Challenge – distribute BN’s 2004 general election manifesto together with its 2008 manifesto


(Media Conference Statement by DAP Parliamentary Candidate for Ipoh Timur Lim Kit Siang at DAP Ipoh Timur election centre, Ipoh on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 1 pm)

I challenge Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Barisan Nasional (BN) to distribute its 2004 general election manifesto on “Excellence, Glory and Distinction” together with its 2008 manifesto of ‘Security, Peace and Prosperity” to the 11 million voters to judge whether BN had failed or dishonoured its pledges.

Abdullah has produced a report claiming that the Barisan Nasional has fulfilled the pledges it made in its 2004 general election of “Towards a Malaysia of Excellence, Glory and Distinction” but he should not pre-empt any public judgment. He should facilitate the Malaysian people to pass such a judgment by circulating the 2004 Barisan Nasional manifesto together with the 2008 BN general election manifesto for comparison and study.

I have no doubt that if the Barisan Nasional dare to distribute its 2004 BN manifesto together with its 2008 BN manifesto, the judgment would not be a flattering one for the BN as the Malaysian public would be able to see at a glance the great divide between the BN promise and delivery.

In fact, many Malaysians will find that instead of the 2004 BN Manifesto of “A Malaysia Of Excellence, Glory and Distinction”, the past four years have seen “A Malaysia of Mediocrity, Humiliation and Dishonour” as illustrated by the plunge in Malaysia’s Transparency International Corruption Perception Index from No. 37 in 2003 to No. 43 in 2007; the fall-out of Malaysia’s premier university from being ranked no. 89 among the World’s Top 200 Universities in 2004 to No. 169 in 2005, 192 in 2006 and completely out of the Top 200 league in 2007; the shame and ignominy of a judiciary disgraced by one scandal after another about its independence, integrity and quality in the past two decades, and a whole host of other events and indicators.

I have not got the time to read the 2008 BN manifesto in detail, or to undertake a detailed comparison with the 2004 BN manifesto, but a quick check shows that in the first seven paragraphs of the 21-paragraph 2004 BN manifesto (four paragraphs of prelude and 17 paragraphs of contents), there are at least 43 violations, deviations and broken pledges!

Let me for the moment just focus on two issues:

Firstly on crime. In the 2008 manifesto, BN promised: “Bring down the country’s crime index”.

What did the 2004 BN manifesto promised on crime, law and order? Let me quote from it: “Improve the level of personal safety for every individual”!

What is the BN record on this pledge of its 2004 manifesto in the past four years?

It was a total failure and disaster. After four years, Malaysia today is even more unsafe to its citizens, visitors, tourists and investors because of endemic crime.

When Abdullah became Prime Minister in October 2003, the crime situation was already out of control which was why one of his first reform promises and measures which won him all-round plaudits and support among Malaysians was the establishment of the Royal Police Commission to reduce crime to restore to Malaysians their twin fundamental rights to be free from crime and the fear of crime, whether in the streets, public places or the privacy of their homes.

In the past four years, however, the crime index had worsened from 156,315 cases in 2003 to 224,298 cases in 2007 – a sharp rise of some 45% when it should have gone down as recommended by the Royal Police Commission which proposed a 20% drop in the crime index in the first 12 months of its report.

For the first time in the nation’s 50-year history, the crime index last year crashed through the 200,000 psychological barrier. Women in Malaysia are now more unsafe today than four years ago – as the incidence of rape had more than doubled from a daily average of four women in 2003 to 8.5 women last year!

Secondly, on corruption. On this subject, the 2008 BN Manifesto pledge to “continue to enforce anti-corruption measures without fear or favour”. This is a far cry from its 2004 manifesto where it declared “an all-out campaign against corruption, without fear or favour” and pledged to “promote a culture of zero-tolerance for corruption”.

The 2008 BN manifesto is a big letdown as it has abandoned the 2004 pledge to promote “a culture of zero-tolerance for corruption”. Today, there is a culture of even greater tolerance of more rampant corruption than the time of the Mahathir administration as evidenced by Malaysia’s worsening ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index in the past four years of Abdullah premiership.

And the phrase “zero-tolerance for corruption” had disappeared from the lexicon of the Abdullah administration!

If Abdullah is honestly confident about the great successes of the BN 2004 manifesto as boasted by his own report card, he should accept another challenge – to have television debates which should be telecast live of political leaders of parties contending in the 2008 general election on whether the 2004 BN General Election Manifesto of “Excellence, Glory and Distinction” had been honoured or had ended up in “Mediocrity, Humiliation and Dishonour”!

  1. #1 by g2geetoo on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 4:36 pm

    What do you expect from a PM who alway tells you LIES!

    It should be 2004 Lies vs 2008 More Lies!

  2. #2 by billgates on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 4:56 pm

    Dear Voters,

    Before you vote on March 8, ask the BN candidates in your area if they dare to question Bodohwi and the government why they have not fulfilled their 2004 manifesto???

  3. #3 by voteforDAP on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 4:57 pm

    Being a fellow Malaysian myself, this is the time to say that I am truly not satisfied with how the current government treating the RAKYAT. Truely and sad to say I voted for the BN 4 years ago and looking back now, it was a sad choice. YB Lim, you have our backing and support to change the new Malaysia.

    Flipping through the newspaper on “why choose BN” for the past two days shows the current govern party trying to show their track record. I would rather give a chance to the opposition to show to the current government what they are capable of.

    We have seen what Pak Lah did not fulfilled in 2004. Why do I say that?
    1. Higher crime rate (no longer a safe country)
    2. Higher cost of living (petrol naik?)
    3. Racial tension provided among the indians (as seen through the demo – Hindraf and Judiciary inbalance (BERSIH, Malaysian Bar Council rallies etc.)
    and most importantly, less investors coming into Malaysia. Rafidah Aziz has been very quiet lately and more Multi-National companies are shifting out from Malaysia due to its higher cost.

    So, should we vote for DAP? I say “yes”! And guess what? The community that I live are all in for “DAP”. YB Lim, we are all behind you and Pak Lah, please move aside.

  4. #4 by malaysian on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 5:05 pm

    i don’t care what manifesto the Dollah Bodowi announce. i will vote for any opposition party(Barisan Rakyat) in my area.

  5. #5 by P.O.T.S on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 5:28 pm

  6. #6 by tswern on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 5:35 pm

    The BN head-honcho himself can’t even answer some simple direct questions, how would there live debates? Just look at the below link:

    Patrick Teoh’s blog.
    http://niamah.blogspot.com/2008/02/global-embarassment.html

  7. #7 by Malaysian citizen on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 5:42 pm

    Whatever BN is promising and especially the UMNO talks , they are all lies.

    Whenever Pak Lah says UMNO treats every citizens equally and fairly , ask yourself now why the Malays can buy a new house with 7 to 15% cheaper then the non-Malays , this is because they have special right which we do not have.

    Ask yourself why there is only 10% or less placements for non-Malays for our Local universities , the answer is the Malays have fixed a Quota for 90% placement for Malays in all gevernment Universities .
    It does not matter whether that particular Malay student did well in his examinations or not , a place or many places have already ready for them.

    Where as the non-Malays who did good in their exams with 8As or 10As will not be guaranteed a place as the quota is too little to put in all the good students since there is 40% non-Malays in Malaysia and there is only less then 10% placement for them.

    These are just 2 very common proof that you naive voters should know, MCA and the rest has been with UMNO since independance and for 50 years , I only see the Malay rights increasing and the non-Malays rights getting to zero.

    As you have given MCA and the rest 50 years to fight for your rights , don’t you think that they are just puppets in BN.

    Wee Meng Chee with his rap song voicing his complaints is one very clear example that MCA do not even dare to echo what Wee has raised in his song.

    Infact , MCA has pushed their family and Wee to apologize and after that you can see in the news that the UMNO liers treatening to take away Wee’s citizenship.
    MCA has no balls.

    Please vote for the oposition for a real change.
    You have nothing to lose since you are a second class citizen now.

  8. #8 by cfcluvdap on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 5:46 pm

    There’s no other reason than to get DAP and Opposition into the dewan and state assembly: To expose the wrong doings NATO and no results on what the ruling party pledged in every election.

    Hello Barisan Raykat, let’s vote in the peoples’ champion to voice and crack all the incompetent BN members

  9. #9 by Joetan on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 6:14 pm

    I would like to suggest to DAP members and supporters or any video producer who support the DAP struggle to produce a video compiling all the speeches of all those UMNO members who are so racist whether in UMNO general assembly or in parliment including Keris Hissamuddin and Khairy who wants the NEP target to revise to 70%. To be included in the videos are issues such as Mazu in Sabah, the Bung Mokhtar bocor issue and the corrupted Zakaria and many more. I am sure with such videos being shown during the DAP ceramahs , more people will throw their support towards DAP struggle.

  10. #10 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 6:19 pm

    Joetan,

    Better still TV images of BN leaders making their false promises etc. How do you suggest DAP get hold of such material and within such a short time? Freedom of Information Act?

  11. #11 by k1980 on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 6:25 pm

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    920622710069 —SIM SIEW TIAN

  12. #12 by mwt on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 6:53 pm

    The BN has unveiled its Manifesto and its was an attempt to fish back the non-Malay votes according to wired agencies report –“ to soothe growing anger by minority Chinese and Indians over education and religious rights.” They also “would keep Chinese and Indian schools, extend use of Mandarin and Tamil at national schools and offer university scholarships for poor students, irrespective of race”
    All in all, it was directed at the declining support from the non-Malays. So another BN Election gimmick at Election time. Vote opposition to cut the 2/3 Majority. More details at
    http://powerpresent.blogspot.com/2008/02/bn-08-election-manifesto-fishes-non.html

  13. #13 by mysn1st on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 6:56 pm

    Sir,
    Totally agree with you, the BN shall attached with Federal Audit report 2006 and lets remind the people about these issues.

  14. #14 by tswern on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 6:58 pm

    Guys,

    Don’t forget the 2006 Johore floods! My hometown is Segamat, one of the worst hit areas.

    Still sore with Pak Lah running the country via remote control when the country needed him most!

    http://www.jeffooi.com/2007/01/red_alert_floods_and_currying.php

    Enough with this half-past-six remote control operated government. Just change it!

  15. #15 by Joshua Tan Kok Hauw on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 6:58 pm

    There are really nothing new in BN’s manifesto.

    What I mean is that BN is lack of ideas to develop Malaysia. I am sure that BN will never deliver.

  16. #16 by Joetan on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 7:05 pm

    undergrad2,

    I know time is an essence issue here but i believe there are some very talented people out there who has the skill and can produce it within a short span of time. As for the material, dont be surprise if there are people out there or the DAP themselves who has it just like the Linggam tape.

  17. #18 by hiro on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 7:27 pm

    It will be one up for the opposition if each candidate challenges the BN side to a live debate, no holds barred.

  18. #19 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 7:34 pm

    Joetan.

    Yours is a brilliant idea which should have been thought of long before the elections were announced, by the DAP propaganda machine. There is the technology to do it. Sound bites could be used very effectively.

    It all comes down to resources. The BN war machine is strong because they could summon resources belonging to the people and use them to help fight their campaign – and so is their war chest funded by huge commissions ‘earned’ when the BN government went shopping for expensive defense equipment. The opposition has nothing much to depend on but the commitment, incentive and innovativeness of their supporters who are willing to devote time and personal resources. There is a limit to it.

  19. #20 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 7:53 pm

    PKR Manifesto:

    “Others include ensuring that 80% of the police force was purely tasked with fighting crime, implementing a RM1,500 minimum wage for all Malaysians and to replace the New Economic Policy with an affirmative policy based on needs and not ethnicity.”

    The idea of a minimum of RM1,500 needs very careful and extensive study. Cost of everything could spiral up leading possibly to a cost push inflation.

    “Every race should be given the means to empower themselves and break away from poverty. Our economic is not a pie to be divided up. It is a tree to be well-tended; a tree that belongs to all and if taken care of, will grow and bear fruit for all.”

    A clever use of words. It demonstrates a shift in priorities.

  20. #21 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 7:54 pm

    Is the minimum wage idea limited to police personnel?

  21. #22 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 7:59 pm

    The oppositions had 3 manifesto and there’s no Islamic state which makes it available to all and sundry, you combine all together, isn’t it better than the BN manifesto?

    I only wonder if Barisan Rakyat can survives this election, it was Barisan Alternative, what is next?

    You can have the best manifesto but what is the use if you cannot win the election?

  22. #23 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 8:05 pm

    “Is the minimum wage idea limited to police personnel?”

    Our police force are still poorly paid but as long as BN is the government, it doesn’t really matter.

  23. #24 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 8:08 pm

    I am beginning to get tired of the word “manifesto” already.

  24. #25 by mycroft on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 8:14 pm

    BN promises (as taken from the Star) and what they really mean

    1. Cushion the effects of rising prices – easy lah this one. Just impose more price controls. Easy right? Suppliers and producers complaining about operation and production costs not being met by returns? Small problem. Just give them a few goodies to tie them over. Not as difficult as actually trying to raise living quality and overall wealth of people.

    2. Address the issue of illegal immigrants – Another easy solution. We give them ICs lah. Must make sure they are of the right “standards” first though. If they have ICs, how can they be illegal immigrants, right?

    3. Generate at least two million quality jobs over five years – This is schoolboy’s stuff. Just increase the number of jobs on the civil service payroll. Who cares if the money we are using to feed a bloated civil service can be better spent in other areas such as healthcare, law enforcement and education?

    4. Continue to implement the New Villlages Development Masterplan – This means we ignore them for five years, cull their pigs and kill off pig farmers financially, and then when election time comes, we come out with more goodies. Easy right?

    5. Safeguard the position of national-type schools – BN will never change national-type schools. You can still send your children to SRJK (C) or SRJK (T), so long as they are willing to wear a sonkok and tudung.

    6. Establish a Special Complaints Commission to act on complaints of misconduct in enforcement agencies – Wah! See? We have a tiger waiting to pounce on recalcitrant enforcement agents! Nevermind that this tiger has no claws, is completely toothless, but it can roar very very loud. What? It only roars when it is told to? But look look, it is very very fierce looking right?

    7.Enhance appreciation for diverse cultures among Malaysia’s multiethnic people – We will be promoting the culture of the Chinese Muslims, Indian Muslims. Also we want to promote the Arabic culture to people also. That’s why we are going to promote Arabic road signs, Arabic language, Arabic restaurants, Arabic practices, Arabic dress also. In the end we propose to change the country’s name to Malayarabsia and relocate to the Middle-East.

    8. Facilitate construction, consolidation and relocation of all places of worship via state government mechanism, co-ordinated at federal level, that will protect the interest of all communities – Not applicable for Christians, Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus.

  25. #26 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 8:26 pm

    “And the phrase “zero-tolerance for corruption” had disappeared from the lexicon of the Abdullah administration!”

    Well, you need no catch phrase for promoting corruption, it has been a trademark of Abdullah’s government, it is now known as “sharing”.

  26. #27 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 9:37 pm

    I think it is 2 different things to have a manifesto to deny BN 2/3 majority and to have a manifesto to form a new government, an election manifesto is only good with the latter, you can’t have the best of both world here so I hope the oppositions can sing the same song and share the same vision, or can they?

  27. #28 by Ryan-W on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 9:43 pm

    Based on the attendance at the Oppositions’ ceramahs, it looks like that there is indeed a wind of change. However the Opposition should not be too complacent in that they might not be translated into votes on polling day. More importantly the Opposition speakers have to forewarn the public about the last minute tactics, if any, by the BN in which there would be little or no time for defence.

  28. #29 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 10:09 pm

    I don’t expect much of election pledges especially from Barisan National which has yet to demonstrate it has kept the last ones in 2004.

    The most important pledge is not 2004 “Excellence, Glory and Distinction” and 2008 “Security, Peace and Prosperity” : though all these are or sound important, yet first thing first – the first pledge and mother of all pledges is to bring in quality, untainted and sincere people within the BN’s fold, without which nothing much thereafter, however munificent the promises, can be accomplished!

    Like it or not, dominant BN partner, UMNO, is so far the backbone of the country for more than 50 years. What the country becomes and where it ends up depends on UMNO and the quality of its leaders. There is responsibility and duty here.

    Today there is a change happening (hence Opposition’s apt call for change).

    One of the changes is the growing assertiveness of the non-Malay Malaysians in urban areas and non-Malay political parties especially those in the Opposition. They say enough is enough. There is also a continuous rural urban drift. The Malaysian Indians drifting to urban areas find no opportunities and feel poignantly their marginalisation (as seen by the way Hindraf galvanized support surpassing its organizers’ initial expectations). Even the case of young educated Malaysian Malays drifting to urban areas in droves are also better informed, exposed as they are, to the Internet news and information and they are aware of the ruling coalition’s shenanigans and peccadilloes.

    BN led UMNO cannot keep on trying to maintain power based on gerrymandering and getting support from rural or small town constituencies and postal votes; it cannot keep postponing the day of reckoning by trying to keep out young voters from electoral roll who are thought to be critical of its moribund policies.

    The only way for the BN and UMNO to stay relevant is to reinvent itself in tandem with these changes, one of the first step of which, is to drop from candidate list and kick out all the bochors, bodek, corrupt and parochial characters who got nothing to speak for their credentials except the well worn hackneyed ways of making or taking racist and religious extremist positions.

    In their place and stead get in, retain and promote people who are measured, educated, balanced and moderate and who have an inclusive and broad national world view than insular and narrow and selfish ones.

    This is the main pledge – to get in quality people – that it should fulfill not only to Rakyat but also even to itself….

    But alas no. The power brokers could have their way. If they’re not fielded, imagine they can organize demonstration to pressure leadership and some of their demands are acceded to.

    On the other end of the spectrum, those who evince promise of quality and national leadership are dropped.

    I speak in particular of the case of Dato Zaid Ibrahim who was unceremoniously dropped from BN’s list of candidates without even knowing why.

    This is disconcerting as it is most unfortunate.

    If Zaid were put up in Klang Valley, he would win. Now even Kota Bharu is not sure to be retained by BN. Zaid has, as far as I am aware, no taint of public scandal – so far.

    In fact he is articulate and forward thinking not to mention speak intelligently in furtherance of broader national interest without fear or favour.

    So why drop him just because he is exemplary of the very archetype that UMNO would require to successfully re-invent itself for the better, as pledged? – unless of course one is not serious at all of the pledge and reneges it even before campaign on the back of such a pledge ends, and even if carrying it out is essential for one’s longer term relevance and survival or to avert implosion….

  29. #30 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 10:10 pm

    I can only imagine the oppositions has grown from strength to strength from today till the day Malaysians cast the votes to decide, convinced, not confused!

  30. #31 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 10:38 pm

    “The only way for the BN and UMNO to stay relevant is to reinvent itself in tandem with these changes, one of the first step of which, is to drop from candidate list and kick out all the who got nothing to speak for their credentials except the well worn hackneyed ways of making or taking racist and religious extremist positions.” Jeffrey

    It cannot happen, there’s no chances for it to happen in a million years, that’s why Zaid Ibrahim was kicked out instead of all bochors, bodek, corrupt and parochial characters (can anyone think of better description?)! I think that was why Tunku Abdul Rahman disowned UMNO before he went to his grave so he can rest in piece, or else he’ll keep on turning. I am not not joking! Mahathir should know better.

  31. #32 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 10:49 pm

    How come majority of Malaysians still vote for UMNO and BN even if they are rotten to the core? Is it because majority of Malaysians are rotten too? Or change is difficult?

  32. #33 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 10:53 pm

    In 1977, having acquired substantial shares in The Star, a Penang-based newspaper, Abdul Rahman became the newspaper’s Chairman. His columns, “Looking Back” and “As I See It”, were critical of the government, and in 1987 Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad banned the newspaper. This led to a split in UMNO, with Abdul Rahman and another former Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn, setting up a new party called UMNO Malaysia, but its registration was quashed by Mahathir Mohamad, who set up his own UMNO Baru (“New UMNO”). Abdul Rahman later supported Semangat 46, a splinter group of UMNO led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. He campaigned actively for the latter in the General election of 1990, but was already in very poor health.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunku_Abdul_Rahman

  33. #34 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 11:02 pm

    You can take either of two views : (1) the less charitable one that people (or majority thereof) deserve the government they get or vote in – and therefore rotten and corrupt majority of Malaysians consistently voted in rotten and corrupt government (2) the sytem has been manipulated in a such a way that the corrupt minority could get esconced in power under pretensions of majority support, which is in fact not true.

    In 2004 General elections, with all the advantage of incumbency, resources of the state, support of mainstream media and corporate donations etc, and when BN was at historic height of popularity sweeping 92% of parliamentary seats, the ruling coalition garnered only 4.4 million votes out of the total of 7.1 million votes cast, population of Malaysia being (as per census of July 2007), 24,821,286. Is that majority, even discounting those young and not eligible to vote?

  34. #35 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 11:02 pm

    In Malaysia, the bad men always win because the good ones are never as good as they should be.

  35. #36 by waterfrontcoolie on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 11:15 pm

    One thing I could never understand the so-called middle-class Malaysians is why they could continue to believe all the bull-shits churned out by BN? It was so onvious that over 70% of the benefits goes to the top 10% of UMNOPUTRAs, the next 25% to the rest of the UMNOputras, 3% to MCA-GERAKAN and 2% to MIC-PPP. As for the rest of BN voters, you get threats every now and then; only near GE, you get some sweetened fart, and you all fell for it!! By some simple computation, you would find that Billions had been siphoned out of the treasury and some of them still think it is not bad!! They loved to compare themselves to the people in Africa and Latin America. Wake up Malaysians, you should compare yourselves with the people in Taiwan, south Korea [forget about Singapore and Hong Kong, they have gone to the moon as far as we are concerned] Theyare really brained-washed by character like Semi-value, talking about toll, he would use Japanese rate, talking about quality of service he would use Zimbabwe!! By the way, people who compiled the educational backgrounds of Malaysian and Singapore Ministers, please get your facts right. Your list definitely made you look idiotic. Good educational background would give you a certain advantage, but it does not guarantee you GOOD, TRUST-WORTHY LEADERS WHICH MOST ASIAN COUNTRIES NEEDED. SO MALAYSIANS, for the sake of the NEXT GENERATION, PLEASE DO THE EASIEST WRITING on MAR. 8th.PUT A simple ‘X’ for ALL the OPPOSITION CANDIDATES.

  36. #37 by shamshul anuar on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 11:28 pm

    Dear Dawsheng,

    “How can majority of Malaysians still vote for UMNO….”. Now, this is an interesting question. How can UMNO still won the election ( together with its allies) despite the unbelievable attacks in these days of internet.

    What is it that make UMNO appeals the most to the Malays as compared to PAS, PKR or DAP?The answer actually quite simple. UMNO since Independent chooses to include other races into its government. During Independent in 1957, approximately almost 70% of the seat in Parliament was held by UMNO.

    It simply can rule on its own then. Make no mistake on that. But still it chooses to include others. As such,Indians who never have any Indian majority constituents are able to enter Parliament. In states with high percentage of malays like Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Trengganu, Chinese through MCA, Gerakan can still win in Malay majority area.

    The coalition includes all races in Malaysia. Now compare this to the alternatives. DAP only appears to a section of Malaysia, namely chinese. Besides, everybody knows the outstanding feature of DAP, that is “father and son” sdn bhd.

    PAS is a no no to non Malays not to mention majority of Malay itself. PKR is almost dead.

    As for so much appreciation of DAP, perhaps many are willing to forget how their representatives also call others as “lembu, bodoh”. So, look into the mirror before chiding others.

    The truth is that vast majority of Malaysians are comfortable with BN. It does deliver. That is the most important factor. Lingam tape issue was perceived differently say in Pendang , Grik or Tampoi than what Lim Kit Siang trying to portray.

    To them, the culprit is not Dr Mahathir but a “drunk lawyer” who overestimate his influence and in the process slandered his own head of govt. He is so lucky. In some countries, well he will finds that rambling while “mabuk” is tantamount to treason .

  37. #38 by cheng on soo on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 11:38 pm

    k1980 Says:

    Today at 18: 25.30 (4 hours ago)
    Those born in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 etc sure qualify as adult, but those born in ,1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 etc surely not qualify, or there cannot be so many 110 years to 120 years old ppl etc.

    Anyway, sad to note that after 51 years, we are still thinking of Bumi, Non Bumi, Malay, Chinese, Indian etc, Perhaps blame this on our forefathers in 1957, if they start Malaya (as Oon Jaffar idea) with only ONE TYPE of citizen, and practice it accordingly, Today Malaysia surely will the Number One economic power in ASEAN. see how much time we hv wasted in arguing “penalise yr own race” lah, “Bumi Quota”, “Bumi Discount” etc

    If S’pore can prosper with only ONE TYPE of citizenship, n no need to worry abt racial riot, why Msia cannot do the same!
    Ordinary Malay Msian who think S’pore ill treat their Malay, go to S’pore n talk to the Malay there, find out for yourself, rather listen to what UMNO tell you.

  38. #39 by cheng on soo on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 11:44 pm

    k1980 Says:

    Today at 18: 25.30 (4 hours ago)
    Those born in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 etc sure qualify as adult, but those born in ,1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 etc surely not qualify, or there cannot be so many 110 years to 120 years old ppl etc.

    Anyway, sad to note that after 51 years, we are still thinking in terms of Bumi, Non Bumi, Malay, Chinese, Indian etc, Perhaps blame this on our forefathers in 1957, if they started Malaya (as Oon Jaffar idea) with only ONE TYPE of citizen, and practice it accordingly, Today Malaysia surely will the Number One economic power in ASEAN. see how much time we hv wasted in arguing “penalise yr own race” lah, “Bumi Quota”, “Bumi Discount” etc

    If S’pore can prosper with only ONE TYPE of citizenship, n no need to worry abt racial riot, why Msia cannot do the same!
    Ordinary Malay Msian who think S’pore ill treat their Malay, go to S’pore n talk to the Malay there, find out for yourself, rather listen to what UMNO tell you.

  39. #40 by cheng on soo on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 - 11:59 pm

    Lady voters,
    remember, how many time, BN MPs insulted U n all yr female friends, “bocor” lah ,”if cannot resist rape, lay down n enjoy it” lah, “terowong” lah, “hostess skirt too short” lah etc

  40. #41 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:02 am

    Ah.. Shamsul Anuar, the man who can makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest way, it is people with ability like you why the voters are confused, later convinced and then conned by you to vote for UMNO and BN. Gee…! Since you insist of coming here (Well, sometime it is good to take a peek out of the tempurung), I kinda enjoy your stay cause you make me laugh! :)

  41. #42 by shamshul anuar on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:07 am

    Dear Dawsheng,

    Well, at least the feeling is mutual. Too bad you are not able to accept that your view with regards to UMNO is well not that “accepted by your Malay friends”.

    They say the truth hurts. Malays despite being not vocal do understand that voting for DAP is equivalent to suicide. And I have no need to con my Malay friends. DAP’s reaction to Hindraf accusation is manifastation of its anti-Malay sentiment itself.

  42. #43 by KanNinNeh on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:10 am

  43. #44 by smeagroo on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:15 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viEAacSrYnI

    Looks like Kj’s army has begun their work. Terrorising the commoners and whacking the daylights out of them.

    And polcie wont do anything becos it is BN related!

    What the shi

  44. #45 by techie on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:22 am

    Shamsul Anuar, you make me laugh too. Go and con those in the kampung lah!

  45. #46 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:26 am

    Shamsul,

    Pisang emas bawa belayar,

    Diletak budak di atas peti;

    Hutang emas dapat dibayar,

    Hutang budi dibawa mati.

    After all Bapa Malaysia is just a “drunk lawyer” to you, I am sure we are not mutual on this one!

  46. #47 by Justicewanted on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:45 am

    Dear Mr Kit,

    The Barisan Rakyat or opposition parties should print a list of all the wrong doings of the Bodowi government to remind the people of the broken promises of BN.

  47. #48 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 1:10 am

    After making Islam the official religion in 1960, Abdul Rahman established the Islamic Welfare Organisation (PERKIM), an organisation to help Muslim converts adjust to new lives as Muslims. He was President of PERKIM until a year before his death. In 1961 Malaysia hosted the first International Qur’an Recital Competition, an event that developed from Abdul Rahman’s idea when he organised the first state-level competition in Kedah in 1951.

    In 1969 Abdul Rahman helped to set up the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), of which he was the first Secretary-General. Subsequently, he initiated the setting up of the Islamic Development Bank as a specialised institution within the OIC. He was also President of the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of South East Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP) from 1982 to 1988.

    Abdul Rahman upheld the independence social contract of a secular Malaysia with Islam as its official religion. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, Abdul Rahman stated in the The Star newspaper of 9 February 1983 that the “country has a multi-racial population with various beliefs. Malaysia must continue as a secular State with Islam as the official religion.” In the same issue of The Star, Abdul Rahman was supported by the third Malaysian Prime Minister, Hussein Onn, who stated that the “nation can still be functional as a secular state with Islam as the official religion.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunku_Abdul_Rahman

    Today, we have Malay muslim name Shamsul Anuar calling Bapa Malaysia a “drunk Lawyer”. No wonder Jeffrey used the description of bochors, bodek, corrupt and parochial characters who got nothing to speak for their credentials except the well worn hackneyed ways of making or taking racist and religious extremist positions to describe UMNO members. Perfectly fit!

  48. #49 by Colonel on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 3:29 am

    The Tunku liked to party a lot when he was a student at Cambridge – known as the “playboy prince” then. He later took an English wife, if I am not mistaken the daughter of his landlady if not the landlady herself! So little is known about his English who he later divorced. Yes, his favorite drink was whiskey. He drank a lot but was never known to be drunk. His exhibited a fondness for whiskey, poker and horses and ladies – in that order. I have to put ladies next to and after horses. No disrespect for our lady friends reading!

    He didn’t actually have what it takes to be a lawyer and had to have help from friends like the late Justice Eusoffee to pass his bar exam – which he finally succeeded and went on to be called to the Bar of England and Wales at the ripe old age of 46.

    He could hold his drink better than any drinker I knew, and I knew a lot of good drinkers! He loved to drink. So please do not refer to him as that “drunk lawyer”. He certainly didn’t deserve to be referred to as that “drunk lawyer” or a “poker player” or a betting man when it came to race horses.

    Tunku embodied that spirit of “Live and let live” among Malaysians which is now lost between the pages of history, and something which came to him naturally but is today a trait which has to be acquired, if at all, by our leaders.

  49. #50 by sotong on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 6:26 am

    The government grossly lacks economic and financial competency…the system is working for the rich and well connected.

    The excessive spending on ” development ” in every budget, has contributed to inflation and the widening and unacceptable gap between rich and poor.

  50. #51 by Godfather on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 7:05 am

    Are the Barang Naik people all living in a different world ? Do they seriously think that the people today are better off than before, or that the country is safer than before, or that the country is now more united than before ?

    First they can’t steal with style, now they can’t even lie with style.

  51. #52 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 7:52 am

    “First they can’t steal with style, now they can’t even lie with style.”

    While they can do neither with style, they certainly can spend their ill gotten gains with style!

  52. #53 by mycroft on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 8:00 am

    Pardon my ignorance, but where exactly did Shamsul Anuar call the Tunku “a drunk lawyer”?

  53. #54 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 8:42 am

    He didn’t. He meant the one caught on video clip that ‘looked like him and sounded like him but….’ :)

  54. #55 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 8:44 am

    “To them, the culprit is not Dr Mahathir but a “drunk lawyer” who overestimate his influence and in the process slandered his own head of govt. He is so lucky. In some countries, well he will finds that rambling while “mabuk” is tantamount to treason .”

    It couldn’t be Lingam that Shamsul referred as “drunk lawyer” whose rambling while “mabuk” has overestimated his influence and slandered his head of state that is tantamount to treason, come on, an Indian “mabuk lawyer” did that? the whole episode of “Lingam gate” is just like a clown in the circus.

    Secondly, my earlier comment was not about Lingam but Tunku Abdul Rahman and Mahathir and the history of UMNO. And the only person came close to slander his head of state that was tantamount to treason could well be Bapa Malaysia himself, if not only himself as history has recorded, he loved to drink.

    Since Shamsul always come here to utter his nonsense and respond to other commentators with his own make beliefs and capable of outrages imaginations, which makes me laugh (later puked of course), where on the subject of UMNO, Mahathir and Bapa Malaysia Lingam arises? Shamsul gave me the impression that he would lie all the way even as to slander and call Bapa Malaysia a “drunk lawyer” to achieve his aims here, whatever that may be.

    Furthermore, what is wrong with the way I responded to him as he is uttering nonsense anyway.

  55. #56 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 8:49 am

    In spite of that episode, according to Shamsul Anuar, “vast majority of Malaysians” are still comfortable with BN, unaffected by it, the culprit being, in perception of vast majority of Malaysians, not Dr Mahathir (in relation to allegations of him compromising the institution of judiciary) ‘but a “drunk lawyer” who overestimated his influence and in the process slandered his own head of govt’.

  56. #57 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 8:56 am

    This is because just before mentioning about the culprit being not Dr Mahathir but a “drunk lawyer”, he did say, in context, “Lingam tape issue was perceived differently say in Pendang , Grik or Tampoi than what Lim Kit Siang trying to portray”.

  57. #58 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:01 am

    Because to Shamsul, to implicate the head of state (PM Mahathir) (as Lingam’s revelations on video clip would suggest) in judicial fixing is, per feudal culture, tantamount to treason.

  58. #59 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:10 am

    I however agree that Dawsheng is corect to describe as nonsense especially on what Shamsul said that – what makes UMNO appeals the most to the Malays as compared to PAS, PKR or DAP is the fact that UMNO works on power sharing with and includes other races into its government. There is no empirical fact to support this conclusion. Just a point of view taking the most optimistic, generous, benevolent and altruistic angle of motives. :)

  59. #60 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:23 am

    In spite of that episode, according to Shamsul Anuar, “vast majority of Malaysians” are still comfortable with BN, unaffected by it, the culprit being, in perception of vast majority of Malaysians, not Dr Mahathir (in relation to allegations of him compromising the institution of judiciary) ‘but a “drunk lawyer” who overestimated his influence and in the process slandered his own head of govt’.

    Which is true Jeffrey, which makes one wonder if there’s still any value left in this country. I am not sure if people hate Abdullah because he is a weak Prime Minister or it is Mahathir who makes people hate Abdullah because he knew what’s coming, I can only say Mahathir play his game better than anyone else, that is when the court become a circus, a “drunk lawyer” become a clown. I think people are comfortable because the enjoy the show, besides, what can they do about it?

  60. #61 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:31 am

    “Because to Shamsul, to implicate the head of state (PM Mahathir) (as Lingam’s revelations on video clip would suggest) in judicial fixing is, per feudal culture, tantamount to treason.”

    Because to Shamsul, black can be white and white can be black, it can be paint according to UMNO wishes, as long as they remains in power.

  61. #62 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:39 am

    //Because to Shamsul, black can be white and white can be black, it can be paint according to UMNO wishes, as long as they remains in power//

    But in blogs, even a serious political one like this one, lies, deception or nonsense (“black can be white and white can be black as you put it”), of any posting or poster, if couched in appropriate language, ought not to be a skin on anyone’s back – we could even welcome their ventilation here.

    This is because lies, deception or nonsense especially those couched and presented in seemingly the most cogent and persuasive language will challenge and help us to more critically test our cherished assumptions and beliefs against them and, in the process of responding to or rebutting such ‘refined’ lies, deception or nonsense, to have the opportunity of not only exposing their errors, for what they are, but also, for ourselves, to have, at the same time, a more vivid and livelier impression of our truths thereafter. That is the essence of freedom of speech.

  62. #63 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:41 am

    I must apologize I misunderstood Shamsul’s earlier comment on a “drunk lawyer” whom I mistaken as Bapa Malaysia, but as I have explained, it was not intentional.

  63. #64 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:55 am

    “however agree that Dawsheng is corect to describe as nonsense especially on what Shamsul said that – what makes UMNO appeals the most to the Malays as compared to PAS, PKR or DAP is the fact that UMNO works on power sharing with and includes other races into its government.”

    Thanks for the face saving statement.

  64. #65 by Chong Zhemin on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 10:11 am

    I’ve read earlier comments requesting ceramah to be posted online.

    I came across this Nga Kor Ming’s fiery speech on youtube posted by DAP KL

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgD2y1Tt2Q

    Here’s the link to all other videos of Nga Kor Ming.

    http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=dapkl&p=r

    To purchase the above DVDs please contact DAP HQ at 03-79578127

    Thanks.

  65. #66 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 10:33 am

    “I can only say Mahathir play his game better than anyone else, that is when the court become a circus, a “drunk lawyer” become a clown” dawsheng

    As a drinker all my life I resent the fact that I’m being compared to VK Lingam who couldn’t hold his drink past two glasses of cheap red wine.

  66. #67 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 10:56 am

    You know how funny the manifesto is? Even before they start the campaign they already broke one of them – corruption. Money is being handed out hand and foot especially by no one other than famous SIL, government assets abused for campaigning, Rafidah Aziz getting away without signing her papers properly while in the past they have denied opposition for less. But the mother of all is that the MB of Perlis, a traditional corrupt warlord of UMNO, is kept in office. There are also news of buying candidates already flying around.

    BN Manifesto? Toilet paper is more like it.

  67. #68 by Dominique on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 11:39 am

    Way to go Sawsheng….

  68. #69 by Dominique on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 11:40 am

    Oops..should be ‘Dawsheng’

  69. #70 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:53 pm

    “I can only say Mahathir play his game better than anyone else, that is when the court become a circus, a “drunk lawyer” become a clown” – dawsheng
    “As a drinker all my life I resent the fact that I’m being compared to VK Lingam who couldn’t hold his drink past two glasses of cheap red wine” – undergrad2.

    This YouTube has been circulating on the Net. Great satire. Enjoy.:)
    http://www.comedycourt.com.my /latesthits.html

  70. #71 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 12:55 pm

    Repost : http://www.comedycourt.com.my /latesthits.html

  71. #72 by highhand on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 2:21 pm

    now the favourite hobby is to switch channels during advertisement time

  72. #73 by whitecoffee on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 2:38 pm

    Tunku is a drinker. He is a muslim. And he is honest about it. He need hide to drink. There are many more like him around. But to save face, people like Samsul will claim them to be Indonesians or Thais. Just hang around the 4D outlets and witness yourself.

  73. #74 by whitecoffee on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 2:39 pm

    correction. He need not hide to drink.

  74. #75 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 8:27 pm

    “This YouTube has been circulating on the Net. Great satire. Enjoy.:)
    http://www.comedycourt.com.my /latesthits.html

    Thanks, Jeffrey QC. That was funny – the correct, correct, correct one. But all said, I think the actors (the ‘voice overs’) were being too kind to the characters involved – perhaps in trying to be ‘politically’ or rather ‘racially correct’.

  75. #76 by cheng on soo on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 8:53 pm

    Fact, 2004 GE, UMNO had less than 40% of casted votes, so how can one say “vast majority of Msian is comfortable with UMNO”
    In Msia, Nos of voters in urban area/ nos of voters in rural area had a very high ratio 4 or 5, (Highest among countries practice similar electoral system). Extreme case (ratio is higher than 8).
    See how many voters in Putrajaya Parliament seat, BN (UMNO) win in areas mostly with small nos of voters so this EC is actually a rubbish comission! beside having so many voter who are 9 to 20 years old or 109 to 120 years old??

  76. #77 by aiD_kamikuP on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 9:57 pm

    For the last several days many readers in this and numerous other blogs have been entertained by this ‘comedycourt’ videos. Our gain being someone else’s loss is surely true as the BN campaign directors kept on reading the website address as

    “….www.comedycourt.com.my /latestshit.html”

    See, I’m not the only ‘lysdexic’ one!!

  77. #78 by aiD_kamikuP on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 - 11:01 pm

    What could be that unpalatable in my post of 21:57:33?

  78. #79 by matterofchoice2008 on Thursday, 28 February 2008 - 12:24 pm

    Time to vote for Jeff Ooi and the Opposition. Exercise your right now!!

    TAK NAK TO PETROL INFLATION
    TAK NAK TO UNBEARABLE EVERYTHING INFLATION
    TAK NAK TO HIGH CRIME
    TAK NAK TO LINGAM SCANDAL
    TAK NAK TO CHUA SOI LEK SCANDAL
    TAK NAK TO CORRUPTION
    TAK NAK TO NEPOTISM
    TAK NAK TO ………….

    http://www.geocities.com/matterofchoice2008/My_page.html

    We need the check and balance for good governance.
    Please do your part. Please call upon all friends and relatives to vote for the Opposition.
    We need to send the right candidates to parliment to voice up for us.
    Penang and Jelutong voters, we need more supports to reject BN parasites going into the Parliment.

  79. #80 by lopez on Thursday, 28 February 2008 - 9:55 pm

    “Excellence, Glory and Distinction” ‘Security, Peace and Prosperity”
    and others patriotic slogans.
    Bahtifool words well phrased but we know it is not sincere and is not addressed to everybody, only those who are weaken by their paranoidal tactics through citing things that they can start and/or stop from happening, what farce when they have very loyal SRP

    Big words like this has no meaning to my illiterate parents, including my brothers and sisters who, for no wrong of them were simply failed out of their academia years during the years of 70-75.
    In these years, the english language as the core medium of instruction of national type schools were just change in short notice, and impacted a drastic step backwards for the nation’s human resource, and literally denied that generation’s future in their academia years.
    The hardest hit were those who had to take their form 3 then.
    Is planned or what? I think so…considering what had happened to the gomen schools scenario since then.
    Mission schools no more, POL no more, uniform changed, no shorts for boys, girls uniform changed, colour scheme of schools changed, food in canteen changed, canteen operators changed,
    gardener changed, Jaga Singh no more, text books changed, class monitor changed, prefects changed, teachers changed, headmaster change, school rules changed, school assembly topics changed, contents in history books changed, teaching method periodically changed. i think u can name more….

    well, maybe my brother and sister were stupid so they failed, but when also most of their classmates and schoolmates of the same year did not get through too. that ‘s something wrong.
    who was the initiator of that policy?..the education minister then…?

    Are u from this period?…you probably be in 45-46 years old and if you also failed your form 3. it’s okay it doesnt meant anything now,
    just make sure it does not happen to your children or grand children and their friends.
    I have been hoping that it can be stopped and changed for many years now. This GE2008 appears to give the best hope yet, and the air of change is strong, in fact never stronger, it is going to be a new begining a begining for forward changes.

    I will vote that previous club out from the our parlimen.

    Just change

  80. #81 by Evenmind on Sunday, 2 March 2008 - 8:43 am

    BN’s toilet manifesto is just as ridiculous as the party itself., it shows that they are permanent members of NATO ( No Action Talk Only ) Group.

  81. #82 by matterofchoice2008 on Sunday, 2 March 2008 - 6:32 pm

    Yes. BN is very lansi. To be exact, BN is actually very lansilanyeong. Yes, BN Chinese MPs are chau kow and they are BN parasites yang tak ada maruah langsung di Parlimen.
    DAP MUST be supported.

    Koh Tsu Koon buckling under pressure by Umno Youth leader, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to take disciplinary action against the Gerakan Youth vice chief S. Paranjothy who dared to speak out.
    But come to brushing off what Opposition member had said, Koh Tsu Koon appeared to be very brave.[Koh Tsu Koon said Jeff Ooi irresposible and ignorant]
    Fellow Malaysians, see for yourselves. Perhaps Koh Tsu Koon should spend more time to study what his member S. Paranjothy spoke out had any truth in them. But Koh Tsu Koon chose to bow to his UMNO boss quickly and willingly.
    Please call upon your friends and relatives. Do not Vote for Koh Tsu Koon at Batu Kawan seat. Vote for Jeff Ooi at Jelutong seat. In short, please vote for the Opposition.
    We need more oppositions in the Parliment to do check and balance for good governance.

  82. #83 by AhStone on Wednesday, 5 March 2008 - 11:51 pm

    enough is enough. our country has become a circus with all kind of scandals happening. we need change and to get rid of this present government. AAB has done a ‘lot’ for our nation in bringing shame, disgust and even humiliation in the eyes of the world.

    coming this 8 march, lets vote for a change. no more BN.

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