The trend all along has always been” vote for BN at state levels to ensure local economic development and economic growth, and vote for the Opposition at the federal level to ensure an effective opposition in Parliament to counter the BN’s two third control there.

This formula works well and is proven.

I do not see an exception in Machap. By-elections in this state constituency will be fought less on national issues and more on local issues. Promises have already made. The residents of Machap have nothing to lose by voting BN – and by putting an Opposition candidate in the SLA which is under the control of BN, where does that lead to??

But then this is by-elections. There is another trend albeit a general trend in all elections everywhere, which is to vote in an Opposition candidate to send a message to the federal government.

Which trend is likely to dominate the voting??

Since the GE is around the corner, BN would do well to make sure that voters are heard.

Result: BN wins.

“So, one has to forget about the causes of empty stomach…”
Loh

No. When I say is ideology have little or no relevance to people when they have to struggle to put food on the table, I mean exactly that. Issues like corruption or the NEP, a broken system of law enforcement and the IPCMC, kickbacks to UMNO in the purchase of military hardware, the 60 million dollar home of the Prime Minister, the use of racial slurs in Parliament etc pale in comparison with the bread and butter issues that residents of Machap have to deal with daily.

First time voters may not know but the old timers of this constituency know that politicians would appear in droves at times like this and make promises which they may or may not have the intention to keep – and just as quickly disappear. But between promises made by an Opposition candidate in the election and the promises made by a candidate from the ruling coalition, these people would put their bets on the latter for obvious reasons – the ability to deliver.

I agree with the astute observation and analysis of our hairy friend, Goddamn SIngh.

Between putting my hopes in the man without legs to run a field and track event, I would put my hopes in the man who has legs but are not willing to use them.

The difference is obvious.

Viewing the video of Guan Eng dishing out statements to a reporter, and without the presence of political heavyweights as Anwar on the scene, I am not confident DAp will win this by-election.

It is obvious that Guan Eng knows that this state by-election will be fought on local issues because he calls the voters to vote on national issues!

Has there been a Chinese or Hindu temple demolished in Machap?? Has there been a closure of vernacular schools in Machap?? Do you see anybody willing to work and not getting any? Do you see poor Chinese being neglected? No hospitals? Has economic development by passed this area? Any tolls to be dismantled?

If your answer is not in the affirmative, then it is obvious that BN will retain its seat.

Calling for Chinese voters to vote for national issues like the end of Kuala Lumpur riddled corruption style of governing the country, to vote for the end of cases like an Indian mother being separated from her daughter, like the passing of reforms like the IPCMC, like an amendment to Art. 121)1A of the Federal Constitution. and an end to body snatching. These issues do not wash with the local voters who are struggling to put food on their tables.

“Good explanation!. The guy has refused to use his legs for 50 years, other form of persuation is needed.” Loh

Good. I see you finally come round to my argument – which is ‘persuasion’ as you characterize it. Try persuading a man without legs to run!

“If Malays want to be rich, get them through proper means. It is playing on emotions on the Malays to get them agree to discriminate against non-Malays.” Loh

This is a skewed analysis of the real situation.

Malays for the most part only look for a more equitable share of the national economic pie – rather than maximizing their wealth. This was the mood in the early years of the 70s. They are told by their leaders that this was their birthright, that UMNO acts to safeguard their interests which are protected by the Constitution of 1957. To the non-Malays they are told for the most part that they would need to share the national economic pie in a more equitable way, and that it would not involve any real sacrifice on their part like giving up their piece of the pie so others could have it.

This is only possible with a growing national economic pie – a growing GDP though rate of growth from year to year may fluctuate. This expanding national economic pie analysis could not withstand scrutiny, or the test of time in situations like we had in 1998/99 when not only growth rate plummeted but was negative and when the national economic pie actually shrank in size. There was less of everything rather than more of everything to share. Situations like that breeds resentment.

Discrimination is but an aspect of the New Economic Policy or NEP – a policy which is the direct response to the race riots of 1969 which brought the economy to a halt. You cannot have a policy aimed at the equitable distribution of the national economic pie without racial discrimination. In fact race is not only an important component of the NEP but its very basis.

The kind of rhetoric that accompanies the policy needs to be downplayed. Unfortunately, UMNO leaders depend on it to justify their very existence.

“I just do not know how Chinese in this Bolehland would ever realise …” Loh

Well, didn’t I tell you so?? I have proven you wrong.

It has nothing to do with anything but money politics, a better machinery at garnering support, an electorate that rightly or wrongly prefers a better standard of living for themselves and their kin, preferring economic development to political wishy washy ideologies.

Putting an Opposition state assemblyman in a State Legislative Assembly (SLA) controlled and dominateed by the ruling party in a by-election just does not click. However, we may see a different situation during general elections. We are likely to see a bifurcation in the voting like we always see in the past. Vote for BN at the state level and vote for the Opposition at the federal level. A compromise? No. A strategy that takes into consideration practical realities.

The Chinese are a very practical race. They are not interested in anything like an ideology – if there ever was one, not when bread and butter issues mean more. Machap is a classic example.

Oh, Come off it!

The fact that there was evidence of exploitation or manipulation by vested interests does not make the race riots of 1960 part of a well planned design by Tun Razak and Tun Dr. Ismail and whoever else, to take over the government and the country from further falling into the hands of the Opposition. The riots showed sufficient spontaneity as to draw researchers since into studying its root cause – which is socio-economic. The fact that there may be other causes at work does not dilute the veracity of the evidence.

To say the riots were organized without more is to downplay the forces at work viz. the root cause of the riots. The forces at work are, I respectfully submit, political and socio-economic and not just political as your thesis suggests.

It may, for example, have the appearance even of a political coup staged by rightist elements within UMNO led by Tun Razak and Tun Dr. Ismail and Ghazalie Shafie (which probably included the likes of Dr. Mahathir who stood up earlier against the Tunku) to wrest control from the Tunku who was under the influence of certain MCA leaders. But that does not mean it was a political coup.