at their weddings or funerals, you were not there for their youth activities – you're detached." Challenging Ghafar Baba Khalid had his first taste of the political contest in 1999 when he challenged the late Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba for the Batu Berendam parliamentary seat. Khalid, who was standing under the Parti Keadilan Nasional (PKN) banner, lost to the Umno veteran and former deputy prime minister by 7,105 votes. PKN was, at that time, part of a loose coalition known as the Barisan Alternatif, made up of DAP, PKN, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and PAS, which was formed in the wake of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sacking as deputy prime minister and from Umno, and his subsequent arrest. Khalid is a close ally of Anwar, having worked as the latter's press secretary from the time he was education minister in the 1980s until he became deputy prime minister. Yet Khalid remained averse to joining Umno to pursue a career in politics and instead dreamt of life in academia. But the antipathy against politics did not last long as the injustice targetted against his former boss prompted him to take a lead role in helping form PKN in 1999. "I know of all that can go wrong but in 1998 it was something really extraordinary. Right after Anwar's arrest, there was a witch hunt. I had to go into hiding. I left everything behind and hid in Jakarta for six months. "That's when I made a choice to help build a political movement – just ordinary dissent was not enough. We knew we had to take a frontal struggle and politics is the only way it can be done," he said, shuddering at the thought of the distant memory. A delineation exercise prior to the 2004 general polls saw Batu Berendam divided into the parliamentary constituencies of Bukit Katil and Tangga Batu, prompting Khalid to contest again after PKN merged with PRM to form the present PKR. But the 58-year-old tasted defeat once more as he lost against Umno's Datuk Mohd Ruddin Abdul Ghani by a whopping 27,252 votes in the contest for Bukit Katil. Although the saying goes "third time's lucky", this adage too did little to help Khalid when he faced off against Umno's Datuk Md Sirat Abu in the 2008 general election for the same seat. He lost, but this time by 1,758 votes despite the opposition's new pact, Pakatan Rakyat, making substantial inroads to Parliament. "In 2008, I would have won had there been indelible ink. I lost by about 1,700 votes, I needed 900 votes. There were incidences of dubious voters that we heard of but I didn't have enough polling agents at that time," said Khalid sounding rather dejected.
READ MORE HERE |
| Big battle brewing in Kelantan's Gua Musang Posted: 07 Apr 2013 02:41 PM PDT 
(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A battle is shaping up for the Gua Musang parliamentary seat in Kelantan, the bastion of Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, with PAS' Kota Baru MP Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah the likely challenger.
It is learnt that the 61-year-old PAS veteran has abandoned his plan to retire and agreed to contest one last time in the general election. If the battle does take place, it will not be the first in Gua Musang between 74-year-old Tengku Razaleigh, Malaysia's longest serving parliamentarian and Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim. The Kota Baru MP was defeated by the Kelantan prince in the 1986 general election. Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim, a former Kelantan Legislative Assembly Speaker, said on Sunday he was optimistic of beating Tengku Razaleigh this time. He dismissed as "mind games" speculation that Tengku Razaleigh would be dropped in favour of Gua Musang Wanita Umno head Senator Wan Hazani Wan Mohd Nor. "I feel Umno is trying to hoodwink PAS. I am preparing my campaign on the basis of taking on Ku Li," he said. Tengku Razaleigh is affectionately known as Ku Li in Kelantan. Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim, is known here as one of the "Three Abduls" the others being Pengkalan Chepa MP Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman, 74, and Bukit Tunku assemblyman Datuk Abdul Fatah Mahmood, 65. The trio form the core of PAS veterans in the state who have been in politics for three decades. They are credited with having approached Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to contest in Kelantan in the 1970s and had played a role in convincing the latter to become MB after PAS won the state in 1990. Meanwhile, Datuk Abdul Halim said he would not change his stand on wanting to retire while Datuk Abdul Fatah said he would leave it to the party leadership to decide. |
| Academics call upon Barisan and Pakatan to declare policy positions on national finance and debt Posted: 07 Apr 2013 02:36 PM PDT 
Recent financial crises have visited economic calamity upon ordinary citizens in the countries of the East and West alike. Experience tells us that there can be no complacency about a nation's financial state. Concerns voiced in various reports and the media call for special attention to Malaysia's finances and their management. These concerns are: - A record-breaking capital flight out of Malaysia. Financial watchdog Global Financial Integrity (GFI) reported that a total of RM880 billion of funds were illegally transferred out of the country between 2001 and 2010.
- A sharply rising trend in government debt. This debt almost doubled from RM274 billion at the beginning of 2008 to RM502 billion at the end of 2012. International Monetary Fund (IMF) statistics expect it to grow by RM277 billion to RM779 billion in 2017.
- Incomplete information about the Malaysian government's full exposure to debt. The official figures for government debt exclude debts that are called contingent liabilities. These include off-balance-sheet borrowings and the debts of banks, government-linked companies and other private-sector enterprises that the government has guaranteed to pay off in the event that these entities default. One estimate of these hidden debts in 2011 placed it at RM117 billion.
- Rapid growth of the share of total government debt owed to foreign holders. This has soared from 0.1% in 2003 to 6.7% in 2006, 11.8% in 2009, and 26.8% in 2012. Although 97% of this debt remains Ringgit-denominated, this trend is a cause for concern, and compromises future policy autonomy as well as heightens exposure to capital flight in the event of financial panic.
- Possible massive losses by 1Malaysia Development Bhd. Recent revelations indicate that this strategic company, wholly owned by the government of Malaysia and tasked to lead in market driven initiatives to help transform the Malaysian economy, may have incurred losses of as much as RM4 billion through mispricing of its bond issue.
- Inconsistencies in Bank Negara reports regarding Malaysia's total debt. While one portion of Bank Negara's statistics tallies with the official total debt of RM695.4 billion for 2011 and RM737.6 billion for 2012, elsewhere in its reports it is implied that Malaysia's total debt is more than twice larger, at about RM2.025 trillion for 2011 and RM1.743 trillion for 2012. The latter would ordinarily be considered crisis-level figures.
- Fears of an imminent credit bubble in Malaysia and other East Asian countries. Households in Malaysia have amassed a consumer debt in excess of RM600 billion according to an IMF country report. Various financial analyses claim that Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan are at risk of a household debt crisis.
- The lack of sustainability of Malaysia's GDP growth. Rapid liquidations of natural capital such as petroleum and forests to finance deficit spending or to fulfill debt obligations have adverse economic and ecological implications for present and future generations. Moreover, unproductive investments and expenditures are recorded as positive GDP in the national accounts even if they yield returns that do not cover borrowing costs.
- A lack of discipline in adhering to Malaysia's statutory ceiling for debt. The ceiling has been raised on the debt limit from 40% of GDP set in 2003 to 45% in 2008 and subsequently to the present 55% in 2009.
The above details signal an alarming trend. Decisive action is required to safeguard Malaysia's development potential and forestall a crisis situation such as in Greece. In line with public interest, therefore, and as a first step towards democratising the management of government finances, we, the undersigned, call upon Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, the main contenders for government in the 13th Malaysian general elections, to openly lay out detailed policy positions on how they intend to manage the nation's finances. In their policy briefs on national finance and debt, the two political coalitions must provide the following minimum feedback: 1. Justify the projections for the borrowings that they anticipate making in the coming five years under their respective watch; 2. Spell out plans for tackling fiscal deficits and ballooning government and household debts; 3. Explain how their election manifesto promises on government spending will be consistent with sustainable debt and resource management; 4. Declare their commitment to investigating illegal financial outflows and repatriating these monies as prescribed by the United Nations Convention against Corruption; 5. State explicitly whether they will support the foundations of public transparency and accountability in our national finances by (i) establishing a continuously updated 'debt register' that will be publicly available on the Internet, which records the stock of debts, the sources of these debts, interest/dividend payments made on these and details of the uses made of these borrowings; (ii) establishing a multi-partisan parliamentary committee for debt oversight and approval; (iii) holding public fora and referenda on spending or debt decisions of great import; and (iv) other possible measures. We urge the two major political coalitions to produce their national finance and debt policy briefs focusing on the proposals set out above as soon as possible. The voters of this country deserve to go to the voting booths with better knowledge of what to expect in the management of Malaysia's finance and debts from the new government in power. Signatories Dr Cheong Kee Cheok Dr Fatimah Kari Dr Terence Gomez Dr KJ John Dr Cassey Lee Dr Lee Hwok Aun Dr Lim Teck Ghee Dr Rajah Rasiah Pak Sako Dr. Rozilini M Fernandez- Chung Dr. Yew Siew Yong |
| After Nik Aziz, poser over Kelantan’s next leader Posted: 07 Apr 2013 01:19 PM PDT 
(The Malaysian Insider) - After two decades of Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat's administration in Kelantan, the state ruling party may be better served if it readies a new leader to replace its ageing mentri besar, a Singapore paper has suggested. In a news analysis today, the Straits Times' Salim Osman wrote that doubts have been rising over the 82-year-old PAS leader's grip on power and ability to continue taking Kelantan, described as "a rural state of farmers, fishermen and small businessmen", forward and meet the aspirations of its much younger electorate who form two-thirds of the state's population. "People outside Kelantan are wondering how PAS can maintain its hold for more than two decades when records show that, in terms of achievement, there is nothing much in the ruling party's history that can show it provided good governance," the writer quoted former Election Commission chief Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman as saying in a newspaper commentary in January. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/after-nik-aziz-poser-over-kelantans-next-leader/ |
| Impian Hindraf ke Parlimen Posted: 07 Apr 2013 01:16 PM PDT 
Adakah Uthayakumar bertanding atas tiket Hindraf atau HRP? Tambahan pula, slogan yang digunakan adalah "MP Hindraf Pertama" bukan "MP HRP Pertama". Uthaya Sankar SB, FMT Keputusan HRP untuk bertanding menentang calon Pakatan Rakyat mendapat reaksi awal daripada beberapa individu di Facebook. Sebelum ini, bermula 20 Januari 2013, saya menumpukan pada usaha membuat ramalan mengenai calon-calon MIC yang bakal bertanding di beberapa kerusi Parlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN); khususnya di Selangor. Tepat dua bulan kemudian, saya mendapat pengesahan bahawa pemimpin Parti Hak Asasi yang lebih dikenali dengan nama Human Rights Party (HRP) akan turut bertanding kerusi Parlimen Kota Raja dan DUN Sri Andalas. Kempen untuk P Uthayakumar dibuat menggunakan slogan "Undi MP Hindraf Pertama ke Parlimen" dan "Peluang Terakhir Hantar Calon Hindraf Pertama ke Parlimen". Saya turut menerima risalah kempen yang diedarkan juga di sekitar Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam pada 5 April 2013. Risalah itu didakwa "disediakan oleh P Uthayakumar (20/5/12)". Petikan kata-kata yang paling mengganggu fikiran saya sehingga membuatkan saya memaparkan foto berkenaan di Facebook adalah "Jangan undi BN. Di kawasan selain Kota Raja dan Sri Andalas undi atau tidak adalah pilihan anda." Serta-merta saya mendapat komen daripada beberapa rakan. Kebanyakan daripada mereka menganggap tindakan Uthayakumar bertanding di Kota Raja dan Sri Andalas sebagai "tindakan yang tidak tepat". Hal ini kerana langkah HRP akan memecah undi kaum India (khususnya) dan memberi laluan mudah kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) untuk merampas kerusi-kerusi berkenaan yang disandang oleh calon Pakatan Rakyat (PR). "Tentulah nasib kaum India lebih buruk nanti berbanding apa yang dikatakan oleh HRP dalam risalah mereka. Apa-apa pun, soal di sini bukan mengenai kaum; sebaliknya tentang perpaduan. Kita perlu memikirkan soal bekerjasama dan tolong-menolong sebagai satu bangsa," kata Alexzander Johnson. Adib Adam yang lahir di Kuala Lumpur dan kini tinggal di Meru, Klang menggunakan perumpamaan "yang dikejar tak dapat, yang dikendong berciciran" bagi menggambarkan tindakan HRP. "Kita sedia maklum bahawa apabila BN kuat, masyarakat minoriti akan terpinggir. Walau gegak-gempita bagaimana pun suara MIC, PPP dan parti-parti minoriti lain dalam BN, suara mereka kurang didengar Umno iaitu parti dominan. "Kita dapat melihat perubahan dalam kalangan masyarakat minoriti di Selangor dan Pulau Pinang sejak 2008. Oleh itu, adalah penting untuk HRP bersama-sama PR. Tidak perlu mendesak," kata pemuda itu yang menguruskan perniagaan sendiri. Dalam beberapa tulisan, saya selalu menyebut Hindraf sebagai pemangkin kepada semangat kebangkitan minoriti kaum India untuk berani bersuara dan menuntut hak. Perkara ini turut diakui dan dipersetujui Emmanuel Joseph, seorang eksekutif teknologi maklumat (IT) dari Klang. "Hindraf bermula sebagai kebangkitan peringkat nasional tetapi kemudian menjadi entiti yang memperjuangkan hak kaum tertentu sahaja; walaupun HRP menggunakan nama 'hak asasi'. Jika HRP yang diterajui Uthayakumar ikhlas dalam perjuangan membela nasib kaum India secara keseluruhan, mereka patut bertanding menentang calon kaum India di semua kerusi," kata pemuda kelahiran Klang itu. "Kami boleh nafikan peluang PR di Selangor, Putrajaya"
Kuasa sebenar Wakil HRP, A Sugumaran turut tampil berusaha memberikan penjelasan dalam perbincangan terbuka yang berlaku di dinding Facebook saya. "Good job, Hindraf. People worry or talk about 'you' only when you hit them where it hurts the most – seat/power!" (Syabas, Hindraf. Orang ramai ambil tahu atau mula bercakap mengenai 'kamu' hanya apabila kamu terkam mereka di tempat yang paling menyakitkan – kerusi/kuasa!) Demikian kata guru swasta berkenaan yang tinggal di Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam. Perlu disedari bahawa seperti yang ditegaskan oleh Emmanuel, "kuasa" sebenar terletak di Putrajaya (Kerajaan Persekutuan) dan bukan hanya di Parlimen. Katanya, jika Hindraf atau HRP mahu membuktikan apa-apa, maka mereka perlu menumpukan pada Putrajaya. "Atau apakah Hindraf hanya percaya pada perwakilan berasaskan kaum semata-mata?" Emmanuel bertanya soalan retorik yang juga sudah mula bermain dalam fikiran saya; kerana saya secara peribadi mahukan Ahli Parlimen dan ADUN yang mampu mewakili Bangsa Malaysia tanpa mengira etnik, kaum dan agama. Sugumaran yang berasal dari Bedong, Kedah menegaskan bahawa HRP "terpaksa" bersikap memihak/mewakili kaum kerana "kaum-kaum lain tidak ambil kisah isu kaum India". "Umno dan BN sudah pasti tidak boleh diharapkan. PR pula mahu mewujudkan 'Samyveluisme' yang baru! Kita tidak boleh membiarkan perkara itu berlaku. Hindraf tidak boleh menang secara bersendirian tetapi boleh menafikan peluang PR menguasai Selangor atau Putrajaya," tegasnya. Kata-kata itu seolah-olah mengesahkan apa yang dibimbangi ramai; iaitu agenda HRP adalah untuk "menghalang" PR dan bukannya untuk "menentang" BN. Tumpuan HRP juga seolah-olah hanya terhadap masyarakat India. Persoalan itu juga diketengahkan oleh Alexzander dalam dialog yang berlaku secara terbuka. Jika dan apabila Uthayakumar menang di Kota Raja atau Sri Andalas, adalah dia akan berkhidmat kepada semua penduduk/pengundi di kawasannya atau hanya bagi kaum India? "Politik berasaskan kaum adalah amat bodoh! Hindraf bermula dengan niat dan perjuangan yang amat murni dan mulia. Hindraf harus kekal sebagai pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO). Tindakan HRP menunjukkan seolah-olah niat sebenar adalah untuk kerusi/kedudukan dan bukannya perjuangan hak minoriti," katanya. Pandangan kebanyakan rakan-rakan yang memberikan komen (termasuk menerusi mesej peribadi) adalah bahawa tindakan HRP akan memecah undi bukan hanya di Kota Raja dan Sri Andalas, tetapi juga di Kelana Jaya, Kuala Selangor, Sri Muda, Seri Setia, Bukit Melawati dan Ijok di mana HRP mahu bertanding. Pengesahan yang dibuat oleh Sugumaran juga membuktikan bahawa niat HRP secara jelas mahu melakukan 'serangan' ke atas kerusi-kerusi yang ditandingi/dipertahankan calon PR. Maknanya bukanlah mahu "melawan" Umno seperti dikatakan dan dipercayai sebelum ini. Demikian analisis Emmanuel yang berkata bahawa selain daripada berkempen menentang BN, dia juga kini akan berkempen lebih hebat menentang HRP. "Bagi saya, kedudukan HRP pada masa sekarang lebih buruk daripada MIC. MIC boleh diumpamakan seperti menerima tulang dan mencium kaki Umno. Pejuang Hindraf dalam HRP pernah masuk penjara (ISA), dicemuh dan dihina dengan pelbagai kata-kata berbentuk rasis. Tetapi HRP kini seolah-olah turut mencium kaki Umno. Jadi, siapa yang lebih teruk: MIC atau HRP?" Saya memahami kekecewaan yang diluahkan oleh Emmanuel dengan penuh kemarahan. Saya sendiri tidak akan mengundi mana-mana calon yang didapati berubah pendirian semata-mata untuk kepentingan diri. Saya akan memilih calon yang berwibawa. Jangan terkeliru antara Hindraf dan HRP Harus dinyatakan bahawa Hindraf dan HRP adalah dua pertubuhan yang berbeza. HRP boleh dianggap sebagai serpihan daripada Hindraf apabila gerakan itu berpecah dahulu. Atas sebab itulah penggunaan "Hindraf" pada risalah HRP sedikit mengelirukan. 
Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/04/08/impian-hindraf-ke-parlimen/ |
| Courage Rises Up Again And Again Posted: 07 Apr 2013 01:03 PM PDT 
Now with the mother of all General Elections in our nation's history just a matter of weeks away, we are at that point where we are glaring into the bully dog's eyes. It is more than just a contest between the two contending coalitions but it is a showdown between the people who want change and the people who don't. Thomas Fann Have you ever been confronted by a menacing snarling dog who is ready to pounce on you? And for the briefest of moment, both of you glared into each other's eyes. In your heart you felt sure the dog will sink his teeth into you and you would be his lunch. But then something arises in you, a courage you never knew you had, and with your eyes fixed unflinchingly on his eyes, you lunge forward towards the dog and... lo and behold, he turned around and ran off with his tail tucked between his legs. Seizing the moment for complete victory, you gave chase, shouting after the terrified beast. Hurray, you have become top dog in your neighbourhood. Nice thought but I doubt if many of us have had such stories to tell because most of the time we just make sure we don't ever have to come face to face with such a snarling dog. We would "elak" or avoid such a confrontation by making a detour if we know that the neighbourhood bully dog is lying there. This article is not about dogs but about fear and courage. Fear is a very human emotion and a necessary one to keep us safe and alive. But when fear becomes the dominant emotion in our life, it paralyses us from doing what is right. Not many would admit to being fearful but would gloss over our fears with such rational sounding terms like - "We just have to be wise" or "Why be a hero?" Meanwhile, that neighbourhood bully dog still reigns. But there is a gentle but steady wind of change blowing and something is stirring deep inside us. Could it be courage? The political landscape of our country in the last five years has been nothing short of extraordinary. Malaysians from all walks of life have, as if, woken up from a fifty year old coma. Suddenly we realised that the world has changed so much after our fifty years of slumber and we don't like how it has changed. Instead of going back to our sleep, some of us decided to do something about it, we decided to confront the neighbourhood bully dog. We are tired of making long detours and pretending that we are not afraid.. Yes, courage, the only antidote for the paralysing disease of fear, has arrived. Read more at: http://thomasfann.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/courage-rises-up-2/ |
| GE13: PAS aims to be dominant Posted: 07 Apr 2013 01:00 PM PDT 
(The Star) - PAS is positioning itself as the dominant party in Pakatan Rakyat, by seeking to contest more than a third of the 222 parliamentary seats. Its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that the party would contest 76 parliamentary seats and that negotiations were still going on for it to contest a total of 237 state seats. In the 2008 general election, PKR contested 97 parliamentary seats the biggest number in the Opposition pact and won 31. PAS candidates stood in 66 parliamentary seats and won 23 while DAP contested 47 and won 28. As for state seats, PAS contested the most with 232, against PKR's 171 and DAP's 102. If the party gets its way in the 13th general election, it would contest in an additional 10 parliamentary and five state seats. "We will not let go of any seat but we are willing to swap," he said when asked if PAS was prepared to give up a seat in Kedah to DAP following a deadlock in discussions with PKR. Hadi, who was in Kedah to launch Pakatan Rakyat's manifesto on Saturday night declared that PAS would definitely not work with the "devil" it knew. Asked if he was likening Umno to a devil, Hadi said he was merely repeating part of a phrase often used by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to urge voters to support Barisan Nasional.  A DAP rocket symbol is seen at the Jalan Paya Terubong in Penang.Hadi also dismissed objections by former PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa against PAS' willingness to allow DAP to use its logo in the general election. "DAP is allowed to use PAS logo on the basis of mutual understanding," he said, adding that Nasharuddin had no right to air his view as he was only an ordinary member now with no access to the latest developments in the party. Earlier, Hadi said PAS' candidates list was more than 99% completed, adding that the candidates would be named even before Barisan unveils its list. Barisan is scheduled to announce its candidates on Wednesday. Hadi is tipped to defend his Marang parliamentary seat, while the party's deputy Mursyidul Am, Datuk Harun Din is likely to contest the Arau parliamentary seat. PAS has confirmed that it would retain Khalid Samad in Shah Alam, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud in Kota Raja and Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof in Rantau Panjang. Others expected to be retained are Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar (Tumpat), Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (Kuala Krai), Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor) andDatuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Parit Buntar) PAS is expected to field Brig Jen (Rtd) Datuk Najmi Ahmad in Baling, Federal Territory deputy PAS commissioner Ahmad Zamri Asa'ad Khuzaimi in Titiwangsa, Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi in Temerloh and Mohd Nasir Zakaria in Padang Terap. Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali is tipped to contest the Kuala Nerus parliamentary seat in Terengganu. PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu is tipped to contest the Pendang parliamentary seat in Kedah, while vice-president Salahuddin Ayub is likely to contest the Pulai parliamentary seat in Johor. |
| Who To Vote For in The Next Election Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:54 PM PDT 
The most effective check on those in power is the knowledge that they could be replaced in an election. The more this is a reality and not just in theory, the more effective is this critical role. M. Bakri Musa
www.bakrimusa.com Elections A System for Checks and Balances
[First of Four Parts] When he dissolved Parliament on April 3, 2013, to make way for a general election, Prime Minister Najib advised us to "think and ponder appropriately" before casting our votes. We can practice two mental exercises to help us "think and ponder appropriately." One, imagine the best and worse possible consequences of our vote, that is, perform a "downstream analysis" of our decision. Two, reflect on the greater role of election as an effective bulwark against abuse of power by those in authority. I will discuss the broader role of elections first. Subsequent essays will be a downstream analysis of the only three possible outcomes to this election: Barisan Nasional returning to power; Pakatan Rakyat to prevail; and a "hung" parliament. The most effective check on those in power is the knowledge that they could be replaced in an election. The more this is a reality and not just in theory, the more effective is this critical role. Elections serve as periodic useful reminders. Even where elections are fair and free, but if the same leaders and party were to be re-elected over and over, they would sooner or later succumb to sclerosis and abuse of power, regardless how competent and well meaning they were initially. It is the rare leader who could escape this all-too-human tendency. We must have actual periodic change in government through elections, and not just the promise. With rigged and fraudulent elections, or where the process is merely illusory, as with having only one candidate per slot (Russian elections of yore and the election of UMNO President), the less effective they would be in keeping those in power accountable. Saddam Hussein bragged that those who did not like him could always vote him out, but Iraqi elections under him were a sham. Had he kept those elections honest, he would have discovered his people's true sentiment much earlier, and the price to both him and his country would have been considerably less. The British decided through elections that their popular and effective wartime leader Churchill would not be the best person to lead them during peacetime. They wisely concluded that he would quickly turn the Cold War into a "hot" one, as reflected by his hawkish and haughty Iron Curtain speech. Yes, the British were grateful to him for leading and inspiring them during the war, but that gratitude could be expressed in many other ways. Elections are for selecting the best future leaders, not for expressing gratitude for or rewarding past performance, no matter how exemplary. Foremost and at the practical level, election is a way to pass judgment on the incumbent. It is not, as some have suggested, a contest between the incumbent and challenger. It is for the incumbent to prove that he deserves another term independent of the merit or capability of the challenger. The incumbent's performance is a matter of record, and can be readily scrutinized. If the incumbent has proven to be less than capable, then he should be voted out even if the challenger is thought of as potentially not up to the task of taking over. The argument would be that the incumbent has proven himself incapable while the challenger is only regarded (meaning, only potentially) as such. There is the possibility that our initial assessment could be wrong and that the challenger would prove otherwise. There are many ready examples of previously underrated candidates later shining in office; Harry Truman being one. The first and only question voters must ask before casting their votes in this next election is whether the current Barisan government is deserving of another term. All other matters, as whether other parties are capable of taking over, are irrelevant and besides, conjectural. Consider three critical areas: economy, education, and level of corruption. Barisan's economic leadership is passable. It is exemplary only when compared to that of Zimbabwe. Granted, by the figures Malaysia outperforms America and Western Europe (and even Singapore), but remember those countries are already cruising at high altitude. We are still ascending. We need faster growth. We should compare ourselves to China and Panama. Even Ghana and Laos surpassed us last year. More pertinent especially to those under the sway of Perkasa and Ketuanan Melayu, is the aggregate economic performance of Malays. After nearly six decades of UMNO rule, we still could not achieve our modest 30 percent goal. Then there is education. No one, not even the Minister of Education himself, is satisfied with our schools. Those who can afford it have long ago abandoned the national stream. Again looking from the Perkasa and Ketuanan Melayu angle, only poor Malays are stuck with that rapidly declining system. Consequently, while a generation ago I could still find many Malays at the leading universities of the world; today Malays there are as rare as honesty among UMNO politicians. The much-heralded growth of the private sector in education is not a sign of health rather the contrary. It reflects a deteriorating public system. Alberta and Singapore do not have robust private-sector education because their public systems are so much superior. Talking about corruption, well, there is no point dwelling on it anymore. We are past the tipping point; we are now where Nigeria was in the 1980s. The only way to stop corruption is to deprive UMNO of power. The recent Court of Appeal decision granting one Eskay Abdullah, an UMNO strongman and a member of the slimy "Datuk T's" trio, his RM20 million "commission" on the aborted crooked bridge in Johor reflects the rot in UMNO. We cannot blame non-Malays for seeing that as the characteristic of contemporary Malay politics and ethics. Elections are like multiple choice tests, to pick the best candidate from the list offered. The incumbent always argue that his past performance had been superior or at any rate better than what his opponents could ever hope to achieve; the challenger offers the promise of a brighter future. Voters have to balance the risk of changing horse midstream versus being stuck with a lame one to face an incoming flood. Read more at: http://www.bakrimusa.com/archives/who-to-vote-for-in-the-next-election |
| Taib distorting the message on Change Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:51 PM PDT 
It's important to make an example of some politicians from time to time so that they will take not take the people for granted and forget who put them in power. Joe Fernandez Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud used his interview with MobTv.my to distort the message of change coming from the younger generation. Watch at: http://www.mobtv.my/talkshow-3094.html He focused on his theme that Sarawak has undergone a lot of change since becoming a member of the Federation of Malaysia and the process continues. He talked about the number of roads built, provision of water and electricity supplies, sponsorship of six universities etc etc The dumb interviewer appeared to be assisting Taib with his propaganda and even stating that the younger generation doesn't seem to understand what change means. The issue that Taib avoided is that by change what the young people in particular means is that they want him, his family, relatives, friends and cronies and the fat cats and sycophants hanging around him to go. They want this lot out of politics and government. Instead, Taib was going on and on about how much change he has brought and is bringing and will continue to bring. Is he suggesting that the Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) must continue to ruleSarawak forever? Where's the change of government that all civilised and democratic societies seek? Is he suggesting that Sarawak remains his family's ancestral property and that no one should rule the country except him and his family? Power corrupts and absolutely power corrupts absolutely. A change of government will allow the people to audit the PBB Government and bring wrongdoers to book for abuse of power, abuse of trust, conflict of interest, lack of integrity, corruption and treason. It's important to make an example of some politicians from time to time so that they will take not take the people for granted and forget who put them in power. Sabah and Sarawak are the poorest nations in Malaysia because of the proxy and stooge politics of the traitors and which sees all revenues flowing into the Federal coffers to keep the people perpetually down and unable to leave Malaysia. A change of Government in Sarawak will enable the people to regain control of the resources and revenues of their country which will be brought back to Kuching from Putrajaya; contribute only towards defence, foreign affairs, and national economic planning; review all development plans of the PBB, retain what can be retained either fully, in part or to various degrees; amend what should be amended; and scrap what should be scrapped; what remains of the PBB development plan can be an addendum to the plans of the new government. |
| Defeating the people’s will Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:47 PM PDT 
In the GE12 held in 2008, the people of Perak voted for a Pakatan Rakyat state government. The Umno-dominated BN decided to use dirty politics to subvert the people's choice. Tota Tota urges the people of Perak to teach the BN a lesson at the polls for subverting the will of the people expressed in the last general election. In the GE12 held in 2008, the people of Perak voted for a Pakatan Rakyat state government. The Umno-dominated BN decided to use dirty politics to subvert the people's choice. Many evil forces – BN, led by Najib, the state secretary, the police, parasites with power, and immoral and unscrupulous political frogs – conspired, connived and colluded to steal the rightfully elected government allegedly through bribery and corruption. GE13 will be held soon. As a patriotic Malaysian, I see the people of Perak placed in a unique position to ensure once and for all no politician or party would again dare to defeat the people's will through crooked means. Such an opportunity does not come often to a state to make history. Vote every BN candidate out. Better still ensure everyone of them loses his/her deposit! This will send the strongest message to political scoundrels that if they ever break the people's will, they will be punished mercilessly. Let Perak lead the way. It will be Perak's greatest contribution to ensuring that Malaysia is a genuine democracy where elections are free and fair. Come on, people of Perak, show that People Power (Makkal Sakti) is supreme and that people are the boss and politicians are their servants. Let Perak be the heart of true nationalism and patriotism. I quote below M Bakri Musa, noted surgeon and writer: The lack of political sophistication and wisdom gets worse as we examine Mahathir's successors. More recently there were the political crises in Perak and Selangor, both the consequence of the political tsunami of the 2008 general elections. Again, both demonstrated the failure of Malay leadership. In Perak, the Sultan proved unable to escape his feudal mentality. He treated his 'People's Representatives' in the state assembly as his henchman, ready to do his bidding, – legality and political ramifications aside. The political crisis quickly degenerated. Instead of being part of the solution, he was quickly reduced to being part of the problem, and a very significant one at that. The Perak crisis demonstrated another significant point. It is often assumed that if only we have qualified and experienced people in charge, then no matter how battered or inadequate our institutions are, these individuals will rise to the challenge. In Perak, we have a sultan who by any measure is the most qualified and experienced, having served as the nation's top judge and later, King. Yet his critical decision following the 2008 election, which demanded the most judicious of judgment, proved unwise and premature. And that is putting it mildly and politely. The principal political protagonists there were Barisan Nasional's Zambry Kadir, a Temple University PhD, and Pakatan's Nizar Jamaluddin, a professional engineer fluent in multiple languages. The election saw the defeat of the incumbent Barisan government with Pakatan's Nizar taking over as Menteri Besar. The state of affairs was short-lived. Through shady machinations, Barisan successfully persuaded a few Pakatan representatives to switch sides. That triggered a political tussle that quickly degenerated into a major constitutional crisis. It did not have to end that way; the wise course would have been to call for a formal vote of 'no confidence' in the assembly and then have fresh elections called. The Barisan folks, however, were unsure of their standing with voters. There were real concerns that voters would not approve of the 'representative buying' and Barisan risked even greater losses. So, in cahoots with the Sultan, Barisan concocted a novel scheme where he, the sultan, would decide which party had the citizens' confidence dispensing with a formal Assembly vote. From there it was a short but steep slide to seeing the Pakatan speaker of the Assembly being manhandled and dragged out, with chairs thrown all round. The sultan (actually his representative, the crown prince), was reduced to cooling his heels in an adjoining room, unable to address the Assembly because of the mayhem. The pathetic part to the whole ugly spectacle was the despicable behaviour of members of the permanent establishment, form the sultan's counsellors and State Secretary to the Legal Advisor and Chief of Police. They should have played an impartial and mediating role, to act as an effective buffer mechanism. Instead they too became thickly embroiled, getting hopelessly ensnared in the mess through their highly partisan performances. As for the judiciary, it failed to appreciate the urgency or gravity of the crisis. The case did not merit an expedited hearing and was left to meander through the usual slow judicial process. By contrast, the lawsuit triggered by the 2000 American presidential elections over the Florida ballots ended at the Supreme Court for a definitive decision in a matter of days, not months. When you examine the credentials of the principal players in the Perak mess, they were all impressive. In performance, however, they were no different from the thugs in an ugly street brawl. Their impressive diplomas meant nothing; they only looked impressive when framed and hung on office walls. Excerpt from 'Liberating the Malay Mind' by M Bakri Musa.
P.S. Every Malaysian must read this excellent book to understand the serious ailments plaguing our beloved country. Tota is the pseudonym of an occasional contributor to Thinking Allowed Online. |
| Taib set to sacrifice Baram, retain unpopular dam project Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:36 PM PDT 
Joe Fernandez
I am surprised to receive a text message from an Orang Ulu friend in Sarawak confiding that he would be voting for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in Baram although all indications are that the Opposition would sweep the seat. The message goes: "Boss - in OU Oiltown here wen ask abt Baram they flatly say KALAH!! And Miri again they say KALAH oso. Y v pessimestic? Hw like dat Boss? No choice now must hv to pour $$$... And lots n lots of it.. Unlike b4 BN went to war wit 110% of winning but nw it's 50:50 chance wic s no gud news. Hw boss?" "DLW -vs- Sahabat Alam Harrison Ngau logging n land issues. Now d bloody damned Dam issue. My vote is for BN but I'm betting wit d CKPs for pkr at rmxxxK... Hw boss?" The main issue is the proposed Baram Dam project which has run into stiff opposition from the Orang Ulu people. Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is unlikely to back down on the dam project. He would prefer to sacrifice the seat. However, if the Opposition takes Baram as expected, the Taib Dynasty has no business going ahead with the dam project in that seat. He will be asking for real trouble if the dam project proceeds. It's surprising that the text message sender, an MBA and former banker, wants to vote BN. BN has been in power for 56 years in Malaya and 50 years in Borneo. So, we need to throw it out and get the new Government to conduct due diligence and an audit of the 56 years and 50 years to know what monkey tricks the BN has been up to over the years behind the people's back. The due diligence and audit will facilitate the new government bringing wrongdoers from the BN to book to make an example of them. There's no doubt that the BN politicians have been stealing the people's money over the last half century. In desperation, for self-preservation, unelected caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak keeps throwing goodies including cash at the people, bribing them with their own money. The people, who are being insulted in this manner, know better. Henceforth, no party or coalition should be allowed to rule in Putrajaya or any state for more than two or three terms or 12 years at the very maximum. This will help reduce the number of politicians that the people will have to lock up every time there's a change of Government. We cannot allow a situation where the more things appear to change, the more they remain the same. That's self-preservation. We need to mature as a democracy. That will not happen as long as BN is in power. However, there's nothing to prevent BN returning to power in Putrajaya after a spell warming the Opposition benches for a change. They eat to eat humble pie for two to three terms. Taib himself has been Chief Minister of Sarawak, the second poorest state in Malaysia according to the World Bank in Dec 2010, since 1981 and shows no signs of stepping down despite a bout with colon cancer and the loss of his wife to lung cancer. Even as his wife laying dying, suffering for many years before succumbing to the disease, Taib was busy shacking up with a Lebanese lady, forty five years his junior. His predecessor was his maternal uncle Abdul Rahman Yakub who was Chief Minister for ten years until a Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) rebellion against him, during Hussein Onn's premiership, forced him to step down. Hussein was firm that Rahman Yakub should go despite the latter hosting a massive 50,000 strong rally of Malays at the old airport to demonstrate his strength. Taib, a Melanau Muslim grandson of a Christian, never forgot how his uncle was humiliated and forced out of office by the Chinese. So, he made it his mission to destroy Supp and the kingmaker role of the Chinese in Sarawak politics. In that he has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. So, the Sarawak Chinese see little point in backing a BN Government where they will have no influence whatsoever. Taib has become Public Enemy Number One to not only the Chinese but a substantial number of the Orang Ulu, Bidayuh and the Melanau, all better-educated Dayaks, unlike the Iban who still lag behind in literacy rates, and many Malays in the urban areas. The Sarawak Malays are mainly coastal-dwelling Bidayuh and Iban who became Muslim several hundred years ago. Sarawak Malay is an Iban dialect. There are no local opposition parties to challenge Taib. So, the field has been left wide open for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to take on the BN in a one-to-one fight. The people of Sarawak have put the Borneo Agenda, mooted by Sabah strongman Jeffrey Kitingan, on the backburner as they wrestle with the immediate task of ending Taib's rule. The Borneo Agenda stands against everything that the parti parti Malaya in Borneo and Putrajaya stands for. Taib has historically never done well in a straight fight. In 1987, he was almost defeated by an alliance made up of the Malay-based Permas and the Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS). Polls over, Taib was quick to invite PBDS to rejoin the state BN in order to break its alliance with the Malays. He then put his machinery into motion and had PBDS deregistered several years later using rogue elements and his massive financial resources. |
| PR & HINDRAF: The Missed Opportunity Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:31 PM PDT 
And because the blueprint is couched in terms of "Indian demands" as MIC has traditionally done so, it is easy for BN to accede to their blueprint. In fact, it is back to the quintessential "Alliance formula" of 1957 except that BN will then have a new associate tagged onto the MIC. Dr Kua Kia Soong, SUARAM Adviser I attended one of HINDRAF's dinners a few weeks ago at which they explained their blueprint for the 13GE. After the presentation, I posed the hypothetical question which seemed like quite a likely scenario: "What if the BN embraces your blueprint? What then?" Waythayamoorthy's reply was clear: "We would rather PR accepts our blueprint after all we have gone through under BN since Independence…" or words to that effect. Well, now the election has been called and what is the scenario? BN is at the point of embracing HINDRAF's blueprint, whether in toto or in part. What is politically bewildering is that PR has rebuffed HINDRAF and has not included any proposals from the blueprint in their manifesto or that challenges the institutional racism (in particular, the NEP) that has been part of BN policy since 1971. The rationale was that HINDRAF's blueprint was based on race while their manifesto was based on need of all classes. After HINDRAF's criticism of the PR manifesto, the Indian leaders in PR gave the lame excuse that they were not in the drafting committee of the PR manifesto. This was hardly convincing, while giving the public a poor image of the way in which policies are made within the PR coalition. Soon after that, the DAP has seen fit to include several "pro-Indian" proposals in their post facto "Gelang Patah Declaration" and after they had done that, HINDRAF accused the DAP of plagiarising from their blueprint. The bizarre and total inconsistency of this Gelang Patah Declaration is the fact that it was promulgated as a DAP rather than a PR policy statement! Why wasn't it a PR declaration? Is the declaration only acceptable by the DAP but not PKR and PAS? Why was this not "racist" when the PR had said that the HINDRAF blueprint was racist? Politically, it looked ridiculous while providing more grist for BN fire against the PR coalition. Whatever happens to this blossoming BN-HINDRAF romance, we will have to see if the union is eventually solemnised. It should not if the HINDRAF leaders have any political nous and honesty regarding UMNO's cynical use of institutional racism through their 56 year reign, which is the root cause of national oppression of the ethnic minorities. If BN can accept HINDRAF's blueprint, something's wrong with the blueprint I have pointed out in an earlier article that the main failure in HINDRAF's blueprint is its failure to demand the eradication of Institutional Racism. I have shared several fora with HINDRAF leaders at which we have condemned institutional racism in Malaysia. And despite their efforts in recent years highlighting the entrenchment of racial discrimination in the Constitution, I am surprised that the Hindraf Blueprint does not call for the abolition of the "New Economic Policy". PR cannot claim to be holier than thou because neither does PR condemn this institutional racism and announce their readiness to abolish the NEP in their manifesto. Any corrective action in all economic and education policies must be based on need or sector or class and not on race with priority given to indigenous people, marginalised and poor communities. Since their blueprint extols human rights, Hindraf should put forward their demands for all minorities and not just the Indian community. Thus we find a gaping "disconnect" between Hindraf's noble challenge to racial discrimination entrenched in the Constitution and their "Indians Only" proposals in the blueprint. And because the blueprint is couched in terms of "Indian demands" as MIC has traditionally done so, it is easy for BN to accede to their blueprint. In fact, it is back to the quintessential "Alliance formula" of 1957 except that BN will then have a new associate tagged onto the MIC. I have also earlier pointed out that to be consistent in their human rights stand, Hindraf should also call for: • the repeal of Amendment (8A) of Article 153 that was passed during the state of emergency in 1971 and was not in the original 1957 federal constitution; • institutionalizing means testing for any access to scholarships or other entitlements; • implementing merit-based recruitment in civil & armed services; • enacting an Equality Act to promote equality and non-discrimination irrespective of race, creed, religion, gender or disability with provision for an Equality & Human Rights Commission; • institutionalising equality and human rights education at all decision-making levels, including state and non-state actors/ institutions; • ratifying the Convention on the Eradication of Racial Discrimination (CERD). If the HINDRAF blueprint was couched in these human rights terms, do you think BN would accept it? Certainly not because BN has always been a "racial formula", the coalition is the sum of its racialist parts – "UMNO, MCA, MIC and associates". Is PR suffering from a mental block on the National Question? But why is PR averse to coopting HINDRAF's blueprint and now losing the opportunity of a historic alliance with HINDRAF? Is it because PR is more purist than BN on the national question? I don't think so because if the PR manifesto can take into account "FELDA settlers", there is no reason why it cannot make considerations for "displaced plantation communities" or "the stateless", etc. that is in the post facto Gelang Patah declaration. The DAP, as usual, are "wise after the event", a euphemism for opportunism! Or could it be that incorporating HINDRAF would pose a threat to the jostling for seats among the Indian leaders in PR? If this "realpolitik" is indeed one of the reasons for the PR-HINDRAF fallout, it is a let-down of serious proportions for all Malaysians who hope for change in the 13GE. And having been spurned by the PR manifesto, we could only expect the fury of the HINDRAF backlash against the plagiarism by DAP… No, in the end it boils down to PR's failure to come to terms with the national question, and that involves taking a stand on the NEP. Isn't it time for change? Isn't it time for real change that will set our nation on a new footing of reconciliation and reconstruction, when we are no longer divided into "races" and progressive policies can be put in place to help the truly needy? Alas, I am afraid the "Ubah" in PR does not go far enough. (And I would ask all the homespun political philosophers to spare me their pearls of wisdom about the "pragmatic" reasons for "not frightening the Malays" in this 13GE!) Ultimately, a nation that is unequal can never be free or be at peace. HINDRAF has already announced that they will be putting up candidates in several seats. Likewise, PR's ambivalence toward the left, namely PSM, will likely see 3-corner contests in those constituencies that PSM will be contesting. I am afraid this historic non-compromise between PR and HINDRAF in the 13GE will probably go down in Malaysian history as one of the most unfortunate missed opportunities in the overthrow of BN rule… |
| The Armageddon of Najib Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:24 PM PDT 
The meeting of anti-Najib heavyweights earlier this week, which openly declared war against Najib, could not have happened without some covert support from Dr Mahathir . This is an indicator that the party has clear-cut division of camps, if not a split – those for and those against getting Najib out of Putrajaya. Selvaraja Somiah All through childhood my mother would tell me: "You have to work hard to get whatever is in your destiny. But, remember, you can never get more than you are destined to get and never before the time that you are destined to get it.'' I am reminded of that again as I watch Najib Tun Razak fight against his destiny to continue as Prime Minister after GE13. Perhaps it is in his destiny, perhaps not. Perhaps it could even be RAHMAN's prophecy signifying the end of the line of Umno. But he is, at least, putting up a great fight for it and it is good to see that the man who wanted us to believe that the UMNO was a party with a difference, is himself now at the head of those differences with so many others. However, it is satisfying to know that what we have been saying all along about Barisan National – that it is actually doing much worse than the Pakatan Rakyat despite seeming so scatter-brained and incapable of holding their act together – is now being reiterated by the grand old man Dr Mahathir. And though it might be due to the threat of losing his power as Prime Minister that might have brought forth the realisation of impending doom, it could actually be time for others within the Barisan National coalition to heed Dr Mahathir's warning. The party is usually better at hiding its bickering than the Pakatan Rakyat is under similar circumstances. Dr Mahathir's latest diatribe seemed to be aimed at Najib as usual, but it is not just Dr Mahathir who is attempting to bring him down a peg or two. Muhyiddin Yassin is also sending feelers that he wants to contest for the Number One position in UMNO after this coming polls. Now Najib himself is unable to espy the mischief afoot against him in his home town by his own men — those who claim proximity to him have already begun to work the wires to ensure that he does not win in Pekan, in the 1999 general election, dominated by Anwar's dismissal and marked by mass defections from UMNO, Najib's 10,793 majority in Pekan fell to just 241 votes, thanks to the postal votes he won. And the Pakatan Rakyat has, of course, opened out its arms to such backstabbers and is wholeheartedly aiding their game plan. Whether, then, Najib overcomes the image of being a coward, as Anwar has suggested, due to a refusal of a debate, remains to be seen. This is exactly what I have been saying all along about Najib — and being called all sorts of names for that observation. Clearly, Mahathir has more friends in the UMNO than Najib does and so the orchestration has begun in preparation for polling day GE13 2013 — though, I believe, the national party leaders were waiting with bated breath for the announcement of the dissolution of parliament on April 3rd 2013 before really outing themselves. There is a whole group of anti-Najib people who despair that he might win with a small majority but the opposite is felt over at UMNO, as loud whispers points to figures and statistics, proving that neither Malaysia nor its current PM are doing as well as they pretend. Read more at: http://selvarajasomiah.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/the-armageddon-of-najib/ |
| A free press – or a two-party press system? Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:20 PM PDT 
Gobind Rudra Everyone loves the idea of a free press, that's practically a given. The point really is: what kind of a free press will the politicians allow us to have? We know the Barisan Nasional's idea of a free press: it's the system already in place, a system mostly owned or controlled by the Barisan Nasional, free to report the thoughts of Barisan Nasional leaders; a free press kept in check by press control laws and licensing rules that allow the Barisan Nasional to decide who can be a publisher or broadcaster. ![Who will buy my papers? [NST photo]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_slRz-Xh8t1uRtrhlLfXEhYxey2Jqo5lvRIgEyVBED06LpcpgPjxiTsvc5tSQKupkrW_553PPihJwMuzwk6fdJK950-rRQqTpdyHWpft0Uj5Wa7-EWOet6Q-qNdYLYK0Z0mA9KK1Q=s0-d) Who will buy my papers? [NST photo]
What is Pakatan Rakyat's answer to that? Anwar Ibrahim made an emphatic declaration on this at the March 8 ceramah in Penang: Ada orang kata Ban TV3! NO! Kita FREE media. . .YES! Kita bagi FULL FREEDOM – siapa nak bawa television, radio, surat khabar. . . FIRST DAY of the new Pakatan Rakyat government. . .(cheers, applause). Dan kita ada confidence. . .kita boleh compete dengan these racist media organs. . . Kerana. Orang. Nak. Media. Yang. Bebas. Dan bukan: media yang memperlembukan rakyat (cheers, applause). » What did Anwar really say? » Video: Anwar on free media Stirring stuff, the kind people have been longing to hear. But two questions remain: is he truly promising full freedom, or will Pakatan Rakyat, in practice, deliver something a little short? Based on what he said, we can infer: - No punitive action — that means no action to close down TV3 (and by extension, Media Prima and Utusan groups, and all the rest), and they stay in business.
- Full freedom to publish — possibly means no licences needed to publish a newspaper or open a broadcasting station.
- But he also asserted a freedom to compete — and that's the crux of it. Kita boleh compete dengan these racist media organs he said. Kita boleh compete. . .meaning who, exactly?
The existing press houses are already a Barisan Nasional bloc. With freedom to publish, new people will rush in to open newspapers and broadcasting stations. Obviously, Anwar expects that these new people will be his kind of people — he did say Kita boleh compete. Read more at: http://uppercaise.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/free-press-or-two-party-press/ |
| Mahathir returns as chief BN campaigner Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:11 PM PDT 
(Straits Times) - Political analysts said Dr Mahathir's increasingly pro-Malay positions may have alienated some urbanites and non-Malays but could galvanise Malay voters who feel insecure with the push towards liberalism. Former premier could help shore up Malay votes, win back PR-held states MRS Julia Talib needs a walking stick but even the thunderstorm on Saturday did not deter her from wading through the water puddles that soaked the hem of her baju kurung. The 59-year-old Shah Alam resident had a date with her idol - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. "Ever since he was prime minister, I have tried to watch him speak live," Mrs Talib told The Straits Times of the man who led Malaysia for 22 years, from 1981 to 2003. "He is a charismatic leader and that's why he is my idol." People such as Mrs Talib are the reason why, even a decade after stepping down, Dr Mahathir continues to be a key figure in Malaysian politics. Now free of the encumbrances of power, the 87-year-old seems to be enjoying himself on the stump, directing his trademark barbs at opposition figures and taking pro-Malay positions that resonate with the older generation of Malays. "It was the lack of unity among Malays that made Barisan Nasional lose more seats in the 2008 general election," Professor Shamsul Adabi Mamat, a political analyst at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, told The Straits Times. "That's why Dr Mahathir is such an asset to Umno currently - he is able to unite its members as well as the Malays." At Saturday's rally, Dr Mahathir was at his oratorical best, taking digs at his former deputy- turned-nemesis Anwar Ibrahim, and praising current Prime Minister Najib Razak as a man who kept his word to the people. "We were all cheated, including me, by this certain person that had claimed to be fighting for BN and Umno," he said, referring to Mr Anwar. "He is a liberal and promotes homosexuality." His star power undimmed, Dr Mahathir had the people jostling for a better look when he and his wife made their way into a canopy tent before he spoke at the rally in Shah Alam, the state capital of opposition-held Selangor. The BN had its worst electoral outing in 2008, while the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) took four states and increased its share of state and parliamentary seats. "I am here to help save Selangor," Dr Mahathir declared as the crowd of several thousand applauded loudly. "Selangor cannot continue to fall into irresponsible hands." Read more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia-elections/news/story/mahathir-returns-chief-bn-campaigner-2013040 |
| BN manifesto to have little impact: Analysts Posted: 07 Apr 2013 12:08 PM PDT 
(Straits Times) - "The corporate personnel I spoke to expected something new and groundbreaking from Najib but it did not come," Mr Ibrahim Suffian, who heads the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research, told The Straits Times. "The election impact will be minimal." THE Barisan Nasional (BN) election manifesto is seen as an extension of Prime Minister Najib Razak's reform programme, showcasing his government's consistency and commitment while extending more goodies to the people. As its contents are similar to earlier reforms, analysts say its impact may be reduced because there is no real game-changer. "The corporate personnel I spoke to expected something new and groundbreaking from Najib but it did not come," Mr Ibrahim Suffian, who heads the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research, told The Straits Times. "The election impact will be minimal." Datuk Seri Najib called the 17-point manifesto he launched on Saturday night a pledge, in a dig at the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance, which has said manifestos are not promises. "What is the use of a new manifesto if it is not a promise? To the BN, a manifesto is a serious matter," he told tens of thousands of party faithful at a rally that night. Reactions to the BN's new "pledge" were largely split. "BN's election manifesto provides the country with a long-term plan for development," Mr Liow Tiong Lai, deputy president of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a component party of the BN, said in a statement yesterday. Some analysts called the manifesto "realistic" and "achievable" and said it had a clear and unifying "People First" theme. This harks back to Mr Najib's 1Malaysia rallying cry from his first weeks after becoming prime minister on April 3, 2009. "The BN manifesto uses this theme because as a pledge, it can and must be fulfilled," said Professor Shamsul Ababi Mamat, a political analyst at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. But critics said the manifesto could encourage a culture of reliance on government handouts rather than real change. "Everyone wants free stuff. That's Malaysian," wrote one Gordon Lim on Facebook. Politicians offer things "at whose expense", he asked, adding "taxpayers". Read more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia-elections/opinion-blogs/story/bn-manifesto-have-little-impact-ana |
| Bakri, Kulai Parliamentary seats belong to DAP - Kit Siang Posted: 06 Apr 2013 10:15 PM PDT 
(Bernama) - DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang said the Bakri and Kulai Parliamentary seats belonged to the party to be contested in the coming general election. When met after launching the party's election machinery here, Lim declined to elaborate. "You will know when we announced the names. Feel free to speculate but Bakri and Kulai seats belong to us. That's all," he said. There were rumours that these seats were eyed by Johor PKR chairman Datuk Dr Chua Jui Meng after his hopes of contesting in Gelang Patah Parliamentary seat was dashed. Lim was scheduled to announce the candidacy for Bakri during his campaign in Muar yesterday. |
| Malaysia’s independent radios jammed, sites hit by cyberattacks Posted: 06 Apr 2013 10:06 PM PDT 
(TMI) - Two independent radios, Radio Free Sarawak and Radio Free Malaysia, have been jammed in Malaysia and their web sites inaccessible due to cyberattacks, says its founder. The two stations broadcast from London on short-wave frequencies and are available online through their websites and online database Soundcloud. "There have been attempts at broadcast interference on both radio stations by jamming from different parts of the world over the past few days. These have had limited success so far and we have been working on tracing the perpetrators," founder Clare Rewcastle-Brown was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini. Coordinated cyberattacks on their respective web sites were recorded all yesterday; they "came from all over, it appears, but mainly from the US and Malaysia, and our servers had to close down", she added. The Sarawak Report web site, the first launched by Rewcastle-Brown, similarly came under attack but was holding out. "I think that all such attacks only show the weaknesses of the people behind them, who are evidently so dishonest and fearful that they resort to these underhand tactics against even the slightest attempt at a free broadcast media. "The BN is throwing in very large sums of money to suppress our voice, but all the BN is doing is demonstrating to the world that its pretence of holding a democratic, free and fair election is a sham," Rewcastle-Brown said. "If these two radio stations are doing nothing else, they are showing Malaysia's BN coalition for what it really is to the rest of the world." Podcasts of Radio Free Sarawak and Radio Free Malaysia programmes are, however, still available at Soundcloud, the online audio database, the Malaysiakini report said. |
| Pakatan delaying candidate list due to coalition clashes, admits Nurul Posted: 06 Apr 2013 09:56 PM PDT 
(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) delay in announcing its candidate line up despite launching its manifesto two months ago is due to clashes between certain quarters within the coalition, admitted Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.
"That is true. It is a challenge for us and we are doing our best in this difficult situation," she said at the PKR Klinik Rakyat medical camp programme at Kampung Kerinchi on Sunday. She said the staggered announcement of candidates by PR as opposed to the releasing a complete candidate list was due to key factors the leadership had to consider. "The most important is the winnability factor and we have to take that into account. "We must also ensure that in the end, the people are able to choose a party that they can trust. If we make a mistake, it will cost us dearly in the upcoming polls," she added. Ms Nurul, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, described the issue as "teething problems" that will be addressed by PR. She was asked to comment on PR's staggered candidate announcement despite launching its election manifesto on Feb 25, resulting in clashes within certain opposition camps. Last Wednesday, PR failed to resolve seat negotiations despite assurances that the matter was finalised by its leadership council. It was learned from an opposition party official that PKR will unveil its candidate list at a function in Bandar Tun Razak on April 10. Several quarters within the coalition, including its Sabah allies Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) and Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS), have been at odds following the staggered announcement of candidates. The unhappiness was seen following the public tussle for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat in Johor between Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng and his Democratic Action Party (DAP) counterpart Dr Boo Cheng Hau, which was finally resolved when DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang annouced he would contest there. Rumblings were also heard following Parti Islam SeMalaysia's (PAS) recent announcement that it would be fielding candidates in the Kangar and Temerloh parliamentary constituencies with PKR announcing later that it would be taking over the Bera, Labuan and Setiawangsa seats. Sabah PKR also pre-empted any hijacking of seats when it hastily announced its seven candidates for the state's west coast region last Wednesday. |
| Malaysia’s PM promises more cash, tougher steps to combat corruption in election sweeteners Posted: 06 Apr 2013 09:51 PM PDT 
(AP) - Malaysia's leader has promised more cash handouts for the poor along with cheaper cars and homes, and vowed to take tougher steps to combat corruption as his long-ruling coalition seeks to fend off a resurgent alliance in upcoming national elections. In a nationally televised address late Saturday, Prime Minister Najib Razak also offered improved transportation, education and health care in an election manifesto as he urged 13 million voters to stick to the National Front coalition, which has ruled since independence from Britain in 1957. He promised his coalition would do better and warned that voting for opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's three-party alliance would be akin to gambling away Malaysia's future. "This mandate that I seek is about continuity and sustainability against disruption and stagnation, about moving forward versus regressing," Najib said. "We have to safeguard what we have already achieved. We cannot put at risk what we have, we cannot gamble away our future." The National Front manifesto was unveiled three days after Najib dissolved Parliament, paving the way for a vote widely expected in the next few weeks. The Election Commission will meet Wednesday to set a polling date. Anwar's People's Alliance currently holds slightly more than one-third of Parliament's seats after the National Front endured its worst electoral results ever in 2008 polls amid public complaints about corruption and racial discrimination. Although the opposition has a strong chance at the polls, most analysts believe Najib's coalition will have the upper hand because of its support in predominantly rural constituencies that hold the key to a large number of Parliament's seats. The opposition alliance, in a bid to break the National Front's hold on power, has also made generous promises to lower the cost of living, through cheaper cars and fuel and free university education. It also has vowed to create new jobs, raise incomes and curb long-entrenched problems, including corruption and racial discrimination, if it wins power. "This election is a race to be more populist. It is about which coalition can promise to give more to Malaysians. It's setting a very unhealthy trend in Malaysian politics," said Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who heads the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, a Malaysian think tank. In the manifesto, Najib pledged to gradually raise an annual handout for millions of poor households from 500 ringgit ($164) to 1,200 ringgit ($392), build 1 million low-cost homes and lower car prices by up to 30 percent over the next five years. He laid out the country's strong economic growth and said the government aims to woo 1.3 trillion ringgit ($425 billion) in investment by 2020 to create 3.3 million jobs. He promised to bolster the police force to fight crime, set up more specialist graft courts and improve transparency with public disclosure of government contracts. Najib's government has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars on financial handouts for students, low-income families and government employees in the last two years. The prime minister has also intensified efforts to win back support by abolishing security laws that were widely considered repressive. "The National Front is trying to play catch up with us, but what the people want is not just more money. They want a real systemic reform in the economy. They want a cleaner and a fairer society," said opposition lawmaker Liew Chin Tong. |
| Sabah Local opposition parties pact will upset BN - Jeffrey Posted: 06 Apr 2013 09:46 PM PDT 
WikiSabah KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is confident of STAR-SAPP-Usno pact's chances in upsetting Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming general election. The State Reform Party (STAR) president said his confidence was based on the encouraging response received from the people on the ground who wanted to see drastic changes in Sabah's role and position in the Federation of Malaysia.
He said this fit well with the state opposition's core agenda of restoring Sabah's economic and political autonomy.
"We have not seen negative response, (in fact) we have seen only enthusiastic response everywhere we went. If this is a reflection of the voting behaviour, we can expect to be given the mandate to take over the government," he said.
Met at the STAR's office in Damai here yesterday, he said the party's election machinery was all fully prepared to tap the changing sentiment among Sabahans.
He said seat distribution between the three state-based opposition partners was also more or less sorted out, adding that there would be certain areas where they have agreed to have "friendly contests".
He stressed STAR would stick to its initial plan of focusing on mostly Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) areas in the west and interior parts of the State, while SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) would go for urban areas.
The other partner, Usno (United Sabah National Organization), will be entrusted to tackle the mostly Muslim-majority constituencies in the east coast, he added.
"Right now our committee is going around to check and further strengthen the readiness of our machinery in every area. Of course, we have been campaigning all this while. The focus now is to get more support, by ensuring that the people understand our agendas.
"We may not agree 100 per cent on everything but we are trying to negotiate these minor differences. The important thing (for us) now is to get the people to understand and support our objectives.
"Our strategy is that one to one (contest) means Malaya Agenda versus Borneo Agenda, meaning voting for Pakatan Rakyat or BN is voting for Malaya Agenda and voting for us is voting for Borneo Agenda. This is what we are trying to do, together with SAPP," he said.
He admitted that there were still a few seats still being discussed among the three partners but STAR at the moment is set to field candidates in at least 41 seats. READ MORE HERE |
| Aktivis Tolak berdepan samseng di Johor (VIDEO INSIDE) Posted: 06 Apr 2013 07:11 PM PDT 
(Harakah Daily) - JOHOR BHARU: Aktivis Gelombang Anak Muda Tolak Umno BN (Tolak) yang menjelajah ke Johor hari ini berdepan sekumpulan samseng yang menghalang kemasukan mereka untuk bertemu masyarakat di sini. Dalam kejadian pagi tadi, samseng-samseng tersebut cuba menahan kumpulan mereka yang berkumpul di sekitar kawasan Masjid Tan Sri Ainudin Wahid di sini bagi memulakan programnya.
Salah seorang dari mereka (gambar atas), meninggikan suara dengan memberi amaran agar aktivis Tolak keluar dari kawasan tersebut atau kereta mereka akan dirosakkan.
"Kau masuk sini minta kebenaran tak. Sekarang kau belah, aku terajang kereta ni nanti kan pecah, ko belah sekarang," katanya.
Sekumpulan anggota polis yang berada di tempat kejadian bagaimanapun segera meleraikan samseng-samseng ini.
Tidak mahu insiden yang tidak diingini berlaku, kumpulan aktivis Tolak tersebut kemudiannya bersurai.
Johor merupakan destinasi kedua jelajah mereka selepas Melaka semalam.
Bagi meneruskan acara jelajah mereka, kumpulan itu kini ke KIP MART untuk mengumpul tandatangan rakyat sebagai tanda sokongan rakyat menolak Umno BN pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13). 29ex421URI0 SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29ex421URI0 |
| The great political debate (UPDATED with Chinese Translation) Posted: 06 Apr 2013 06:35 PM PDT 
The estimated one million (or 700,000, according to the official statistics) Malaysians living and working outside Malaysia should be allowed to vote by postal voting. The estimated one million (or 700,000, according to the official statistics) Malaysians living and working outside Malaysia should not register to vote in case the EC uses these names to stuff the ballot boxes with 'phantom' votes. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin I have detected some interesting arguments being posted in the Blogs that you can probably use to convince people why they should vote opposition. These arguments come from Malaysia Today's readers and I present them here not necessarily in order of priority. We should vote for Pakatan Rakyat even if they field monkeys and donkeys as candidates as long as Umno and its stooges are kicked out. (This gem came from Li Xiang Lan). Barisan Nasional's Election Manifesto will bankrupt the country if implemented. Barisan Nasional's Election Manifesto is not original -- it is a copycat Election Manifesto that was stolen from Pakatan Rakyat. Hindraf will not support Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional unless both agree to Hindraf's demands. Pakatan Rakyat's Election Manifesto is stolen from Hindraf, which Barisan Nasional then stole from Pakatan Rakyat. Senile old men like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is in his 80s and ruled Malaysia for 22 years, should just retire and no longer talk about politics. Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who is also in his 80s and has ruled Kelantan for 23 years, should serve at least another term. Dr Chandra Muzaffar is being punished by God for opposing the opposition and that is why he is condemned to a wheelchair. Karpal Singh who supports the opposition and is also confined to a wheelchair is not being punished by God. Those who used to be in the opposition and have now left the opposition are traitors who should shut up and not criticise the opposition. Those who used to be in the government and have now joined the opposition are patriots who should go all over the country and whack the government. Non-Muslims must be allowed their democratic right to criticise Islam, as this is considered freedom of speech. Non-Christians must not be allowed to pass comments regarding Christianity, as this is considered mocking Christianity. If Pakatan Rakyat takes over there will not be any witch-hunt. However, jobs and contracts given out under the Barisan Nasional government will be terminated wherever possible. If Pakatan Rakyat takes over, all those who have committed misdeeds will be hounded and punished for their crimes. However, those who have committed misdeeds but cross over and join the opposition will not be hounded and punished for their crimes. If Barisan Nasional wins the general election, Pakatan Rakyat will not accept the result because of the rampant and blatant election fraud and gerrymandering. If Pakatan Rakyat wins the general election then Barisan Nasional must respect the wishes of the voters although the general election is rife with election fraud and gerrymandering. Bersih is non-partisan and just wants to see a clean and fair election, never mind which party may end up winning the election. Bersih wants the voters to vote for Pakatan Rakyat and kick out Barisan Nasional. Pakatan Rakyat guarantees the people of Sabah and Sarawak full autonomy. Pakatan Rakyat will determine who gets to contest in Sabah and Sarawak. The local Sabahans and Sarawakians have no say in the matter. The estimated one million (or 700,000, according to the official statistics) Malaysians living and working outside Malaysia should be allowed to vote by postal voting. The estimated one million (or 700,000, according to the official statistics) Malaysians living and working outside Malaysia should not register to vote in case the EC uses these names to stuff the ballot boxes with 'phantom' votes. Why is Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak delaying the general election? Why is Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak rushing the general election by allowing a short campaign period? Why is Barisan Nasional putting up flags and banners before Nomination Day, in breach of the election rules? Why is the government removing the flags and banners that the opposition has put up? This general election is about whom you want as Prime Minister -- Anwar Ibrahim or Najib Tun Razak. This general election is not about personalities but about change. This general election is not about mere promises but about track record, and Barisan Nasional's track record is dismal. This general election is about what Pakatan Rakyat promises to do for you if you allow the opposition to form the federal government. Lim Kit Siang is scared of losing his seat in Perak. That is why he is cowardly leaving Perak to contest in a safe seat in Johor. Lim Kit Siang is brave. That is why he is leaving his safe seat in Perak to contest in an unsafe seat in Johor. Anwar Ibrahim is a coward. He does not dare contest in a seat in Perak. Anwar Ibrahim is loyal to his supporters. That is why he is staying in his seat in Penang. I think those are enough arguments that you can use to campaign in the coming general election. Happy campaigning! ************************************************ 重大的政治辯論
"大約有1百萬（官方數字為70萬）在國外生活與工作的大馬人應該被允許以郵寄方式投票。 大約有1百萬（官方數字為70萬）在國外生活與工作的大馬人不應該被允許以郵寄方式投票，以防選舉委員會利用他們的郵寄選票來為幽靈選民投票。"
原文：Raja Petra Kamarudin
譯文：方宙
我在博客上踫到一些很有意思的論點，我覺得你們可以拿來説服選民們以投給反對黨。以下這些爭論是從MT讀者口中說出的，在此我不分先後的把它們寫出來。
"爲了能夠把囯陣踢出局，我們應該投給民聯，即使他們把一些猴子驢子委任為他們的候選人。"（此為讀者Li Xiang Lan的經典留言)。
"囯陣的選舉宣言會讓國家破產。囯陣的選舉宣言是抄襲民聯的。"
"Hindraf 是不會支持囯陣或民聯的，除非他們答應Hindraf的條件。民聯的選舉宣言是抄襲Hindraf的，而囯陣則是抄襲民聯的。"
"馬哈迪這個80多嵗和掌權了22年的老糊塗應該退休且別再談論政治。現年也是80多嵗的聶阿玆（Nik Aziz Nik Mat），在吉蘭丹掌權了23年后，應該再留任多一屆。 "
"Chandra Muzaffar醫生因針對反對黨而遭天譴，所以他殘廢了，必須坐在輪椅上。但，同樣是坐在輪椅上的Karpal Singh 不是被上帝懲罰，因爲他支持反對黨。"
"那些曾經呆在反對黨而現在跳出來的都是叛徒，他們應該閉嘴且不應該批評反對黨。那些曾經呆在執政黨而現在跳出來的都是愛國者，他們應該巡迴全國來大爆執政黨醜事。"
"非穆斯林應該有自由地批評伊斯蘭教，因爲這是言論自由。非基督徒不應該對基督教發言，因爲這是在諷刺基督教。"
"如果民聯執政的話他們不會去騷擾那些持不同政见者。無論如何，巫統執政期間所給出的工作崗位和合同等都會被取消。"
"如果民聯執政的話那些之前犯錯的將會一一被揪出和懲罰。那些之前犯錯但已跳槽到民聯的則不會。"
"如果囯陣在大選中勝出的話，那民聯可以不接受，因爲選舉的不公與結果被篡改是顯而易見的。如果民聯贏的話，囯陣應該尊重選民的意見，即使選舉是不公的。"
"Bersih是不含政治議程的。他們要的是公正的選舉，不論誰是贏輸家。Bersih要選民投給民聯以踢囯陣出局。"
"民聯會確保沙巴與砂磱越的自主權。民聯會決定沙巴與砂磱越的上陣人選，這兩州的人民就這件事上是沒有話事權的。"
"大約有1百萬（官方數字為70萬）在國外生活與工作的大馬人應該被允許以郵寄方式投票。 大約有1百萬（官方數字為70萬）在國外生活與工作的大馬人不應該被允許以郵寄方式投票，以防選舉委員會利用他們的郵寄選票來為幽靈選民投票。"
"爲什麽首相納吉要借故延遲大選呢？爲什麽首相納吉要用特段的競選期來使大選儘快結束呢？"
"爲什麽囯陣能犯規，在提名日前挂上黨旗呢？政府凴什麽拆掉反對黨在提名日前挂上的黨旗呢？"
"此次大選視乎你要誰儅首相----安華或納吉。大選並不是選人品，而是要改變。"
"此次大選並不著重于諾言，而是以往的表現，囯陣正好有很差的過往表現。此次大選著重于民聯給你的諾言。"
"林吉祥因爲怕在霹靂輸掉他的議席而懦弱的到柔佛打一場必勝的大選。林吉祥很勇敢，因爲他肯離開霹靂這個堡壘去柔佛這個戰區。"
"安華是個懦夫，他不敢到霹靂上陣。安華對他的支持者很忠誠，所以他繼續留在檳城。"
我想以上應該有足夠的言論來讓你用作大選的說詞了。
預祝你大選愉快！！
|
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