New urban thinking led to BN losses in Sarawak towns


by Ronald Benjamin
The Malaysian Insider
April 25, 2011

APRIL 25 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s comments that the racist politics of DAP has been exported to Sarawak clearly reveal his ethnic prejudice and insecurity.

His simplistic comments fail to consider the current political and cultural trends among the urban population whose political sense and approach to issues is increasingly rooted in universal justice, equality and pragmatism.

Ethnic issues are minimal in this paradigm of thinking.

The Barisan National coalition of ethnic-based parties is still finding it difficult to come to terms with this new political paradigm that goes beyond mere ethnic accommodation. The urban middle-class is basically connected to a global world, where a sense of equality, meritocracy and democratic expression is the norm in any enlightened civil society.

For example, some of these educated middle class tell me that the Malaysian political scenario has similarities with the ancient imperial kingdoms, where the king would always keep his close trusted associates or cronies loyal by presenting them with goodies.

The wealth of the nation was basically controlled by powerful elites linked to the king while the commoners went hungry. If there was a possibility for the king to visit the countryside, there would be disbursements of money to make the subjects temporally happy while conditions that create poverty or widen the gap between the rich and poor were ignored.

In other words, the king would continue to create a sense of dependency among his subjects so that they would not question his opulence and authority. Is this ancient story not similar to our Malaysian situation when it comes to dealing with the rural population?

It is in this context that the BN’s poor showing in the urban constituencies in Sarawak should be analysed. The chief minister had been accused of enriching his family and cronies but the political leadership in KL and investigative institutions such as the MACC have not yet taken action.

The selective attitude towards corruption especially if involves the highest levels has alienated the educated middle class. While a slew of issues contributed to the BN’s defeat in the urban areas, the failure to investigate Taib Mahmud following allegations of abuse of power is the major cause of the Barisan’s defeat in urban constituencies in Sarawak.

The political old guard like Dr Mahathir and Umno have to come to terms with the present situation, where universal values such as equality, justice and pluralism hold sway, instead of pinning the blame for the defeat in urban areas on “racism” by a political party. — aliran.com

  1. #1 by monsterball on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 - 6:52 am

    The day you expect Mahathir to speak truthfully is the day he can no longer speak.

  2. #2 by k1980 on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 - 7:38 am

    http://uppercaise.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/dscn1246.jpg?w=480

    No more 1malaysai— the thumbs up sign stands for 1mamak

  3. #3 by undertaker888 on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 - 7:40 am

    based on mamuckthir reasoning, the revolution in the middle east is also based on racism. that’s how twisted his mind is.

    this muck had laid the foundation of a political revolution in this country 30 years ago. he thought he can chain the people forever by being racist, oppressive and divisive. at the same time destroying the judiciary, police, and all govt agencies to be as corrupt as him.

    basically he laid the foundation of umno and BN graves 30 years ago. he forgot he is a mortal. now his sons will be paying for the sins of the father.

  4. #4 by hallo on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 - 8:05 am

    Later Life & Death

    In 1977, Tunku Abdul Rahman became the chairman of The Star, a newspaper which was banned in 1987 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad because of its provoking columns that were harshly critical of the Malaysia’s government. Following a rift with in UMNO, he unsuccessfully tried to establish a new party UMNO Malaysia. In the general election of 1900, Abdul Rahman actively participated and widely campaigned against Mahathir Mohamad despite his worsening health. He died on 6 December 1990, aged eighty seven and his body was buried at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum in Alor Star.

    ==========================

    Mahathir should be the no.1 enemy of Tunku Abdul Rahman.

  5. #5 by hallo on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 - 8:07 am

    Later Life & Death

    In 1977, Tunku Abdul Rahman became the chairman of The Star, a newspaper which was banned in 1987 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad because of its provoking columns that were harshly critical of the Malaysia’s government. Following a rift with in UMNO, he unsuccessfully tried to establish a new party UMNO Malaysia. In the general election of 1990, Abdul Rahman actively participated and widely campaigned against Mahathir Mohamad despite his worsening health. He died on 6 December 1990, aged eighty seven and his body was buried at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum in Alor Star.

    ==========================

    Mahathir should be the no.1 enemy of Tunku Abdul Rahman.

    Do you agreed?

  6. #6 by monsterball on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 - 8:17 am

    Yes “RAHMAN” was his legacy….but starting from…..”MAN” the Devil took over..and the MAN amonsgt the three is non other than Mahathir.
    Tunku died trying to save Malaysians….but too old and helpless.
    Now watch the MAN killing his adopted son.
    He separate his son from his father…by starting UMNO B..and “RAHMAN” is also broken.
    Only the wise and truthful can understand Mahathir is the Devil Reincarnated.
    Therefore..the 13th GE is not only about change of Govt. is a wise choice.
    It is the Good battling the Devil.
    It is FOR or AGAINST.

  7. #7 by Not spoon fed on Wednesday, 27 April 2011 - 10:59 am

    We now see true the wisdom of Mahathir. His wisdom is: DAP is a racial based party while UMNO is not. To Mahathir, United Malay National Organisation is a multi racial party. Guess he thinks he is not a Malay. MCA and MIC each are also a multi racial party. Guess he thinks Pakatan (led by DAP) in Penang is lousy to cause Penang to have receive a praise from Transparency International in 2009 while in the entire history of Malaysian no state or federal government has ever received this.

    No wonder Mahathir could not raise the value fo Ringgit during his 20+ years of ruling compared to Singapore.

  8. #8 by born in Malaya on Wednesday, 27 April 2011 - 8:16 pm

    The father of racism Mahathir who created NEP with special rights and quotas just for the Malay race and yet he dares to accuse others for practising racist politics.What a joke.
    When it comes to the champion of racist politics, Dr M is definitely the winner.No one in this planet is more racist then him.

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