1. The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi?
The loss suffered by the Barisan Nasional in the Permatang Pauh by-election should not be read as an emerging trend for other constituencies.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stressed that while the loss was something to be concerned about, the situation had not reached a “worrying level” as Barisan Nasional still controlled 140 seats after the March 8 general election.
“We can still continue with the government. We are aware of the mandate given to us and we will work hard to deliver,” he said. (The Star 28.8.08)
“After all, the last general election gave us a strong victory. We are only eight seats short of a two-thirds majority, it is not that we lost by 20 or 30 seats, only eight seats. We have a very strong government.” (New Straits Times 28.8.08)
Comment: Barisan Nasional achieved “a strong victory” in the March 8, 2008 general election? Abdullah must be living in a completely different world, when he could console himself as having achieved “a strong victory” what had been described as a “political tsunami” with BN candidates falling like nine-pins, sending the BN into the Opposition in five states and ending the hitherto unbroken BN two-thirds parliamentary majority?
Abdullah is in double trouble – he has not woken up from his slumber and he is suffering from terminal denial syndrome.
Is Abdullah prepared to test whether the greater loss of popular support for Barisan Nasional as compared to six months ago as demonstrated by the Permatang Pauh by-election is “an emerging trend for other constituencies” by getting one Barisan Nasional MP to resign to create a by-election test-case?
2. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak?
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s victory in the Permatang Pauh by-election shows that democracy is very much alive in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Congratulating Anwar on his win, Najib said it also proved that there was no manipulation of democracy as alleged by the PKR adviser. (The Star 27.8.08)
Comment: What bunkum. Anwar won with a thumping and even greater majority six months ago despite and not because “there was no manipulation of democracy” – in fact it is to Najib’s shame that he had spearheaded what I had described as a 4Ds campaign – the dirtiest and the most disgraceful, dishonourable and divisive – in the Permatang Pauh by-election.
3. Gerakan acting president, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon?
Barisan’s defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election is another wake-up call for the ruling coalition, said Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. (The Star 28.8.08)
Comment: If Abdullah and all the Barisan Nasional l eaders including Tsu Koon cannot “wake up” after the March 8 political tsunami, can they “wake up” after the second “political tsunami” of August 26 to realise that they are on the Malaysian Titanic?
4. MCA Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan?
“Ka Chuan hopes Barisan will learn from Permatang Pauh loss” – (Star headline 29.8.08)
Comment: MCA had been “hoping” and “begging” the Umno leaders for 51 years. Are they going to continue to “hope” and “beg” for the next 50 years?
5. Information Minister, Datuk Shabery Cik?
Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek immediately hit back: “The live broadcast is strictly for Question Time and we can’t change our policy for just one person.”
Shabery, who was involved in the country’s first-ever live television debate with Anwar last month over fuel subsidy, added: “Traditionally, we’ve never telecast the oath-taking so there is no reason we should make an exception for him. ” (New Straits Times 29.8.08)
Comment: If Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah had created an upset and won in the Permatang Pauh by-election, wouldn’t there be a live telecast of his swearing-in? If Arif had defeated Anwar, RTM would have special programmes featuring him as a hero and the entire Cabinet led by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister would be in attendance in Parliament and not the empty Cabinet and BN parliamentary backbenches yesterday during Anwar’s oath-taking.
#1 by AsalUsuLMalaysiaHacked on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 12:45 am
A beever who struggles to save its nest, as uncertain current has arise(tsunami), or perhaps he should relocate his nest^^”
#2 by AhPek on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 2:24 am
Enforcer,
Try this http://117.120.1.155/2008
#3 by mateRealWorld on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 2:49 am
William62, Benjamin, thanks for the splendid article. It so aptly puts what we’ve somehow realized subconsciously all this while into words. However, I’d agree with all but one point. Please don’t close down the casinos.
To me, it’s more like a form of entertainment than gambling, and something of a math thingie. Blackjack is the game I’d single out. In my understanding, it’s the one and only game where the player’s advantage actually exceeds that of the house, if played correctly. :D
Yes, sometimes we do lose money, but hey, aren’t we paying to go to the movies as well? Of course I’m not saying all this on behalf of those who gamble for a living.
Sorry for digressing here…
#4 by tenaciousB on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 3:46 am
The silliest of them all was obviously BN with all their lousy leaders such as najis, badwi, khairy, nala, ezam…what a bunch of sore losers who gave speeches trying to defame DSAI but unconvincingly. the people decided back in march, and now again…these losers should be thrown out in exile probably to seychelles or something!
#5 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 4:08 am
“We are only eight seats short of a two-thirds majority, it is not that we lost by 20 or 30 seats, only eight seats. We have a very strong government.” Abdullah Bad*S
It is about reading the tea leaves for what is to come – and it could come sooner that you thought!
Like Barack Obama says it, “Eight is enough!”
#6 by HJ Angus on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 7:17 am
so as not to confuse those who do not follow US politics, Barack’s 8 refers to Bush’s 8 years in power.
Hmmm….. our mantra should be “FREEDOM! 51 years is ENOUGH!”
#7 by yhsiew on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 7:55 am
BN is still unrepentant and shows no remorse after Tsunami 308 and Tornado PP. They:
1. made life difficult for the Catholic threatening stern actions against their publications.
2. introduced the DNA bill which is an intrusion on civil freedom and privacy.
3. violated the MSC Bill of Guarantees which is intended to attract foreign investments in the IT sector.
BN is expected to lose a big chunk of supporters because of such repressive and unpopular policies taken by their inexperienced President and ministers.
PR is well positioned to capitalize on their stupidity and shortsightedness to garner more support from the rakyat in the next general election or in the anticipated snap election after 16 September 08.
#8 by Bigjoe on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 9:09 am
There is no doubt in my mind if an election is held again soon, Anwar will be PM. Sabah and Sarawak as well as pockets in Kedah and Kelantan did not vote PR because they did not believe it was possible for Anwar to be PM. Its clear that he can now.
The problem is that its 4 more years to the next GE, plenty of time for anything to happen and we are a blessed country. Frankly who would have thought US$140 dollar per barrel oil and RM4000/ton palm oil is possible 4 years ago. You never know what could be around the corner.. Also, its too long for Anwar to sustain his momentum of hype. Malaysian are long-suffering but they suffer fools not easily.
If Sept 16, don’t happen, Anwar need to pull up a doozer or the momentum will not last. Its time PR partners sit down and discuss a real strategy to keep the momentum going. Its supporters need to see progress and not just attacks on the BN that they have to wait 4 years to see the results..
#9 by Hidup Pakatan Rakyat on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 10:14 am
Hidup Pakatan Rakyat, DAP, PKR, PAS,
whatever it is, Sept 16 will be the D-day, even it is not, we must “lawan tetap lawan”, lawan pagi, lawan petang, lawan malam as said by Anwar………………… as Rome Is Not Build By 1 Day, thus we must have faith that we want to achieve this, therefore, we must strive for it….
bravo again, as PP has sent a tsunami to Putrajaya….
#10 by Jong on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 11:04 am
“Who’s the silliest of them All?” – check this out at
Zorro’s website:
http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-and-why-umno-lost.html
Mafrel’s website:
http://mafrel.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/malicious-and-slanderous-campaign/#comments
Anwar Ibrahim, PKR and Pakatan Rakyat should thank
those UMNO/BN scumbags for their ‘contribution’!
Indeed, if not for them, some laid back Permatang Pauhans would still be sticking to what they had been doing all along -’undi-lah Barisan Nasional’, but this time around the ‘fitnah’ was too much to bear, Enough was Enough and they wanted CHANGE!
#11 by yhsiew on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 11:06 am
MalaysiaToday son’s site is blocked. Here is the latest site for MalaysiaToday:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/
#12 by Anak Msia on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 2:29 pm
DAP/PKR is focusing too much in Penisular, it is four years from now to next election, why not draw up a good strategy and win over the vote from Sabah and Sarawak, this is the basic thing should do if PR need to be in command of the Federal Government. PR need to be in every corner of the nation.
Work hard, we really need you to make the different.
#13 by ReformMalaysia on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 2:52 pm
The Barisan’s candidate for Permatang Pauh may portray himself as ‘OCBC’ (orang cina bukan cina). But can the chinese support him?
The big problem is his friends and leaders in UMNO says ‘OCBC’ -Orang Cina Balik China!!
so Arif…. sorrylah…. no votes for you.
#14 by The Enforcer on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 3:32 pm
Thanks bro AhPek and yhsiew for the info to MT.
#15 by Jong on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 7:55 pm
My plain, simple comment directing contributors on this blog to Mafrel and Zorro’s website/blog, is still under moderation, since 11 am this morning?
#16 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 9:48 pm
In case you don’t already notice it, it does not allow you to post links.
#17 by aquaimplotec on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 9:49 pm
In my opinion, the person who made the decision to front a candidate against Anwar Ibrahim is now looking very silly. Now he is denying that there are consequences resulting from the humiliating defeat.
Next down the line another one feeling more silly would be Aziz Shah Omar Shah who would now be feeling double siily i.e. the Muslim as well as the Mandarin meanig for silly.
Next down the line is Najib Razak who was first to have this silly feeling even before the results came out. He was booed out by the residents of Permatang Pauh even before he could start the campaign.
Lastly the MCA is feeling very silly now that they are being blamed for squatting around doing nothing. No wonder the Malays are saying the Chinese are squatters, the MCA is giving the Chinese a bad reputation.
#18 by Jong on Saturday, 30 August 2008 - 9:51 pm
oic thanx!
#19 by takazawa on Sunday, 31 August 2008 - 2:38 am
The gold medal for being the SILiest obviously goes to the FIL who took advice from his SIL on which candidate to field against Anwar and is so cock sure that BN can still (mis)rule with the dominance of 140 seats. Next is the Sh!thead, the silver medalist for attributing credit to the government for promoting “democracy” on Anwar’s victory, and the bronze medalist goes to the shabby one who had the cheek to say “The live broadcast is strictly for Question Time and we can’t change our policy for just one person.”
#20 by ktteokt on Monday, 1 September 2008 - 8:53 am
The whole BN circus team, right from the ring-master to the clown has made a fool of themselves in PM!