Veteran Chinese educationist Sim Mow Yu has said that Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser and former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should apologise for what he had done over the 1987 Ops Lalang mass arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the controversy over dispatching of staff unversed in Mandarin to hold senior posts in Chinese primary schools.
As one of the Ops Lalang ISA detainees served with a formal two-year detention order and incarcerated at Kamunting Detention Centre, Sim is most qualified to speak up on these subjects.
The Ops Lalang detention was my second ISA detention, which lasted 18 months as compared to 17 months in my first ISA detention in 1969-1970.
DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng and I were the last two of the Ops Lalang ISA detainees incarcerated in Kamunting Detention Centre to be released in April 1989 — serving the longest Ops Lalang ISA detention after all the other 49 Ops Lalang detainees had been earlier released from Kamunting in various batches.
Anwar has admitted that he was wrong in 1987 in the dispatch of staff unversed in Mandarin to become principals and senior assistants of Chinese primary schools which resulted in the subsequent Ops Lalang mass arrests.
Anwar has now taken a stand on mother-tongue education which is in accord with justice and fair play for mother-tongue education in plural Malaysia as well as the higher national interests of enhancing Malaysia’s international competitiveness, which should be commended and supported.
However, are all the current Barisan Nasional Ministers and leaders who had been collectively responsible for the 1987 Ops Lalang mass arrests and controversy over dispatch of staff unversed in Mandarin to senior posts in Chinese primary schools prepared to follow the example of Anwar and admit that what they had done twenty years ago were wrong?
Such Barisan Nasional Ministers and leaders would include the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the Gerakan chief and Minister for Energy, Water and Communications, Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, the MIC President and Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and the Minister for International
Trade and Industry Datuk Paduka Rafidah Aziz.
Najib was in 1987 the Umno Youth leader and what he did in 1987 was even more infamous than the keris-wielding incidents involving the current Umno Youth leader, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein in the context of extremist and communal demands in utter disregard of the rights and sensitivities of all races in a plural nation.
What did Najib do in 1987? A Government White Paper entitled “Towards Preserving National Security” tabled in Parliament on 23rd March 1988 recorded that in an Umno Youth rally led by Najib on 17th October 1987, banners bearing strong words were displayed, including one which said: “SOAK IT (KRIS) WITH CHINESE BLOOD”.
Are MCA and Gerakan leaders prepared to ask all Umno and Barisan Nasional Ministers and leaders to emulate Anwar’s example and admit that they had acted wrongly in the crisis of 1987?
Is the next Cabinet meeting prepared to end the historic wrongs in 1987 by adopting a formal Cabinet decision to openly and publicly admit that what the various Barisan Nasional component parties led by Umno had done in that year in these two episodes had been wrong?
Are the other Barisan Nasional component parties and leaders prepared to demand that both Najib and Hishammudin admit that they were wrong — the former for the “SOAK IT (KRIS) WITH CHINESE BLOOD” slogan at the Umno Youth rally in 1987 and latter for the keris-wielding at Umno Youth general assemblies in circumstances threatening the multi-racial fabric of our nation?
#1 by RealWorld on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 2:27 pm
Just got back from Ijok today. From the look of things, I would say BN and PKR chances are just about equal. The 51% malay population seem to be supporting PKR, but the Chinese in Ijok will vote for BN. Indians there are split down the middle. So, it is going to be close.
Very disappointing to see the Chinese selling out again.
#2 by a-malaysian on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 4:33 pm
Just saw this headlines at malaysiakini.com:
PKR people blocked my way, claims Najib
Apr 28, 07 3:53pm
najis oh najis, you are a real najis.
A TRUE MALAYSIAN IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT RACE WILL NEVER NEVER EVER BELIEVE A WORD YOU SAY
You are a dpm, no escort, no bodyguard, no police protection for a dpm?????
You are making everyone laugh at you, maybe you are scare that bn is going to lose and preparing for some excuses.
I am very sure if truly there are PKR people blocking you, they will be instantly and swiftly detain by the police or your bodyguard. Don’t make a fool of yourself lah..please…….
If there are people blocking you, I am sure they are the locals you do not like you at all…
Together with your statement that you risked more for Chinese than Anwar50 years is ENOUGH
Vote For A Change
Vote For Any Opposition
Give Them A Chance To Change For A Better Malaysia
Remember bn Is A Useless Grouping Of Self Serving, Corrupt, Dictator, Power Crazy, Racist, Kris waving, etc, etc type of parties.
#3 by a-malaysian on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 7:07 pm
From sloone.wordpress.com:
6.45pm (malaysian time) About 15 Opposition supporters, including Mohd Ezam and Shamsul Iskandar and DAP’s Ronnie Liu will be arrested by the police for allegedly stopping the busses believed to be carrying phantom voters.
According to lawyer Latheefa Koya, the 15 are now at the Ijok police station. Their identity cards are being held by the police while they have been asked to fill in police reports.
50 years is ENOUGH
Vote For A Change
Vote For Any Opposition
Give Them A Chance To Change For A Better Malaysia
Remember bn Is A Useless Grouping Of Self Serving, Corrupt, Dictator, Power Crazy, Racist, Kris waving, etc, etc type of parties.
#4 by a-malaysian on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 7:14 pm
Unofficial result: bn wins big
THE DEATH OF DEMOCRACY IN THIS COUNTRY
50 years is ENOUGH
Vote For A Change
Vote For Any Opposition
Give Them A Chance To Change For A Better Malaysia
Remember bn Is A Useless Grouping Of Self Serving, Corrupt, Dictator, Power Crazy, Racist, Kris waving, etc, etc type of parties.
#5 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 7:17 pm
“Politics is a profession, the end of which is power, the means of which is persuasion based on whatever agenda, programme and ideology that is expedient and popular.” Jeffrey
A politician is like a medicine seller that you see plying the streets. He would sell a particular brand or brands of medicine, and if sales are not good enough for him to be able to sustain himself and his family he would look to other brands. Brand loyalty does not make sense.
What is wrong with switching brands?
To be a good politician, one has to be a good salesman.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK.
#6 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 7:19 pm
To be a good man, one has to go to church.
#7 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 7:32 pm
“Which is why the old saying the people (by which expression must necessarily refer to the majority) will always get the government they deserve.”
Democracy is all about ‘majority’ rule. Now who says the majority is always right?? They may sometimes get things right but that is not because they are the majority. Kapish?
Benevolent authoritarianism as we saw under Mahathir may be a better alternative – except that there is the natural tendency for it to degenerate into a self-serving fascist regime at it is today.
#8 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 7:38 pm
“Very disappointing to see the Chinese selling out again.” RealWorld
I am of one mind with RealWorld – except that I think BN will win with a bigger majority than most thought likely.
If the Chinese want to prostitute themselves, it is their choice. Hey, in some countries ‘prostitution’ is legal.
Have we forgotten: ‘Democracy’ is about the freedom to make choices.
#9 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 7:40 pm
Who says anything about ‘good choices’?
#10 by RealWorld on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 8:15 pm
My contact in Ijok just informed me that the results will be out anytime in 30 minutes or so. The sentiments are BN have won with the help of the Chinese votes.
Shame on the Chinese folks. I think you have just voted for the keris to be continually shoved right in your face. So, dont moan and rant about no chinese schools, racism etc.
#11 by a-malaysian on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 8:28 pm
Congratulation barisan national for winning the Ijok by-election.
bodohwi, najis, all your menteries, the EC and the disgraceful sil, you all are a very happy lot and I understand you all are also very religious and also GOD fearing.
Let me ask you just one question ( if any of the bn control media journalist got the balls to ask, please ask them when they make the press conference on their victory):
Is Ijok by-election conducted in a Fully Democratic, Clean, According To Election Rules and Equal Playing Field?
If your answer is yes from the bottom of your heart and it is really the truth :- May GOD bless you all with more wins to come.
If your answer is yes from the bottom of your heart and in actual fact not true:- May GOD help you.
No one knows the real answer except between you and GOD.
50 years is ENOUGH
Vote For A Change
Vote For Any Opposition
Give Them A Chance To Change For A Better Malaysia
Remember bn Is A Useless Grouping Of Self Serving, Corrupt, Dictator, Power Crazy, Racist, Kris waving, etc, etc type of parties.
#12 by RealWorld on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 8:36 pm
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!
Democracy have served it’s course. The rakyat have spoken LOUD n CLEAR. ;)
Be a good loser and accept the rakyat’s decision.
Now, lets celebrate our 50th Merdeka! May we have another 50 more years of stability and growth.
#13 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 9:09 pm
“Shame on the Chinese folks. I think you have just voted for the keris to be continually shoved right in your face. So, dont moan and rant about no chinese schools, racism etc.”
Let’s see things in perspective. This is only a state by-election and there are promises being made to the residents of Ijok. If these promises do not materialize by the time of the general elections, then you can expect to see a groundswell of support for the Opposition.
Already the profile of the average PKR is one of fierce dedication to ideology and an unwavering support for change. The average profile of a BN supporter is that of complacency fast turning into insecurity.
It would be wrong to use what happened in two state by-elections as barometer, as indicator of things to come.
#14 by RealWorld on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 10:01 pm
“This is only a state by-election and there are promises being made to the residents of Ijok.” – undergrad2
The GE in 1999 comes to mind. If you can recall then it was the chinese votes that swung it for BN when the malays voted for the Opposition due to the Anwar factor.
One can hope till the cows comes home but the makeup of the Chinese here are a bunch of sell outs. We will see another BN thumping win in the next GE.
#15 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 10:23 pm
Why is this bias and what is the basis for some of you saying that Chinese voters are a bunch who sold out in the Ijok by – election?
Preliminary reports from breaking news of Malaysiakini indicate different.
I quote:
“PKR lost three of the four Malay-majority districts – Jaya Setia, Bukit Badong and Simpang Ijok – but retained Kampung Ijok.
It however picked up Chinese-majority Pekan Ijok. THIS TRANSLATES IN A SWING OF MALAY VOTERS TO BN, AND A SWING OF CHINESE VOTERS TO THE OPPOSITION.
MCA leader Ong Ka Ting refused to comment ON THE SWING AMONG CHINESE VOTERS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT. He said that the party has yet to analyse the results.
“Nevertheless, we should look at the big picture that BN has won,” he said.”
#16 by Loh on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 10:47 pm
///“Nevertheless, we should look at the big picture that BN has won,†he (Ong Ka Ting) said.â€Â///
Only UMNO looks at big picture, and MCA has no small one to view, why is MCA in the government?
#17 by RealWorld on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 11:06 pm
Dear Jeffrey,
You are basing your facts from Malaysiakini? ;)
Dude, whatever it is the people in Ijok have spoken by giving BN an increased majority this time round.
Same goes to those folks in Machap. Believe the majority there is Chinese?
#18 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 28 April 2007 - 11:18 pm
The majority voters in Ijok might be said to have spoken by giving BN an increased majority this time round (assuming there are not many phantom voters or other foul means) – but that is different from saying before the by – election results that the Chinese sold out there by supporting BN and after the by election results confirming the same without analysis of the results. Well I agree that what Malaysiakini reported is still preliminary but it is still for the moment comparatively more credible than someone saying that the BN won Ijok because the Chinese sold out there based not analysis of the results but a mere perception and opinion of a so called general trait of pragmatism attributed to a racial group.
#19 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 1:31 am
It is hard for me to do a post postmortem analysis from this distance. I do not know more than what I read in this blog and others.
But based on what Jeffrey says here i.e. the Opposition won the Chinese controlled Pekan Ijok, it would appear that BN won based on Malay votes.
The question which needs to be answered before one could indulge in any meaningful postmortem analysis of the election results is to what extent “phantom voters” played a role if any in the BN victory?? Obviously there are “phantom voters” who arrived by the bus loads.
Is there a basis for challenging the election results in court? Is there evidence of the commission of election offenses under the Act? Should we pursue the matter to court and have the Ijok state election declared null and void?
If we do that would it not be overtaken by the General Elections?
The Malay votes are clearly split as expected. ‘Sleeping with the enemy’ after all carries with it far ranging consequences far beyond the issue of corruption, of a Prime Minister sleeping on the job and some foreigner being blown to bits in some isolated part of the country.
#20 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 1:39 am
“You are basing your facts from Malaysiakini?”
That even if true does not change the facts. The fact remains that it would appear Malay voters have chosen to support the incumbent and BN.
To: Jeffrey
“Swing votes” mean votes (the bulk of it at least) if delivered to one party would decide the election. These votes need not constitute the majority – but enough to make the difference. Could Chinese votes in any of the districts determine the result of the election?
#21 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 1:56 am
“One can hope till the cows comes home but the makeup of the Chinese here are a bunch of sell outs. We will see another BN thumping win in the next GE.” RealWolrd
This I must say is an inaccurate analysis of Ijok and of what happens in most constituencies with Chinese majorities during general elections. The 1999 general elections are not representative of general elections since 1957. The GE then were unduly influenced by the Asian Financial Crisis and the Anwar factor.
It is true that this country has lost an opportunity at regime change in 1999. Blame to a large extent can justifiably be placed on Chinese voters who were duped into believing that their lot would be better off with the BN under its new leader.
Well, today we know better – and elections are still being lost!
#22 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 1:57 am
The Anwaristas must take the matter to court.
#23 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 9:05 am
This is an interesting observation a reader on another blog made:
“The Batang Berjuntai polling district has since been split into two for the 2007 by-election, namely Berjuntai Bestaru Utara (a 51.4% Indian-majority area with 2,236 Indian voters and 31.1% or 1,142 Chinese voters) and Berjuntai Bestaru (a 45.8% Chinese-majority area with 534 Chinese voters and 30.6% or 384 Indian voters).”
The EC has been busy at work – and predictably so, by dividing and subdividing districts to split non-Malay votes, turning districts that have non-Malay majorities into districts with Malay majorities.
What does one say about the EC?
#24 by RealWorld on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 2:29 pm
Lets not assumed that there were phantom voters or the dead rising to vote without proof. Talk about presenting facts ” based not analysis of the results but a mere perception and opinion of a so called general trait of pragmatism..” So, lets do away with the double standards, shall we?
In a malay majority area, to lose by a margin of 1800plus votes surely did not indicate that the majority of the malays went for BN. Unlike Machap, a chinese majority area, the difference was 4000 over votes. Are we still going to insist on the notion that the Chinese in Machap did not sell out???
#25 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 5:00 pm
Dear RealWorld,
What is the argument here? Did I assume that there were phantom voters in Ijok? I merely said “The majority voters in Ijok might be said to have spoken by giving BN an increased majority this time round (assuming there are not many phantom voters or other foul means)”. It is the defeated PKR’s Khalid who was reported to have said that after the results were known that PKR intended to contest the results and reveal the incidences of bribery and phantom voters. Do you know for a fact that there were no phantom voters and that Khalid was talking through his hat? An the last I recall we were talking about you saying before and after Ijok by-election that if the BN won it was because the Chinese voters had sold out. We were NOT talking about Machap when you extended the question, “Are we still going to insist on the notion that the Chinese in Machap did not sell out???” Keep the point of contention instead of twist and stray! But back to your question, albeit extended, if you were of an opinion that Chinese voters in Machap dold out, did not Malays in Ijok do anyless the same if what Malaysiakini reported was true on the swing votes? So what has that got to do with my original question why you should attribute the result of a BN victory to a general perception and opinion of a so called trait of pragmatism attributed to the Chinese as a group even before you knew the detail results or analysis thereof? Whether or not it is true that Chinese are pragmatic in the sense you attribute (to supporting BN) is something that some here may agree with you and some disagree and whichever way it does not mean that in the instance of Ijok, it was the cause of BN victory. So stay sharp and alert as to what has been discussed in this forum than butting around with irrelevant contentions and nitpicking on trivial points out of context!
#26 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 29 April 2007 - 8:52 pm
Yes, get real for once!
#27 by RealWorld on Monday, 30 April 2007 - 3:25 pm
“Yes, get real for once!” – undergrad2
i didnt know Jeffrey has a personal lap dog as well.
#28 by RealWorld on Monday, 30 April 2007 - 3:28 pm
Jeffrey, Jeffrey … my dear boy,
You can write till the cows come home, infact you can write and twist and turn the whole day for all I care. Were you there in Ijok during the campaign period and on polling day??
If you take Msiankini as your final bible, then I must say we have no basis to discuss further.
#29 by Jeffrey on Monday, 30 April 2007 - 4:51 pm
I certainly won’t take you as a final bible. But don’t you think your work is done in Ijok, you can take a well deserved rest, instead of continuing it here in this blog?
#30 by Jimm on Monday, 30 April 2007 - 6:09 pm
Guys, it’s over about Ijok and please let us restrained ourselves from being overboard with the result. The show is only begins now. Let us sit back and watch what really will take place for Ijok constitutional development from now.
We all can relax, however, poor little MP have to live up to all those promises that I believe he will find out soon as he sitted on that chair. He will have a tough time from those Top Brass of BN to get the Ijok folks request or suggestion ‘supported’.
I would say that most MPs cannot look into their own eyes and commit to fulfill their obligations and duties. Believe it.
#31 by Godamn Singh on Monday, 30 April 2007 - 8:08 pm
“You can write till the cows come home…” RealWorld
I don’t like this idea of you being fixated on my cows. The idea of you jumping on my cows is too much. Religious freedom should also protect our cows from you and not just from each other.
#32 by undergrad2 on Monday, 30 April 2007 - 8:26 pm
RealWorld seems to be suffering from bouts of schizophrenia if his comments are any indication:
He says in another thread:
“The Malays will support BN while the Indians will follow suit.”
And on this thread he says:
“The 51% malay population seem to be supporting PKR…”
I have faith in you still, RealWorld if only you end your fixation with Goddamn Singh’s cows.
#33 by DiaperHead on Monday, 30 April 2007 - 8:31 pm
What’s with RealWorld and Goddamn Singh’s cows? Has RealWorld taken to jumping cows?
Sheriff Singh is not going to like this since he does not want his cow’s milk tainted with human DNA.
#34 by pamelaoda on Tuesday, 1 May 2007 - 9:23 am
Wake up Sheriff Singh, somebody is messing with your cow la..stop drinking the milk with ginger for a while ok? Right? Diaperhead
#35 by ktteokt on Saturday, 12 May 2007 - 11:17 pm
Why is the government reluctant to build Chinese schools when the MCA is blowing its horn that Chinese will become an important international language? The best place you can study Chinese in Malaysia is Chinese schools, but the way the government is limiting its growth will definitely not help to make it important at all. Is the government thinking it can close its doors to the outside world? Or is it simply afraid to admit the truth?
Chinese schools in Malaysia no longer house only Chinese pupils. Pupils of other ethnic groups are now flocking to these schools in the light of acquiring additional knowledge, giving rise to competition for places in these schools.
What’s more, when the government announced that it was not about to build any Chinese schools under the ninth Malaysia Plan, MCA was taken aback. Shouldn’t MCA has known of this fact during the debates in Parliament or in the Cabinet? Why the shocked reaction? Or were the MCA representatives dozing away and did not know what was happening during these debates? By the time the government realized it should not be doing that as the general elections is drawing near and in fear of losing Chinese votes, it approved two miserable Chinese schools and MCA nearly had to kneel down to express its gratitude.