Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Malaysians overseas will be allowed to vote
- The ugly side of the Chinese
- Hudud a dream, says Seng Giaw
- Guan Eng: We follow PR consensus that Anwar is prime minister
- BN must explain rise of apostasy
- Hindraf is with Karpal on hudud, Islamic state
- Analysts: Hadi as PM is a moot issue
- Hadi as PM: Is Najib responsible?
| Malaysians overseas will be allowed to vote Posted: 18 Nov 2012 06:19 PM PST
Pakatan Rakyat MPs were also promised by the Election Commission that Rela officers would remain as normal voters. G Vinod, FMT The Election Commission (EC) today promised to get the Parliament to gazette regulations to allow Malaysians overseas to vote in the next general election. DAP MP Anthony Loke said this at a press conference held at the Parliament lobby today. Also present were PKR MPs Fuziah Salleh and Nurul Izzah Anwar. This was revealed to the parliamentarians by the EC is a meeting held at the Parliament secretariat room. The meeting was chaired by EC chairman Abdul Aziz Yusof and his deputy Wan Ahmad Wan Omar. The nearly three hours meeting was attended by about 50 MPs from both sides of the political divide. Loke, who is Rasah MP, said he was glad by the assurance given by the EC. However, he also reminded the electoral body that they had only two weeks to gazette the required regulations. "I told them that they only have two weeks. The next parliamentary session will be held only after the 13th general election," he said. Loke added that Abdul Aziz also promised that military and police officers would be called for advanced voting, instead of being postal voters, for the general election except for those serving overseas and at the borders. "He also assured that Rela officers will not be postal voters and categorised as normal voters," he said. On related matter, Fuziah said that Pakatan leaders were concerned over some reports that Rela officers may be turned into postal voters and Abdul Aziz's assurance was timely. The Kuantan MP said that a parliamentary constituency would have between 8,000 and 10,000 Rela members, which could affect an area's electoral results.
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| Posted: 18 Nov 2012 05:37 PM PST
The Malaysian police know I live in Manchester. Malaysians in the UK know I live in Manchester. Malaysians in Australia, New Zealand, the US, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc., know I live in Manchester. The Malaysian High Commission in London and the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur know I live in Manchester. Only Victor Lim alone thinks I live in Dr Mahathir's apartment in London. He knows that but he does not know what the address is or whether Dr Mahathir really does own an apartment in London. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin The right to choose Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily The most valuable part of a democratic and pluralistic society is the right to choose. Everyone can choose to support anything they think is right. The United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) rally scheduled on November 25 with the objective to pressure the government is a choice of struggle. The United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zong) and the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia (Hua Zong) have the right not to participate and choose to correct the unreasonable content in the National Education Blueprint preliminary report through communication and follow-up. Similar to anti-environment movements, some people chose to take part in the 300km Kuantan-KL Green Walk. Their persistence and perseverance has won respect and admiration. In politics, people also have the right to choose whether to change the government, strengthen the two-party-system or maintain the status quo. Changing the government is an ideal and it can hardly become a reality if only a small number of people are supporting it. Therefore, the ruling and alternative coalitions must convey their political programmes and policies to the public through various platforms, including mass assemblies and annual general assemblies to fight for more support. To me, the Pakatan Rakyat's performance has not yet reached my personal demand. However, as I believe that democracy requires checks and balances, I support the two-party system. If the majority supports the two-party system, it is possible to bring a major change. In a democratic country, everyone has the right to choose based on his/her own judgement and cognitive thinking. Therefore, it is not necessary for others to be so nervous or intimidate them into changing their stand. Many people are confused about the meaning of democracy due to the intense political struggle. Some people are excessively fanatical to the extent of slandering and labelling those who have made a different choice. French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher Voltaire said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Who can still remember the words? Many people have instead lost their magnanimity and tolerance and attack whoever say something unpleasant. Democracy should never be like this. All people make mistakes, regardless of how just they claimed themselves are. Calling themselves just does not mean that they cannot be criticised and corrected. The BN has indeed made many mistakes and there is much room for improvement. Similarly, the Pakatan Rakyat state governments also have many inadequacies in governance. Being overly emotional has caused everyone unable to see the reality clearly. Back to the Dong Zong rally, it is a peaceful civil demonstration and it is not necessary to label it as an "anti-government" movement. Adopting the path of dialogue to fight is not "heinous crime" either. Why can't the Chinese organisations work together to achieve the same goal since all of them are serving the Chinese community? Without tolerance and the sense of balance, it could end up following the path of politics, namely people categorise those who are not called friends as enemies. Most Chinese affairs are of voluntary or conscience nature. If it evolves into a life-and-death game, the Chinese community will first collapse before the winner of the political game is decided. Life was boring and monotonic in the past when people were not granted the right to choose. It is good to have choice. But choices also bring us confusion and distress. As the general election is approaching, people become more and more impetuous. We must first calm down to avoid being diverted by "choices". ******************************************** The day Najib outfoxed all Malaysians… Victor Lim, Free Malaysia Today Now, wasn't it Daim who predicted that five states would fall prior to the 2008 political tsunami? And it was correct – Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kelantan. And who and where this prediction was first publicised? Raja Petra Kamarudin's (RPK's) Malaysia-Today (MT) news portal. Malaysians who have been following RPK's writings were shocked, when after the 2008 general election, he began associating himself with Mahathir – meeting his sifu (master) in his Petronas twin-tower office. Many could not understand or believe how RPK, who was so vocal against BN-Umno and one of the pioneers of the Free Anwar Reformasi Movement, could make such an about turn. Many MT readers are still puzzled and cannot believe what was happening and why RPK's writings started to slant towards Umno. However, RPK's slant is now cautiously back to the Opposition, championing the need to change? What's going on? Simple! The cyber mercenary writer is financially backed by Mahathir and Daim. In 2008, Mahathir and Daim's common political pest was Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. So, RPK's mission was to destabilise and erode support for Umno and Abdullah. It worked wonderfully, and as they say, the rest is history. Now, Mahathir and Daim's common political enemy is Najib. And do you now see the similar strategic political attacks from Mahathir and RPK? If you still don't believe that Mahathir and Daim are RPK's sponsors, then you give me the answers to the following questions: * RPK was the one who came up with the damning statutory declaration that implicated Najib and his wife, Rosmah, in the murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu and the link to the Scorpene submarines' graft allegations. Why? * RPK was picked up by police and then charged. But after he was released on bail, how the hell did such a high profile political figure leave the country undetected? * Who had the power and influence to facilitate his (RPK's) migration? This was what I posted about RPK on Sept 10, 2012. Talk is spreading like wild fire in Malaysia that the famous or infamous cyber operator, depending on which side of the political divide you stand, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, or more popularly referred to as RPK, is residing in an apartment in London belonging to the racist former prime minister Mahathir Mohamed. RPK can feel free to clarify or attack me as we believe in freedom of speech and democracy, don't we? ******************************************** When the issue favours the Chinese cause, they will scream democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of choice, the right to choose, agree to disagree, and so on. However, if it does not favour the Chinese cause, they will scream you are a turncoat, traitor, Trojan horse, frog, mole, you have been bought, and much more. That is the ugly side of the Chinese. Freedom means freedom to agree with me, not freedom to disagree with me. To people like Victor Lim, if you say or write anything that is perceived as pro-government, then this means you have been paid to do so. What about those who say or write something perceived as pro-opposition? Does this not also mean you have been paid to do so? No! It does not. That just means you are noble. Those who support the opposition are noble. And if you do not support the opposition that can only mean one thing -- you support the government. It is like religion. Either you are a Muslim or you are a Christian. And if you are not a Christian then you must surely be a Muslim. That is the only logical explanation. To Victor Lim, your very action of not supporting the opposition is 'evidence' you have been paid. Using that same yardstick as 'proof of guilt', we will have to assume that Victor Lim is also a paid writer and his master must surely be Tian Chua. Can we, therefore, accept whatever Victor Lim says as the truth? Paid writers like Victor Lim would definitely lie through their teeth. Victor Lim says he believes in democracy and freedom of speech. But when I exercise my democratic right of freedom of speech he vilifies me. The Malays call this bikin tak serupa cakap. Is this a Chinese cultural thing or what? Is this the best the so-called 5,000 years of Chinese 'civilisation' can produce? You appear puzzled as to why very few Malays trust the Chinese. Well, that's because the Malays know that bikin tak serupa cakap type of people just cannot be trusted. Probably 50 or more Malaysians have come to my house in Manchester, many of them Malaysians from Malaysia. Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, Zaid Ibrahim, Mat Sabu, Saari Sungib, and many more have all been to my house -- some even spent the night at my house. There are many more Malaysians from London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Reading, Scotland -- in fact, from almost every city in the UK -- who have visited me in Manchester. Yet Victor Lim says: Raja Petra Kamaruddin, or more popularly referred to as RPK, is residing in an apartment in London belonging to the racist former prime minister Mahathir Mohamed. And he can't even get the spelling of my name right. It is Raja Petra Kamarudin and not Raja Petra Kamaruddin. And what Free Anwar Reformasi Movement is Victor Lim talking about? Clearly Victor Lim tembak only. There is so such movement called Free Anwar Reformasi Movement. This is a fabrication by Victor Lim. Anyway, what is the address of Dr Mahathir's apartment? Does Dr Mahathir even own an apartment in London in the first place? And when did I move in to that apartment? So you see, Victor Lim is bullshitting because I have never lived in London (at least not since 1956), never mind in whose apartment in London. I have been living in Manchester since the day I arrived. In fact, my family has been living in Manchester for 11 years now, since 2001, eight years before I came over. The Malaysian police know I live in Manchester. Malaysians in the UK know I live in Manchester. Malaysians in Australia, New Zealand, the US, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc., know I live in Manchester. The Malaysian High Commission in London and the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur know I live in Manchester. Only Victor Lim alone thinks I live in Dr Mahathir's apartment in London. He knows that but he does not know what the address is or whether Dr Mahathir really does own an apartment in London. Can you see how they lie? And to these types of people lying comes under the category of freedom of speech. But if you were to reply to that lie, that is not considered freedom of speech. Freedom of speech means they can say things about you but you can't say things about them. Budaya apa ni? Budaya 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation ke? Victor Lim also said: Malaysians who have been following RPK's writings were shocked, when after the 2008 general election, he began associating himself with Mahathir – meeting his sifu (master) in his Petronas twin-tower office. That is another lie. I started 'associating' with Dr Mahathir back in 2006 when Malaysia Today organised a dialogue session with the ex-Prime Minister in the Kelab Century Paradise on 24th June 2006. (I even uploaded the video recordings onto the Internet). And you can read the text of Dr Mahathir's speech here: http://kasitarukaje.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/teks-ucapan-tun-dr-mahathir-mohamad.html In fact, in the 2006 PKR annual general assembly in Penang, Azmin Ali whacked me in his speech. And Anwar Ibrahim sat there on stage smirking like the cat that had swallowed the canary as Azmin Ali whacked me for 'bersekongkong dengan Dr Mahathir Mohamed'. Hence, if you want to accuse me of 'collaborating' with Dr Mahathir then this collaboration started more than six years ago and two years before the 2008 general election. And if I had collaborated with Dr Mahathir more than six years ago and two years before the 2008 general election, how can I be a turncoat? A turncoat is someone who changes sides. I never changed sides after the 2008 general election. I have been with Dr Mahathir since two years BEFORE the 2008 general election. And do you know what? Many PAS and DAP leaders -- and many of them top leaders at that, too -- also attended that 24th June 2006 dialogue with Dr Mahathir. Even the ex-PKR Deputy President turned up. So what have you got to say about all those PAS, DAP and PKR leaders who attended that dialogue with Dr Mahathir organised by Malaysia Today at the Kelab Century Paradise on 24th June 2006? In the Kota Bharu dialogue the following month, the Kelantan Menteri Besar, Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, attended the session and shared the stage with Dr Mahathir. He also attended the dinner in honour of Dr Mahathir that same night. Nik Aziz felt he needed to play host to the ex-Prime Minister since he (Nik Aziz) is, after, all the Menteri Besar of Kelantan. Maybe the Pakatan Rakyat supporters should learn how to tell the truth for once. You accuse Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, NST, The Star, TV3, RTM, etc. of lying. But what difference are the opposition supporters? You are as blatant in your lying as the people you accuse of lying. And why do you not respond, point-by-point, to the issues I have raised? I have been raising many issues since the mid-1990s -- ever since I first started writing for Harakah in 1997 and I first launched my own website in 1994. What I am saying now is what I have been saying for the last 18 years. What am I saying now that I did not say back in the 1990s? If I am wrong then rebut me with what you think is the truth. But you don't do that. Instead of replying, you just hurl allegations against me and totally ignore what I say. And the only 'rebuttal' thus far is just a plain denial. Denial is no defence. If it is then Najib Tun Razak never met Altantuya Shaariibuu since he has denied meeting her. In short, you know what I say is correct and you know there is no way you can rebut what I say. Hence you ignore what I say and do not reply to it and instead make all sorts of allegations, which are very far from the truth. This is just like those Umno blogs that say I live in London and that one day I was so drunk I fell into a monsoon drain. Many kampong-minded Umno supporters who have never been to London and do not know that the UK does not have a monsoon season and London does not have monsoon drains will, of course, believe this story. These opposition diehards are just the reverse of the same coin called Umno. They are all cut from the same cloth. Their doctrine is: you are free to agree with me but God help you if you say something that I don't like. Oh, by the way, take a look at the picture below. Today, some people in PAS are saying that they want Tok Guru Abdul Hadi Awang instead of Anwar Ibrahim to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia if Pakatan Rakyat wins the next general election. I already 'said' this four years ago. And if you can't interpret what that picture means then you are dumber than I thought. |
| Posted: 18 Nov 2012 03:25 PM PST
DAP vice-chairman criticises politicians for continuing to raise issue 'despite futulity of it' (The Malay Mail) - PAS's vision of implementing hudud is as good as building castles in the air. DAP national vice-chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw said the notion of implementing hudud law in Malaysia was "pure politics, nothing else". "In order to implement it, you need a two-thirds majority in Parliament and then only can the Constitution be amended," he told reporters after addressing a crowd at Kepong Baru from the party's new election campaigning vehicle, the "Dream Machine". "Are you sure you can get the two-thirds majority? I say, dream on." Tan said all religions, including Islam, did not espouse their followers to force their beliefs upon other people, and the matter of institutionalising Islamic law should be treated as such. He criticised politicians for continuously raising the matter despite the futility of it. "You know it cannot be done, why talk about it?" he said. PAS had previously called for the implementation of hudud law, and the Opposition's victory in several states after the 2008 general election had only served to bolster its claims. However, several key leaders within DAP have opposed the idea. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had said implementing hudud law was not feasible in a multi-ethnic country like Malaysia but had yet to reveal Umno's stand on the issue. On another matter, DAP is planning to increase the number of vehicles to be used for campaigning in the lead up to the elections. Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, who was present at the event, said DAP had one 22-wheeler truck, called the "Dream Machine", that will be used for campaigning. However, to meet popular demand, the party is planning to use another two 22-wheeler trucks for campaigning. "We have received too many requests from people for us to make more visits to their constituencies," he said. Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun were also present at the event. Lim said the "Dream Machine" will spend at least a day in each state.
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| Guan Eng: We follow PR consensus that Anwar is prime minister Posted: 18 Nov 2012 02:32 PM PST
(The Star) - The DAP is sticking with the consensus made by the Pakatan Rakyat that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim be Prime Minister if the coalition wins in the general election. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said it has always been Pakatan's stand that the candidate for prime minister should be the Opposition Leader. "As far as DAP is concerned and based on what Pakatan had agreed, we go by the consensus and the choice for prime minister is Anwar." "We stick by what has been agreed all along," he told reporters when at the Parliament lobby. On PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's statement that he welcomed calls that he be made prime minister, Lim said: "He has the freedom of expression and right to say it." Hadi told reporters after the party's congress over the weekend that he was thrilled to be prime minister. The Ulama and Muslimat wings of the party also reiterated their demands for Hadi to lead the nation.
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| BN must explain rise of apostasy Posted: 18 Nov 2012 02:19 PM PST This ongoing Nurul Izzah bashing has exposed the true weaknesses of the Barisan Nasional regime. The onus is purely on the ruling coalition to explain to the nation in general what has happened under its rule and how "100,000 Muslims" became "apostates" today. Amir Ali, FMT The recent spate of criticism against Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, on the issue of religious freedom and the comments she made on the matter are at times hilarious and otherwise "fishy". According to the mainstream media (MSM), the MP for Lembah Pantai has breached an "Islamic" principle in calling for the "freedom" of religion of Muslims who want to leave Islam. And for that, she deserved jail or a severe sentence that would cripple her political career. With this in mind, the "witch-hunters" are rubbing their hands at the prospects of hitting hard at PKR as the party that supports "apostasy", hence a party that is against Malays, Islam and peace in the country. Let's take a look at the realities in Malaysia, when it comes to murtad or "apostasy". There's no denying that there exist Malays who have left Islam and left the country altogether, thus taking the "freedom of religion" into their own hands. There is also no denying that there are attempts by some forces, be they local or foreign, to champion the case of "apostates" in Malaysia. These are prominent on the Internet and a simple search of "murtad" in Malaysia will reveal the extent of the discussions and the number of forums regarding the issue. There are also reports by high-level personalities in Malaysia that "apostasy" has reached an alarming level in the country. It is reported by some blogs such as sebaikbaikcahaya.com that there are 100,000 murtads in Malaysia and the number is rising. In the 1990s, some political figures who were in the opposition but have since climbed onto the Barisan National bandwagon indicated there were at least 5,000 cases of murtad in Malaysia. There is thus an undeniable increase in the number of Muslims who are leaving their faith. Attacking Nurul Izzah on her comments is easy for the BN and Umno. However, the responsibility as it is inscribed in Islam, rests with the people who are running the country. It is not the responsibility of the "opposition" which incidentally is also not to be blamed for the rise in murtad in Malaysia. The onus is purely on the ruling coalition to explain to the nation in general what has happened under its rule and how "100,000 Muslims" became "apostates" today. The focus on Nurul Izzah is simply another political gimmick by the BN to divert attention from Janji Di-Capati which is the slogan used by the Pakatan Rakyat to debunk Janji Ditepati. The opposition PKR and the PAS have no real reason to promote "apostasy" among Muslims. Hence, it is not possible to finger-point the opposition or its member Nurul Izzah on the matter. The constant attacks on Nurul Izzah is altogether a desperate act by a regime that has failed in its "defence" of Islam as it has claimed this as its "success story". Thus, there is no way for the "rakyat" to believe that the opposition has a "hidden agenda" in promoting murtad in the country. Nevertheless, deep within the Malay community, there are concerns that many among them who do not observe the rites and rituals of Islam are claiming to be "Bumiputeras". And these "lost folks" who are not really "Muslims" in their heart, are getting the benefits reserved for Malay-Muslims. The question many are asking is whether there should be a clear distinction between the "true, Malay-Muslims" and the "apostates" who are surviving under the disguise of being "Muslims".
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| Hindraf is with Karpal on hudud, Islamic state Posted: 18 Nov 2012 02:15 PM PST Hindraf Makkal Sakti feels that more Pakatan Rakyat leaders must speak up against PAS' extreme Islamist stand (FMT) - DAP chairman Karpal Singh is the lone voice against PAS' Islamist stand and this does not auger well for the non-Muslims in the country. Hindraf Makkal Sakti feels that when other Pakatan Rakyat leaders do not speak up againt PAS, the right of non-Muslims will be pushed aside if the coalition comes into power. Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy said DAP and PKR leaders' silence raised suspicions that they would not defend the rights of over 12 million non-Muslim citizens if PAS pushed for an Islamic state. He said their silence suggested that MCA theory of PAS to establish Islamic theocracy by amending the Federal Constitution with the help of all Muslim MPs from Pakatan and Barisan Nasional could be right. "Will PKR and Umno MPs vote against PAS Islamist initiatives? It is a million dollar question that only time will answer," the Hindraf leader told FMT here today. He said Hindraf like many other concerned NGOs were baffled on why others in DAP and PKR, especially non-Muslim leaders like Lim Kit Siang and his son Guan Eng, were silent on this issue. "Just imagine if there was no Karpal, no one in Pakatan would be voicing out against PAS.The DAP supremo is the only leader defending non-Muslim rights. Right thinking citizens should back him. He critised PAS of being fanatical in establishing an Islamic state and introducing hudud law, pointing out that an Islamist agenda was unconstitutional and would rock the very foundation of formation of Malaysia in 1963. He reminded that freedom of religion and, absolute protection of rights of natives to their own land, religion, culture and custom were among main conditions agreed upon by all parties when Malaysia was formed with merger of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.
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| Analysts: Hadi as PM is a moot issue Posted: 18 Nov 2012 02:13 PM PST Pundits shrug of calls at PAS muktamar as having little importance. Patrick Lee, FMT Political pundits attach little importance to calls for PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang to become Malaysia's next prime minister. At least four prominent analysts seem agreed that it will not affect Pakatan Rakyat's solidarity. They said the opposition alliance had firmly decided on Anwar Ibrahim's premiership even if some PAS members were averse to the idea. "This will not cause a rift in Pakatan because its leadership has formally agreed that Anwar will be picked as PM," said James Chin, a professor at Monash University. Chin was referring to the repeated endorsement of Abdul Hadi as premier-in-waiting during last weekend's PAS muktamar. Delegates who made the call included those of PAS's Ulama wing. Independent analyst Khoo Kay Peng said the PAS leader was never in the running for the prime minister's position. "I don't think this will be taken seriously, unless it is endorsed by the highest of PAS's leadership," he said. Furthermore, he added, Abdul Hadi might not make a better PM than Anwar, given their large differences in experience and international image. He noted that Anwar had held various ministerial posts, including that of deputy prime minister. Denison Jayasooria, a research fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said having a well-balanced federal cabinet was more important than deciding who should be PM. He also advised Pakatan to focus more on a comprehensive policy direction rather than on the PM's position. Universiti Malaya's Azmi Sharom said the question was premature and would not matter if Pakatan were to lose the coming general election. He pointed out that a potential PM needed first to win a seat, win the confidence of the majority of Parliament and have the endorsement of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. He said that there was no way, at present, of knowing whether either Anwar or Abdul Hadi would win a seat in the 13th general election.
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| Hadi as PM: Is Najib responsible? Posted: 18 Nov 2012 02:06 PM PST Was there a 'deal' between Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak over Sodomy II; leading to the PAS dilemma over Anwar? Teoh El Sen, FMT Firebrand blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin has suggested that there may have been a 'deal' between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim prior to the latter's acquittal in the Sodomy II charge in January this year. In his latest posting "Does ABU equal to Anwar-for-PM?", Raja Petra said that about a month before Anwar was acquitted, there was already news filtering out from Umno that Anwar would be freed, adding that the information came from 'high-ups' in Umno and was told to him by lawyer-activist Haris Ibrahim. "Sam [Haris] received from his contacts in Umno that Anwar would be acquitted from the 'Sodomy 2' charge. The information that Sam received was that Najib had made a deal with Anwar. However, it was not too clear what type of deal it was," wrote Raja Petra. He said that Anwar's acquittal would 'more or less confirm' that the latter had turned "Umno Trojan horse". Raja Petra also referred to the latest statements by the PAS Ulama and Muslimat wings' supporting party president Abdul Hadi Awang to be made prime minister, saying that this may have been in response to Anwar's unexpected acquittal. "We were not the only ones caught gasping by Anwar's acquittal. PAS, too, could not accept Anwar as prime minister. But for them to renounce Anwar would have been 'bad politics'. However, if Anwar were convicted for Sodomy 2, then the problem would solve itself. "Due to Anwar's conviction for Sodomy 2, he would be disqualified from becoming prime minister even if Pakatan Rakyat wins enough seats to form the next federal government," he wrote. "If Anwar had been convicted for Sodomy 2, it would have been considered 'good politics', said Raja Petra. According to Raja Petra, jailing Anwar would have had a adverse effect on Barisan Nasiona (BN). "The sympathy factor would be high and Anwar could be 'marketed' as a martyr and a victim of injustice. Having Anwar in jail would benefit the opposition a great deal. "Plus it would solve the additional problem of not having him as the Prime Minister in the event Pakatan Rakyat gets to form the federal government," he said. Was acquittal an independent decision? Raja Petra said PM Najib may have realised that acquitting Anwar worked better for BN than putting him in jail. "Najib, too, knew that PAS did not want Anwar as prime minister. Hence the prime minister would be doing PAS a favour by putting Anwar in jail. "But if Anwar were to be acquitted, then PAS would face a dilemma. Do they (PAS) keep quiet and accept Anwar as prime minister or do they openly declare that they cannot accept Anwar as prime minister?" "Was Anwar's acquittal an independent decision by the judge or was the judge's decision to acquit Anwar a brilliant political move by Najib to drive a wedge between PAS and PKR (plus also now between PAS and DAP it seems)?"
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