by Art Harun
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Kuala Terengganu P036 by-election could not have come at a more inopportune time for Barisan Nasional in general and UMNO, as well as Najib Razak in particular. As we all know, the Barisan Nasional is still reeling from the effects of the March 8 general election last year. The main coalition of UMNO, MCA, Gerakan and MIC have seen testing days after that general election with all parties going for each other’s throat on issues close to their respective heart. Issues on Ketuanan Melayu; teaching of Maths and Science in the English language; marginalisation of the Malaysian citizen of Indian origin; distribution of the economics pie are but some of the issues which saw the BN main component parties shouting and screaming at each other with the obvious goal of championing each party’s racial agenda and outlook.
To top it up, these main component parties also have internal issues to be settled. MCA saw a change of top leadership in an election which was more than a little uncivil and divisive resulting in its President and Deputy being elected from two different and opposing camps. As for MIC, it is as good as a dead horse. While Samy Vellu says he wants to re-brand MIC he forgets that re-branding MIC would most certainly involve his removal from the party as he has become synonymous with all that is wrong with MIC itself.
Most importantly is the internal wave of discontent which UMNO is going through from March 8 2008 until today. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been blamed for everything which has befallen UMNO so far. This blame culture and movement has been led by none other than its former President, Mahathir Mohammad. It has taken steam sometime in the middle of last year and at the end a power transmission timeline was agreed. That entails Abdullah relinquishing his Presidency in March this year to Najib Razak, the current Deputy President.
But that does not end there. As it is, there are now 3 persons eyeing the Deputy posts come March this year. The 3 VP posts are seeing a fight between 10 stalwarts. The Youth chief is also seeing a massive fights. In fact, UMNO is so full of infightings that it makes the Palestine conflicts rather tame in comparison. To add to all these, money politics have reared its ugly head and UMNO leadership is at a loss on how to solve these really dirty games.
If the Permatang Pauh by-election sounded the death knell for Abdullah, the P036 by-election is a sure test for Najib Razak’s leadership. And it couldn’t come at a worse time. The selection of Wan Ahmad Farid as UMNO’s nominee for the election is not without significance. The fact that Wan Ahmad Farid – a known supporter of Abdullah in UMNO – is chosen as UMNO’s nominee is widely seen as proof of Abdullah’s influence in UMNO although Abdullah is supposedly on his way out. This is admitted even by Mahathir Mohammad who lamented that Wan Ahmad Farid is Abdullah’s proxy and that he (Wan Ahmad Farid) is not the best man for the job.
Come what may, the obvious loser in all these would be none other than Najib Razak. Firstly, the nomination of Wan Ahmad Farid, a known Abdullah man, gives the impression that Najib Razak is powerless and not strong enough to stop Abdullah from still calling the shots even within 2 months from his retirement. That does not bode well for Najib and his supporters.
Secondly, win or lose, Najib would still lose. It is a lose-lose situation for him. If Wan Ahmad wins the election, the impression would be that his victory is caused by the “Abdullah factor”. It would be Abdullah’s great choice which wins the election. Not Najib’s.
In the event of a loss, the world would come crumbling down on Najib. The blame would be on him. Allegations of sabotage would surely surface. However, the damndest conclusion in that event would be that the people of Kuala Terengganu, and Malaysia in general, has demonstrated that Najib’s leadership is not welcome. The people do not want Najib as Malaysia’s next Prime Minister. That would be the natural conclusion.
It must be remembered that Najib was entrusted to spearhead UMNO’s and the BN’s election campaign in Permatang Pauh. He failed miserably due mainly to his wrong approach, strategy and tactics. How could you go into someone’s house and tell the owner of that house that his son is a sodomiser? The result of that is for all to see. Anwar won with a bigger majority. Najib (and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) left Permatang Pauh even before the official announcement of the result!
In the event of a BN loss, P036 would be seen as an indictment of Najib’s inability and his perceived tainted past (and present). It would be concluded as an almost unequivocal non-endorsement by the people of his leadership style, his visions, his political posturing on a wide range of issues which are close to the people’s heart nowadays.
It is therefore quite obvious, that come what may, Najib would be the biggest loser in P036. Whatever the result of this by-election might be, it is obvious that the UMNO infighting would continue to ravage the party. Both the Abdullah and Najib faction would claim victory in the event of a win for Wan Ahmad Farid. And both would blame each other in the event of a loss. At the wrong end of this argument would be Najib Razak.
On the side of the fence, a victory for Wan Ahmad Farid, would, on the face of it, indirectly sound a loud “NO” to hudud and PAS’ seeming unwillingness to let go of that issue. In that event, Pakatan Rakyat would have some soul searching to make. The loose alliance between a motley crew of parties with different views and ideas which strike, among others, at the most basic of issues, namely, whether Malaysia should be a secular or Islamic state, would not, in the long run, work if such issue is not analysed deeply and an acceptable common ground is found and agreed upon.
Husam Musa’s statement that PAS would implement hudud during his debate with Khairy Jamaluddin shows the emotional, rather than rational, side of Husam and PAS as a whole. Khairy was being clever and he was digging a huge hole in front of Husam when he unnecessarily asked Husam about hudud. Husam did not see that hole and loudly and proudly proclaimed that PAS would implement hudud to a thunderous applause. Husam won the day but in a single stroke Khairy has managed to find a bullet which the BN could use during the by-election. Hudud, a non-issue before that day, has become an issue suddenly. Husam fell into the hole like a led balloon!
If PAS wins, there will be conclusion made that the people, including the non-Muslims, may not be adverse to hudud. Again, Pakatan Rakyat would have some soul searching to make. And the Barisan Nasional too. Hudud laws, and its implementation, is not an easy subject and it touches the nerves of all and sundry, not only the Muslims and the Malays . It involves international perception, international finance and investments, non-Muslims and Muslims alike. It involves the very basic structure of Malaysia. It involves the basic premise of Malaysia as a secular state with Islam as its official religion. Contrary to all political posturing by the likes of Mahathir Mohammad, Abdullah and the present UMNO leadership, everybody knows that Malaysia is NOT an Islamic state.
PAS itself is in the middle of a leadership tug of war. It is replete with factions where the Hadi, Nik Aziz and Anwar factors provide endless supply of political entanglement. Hadi is the Islamic state chieftain. Nik Aziz heads the more rationale and pragmatist group and is known to be the sympathisers for Anwar’s reformist agenda.
P036 is thus more than what it seems. It is not only about the Barisan Nasional against the Pakatan Rakyat. It is about the survival of political ideologies within component parties of these two. It is also about the fight within the component parties.
The voters in P036 should be so lucky to know that their one vote each may in more than one way decide the future of Malaysia. They should therefore all come out and exercise their right to vote with a clear conscience and unhurried in their choice.
Happy voting.
#1 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:45 pm
cintanegara,
don’t you see there’s another wrong for you committed by your future great world class statesman Najis according to what k1980 using taxpayer’s money (90% contributed by non Malays) to help Malays of other countries whilst the orang asli of Peninsula,the orang asal of East malaysia,the poor Indian Malaysians and the poor Chinese Malaysians are not cared for cos they are not Malay!
#2 by OrangRojak on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:47 pm
If it’s any consolation to cintanegara, I thought the complaint letter to Teluk Dalam Resort was an odd thing to include on this blog. I doubt including it will have much effect on Malaysian tourism – bad accommodation is probably the least of Malaysian Tourism’s problems. My European friends skip Malaysia while they’re touring South East Asia mostly because of the way Malaysia is portrayed in their home press. That problem, in my view, can only be cured at the ballot box, positive affirmation will only make the problem worse and make people more frustrated and more likely to seek scapegoats in the long term.
As for the Singapore references, I don’t think LKS overdoes it, even if some of his regulars do. If Mid Valley Mega Mall were to declare their independence from Malaysia, I’m sure they could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Singapore in no time at all. Malaysia has different problems and different opportunities to Singapore, so ‘be more like Singapore’ isn’t as simple as some would suggest. Singapore has, like many countries, got some things right, so there’s nothing wrong in picking good examples, as long as people remember that Malaysia isn’t the same as Singapore, and never will be.
#3 by monsterball on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:58 pm
Cintanegara…..For idiots like you….please note DAP does not represent one race.
UMNO…MCA and MIC…all identifying the one race they are representing and call that BN. Note the…\ M\…\C\…and \I\.
Barisan National….my foot!!
It’s divide to rule.
Mahathir accused DAP as a racialist party…and he has developed the thickest skin to accuse everyone….anything…that he actually is……thinking Malaysians will fall into his traps…..all the time.
Do not be fooled by his resignation from..\UMNO BARU\…..he created. That is to distance himself from Dollah and Najib…..not for the sake of Malaysians at all.
That devil reincarnated art is totally out-dated…so do not copy that sick old man……..greatest liar and most corrupted PM we ever had…yet cintanegara hero worship him. Why like that?
But you ….ever forgive and forget all UMNO sins..as you are one of them.
hi…..Cintanegara….go read \talking\ writer comment……and learn….the whole truth.
If you do not agree…then plan to migrate to kampong life….when UMNO is gone.
You are a useless gas bag……so similar to Mahathir.
UMNO is but your umbrella for false security….yet you do not know.
UMNO is controlling your brain with dirty religion politics….yet you do not know.
UMNO is separating the malays……yet you do not know.
UMNO is stealing from you….yet you do not know.
UMNO government….have evidences showing people can be killed by c4 bombs…raping young girls….throwing tear gas onto Malaysians…..treating some of your righteous brother muslims…walking to free your mind….yet you do not know.
UMNO government….have three types of Malays…the very rich…the ordinary people… and the third class…yet you do not know.
It’s the vast majority ordinary Malays that know.
Folks….after writing so much with loving kindness to open his eyes…to change for the better..he still do not change…..GIVE HIM HELL!!
I give up!
#4 by k1980 on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:06 pm
Nearly all schoolchildren in the country will be mobilised to protest against the Gaza offensive by Israeli forces.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said about five million pupils and 360,765 teachers from more than 10,000 schools would be involved.
Why not ask the 20 million adults in Malaysia to squeeze into their children’s school uniforms and join the protest? And why no protest against the Mumbai terrorists, the kidnapping activities of the Abu Sayyaf, the on-going massacres in Congo,the pirates of Somalia ect?
#5 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:14 pm
Worse still even it has been pointed to him a probably 100 wrongs has been done by Mamak,cintanegara can still classify shamelessly that Mamakthir is the greatest PM and statesman in the world! Imagine,he cannot even see so much wrongs done to the country by his idol.That’s why this country can be continously screwed by UMNO for more than 50 years!
#6 by OrangRojak on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:34 pm
k1980 – a couple of good posts today – protest where? Is this a scheme to prop up the ailing MAS by flying all those kids to Syria for the day?
Why does he have to use children? I find that … distasteful.
#7 by pee_ash on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:44 pm
ask PDRM to charge education minister in court, if he use children in the protest.
#8 by Onlooker Politics on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 6:37 pm
“2. Why didn’t LKS to tackle problems of Malaysian women who were cheated and accused for trafficking drug in China, Spain & etc. Obviously, he was not making any effort to do so. Or maybe & just perhaps these women were not from the community he represents? Astonishingly, in 2005, DAP made a lot of noise over the issue of woman doing squats.” (cintanegara)
Dear cintanegara,
While I sympathise the Malaysian women who were being cheated by their companions to commit criminal offence of drug trafficking and then got caught and prosecuted by the foreign authorities, I simply do not see the need to ask DAP to intervene in the court proceedings in mainland China or Spain. I would hope that some senior counsels like Mr. Karpal Singh or Jeffrey could offer themselve to provide free legal advice services if the family members of the alleged Malaysian women did come to see DAP Leaders for legal assistance.
I simply do not think that it will be a great idea for DAP to say anything while the court proceedings are undergoing in accordance with due process of law. If we believe in the Concept of Judicial Independence, then we should also ensure that the Judges in mainland China or Spain are able to drop judgement independently in the legal proceedings of a criminal prosecution case without fear or favour from anybody’s intervention or interference.
#9 by Onlooker Politics on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 7:26 pm
“3. Does DAP support or against nepotism? Why a contemporary and tolerant leader like Dr Tan Seng Giaw who hardly ever touch on sensitive issues involving race, religion and others’ supremacy as stipulated in the Federal Constitution was not given a chance to hold the highest post in DAP? Why the highest post in DAP now held by incapable person who never got the respect from majority community?” (cintanegara)
Dear cintanegara,
Thank you for showing your support to DAP’s National Vice Chairman, Dr. Tan Seng Giaw.
Dr. Tan has been a Specialist Dermatologist since 1976. Many Malaysian skin diseases patients owed Dr. Tan a big favour because he served many patients faithfully and professionally with his superb medical skill without charging a high price when he was working in Kuala Lumpur Tong Shin Hospital. Some patients even told me that Dr. Tan Seng Giaw gave away medicine free of charge out of his own pocket when the patients were too poor to pay for the medical fees. One of the patients was a high school classmate of mine many years’ ago. Dr. Tan is presently working as a Specialist Dermatologist at the Chinese Maternity Hospital Medical Centre. Dr. Tan is currently leading the DAP team to help in the PR’s campaign in Kuala Terengganu. You shall continue giving your valuable support to Dr. Tan in Kuala Terengganu.
The incumbent DAP’s National Chairman, Mr. Karpal Singh, is not an incapable person who never got the respect from majority community like you said. Even the Malay victims who were falsely accused in a criminal prosecution (sometimes involving UMNO’s top shot) would go engage Mr. Karpal Singh as a defense counsel. If you don’t know Mr. Karpal Singh, then please don’t ever claim that you are a Malaysian.
What a big shame on you when you choose “cintanegara” as your pseudo name while you know nothing about the great Hero of Malaysia, Mr. Karpal Singh, who managed to save many innocent Malaysians from being victimised by the oppressive legal enforcement units and by the imperfect court system of Malaysia under the BN Administration.
You may be too young to know that Mr. Karpal Singh helped save the life of a 14 years’ old kid who were being prosecuted by the Malaysian Police (the Police had its own prosecuting department for many years) for Drug Trafficking Offence during 1970s. Mr. Karpal Singh indeed earned his respect from me through his own merit.
Please do not try to tell lie in order to demonise the Hero of Malaysia simply for the dirty purpose of serving your political master. God forbids false accusation, no matter how eloquent you are in telling lie!
#10 by jus legitimum on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 7:49 pm
That so called cintanegara is a compulsive liar and has chosen to criticize blindly and impudently against the DAP leadership.He is just incorrigibly naughty.
#11 by Godfather on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 8:16 pm
He’s just parrotting the views of UMNO. That’s why they are all coconut heads over there.
#12 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:02 pm
cintanegara’s mindset has been so set in stone by his master that he cannot tell the difference between loving one’s government with loving one’s country.To him loving one’s government is always synonymous with loving one’s country without exception.That is why he keeps saying he loves his country and in this thread he even claims he loves his country DELIBERATELY (whatever that means?)He can’t see that his loving his UMNOputras is synonymous with hating his country for he can’t see that if a government is not working in the interest of the country (in our case we have a government enriching enormously a select group of people) then loving his government simply means hating his country.
#13 by Jimm on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:07 pm
All of us can speak out our mind nowadays because we are given IT platforms to express our views …..
We have to thank GOD for giving us these platforms as compared to our foreparents whereby they have been duped to read and believe what was approved and published by evil umno.
Everyone is entitled to post their pwn personal views as to what they intended to stand for.
We should not asked DAP what have they done for us in the past as we ourselves wasn’t properly feed with these kind of ‘freedom’ platforms to execute our rights in the past.
DAP have been standing behind the truth dan continue to walk the talk until IT was brought into our todays’ living.
We can condemned anything that once DAP did not accomplished for us (as claimed by most of us) in the past and seek an explaination from them ….. however, please take a look at ourselves first before throwing our angers out …
where were you when the walk begins some 40 over years ago ???
#14 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:07 pm
Cintanegara for your information the critics here are all for Malaysia but never for the government because this government is a much hated government.
#15 by Onlooker Politics on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:09 pm
“4. Would DAP share their views and thoughts when the PM of a neighbouring country publicly announced that the country is not ready for non majority to become PM?” (cintanegara)
Dear cintanegara,
Singapore national leaders have always been well-known for their courage to speak up openly what they see as something which is a political urgency. When Singapore Prime Minister BG Lee Hsien Loong told people that majority Singaporeans are not ready for a leader who comes from minority group to become PM, he was indeed showing his good personal trait of being honest to the people. The honesty is a very-much-sought-after leadership quality which is rarely found in the UMNO leaders.
There are hundreds of thousands of Malaysians currently residing in Singapore in order to earn a living for their family in Malaysia. By knowing the facts that those hardworking and good-talented Malaysians who have to find employment in Singapore simply because they could not find a decent job in their home country, namely Malaysia, which is put under the dominance of a Malay party UMNO, it is too natural for the majority Singaporeans to feel that they are not ready to accept a Malay Singaporean for taking over Lee Hsien Loong as the Prime Minister. The incompetence and corruption practices of the UMNO leadership have already transmitted a lousy wrong perception to the whole world that the Malay people would not be able to manage their own business well even in their home country of Malaysia, whereby the Malays occupy all the majority seats in the Parliament and in the seats of Top Posts in almost all government offices for the past 51 years. The only way to make a rectification on such a wrong perception is to overthrow UMNO and to give mandate to Anwar Ibrahim of Pakatan Rakyat to become the new Prime Minister of Malaysia in the next general election. Only Anwar Ibrahim is deemed to be the best suitable person who is able to revive the respectable image of all Malaysians.
Just don’t forget that Singapore Authority usually has to wearily deal with some Malaysian racist politicians such as Dr. Mahathir and Ahmad Ismail who would never give up any opportunity they could grasp in order to speak up some racist remarks for the malicious purpose of inciting hatred among the Malays towards Singaporeans, solely for serving the selfish purpose of mobilising the political support around their political pets such as Mukhriz Mahathir or Hishammuddin Hussein Onn.
DAP is an independent political party of Malaysia. DAP certainly does not need to share any or all views and thoughts of a foreign Prime Minister BG Lee Hsien Loong. It is also not necessary for DAP of Malaysia to intervene in the internal affairs of Singapore because Singapore is an independent sovereign nation by itself.
Anyway, noone should make it an issue on whether Karpal Singh or Lim Guan Eng shall be nominated as the future Prime Minister of Malaysia at the present premature stage. The most important thing is that all Pakatan Rakyat component parties are now ready to take over Barisan Nasional to rule the country because they have already reached upon a consensus that a much more senior and competent candidate, namely Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, shall be nominated to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia in the event that Pakatan Rakyat is able to control the majority seats of the Parliament.
#16 by Jimm on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:12 pm
When all of us can decide and form our walk the talk together as ONE …….. Malaysia will obtained her freedom from evil umno.
Are you all serious about this walk ?
#17 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 1:17 am
The difference between what HS Lee says about the possibility of non Chinese becoming PM of Singapore and Bodohwi’s statement saying anybody from any ethnic group can become PM of Malaysia is one is stating a fact wheareas the other is telling a lie with a straight face.
Why is HS Lee’s statement a statement of fact.If you look at the demographics of Singapore,one can say Singapore is more or less a homogeneous society with an overwhelming 75% Chinese population.Because of this factor HS Lee is merely stating the obvious that Singapore is not ready to have a non Chinese as PM but one very important thing is that he has not stated that a non Chinese cannot be a PM of Singapore.
In the case of Bodohwi he is lying with a straight face by saying people from other ethnic groups can be Malaysia’s PM.Just look at the hoha created when Khalid appointed a Chinese as acting CEO of PKNS,whatmore having an Indian or a Chinese or a Murut or a Penan as Malaysia’s PM. There will be a riot!!Besides the UMNOPUTRAS will see to it that non Malays cannot even be deputy PM.
On top of this Malaysia is not homogeneously Malay only 53% of population and only having a slight majority over others.Yet their position is so commanding and yet the UMNOPUTRA is selling the idea to the Kampong folks that the others are trying to take away their rights,their priveleges,their Ketuanan melayu status etc,etc
#18 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 1:26 am
sorry it’s HL Lee and not HS Lee.
#19 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 8:02 am
What’s effect if any of Mahathir factor on political dynamics of KT P036 by-election?
Mahathir attacked both Umno choice and PAS for the upcoming KT by-election.
He said Umno’s choice – the former political secretary of PM – was “known to be snobbish, who does not know how to be friendly with people,” and was chosen because he was Pak Lah’s man, an allegation Najib subsequently rebutted on grounds it was joint choice of the best candidate by both premier and him .
He attacked PAS for allowing pig rearing at a Malay village; willing to give permanent land titles to garner the support of the Chinese; downplaying its 30 year plan of implementing hudud laws.
(Ref : Malaysiakini report “Mahathir attacks both key KT candidates” – Jan 9, 09 1:36pm)
What is the effect of his rantings on political dynamics of KT P036 by-election?
Either no effect on both sides or if any, it would likely pour cold water on UMNO’s side (as some traditional UMNO supporters might listen to him and abstain voting, whilst those customarily antithical towards UMNO/BN or those supportive of PAS are unlikely to listen to whatever negative he said about PAS anyway).
In a tightly contested by election in which every vote counts, his remarks may unwittingly tip the scale in favour of Opposition and if UMNO candidate loses, the top in the ruling party would blame TDM, whilst he would harangue the party warlords to rid those at the helm faster.
#20 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 8:43 am
AhPek,
In the U.S. whites number some 71.6% of the total population, and blacks number some 12.8% but yet on January 20th 2009, we will be seeing the inauguration of the first black President of the United States. In Malaysia non-Malays number some 40% of the total population and after some fifty years, the chances of seeing pigs fly are better than seeing a non-Malay sitting in the Prime Minister’s chair in Putrajaya. Demographics has less to do with it than pigs dressed in Spiderman’s outfit.
What does the law of probability tell us this time?? Any smart ass in the room who says it is all about logic and logical thinking?
#21 by taiking on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 10:28 am
Of course a non-malay can be prime minister of malaysia. I have no doubt about that. Its only umno and umnoputras. They will not let that happen. In fact I fear that they will not even let any non-umnoputras to become pm. Plain Joe bin Ahmad too (not just any Gupta or Ah Kow) would not stand a chance to be pm. Obama is plain lucky for he borned an american and not malaysian.
#22 by Bigjoe on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 10:53 am
The writer makes a good point – KT election is about a lot of things but it does not seem that any one or two thing is the main theme. That leads to one wondering, if this election is about a lot of things and yet not one thing register heavily, what would be the likely outcome i.e., will machinery prevail or will ideology prevail?
If machinery prevail, BN should win but if ideology prevail, then it should split down the line with Malay voters and Chinese decide the vote.
It is interesting. I think opposition goof in taking the high road on personal issues. Its quite obvious BN candidate have much more negatives on personal issues. Wan Farid is linked to Monsoon cup, grew up elitist and does not have the common touch like the dead guy, he is labeled as lackey of outgoing PM, he can’t carry his own weight (he is told to smile and intervention by a heavily handicaped Najib has been too many).
#23 by OrangRojak on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 10:58 am
I think the Mahathir factor can only be good for PR. If he is vocal on a subject, then the international community might speak up too. Zimbabwe will side with Mahatir. Every other country for anybody else.
#24 by cintanegara on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 11:46 am
Dear Mr Onlooker Politics
Many thanks for your crystal clear explanation. Yes indeed…I did gain “titbits” of justification about all the answers that I acquire. On the other hand, I would be very much grateful if you could elaborate further question no 4.
1. Why there is only one Malay minister in that country’s cabinet holding an insignificant position. Aren’t the Malays not qualify enough to hold any senior positions? In our country it is basically contrary, we can see several MCA, MIC and other component parties, holding senior positions in the cabinet. The oppositions claim that UMNO is racist but the fact is otherwise.
2. What about the Top Government agencies, fighter jet pilot, etc why Malay names are hardly found?
To the rest of bloggers, below are just fruitful facts to ponder.
Negarawan Ulung, Tun Dr Mahathir obtained a medical degree from King Edward VII Medical College in Singapore. Upon graduation, TDM spent his housemanship at the General Hospital, Pulau Pinang, and later appointed as Medical Officer at General Hospital, Alor Setar; District Hospital, Langkawi, Jitra and Perlis. In 1957, together with Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, they became the first Malay doctors to open up a private clinic in Kedah. His clinic which was named ‘MAHA’, rendering health services to everyone and at times didn’t even charge his patients a single cent. Yes, this is not lies. It is merely true, nothing but the truth about TDM. Was I lying? NOT AT ALL. It is the fact that Malaysian can’t deny about our beloved Negarawan Ulung.
There is no doubt in my own mind that Tun Dr. Mahathir is a superb politician and an intellectual with strong work ethics..
#25 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 12:26 pm
‘There is no doubt in my mind that Tun Dr. Mahathir is a superb politician and an intellectual with strong work ethics.’. cintanegara.
Humans have a capacity to learn but you,you don’t seem to learn.Perhaps the racism in you has shielded you from believing your kind can do anything wrong.Would you believe that Mahathir and family has fixed deposit amounting to USD199.45 million and the bank their fixed deposits are placed? And I am not even asking you his net worth.Talking about work ethics,it’s bloody laughable and you are oblivious of the fact that you are a clown amongst most of us here.Mahathir is nothing but a big cheat who is now doing a sandiwara for the public…don’t use USD,don’t buy American products,don’t work in Starbuck or KFC bla,bla bla..Just ask him which bank he placed his fixed deposits in plus all his cronies.
Cintanegara if you wish to know,just leave your mailing address and you will get the information in due course and that goes for anyone here.I am also most interested to send a copy to melurian,zak,realworld or any great admirer of mamak.
#26 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 4:18 pm
undergrad2,
The whites in US are about 66%,African American 13.4%,Hispanics(mainly from South America exception being Brazilians who speak Portugese and probably most are mixed with natives)15%,Asians 5% and Native Americans (Alaskan Natives,American Indians and Hawaiian natives)1.6%.
The white population comes mainly fromEnglish18%,Germans17%,Irishmen12% and Italians 8% the remaining 11% coming from the French,Greeks, Dutch,Czechs,Romanians etc etc.In other words US is not homogeneous like Singapore is homogeneous (75% Chinese).In fact if say US has 66% English,then perhaps we might have Barak Obama as President
#27 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 5:49 pm
correction: “In fact if say US has …… ..we might not have B.Obama as President.Or 66% Germans or Irish or Italians for that matter.”.
#28 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 6:55 pm
AhPek,
I’m not sure if you are a convert to logical thinking or you are a casualty to it.
#29 by imranj78 on Sunday, 11 January 2009 - 12:20 am
P036 is going to be a tough fight and the I expect the outcome to be too close to call. Both BN and PAS have more or less equal chance of winning the seat and local issues + perceptions will be highly important factors. The new Tganu MB Ahmad Said seems to be doing a fairly good job and has asserted himself well against the federal government so that might earn Tganu BN some points. Bickering within PR and PAS especially on hudud might cause some ripples but nothing major as everybody is already aware about such inconsistencies within PR. I also personally do not think Najib will be a major factor though.
The important thing is that voters think carefully and make a wise choice based on track records by both BN and PAS in Tganu and at the same time look at the future to see what both have got to offer to them and to the country. Do not get clouded by `noise’, rhetoric and irrelevant issues from both sides of the political divide.
#30 by AhPek on Sunday, 11 January 2009 - 12:38 pm
Maybe a casualty case undergrad2 but then you have to ask Prof for confirmation since he has such a complete variety of tools (theory of probability,inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning,fallacy,syllogism
and Boolean algebra) at his disposal and which I certainly know are not
made available to mere mortal like you.
#31 by Onlooker Politics on Sunday, 11 January 2009 - 1:25 pm
“1. Why there is only one Malay minister in that country’s cabinet holding an insignificant position. Aren’t the Malays not qualify enough to hold any senior positions? In our country it is basically contrary, we can see several MCA, MIC and other component parties, holding senior positions in the cabinet. The oppositions claim that UMNO is racist but the fact is otherwise.
2. What about the Top Government agencies, fighter jet pilot, etc why Malay names are hardly found?” (cintanegara)
Dear cintanegara,
This is not an attempt to answer your questions in relation to Singapore’s political situation. This is the webblog of YB Lim Kit Siang, the advisor to Democratic Action Party (DAP) of Malaysia. I think it will be much better for you to address your Singapore-related questions to a webblog of People’s Action Party (PAP) of Singapore.
By the way, if you yourself do feel that it is wrong in principle to use racist approach to manage a nation, why do you continue to voice out your support for a racist politician such as Dr. Mahathir.
In his Blogsite called http://www.chedet.cc, Dr. Mahathir sarcastically accused PAS for allowing non-muslim people to trade “Babi”. If you ever passed by a small village along Jalan Mersing (Highway No. 2) in Johor by the name of Kampung Batu 24, Kahang, please drop by a coffee shop nearby and ask the villagers whether Dr. Mahathir’s wife has any interest in the huge pig farm in that village.
If you have plenty of time to spend in Johor, then just drop by any cow farm in Padang Hijau along Jalan Mersing Batu 13 and ask around whether Dr. Mahathir owns a 1000-acre ruminant farm there. Of course, Dr. Mahathir can easily deny that he has any interest in that cow farm because he makes use of a nominee. However, Dr. Mahathir might be able to fool the whole world outside his farm but he couldn’t fool his farm workers who had to always keep alert on whether the big boss would come for a spot check occasionally.
Dr. Mahathir is an “intellectual with strong work ethics…” Yes, I do agree. Dr. Mahathir is just too smart to make much more money for himself. I wish that more and more Malays will learn the business acumen from Dr. Mahathir so that the BN Government will not have to waste so much of the tax-payers’ money in giving out subsidies to the underachievers from the Malay community.
#32 by mts on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 - 8:15 pm
Anyone interest about how Malaya Constitution prepare.
Here it is the Reid Commission Federation of Malaya Constitution Report
http://www.digitalibrary.my/dmdocuments/malaysiakini/223_report%20of%20federation%20of%20malaya%20constitutional%20commission%20%201957.pdf