by Thomas Lee
The Bagan Pinang by-election on Oct 11 is an opportunity for the voters to tell the Braisan Nasional in no uncertain term that the practice of corruption and cronyism must be wiped out in the country. They must go all out to ensure the defeat of the Umno candidate.
By fielding a candidate suspended by his own party for corrupt practice, the Barisan Nasional is obviously snubbing the people, indicating that it couldn’t care less about what they think and feel. It is a de facto endorsement of corrupt practices.
By nominating such a tainted candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election, the purported high moral ground on which the Umno leaders have been self-righteously proclaiming has been exposed as a mere hollow sinking ground.
Umno is arrogantly confident and cocksure that it will win the Bagan Pinang battle even with a corruption-contaminated candidate.
The voters of Bagan Pinang must come out in full force to show Umno through the ballot box that the days of its exaggerated sense of superiority are numbered.
It is time the Barisan Nasional be told that:
– it cannot simply grab power by unethical and illegal means, like what had happened in Perak;
– it cannot simply use oppressive laws like the ISA to silence its critics, opposition leaders and the freedom and human right crusaders;
– it cannot simply use harsh enforcement on peaceful unarmed demonstrators and candlelight protestors;
– it cannot simply change the education system at its whims and fancy every other few years, causing confusion among the teachers, parents and students, and creating chaos in the schooling system;
– it cannot simply continue to control and manipulate the press and mass media to promote its own causes, and to run down the opposition and critics;
– it cannot simply allow the corrupt political leaders to go unpunished, especially those using public funds for private holidays to Disneyland and those living beyond their means in great luxury in multi-million ringgit mansions;
– it cannot simply allow investigation into the mysterious death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock to be frustrated by attempts to prevent relevant persons from testifying;
– it cannot simply cover up scandals involving public projects such the PKFZ issue.
Will the voters of Bagan Pinang take the lead and send the message to Umno and the Barisan Nasional that “Enough is Enough” and it’s “Time for Change”?
#1 by limkamput on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 11:13 am
Yes, Mr. Thomas, we must keep educating and convincing our voters that enough is enough. To your list of abuses and misdeeds, may I add that they cannot continue to create mountains of bureaucracy and adding layers after layers of incompetency and efficiency into the administration. They cannot treat the coffer of this rich country like their own personal bank account. They can not formulate policies and government programmes at their own whim and fancy. The quality of life of most Malaysians is fast becoming like those living in a third world country – poor water and air quality, filthy environment, lack of public infrastructure and amenities, congestion, dilapidating housing, poor security, low quality education and health care, and increasing income disparity. Yes, many have earned more and that is because we have continued to think in nominal terms.
#2 by OrangRojak on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 11:14 am
“A vote against corruption”
Nice rhetoric, but to many Malaysians “a vote against corruption” is also “a vote against my way of life” or “a vote that will bite the hand that feeds me” or “a vote that will make my financial cleansing service less profitable”.
Pakatan Rakyat haven’t done bad out of complaining about the obvious and plentiful abuses of the incumbents, but what positive benefits are on the table? I don’t mean ‘what positive benefits’ for PR supporters, but for the residents of Bagan Pinang?
I wish I could read the PAS website – it always seems to be the best-looking one out of the 3 PR parties! Would it be only a positive move if PAS made their website content available in other languages? Or would that defeat their purpose?
#3 by sheriff singh on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 11:39 am
“It cannot……it cannot…..it cannot……” But it CAN, and with impunity and with arrogance because it controls everything.
Neutralise the control part and everything will fall. Create chaos in their machinery and apparatus. BN parties are all having internal problems and can easily collapse if you find the right weak spots.
#4 by boh-liao on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 12:11 pm
Umno Baru is supreme, n what UmnoB wants, UmnoB gets
Corruption is a small issue to UmnoB
Who among Umnoputras is not corrupt? None
Melaka MB still MB, though not clean n found guilty
MCA, MIC, Gerakan, etc – too full of corrupt ppl
Anyway, these beggars don’t have any choice
Support, dance, wag tails – yes master, will do
Umnoputras after meeting in Janda Baik will give them the final solution
Also, EC coming out with new rules
To block PR component parties to support PAS candidate openly
David vs Goliath – siapa win the war n battle
#5 by taiking on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 12:46 pm
The issue in bagan is how to get the right message across to the postal voters. I believe that by securing something like 33% of those votes umno’s advantage (in the postal votes) could neutralised. Indians there could be swayed by the cow head incident. But the umno gobermen saw it fit to prohibit all mention of that incident. Nonetheless, they could still be angry. Chinese generally distrust umno and they are likely to throw their votes against umno even if it means supporting pas. What is more, umno picked a badly tainted candidate and expects the people to support him. Overall I see a good chance/possibility of pakatan wrestling the constituency from umno’s grasp. It would be close.
#6 by monsterball on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 12:48 pm
A vote against UMNO is not just only about…. against corruptions.
It is much more than that.
It is stealing tax payers money and National wealth to tell Malays…UMNO is helping them…with is infact stealing from their own race..and give to chosen few.
Mahathir said…UMNO help so many Malays to study overseas…and some are ungrateful…voting against UMNO…sums up UMNO mentalities.
Mamak is the ring leader to fool Malays..divide them too.
UMNO have gone too far with their arrogance and bragging mentalities…not forgetting…these daylight robbers have no principles in life at all.
Latest news is UMNO thinking to field much more UMNO candidates in 13th GE..blaming MCA,..MIC and Gerakan for the 12th GE poor results.
MCA…MIC and Gerakan were voted out…..dead and buried….all because of UMNO non stop fooling Malaysians..spearheaded by Mahathir and on going. 12th GE was votes against Mahathir………more than anything else.
Thousansds of Muslims…know now……..UMNO’s downfall is due mainly on Mahathir…hypocracy and encouraging.. massive corruptions.
Barisan is just a window dressing show…all powerless..true disgrace to other races…they so call are representing.
It has always been personal benefits plus chosen few to enrich themselves.
These are not politicians. These are parasites and leeches…depending on UMNO to get rich and survive.
UMNO knows Muslims are getting more and more hating them…and UMNO needS to keep finding scapegoats…to pray and hope….Muslims believe in them…and give UMNO… another chance.
Ordinary muslims…have no race issues.
Najib know that too well…thus the
“1Malaysia” is infact trying to please the Malays…saying UMNO have no race issues too.
Clear double standards applied…yet “1Malaysia” promoted.
Najib depend desperately on Malay voters….and it will be Muslims…that are getting fed up with UMNO wayang kulit…..spoiling the good name of the Islamic religion too.
So many reasons for Muslims to vote UMNO out…and Bagan Pinang will be a good test for these voters.
#7 by lkt-56 on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 12:49 pm
A vote for PR equals a vote against corruption is a strong theme but it is obvious that UMNO is confident that corruption is not a deterent agains the deeply ingrained fear of losing Malay privileges if PR comes into power. Therefore the focus should also be strongly on dispelling this perception among the Malays. Remove that fear and UNMO’s platform will collapse. Does PR have enough conviction to BELIEVE that Bagan Pinang can be won?
#8 by Taxidriver on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 12:50 pm
As Malays being the dominant race in Malaysia, the Malay voters in Bagan Pinang must lead the way to show the minority races that we are all Malaysians; that for love of country and for the sake of the future generation we must stand united to vote out the present corrupt and cruel regime led by UMNO Baru. Tell BN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
#9 by Taxidriver on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 1:15 pm
Now is the time for our Malay braders in Bagan Pinang to show that the Islamic religion is not what UMNO Baru have made it out to be. Materialistic and corrupt, telling lies to fool rakyat including own race, committing murders and swearing on the Holy Quaran without truely fearing ALLAH YANG MAHA MULIA ………
Earn the respect of non-muslims by voting against corruption to show that good muslims abhors all forms of corruptions and pleasure seeking. VOTE PR’s PAS candidate.
#10 by Taxidriver on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 1:18 pm
correction: ….good muslims abhor all forms of corruption…….
#11 by k1980 on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 2:04 pm
Should umno lose Bagan Pinang on 11.10.2009, someone is bound to wheeze in between dagger thrusts, “Et tu, Hidin? Et tu Mudin? Et tu, Rozmah?”
#12 by taiking on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 2:11 pm
monsterball is right. A vote against umno is a vote against thefts and robberies.
So far pakatan’s turf has remained firmly with pakatan. At least it could be said that if there is any erosion in pakatan’s support at all, it is not significant. The by-election results so far are clear testimonies of this fact. In fact pakatan gained ground in wining a seat (i.e. KT) which previously occupied by umno.
Bagan can be seen as a real test of umno’s support – whether umno has lost ground. We all know that umno has indeed lost some grounds. Umno too realises it. The question is how much was lost. Is it enough to result in a decisive swing of support in favour of pakatan? Almost certainly a yes but it would be a close run to finish line.
Mic and mca are not able to sing and dance anymore even if assuming that they can still attract a crowd now. The mental burden on them simply robs them of all energy and interest.
Malay voters must be made to realise the deceptions played out by umno and the many struggles which umno claimed was engaged in the name and for the benefit of the malay race. In umno’s dictionary malays actually means umnoputras and nothing else. By simple deduction, to them non-umnoputra malays (police and members of the armed forces included) are the same as non-malays.
Soldiers are tasked to protect the country, her land, her people and her autonomy. Our lands have been treated as if they are privitely owned land belonging to umno. Our people were arrested and detained and even killed without reasons or justifications. There are no automony to talk about. Umno is the lord of the country and everyone else is their slave. So do your duty soldiers. Protect the country. Vote against umno.
#13 by johnnypok on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 2:26 pm
UMNO win – $1.00 pay $0.50
PR win – $1.00 pay $3
(50% discount for $100 bet and above)
(100% discount for $1000 bet and above)
#14 by Hugos on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 3:47 pm
“The quality of life of most Malaysians is fast becoming like those living in a third world country .>>.” limkamput
Which rock have you been living under?? Malaysia IS a third world country!
#15 by ringthetill on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 3:53 pm
Enough said on corruption. Do something about it or stop complaining.
#16 by boh-liao on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 4:38 pm
PR n PAS should print posters for distribution to voters there
“Umno Baru truly arrogant & almighty
Treating BP voters as fools & serfs
Nah, here’s ISA, our best candidate
Though guilty of corruption & against Islam, so what?
Good for you, good for NS
Choose him”
#17 by k1980 on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 4:51 pm
PR is doomed…The christians in bagan pinan might all cast their votes for their prophet isa there
#18 by boh-liao on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 4:58 pm
This coming BP buy election offers great opportunities
For young people, esp those in universities, to study and analyze
The lies, hypocritical statements, illogical support statements
Made by BN politicians
To beautify a well known n confirmed corrupt politician as a saint
Black becomes sparkling white
The best case study of utterly pathetic unscrupulous politicians with no principles in action
#19 by limkamput on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 5:38 pm
We were third world, we made some progress materially, but now we are back to third world. It is difficult for some who live in the cave to catch up and to understand what i am saying.
#20 by Loh on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 5:46 pm
///Umno is arrogantly confident and cocksure that it will win the Bagan Pinang battle even with a corruption-contaminated candidate.///– Thomas Lee
I believe that UMNO will win and prove once again that their divide-and-rule policy works. Under that formula, the persons who rule the country has more rights to national resources than the ordinary people. That is accepted because the persons who are going to vote UMNO candidate knew that under UMNO they continue to gain privilege treatment over non-Malays, and that counts. They have not been informed, or if so informed, they are yet to be convinced that UMNO made their income lower despite the special treatments, through corruption of people in high places, and inefficiency in government administration. The results of brainwash since NEP days condition them to believe that Bangsa and Ugama are the only thing they live for in this life, and heaven, for the life after.
Sabah and Sarawak would have been much more prosperous if their resources have been kept for their own development. The people there somehow have not come out to prove to UMNO that enough is enough.
UMNO have fooled half the population in the country, and with that they have enough votes to remain in power. MIC under a new chief will be working with new Indian-BN-bound parties, and serve UMNO needs: one Indian minister will do Indians proud. The prouder Indians like Mahathir are Malays.
CSL is certainly waiting for the right time to form another Chinese-BN-bound party absorbing all those who had gained benefits as members of MCA. So in Peninsular Malaysia, UMNO with the support of UMNO-moles embedded in PAS would continue to rule. MACC together with the support of some royal houses who declared that people should support BN government will again return UMNO to power. That is the fate of Malaysians.
#21 by limkamput on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 6:25 pm
//That is the fate of Malaysians.// Loh
This is defeatist. This is hopelessness that UMNO has successfully inculcated in many of us. How can this be? The battle has not even begun, but we already have all kinds of doom expressed. Come on, democracy is also about ideas and convincing the voters of new ideas, new approaches and new paradigm. During period 1963 to 65, the country has nearly become a multiracial, multi-cultural and multi lingual society with a government that was decent, effective and honest. We failed then, and of course with subsequent depraved indoctrination, the country has become what it is today. Yes, the nation’s demography has changed but that does not preclude us from embarking again the journey to build an effective government. We shall prevail, for this is what politics is all about. How can we postulate we will lose the Bagan Pinang seat when the campaign has hardly started? This is stupid, we may as well not contest.
#22 by monsterball on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 6:31 pm
I WILL BE THERE..a tiny speck of hope I intend to be…for millions.
Returning home..whatever the result maybe..I can feel proud I walk the talks…and doing my best.
Yes…I will be there ….to support PR and PAS.
#23 by Joshua on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 7:34 pm
Slaves or tie-coons by the nose?
So let us recap. They have got three chinese towkays…one a Tan Sri and two Datuks who have all beniftted from Isa’s era as MB of Negri Sembilan – to volunteer to help them in Bagan Pinang. As Najib and Isa have told these three – it is pay back time. They have made their money from business opportunities given to them by Barisan now it is time to donate towards Isa’s cause. [see below]
Joshua says and so ‘pay back time’ is endless. Has not these three cronies being paying the UMNO’s warlords their share of ill gotten gains of taxpayers for the 22 years Isa was Menteri Besar? If that had not happen, how did Isa had the means to bribe party delegates of millions of Ringgit for high position as money politics conviction. Ask Tun Mahathir – he must knows it all happening even in his time.
Joshua Kong
PM for IGGG.
Bagan Pinang. One Tan Sri. Two Datuks. (UPDATED WITH BM TRANSLATION)
Posted by admin http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/27429/84/
Friday, 02 October 2009 21:13
By Steadyaku47
pw: choice recent
#24 by Joshua on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 8:03 pm
Kerajaan Hong Kong Rampas Wang Musa Aman?
Posted by admin
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/27401/84/
Thursday, 01 October 2009 19:11
(TV Antara) – Ketua Angkatan Muda Keadilan Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin berlepas ke Hong Kong sebentar tadi untuk mendesak Badan Pencegah Rasuah Hong Kong menyoal siasat sekutu Ketua Menteri Sabah Musa Aman berhubung kes penyeludupan dan pengurupan wang RM16juta.
Penangkapan Michael ini memberi tamparan hebat kepada Ketua Pengarah BPR, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan kerana desas desus yang tersebar meluas mengatakan bahawa Kes Rasuah Loh Man Heng telah ditutup berikutan pengakuan Loh Man Heng sendiri bahawa beliau telah membayar sejumlah RM4 juta melalui pegawai kanan BPR, Mohd Jamidan Abdullah yang sebelum ini menutup kes Musa Aman dalam kegiatan pembalakan haram di Keningau.
pw: honored scram
#25 by son of perpaduan on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 8:21 pm
I’M FELT SO SORRY FOR THOSE MIDDLE AND BELOW INCOME RAKYAT SUFFER IN THEIR DAILY HASSLE STUCK IN TRAFFIC JAM. BN SPENDING SO MUCH PUBLIC FUND AND YET THE RAKYAT BEAR THEIR ILL GOTTEN PROJECT FOREVER. ESPECIALLY TO RAKYAT WHO LIVE IN AMPANG, MORNING STUCK EVENING STUCK. LRT UNABLE REACH INNER PART, KTM FAIL TO DELIVER TO THE NEEDS OF RAKYAT. WAHT IS THE USE TWIN TOWER STANDING SO TALL?
#26 by johnnypok on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 10:11 pm
It proves that UMNO has run out of “Gooder Corrupt” candidates. Next time they may have to nominate an ex-criminal, after proclaiming him as a “Cleanst Criminal”
#27 by Hugos on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 10:45 pm
“We were third world, we made some progress materially, but now we are back to third world …>>> limkamput
If you are not a member of the OECD or a nonOECD with high income then you are a third world country.
So according to you, Malaysia was a third world country, then Malaysia achieved developed status … and then Malaysia went back to becoming a third world country??
When did Malaysia ever leave the status of a third world country? When Mahathir built the Petronas Towers? You are a twat, admit it.
#28 by limkamput on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 10:53 pm
OECD or a non OECD with high income. So you get to define high income or low income? How high is high, twat? How low is low, twat?
#29 by Ramesh Laxman on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 10:55 pm
Dear YB Lim,
ringthetill is Correct Correct Correct. Like many parents who tell their children to get good result and do not follow it up with how to get the good results we have been telling the present government to get rid of corruption withot telling them what and how and get them to do it. General Elections is one way. But that is a long not practical.I would like to start with restitution. Whatever you take must be returned first and then a Departmrntal Fine should be imposed for first time offenders. Subsequent offences should mean double the amount you took after you have made restitution. And so on. Criminal charges must be filed against those repeat offenders. Three strikes and you are out. No compromise. That means we will be practical but imperfect. Here we must use extreme methods because they will be perfect.
Presently, Government Officers can be surcharged for excessive claims or for approving purchase of office supplies at two or three times the retail price. Heads of Department must be told that they should not abdicate their responsibility and be instructed to carry this out. This is a job for the KSN. All the administrative powers are vested in him. He has the powers to do it and do whatever it takes with the approval of the cabinet.
Many countries use this instrument to control corruption. The private sector also does this to control abuse or theft of company funds. I am confident that if these simple steps are taken we will clear the way to bring to books those who have been pesistently abusing public funds. There is no need for a Royal Commission or new laws to take on this matter.
#30 by limkamput on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 11:08 pm
I did not say Malaysia has achieved developed status. I said Malaysia did make some progress materially, i.e. in terms of income and wealth creation. But in terms of mentality, political institutions, social and quality of life we are still very much third world. There is no need to split hair; you know what I meant in my initial posting, i.e. in many respects instead of making further progress we are degenerating and retrogressive. If you want to find fault, that is another matter.
#31 by limkamput on Saturday, 3 October 2009 - 11:16 pm
Moderator, I would appreciate if you could take note who is starting all the nonsense here again. What is twat? Do you think it is justifiable for him to use it on me for no good reason?
When all the insults are thrown at me, you don’t seem to take notice. The moment I retaliate, you will take immediate action to moderate me. Anyway, a person who keeps changing his/her handle is spineless, dishonest and conceited.
#32 by OrangRojak on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 12:23 am
I don’t often hear that word outside the UK.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/twat
The things we learn on LKS blog, eh?
Remember limkamput: Don’t feed the troll
#33 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 5:33 am
“In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.” – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Trolling does not have to resort to slang like “twat”. It can be done by refine language of standard English!
Whether a posting is “controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic” “provoking other users into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion” is adjudged by the content/context of what is posted in entirety. Hence a person can “troll” even if he uses standard English without a single derogatory slang word.
For illustrations:-
Loh in his posting #20 on October 3rd, 2009 17:46 has expressed an opinion how UMNO by virtue of certain factors will prevail in its political domination. It is not an assessment that many will like here, and most assuredly not even him but it may well be a “realistic” assessment based on current facts. So what is the justification for LimKamPut to say this is “defeatist”, “this is “stupid”, we may as well not contest….”???
Based on a given set of facts, Loh’s assessment may be described as “realistic” but if one does not agree, does it mean it is “defeatist” and “stupid”???
Take another example of the thread “A vote for Pakatan is a vote against corruption”.
The same poster in his posting #40 on October 2nd, 2009 17:49 came out of the blues and said “by the way I was the first one to mention the Financial Procedure Act and someone has subsequently written eloquently on it without given me the due acknowledgement. Before that there was no mention of this act at all by this person. In fact, he even said that letters of support, if properly worded, could actually be letters of guarantee. I just want to keep the record straight.” Is this posting relevant?
Then what about posting #45 by limkamput on September 17th, 2009 16:52 under thread page 1 of “ Cleaning up the Judiciary – was the Chief Justice right?” where this was posted – “Orangrojak, that is why you are not a referee because obviously you do not know who is winning. And please write proper English here because we Malaysians read and write standard English, unlike the poorly educated class from UK”…
Don’t such posts written in standard English without slang like “twat” but judging by their content and choice of words qualify to be “controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic message” intended to provoke an emotional response from ones against whom such a post was obliquely directed causing disruption of online discussion?
#34 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 5:34 am
Therefore the assessment whether a posting is trolling is not just based on use of slang like “twat” or other unsavoury terms littering blogosphere. It is adjudged by the whole content of the posting and choice of words.
My point here is that I can customarily “troll” here using the best Queens English and the most polite language – without using a single slang or unsavoury word – to put other posters down!
If other posters use “twat” on me because of my habitual making of controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic posts provoking emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion – and to stop my trolling, albeit by using polite language- are the other posters trolling, and my taking them to task feeding the troll? Can a troll feed a troll? I thought the first troll was getting his just deserts!
#35 by limkamput on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 8:28 am
Jeffrey, I was appealing to the moderator, not you. You are not a judge here. You are an interested party who felt small because I have commented on your posting before. I did not attack you personally, but I said was the truth. The truth hurts am I right? What I said on the Financial Procedure Act earlier was about right. As for comments on Loh’s posting, I sincerely believe that it was a fair comment to use the word defeatist and stupid in that context. I did not say he was stupid. I said the comment was defeatist and stupid. In any case, is it your business to defend him? You don’t even know you are biased. You pick me to quarrel with you. I know your intention: to get me moderated so that your opinions can hold sway in this blog again. I think I am right about that.
As for all other things said earlier, it was said in retaliation to uncalled comments thrown at me. I could also say in numerous occasions you together with Jaswant (now probably Hugos) have used all kinds of personal attacks like being delusional, sick, Tanjung Rambutan, Tampoi, forget medication etc. on me. If you think my comment is not true or fair, debate me. There is no need to divert to other stuff.
Orang Rojak, I do not know what is your intention of putting the link here to define the word “twat”. May be you want everybody to know how I am described here. I will try not to feed the troll, but I can’t promise.
#36 by monsterball on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 8:38 am
hahahahahaha…Everyone needs a lesson or two from the smartest and most well informed visitor here.
LKS had some lessons from him too……hahahahahahaha
Imagine….visiting somebody’s house and teaching the host…how to be fair…….hahahahahaha
Don’t like..just leave..why talk so much.
If like…respect the decisions of the blog owner.
Cannot understand this simple rule…want to teach others?….hahahahahahahaha
Sensitive and confused….blame this and that too.
#37 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 8:51 am
A vote for Pakatan is a vote against corruption.
And a vote for BN is a vote for corruption. Makes sense? Yes, good sense.
So, I hear a deluge of anti-ISA badges will flood the streets in Bagan Pinang. Good for democracy. Very good for Keadilan (Justice). Fantastic timing for Anti-ISA.
#38 by monsterball on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 9:01 am
A vote for Pakatan is first and foremost..a vote to …change an overdue party to govern the country..who is dictatorial…apply double standards and want to divide Malaysians..to apply….divide to rule..the out-dated cruel ways of the past British government policy.
UMNO corruptions are sucking blood from the poor.
Corruptions is everywhere in the world.
How big or how serious it is…is what Malaysians are concern about. We are no fools.
#39 by limkamput on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 9:08 am
‘Dear voters in Bagan Pinang, it’s never a better time to prove the rakyat’s worth as right-thinking Malaysians than now. Teach the arrogant folks in BN a severe lesson in humility in this by-election.’ so said Malaysiakini.
This was the easy part. The hard part is to get this message across and get our people enlightened.
#40 by limkamput on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 9:34 am
Was there a deliberate “divide and rule” policy by the British? I know that was what most people said, but was there a deliberate policy? Or was it more of “economic expediency” when the British found it most convenient to have the Indians working in the estates, the Chinese in tin mining and retailing and Malays in their leisurely padi fields. The British did not divide the people into Bumiputra and non Bumiputra. The British did try to help the Malays, but the help was seldom abused or misused. The British tried to form the Malay Union to give equal rights and opportunities to all but it was “us” who refused it. The British did not insist we must form our political parties based on race en-route to independence. The British tried to keep Singapore within Malaysia, but it was us who worked covertly without the knowledge of the British to dismantle it. I wish historians could show me where exactly the British have deliberately tried to divide and rule.
#41 by Loh on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 9:50 am
///I said the comment was defeatist and stupid. In any case, is it your business to defend him?///– Limkamput
I appreciate what Jeffrey has written. It was not a defense as if I needed support. I thought it was obvious that the comments were uncalled for, and I did not bother to dignify the comments. But it was good of Jeffrey to quote that as an example, and I am sure he has every right on this issue.
#42 by limkamput on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 10:00 am
Jeffrey has every right on this issue. You too has every right on this issue. I believe I also have every right on this issue. Yes, your comment on the political situatioin in Malaysia was defeatist and stupid, that was my comment.
#43 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 10:10 am
As Loh said, my comments were not a defense of him as if he needed support. There are those like him who would not dignify an uncalled for remark or trolling. However there are those others who would be provoked to an emotional response and end up getting into arguments/mutual recriminations disrupting normal on-topic discussion in this blog. Yes I am not judge here but just as Lim KJam Put has the right to appeal to the moderator, I am also addressing my comments to the Moderator of what constitutes “troll” so that he/she could appreciate the bigger picture and be fair and moderate in his/her determination.
In context of what OrangRojak posted, it may give an impression that trolling means just using derogatory slang like “twat” when what I want to emphasize is that trolling is adjudged objectively by what is written in entirety and may take place with the best standard English without a single slang or vulgar term.
In fact according to definition of “twat” posted by OrangRojak it can, depending on context, be even used as “endearing” term.
Unfortunately, in selecting illustrations of how trolling could, judging by context, take place even in standard English without a single slang or vulgarity, it just happened that Lim Kam Put’s postings taken are most apt for illustration of my point. It is also convenience. This blog is replete with such examples, easy to just scroll over and there are ample pluckings!
#44 by Godfather on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 10:23 am
This buy-election is a real test of the maturity or awareness of the voters. If Isa is elected, we have to question the level of ignorance of the voters.
#45 by limkamput on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 10:28 am
Oh yes, Jeffrey, your idea on democracy (on how a majority has spoken and there is nothing we can do about it) in the other thread was to me defeatist also. Let’s focus on the substance of posting. Please don’t create distractions if you can’t fight me on substance. Oh, the eloquent posting about the Financial Procedure Act, I don’t even know to laugh or to cry, so much of intellectual honesty being thrown here.
#46 by Bigjoe on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 10:39 am
Its more than just a vote against corruption. Its actually a vote for the future – not just for this country, but for Malays, for everyone.
Basically the voters have to decide whether they will vote for short term personal gains that may or may not be possible whatever the dire consequences is for everyone includign themselves especially in the long term OR do they vote for a longer term future, independence, their self-pride, better character and better foundation. There is no future in what is being proposed here with the election of Isa – no future for this country, no future for people, not even a future for UMNO and the Malays.
Electing Isa will merely delay the problems and cost more to everyone eventually to fix it. A vote for PR is to move the solution forward – for everyone including those in Bagan Pinang..
#47 by OrangRojak on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 11:27 am
what is your intention
Just trying to be helpful. I am practically an expert on obscene British slang of the late 20th century.
It would be nice to have something concrete to offer die-hard BN voters, wouldn’t it? Both sides have dearly-held negative views of the other. I’m not convinced the ‘vote against’ argument is superior to UMNO’s ‘vote against’ argument. Given ‘vote against corruption’, against ‘vote against idiot Islamists handing your glorious fatherland over to greedy Chinese pendatangs, all led by a vengeful sodomite traitor – and you can kiss goodbye to your patronage’, are we really expecting the traditional UMNO voter to be swayed?
This is perhaps the greatest weakness in Pakatan Rakyat. The failure to come together as a unit (1Opposition!) and develop a clear strategy for Malaysia’s future forces you to keep harping on the other side’s weaknesses. I’m not convinced the lifelong ‘support the government voter’ can see the difference – let alone the benefit – in voting PR.
I think Bagan Pinang voters should vote PR just for change’s sake. Unbroken access to privileged positions makes people lazy and careless. It’s time to give them a rest.
#48 by Godfather on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 11:27 am
Najis is caught between a rock and a hard place. If he doesn’t accede to Isa’s wishes, there is a chance that Isa’s supporters will sabotage BN’s candidate, whoever that might be. So Najis is taking the practical view that he must win at all costs – similar to his recent Perak strategy. Najis needs to win first and worry about the consequences later. If he loses this buy-election, it could be the start of a slippery slope to oblivion.
#49 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 11:49 am
Limkamput, I won’t respond to your posting #45 on Financial Procedure Act etc. To do so would engage this thread on a matter irrelevant to the thread, which is unfair to both blog & readers and ENDANGERED HORNBILL will once again have to suggest (legitimately) that such arguments be taken to another private forum!
On the matter related to this thread, I’d just comment a little on what ENDANGERED HORNBILL said about if “a vote for Pakatan is a vote against corruption”, then a vote for BN is a vote for corruption. Makes sense? Yes, good sense”…
Here we have to look at the idea of “corruption”, how narrow or wide one attributes to it. ENDANGERED HORNBILL refers to corruption of political kind, ie political corruption. It is not confined to just bribery and kickbacks or giving moneys to delegates/voters. In the widest sense, it covers for example favoring supporters and those who vote for a candidate with ‘special’ favours, an exchange which becomes illegitimate when all citizentry/tax payers are entitled equally to these favours, regardless whether they vote for one or not. For examples if I say the exchange is – if you vote for me I’ll bring development to your area ie bridges, schools etc or if you continue to vote for me I’ll perpetuate your priviledges and entitlement based on race. This kind of promises is illegitimate because all citizentry/tax payers are entitled equally to these favours ie development and no racial discrimination regardless whether they vote for you or not.
Yet this exchange is what the ruling coalition is offering on the table for majority of voters in Bagan Pinang to bite….One can call such an offer political corruption or feudal patronage exchange or any other term, but the fact is this offer of an amalgam of ideas comprising Ketuanan/ selective development in exchange for votes and support with one eye closed to the sheninegans of political elites has been going on for more than 50 years witnessing UMNO/BN political domination. So how far does 308 tsunami indicate change in majority’s attitude, extending even to a traditional UMNO stronghold like Bagan Pinang? That’s the question! An appeal to race is an appeal to primodial insecurities. For race not to count at least more than depredations of one’s elected leaders/officials, the majority of voters have to be matured, like what Godfather commented. However one cannot be sanguine that the basic exchange above has diminished in influence and marching to oblivion. Orang Rojak has stated this clearly : “I’m not convinced the lifelong ’support the government voter’ can see the difference – let alone the benefit – in voting PR. I think Bagan Pinang voters should vote PR just for change’s sake.” This is exactly how the existing system perpetuates itself – if “unbroken access to privileged positions makes people lazy and careless” then, the calculations are that people used to them will continue to have insecurities in relation to others, and therefore will vote for a system assuring continuance of the “unbroken access to privileged positions”, never mind that it incurs the downside of leaders being not up to mark, propriety and integrity. An assessment of that might well hold true is realistic and should not be denounced “defeatist” or “stupid”.
#50 by k1980 on Sunday, 4 October 2009 - 11:52 am
PR should get hold of Angela Yam to sing “Chua SL, you don’t buy me flowers anymore” during their ceramah. This will remind the voters of the type of cheapskate leaders that are in BN today.