Ahad, 28 April 2013

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Mustaffa Kamil Ayub’s shattered dreams of becoming the MB of Perak

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 01:00 AM PDT

Mustaffa does not want to, again, contest this seat. He wanted a state seat this time around because he felt that DAP would most likely win the most number of seats in the Perak State Assembly with PKR getting the second largest number. And since DAP is not fielding a Malay candidate this would mean he would then become the new Menteri Besar of Perak -- something he has been dreaming of since four elections ago back in 1999.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Mustaffa Kamil Ayub is one of the infamous old guards from Anwar Ibrahim's ABIM who is contesting the Pasir Salak parliamentary seat in Perak against Umno's also infamous old guard, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

That's nice. Two very colourful and infamous old guards face-to-face on a one-on-one in the equally infamous place called Pasir Salak.

A match made in heaven for sure.

Tajuddin is famous or infamous as 'The Six Million Dollar Man'. And if you don't know this story, well, too bad. That means you just 'woke up' very recently in 2007 or 2008.

Amongst Tajuddin's other 'landmarks' is: he called the DAP Member of Parliament, M. Kulasegaran, a bastard in Parliament plus he was cited for making sexual innuendos.

Not a bad track record, don't you think so?

Actually, this is not the first time that Mustaffa Kamil and Tajuddin Rahman are meeting on the battlefield called Pasir Salak. They first did battle in the last general election in 2008 and Tajuddin beat Mustaffa with a 2,700-vote majority.

Mustaffa does not want to, again, contest this seat. He wanted a state seat this time around because he felt that DAP would most likely win the most number of seats in the Perak State Assembly with PKR getting the second largest number. And since DAP is not fielding a Malay candidate this would mean he would then become the new Menteri Besar of Perak -- something he has been dreaming of since four elections ago back in 1999.

However, because of the letter below, PKR did not dare give Mustaffa a state seat or make him the Menteri Besar in the event Pakatan Rakyat, yet again, wins the state of Perak. Just too many PKR people hate Mustaffa and if there is any hint he will be made the new Perak MB then for sure they will vote Umno instead.

What a shame. If not then PKR would control two states, Selangor and Perak, with DAP controlling Penang and PAS in charge of Kelantan and Kedah (if they win both those states like they did in 2008). Now Perak would be under PAS if Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin again gets appointed the Menteri Besar.

Anyway, Pasir Salak has always been a dangerous place. This was the same place where J. W. W. Birch was stabbed in the back with a keris as he was taking a shit in the Perak River. That is what happens when you do an un-environmentally friendly thing like polluting the river.

And will Mustaffa, yet again, suffer defeat on 5th May 2013 like he did in 2008? Well, that is the game plan, to get rid of him once and for all. That is why he was sent to the place where Birch met his doom.

 
Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

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Deciding Who To Vote For: Hung Parliament Not Necessarily Bad

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 01:11 PM PDT

http://smf.stanford.edu/images/bmusa_small.jpg 

At least hookers are consumed with satisfying their present customers first, and would solicit new ones only after they have done that. 
 
M. Bakri Musa
 
Downstream Analysis: Hung Parliament Not Necessarily Bad (Last of Four Parts)
 
Many fear a hung parliament as they think that would lead to chaos and uncertainty. Yes, there may be both but neither is inevitable. On the contrary I see many potentially redeeming aspects that could benefit citizens, the permanent establishment, and yes, even those politicians.
 
For citizens, seeing these freshly-victorious politicians brazenly jockeying for positions would be both instructive and revealing. It would be quite a sight to watch them behave worse than hookers. At least hookers are consumed with satisfying their present customers first, and would solicit new ones only after they have done that. More importantly, they do both discreetly. Those politicians on the other hand would be openly and lustily auctioning themselves to the highest bidder without even a promise of satisfactory performance to their current customers – citizens who had only recently voted for them. Those politicians would whore themselves brazenly. What matters to them would only be the price their new customers would be willing to pay, regardless how filthy and disease-ridden they are. Damn the consequences, for them or the nation.
 
The jockeying would be intense, shameless and endlessly shifting, threatening both Barisan and Pakatan. It would not be below MCA for example, to align itself with DAP and throw their weight behind Pakatan, demanding an outrageous price in return. Or MCA could demand a stiff price for remaining in Barisan. Not to be outdone, as alluded earlier, PAS could bolt Pakatan and align itself with UMNO in an ugly chauvinistic attempt at reviving Ketuanan Melayu. UMNO would sell its soul to get PAS support, and PAS in turn would readily sign a pact with the devil given the right price. There would be only one certainty; our politicians would finally be exposed for all their corruptness and hideousness. In the end unfortunately, citizens and Malaysia would be paying the terrible price.
 
Perhaps the nation needs such a sordid spectacle to jolt it into realizing that elections have consequences, and that the politicians and leaders we have today are far different from the earlier generation that brought us merdeka.
 
On the other hand, our politicians may well surprise us. Without being unnecessarily Pollyannaish, a few might discover that politics is after all a noble profession, and at its best and essence, a fine exercise in the art of compromise in order to get things done for the good of all.
 
At the very least a hung parliament would prompt us to be more prudent on our voting and not be so casual with this important exercise of democracy. If that would also encourage otherwise thoughtful Malaysians to offer themselves as candidates, then the whole exercise would not have been futile.
 
A hung parliament would also have a salutary effect on the permanent establishment. The last time there was a similar debacle, in Perak following the 2008 elections, the permanent establishment including the sultan, did not acquit themselves well. Who could forget the spectacle of the Speaker being hauled out of the Assembly desperately clinging on to his chair, or the Raja Muda, the Sultan's representative, being forced to cool his heels in an adjacent room while waiting out the mayhem? It was not pretty. The stench stained all, and stayed to this day.
 
You can be certain that this time, with the real possibility of Barisan being toppled, members of the permanent establishment would be more circumspect for their own selfish reasons. Thus I do not expect blatant displays of partisanship as we saw in Perak. To add flavor to that, the King today, Sultan Halim, was the Sultan of Kedah when PAS took over from UMNO. Thus working with a non-UMNO chief executive would not be a novelty for him.
 
Once we have established this fact at the federal level, all the other sultans at the state level would follow suit. They would, out of concern for their own survival, no longer be so blatantly partisan. That can only be good for them and the country.
 
A hung parliament is nothing to fear; it is just another though less clear-cut expression of a Barisan defeat. Stated differently, a hung parliament is a not-so-pretty Pakatan victory.

 

Question mark over local ISPs playing politics

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 01:05 PM PDT

http://en.harakahdaily.net/images/stories/newslocal/isps.jpg 

Since nomination day, Harakahdaily has come under severe DDOS (distributed denial of service) attacks. But lately, our IT team found that there was more to it.


Having tested broadband services from all local internet service providers (ISP), we discovered that only YES4G and Time Internet have no problems accessing our web.

Users of ISPs such as TM Broadband, Unifi, Streamyx, Maxis, Celcom and Digi however have complained of unusually slow speed when accessing the Harakahdailyportal. 

A pageview chart screened by us also revealed that connection was being 'dropped' every now and then when using these ISPs.

"If the matter is true, such dirty tactics must be stopped. ISPs should focus on their job to deliver the best service to its customers any desired websites without restriction," said Zulkifli Sulong, Harakahdaily's editor-in-chief.

Harakahdaily is not alone. Malaysiakini's IT team reportedly observed similar trend. The portal today questioned whether ISPs had been ordered to reduce access or restrict some websites.

Malaysiakini chief executive officer Premesh Chandran was equally serious in urging ISPs to butt out of politics.

"ISPs should stay out of politics and make sure their staff do not follow illegal instructions which undermine the accessibility of their networks. They should also ensure shared gateways are free of tampering and restrictions," said Premesh.

Harakahdaily's readership has meanwhile overtaken other major news sites, including UMNO-owned Utusan Malaysia's internet edition.

As a precaution to future attacks, all our news will be also posted in full on our popular Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/harakahdaily.

 

"Users who find it hard to access our portal, please tell your friends to get our news from our Facebook page as well," said Zulkifli. 

 

*************

Suggestions from MT admin: 
 
1. Encourage public to make a complaint to SKMM/MCMC if they experience difficulty accessing internet
 
2. Educate public to use online proxy browser (bypass internet censorship)
 
3. Educated public to use Tor Browser (bypass internet censorship)
https://www.torproject.org/ 

Patronising and presumptuous BN

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:57 PM PDT

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPN4X42AQKdPr2P2LeeWAmQoFtWfM6bJ3jGzLmKyYPAeIAmthZkOmqEIyNIjL1efx8pa4mRTDu2OT2DQirnbWBPPuDCEEgjOdHQchNc2CLx-5A10NEJRTWP3kY5kMzA596f0u8_x4VKc/s640/keluarga+pengundi+bn.jpg 

BN's mindset seems to be: we have given you all the goodies (BR1M, etc.) and we have reminded you by letters to vote for us. We now presume all voters in your family are BN supporters. 

KoSong 

Read more at: http://kosongcafe.blogspot.com/2013/04/patronising-and-presumptuous-bn.html 

Arrest warrant issued against Uthayakumar

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:51 PM PDT

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/uthayakumar.jpg 

(FMT) - The Sessions Court today ordered for an arrest warrant against the HRP leader for being absent from court, despite having a valid medical leave certificate.

The Sessions Court today ordered for an arrest warrant to be issued against Human Rights Party leader P Uthayakumar for being absent from court.

The judge, Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain, ordered for the warrant despite Uthayakumar's aide, S Thiagarajan producing a valid medical certificate to the court for his ailment.

When contacted, Uthayakumar said that he had obtained a medical leave certificate from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM) on April 2 for suffering from prolapsed disk and small tumour on his backbone.

"The consultant neurosurgeon, Dr P Shanmugaraja gave me a leave of absence from April 2 to May 17 for my medical condition and Thiagarajan produced the document to the court today.

"However, the deputy public prosecutor argued that I was busy campaigning for the general election and the judge immediately issued a warrant of arrest," said Uthayakumar.

The HRP pro-tem secretary general is being tried under the Sedition Act for a letter issued to former British prime minister Gordon Brown, alleging there is ethnic cleansing in Malaysia.

Uthayakumar dismissed the notion that he was using the medical leave for campaigning, saying that much of his election work was done at his office.

"We never had any ceramahs outside my office. Even yesterday, I only had a ceramah in a house in Klang attended by about 30 people. After that, I attended a temple function.

"I normally go back home immediately after my work to rest. I'm now taking painkillers to subdue the pain," he said.

Read more at: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/04/29/arrest-warrant-issued-against-uthayakumar/ 

BN, Please Stop Sending Me SMS-es!

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:29 PM PDT

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmZmo9dFNJPQIVDDGGqbJ7KV9Wee9lDEDCNtoxCrMn71N4CP_c9dbRDZS0J8MdK5RtjKqVmsaN4sIhBjAU-v2NRQDLQnDn1dEHWiBCtDsBuQ2fQww3Xq64SXpvenW1Bhf7RpgHOiMHIKu/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG 

Alwyn Lau 

Here are six reasons why:

1 – I get too many messages already; every week greedy corporations try to sell me stuff I don't need, using cheesy messages which insult even my stupidity. Next to your corruption, KL traffic jams and our football team, corporate SMS-es will be the death of Malaysia. So stop polluting my mobile Messages and instead try a nice 1-Malaysia brochure taped to two free return tickets to Paris – this might arouse my curiosity if not my attention (but no I still won't vote for you).

2 – I can't stand reading superficial declarations of great things to come from a party which has, for the past fifty years, been promising oceans but delivering droplets. Like that quote in Top Gun, Barisan's mouth keeps writing cheques your body can't cash. Worse, BN has been handing out free money to friends and cousins for half a century; but now you've got fewer friends because many people's cousins are suffering from the holes you've been covering up with acronyms (NEP, NDP, 1M, IM4U, etc.)

And for once I'd like to read about the millions you invested for the Orang Asli or those folks I see on "Bersamamu Malaysia" (shown on TV3) whose poverty and condition I know you'll never include into a 1-Malaysia pamphlet. These people need you more than Psy needs to visit Penang.

3 – I'm also ticked off when your SMS-es wax big time about how Barisan is the hope of the country, how you're the only group which can ensure that 'BANGSA' and 'NEGARA' remain shining bright. Because the whole galaxy knows that you're helpless against certain people who don't mind seeing the country burn. That independent dude standing in Pasir Mas, for example. He's a walking, bad-mouthed proof of how some folks have more rights than others in this country or how there's almost nothing left of rights because the center has gone south with regards to its moral-political compass. Translated: BN has messed up Malaysia's democracy. That's why March 8th happened; that's why May 5th will make March 8th look like April 1st. And you still want to send corny text messages?

4 – Every SMS from you which interrupts three precious seconds of my life reminds me of the traffic disruptions caused by your motley crew of VIPs' on the road. Virtually every hour in KL, there's some big-shot in a black car (somehow it's always black) who doesn't feel a tad bit guilty using public finance to frustrate public drivers. Why do your previous VIPs' need to inconvenience every other motorist so their flashy vehicles can ride like they're on the set of Fast & Furious? Seriously, what's the hurry? Are you defusing a bomb? Delivering a baby?

I once saw a policeman plant his bike in front of an ambulance in order that a huge long car with flags can go at 100km/hour in the heart of the city without its driver having to hit the brake even once. Chances are the over-weight bureaucrat in the back-seat didn't have a clue that his travel itinerary risked somebody's life. Chances are, too, that he's used to giving speeches about how his party is 'for the people' and that if Malaysia wants stability, she'll need to stick with the two weighing-baskets bathed in dark blue. Newsflash: Bad blue is on the way out. White, green, red and happy blue are coming in. And this time no more frogs.

5 - Most of your SMS-es are written in capital letters: DO YOU KNOW HOW IRRITATING AND RUDE THAT SOUNDS? WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM – BLIND? Are you guys so morally insecure you find uncapped letters a threat to your public self-image?

6 – How in the world did you even get my number? Is there some national mobile phonebook published that I'm not aware of? As if it's not bad enough our corporations are making frivolous products which turn our people into consumption addicts, we have to find out that business and government are different forms of the same rotten fruit. You and your political parties should be ensuring that corporations serve the people and the country, not the other way round. Because right now household debt is as bad as our obesity rate (the highest in the region, no thanks to food companies). Our debts are socialized, our profits are privatized and our airport taxis feel like they're going to come apart on the highway. And instead of solving the problem, you're buying phone numbers.

7 – This is the worst part, because you seem to have graduated away from SMS-es to making actual phone calls. Today I got a call and – lo and behold – I heard a recorded message tell me that Barisan created the universe, invented sliced bread and holds the secret to global warming and cancer. All fine and good, except I hated the sound of the recording. The dude speaking didn't sound excited at all, like he was a hostage mouthing a script thrust into his blood-soaked face. It was impersonal, unclear, full of static and devoid of life.

Just like you.

 

Toh Sin Wah - My Candidacy

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:21 PM PDT


Independent Candidate for P104 Kelana Jaya 

Attached is my little booklet, My Candidacy - Towards Achieving My Vision for your review, comment, contribution, recommendation and support.

If freedom of the press and information is what all of you are concerned with, then let's walk the talk by securing me to play host to you Malaysians to be your loyal, reliable and trusted people's representative to check effectively, without fear or favour , the new ruling coalition government promises of a clean, transparent and fair society.

 

The Malaysian Trojan Horse

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:19 PM PDT

http://thomasfann.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/msiantrojanhorse.jpg?w=594&h=289 

Constructed by professional public relations firm like APCO with the help of a very compliant broadcast and printing mass media industry. 

Thomas Fann 

In Virgil's epic poem Aeneid, he told the tale of how the Greeks overcame the fortress city of Troy after laying siege to it for ten years. The Greeks built a giant wooden horse and hid a select team of warriors in it to deceive the Trojans that they have abandoned their battle and presented the city of Troy with a gift – the wooden horse.

Elated with the gift, the Trojans brought the wooden horse into the city to celebrate their victory. That night itself, while the city slept, the Greek warriors came out of the horse, opened the city gate for the Greek army who had returned and they overran the city of Troy. What they failed to achieve through military might in 10 years, they did it in one night through trickery.

The campaign for the hearts and minds of the Malaysian public has officially started in this General Election with the incumbent coalition of Barisan Nasional (BN) throwing everything they have to hold on to power against a formidable coalition called Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Of all the arsenal they have at their disposal to win this war, perhaps, the most potent one is none other than the caretaker Prime Minister himself, Najib Razak.

Riding on Najib's personal popularity with the public, said to be around 61 percent by independent pollster Merdeka Centre in February 2013, the Barisan Nasional whose own rating is at 45 percent, decided to make Najib the mascot of their election campaign. It is a no-brainer.

Throughout the country, on the numerous BN's billboards, printed materials and TV commercials and news, it is Najib's sweet and gentle smiling face that you see. Never before in the history of general elections in our country has so much been hinged on the persona of a man instead of on the ideals or vision of the party for the country. Visitors to our country could have mistaken us for a US presidential-style democracy instead of a parliamentary-based democracy where the ideals and policies of the contesting parties are more important than the personalities that represent it.

But Najib Razak is a trojan horse, constructed by professional public relations firm like APCO with the help of a very compliant broadcast and printing mass media industry. He has had an extreme makeover which transformed him from an ultra Malay rights politician to one that espouse the inclusive and tolerant values of 1Malaysia.

What is behind this veneer of civility and moderation? Or more importantly, what and who is hiding within this Malaysian trojan horse that is now standing at the gate of Putrajaya, waiting to be ushered in on 5th of May 2013 for the 13th time?

Read more at: http://thomasfann.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/the-malaysian-trojan-horse/ 

 

If you are afraid to vote Pakatan, what can you do?

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:13 PM PDT

http://i0.wp.com/aliran.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/P-Ramakrishnan_avatar.jpg?resize=100%2C100 

Don't go and vote.

P. Ramakrishnan 

P Ramakrishnan advises pensioners what they should do if they are worried that their votes won't be secret. 

There are civil servants and pensioners who are fearful of voting for Pakatan. They would very much like to do so but they are afraid.
 
The civil servants are scared that if they are found out for supporting the opposition their promotion prospects may be affected. They think they may even be dismissed from service.
 
The pensioners are apprehensive that their pension may be stopped if they do not support the BN. They believe that it is the BN that is giving them their pension.
 
To begin with, it is not possible to trace your voting ballot paper. It does not have any serial number on the ballot paper. So, it is impossible to trace you.
 
With regard to promotion, there is nothing to worry. When Pakatan takes over Putrajaya, nobody will be victimised for partisan politics. Your promotion will depend on your merit and nothing else. You will not be dismissed from service for exercising your right to vote.
 
As for the pension, it will continue even after Pakatan takes over the federal government. The pension is part and parcel of your service. You will continue to receive it and your spouse, if alive after your death, will receive your pension as long as she lives.
 
So, there is nothing to fear at all.
 
But if for whatever reason you are still not convinced, this is what you can do. Don't go and vote. If you are fearful of voting for the opposition, don't vote. If you go and vote, you will force yourself to vote for the BN just to feel safe. Don't do that. Stay at home.
 
Voting is not compulsory. Don't waste your vote by forcing yourself to vote for the BN. If you don't vote, you will be helping the opposition. In this way, believe me, you will be helping Pakatan to go to Putrajaya.
 
Some of you may find yourself in a difficult situation on polling day. If a BN friend comes along and offers you a lift to the polling centre, go with him. Play along with him or her that you are keen to vote. But once inside the polling booth, don't mark your ballot paper. Cast a blank ballot paper into the ballot box. Your blank ballot paper will be rejected as a spoilt vote.
 
This is what it means: you have not supported the BN but you have, in fact, supported Pakatan.

On polling day, either stay at home or cast a blank ballot paper. In this way, you would have freed yourself from fear. What more, you have refused to be exploited any more. 

Tightest of races in the heartland

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:06 PM PDT

http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/imagecache/story-gallery-featured/ST_20130429_JHYPERAK_3634156e.jpg

(ST) - People attending a PAS rally in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. As many as 15 of the 59 state seats in Perak were won by slim margins in 2008, indicating that the contest for votes is likely to be just as tight this time. 

RICE farmer Rosdee Haron sips a hot brew at the local coffee shop as he surveys the half-finished mosque down the road. It bears the bright blue banner of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

"Just for the elections," he mutters.

Titi Serong is located in the north-western district of Kerian, which was considered a BN stronghold until 2008, when it delivered almost all its votes to the opposition, helping to make Perak one of three states clinched by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance.

Mr Rosdee's sceptical comment may mean that BN has some way to go before it can expect to swing the tide in its favour in Sunday's general election.

Perak, the second-largest state by area in peninsular Malaysia, used to be among the country's richest states due to its strong tin deposits. But commodity prices have slumped, and last year, Perak's mean monthly household income was ranked the fourth-lowest among the nation's 13 states.

Besides, new voters make up a fifth of the 1.4 million people eligible to vote - a factor not relished by incumbent governments, which are always leery about the anti-establishment sentiments of younger folk. There's another factor in play - next-door Penang is perceived to have prospered under the opposition Democratic Action Party's (DAP) rule.

BN's response to the challenge has been robust.

First, it sought early-mover advantage by identifying its candidates much in advance, giving them time to cover the ground. Second, it adopted so-called "man-to-man marking" so as to persuade opposition-leaning voters to change sides.

And last Friday, Prime Minister Najib Razak made a brief stop in Kerian to canvass for votes.

Barely a year after losing Perak, BN regained control of the 59-seat state assembly when three PR assemblymen defected.

The government has poured more than RM1.4 billion (S$570 million) into Kerian, building or renovating markets and mosques, and improving roads in a bid to regain influence in this Malay heartland. "If we win Kerian, we win the state," says Mr Shalimin Shaffie, political secretary to Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The Perak PR manifesto also makes special mention of Kerian district, promising to protect its Islamic heritage by setting aside funds to build and operate several modern Islamic research centres there if Pakatan wins power.

Over in the state capital of Ipoh, Mr Zambry has gone on a charm offensive, hosting regular tea sessions and stepping up the pace of weekly state executive council meetings.

"For the first time in history, we don't have any backlog of files," he tells The Straits Times.

But the goalposts of electoral success may have shifted somewhat since 2008.The people in Kerian have seen up close what they consider to be a credible performance by the DAP in Penang.

Read more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia-elections/features/story/tightest-races-the-heartland-20130429 

 

Malaysian populist windfall fuels debt fears

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 12:01 PM PDT

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/image/292294/1367152784000/large16x9/768/432/ringgit-501649.jpg 

(Channel News Asia) - It has never been more lucrative to be a voter in Malaysia, where political rivals are showering the public with cash in a desperate electoral battle, stoking concerns over rising national debt.

With the May 5 elections expected to be Malaysia's closest ever, the long-ruling coalition has given billions of dollars in new cash, pay rises and other handouts to civil servants, the poor, elderly, farmers and students.

The opposition, which holds four of 13 states, has likewise made a range of state-level payouts, and promises still more perks if it wins federal power for the first time in Malaysia's 56 years of independence.

The bidding war began shortly after the opposition stung the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition in 2008 elections, but has spiralled of late.

"It's been a windfall for Malaysians these past five years," said Francis Loh, president of Malaysian democratic rights group Aliran.

The bonanza has seemed farcical at times.

Barisan recently denounced opposition campaign pledges as a blueprint for insolvency.

But Prime Minister Najib Razak promptly upped the ante with billions in new promises of his own -- sparking opposition outrage that he copied their ideas.

The unprecedented giveaways attest to the high stakes of an election in which a ruling elite is desperate to retain power and its rich perks, while the opposition fights to make the most of its best shot yet at governing.

But warnings are emerging that Malaysia is at best endangering a goal to become a "developed nation" by 2020 and at worst courting disaster.

"Today's politicians are bent on planting the seeds of an economic crisis for our children to inherit," said Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who runs the IDEAS think-tank.

If Malaysia meets financial catastrophe in the future, "economic historians may well trace back the root cause to this general election," he added.

Read more at: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysian-populist-windfall-fuels-debt-f/656414.html 

 

Najib's Han Chiang Counteroffensive?

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 02:36 AM PDT

KTemoc Konsiders

On 16 December 1944, a Nazi Germany besieged by its enemies on two fronts and facing inevitable defeat, launched a desperate offensive in the Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France and Luxembourg on the Western Front.

Wikipedia states: Germany's goal for these operations was to split the British and American Allied line in half, capturing Antwerp (port in Belgium) and then proceed to encircle and destroy four Allied armies, forcing the Western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis Powers' favour. Once accomplished, Hitler could fully concentrate on the eastern theatre of war.

It was not only a desperate offensive but basically a salvage operations for Germany's interests. But it caught the Allies by surprise and provided the American military its bloodiest battle in Europe in WWII.

The German termed their offensive as Ardennenoffensive (Ardennes Counteroffensive). The US military also officially designated the battle as the Ardennes Counteroffensive, but due to a few technical-geographical

Flash forward 70 years.

On 30 April 2013, a BN besieged by its enemies on several fronts and facing inevitable defeat, will launch a desperate offensive in the halls of Han Chiang College (HCC) in Penang on its North-Western Front. anomalies and the preference of the American press, the conflict became more popularly known as The Battle of the Bulge, a description of how the Allied lines bulged inwards under the German offensive through the forested regions of the Ardennes.

The Malaysian Insider reported:

Najib, who is also BN chairman, is expected to grace the April 30 dinner event and to make two announcements to provide a fillip to the slow-starting Penang BN campaign.

"Najib will make two important announcements on Tuesday — restore Penang's free port status and the approval of HCC as a university college," Han Chiang's honorary principal Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian was quoted as saying by theMalaysiakini news portal yesterday.

The PM had in February said Han Chiang's application for the university college status will be considered, during the BN's Chinese New Year bash on the grounds.

But Tan said today he was unable to confirm that Najib would be presenting Han Chiang with the promised university-college status.

"So far, we've not received any confirmation from the federal government, I only heard people talking about it," he said.

If true, then the expected announcements will be very attractive. But the first issue that we should consider is whether the caretaker government under Najib can make these two announcements, namely, restoring Penang's free port status and approving  Han Chiang College as a university college?

I am not a lawyer but I checked up on the practice of a couple of Commonwealth countries like Australia and India, besides what Rocketkini publishes. There's not much difference as we may expect from our common Westminster democracy, but I choose to highlight the Australian code for caretaker government as it seems to be the clearest laid out, as follows:

Major policy decisions. The Government will cease taking major policy decisions except on urgent matters and then only after formal consultation with the Opposition. The conventions apply to the making of decisions, not to their announcement. Accordingly, the conventions are not infringed where decisions made before dissolution are announced during the caretaker period. However, where possible, decisions would normally be announced ahead of dissolution.

Significant appointments. The Government will cease making major appointments of public officials, but may make acting or short-term appointments.

Major contracts or undertakings. The Government will avoid entering major contracts or undertakings during the caretaker period. If it is not possible to defer the commitment until after the caretaker period, for legal, commercial or other reasons, a minister could consult the Opposition, or agencies could deal with the contractor and ensure that contracts include clauses providing for termination in the event of an incoming government not wishing to proceed. Similar provisions cover tendering.

International negotiations and visits. The Government ordinarily seeks to defer such major international negotiations, or adopts observer status, until the end of the caretaker period.

Avoiding APS involvement in election activities. (APS or Australian Public Service is equivalent of our Malaysian Civil Service but not politically partisan like the Malaysian version, wakakaka) The Australian Public Service adopts a neutral stance while continuing to advise the Government. There are several cases, notably the pricing of Opposition election promises, in which the APS conducts an investigation and report for the benefit of the electorate at large.

Incidentally, read the part on '... in which the APS conducts an investigation and report for the benefit of the electorate at large'. That's what public (or civil) servant means. Here in Malaysia it's likely to be '... in which the MCS conducts an investigation and report for the benefit of UMNO', wakakaka and eat your hearts out Malaysians.

 

Umno youth beaten when hanging flags

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 02:33 AM PDT

(The Star) - TELUK INTAN: A member of Kampung Bahagia Umno Youth branch suffered injuries on his left cheek after being set upon by a group of men in front of Kampung Bahagia mosque here.

The victim, Kamaruddin Ahmad, 40, was injured after he was punched repeatedly by the assailants.   
 
Teluk Intan Umno Youth division chief, Yuzaile Yusuf said the incident at 11pm yesterday took place when Kamaruddin was putting up flags and posters at the Barisan Nasional election operations room. 
 
He said it was believed about 50 people suddenly appeared and attacked the eight Umno Youth members who were carrying out their tasks.
 
Kamaruddin said he did not know the reason for the attack. 
 
"We do not know why these unidentified people who were wearing t-shirts with PAS logo attacked us," he said when met after making a police report at the Hilir Perak police headquarters, here tonight.  


Mustaffa Kamil Ayub’s shattered dreams of becoming the MB of Perak

Posted: 28 Apr 2013 01:00 AM PDT

Mustaffa does not want to, again, contest this seat. He wanted a state seat this time around because he felt that DAP would most likely win the most number of seats in the Perak State Assembly with PKR getting the second largest number. And since DAP is not fielding a Malay candidate this would mean he would then become the new Menteri Besar of Perak -- something he has been dreaming of since four elections ago back in 1999.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Mustaffa Kamil Ayub is one of the infamous old guards from Anwar Ibrahim's ABIM who is contesting the Pasir Salak parliamentary seat in Perak against Umno's also infamous old guard, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

That's nice. Two very colourful and infamous old guards face-to-face on a one-on-one in the equally infamous place called Pasir Salak.

A match made in heaven for sure.

Tajuddin is famous or infamous as 'The Six Million Dollar Man'. And if you don't know this story, well, too bad. That means you just 'woke up' very recently in 2007 or 2008.

Amongst Tajuddin's other 'landmarks' is: he called the DAP Member of Parliament, M. Kulasegaran, a bastard in Parliament plus he was cited for making sexual innuendos.

Not a bad track record, don't you think so?

Actually, this is not the first time that Mustaffa Kamil and Tajuddin Rahman are meeting on the battlefield called Pasir Salak. They first did battle in the last general election in 2008 and Tajuddin beat Mustaffa with a 2,700-vote majority.

Mustaffa does not want to, again, contest this seat. He wanted a state seat this time around because he felt that DAP would most likely win the most number of seats in the Perak State Assembly with PKR getting the second largest number. And since DAP is not fielding a Malay candidate this would mean he would then become the new Menteri Besar of Perak -- something he has been dreaming of since four elections ago back in 1999.

However, because of the letter below, PKR did not dare give Mustaffa a state seat or make him the Menteri Besar in the event Pakatan Rakyat, yet again, wins the state of Perak. Just too many PKR people hate Mustaffa and if there is any hint he will be made the new Perak MB then for sure they will vote Umno instead.

What a shame. If not then PKR would control two states, Selangor and Perak, with DAP controlling Penang and PAS in charge of Kelantan and Kedah (if they win both those states like they did in 2008). Now Perak would be under PAS if Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin again gets appointed the Menteri Besar.

Anyway, Pasir Salak has always been a dangerous place. This was the same place where J. W. W. Birch was stabbed in the back with a keris as he was taking a shit in the Perak River. That is what happens when you do an un-environmentally friendly thing like polluting the river.

And will Mustaffa, yet again, suffer defeat on 5th May 2013 like he did in 2008? Well, that is the game plan, to get rid of him once and for all. That is why he was sent to the place where Birch met his doom.

 

Nurul Izzah needs to work on her Malay voters

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 10:48 PM PDT

Why am I am stressing on the Malay voters? Well, frankly it's because they make up 55.1% of the constituency and are the ones I wonder about. When I recently asked Nurul Izzah about Malay turnout at her ceramah, she replied that it was surprisingly good. While I concur with her answer, I am somewhat sceptical about whether they are all voters in the constituency.

by Nurul Iman Dimyati, fz.com
 
ONE week of campaigning has passed, and Lembah Pantai continues to attract a lot of attention because of two individuals –  Nurul Izzah Anwar and Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin.
 
Both are well known, and touted as the candidates for the hot seat even before the dissolution of Parliament. Everyone knew the two politicians were set to face each other. And this was confirmed on nomination day, although there was also a little surprise in the form of independent candidate Rusli Baba.
 
Now, with a week to go to polling day, how are the candidates faring in terms of response from their constituents?
 
I will focus on Nurul Izzah, who is defending her seat.
 
Having been following her from even before nomination day, and now during the campaigning period, I can say that the PKR vice-president has the Chinese votes in the bag. She is also within reach of securing the majority of the Indian votes.
 
Her ceramah kelompok (group talks) are a great attraction for many non-Malays, especially the middle-class. They follow her talks closely and understand the national issues that she talks about.
 
They are also impressed by her accomplishments, such as proposing five private bills including on  restoring democracy, speaking up against abuse of public property, and raising more than 200 questions in Parliament – on matters concerning Lembah Pantai but also, of course, about national issues.
 
But, is this what all the constituents of Lembah Pantai want? Do all these efforts resonate well with the vast majority of voters, especially the Malays?
 
Why am I am stressing on the Malay voters? Well, frankly it's because they make up 55.1% of the constituency and are the ones I wonder about. When I recently asked Nurul Izzah about Malay turnout at her ceramah, she replied that it was surprisingly good. While I concur with her answer, I am somewhat sceptical about whether they are all voters in the constituency.
 
Last Friday, as I sat down in the surau of PPR Pantai Permai, attending an event of Nurul Izzah's to welcome PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, I looked around me and studied the people attending the event. 
 
Yes, the majority were Malays, but most of them were PAS supporters with a handful of Universiti Malaya students.
 
My scepticism grew as Nurul Izzah started to talk.
 
"We, with full commitment, will fight to the finish for justice for Kelantan that has been denied RM800 million in annual oil royalty. It doesn't matter that I'm an orang Pulau Pinang.
 
"I come to Lembah Pantai, I don't understand the Kelantanese lingo, but I can guarantee you that we will defend Kelantan to remain in PAS' hands, and ensure that if and when Pakatan Rakyat rules at the Putrajaya level, we will return the rights of the Kelantan people. and that of the people of other states," she said.
 
She spoke about issues that are not directly related to her constituency. It could be because it was not her ceramah per se, but a Nik Aziz event. He was there to launch the circulation of an open letter from a famous Islamic scholar, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the Malaysian people.
 
Still, I wonder what happened to all the many pakcik and makcik that I talked to prior to nomination day. They are residents of the Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) units – there are thousands of them in the area. Where were they, the Malay voters of Lembah Pantai?
 
This raises the question of whether ceramah and walkabouts are sufficient in wooing voters. Nurul Izzah needs more Malay support, not just from PAS supporters and UM students who may not even be voters in the constituency.
 
Will the presence of Nik Aziz boost Malay supports for her? Will Yusuf al-Qaradawi's open letter sway them?
 
She is facing an uphill battle. She is facing the might and machinery of Barisan Nasional. More importantly, she is facing an opponent who has done considerable groundwork – improving flats, helping relocate people, doing rounds in pasar malam almost every week, and making house to house visits.
 
An opponent who has wormed his way into the hearts of people in the PPR flats, into the hearts of Malays.
 
Like one makcik told me, Raja Nong Chik could be found walking around the area almost every week, especially at the pasar malam, and this started well before elections were called.
 
If not for Nurul Izzah's considerable efforts these last few months, I would say RNC already has the Lembah Pantai seat in the bag.
 
Now, we are almost at the last stretch, before the calm sets in and the people's voice will be heard. One week left for Nurul Izzah to woo the Malay voters, to garner a bigger majority and make a difference.
 
As I see it, Nurul Izzah has done quite well to attract Chinese and Indian votes but she really needs to work on her Malay voters.

 

Controversial cousins conquer and divide in Perak

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 10:43 PM PDT

THE most powerful opposition party in Perak state is headed by two cousins.

Mr Ngeh Koo Ham (left), chairman of Perak's Democratic Action Party (DAP) and his cousin Nga Kor Ming (right), secretary of Perak's DAP, have denied allegations that they run the state chapter of their party like their own little fiefdom. 

By Tan Hui Yee, ST

Both are lawyers by training. Both have sizeable grassroots support. And both are dogged by allegations that they run the state chapter of their party like their own little fiefdom.

Mr Ngeh Koo Ham, 51, is the Perak chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which won 18 of the 31 state seats that went to the opposition in the 2008 general election. His cousin, Mr Nga Kor Ming, 48, is its secretary.

The two men have risen in prominence of late now that DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has left his Ipoh Timur stronghold for Johor in a high-stakes gamble to win federal power.

Not that they were low profile to begin with. When the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance took control of the state assembly in the 2008 polls, Mr Ngeh would have been a shoo-in for chief minister, if not for the fact that the post had to go to a Malay Muslim. In the end, it went to Parti Islam Semalaysia's Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

The opposition lost Perak in 2009 following the defection of three PR assemblymen.

As PR parties jostled publicly for seats in the run-up to nomination day on April 20, news - as well as speculation - of the cousins' alleged power-grabbing moves fed the perception of disunity within opposition ranks.

Over supper after a recent rally, Mr Ngeh tackled the allegations, dismissing the "dictator" label as pure fabrication by mainstream Malaysian media controlled by the government.

"First, they try to find fault by seeing whether there is any scandal," he tells The Straits Times.

"If they cannot find any scandal, maybe there is corruption, or anything that is against the law.

"Or they see if you are lazy, or if you are incapable.

"When they cannot find fault with you, they create jealousy by saying you are powerful."

No one has ever accused the pair of being ineffective or lazy, he stresses.

Yet Mr Ngeh and his cousin have been blamed for the departure of parliamentarian Fong Po Kuan, one of the DAP's brightest young talents when she burst onto the scene in 1999 but quit politics this year. They were also accused of using their choice of election candidates to sideline their opponents within the party.

Even former DAP state assemblyman Hee Yit Foong, whose defection helped trigger the collapse of the opposition-run state government in 2009, has pinned the blame on the cousins' behaviour.

Mr Ngeh brushes aside all this talk as just part and parcel of them having to take tough decisions on behalf of the party.

Besides, he and his cousin have been put in their posts by a regular popular vote - and a secret ballot at that, he says.

"They can reject us anytime."

Being a leader means taking all speculation in one's stride instead of rushing to rebut every falsehood, he says.

"Any word we utter could only aggravate the situation, so we'd rather become victims of unfair criticism than injure a fellow comrade."

Mr Ngeh adds that he bears no grudges against Ms Fong, who had also wanted to quit in 2008 but was persuaded to stay. She has cited personal reasons for leaving and Mr Ngeh stresses he and his cousin had no part in it.

"But if we had to go and tell why she resigned, it won't be very pleasant."

He adopts the same stance when asked about their long simmering rivalry with another senior DAP Perak leader, Mr M. Kulasegaran, which resulted in a spat that spilled onto social media last month through the latter's angry Twitter messages.

For that, Mr Ngeh would only say: "There will be differences in any political party… But for internal party matters, we will resolve it internally."

With all the ugly talk swirling around, he takes comfort that he retains solid support in the state seat of Sitiawan, where he is the elected assemblyman on top of his work as a parliamentarian.

In 2004, he won twice as many votes as his Malaysian Chinese Association opponent, and he improved on that number four years later by garnering three times more than his rival.

The talk, he says, will never touch him in Sitiawan.

"The people know me, who I am. You cannot cheat them."

 

Report lodged against DAP duo

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 06:33 PM PDT

(NST) - DAP Socialist Youth Selangor chief Chua Yew Choong and DAP Pandan and Ampang branch heads have lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at its office in Jalan Cochrane, here, against former DAP Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee and her former aide, Lee Hsuan Ba, for alleged abuse of power and misuse of state funds.

Chua claimed there were five cases involving the suspected abuse of power and misuse of state funds by Jenice and Hsuan Ba.

He said the cases involved more than RM54,000.

Of that, RM32,000 was collected from residents of Taman Seraya by Hsuan Ba, who allegedly used his elder brother's business, BA Communication, as a cover, claimed Chua, adding that the money was then used to build a retaining wall.

The remaining RM22,000 was used to purchase various promotional materials, like banners and T-shirts, for DAP activities in Sg Pelek, where Jenice used to be the "foster assemblyman".

Chua also claimed that Jenice had approved several payments from the state government to BA Communication for the purchase of the items at what he felt were inflated prices.

One of the payments, which amounted to RM5,600, was for banners issued by Mega Event.

Chua claimed that Mega Event belonged to Hsuan Ba.

"A T-shirt costs RM39.50 and a design for a banner costs RM600. I think this is too expensive," he said, adding that Jenice had knowingly allowed Hsuan Ba to benefit from projects that were organised by DAP in Sg Pelek.

Jenice had filed papers to stand as an independent candidate to defend her seat in Teratai.

This is despite having been replaced by DAP candidate Tiew Way Keng.

Meanwhile, Hsuan Ba issued a press statement saying he would "fully cooperate with any investigations initiated by any public authority, including MACC".

When contacted, Jenice declined to comment on the matter.


Anwar’s deafening silence on hudud

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 06:24 PM PDT

(MM) - The hudud issue is proving to be a sore point in Pakatan Rakyat and the silence of key leaders in the alliance on the matter, instead of appeasing certain quarters, is making things worse.

To date, the only clear objection comes from DAP national chairman Karpal Singh, who has called on Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Many have described PR as a loose coalition and this lack of consensus clearly reflects it.

The PKR has shied away from making a stand for fear it would either upset PAS, or drive away votes from staunch hudud believers.

Either way, the curtains are fast drawing and pressure is mounting for a clear and united stand on the issue — either oppose it or agree to implement it.

If PR is to call itself a coalition, then this clearly serves as a litmus test on party unity. Observers say it would reflect on the overall character of the alliance if it cannot make a stand on an issue like this.

Each day, more PAS leaders are coming forward and voicing their support for the implementation of hudud with the latest call coming from PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali.

Looks like PKR is trapped between both PAS and the DAP — say yes to hudud and lose support from DAP, reject hudud and lose PAS and the Malay support altogether.

Having found himself in such limbo, it is no surprise why Anwar has opted to keep his mouth shut till now. However, the pressure is mounting and many believe that sooner or later, the de facto leader will have to make a stand.

At a recent event in Saratok, Sarawak, journalists pushed Anwar for an answer and the best he could deliver was that they would discuss the matter and come to a consensus.

However, such a reply may not augur well with the non-Muslims in the country who fear the implementation of hudud law should the Opposition ever come to power.

This avoidance by Anwar clearly shows there is no understanding or co-operation between the tripartite coalition.

The root problem here is that from the very start, Anwar was too embroiled in his own political agenda that he failed to establish a common policy on political governance to be administered in all PR ruled states.

In the past, when the BN made numerous calls for Anwar to make a stand, he simply deflected the issue, but now, calls from within the PR itself are mounting and unless there is a stand, hudud may well be the downfall of the PR coalition.

Anwar has to date skillfully avoided the issue, but the time has come when he can no longer downplay hudud by ignoring it.

As it is now, hudud looks set to stay and haunt the PR as the defining and dividing issue which is going to tear the PR apart.

 

BN can win Kedah, says Daim

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 06:20 PM PDT

(ST) - Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, who accurately predicted the 2008 poll results, said he believes Barisan Nasional (BN) can wrest back Kedah, but said it is difficult to predict if the ruling coalition can get a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

In his assessment of BN's chances in several key states in the May 5 election, he warned against being over-confident.

In addition to Kedah, Tun Daim was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying that he also believes BN stands a good chance of recapturing Selangor, as long as the ruling coalition's leadership in both states is united.

Selangor, Malaysia's wealthiest state, is now run by the Parti Keadilan Rakyat; and Kedah, once the ruling Umno party's stronghold, was seized by Parti Islam SeMalaysia in the 2008 political tsunami that saw BN's worst showing in a general election since 1969.

Even in Kelantan, Mr Daim said the mood had changed slightly in BN's favour.

"I believe BN will win more seats in Kelantan this time around. However, I'm not sure if the party can form the state government there," he was quoted as saying yesterday by the New Straits Times.

Mr Daim, however, was less optimistic about Penang, saying it would be hard to wrest Penang back from the opposition, The Star reported.

Penang had been the fortress of BN component party Gerakan since 1969, before it was won by the Democratic Action Party in the last contest.

The opposition might win a few more seats in Sabah and Sarawak, he said, but he is confident that BN will not lose its grip on the two states.

Calling some high-level officials in the Cabinet "dead wood" without naming them, Mr Daim urged them to step down and make way for a new administration.

Several ministers are not contesting and will not be part of the Cabinet if Datuk Seri Najib Razak returns to power after the polls.

In 2007, the Umno veteran told Chinese-language daily Nanyang Siang Pau that Selangor, Penang and Kedah could fall to the opposition in the 2008 elections.

All three states, as well as Perak, were indeed won by the opposition, though Perak went back to BN after several state assemblymen defected.

 

Mass defections to come from PKR's Permatang Pauh division, claims Jenapala

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 05:22 PM PDT

(The Star) - Some 1,200 Permatang Pauh PKR members are set to leave the party, claims former PKR deputy secretary-general P. Jenapala.

Jenapala alleges they are leaving because they are angry with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He says that the party members have become disillusioned with the mixed messages sent out by the component parties of Pakatan Rakyat, saying "they are speaking different languages."

Jenapala himself left PKR soon after the 2008 general elections.

 

Disaster in the making for BN?

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 03:45 PM PDT

Malaysia could be living the last moments of the BN-Umno in power as Pakatan is expected to perform and deliver this time.

The only thing that can keep Najib in power is the potential support from a majority of the Malays towards the Umno and a divided Indian Malaysian vote, which would leave the Pakatan with the certainty of the Chinese votes alone.

Ali Cordoba, FMT

In all elections and in any contest, there are the favourites and the underdogs as well as the surprise candidates, and in the GE13 in Malaysia it is no different with our own list of expectations.

Top of the list is Anwar Ibrahim, who is the leader of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition formation and the favourite to seize the post of prime minister of Malaysia, a feat never actually possible by the opposition in the country's 55 years of history.

Anwar, once the prime minister designate chosen by Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take the helm of the government, fell in disgrace in 1998 only to rise again from the ashes of historical isolation and he deserves the highlights.

The GE13 is seen as the election crafted by Anwar, with his strategic meddling against the Barisan National's, forcing the ruling coalition to push the election dates nearly to the limit of legality.

The personality of Anwar has overshadowed the four years of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak rule, to the point that the latter has constantly refused – much to Anwar's expectations – to debate the opposition leader.

A debate that would have been the final nail in the coffin of the BN had it been held in the run-up to the polling date.

Anwar survived a slew of sodomy and sexual misconduct accusations, winning several cases against his most virulent and hard core opponents while he downplayed the hard hitting criticism of Mahathir – his nemesis – and that of his former friends turned foes.

The major timelines of Anwar's political career can be summed as follows:

Vibrant youth leader, founding member of the Malay Youth Islamic Organisation or ABIM, had a rapid rise of fame and leadership position within Umno, he catered for the poor and needy with low cost housing projects and many other crucial economic measures.

As opposition leader, he united a divided opposition group leading them to a massive victory in the 2008 elections, winning five states and a whopping 82 parliamentary seats. A feat never seen before in Malaysian political history.

Anwar is, once again, set to create another historic moment in Malaysia if he grabs the PM post from Najib.

The one element that could prevent Anwar from making history is his apparent lack of support among the Malays in the Malay heartland, in villages and in remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak.

These votes may be crucial for the opposition to overturn the tide in the GE13.

Disaster in the making

Unfortunately for the BN and the Umno, Najib is on the defensive and is going in the GE13 with the psychology of an exiting PM, with his guaranteeing a smooth handover of power if the BN were to lose, and this in itself is a very historical first in Malaysia.

Najib shows that he is feeling the intensity of Anwar's looming shadow over his regime, with the outright copying of the main economic proposals found in the Pakatan manifesto after haranguing the Malaysians over the so called bankruptcy that is looming if the Pakatan were to rule Malaysia.

The only thing that can keep Najib in power is the potential support from a majority of the Malays towards the Umno and a divided Indian Malaysian vote, which would leave the Pakatan with the certainty of the Chinese votes alone.

However, the overbearing presence of Malay right wing extremists within the Umno and the shadowy role played by Mahathir in the current government affairs, may cost Najib his job and the BN seems to be aware of this disaster in the making.

Najib escaped a humiliating defeat in 1999 when he won by a slim margin, defending his parliamentary seat but his popularity as PM is undoubted among a large number of Malaysians, garnering support and admiration to a certain extent in the shortest time possible.

Malaysia could be living the last moments of the BN-Umno in power in this decade as the Pakatan is expected to perform and to deliver if they are to win the elections, thus relegating Najib as the last PM of the BN-Umno era.

The Altantunya Shaariibuu case, the Sodomy 2 and the long delay in calling for the elections could bog Najib down whereas his own statement that he needs his team to win and not only him suggests that there is an eel under the rock.

READ MORE HERE

 

Malaysia's Sabah and Sarawak won't be taken for granted in GE13

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 03:36 PM PDT

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYlSC45JkaC-TPt_iptVOHXkLDOtRcXuefM3ftsBbUJSx5PR5ENg 

(Radio Australia) - A week out from general elections in Malaysia, and the latest opinion survey puts the Malaysian Opposition slightly ahead the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

The latest 'perception survey' was conducted by the Universiti Malaya's Democratic and Election Centre.

The survey was conducted over a two-week period after parliament was dissolved on April 4th.

Political scientist, Dr Arnold Puyok in the politically-crucial east Malaysian state of Sabah, has been watching campaigning closely.

He says the omission of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island may mean the survey's missed the true political temperature.

Presenter: Sen Lam

Speaker: Dr Arnold Puyok, Malaysian political analyst, Universiti Teknoloji Mara, Sabah, Malaysia

PUYOK: The survey doesn't tell us much about the sentiment of voters on a national basis, because Sabah and Sarawak, the two crucial states for Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat were excluded in the survey. So in my opinion, I think the survey is too peninsula-centric. It does tell us something about peninsular Malaysia, but not the country as a whole, because Sabah and Sarawak are very crucial for the BN and PR.

LAM: So to me, it's a glaring omission, if those two states are so crucial - the survey doesn't reflect the true temperature of Malaysian voters?

PUYOK: Yes, I agree with you. So I think the survey is only telling us about the voter sentiment in peninsular Malaysia but not the country as a whole.

LAM: As you say, Sabah and Sarawak are the two crucial states - how do they feel about Barisan Nasional?

Read more and listen to the podcast at: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/asia-pacific/malaysias-sabah-and-sarawak-wont-be-taken-for-granted-in-ge13/1122372 

Our choices are shrinking

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 03:20 PM PDT

To what extent will we the people allow our political leaders to indulge themselves in an orgy of race, religions, nepotism and money?

We are now trying to come to terms with the fact that race, religion, nepotism and money politics are all here to stay. It is now a matter of degree.

CT Ali, FMT

Malaysia is no different from any other country. There is not one country free from some quirks and habits that defines their people and their politics.

We are each the product of our past, present and what we want for ourselves in the foreseeable future.

We have to live with what we have today and move forward from there together or we can do it at odds with each other.

We are now trying to come to terms with the fact that race, religion, nepotism and money politics are all here to stay. It is now a matter of degree.

To what extent will we the people allow our political leaders to indulge themselves in an orgy of race, religions, nepotism and money.

A cesspool of undeniably putrid corruption and contemptible arrogance and decadence that will even surprise Sodom and Gomorrah…or worse?

Do not expect these politicians to police themselves. That will be foolish of us. Do not expect the police to police themselves, that would be foolish too.

We must have two strong political entities  – one in power, one in opposition to police each other with us hovering over them.

Remember it takes a thief to catch a thief and politicians themselves will best police other politicians, though of course if they were all to collude then we will find ourselves in a raging Sungai Pahang in the rainy season up the creek without a paddle.

This is not possible you say?

The merry go round of political musical chairs in Malaysia is only tempered when we the rakyat tell these politicians that enough is enough.

Leave the politicians to their own devices and I will be so bold as to suggest that the return of the prodigal son has more adherents within Pakatan Rakyat than within Umno. For after all "ashes to ashes…dusts to dusts: We are from the earth and to the earth we will all eventually return!"

When today is over, all will still be the same. BN will still be Umno orientated and Pakatan will still need Anwar Ibrahim to hold it together for now until DAP call in their marker and get their come uppance for helping Anwar become PM.

PAS, well PAS will try for Terengganu and be happy with that as hudud in Kelantan and Terengganu will be less messy and cumbersome than anywhere else. It's more manageable there!

The clock then strikes midnight and all will be well for Malaysia until the morning brings new light to an old problem that will most probably not go away from our lives, not now, not tomorrow, not after the 13th GE. Perhaps never!

The mother crab cannot ask her children to walk straight.

READ MORE HERE

 

Why was Manoharan dropped?

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 03:11 PM PDT

Sidelined M Manoharan's family have accused DAP leaders including national party advisor Lim Kit Siang of using his children in the 2008 election to curry votes. 

Athi Shankar, FMT

Dropped Kota Alam Shah incumbent M Manoharan's wife has slammed DAP leaders describing them as "ungrateful" and "inconsiderate" people who "used" her children to garner support in the 2008 general elections.

S Pushpaneela (picture) said DAP national advisor Lim Kit Siang and party leaders had put their then 10-year-old son Hariharan on stage to harvest sympathy votes for the party when Manoharan was detained under the now repealed Internal Security Act but had 'no courtesy' to inform them as to why he was dropped.

She recalled the Hin Hwa Chinese school had seen the biggest every crowd to gather for a DAP rally in Klang in the 2008 polls.

"They used our children to draw sympathy only to turn their backs on Manoharan now. My children are shattered," she told FMT here today.

Manoharan and Pushpaneela have two other children Shivaranjini and Ganendra.

Manoharan won Kota Alam Shah state seat in Selangor while still in Kamunting Detention Centre.

Pushpaneela said her children's believe and faith in the credibility of DAP leaders crashed on April 19, 2013, the day DAP finalized its candidates list.

She said her children were proud of their father for being clean and compassion and are now wondering what had happened.

"Where is the gratification? Where is justice? We are left in the dark," she said.

She said thus far none of the DAP leaders had had the courtesy  to explain to Manoharan why he was dropped and replaced by V Ganabatirau.

READ MORE HERE

 

The Raja and the 'princess' take gloves off

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 03:01 PM PDT

http://www.stasiareport.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/imagecache/story-gallery-featured/ST_20130428_AGNURUL28_3633520e.jpg 

(ST) - While Raja Nong Chik is able to tap the government's largesse for the constituency, she is not so lucky. "I have to use all my pay and husband's money to set up free clinics here." 

He is an entrepreneur-turned-politician from Negeri Sembilan royalty, a top student back in school and a shabby golfer. She is a crowd magnet, a daddy's girl and the youngest member of Malaysia's Parliament.

Umno's Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin and the "princess of reform" Nurul Izzah Anwar of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) are battling to win the hearts and minds of 72,533 voters in Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, a hot seat in the country's watershed 13th General Election.

"Which type of MP do you want? If it's based on perception or sentiment, I'm on the losing end," admitted Raja Nong Chik, 60. "But if you want someone who has proven to get things done, I'm the one," he said in an interview with The Sunday Times.

The opponents have been trading barbs daily since nomination kicked off a week ago. Raja Nong Chik has accused Ms Nurul of stoking voter sentiment against him while doing very little for her ward.

The relentless attacks are furious, even when couched in humour. Ms Nurul, PKR's vice-president and daughter of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, recalled how she developed an allergic rash after walking over a leaking septic tank in Kuala Lumpur on a campaign walkabout.

"You know lah," she deadpanned, "I'm a princess."

It was a dig at the sloppy work of KL's city hall; her challenger, as Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister, is boss of the local council.

In 2008, Ms Nurul, running for the first time, pipped Umno's Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil by 2,895 votes. Pundits say the fight now is too close to call as the 32-year-old is up against, in her own words, another Goliath.

"He is, after all, the de facto king of the local city hall," she said, in an interview with The Sunday Times.

"It's very challenging; we've had rocks thrown and eggs pelted at us. My posters are defaced. We are dealing with a bully," she lamented.

She is crying foul over almost 5,000 "dubious voters" in the electoral rolls. He has challenged her to expose the names of these voters.

The animosity is visible. "For her, Lembah Pantai is just a platform to bring up issues about her father (Anwar Ibrahim)," Raja Nong Chik said. "For me, my reason to contest is to serve."

It is a tired line, countered Ms Nurul. "They used the same accusation in 2008," she shot back. "I'm not my father. It's my name on the ballot paper and it's my decision to fight to retain the seat."

Read more at: http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia-elections/features/story/the-raja-and-the-princess-take-gloves-20 

 

Do Christians Want to Vote for PAS to destroy Christianity/ Non Muslims in Malaysia?

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:57 PM PDT

http://1sya.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PAS-DAP-300x200.jpg 

The Hypocrisy of DAP leaders is clearly shown when they just silent to let PAS to make such remarks without taking care of the feelings and sentiments of the Christian and non–Muslim community in our country. 

Shen Yee Aun 

1. Datuk Husam Musa, the vice-president of PAS is now saying that should PAS take over Putrajaya, they will change the weekend from Sunday to Friday.

- PAS already changed the weekend from Sunday to Friday in both Kedah and Kelantan under their administration.

- Now PAS Vice President himself saying that should PAS take over Putrajaya , they will change the weekend from Sunday to Friday

- The Hypocrisy of DAP leaders is clearly shown when they just silent to let PAS to make such remarks without taking care of the feelings and sentiments of the Christian and non – Muslims community in our country.

- Both DAP Karpal Singh and Boo Cheng Hau just came out to request PAS to stop making such statements ( gag order ) while never came out to disagree or attack PAS politician for suggesting that our weekend should change from Sunday to Friday.

- If only such statement were to came out from any Barisan Nasional leaders then I dare to bet that the HypocriteDAP leaders will be extremely harsh to attack that particular individual who came out with such remarks and start to deploy their troopers to make a big issue out of it.

2. PAS Information Chief, Suhaizan Kayat who once said that Muslims are forbidden to wish Christians merry Christmas is now contesting 2 seat in Johor ( Simpang Renggam (parliamentary seat) and Kempas (state seat) )

- We must not forget that PAS Information Chief , Suhaizan Kayat who once also said that Muslims are not allowed to wish our Malaysian Christian Merry Christmas is currently the candidate for 2 seats in Johor.

- I wonder how can DAP Lim Kit Siang working along with such extremist and be his culprit to bring down moderate Barisan Nasional leaders in Johor compare with such an extremist like Suhaizan Kayat from PAS?

- Why not even a single DAP leaders, supporter or Cyber Troopers came out to question PAS decision to when Suhaizan Kayat in fielded in Johor?

Read more at: http://1sya.com/?p=5702 

 

Abdul Hadi earns PKR’s wrath

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:45 PM PDT

(The Star) - PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's support for an independent candidate in Damak has earned the ire of ally PKR.

Abdul Hadi had openly urged the Chinese voters, numbering about 1,000 people, to vote for Koh Boon Heng during a gathering here yesterday.

"I hope the people will give their support to Cikgu Koh on polling day. His symbol is hibiscus," he said, holding the hands of Koh and the party's parliamentary candidate for Jerantut Dr Hamzah Jaafar (picture).

PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh said it was against the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat to campaign for an independent.

"We view this matter seriously and will bring it up with the central leadership," she said, adding that PKR was contesting the seat under the Pakatan banner.

The Damak state seat will see a four-cornered fight among Pakatan-endorsed candidate Jamaluddin Abdul Rahim of the PKR, incumbent Datuk Lau Lee of Barisan Nasional and two Independents - Mohd Nor Jaafar and Koh.

Chinese voters make up 34.3% of the 22,917 total voters in Damak.

Koh is Pahang DAP vice-chairman. However, his status in the party was uncertain as state DAP chairman Leong Ngah Ngah had declined to comment on whether Koh had been sacked for contesting as an Independent.

Earlier, both PKR and DAP were fighting to contest the Damak state seat with both the parties not willing to give way.

On Nomination Day, Koh proceeded to file his papers without endorsement from the party's leadership.

He claimed that he stood a better chance to win after servicing the people over the last five years and would leave it to the party to decide on his membership.

Also present during Abdul Hadi's campaign rounds in Damak yesterday were Pahang PAS commissioner Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tun Man and its candidates for Tahan and Pulau Tawar.

All three state seats Tahan, Damak and Pulau Tawar are under the Jerantut parliamentary seat.

 

Cyber bullies take it out on 'traitors'

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:40 PM PDT

The anger directed at those who do not share the same political beliefs is getting out of hand, especially in cyberspace.

Wong Chun Wai, The Star

SOMETHING is seriously wrong with us when anyone who expresses support for the Barisan Nasional is viciously attacked by cyber bullies. And this is more so when that person happens to be from the Chinese community.

To the fanatical supporters of Pakatan Rakyat, it is an unforgivable act of treason for anyone from that community to back the Barisan government.

The impression given, unfortunately, is that the Chinese must stand up against Barisan.

It seems ironic that the other major communities Malays and Indians who are also being courted by both sides are not subjected to the same "us-or-them" siege mentality.

It is a dangerous trend and, if not properly addressed, the cyber bullies, emboldened by the anonymous nature of the social media, would be further encouraged to intensify their attacks.

Their most high-profile target to date is international actress Datuk Seri Michelle Yeoh who is being vilified in cyberspace simply because she has exercised her democratic right to support the Barisan. She has made no secret of the fact that Barisan is her choice and that she genuinely believes Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is the best person to lead the country.

The whole point of having a general election is that the people are given freedom to choose who they think is the best political party to govern the country. Whether a voter chooses to support Barisan or Pakatan, that fundamental right must be respected.

Those who are Net-savvy, more than any other category of people, should be aware that it is a given in any democracy that celebrities lend support to political parties.

Just check out the full list of actors and actresses, athletes, Nobel Prize laureates, etc, who openly endorsed either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney in their race to the White House. These are people whose appeal cut across all divides, yet they were not castigated when they openly stated their choice during the last US presidential election.

But here in Malaysia, when you do that, you risk being labelled as a running dog or traitor, and these are pretty mild terms when compared to other unprintable labels hurled at Barisan supporters. And you don't even have to be a member of the ruling coalition.

One recent example was when pro-Opposition cyber troopers uploaded a photograph of a woman and accompanied it with harsh and vulgar comments.

The woman, a committee member of the Malaysian Youth Rights Movement, was also threatened with gang rape and murder over her stand on some issues.

We appear to be heading towards a fascist state, in cyberspace at least, when groups who do not share your political ideals will shout you down and punish you.

Incredibly, these cyber bullies have all along been telling us that they are fighting for freedom of expression and democracy, which they strongly feel are ideals missing from this country. Yet, they have become more monstrous than those who they claim are shackling our democratic liberties.

Blame it on the silly season or the heat of the elections but surely we as Malaysians must be able to conduct ourselves in a moderate manner instead of fanatically shouting down anyone who has a different viewpoint.

I am not spared either. I have received numerous e-mail ordering me to "repent" because I am seen to be inclined to the Barisan, which to these psychologically disturbed people is a sin to the church and congregation, thus the need to seek "forgiveness".

It does not help when some pastors use the pulpit to deliver sermons and prayers which are skewed towards a certain party. What is worse, in some cases, are those pastors who parrot allegations picked up at ceramah and the social media without verifying the facts first.

Granted that we are all interested in the general election and all the issues that have been raised. This is a healthy development in a changing political landscape, but we need to remind ourselves that everyone is entitled to his or her choice.

There seems to be a "stereotype" mentality that if you fall within certain categories race, religion, occupation, place of residence your political affiliation is already confirmed.

And so we are inundated with similar e-mail each morning from friends and strangers who simply forward the mail without a thought to our real political leanings.

The social media has allowed many of us to connect through forums that bring together people who go to the same schools or universities, and come from similar professions and who share the same hobbies. Yet, even in these seemingly innocent forums, throw in a bit of politics, and people start to fight.

And what about those who are attacked simply by association? As one Barisan candidate told a forum at a church, the children and wives become targets even when they are not involved at all in politics.

Why do we place more importance on politicians rather than our friends, colleagues, neighbours or employers?

Long after the dust has settled, when we become ordinary people in an ordinary world, we will learn that most of the newly elected YBs will no longer be free to see to our needs.

The person who is all smiles while seeking your vote will suddenly be too busy to even take an appointment then. But the people you have forsaken in this short but silly season will be the ones who rally around you in your time of need.

I believe we should all be passionate about what we stand for, but let us also at the same time accord the same respect to those who think otherwise. Isn't that what real democracy is all about, be it at home, the workplace, our place of worship or society at large?

 

PKR man: Government likely to accuse me over Sulu plot

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:35 PM PDT

(The Star) - PENAMPANG: While Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is demanding proof of his side's involvement in the Lahad Datu invasion, a PKR candidate has claimed that he is one of three individuals who could be accused by the Government of having a role in the plot.

Darell Leiking (pic), who is standing in the parliamentary seat here, said he is one of the Opposition leaders likely to be named in the alleged Sulu incursion plot.

He said he came to this conclusion because he and two other party leaders R. Sivarasa and Tian Chua had made a trip to Manila prior to the February intrusion.

Darell said the trip had nothing to do with the Sulus as they were there to get information on Manuel Amalilio, who was accused of cheating Filipinos of RM1bil and is now in jail for holding a fake Philippines passport.

"We condemn the Sulu incursion and we hope no one distorts the facts to make us look bad," said Darell, who is facing veteran Tan Sri Bernard Dompok from Barisan Nasional.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had stated that there was evidence that two of the Opposition leaders involved in the Sulu plot were from Peninsular Malaysia while the other was from Sabah.

Darell said at a ceramah on Friday that he could be one of those accused of plotting the Sulu incursion.

In Beaufort, Anwar demanded proof of opposition involvement in the intrusion in Lahad Datu and Semporna.

He alleged that Dr Ahmad Zahid's statement was an attempt to link him to the intrusion that resulted in the deaths of 10 security personnel.

"I would like to know what the so-called proof is. It seems that the opposition is blamed for everything. The next time Manchester United loses, they will say it is our fault," he said at a ceramah at the house of Beaufort PKR candidate Datuk Lajim Ukin here yesterday.

Anwar said he had no issue with the Sulu people.

"They are not our enemies. But we stand against any form of terrorism," he added.

 

Chua slams ugly politicking on social media sites

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:20 PM PDT

Chua showing the picture of mock altar with candles and joss stick set up in front of Najib's photo.

(The Star) - Pictures of a mock altar with candles and joss sticks placed before Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's photographs are circulating on social media sites.

MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said this was an example of how ugly politics in the country had become, with social media becoming a hub for "ugly behaviour".

He said the feedback he received regarding the circulation of the pictures was that no one should go to such an extent.

"All are free to make their own political choices but they should also respect those who have differing views," he said when contacted.

Chua believed that the pictures, which he received through WhatsApp messenger, was being widely circulated.

He urged the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission to investigate and act against the culprits.

"There is an ongoing hate campaign which is escalating and in the long term, it is detrimental to the country.

"Is this what the opposition is encouraging? All this started with them promoting street demonstrations and hate campaigns,'' he added.

Chua said that after the 2008 general election, the opposition had been espousing a two-party system which he said had spawned into hate campaigns.

"Politics has become so ugly that it has created discomfort among the middle-aged and older generation," he said.

Meanwhile, Chua said it could be "a sign of conscience" when PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang admitted that two of the pledges contained in the opposition manifesto would be difficult to achieve.

Abdul Hadi was reported to have said during a dialogue recently that it would take a long time before toll could be abolished due to the financial burden of having to compensate highway operators.

He was also quoted as saying that the country faced the risk of recession if vehicle import duties were lowered drastically.

 

Are we not a tolerant society?

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:13 PM PDT

The support of an internationally-acclaimed actress for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Prime Minister has caused cyber bullies to pour scorn on her. But these people fail to appreciate the fact that opinions don't always coincide.

The simple truth is that this kind of bashing indicates that we are still a young democracy and social media is enabling everyone to comment on anything and everything. While social media allows for free expression, it is also exposing our fears and vulnerabilities.

Baradan Kuppusamy, The Star

HER support for and endorsement of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was clear, generous and unequivocal.

International actress and celebrity Datuk Seri Michelle Yeoh (pic) wanted Najib to continue as Prime Minister and Malaysians to give him the large mandate he is seeking in the May 5 vote.

At a dinner in Klang on April 21, Michelle openly told the huge audience: "We have a leader here who has done so many good things and will do more.

"I hope from the bottom of my heart that he will remain as Prime Minister and I ask all of you to give him a strong mandate."

Najib, who was also on stage, along with MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and a number of Chinese businessmen, was pleasantly surprised by her clear endorsement of him.

In her speech, Michelle did not mention Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will be prime minister if the coalition he leads captures Putrajaya.

She did not criticise Anwar or compare him with Najib either, but only had praise for the Prime Minister and wanted him to win and continue to lead the country.

For saying that, she has been denounced by cyber troopers aligned with or who are supporters of Pakatan.

These bullies took to social networking sites to lambast Michelle after an unofficial Facebook page in Chinese themed "We Fully Support PKR" highlighted a local Chinese daily report about the dinner.

The page posted a message on April 12 addressed to Michelle, which read: "You were once Malaysian people's pride but now no longer."

The anonymous author of the post then went on to ask Michelle if she had "any idea how her fellow countrymen live" before urging the 49-year-old actress to reconsider her decision and "not become a traitor".

As of this week, the page had received over 8,000 "likes" and some 1,500 comments, many of which are hostile to Michelle.

In any mature democracy, it is common practice for celebrities to endorse candidates as they do in the United States, Europe, Latin America and even India.

Be it an actor, actress, a retired general, rock singer or even celebrity chef, they all try to use their star power to endorse their favourite candidate in the hope that he or she succeeds.

In the recent US presidential election, for example, actor Ben Affleck and actress Drew Barrymore, just to name two, endorsed Barack Obama.

On the other hand, actor Clint Eastwood and Chuck Norris, again two among scores of others, endorsed Obama's challenger Mitt Romney.

They even donated huge sums of money for the campaigns of their preferred candidates.

Everybody gets into the endorsement game from celebrity chefs to actors and actresses, academics and even major newspapers but they are all civil about it.

They don't call one another traitor or accuse each other of betraying their country, race, religion or party.

Their followers or fans, who have their own political preferences, take the celebrity endorsement at face value.

And the game is played over again, at the national level, four years later.

But here, the political divide is particularly severe and has turned people into mean and nasty cyber bullies lashing out to draw blood, hurt or even to kill with their keyboards.

The writer of the April 12 message is clearly biased based on his/her comments.

Cyber bullies jumped on the bandwagon, taking it out on Michelle.

Some accused her of being selfish and caring only for "fame, power, and money" while others urged all to boycott her movies.

One even blamed her for environmental damage since she is from Ipoh!

"Please don't side with the enemy" was the usual refrain of the commentators.

Among the rants and brickbats were a few who supported her, saying it was her right as a citizen to support who she wants.

One writer said: "Supporting BN doesn't mean one is a traitor. Can everyone be more sensible? We are a democratic country."

The simple truth is that this kind of bashing indicates that we are still a young democracy and social media is enabling everyone to comment on anything and everything.

While social media allows for free expression, it is also exposing our fears and vulnerabilities.

Everything comes packaged together and they are here to stay, part of the new political landscape the world over.

Michelle also defended her endorsement of Najib in an interview with Channel News Asia, saying like everyone, she is free to give her views.

"This is a democratic country and we are free to voice our opinions," she said.

We should leave matters at that everybody has a right to his or her opinion on anything and who they endorse is their business.

The belief that "one may not agree with your opinion but will defend your right to express it" is a cornerstone of a tolerant democracy.

 

With just a week to go, candidates are raising the ante

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:09 PM PDT

Regina Lee and Florence A. Samy, The Star

Tempers are becoming frayed. Weariness has set in after more than a week of verbal assaults from both sides while their more extreme supporters have resorted to physical attacks. Despite the fatigue, candidates are stepping up their wooing of voters.

Welcome to the second leg of the campaigning when the battle for influence is certain to heat up.

The MCA for one is about to get more aggressive as it works overtime to counter opposition claims.

"The opposition is always attacking Barisan Nasional on all sorts of issues, even resorting to character assassination.

"So we have to keep on fighting back, explaining and exposing them," said party Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is defending his Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat.

On what kind of issues would MCA be bringing up, he said: "Just wait and see."

"We know there are pertinent issues haunting Pakatan Rakyat, especially DAP and PAS, that they are trying to avoid.

"We will expose them using facts."

Dr Wee said he would continue with his hectic pace.

"I try to campaign all over Johor and Malacca, but I always make it a point to come back to my constituency on the same day.

"We now have to be careful and watch out for any last-minute explosive statement from the opposition."

Meanwhile, DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua, who has been criss-crossing the country, said he would be returning to his Petaling Jaya constituency more often and campaigning in other parts of Selangor.

As a national leader in the party, he said, he had to help his party colleagues shore up support.

"There is no point in me winning and others (in the party) losing," he added.

A survey showed campaigning had intensified with supporters going door-to-door to distribute leaflets.

There have also been more frequent ceramah and walkabouts by contestants and party leaders who have turned up at various constituencies to support their candidates.

Flags and banners have increased sharply in numbers.

Selangor Barisan has turned its campaigning up a notch by sending recorded messages from its candidates to voters via phone calls. It has also been sending out more SMSes.

Voter Stacy Lim was surprised when she received a call yesterday from a number in Shah Alam only to hear a recorded message from Ampang Barisan candidate Datuk Dr Rodziah Talib.

"The lady identified herself and urged voters to be with Barisan," the 45-year-old housewife said.

Both Barisan and Pakatan have been busier than ever distributing brochures, listing their achievements and the failures of the enemy.

The intense campaigning has seen a spike in untoward incidents with over 1,160 cases reported.

 

Kit Siang: DAP has not strayed from its stand on hudud

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 02:04 PM PDT

 

(The Star) - The DAP's stand on hudud has been clear since "day one" and the party has not flinched on it, says party adviser Lim Kit Siang.

He told reporters who asked him about the DAP's stand on the issue to "do your homework first".

Lim, who is contesting the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat against outgoing Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, however, declined to comment on PAS deputy spiritual leader's statement that DAP was free to leave the Opposition pact if the party was not happy with PAS' stand on hudud.

On Wednesday, Datuk Haron Din said that hudud would be implemented if Pakatan Rakyat came to power. Several PAS leaders had also asserted that hudud had always been the party's agenda.

On his campaigning, Lim said he would reschedule his programme to spend more time in Batu Pahat and explain to the people there that he was not an anti-Malay.

Lim denied that he and PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub had stated that Gelang Patah would be Ghani's "burial ground".

 

Guan Eng leaves it to Johor DAP to take action on its deputy chairman

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 01:57 PM PDT

(The Star) - DAP sec-gen Lim Guan Eng is leaving it to the Johor DAP to handle the matter concerning Johor DAP deputy chairman Norman Fernandez (picture)  statement urging voters to reject PAS in the general election.

"It is his individual view and moreover he is not a candidate," he said in a press conference at Taman Nibong Tebal in Nibong Tebal on Sunday.

*************************************** 

Don't vote for PAS, says DAP man

The number two man in Johor DAP has dropped a bombshell by dramatically urging voters to reject PAS in the general election, saying that the state could not gamble and risk its future with the Islamist party.

"I, for one, have finally made up my mind and am convinced that PAS does not deserve my vote," said Johor DAP deputy chairman Norman Fernandez.

The senior DAP leader said "non-Muslims must realise that PAS will do what it has set out to do if it gains power".

"The question for non-Muslims is whether non-Muslims are prepared to risk it all with PAS.

"Johoreans and particularly non-Muslims must think hard and deep if PAS is really worthy of their votes," he said in an article written for the blog syedoutsidethebox.blogspot.com yesterday.

In the hard hitting article, he said "PAS' unilateral stand and the deep reluctance to be a true partner in Pakatan Rakyat and the unwillingness to subscribe to its ideals let alone agree and accept the common manifesto of PR must be enough to convince non-Muslims the grave danger of risking their votes for PAS."

When contacted, Fernandez confirmed that he had written the article, saying it was his individual view.

The lawyer has been critical of PAS as he had also written in his blog in January that the "DAP can no longer be an apologist for PAS" and that it "must not be complicit to PAS' evil plans".

He had written that the "DAP must realise that PAS is no longer an honest, viable partner of Pakatan and must be courageous to admit it. In 1999, DAP took a courageous stand and once again DAP must take a stand."

He reminded his members and voters that "the recent events in Egypt must be a reminder to non-Muslims".

"There, the people's revolution was hijacked by Islamist and having taken power, the Islamist have moved to subjugate non-Muslims and non-Muslims are fast losing their rights and identity in Islamist Egypt," he wrote.

Meanwhile, sources close to Fernandez said he was prepared to face the consequences of his article.

They said he had taken a courageous stand on a matter of principle after studying the implications of a PAS-led federal government should PR win the elections.

***************************************

Fernandez: Segamat surrender an act of treachery

An "act of betrayal and treachery." That's how DAP state deputy chairman Norman Fernandez described the surrender of the Segamat parliamentary seat to PKR.

"(DAP secretary-general) Lim Guan Eng must be answerable to party members in Segamat and Johor for this," he said when commenting on the announcement by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Johor PKR chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng would be the opposition front's candidate in Segamat.

Norman's remarks came after the disbanding of Johor DAP candidates' selection committee, of which he was a member together with state chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau and secretary Tan Chen Choon.

Segamat which has more than 47,000 voters and encompasses the state seats of Jementah and Buloh Kasap, is regarded as DAP's "traditional" seat in Johor.

Norman said the hand over of Segamat to PKR proved that the decision of the selection team to disband was correct and justified.

It is understood the panel had faced criticism over the way in which the party leadership "parachute" candidates at the expense of diehard local campaigners.

Among those who opposed the move were Johor DAP vice-chairman Ong Kow Meng and Mengkibol assemblyman Ng Lam Hua, who was reported to be dropped to make way for state Youth chief Tan Hong Pin.

Tan, who was earlier slated for the Pekan Nenas state seat, is expected to be moved to Mengkibol to help secure votes for prospective Kluang parliamentary candidate Liew Chin Tong, the incumbent Bukit Bendera MP in Penang.

Norman said Chua had no desire to contest a state seat, proving that he was a state chairman who had neither the confidence nor the gumption to contest any seat allocated to his party.

"Instead, he only covets DAP seats. This speaks volumes about the candidate for Segamat," he said.

Human Resources Minister and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has been the MP for Segamat Barisan Nasional since 2004.

Dr Boo said PKR should give up one of its parliamentary seats as a replacement for Segamat.

He said DAP would only contest six parliamentary seats in Johor compared with 12 by PKR, with PAS taking eight seats.

A total of 26 parliamentary seats and 56 state seats are up for grabs in Johor.

Among the parliamentary seats PKR would be contesting are Johor Baru, Tebrau, Batu Pahat, Muar, and Segamat while Gelang Patah and Kluang would be contested by DAP.

 

PAS treading a political tightrope

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 01:39 PM PDT

Formed in 1951, PAS is one of the oldest political parties in Malaysia. The size of its critical ethnic Malay support base is second only to that of Umno, the senior partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional government. Over the years, PAS has undergone several transformations, uncanny for a "fundamentalist" Islamic party.

HAVING made major inroads at the 2008 Malaysian election, the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition believes that it is now within a hair's breadth of victory.

While the stakes are undoubtedly high for all three of Pakatan's component parties, they are arguably highest for the Islamic opposition party, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS). This is because in toeing the Pakatan line, no party has compromised - or risked - as much as PAS, with so little clarity on the road ahead.

The result of the election will determine whether the progressives in the party, who have firmly nailed their colours to the Pakatan mast, get to shape the future for the party. If the party does not do well, PAS' evolution towards a more inclusivist register could come to a screeching halt.

Formed in 1951, PAS is one of the oldest political parties in Malaysia. The size of its critical ethnic Malay support base is second only to that of Umno, the senior partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional government. Over the years, PAS has undergone several transformations, uncanny for a "fundamentalist" Islamic party.

PAS was formed as an Islamic socialist party that was sympathetic to Indonesian president Sukarno's brand of nationalism in the 1960s, only to morph into a staunchly ethno-nationalist Malay party in the 1970s. The latter transformation culminated in its ill-fated entry into the Barisan Nasional and unceremonious exit four years later.

Caught up in the throes of Islamic revivalism and the Iranian revolution in the early 1980s, PAS traded its ethno-nationalist credentials for religion. Under clerical rule, the party became a strong proponent of the implementation of an Islamic state in Malaysia. Led by the late Fadzil Noor, however, PAS was revitalised by the reformasi movement of the late 1990s.

Since then, a strongly reformist and progressive faction has gained a foothold and flourished. This faction, which today finds itself significantly represented in the Central Working Committee, the vice-presidencies and deputy presidency, has been active in expressing the Islamic party's commitment to the Pakatan Rakyat.

Still, the path to multi-ethnic cooperation has been riddled with potholes for PAS, many of which continue to pose significant challenges for the party leadership. The first signs of strain were evident immediately after the 2008 elections, when PAS was approached by a weakened Umno to explore cooperation in the name of Malay-Muslim unity.

What followed was two tedious years of confusion and tension within the party. The more conservative elements were prepared to embrace the logic of Malay-Muslim unity as they harboured reservations about their new allies in the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The opportunists were seduced by Umno's offer of Cabinet posts.

But the progressives managed to hold firm even as they struggled to reinforce the party's commitment to Pakatan. They were able to do this because both conservatives and opportunists eventually toned down their own rhetoric for reasons of political expediency as Pakatan's fortunes gradually improved.

Perhaps the greatest test of PAS' resolve came in 2010, when the party was forced to take a stand on a Malaysian court ruling to allow non-Muslims the right to use the term "Allah".

After intense discussions within the party leadership, the shura council, and the dewan ulama, PAS ended up standing alongside their Pakatan counterparts to endorse the ruling. The decision, however, was a difficult one for PAS, and threatened to split the party. It also caused consternation among the rank and file, resulting in the loss of all four by-elections that PAS contested following the "Allah" controversy, in Galas (Kelantan), Tenang (Johor), Merlimau (Malacca), and Kerdau (Pahang).

This fact was certainly not lost on party strategists. The controversy was reignited late last year during a Christmas speech made by DAP leader Lim Guan Eng, and PAS was forced to clarify its position yet again. In the event, PAS responded by muddying the waters. It now takes the position that while non-Muslims can use the term orally, the use of "Allah" as a translation of "God" or "Lord" is forbidden.

PAS' recent equivocal take on the issue surely factored in ground sentiments, where numerous surveys by independent firms showed that the majority of Malay-Muslim respondents believed the use of the term should be the exclusive prerogative of Muslims. At the same time, the party is also cognizant of the fact that its own rank and file harbours deep concern that the party's ideological pendulum has swung too far towards the ecumenical views of the Pakatan.

Some within PAS also continue to be suspicious of their Pakatan allies. Concerning this, two observations need to be made. First, conservative elements in the party leadership have only grudgingly endorsed Mr Anwar Ibrahim as the opposition's choice of prime minister. There is certainly no love lost between Mr Anwar and the PAS old guard who crossed swords with him on numerous occasions before he was ignominiously removed from power. He was, after all, Dr Mahathir Mohamad's weapon of choice against the religious credentials of the PAS clerics. In many respects, that tension still lingers.

To make a point, PAS has occasionally put forward its president Abdul Hadi Awang as an alternative to Mr Anwar as prime minister. As recently as two weeks ago, attempts by Mr Anwar to meet privately with Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat were apparently rebuffed by the PAS spiritual leader. Second, apprehension towards the DAP runs deep in some quarters. Several prominent DAP leaders continue to be referred to privately in PAS circles as "anti-Islamic". The party's rank and file also remains keenly aware of DAP's staunch opposition to the Islamic state.

If the Pakatan's electoral fortunes falter, conservative segments in PAS will likely reassess the party's commitment to the opposition coalition as the dividends for its compromises fail to materialise.

But even if the opposition coalition wins the election, PAS will find itself at a difficult fork in the road. The party is already in danger of bringing up the Pakatan rear. In several seats, PAS is in the unfamiliar position of having to rely on non-Muslim votes to turn things in its favour. When the party undertakes its election post-mortem, this will surely be a hotly debated issue.

But even if its performance pales in comparison to DAP or PKR, by virtue of being on the winning side, PAS could see itself in the role of kingmaker. This would surely prompt a rethink in some quarters of PAS about the party's core purpose, and the best avenues through which it can be furthered.

The progressives in PAS are unwavering in their commitment to Pakatan. But the fact of the matter is that theirs is not the only voice in the party.

 

The Reality

Posted: 27 Apr 2013 12:21 PM PDT

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You know I have heard many times how people are saying it will be the same whoever we vote for. I beg to differ. 20 years ago it might be the same but today looking at how other countries who were once on par with us and are now a hundred steps ahead of us do make a difference. 

PY 

A vote for stability or a vote for growth and change? Personally this General Election has made me think very deeply as to what do I actually want for myself and for our country. No doubt everyone wants a stable and easy life but think deeper and ask yourself is that enough? I am no judge but I believe our votes this time round reflects our livelihood. Either we have been poisoned to the core to believe that stability is all we can have OR we are awaken by the truth making us hungry for growth and change which in turns brings true stability. 

You know I have heard many times how people are saying it will be the same whoever we vote for. I beg to differ. 20 years ago it might be the same but today looking at how other countries who were once on par with us and are now a hundred steps ahead of us do make a difference. It ignites the fire in us wondering why we are left so far behind. What did we do wrong for the past 50 odd years? And is there no cure? 

My dear Malaysians, 

Times have changed. In this era of technology advancement, we are no longer katak di bawah tempurung (Like frog underneath coconut shell). Every move a person makes, we can see and know very clearly. It is a little scary but it also allows us to see the on-goings and correct the wrongs we have done for the many years we have lived. And if we are clean, we won't be afraid to be seen naked. Now with all the articles in the tabloids, read carefully to see what is the difference with the ruling government and the opposition. Which of the two cares for the rakyat and which only cares for themselves? Those in power are they qualified to be holding the important positions in the government or are there be better candidates out there? I am not here to put down either sides but I am making use of this technology advancement to show you the truth. Sometimes, the care shown might just be a chess move to trick us. As they say, anything to stay in power. 
 

 

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