| Kepupusan Budaya Kritikal, Penularan 'Kaki Penipu' dan Revolusi Minda Posted: 20 Apr 2013 01:06 PM PDT 
Tradisi dan budaya masyarakat, terutamanya bangsa Melayu, sedikit sebanyak menyumbang kepada kepupusan budaya kritikal ini. Masyarakat Melayu dilihat sensitif kepada teguran. Kritikan akan dilihat sebagai serangan peribadi dan bukannya sebagai proses penyelesaian masalah. Secebis Kewarasan Negara ini sedang mengalami sindrom kelesuan pemikiran yang kronik. Punca utama masalah ini adalah budaya kritikal yang semakin pupus. Hasilnya – sebuah masyarakat yang ketandusan idea dan wawasan. Lihat sahaja kualiti graduan, kualiti penerbitan bahan bacaan dan kualiti kajian serta rumusan ahli-ahli akademik; semuanya sederhana sahaja atau tidak berkualiti. Aktiviti seni dan kebudayaan begitu rendah nilainya hingga tepu dengan produksi-produksi yang bertunjangkan glamer dan populariti . Kualiti kehidupan dan pertumbuhan ekonomi dilihat merudum. Kesan yang paling parah adalah penguatkuasaan undang-undang dan kepimpinan negara yang semakin bobrok. Punca Asas kelesuan pemikiran ini adalah kelemahan sistem pendidikan. Budaya pendidikan kita hanya mementingkan fakta. Pelajar diasuh untuk menghafal fakta dan menghasilkan semula fakta-fakta tersebut diwaktu peperiksaan. Hasilnya – penghafal-penghafal cemerlang, tetapi lemah dari sudut aplikasi, analisa kritikal dan penyelesaian masalah (problem solving). Pemikiran mereka lesu apabila berhadapan dengan isu-isu mencabar. Pendidikan begini bukanlah pendidikan dalam erti kata sebenar. Ia hanyalah latihan yang menghasilkan manusia yang tumpul dan seragam, bukannya pemikir-pemikir yang kritikal dan bernas. Di institusi-institusi pengajian tinggi, pemikiran kritikal dan kebebasan bersuara dikongkong. Pelajar yang mempunyai idea-idea segar dan melihat sesuatu masalah melalui perspektif berbeza dari pensyarahnya akan dilihat sebagai pemberontak atau 'rebel'. Mereka akan di 'mark' atau di'cop', dan kerana itu, pembelajaran mereka akan dirumitkan dengan peraturan-peraturan yang selalunya diada-adakan oleh pensyarah tersebut. Siswa-siswi lain akan melihat ini sebagai 'pengajaran' dan mengambil langkah-langkah selamat, iaitu menurut sahaja apa yang diajar dan segala arahan tanpa berfikir. Tidak hairanlah jika hasil kajian dan kertas kerja mereka seperti disalin bulat-bulat dari buku teks dan nota kuliah. Pensyarah-pensyarah dan professor-professor di universiti-universiti tempatan pula adalah mereka yang malas dan tumpul, dan hanya mahu bergaya dan dihormati mengikut gelaran-gelaran mereka. Untuk meraih hormat pelajar-pelajar, mereka akan berlagak tegas dan menghukum dengan keras. Kebanyakkan mereka akan mengenakan pakaian berjenama dan bertutur bahasa Inggeris ber 'slang', walaupun tatabahasa mereka carca-merba. Semua ini bagi menutup kekurangan dari segi kebolehan dan pencapaian. Inilah definisi 'professor kangkung', yang pernah dipopularkan of Prof. Engku Aziz suatu ketika dahulu. Kelakuan begini bukan sahaja merencat penghasilan graduan yang berkualiti, malah ia menghasilkan 'produk-produk' yang menyerupai mereka. Kata pepatah, 'jika guru buang air kecil berdiri, anak murid buang air besar berlari!'. Seterusnya, budaya penulisan di negara kita juga sudah hilang taringnya. Akhbar-akhbar bukan lagi pemacu pemikiran masyarakat seperti dahulu. Keutamaan berita bergantung kepada tahap ke-'sensasi'-annya. Berita perceraian, kes rogol, kes tangkap basah dan seumpamanya menjadi tajuk-tajuk utama akhbar. Selain dari itu, propaganda-propaganda politik mengisi hampir keseluruhan akhbar. Kolum-kolum pula dilihat tumpul dan tidak lagi menguja atau mencabar minda pembaca. Kolum-kolum akhbar bukan lagi wacana pemikir-pemikir negara seperti dahulu. Penulisan yang kritikal dan progresif akan ditapis, dan jika tidak disenangi kerajaan, penulis dan kemungkinan editornya sekali akan dikenakan tindakan undang-undang atau dibuang kerja. Budaya penapisan (censorship) tersebut membuatkan penulis dan penerbit buku mengambil langkah-langkah 'berwaspada'. Mereka dengan sendiri menapis penulisan dan penerbitan (self-censorship). Budaya takut untuk bersuara ini akhirnya menjelmakan buku-buku yang lesu untuk bacaan masyarakat. Buku-buku sosio-politik sedia ada, majoritinya adalah sekadar himpunan penulisan dari kolum-kolum akhbar yang sudah dibincangkan kelesuannya. Penerbit-penerbit juga hanya berminat menerbitkan buku-buku asas agama dan novel-novel remaja. Bagi mereka, penerbitan buku-buku progresif dan kritikal akan merugikan disebabkan tindakan undang-undang yang mungkin dikenakan oleh pihak kerajaan. Read more at: http://secebiswaras.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/kepupusan-budaya-kritikal-penularan-kaki-penipu-dan-revolusi-minda/ |
| Waytha, Najib gambling on the odds in high-stakes poker game! Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:49 PM PDT 
Waytha is after just 20 per cent of the Indian votes, all from the underclass, to help make a difference. He assumes that Najib will be able to at least maintain the status quo as the last time. If not, it does not matter to him anyway and not because PR has pissed him off. He has his MOU, again an unprecedented feat in Malaysian political history. He can use it to whack any Government in Putrajaya. Joe Fernandez More brickbats than bouquets are pouring in thick and fast, albeit mostly from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters, on the heels of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed Thurs evening, 18 April, 2013, in Kuala Lumpur at a Tamil school between the Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) or Hindraf Association of Malaysia (HAM) and the outgoing Barisan Nasional (BN). Hindraf Makkal Sakthi and PHM/HAM chairman P. Waythamoorthy signed on behalf of the latter organization. BN Secretary-General Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor signed on behalf of the out-going ruling coalition. Questions abound but more on that later. Waytha himself has not made things any easier by issuing a statement Fri afternoon in which he declared: "It did not matter if the country was ruled by Ravana or Rama (the demon and the god respectively in Hindu mythology)." This is not the first time that he has said this. He has been chanting the same mantra during his enforced political asylum in England for four years until late last year. PR should have been on the level with Hindraf from the beginning In a telephone call on Fri morning, he said the MOU was a start and a historic one, the latter point one which can be conceded. He pointed out that BN accepted four – estate Indians, education, and business opportunities, stateless -- of Hindraf's six major demands and had PR accepted even one, he would have gladly supported the Opposition rather than the ruling party. Anwar did publicly declare that PR would resolve the problem of stateless people in Malaysia within the first 100 days of taking office. The Opposition Alliance and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in particular, according to Waytha, continued to humiliate and insult Hindraf and made all sorts of derogatory statements against it including the claim that he was a racist and that he was heading an extremist outfit. Two other keys points which he made during his telephone call was that PR denied the role played by Hindraf Makkal Sakthi in being the catalyst behind the 2008 political tsunami which saw the opposition sweeping into power in five states and taking Kuala Lumpur. The other point is that PR maintained the fiction that Hindraf was a spent force and had splintered into many rival organisations against each other and "we don't know who the real Hindraf is and who to talk to". "I am still around. Uthayakumar – his elder brother and a Hindraf co-founder -- is still around," said Waytha in the first indication that there was no split personally between him and his brother despite statements made by the latter's supporters. "That's why I mentioned that we will work to help return the two-thirds majority to BN." Najib is all hot air as the Father of All Bullshitters, Muhyiddin plain dumb Whether the MOU is legally binding or otherwise is beside the point, according to Waytha. "Other governments have signed MOUs with NGOs elsewhere in the world." He cited the Angola Government as a case in point. This is a political document, he stressed. Waytha confirmed that he will be personally campaigning for the BN, but not MIC, come the 13th GE but had no specific details. He pledged before signing off to take another call that "it will be War!" if the BN does not honour the MOU. I think the most significant development on the MOU is that Najib apologized to the Indians for the wrongs committed against them by the Government over the last 56 years. It's incriminating and legally significant. That covers the two points – deaths in police custody and institutionalized racism -- not in the MOU. It must be put on video and uploaded to the websites and You Tube. All Indians should applaud Najib for this in order to highlight the apology. I am going to ask Najib to apologise to Sabah and Sarawak for their 50 years of colonialism. Obviously, Waytha and unelected caretaker Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak are gambling on the odds in a high-stakes poker game for the 13th General Election on May 5. Waytha is more of a strategist than Najib will ever be. I won't be surprised if Waytha becomes Senior Advisor with Ministerial rank in the Prime Minister's Department if Najib survives the 13th GE. Waytha as Senior Advisor makes sense. I am inclined more and more to the view that Najib is all hot air, as evident from his public image as the Father of All Bullshitters – wither the MOU! --, and Muhyiddin more than a little dumb upstairs. No wonder Mahathir is up the wall, if not around the bend. Hindraf Makkal Sakthi remains a Hydra committed to human rights, equal rights It remains to be seen whether Najib was a drowning man clutching at a straw – MOU -- or otherwise. If not, he took Waytha's advice on the MOU. Waytha is after just 20 per cent of the Indian votes, all from the underclass, to help make a difference. He assumes that Najib will be able to at least maintain the status quo as the last time. If not, it does not matter to him anyway and not because PR has pissed him off. He has his MOU, again an unprecedented feat in Malaysian political history. He can use it to whack any Government in Putrajaya. Dong Zong, the Chinese educationist group, must be chewing on their you know what. Najib took them for a ride on April 1, April Fool's Day, on Government recognition for the community-run Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), equivalent to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) for High School graduates. Hindraf activists linked to Uthaya are more than upset with Najib signing the Hindraf Blueprint with Waytha. They are wailing uncontrollably in FaceBook and elsewhere and beating their chests in unison that they were the ones who suffered in jail and under ISA but Waytha, according to them, has hijacked the movement for his self-glorification, whatever it means. This could turn out to be one of those Tamil melodramas from Tollywood. The MOU is between Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) and BN, according to Uthaya's people. In fact, they claim that the PHM was set up by Umno/BN just to sign the MOU. Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) or Hindraf Association of Malaysia (HAM) is not Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, they say. PHM or HAM is a registered association. Hindraf Makkal Sakthi remains an ad hoc apolitical human rights NGO for all working across the political divide, according to Uthaya's people. Waytha, in an email response to these claims, said: "What la J!" Key elements missing from the Hindraf-BN Blueprint I think it is okay for Indians to consider BN getting the biggest block of seats in Parliament but less than 112 seats -- purely on the grounds of giving them the benefit of the doubt for the MOU – but there are no guarantees the MOU will be implemented. The racist civil service will sabotage it as in the case of the 3 per cent corporate equity plan for Indians, a 20 year old idea first raised by MIC and now recycled for the latest BN Manifesto. Besides, it's a case of too little too late. The key element, the Ministry of Orang Asal and Minority Affairs, is missing from the MOU. Other issues like the anti-non-Malay administrative laws and deviations and distortions in the implementation of Article 153, NEP, and Article 3 are missing. Is the Government still going to fiddle with public exam marks of students and call it "state secret" and continue to hand out free degrees to morons under the quota system including in critical disciplines? Why did Najib wait until Parliament was dissolved to sign the MOU? It's the Government – as in Angola -- which should sign the MOU, not the BN which may not form the Government after the GE. No two-thirds majority for any ruling party in Putrajaya One criticism leveled against the Hindraf-BN Blueprint is why Hindraf had to come out with such a Plan when the BN claims its Transformation Plans and Manifesto are inclusive and the Pakatan Rakyat claims that its Buku Jingga and Manifesto are needs-based. In fact, it's the work of the Government to come up with content like that in the Hindraf Blueprint. Indians shouldn't be begging for their rights. They should be accorded their rights automatically. If not for Hindraf, was the BN going to continue to ignore the Indians? The fact that BN signed the Hindraf Blueprint shows that Indians have been excluded from the so-called Transformation Plans. If the MOU is implemented, Indians might be more comfortable with the idea of BN or any ruling party having a comfortable majority rather than the biggest block of seats in Parliament but less than 112 seats. A two-third majority for Umno/BN is out of the question. Why does any ruling party or coalition need a two-thirds majority anyway? That's how the Indians and the other non-Malays got screwed in the first place especially since 13 May, 1969. Waytha and Uthaya privately on the same page The initial feedback, reflecting the Indian mood, is that the Tamil press is 100 per cent against the MOU on the grounds that it creates a dangerous precedent whereby the Government will ignore Indians and reduce them to begging for their rights and opportunities. They are also suspicious that Hindraf got the MOU signed and not MIC. Why didn't the Government sign the MOU with the MIC? After all Hindraf is an association registered just last month. On what basis did BN sign the MOU with Hindraf? Also, not being a political party, it looks odd for Hindraf to urge Indians to back Umno/BN when it was this very coalition which was responsible for the 56 years of internal colonization which the community suffered. However, this does not mean that Waytha and I have parted company. In fact, I am quite convinced that Uthaya is privately on the same page as well with Waytha. These two brothers have never once directly attacked each other below the belt. That should tell us all something. If anyone plays out Waytha on the MOU, they will have to deal with Uthaya who has agreed to disagree with his younger brother for the moment and this writer. Joe Fernandez is a graduate mature student of law and an educationist, among others, who loves to write especially Submissions for Clients wishing to Act in Person. He also tutors at local institutions. He feels compelled, as a semi-retired journalist, to put pen to paper -- or rather the fingers to the computer keyboard -- whenever something doesn't quite jell with his weltanschauung (worldview) or to give a Hearing to All. He shuttles between points in the Golden Heart of Borneo formed by the Sabah west coast, Labuan, Brunei, northern Sarawak and the watershed region in Borneo where three nations meet. He's half-way through a semi-autobiographical travelogue, A World with a View. |
| About HINDRAF’s new relationship with UMNO/BN Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:23 PM PDT 
Frequently Asked Questions about Latest Developments with HINDRAF N. Ganesan About HINDRAF's new relationship with UMNO/BN 1. Is it not a betrayal of the Indian cause to team up with UMNO/BN? What is the Indian cause if it is not an expression of the yearning of the average Indian for a shot at an equal and dignified life? Inequality and indignity are systemic outcomes caused by the skewed distribution of the national resource of this country. The Indian cause is not served by political alliances per se, but by what the alliance will deliver. There is no religion to this, as some armchair progressives will have us believe. The negotiations around the blueprint over the last several months are really all about that. The Indian cause in Malaysia is best served by a political alliance that delivers the Indians the means for a better life. If BN/UMNO can deliver that and when Pakatan has plainly refused to, what would be a betrayal to the Indian cause not to take it up or to have gone with Pakatan in spite of their known negative policies towards the Indian poor. 2. Has Hindraf given up its principles in partnering BN and gone with hat in hand to them, in spite of the bashing Hindraf supporters took on Nov 25 th 2007? Hindraf's primary objective is to bring the Indian poor into the national mainstream of development. This objective is based on the principles of social justice, equality and dignity. In 2007 the bashing that the Indians received on the streets was the beginning. It was a major emotional event for the Indians. From that painful start Hindraf has been through many challenges to get to where it is today – with potential and credible solutions in hand, though and with an unexpected partner. When these plans get implemented in the next 5 years there will be tangible changes to the lives of the marginalized Indians. We have been absolutely guided by our principles in this journey. We have gone to BN not with hat in hand, but with wisdom in our minds and integrity in our hearts. 3. Is this a sellout of HINDRAF by its leaders? What has not been possible for 56 years is being accomplished right under our noses now by some very skilful leadership within the span of a few months. A new relationship with a past enemy for mutual benefit cannot be a sellout. Was there a sellout when rapprochement occurred between France and England who were at war with each other for a hundred years or between Russia and the US the cold war foes, or between Germany and Japan on the one hand and the US on the other, the second world war foes. Purveyors of the sellout theme must have some very personal reasons that they cannot see these developments in a positive light. 4. Has there been a secret pact between the leaders of Hindraf and leaders of BN? The entire process of these negotiations has been transparent from when we began in August last year with the return of Waytha Moorthy. The calls to both sides PR and BN have always been transparent. If there had been any secret pact with UMNO/BN, then that tack taken would have been inappropriate. For, if Pakatan had come through with the endorsement earlier it would have screwed up any secret arrangements that may have existed. Pakatan did have the first shot, after all. They did not come through. Serious discussion started with UMNO only on the 25th of March, barely a moth ago and they came through on the 18th of April. Up till the 15th of April we were ready for discussion with Pakatan, but they totally failed. Secret pact, hmm…. The conspiracy theorists from Pakatan have been working overtime on this theme of a secret pact. This way they want to confuse the people on this historic deal. We will see the result of all this on the 5th of May. 5. Hindraf has been extremely critical of UMNO's past policies, what happens to all that criticism now? Has HINDRAF forgotten the 56 years of UMNO's policies that have resulted in the marginalization of Indians? The past will not go away. Our views of the past will also remain. What will change will be the way those views will determine our future actions. We will continue with our push for change. Hindraf will continue as a Human Rights NGO regardless of any involvement in Government. Our current priority is the economic program for the upliftment of the Indian poor with this blueprint. We will continue our Human Rights work, only we believe we will now have more leverage over national policy in these areas, given our experience. We will continue to be change agents. Our detractors will shoot this down as highly improbable, that is their preroragative. 6. Will BN honor their part of the agreement? No Malaysian Prime Minister has ever apologized publicly to the Indians for past lapses. No Malaysian Government had ever signed anything like this in full public view. 1.8% of the Annual Budget of the government for the next 5 years to solve a longstanding and nagging problem is a very small price. The opportunity to hold Hindraf responsible for the delivery of the blueprint plans is a gift. All the BN Government needs to do is to provide the funds, the authority and supervise for consistency with all the rest of what they do. Why will they now want to play around, especially with Hindraf who is known to be able to kick up storms quite readily, unless they mean what they are signing up to? Besides, in a recent risk analysis that we performed BN came out 2 to 1 better in the risk rating compared to Pakatan in the risks of implementation. Yes there is risk, but we have assessed the risk and think it is worth taking, considering the potential benefit. About the relationship with Pakatan 7. Pakatan stands for change, why are you not embracing change? Pakatan say they stand for change. The change they talk about at best will only serve the business community, not the poor, not the Indian poor for sure. From the squirming we have experienced with Anwar Ibrahim, we are convinced that all talk of change is no more than mollifying rhetoric. And look at how Lim Guan Eng promotes mega projects in Penang despite noisy protests from the people. Opinions of the people do not seem important in their worldview. So, what change are we talking about? We are for change. But Pakatan is not the change that we need. Pakatan is not the change the country needs. We need changes in policies, not in names and faces only. We have no problems embracing true change. However Pakatan does not represent true change to us. 8. Pakatan stands for multiracialism, that is why they could not accept HINDRAF's Blueprint? Pakatan says they stand for multiracialism. If that were really the case they should dissolve their individual parties and merge into one large truly multiracial party, why do they not? So, are they really all that multiracial as they say, or is it just some more rhetoric? The way they handled the recent Pakatan manifesto, shows the big gap between what they say and what they do. They said it transcends racial boundaries when it clearly did not and then go and eat humble pie when they have to run and add a few more pledges to the Indians, making the manifesto no more race blind contradicting their earlier protestations. Then DAP plagiarizes our blueprint, which in the first place they said was a racially orientated document and call it a grand declaration violating their policy of transcending race. They do not mean any of what they say when it comes to the affairs of the poor Indians. 9. Has HINDRAF been inept in dealing with Pakatan? We had 24 meetings with Pakatan, all at our behest. We saw how they were bungling in the way they went about the meetings. The words did not match their thoughts. Left hand did not know what right hand was doing. We had to deal with 3 different paradigms. There either was no understanding of the Indian problem or there was only a slanted understanding, at best. In spite of all these setbacks we did not give up. If calling out impostors as Mandores amounts to ineptness and that is the reason for the failure, all I can say is this is a very convenient way of passing off something fundamental as a minor aberration. About the Memorandum of Understanding between BN and HINDRAF 10. The MOU is an understanding it is not an agreement. So what is the worth of the MOU signed between HINDRAF and BN? The MOU clearly states that it is a binding agreement between BN and Hindraf. Further, we consider it binding when the document is signed in full view of the whole country. All the naysayers, say there is no honor in BN. Afterwards they say BN will just leave you high and dry, despite the agreement statements and the high profile signing. However our recent experiences and analysis brings us to other conclusions. In UMNO's world view they do not see the Indians in the country as a threat to their hold on long term power. Their fears come from elsewhere. We have just been party to collateral damage in the past, and the Blueprint now helps to address that collateral damage. This MOU document further serves as a record our understanding of the changes what we have agreed upon. When it comes to implementation this document will be the reference. Will there be differences later on in the interpretation? I am sure there will be. But we do not consider that a major risk. The major risk is whether there is honor behind the words. From what we see now, there does seem to be. 11. Why did the Prime Minister not sign the MOU, why Tengku Adnan? And who is Tengku Adnan? The agreement is between Hindraf and Barisan Nasional. Tengku Adnan is the Secretary General and the Administrative head of Barisan Nasional. It is well within legal norms for him to be the signatory. The Prime Minister was the witness to the event. 12. Is the MOU valid as it is signed only by the Caretaker government? The MOU is not signed by the caretaker government. It is signed by Tengku Adnan on behalf of the Barisan Nasional Coalition. 13. What if there is a change in the Leadership of UMNO/BN – will the MOU still be valid? The MOU is between two organizations and their successors in titles and P Waytha Moorthy and Tengku Adnan signed respectively for their organizations. 14. Why did we give up on items 5 and 6 of the original Hindraf Blue print? Though it looks like we have given up on those two items, the IPCMC and police brutality and the UN covenants, we have just postponed those issues for later so it will help move on the other more urgent economic issues that affect the Indian poor now.. Besides the way we see the world moving it is inevitable that these changes are going to happen, BN or Pakatan. It is the times. And we will continue to be agents of change. 15. Is the MOU a mockery of the Hindraf Blueprint? The MOU is no mockery of the Blueprint. It is a document that takes into account the reality of today's situation. The Moral issues underlying the Blueprint are important and we have taken the tack to address them obliquely, for the immediate future. When the poverty situation is addressed effectively, social development will occur as a direct consequence. This will see a reduction of the involvement of Indian youth in crime. Today many of the killings in custody can be traced to a complex web between these youths, crime syndicates, their bosses, the police and even some who are well placed in society. But when we reduce the input into that web, the problem will reduce significantly. This is the oblique opportunity we have today with the current plan. As for the UN covenants on Human Rights, the proposals when completely implemented will reduce the racial discrimination in the system that the Indian poor will face. We have established a clear quota based regime for all benefits deriving from the Government on the basis of the participation in numbers in the population. As for bringing the laws of the country to be consistent with these international norms of Human Rights we believe social values will have to first change. And we plan be involved in that effort too. 16. What happened to the proposal on the Ministry of Minority Affairs proposal? We have had to concede that point in our negotiations, only to be replaced with a unit in the Prime Minister's department with full executive authority under the leadership of a Hindraf nominated and PM approved individual. 17. Why was the MOU signed only after the dissolution of the Parliament? The negotiations with the PM only began in late March and we were combing through many details of the Hindraf Blueprint amidst the heavy schedules on both sides. It took us all of 24 days to finally nail down all the details of the agreement and that took us into the period after the dissolution of the Parliament. There was no hidden agenda here. 18. Who should be signing the memorandum – the Government or BN? Given the circumstances the MOU was signed with BN. There is only a caretaker Government now and that clearly would not be the party for Hindraf to sign an MOU with. The MOU is needed because the cooperation is before the election of the Government but the delivery of the Blueprint is after the election of the Government so an agreement is needed between BN and Hindraf. 19. Is the MOU just some more election promises, but in a different form? Is the MOU practically useless -because it is not only not legally binding but also made by parties unknown? Whether the MOU is mere election promises or not is not defined by the document itself. This is defined by the parties involved in the agreement. If they want to view it as being mere election promises, then that is what it is. I think Pakatan thinks along those lines given what Khalid Ibrahim had to say recently on election promises. But if they viewed it as a morally binding document and with legal significance then that is what it becomes. Given the direction of the liberalization of our country we believe that the MOU will be viewed as more than just election promises. The naysayers will have all sorts of arguments against this. It is just their opinions against ours. We all, after all believe what we want to believe don't we? The MOU is between BN and Hindraf, both legal organizations with members. The respective representatives of both organizations signed on behalf. How much clearer can it get? As they say in Tamil, you can wake up someone who is truly asleep but not someone who is pretending to sleep. Questions like these can only come from people who pretend to be asleep. 20. Does the DAP's Gelang Patah Declaration have more teeth than this MOU? There was absolutely no legal force to the Gelang Patah DAP declaration. There could have been some moral obligation. Given the Pakatan take on election manifestos and election promises even that goes out the window. So whoever thinks that the Gelang Patah Declaration has more teeth than this MOU obviously is hallucinating and does not know what they are talking about. 21. What happened to the 18 point demand, why only 4 now? The 4 proposals of the Blueprint are the detailed out proposals for the upliftment of the Indian poor and cover more than 50% of what is in the 18 points demand of Hindraf. The remaining pertain mostly to the Human Rights objectives of Hindraf which we will continue to work with the Government and other Human Rights organization to attain in the longer term. About Hindraf 22. Why did Hindraf not reveal the registration of Hindraf promptly? The registration of Hindraf happened on the 8th of March and the notification came to us sometime in the second week of March during Mr Waytha Moorthy's Hunger Strike. We were reserving the announcement to be made at the national convention scheduled for the 21st of April. That is all. The grand revelation of this piece of information was done by Jayathas, who got the information from me, three days before he made a big deal of it in a press conference. There is no skeleton in this cupboard, sorry. 23. What happens to the case against the UK government? The case against the UK Government on their negligence of the Indians in the country when the Brits left in 1957 is still in progress and will continue regardless of developments here in the ground. The legal process in the UK courts weaves and meanders and takes all sorts of time. We will be hearing more of it in time. This partnership with BN does not change our tack on the case. In fact some of the paperwork for the case was handled by Mr Waytha Moorthy on the 1st and 2nd of April right after he came out of his hunger strike. 24. What about Hindraf's position on cases like Zulkifli Nordin and death in custody in the future? Issues like this are not going to go away nor the politics associated with it. We definitely condemn the utterances by Zulkifli Nordin. Deaths in custody probably will not go away straight off the bat either with this new relationship that we are establishing. We will seek permanent solutions to these kinds of occurrences in time but today as we enter the relationship we have to enter with our eyes wide open to all these that do not change overnight. What all of this also suggests is that the old and the new will coexist for some time to come during a period of transition. We represent the new and these incidents represent the old. The old will certainly only go away after the new has firmly taken hold. And that is what we will do, consolidate our position, grow our credibility and work on all these other contentious and complicated issues and seek permanent solution which will become our hallmark. Considering that Pakatan is making such big politics out of this, look at an even more serious analogous situation on their side. Anwar was Agriculture Minister to Deputy Prime Minister from 1983 to 1998. What about holding him responsible for all that he did to the Indian poor during that time. I know that he was directly or indirectly responsible for the pushing out displaced estate workers from their shanties into what has become urban slums today. He threatened to stop all Temple bells from ringing if the Indians of Kampung Rawa of Penang did not comply with his ruling. How long ago was that? Has he apologized for any of this? In summary, Hindraf is moving positively towards its stated objectives in a plain, transparent and thoughtful manner. Hindraf does not care to play to the gallery of experts in cyberspace. What is important for Hindraf, it does. It will continue to be the bold agent of change it has always been. We hope the more discerning readers will be able to see the wisdom beyond the loud noises of our detractors. Our supporters do not participate in the cyber discourse and it may appear there is little support for our position, but come to the ground and see. N. Ganesan |
| Perkasa chief like 'father' to me, says Che Johan Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:19 PM PDT 
(Malaysiakini) - "Moreover, I will be pitted against Ibrahim Ali, who is like father and son to me for he is a political mentor to many people. If I were to join the contest, we will both be crucified in the contest" Che Johan Che Pa, Umno's intended candidate for the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat, said he had decided not to join the fray to avoid a three-cornered fight which could prove futile to the BN. "Moreover, I will be pitted against Ibrahim Ali, who is like father and son to me for he is a political mentor to many people. "If I were to join the contest, we will both be crucified in the contest," Bernama quoted him as saying today. He said he made the decision not to submit his nomination papers today with a heavy heart to enable the BN to recapture Kelantan. Che Johan said he was ready to meet BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak to explain to him why he took the drastic decision, and called on BN supporters to lend their support to Ibrahim whom he regarded as a BN-friendly candidate.  Meanwhile, the national news agency also reported that Kelantan BN chief Mustapa Mohamed ( right) expressed surprise over Che Johan's actions. Mustapa said the state BN top leadership was not informed of Che Johan's decision not to run for the seat, and took the matter seriously. "(Kelantan BN) will refer the case to the party's disciplinary board," he said in a text message to Bernama. Che Johan was present at the nomination centre at the Pasir Mas Land and District Office this morning, but did not submit his nomination papers to returning officer Mohd Gahazali Mohamed. This paved the way for a straight fight between the incumbent Ibrahim Ali, who is standing as an Independent candidate, and PAS candidate Mohamad Abduh Nik Aziz Nik. On the other hand, Ibrahim said he was surprised by Che Johan's action to withdraw from the contest. "The scenario is now more convincing for me to retain the seat," he said. Denying a conspiracy behind Che Johan's decision, Ibrahim said: "I understand that Che Johan was present at the nomination hall armed with his nomination papers, but did not submit them at the end of the nomination period." However, he did not rule out the possibility that Che Johan, whom he regarded as one of his political mentees, felt indebted to him and wanted him to retain the seat. Ibrahim won the seat in the 2008 general election on a PAS ticket by beating BN's Ahmad Rosdi Mahmad with a 8,991-vote majority. Read more at: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/227499 |
| GE13: Kamilia explains drastic decision for standing as independent candidate Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:18 PM PDT 
(The Star) - Former Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim who is standing in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat as an independent candidate said she took the drastic step to get her message across on the lack of Wanita leaders in the general election. "It is time to close the book and start a new one a clean one," she said yesterday. Kamilia had said the Barisan's decision not to place Wanita Umno leaders as candidates was disappointing and an insult to women. She faces Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad of Barisan Nasional and Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah from PAS. The other Independents are former Tasek Gelugor Umno division headDatuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar, who is contesting the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat against Shahbudin Yahaya of Umno and Malay Chamber of Commerce former president Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin of PAS. Fadzil Hanafi of Umno is standing as an independent in Alor Mengkudu state seat in Kedah. The other candidates for the seat are Sharifah Maznah Syed Kassim Barakbah of Barisan and Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya of PAS. Ooi Suan Hoe from Gerakan is an Independent candidate in the Machang Bubuk state seat. He faces Tan Lok Heah of Barisan, Lee Khai Loon (PKR), M. Vikneswaran (Kita) and Independent candidates Tan Hock Leong and Wan Balkis Wan Abdullah. Sepang Umno committee member Hanapiah Mohamad and Sepang Barisan Youth head Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali are standing as Independents in the Sepang parliamentary seat against Selangor Barisan coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed. The other candidate is Mohamed Hanipa Maidin of PAS. In Pekan, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said party members contesting as Independents could not remain in the party. "We will issue official letters to those contesting outside Umno and Barisan Nasional that they will be expelled," he said yesterday. "Action must be taken against these people as it would make more sense to sacrifice' a few people instead of putting the whole coalition at stake," he added. Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed her disappointment with Kamilia after she rejected the offer to contest the Bukit Chandan state seat. "She made the decision and she will have to face the music," she added. MCA Legal Bureau chairman Tay Puay Chuan advised party divisions and branches to file complaints if they found members contesting as Independents. In Nibong Tebal, Penang Umno chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osmansaid there was no need to inform Mohd Shariff that he had been expelled. Mohd Shariff, who came to the nomination centre with Abdul Rahman, said he was now Pakatan-Rakyat friendly and thanked the Barisan for "expelling" him. Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Teng Hock Nan said Ooi has been sacked for breaching party discipline. |
| Battle lines drawn for Malaysian elections Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:13 PM PDT 
(ST) - More than double the 103 in the 2008 polls, the large number of independents adds a potential spoiler in some constituencies, especially those with slender winning margins. In 2008, 65 seats were won with margins of less than 3 per cent. Malaysia's 13th general election was always set to be an epic battle, with the ruling Barisan Nasional seeking to maintain its grip on power that it has held for over five decades against a challenge by an energised opposition Pakatan Rakyat. Yesterday, the stage was set for further clashes when 269 independents, some of them rejects from the main camps, showed up to file their nomination papers. Mostly unknown, they turned up without fanfare to join the top party leaders who arrived noisily with supporters bearing flags and singing party songs. More than double the 103 in the 2008 polls, the large number of independents adds a potential spoiler in some constituencies, especially those with slender winning margins. In 2008, 65 seats were won with margins of less than 3 per cent. It also means multi-cornered races in 276 of 727 state and parliamentary seats. Even Peninsular Malaysia will see one six-way and five five-way fights that were once common only in Sabah and Sarawak. The entry of these independents drew swift reactions from party leaders who moved to expel members who had not been fielded but chose to stand on their own tickets. "Party discipline is important," Prime Minister Najib Razak said. At least 10 members from BN were sacked. His action was echoed by the opposition Democratic Action Party, which also dropped at least three from its ranks. Read more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia-elections/news/story/battle-lines-drawn-malaysian-elections-20130 |
| Record 1,899 candidates in fray Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:10 PM PDT 
(ST) - For the first time since independence, BN did not win any seat unopposed. It will be facing not just a strong opposition in every seat, but also another 167 candidates fielded by eight small independent parties and 269 candidates with no party affiliation. For Malaysia's durable Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, the hour of reckoning is near. So, too, for the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR). As the 15-day campaign kicked off yesterday, Malaysia's election watch enters its last lap, with a record 1,899 candidates slugging it out for the 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats. For the first time since independence, BN did not win any seat unopposed. It will be facing not just a strong opposition in every seat, but also another 167 candidates fielded by eight small independent parties and 269 candidates with no party affiliation. This is a very crowded field, compared with the 2008 polls, when there were 1,578 candidates. This time, there will be 276 multi-cornered fights, compared with 97 in 2008. PR has embarked on a high-risk strategy of sending five big names straight into enemy territory, including four in Johor, in an attempt to make inroads. BN chose to field its top leaders in their safe seats, freeing them to move around the country to campaign. Prime Minister Najib Razak will contest in his stronghold of Pekan in Pahang against Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Mr Fariz Musa. Although Datuk Seri Najib will spend this weekend in Pekan, he is due to visit Sabah this week, as well as other areas where the opposition is putting up a strong fight. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is contesting his old seat of Pagoh in Johor, will likely have a similarly hectic travel schedule, as will Malaysian Chinese Association president Chua Soi Lek, who is not contesting. The opposition, especially the Democratic Action Party (DAP), will not have a similar luxury as it will have to devote much of its resources to the BN stronghold of Johor, where the DAP has fielded four top leaders, including veteran Lim Kit Siang. Mr Lim is up against Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman in the Gelang Patah seat. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was in Johor just hours after he filed his papers in Penang to lend his star power to kick off the campaign there. But if the battle lines were drawn before Nomination Day, an unprecedentedly crowded field has tossed in an element of unpredictability. Even opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will face a three-cornered fight in his long-time seat of Permatang Pauh in Penang, against Umno's Dr Mazlan Ismail and independent Zawawi Samsudin. Little is known about Dr Zawawi, 45, except that he is a local doctor. In Malaysia, where political parties command deep loyalties and have deep pockets, few independents can get very far. Of the 103 independents who contested in 2008, only two won. "Perhaps, many independents have been emboldened to try their luck after 2008, when democratic space opened up," said political analyst P. Sivamurugan from University Sains Malaysia. He said they may be people with strong beliefs in their own political ideology and are putting it to a public test. But they generally do not have the resources or name recognition of political parties. "They may not make an impact where the candidates are well known, but it could be different if both candidates have equal support," he said. Read more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia-elections/opinion-blogs/story/record-1899-candidates-fray-2013042 |
| Rebels, independents and multi-cornered fights Posted: 20 Apr 2013 07:32 AM PDT 
A total of 132 parliamentary seats are locked in straight fights, 57 three-cornered battles, 24 four-way fights, seven seats are facing five-way tussles, one a six-way fight and one a seven-way battle. (Bernama) - While nomination for the 13th general election proceeded smoothly today, both the ruling and opposition parties had to contend with rebel members standing as independents, exposing the simmering unhappiness over the choice of candidates. Splits in the opposition pact seemed to have deepened, reflected by allies PAS and PKR fielding candidates in six constituencies, one of which is the Labuan parliamentary seat. Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Najib Tun Razak rallied component party leaders and members to close the book on candidates and work together as a family to ensure a resounding victory for the BN on May 5. Najib, who is leading the BN into the polls for the first time as the prime minister, fired up the BN "Gelombang Biru" (Blue Wave) election machinery after submitting his candidacy to defend his parliamentary stronghold of Pekan. "This is the time for us to continue what we have planned for the past five years. This is the climax. Do not squander what we have accomplished. Pledges made to the people and the BN's manifesto are our commitment to the voters and the people of Malaysia," said Najib who wore a baju Melayu in the familiar BN blue colour. Umno automatically sacked four members, Wanita vice-head Kamilia Ibrahim, former deputy agriculture minister Mohd Shariff Omar, former Kedah exco member Fadzil Hanafi and Gua Musang division committee member Abdul Aziz Mohamed, for standing as independents while the DAP also expelled two members, Kota Melaka incumbent MP Sim Tong Him and member Jenice Lee, for a similar offence. The hour-long nomination for the 222 parliamentary and 505 state seats at stake went off smoothly despite the large turnout of candidates and supporters for the most intense of general election. The DAP, which is being investigated by the Registrar of Societies over alleged irregularities in its December party polls, encountered no problems when its candidates used the party's symbol for the nominations. Multi-cornered fights
A total of 132 parliamentary seats are locked in straight fights, 57 three-cornered battles, 24 four-way fights, seven seats are facing five-way tussles, one a six-way fight and one a seven-way battle. A total of 320 state seats are facing straight fights, 107 three-cornered, 42 four-way, 25 five-way, 10 six-way and one seven-way. The BN is contesting in 221 parliamentary constituencies, one short of the total at stake after a bizarre turn of events in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, where the BN candidate Che Johan Che Pa did not submit his nomination papers. This left the independent incumbent and Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali to engage in a straight fight with PAS' Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Aziz, the son of Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. In the parliamentary battle, PAS is contesting 73 seats, DAP 51 and PKR 99, with PKR and PAS on a collision course in Labuan to make it a three-way tussle with the BN. In the contest for the 12 state legislative assemblies, the BN is contesting in all 505 seats while PAS is in the fight for 236, DAP 102 and PKR 172. PAS and PKR are again clashing in five state seats, namely Kota Damansara (Selangor), Panti (Johor), Sungai Acheh (Penang) and Kota Putera as well as Bukit Besi in Terengganu. Many of the BN Malay candidates, including Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, were also attired in blue baju Melayu when they went to the nomination centres accompanied by their supporters walking in a procession and carrying a sea of party flags. Najib, who retained Pekan with a 26,464 majority in 2008, is being challenged by a PKR candidate again, this time Fariz Musa, who is a party central council member. Muhyiddin is again challenged by Mohd Rozali Jamil whom he had beaten in the last general election to defend his parliamentary seat of Pagoh. Palani's five-way fight
In Gelang Patah, seen as the battle of battles in this election, Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman and DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang will lock horns in a straight fight in the Chinese-majority parliamentary constituency after an independent withdrew. This will be Abdul Ghani's first federal contest since he became the menteri besar in 1995 while Lim is making his first foray into Johor and had targeted Gelang Patah which was won by the MCA in 2008. MIC president G Palanivel, making a comeback after losing in Hulu Selangor in 2008, found himself with plenty of company in his bid for the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat. He is in a five-cornered fight with DAP's M Manogaran, who is the former Teluk Intan MP, Mohd Shokri Mahmood (Berjasa) and independents NP Kisho Kumar and T Alagu. In Penang, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is involved in a three-way tie with BN new face Dr Mazlan Ismail and independent Dr Abdullah Zawawi Samsudin in Permatang Pauh. DAP chairman Karpal Singh is in a straight fight with Teh Beng Yeam of BN in Bukit Gelugor while DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng faces two first-timers, Chua Teik Siang of BN and Lim Kim Chu of Parti Cinta Malaysia, in his defence of the Bagan parliamentary seat, and Tan Ken Keong of BN for the Air Puteh state seat which Lim had won in the previous polls. PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, 82, is opposed by Wan Razman Wan Abd Razak of BN in the Chempaka state seat. In Terengganu, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is also in a straight fight against BN's former Pengkalan Berangan state assemblyman to defend the Marang parliamentary seat and against Nik Dir Nik Wan Ku of BN for the Rhu Rendang state seat. |
| Peristiwa 20 April: Di Sebalik Pencalonan N21 Sg Acheh Posted: 20 Apr 2013 07:29 AM PDT 
Hari ini tanggal 20 April 2013, adalah hari penting dan banyak peristiwa yang berlaku di seluruh negara. Sg Acheh tidak terlepas untuk menjadi satu lembaran sejarah dalam pertembungan pilihanraya umum ke 13. Kesempatan ini dipaparkan untuk tatapan umum, apa yang berlaku ketika penamaan calon di dewan Jawi, N.Tebal. Sepengetahuan umum, che'GuBard telah diamanahkan mewakili PKR untuk DUN N21 Sg Acheh walaupun timbul pertindihan. Telah diputuskan oleh Majlis Presiden yang diwakili oleh Dr Wan Azizah, TG Haji Hadi dan Lim Kit Siang dalam perbincangan terakhir bahawa PKR dipilih mewakili PR di Sg Acheh. Mustafa Ali juga telah bagi jaminan 1 lawan 1 susulan daripada perbincangan tersebut. Ternyata che'GuBard adalah satu-satunya calon PR yang direstu untuk N21 Sg Acheh. Namun akhirnya Pemuda PAS P.Pinang langgar arahan pusat untuk turut bertanding. Ini langsung tidak dijangka kerna memikirkan masalah pertindihan telah pun selesai. Harus semua imbas kembali, ketika banyak kerusi pada PRU lalu yang tidak berani ditandingi oleh PAS (termasuklah Sg Acheh), PKR tawar diri untuk lawan Umno pada 2008 bagi tidak membenarkan Umno menang percuma… Kini bila dapat sedikit kekuatan, habis kawan sendiri pun dilanggar! Malah pagi ini cheGuBard dengan sengaja dihalang masuk oleh rantaian unit amal dan pemuda PAS. Beliau juga cuba dipukul dan anak isterinya ditolak oleh pemuda pas di depan pusat penamaan dalam usaha tekanan dan halangan untuk che'GuBard hantar borang pencalonan. Ramai saksi yang melihat kejadian ini. Mungkin kalau ia dilakukan oleh Umno, kita tidak beri peluang dan akan bergasak… Namun bila dilakukan oleh rakan sendiri, suasana keliru menyelubungi. Ketika che'GuBard berada di dalam dewan pencalonan, timbul berita mengatakan chegubard bertanding sebagai calon bebas, dan juga kononnya che'GuBard tarik diri. Ini rentetan serangan psywar yang dilancarkan sejak awal yang mempersoal IC chegubard dan asal usul che'GuBard. Ini taktik kotor untuk memburukkan reputasi che'GuBard, cuba memperlihatkan kedudukan che'GuBard tidak tetap pendirian sedangkan ia tidak berlaku sedemikian. Ini juga bukan caranya… Kawasan Sungai Acheh dalam Parlimen N.Tebal bukan asing bagi che'GuBard. Rumah kedua che'GuBard di N.Tebal, ia merupakan kampung mertua che'GuBard. Jaringan keluarga besar isteri banyak mengakibatkan che'GuBard terlibat dalam banyak aktiviti parti dan masyarakat di N.Tebal sejak awal lagi khususnya Sg. Acheh. Bapa mertua merupakan pengasas Parti Keadilan Nasional N.Tebal. Melalui perbagai aktiviti che'GuBard punya ramai juga kenalan di sini. Pada tahun 2002 pernah sehingga ditahan polis di Sungai Acheh kerana menjalankan aktiviti parti. Dalam pertembungan 3 penjuru yang turut melibatkan 2 komponen Pakatan Rakyat, Chegubard memilih politik polisi sebagai pendekatan untuk menangi hati pengundi. Pembentangan polisi arah tuju Sg Acheh menjadi keutamaan che'GuBard. Justeru, satu wacana debat juga telah disusun dan semua calon N21 Sg Acheh telah dijemput secara rasmi untuk debat yang dijadualkan 28 April, 9 malam di JDM Permatang Tok Mahat. InshaAllah, sokongan besar akan diberi kepada che'GuBard yang menjadi calon pilihan. che'GuBard adalah pakej terbaik untuk Sg Acheh dan P.Pinang. Apa yang ditawarkan oleh che'GuBard adalah terbaik untuk memastikan perubahan di P.Pinang khususnya di Sg Acheh. Harus diingat, antara sebab utama kejatuhan empayar Uthmaniah ialah hilangnya perasaan kasih sayang sesama muslim dek godaan pangkat, harta dan dunia. Kepada penyokong, janganlah diperangi sahabat di sebelah sana, kita santuni mereka dengan penuh hikmah. InshaAllah ada ganjaran menanti pejuang kebenaran. Kita merancang, Allah juga merancang. Sesungguhnya Allah sebaik-baik perancang. Sekian pengamatan saya 20 April 2013…
Edy Noor Reduan Aktivis Blogger Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia |
| GE13: Thousands at mammoth dinner to show support for Najib Posted: 20 Apr 2013 07:26 AM PDT  Najib acknowledging the cheers from the crowd at the dinner in Wesport. (The Star) - KLANG: Over 60,000 people thronged Westport here for a gathering to show their support for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Barisan Nasional. Najib told the crowd that there was no need to change the time-tested Barisan Nasional government which has persevered to bring about peace and harmony despite immense challenges both domestic and foreign. He said the country under the Barisan government had faced numerous challenges in the past such as fighting communism and dealing with the Confrontation, but has prevailed in overcoming them and in the process, ensuring peace, harmony and stability. "Last month, we faced the terrorists who landed in Lahad Datu and we fought them to ensure peace returned to Sabah. "This is the kind of government we want, the government that is willing and able to ensure peace and harmony in the country," he said in his speech. Najib questioned the motive of certain quarters who insist on bringing about change to the country when the current government was able to bring real change politically, economically and socially. He said there were "certain politicians talking about change," but he asked, "what is there to change." "You want to change peace and harmony in the country with conflict and violence? Is that what you want?," he asked. Najib told the mainly Chinese crowd that the government had done much especially in the field of education. Besides allowing the building of SM Chong Hwa in Kuantan, he said, the government has relocated 71 Chinese schools to new sites. The government would also continue to allocate RM100 million yearly for Chinese schools. "The government is currently discussing with Chinese academic organisation, Dong Zong, on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)," he said. Najib said with the various changes being implemented by the government, it was now up to the rakyat to make their choice of leaders they trust to lead the country in the May 5 elections. Although the event only started at 8pm, the crowd had made its way to the venue as early as 5pm. The fine weather allowed thousands of youths, clad in the blue Barisan Nasional T-shirts, to form kilometres-long motorcade with their motorcycles to welcome Najib. About 5,000 tables were set up by the event's organiser, Gabungan Persatuan Keturunan Cina Selangor, to serve dinner to the guests who came from all over Selangor. While waiting for the arrival of Najib, video clips of patriotic songs were shown on five giant screens. |
| It’s hot and crowded in Selangor Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:53 PM PDT 
More than three parliamentary seats and numerous state seats witness three to six cornered fights in GE13 K Pragalath, FMT Selangor has 21 parliamentary seats and 56 state seats. Of these there is one hot parliamentary seat – Shah Alam – and a litany of crowded parliament and state seats. Shah Alam will see PAS' Khalid Samad defending his seat against BN's direct candidate, Zulkifli Noordin. Khalid had defeated Umno's Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin by polling 33,356 votes against Aziz's 24,042 votes in 2008. There are five three-cornered fights in Pandan, Gombak, Hulu Selangor Kelana Jaya and Tanjung Karang parliamentary seats. The Pandan parliamentary seat, which was MCA's sole seat, witnessed a three-cornered fight involving MCA's Gary Lim, PKR's Rafizi Ramli and former incumbent Ong Tee Keat's aide, Allan Tan Yew Leng. In 2008, Ong defeated Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud of PKR with a majority of 2,961 votes. In Gombak, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is defending his seat against Umno's Raman Ismail and another independent, Said Naza Abu Bakar. In GE12, Azmin Ali won Gombak with a majority of 6,867 votes. He defeated Said Anuar Said Ahmad with 40,334 votes against Said Anuar's 33,467 votes. Azmin is also defending his Bukit Antarabangsa state seat against Umno's Nadzim Ibrahim. The Tanjung Karang parliament seat also witnessed a three cornered fight involving incumbent Noh Omar of Umno, PAS' Rashdi Deraman and an independent, Herman Tino. In Kelana Jaya, independent Toh Sin Wah made it a three-cornered battle involving MCA's Loh Seng Kok and PKR's Wong Chen. Similarly in Hulu Selangor, there is a three-cornered fight involving MIC's P Kamalanathan, PKR's Khalid Jaafar and former Masterskill College chief executive officer, Edmund Santara who is an independent. In Kota Raja, PAS' Siti Mariah Mahmud is defending her seat as three others are also vying for the seat. They are MIC's S Murugesan, Human Rights Party's pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar and Azmi Idrus. Both Uthayakumar and Azmi are contesting as independents. In Subang, there is a five-way battle involving PKR's R Sivarasa, MIC's A Prakash Rao, Berjasa's Mohd Ismail and two independents – Nazamuddin Ferdoos and Edros Abdullah. Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim who represented Ijok previously is facing a one on one battle with Nasarruddin M Zin of Umno in Pelabuhan Kelang. READ MORE HERE |
| Kamilia Ibrahim resigns from Umno after filing nomination as independent Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:40 PM PDT 
(ST) - Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim, who filed her nomination paper on Saturday to contest as an independent in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat, has quit Umno. She made the announcement on her Facebook page, reported the New Straits Times. She also resigned as the Umno supreme council member, Wanita Umno deputy chief and Kuala Kangsar Wanita Umno division chief, according to the newspaper. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had earlier announced her sacking as Wanita Umno vice chief for contesting the Kuala Kangsar seat as an independent, said the report. Ms Kamilia sprang a surprise when she filed her nomination paper for the Kuala Kangsar parliament seat. She is up against Barisan Nasional's Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad and Parti Islam SeMalaysia's Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah. |
| Pakatan infighting surfaces in three seats Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:36 PM PDT 
(TMI) - Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties' failure to compromise fully on seat negotiations will see PAS and PKR spoil each other's fight against Barisan Nasional (BN) in Labuan, Sungai Acheh and Kota Damansara. The Labuan federal seat has BN candidate Rosman Isli going up against PKR's Ibrahim Menudin and PAS runner Hadnan Mohamad. "There is no compromise, we are fighting each other. We cannot withdraw since we already filed our nomination papers, and if we withdraw, we will lose our deposit," Ibrahim was quoted as saying by The Star on its website today. A similar situation also occurred in the Penang state seat, where PKR's Badrul Hisham Shaharin submitted his papers along with PAS's Mohd Yusni Mat Piah to contest the seat against incumbent BN lawmaker Mahmud Zakaria. Kota Damansara, which earlier saw PKR wrangling with PSM over which party's logo would be used, will see the crescent moon of PAS on the same ballot with PKR's seeing eye logo and BN's scales. There, incumbent state assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim defend his seat against PAS's Ridzuan Ismail, BN's Halimaton Saadiah, and three independent contestants. Malaysia practises a "winner-takes-all" voting system in which seats are won by the candidate with the most votes and not necessarily the majority. Such a system is considered advantageous to the ruling party as votes for candidates other than the runner-up are essentially votes for the winner. |
| Multi-corner fights for almost half the seats in Penang Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:30 PM PDT 
Opalyn Mok, TMI A total 16 state seats and five parliamentary seats in the state will see three to six corner fights between Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Rakyat (PR) components, Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), Malaysian People's Welfare Party (KITA) and independent candidates this May 5. For the first time in history, the state saw the most number of independent candidates with a total 20 of them contesting for parliament and state seats here. The state seat with the most number of candidates is the Machang Bubuk seat, within the Bukit Mertajam parliamentary constituency, which will see a six corner fight between BN, PKR, KITA and three independent candidates. The candidates are Lee Khai Loon (PKR), Tan Lok Heah (BN), M. Vikneswaran (KITA), Wan Balkis Wan Abdullah (independent), former PKR incumbent Tan Hock Leong (independent) and former BN coordinator Ooi Suan Hoe (independent). Former agriculture and rural development deputy minister and Umno veteran Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar carried through with his intention to contest as a PR-friendly independent at Tasek Gelugor parliament seat to go up against BN's Shabudin Yahaya and Datuk Abdul Rahman Maidin (PAS). Mohd Shariff, who had been sacked from Umno for contesting as an independent, is also contesting for the Sungai Dua state seat against Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN) and Zahadi Ahmad (PAS). Over in Batu Uban, three independent candidates turned it into a five-corner fight for the suburban constituency in Bayan Baru. Goh Kheng Sneah (BN), T. Jayabalan (PKR), Mohd Noor Sirajajudeen Mohd Abdul Kader (independent), A. Rajendra (independent) and N. Baratharajan (independent) will be fighting for votes out of the more than 28,000 registered voters here. READ MORE HERE |
| GE13: Chegu Bard in three-way fight in Sungai Acheh with Umno and PAS Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:26 PM PDT (The Star) - Pakatan allies PAS and PKR will do battle for the Sungai Acheh state seat in a three-way fight which include Barisan incumbent assemblyman Datuk Mahmud Zakaria, from Umno. PKR maverick politician Badrul Hisham, popularly known as Chegu Bard, Penang PAS Youth chairman Mohd Yusni Mat Piah and Mahmud all submitted their papers at the nomination centre this morning. "I was chosen by the Pakatan Rakyat presidential council to contest here and it is the mandate of Pakatan,'' said Badrul Hisham. |
| What’s the real deal in Sabah? Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:08 PM PDT 
One theory is that Anwar Ibrahim's obsession with local seats is because he has been 'assigned' to clear the way for Umno to retain Sabah. Pushparani Thilaganathan, FMT Today is the beginning of the day of reckoning in Sabah and across Peninsular Malaysia. It is the much-awaited nomination day preceding the country's 13th general election on May 5, seven days before the infamous May 13, 1969. In Sabah, it is speculated that some 146 opposition candidates have joined the fray against the Barisan Nasional's 60 state seats. And this is not taking into account emerging Independents. Nominations began at 9am today and ended at 10am. However, the final list of candidates for the GE13 should be known by noon. On the parliamentary front, 48 opposition hopefuls will be contesting the 25 seats in Sabah. In the 2008 GE, the Sabah Barisan Nasional pact which included Sabah Progressive People's Party (SAPP) – now in the opposition – made a clean sweep of both both parliamentary and state seats. BN only lost Kota Kinabalu parliamentary constituency and the Tanjung state seats to DAP. The scenario this time is vastly different. The onset of 2013 has seen a series of unexpected socio-political twists and turns culminating (perhaps) in the Registrar of Societies' (ROS) initial and shocking letter "de-recognising" DAP's central committee members and the allegedly "engineered" invasion of Lahad Datu vis-à-vis Sabah by the Sulu army on Feb 9. Looking at Sabah in isolation, the state is boiling over with resentment against Umno-Barisan Nasional on the KDM and (now) Chinese front. Sabah PKR in particular, which is contesting the bulk of Pakatan Rakyat's seats, is simmering with discontent over its national leaders' disregard and disrespect of local sentiments and decisions. The cause of this is Anwar Ibrahim's preferential treatment of BN defectors Lajim Ukin and Wilfred Bumburing – Beaufort and Tuaran incumbent MPs. Both defected in July last year and pledged allegiance to Anwar but declined to join PKR. Under Anwar's encouragement, both had set up refom movements. Bumburing helms APS (Angkatan Perubahan Sabah) and Lajim PPPS (Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah). Both movements – not parties – were given a collective 10 parliamentary and 23 state seats. Trojan horse The decision is seen by many observers here as working against Sabah PKR and has raised questions over Anwar's real agenda in Sabah. If you believe in the adage "a leopard doesn't change its spots", then you will possibly believe in the theory that Anwar is the trojan horse and that his "assignment" in Sabah was to clear the path for a Umno win in the May 5 polls. Anwar's political base is not in Sabah. It is in the urban pockets of Peninsular Malaysia. He rides on PAS for the semi-urban and rural votes. He cares as much about the KadazanDusunMurut welfare as he does the Indians. How then can one explain his obsession to contest a majority of Sabah state seats? PKR and its allies APS and PPPS will collectively contest 19 parliamentary and 43 state seats. They have taken the bulk of Pakatan Rakyat's share in Sabah. Why would he do this, if there wasn't a plan? How do you explain his determination to dilute independent local party participation – SAPP and State Reform Party (STAR) – in the polls, if his sole interest is in wresting Putrajaya? Sabah has 25 parliamentary seats and both SAPP and STAR have long since told Anwar and Pakatan to focus their might on these seats. Both SAPP and STAR had promised their backing. But Anwar played poker with localised politics and politicians. He dilly-dallied over his commitment towards the Sabah for Sabahans agenda, and over decentralising decisions to local leaders until he anchored Lajim and Bumburing. Political intrigue Said PKR Tuaran division chief Ansari Abdullah: "It is intriguing that the government is aware of this [fact that both APS and PPPS are movements and not parties] but they are not taking any action… or is this also part of their plan?" Political observers here are advancing the theory that Anwar's PKR needs only 10 state seats to go into "partnership" with Umno, which is speculated to win at least 30 seats. There are 60 seats in Sabah's Legislative Assembly. Local opposition STAR together with a pro tem Usno Baru group are expected to contest 51 state and 19 parliamentary seats. SAPP is eyeing eight parliamentary and 41 state seats. Both these parties are campaigning on the Borneo agenda and Sabah for Sabahans platforms. Anwar knows the Sabah Constitution will not allow the Pakatan pact to form a state government. It has to be a single party with the most state seats. DAP and PAS are not in the Sabah equation. In this polls, DAP is expected to contest four parliamentary and eight state seats. PAS will field two parliamentary and seven state candidates. Looking at Sabah in isolation and bearing in mind the sequence of events since 2008 , many of those random SMSes which FMT received over the period seem to make sense. For instance in 2011, FMT sources said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Anwar had secretly met and spoken on issues, among them, were Anwar' daughter Nurul Izzah and of him "going slow". READ MORE HERE |
| GE13: Probe to be launched after BN Pasir Mas nomination shocker Posted: 19 Apr 2013 06:04 PM PDT 
(The Star) - Kelantan Barisan Nasional will launch a probe over the failure of its Pasir Mas parliamentary candidate, who did not submit his nomination papers on April 20. State Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has expressed shocked and claim that the party will launch a special investigation to look into the matter. "We will convene a special meeting to discuss with all our political bureaus on why the candidate did not submit his nomination papers and on our next strategy for the seat," he told reporters after filing nomination papers for Barisan candidate at Jeli Land and District office, here yesterday. It was reported that Barisan candidate for Pasir Mas Che Johan Che Pa, the Pasir Mas Umno division deputy chief, did not submit his nomination papers paving way for a straight fight between Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali and Nik Aziz's son, Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz. Mustapa, affectionately known as Tok Pa, will see a straight fight with PAS candidates for both the Jeli and Ayer Lanas state seat. He will be challenged by PAS' Mohd Apendi Mohamed in Jeli and Abdullah Ya'kub. Mustapa, who is tipped to become the next Kelantan Mentri Besar if Barisan managed to take over the state, reiterated Barisan's target of winning 23 parliamentary seats and eight parliamentary seats. "I believe we have a better chance with our new batch of candidates who are a mix young and old ulama, technocrats, retired civil servants and activist," he said. When asked if he would likely become the next Mentri Besar, he said, "all 45 candidates who are fielded to contest in state seats have a chance to become the next MB," he said. |
| GE13: Anwar vs Mazlan in Permatang Pauh Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:57 PM PDT 
(The Star) - It will be a three-cornered fight for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat. The candidates are Barisan Nasional Dr Mazlan Ismail, PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and independent Shansut Tabrej, 63, who is an ex-serviceman. In Seberang Jaya, Dr Abdullah Zawali Samsudin, 45, an independent, will take on Barisan Mohammad Nasir Abdullah and Dr Affifudin Bahardin of PKR. In Penanti, it is a straight fight between Dr Norlela Arifin of PKR and Barisan Ibrahim Ahmad. It will also be a straight fight in Permatang Pasir between state PAS commissioner Datuk Mohd Salleh Man and Barisan Annuar Faisal Yahaya. |
| GE13: Jenice Lee sacked for contesting as independent Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:54 PM PDT 
(The Star) - Incumbent Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee has been sacked by DAP. This was announced by DAP disciplinary board chairman Tan Kok Wai in Cheras. Tan said that the party had no choice but to sack her for contesting as an independent candidate in the general election (GE13). "She has 14 days to appeal to the disciplinary board regarding their decision,'' he said The visibly upset Lee questioned the party's decision to sack her at a press conference, after returning officer Abdul Hamid Hussein announced that nominations were closed at 10.02am at the Nomination Centre at Dewan MPAJ in Pandan Indah. She said the DAP disciplinary committee (DC) which was appointed by the central executive committee (CEC) had no rights to exercise such action as the committee was under investigation by the Registrar of Society. "The DC has no power to sack me for the moment,'' she said. She also questioned the party's decision to field newcomer Tiew Way Keng as the candidate for Teratai. She said her decision to contest as an independent candidate was spurred by support from residents and Pandan DAP branches. Lee said she was standing as an independent candidate to secure a win for DAP. "I am loyal to DAP and if I win the Teratai seat, it is a win for the party. "It is up to the party to accept me as a DAP member," she said. |
| Uproar over DAP's candidates' list Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:46 PM PDT 
(NST) - First, it was the voices of dissent in the Perak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) camp over the choice of several candidates for the 13th General Election and now, the state DAP has joined the fray. Yesterday, supporters of former first-term Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng turned the heat on state DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and his cousin, Nga Kor Ming, who is state party secretary, for axing Leong from the candidates' list. They held a protest outside the state DAP headquarters here, demanding an explanation from the party's four-member selection committee on why Leong was dropped. Similar protests were also held in Sungai Siput and Kuala Kangsar to pressure the party leadership to "re-instate" Leong. At the protest, Sungai Siput DAP division vice-chairman Seok Loy, 49, said the people could not understand why Leong was removed when she had served the constituency well. "We reject the new candidate as we have never seen him before," he said, adding that the candidate, Loh Sze Yee, was not named by the division. Loh was unveiled as a candidate by Ngeh on Thursday evening. Besides Leong, candidates who were not aligned with the state leadership had either been dropped or moved to parliamentary seats. DAP life member Tan Ju Kong, 75, said he was disappointed with the party leadership for not re-nominating Leong. The visibly upset Tan tore up his membership card in front of reporters. Tan, who blamed Ngeh and Nga for the issue, said Leong had served her constituents well. "I will not vote for DAP this time around as I cannot accept a helicopter candidate." When contacted, Leong said she was a victim of factionalism within the party. The protest came hot on the heels of similar protests nationwide against the DAP leadership over its choice of candidates. Political analyst Dr P. Sivamurugan said this was an "unfamiliar" trend in the DAP's ranks as they were known to toe the line in the past. "This is happening because the members think they are in better shape compared with 2008. It is a case of overconfidence. "Back in 2008, not many people wanted to become a candidate because the confidence level was very low. "It will certainly affect the unity within Pakatan Rakyat. "In fact, in some areas, we may even see a Barisan Nasional candidate facing two candidates from DAP and PKR."
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| PKR supreme council member quits Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:42 PM PDT 
A Sabah PKR youth leader, upset with the way the party treats its young members, claims that PKR central had not kept its promise. (FMT) - On the back of scathing accusations hurled at PKR's national leaders by Sabah's Ansari Abdullah, over its lack of respect for Sabah divisions' decisions, another of the party's officials here has quit his post. A member of PKR's National Supreme Council Jeffrey Jomion quit the party saying that it had failed to keep its promise of fielding 30% new faces in the 13th general election. Jomion, who was a former Sabah Youth chief, said he was unhappy with the way the party was administered. He was particularly upset with the way PKR treated its youth members. "I have worked hard for the party but, as the PKR candidate list showed, only one person from the PKR youth chapter has been nominated. "The party always spoke about fielding 30% of new faces for GE13 but this hasn't happened," he said. Jomion has since joined the Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party (STAR). He announced his resignation yesterday after STAR announced its manifesto and candidates for the May 5 polls. Tomorrow is nomination day and STAR is expected to field at least 48 candidates for its state and 15 parliamentary seats. PKR meanwhile is set to contest in 43 state and 19 parliament seats. PKR betrayed Sabah Earlier today Ansari, also a PKR national Supreme Council member accused PKR national leaders of betraying its Sabah members. Aiming his words at PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim he said: "If I am the president of the party, I will not give the symbol to a non-member. "You have betrayed the PKR members for giving the party's symbol to somebody who is not a member." READ MORE HERE |
| DAP’s non-existent ‘threat’ Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:40 PM PDT 
(The Star) - THERE is no doubt that the letter from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has sparked some emotion that the DAP had deliberately sought to get public sympathy for the party. What DAP leaders usually do is only tell half-truths. Now, let us provide you the complete facts and the entire truth: First, the ROS had never threatened to deregister the party. It was DAP's own doing when it announced a "spread sheet error" in tabulating the Dec 15 party election results that prompted it to change the order of the votes and announce a slightly different line-up from that reported at the party convention. DAP had appointed Zairil Khir Johari to the CEC, three weeks after the convention. Second, the DAP had opportunities to immediately call for an extraordinary general meeting to seek ratification of the results by the delegates or call for a new vote. However, they decided not to do that but maintain the amended results as correct and acceptable. Third, the complaint was made by their party members and not by any political opponent or anyone related to their opponents. Under ROS regulations, only party members can file a complaint and it is the duty for ROS to investigate after complaints have been filed. Fourth, the ROS only acted based on their standard operating procedure by asking DAP to submit its report on the matter. However, DAP didn't provide a detailed report over how the "Spread sheet error" occurred as well as answer another complaint relating to 700 members not being given proper notice of the party convention. Fifth, ROS had set April 18 for an inquiry in Penang and asked those involved to give their statements to their officer during the inquiry. However, DAP asked for a postponement as the date was near the election date. Following the request, the ROS agreed to it by giving a 30-day extension. The latest date for the DAP to reply is May 17. The Registrar has given the DAP 30 days to answer his queries about the election results and the matter of 700 or so members not being given proper notice of the party convention. Six, the ROS' letter was just stating the obvious – that while investigations are being carried out, ROS could not recognise the new CEC. That means the DAP is still in business as the ROS had not declared the elections null and void or the central committee (CEC) null and void. Any decision about the legality of the elections would only come after the party had replied. Not only that, in the letter the ROS said nothing about a powerless CEC, nor did it even imply that the CEC could no longer function. The Registrar's letter was just a reminder that the party must provide explanations to the satisfaction of the Registrar, failing which the ROS was empowered to deregister the party. Such reminders are common and not out of the ordinary. It is a reminder to treat the matter seriously, if not, there would be consequences under the law. Many societies have similarly received such reminders in the past. Seven, even if the status of the new CEC is not recognised by the ROS pending the required reply from DAP, the party still can carry out its functions as the previous committee can assume their duties until the decision on the new committee is made. This principle is similar to the caretaker function in any association and government. Eight, there is no issue about DAP not being able to use its rocket symbol as the party is still a valid political party and its symbol is still registered with Election Commission. There is no issue about whether party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng can issue candidacy letters to the EC as he also served as secretary-general under the previous CEC. However, all these facts have been conveniently spun by DAP to give perception that the ROS had intentionally wanted to deregister the party (when in fact the ROS had not come to that stage). Worse still, in order to condition the mind of the people at large, they deliberately used words such as "despicable", "BN sabotage", "worse than repressive Singapore", "how can we trust their word" (referring to the Election Commission) as well as questioning the timing of the letter. They also put up a drama by projecting them as being victims by showing anger "emotion" by Lim Guan Eng's, Lim Kit Siang's crying and now they have no choice but to use PAS or PKR symbols when in fact there is no issue about using the rocket symbol. What the DAP actually want is to force the ROS to recognise their new office bearers from day one even when the results are in doubt. They had deliberately not given details on how they could come to the conclusion that the technical glitch came about as they only submitted a report on minutes of the meeting and the list of the new office bearers with the amended results. The DAP's decision to use the PAS or PKR banners is a political decision by its top leadership for the May 5 general election. In fact, the decision to use the PAS symbol could also be viewed as a tactical reason as this could condition non-Muslim voters to view PAS favourably as well as dispel lingering notions among Muslims of the DAP as anti-Islamic unbelievers. |
| Najib 'cautiously optimistic' about polls prospects Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:38 PM PDT 
Anita Gabriel, ST As Malaysia's long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition faces its toughest battle at the ballot booth on May 5, Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was "cautiously optimistic" of being returned to power. In an interview with The Straits Times, Datuk Seri Najib said: "I am cautiously optimistic of a good result in the General Election and our ability to form a strong and stable government." Mr Najib's BN, in power now for 55 years, is fighting a strong opposition that is running on the theme of change. His remark stands in stark contrast to the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat's (PR's) confidence of scoring big in the country's 13th General Election. In an e-mailed response to questions, Mr Najib said: "Malaysia needs a government with experience and a track record that shows it can deliver on its pledges and handle unexpected challenges." In the 2008 election, the BN lost its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament, its worst performance since 1969. The opposition also won five of Malaysia's 13 states, one of which reverted to BN following defections. That precarious political position prompted Mr Najib to embark on a series of reforms after he took over from his predecessor Abdullah Badawi, in April 2009. His ambitious economic reform agenda cuts across 12 sectors and involves 150 massive projects promising total investments of US$444 billion (S$549 billion) and creating about 3.3 million new jobs between 2010 and 2020. Indeed, economic reform is an overarching theme on both sides of the political divide in the election. In courting the roughly 13.3 million voters, both the BN and PR have pledged to improve Malaysians' economic well-being and strengthen the economy. About a quarter of the voters will be casting their votes for state and federal government seats for the first time. The opposition PR, which released its manifesto before the BN, has accused the BN of copying its mission statement, a charge which Mr Najib scoffs at: "The opposition manifesto borrows heavily from pre-existing government policies. So any plagiarism is theirs. "Ours is a costed, targeted set of tangible policies," he said. "The opposition's is a fantasy wish list of gimmicks and giveaways that the country can't afford." |
| New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia Posted: 19 Apr 2013 05:25 PM PDT 
Author Sam Harris, whose work is central to the Islamophobia allegations. The atheist community is right to pursue rational, civilised debate, and should be able to do so without being tarred as bigots. Andrew Zak Williams, New Statesman For a community that is often portrayed as aggressive and pugitive, New Atheism has recently been on the backfoot, defending itself from claims dreamt up by those who should – and, surely, in many cases do – know better. This time round, the scientific and intellectual elite of Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens have found themselves accused of Islamophobia. The whole sorry saga was conveniently summarised in last Friday's Independent. In short, recent pieces at salon.com and on Al Jazeera's website have argued, in the words of columnist Murtaza Hussain, that the likes of these prominent atheists are giving a veneer of scientific respectability to today's Islamophobic bigotry. Sam Harris is accused of advocating pre-emptive nuclear strikes on Muslims and the profiling of those who merely look like Muslims. Richard Dawkins has come under attack from calling Islam "the greatest force for evil today" and the late Christopher Hitchens has been described as having a bloodlust towards Muslims. But, sadly, nuance and allegations of bigotry make strange bedfellows. Take Sam Harris. His 2003 book End of Faith catalogues the Qur'an's long list of orders to murder and exhortations to avenge. He imagines a radical Islamist state acquiring long range nuclear weaponry, thus able to vent its rage against the west. Add in the possibility that it's headed by an avowedly suicidal regime and nuclear deterrence becomes a worthless currency. Harris anticipates the possibility that in that situation the US may find itself having to press the button first. But it's a scenario he hardly welcomes. Surely, rational discourse should be permitted to tiptoe cautiously along the hallowed corridors of the house of Islam without the guards frogmarching it out, bellowing allegations of racism and bigotry. Cannot we not agree that the real issue is whether the critiques of Islam proffered by today's prominent atheists are correct? For instance, does Islam fall short when it comes to women's rights? Does it trample free speech while enforcing its own precepts, by the sword if necessary? By all means, apologists may disagree with the likes of Harris and biologist Jerry Coyne. But what signal is sent by a refusal to permit the issues to be even debated? One can dream up allegations about any religion that are so obscene that no beliver should be expected to respond. But take the suggestion that Islam has some way to go before it promotes gay rights beyond the level of a misnomer. Or that its holy book, taken literally, demands an embrace of violence and reprisals that wouldn't be tolerated by any humanist ethos. These allegations, on their face, are wholly consistent with observation. What's more, its tenets and precepts have real consequences and repercussions for all of us. What is it that leads apologists and liberal writers to nevertheless consider that Islam shouldn't have to answer these charges, and that those who bring them are merely dressing their bigotry in a cloak of intellectualism? Biologist Jerry Coyne puts it this way: "Critics of the New Atheists are free to take issue with their tone, but to dismiss them without addressing the substance of their arguments constitutes an implicit admission that they just might have a point." You can see his point. Plenty of Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses and Anglicans surely feel aggrieved when their god is put under the microscope and found to be the product of unintelligent design. They challenge both what is said and, increasingly these days, the way it's said. But they hardly consider that their faith is immune from suitable criticism. For Islam to claim special treatment is to imply that it's unable to withstand such analysis. We are used to seeing Muslim spokespersons choosing the aftermath of a terrorist attack carried out in the Prophet's name to practise mealy-mouthed equivocation at the price of heartfelt sympathy. Then again, many moderate Muslims are at the front of the queue deploring much that is done in the name of their faith. We are under no compunction to pretend that the terrorist doesn't exist any more than to deny the abundance of moderate Muslims. But the atheist community will not be bullied by lazy allegations of bigotry leveled against those who point that a religion that harbours such extremes has some explaining to do. Nor, thankfully, is Sam Harris. Within the last few days he has defended himself, explaining that religions that pose the greatest threat deserve to be analysed more carefully than others. Of course, part of the difficulty here is a definitional one. Islam isn't a race, so to accuse its detractors of racism should appeal to no-one bar those in need of an cheap jibe. Indeed, today's New Atheism is no less critical of white Muslim converts than their Middle Eastern brethren. And to resort to the tag "Islamophobia" is justified only if you adapt a bizarre definition of the word that is satisfied merely if the religion is held up to scrutiny, rather than its people being held up to prejudice. But perhaps there's another word for what today's New Atheists have been saying. Maybe they're just plain wrong. Maybe. But until civilised debate is permitted, perhaps we'll never know. |
| Sex video: ‘Thai police colonel detained’ Posted: 19 Apr 2013 01:48 PM PDT 
A PKR leader claims that a top Thai police officer and his wife, who were witnesses, have been detained by the Malaysian police. Athi Shankar, FMT PKR has claimed that a Thai police colonel and his wife have been detained by the Malaysian police. The colonel, according to PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, was part of a team probing the allegation that the sex videos which implicated Anwar Ibrahim were made in Thailand. Speaking at a ceramah here last night, Badrul told the crowd that PKR was tipped off by a reliable source that the video was made in Thailand using a clone. Following the tip-off, he said a check found that the Thai police had investigated the matter. It was supposedly produced in Hatyai. He claimed that the Thai police aborted the probe following a directive from Malaysia. Upon receiving the information, he said Pakatan Rakyat executive secretary Shabrimi Sidek went to Hatyai to collect the evidence and bring back the witnesses to Malaysia. However, Badrul said Shabrimi and the witnesses – the Thai police colonel, his wife and another unknown Thai man – were stopped at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint by Malaysian police. They were taken first to a nearby police station, then kept under custody in the Kedah police contingent headquarters in Alor Star. Badrul said lawyers could not have access to the detainees. However, he said Shabrimi managed to contact PKR's executive secretary Raden Shamsul Kamar at 6pm yesterday via his mobile phone to inform about his alleged arrest. Badrul then played the audio recording of the telephone conversation. The media and the crowd were disappointed when PKR only aired the audio recording of a telephone conversation between Shabrimi and Raden. Prior to this, it was reported that a Thai national, who was supposedly the clone used in the sex videos, would make an appearance at the ceramah. At the same ceramah, PKR Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul showed a video allegedly showing Thai police forensic evidence apparently trying to prove that Anwar was not the actor. READ MORE HERE |
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