P036 by-election – political dynamics at play


by Art Harun
Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Kuala Terengganu P036 by-election could not have come at a more inopportune time for Barisan Nasional in general and UMNO, as well as Najib Razak in particular. As we all know, the Barisan Nasional is still reeling from the effects of the March 8 general election last year. The main coalition of UMNO, MCA, Gerakan and MIC have seen testing days after that general election with all parties going for each other’s throat on issues close to their respective heart. Issues on Ketuanan Melayu; teaching of Maths and Science in the English language; marginalisation of the Malaysian citizen of Indian origin; distribution of the economics pie are but some of the issues which saw the BN main component parties shouting and screaming at each other with the obvious goal of championing each party’s racial agenda and outlook.

To top it up, these main component parties also have internal issues to be settled. MCA saw a change of top leadership in an election which was more than a little uncivil and divisive resulting in its President and Deputy being elected from two different and opposing camps. As for MIC, it is as good as a dead horse. While Samy Vellu says he wants to re-brand MIC he forgets that re-branding MIC would most certainly involve his removal from the party as he has become synonymous with all that is wrong with MIC itself.

Most importantly is the internal wave of discontent which UMNO is going through from March 8 2008 until today. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been blamed for everything which has befallen UMNO so far. This blame culture and movement has been led by none other than its former President, Mahathir Mohammad. It has taken steam sometime in the middle of last year and at the end a power transmission timeline was agreed. That entails Abdullah relinquishing his Presidency in March this year to Najib Razak, the current Deputy President.

But that does not end there. As it is, there are now 3 persons eyeing the Deputy posts come March this year. The 3 VP posts are seeing a fight between 10 stalwarts. The Youth chief is also seeing a massive fights. In fact, UMNO is so full of infightings that it makes the Palestine conflicts rather tame in comparison. To add to all these, money politics have reared its ugly head and UMNO leadership is at a loss on how to solve these really dirty games.

If the Permatang Pauh by-election sounded the death knell for Abdullah, the P036 by-election is a sure test for Najib Razak’s leadership. And it couldn’t come at a worse time. The selection of Wan Ahmad Farid as UMNO’s nominee for the election is not without significance. The fact that Wan Ahmad Farid – a known supporter of Abdullah in UMNO – is chosen as UMNO’s nominee is widely seen as proof of Abdullah’s influence in UMNO although Abdullah is supposedly on his way out. This is admitted even by Mahathir Mohammad who lamented that Wan Ahmad Farid is Abdullah’s proxy and that he (Wan Ahmad Farid) is not the best man for the job.

Come what may, the obvious loser in all these would be none other than Najib Razak. Firstly, the nomination of Wan Ahmad Farid, a known Abdullah man, gives the impression that Najib Razak is powerless and not strong enough to stop Abdullah from still calling the shots even within 2 months from his retirement. That does not bode well for Najib and his supporters.

Secondly, win or lose, Najib would still lose. It is a lose-lose situation for him. If Wan Ahmad wins the election, the impression would be that his victory is caused by the “Abdullah factor”. It would be Abdullah’s great choice which wins the election. Not Najib’s.

In the event of a loss, the world would come crumbling down on Najib. The blame would be on him. Allegations of sabotage would surely surface. However, the damndest conclusion in that event would be that the people of Kuala Terengganu, and Malaysia in general, has demonstrated that Najib’s leadership is not welcome. The people do not want Najib as Malaysia’s next Prime Minister. That would be the natural conclusion.

It must be remembered that Najib was entrusted to spearhead UMNO’s and the BN’s election campaign in Permatang Pauh. He failed miserably due mainly to his wrong approach, strategy and tactics. How could you go into someone’s house and tell the owner of that house that his son is a sodomiser? The result of that is for all to see. Anwar won with a bigger majority. Najib (and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) left Permatang Pauh even before the official announcement of the result!

In the event of a BN loss, P036 would be seen as an indictment of Najib’s inability and his perceived tainted past (and present). It would be concluded as an almost unequivocal non-endorsement by the people of his leadership style, his visions, his political posturing on a wide range of issues which are close to the people’s heart nowadays.

It is therefore quite obvious, that come what may, Najib would be the biggest loser in P036. Whatever the result of this by-election might be, it is obvious that the UMNO infighting would continue to ravage the party. Both the Abdullah and Najib faction would claim victory in the event of a win for Wan Ahmad Farid. And both would blame each other in the event of a loss. At the wrong end of this argument would be Najib Razak.

On the side of the fence, a victory for Wan Ahmad Farid, would, on the face of it, indirectly sound a loud “NO” to hudud and PAS’ seeming unwillingness to let go of that issue. In that event, Pakatan Rakyat would have some soul searching to make. The loose alliance between a motley crew of parties with different views and ideas which strike, among others, at the most basic of issues, namely, whether Malaysia should be a secular or Islamic state, would not, in the long run, work if such issue is not analysed deeply and an acceptable common ground is found and agreed upon.

Husam Musa’s statement that PAS would implement hudud during his debate with Khairy Jamaluddin shows the emotional, rather than rational, side of Husam and PAS as a whole. Khairy was being clever and he was digging a huge hole in front of Husam when he unnecessarily asked Husam about hudud. Husam did not see that hole and loudly and proudly proclaimed that PAS would implement hudud to a thunderous applause. Husam won the day but in a single stroke Khairy has managed to find a bullet which the BN could use during the by-election. Hudud, a non-issue before that day, has become an issue suddenly. Husam fell into the hole like a led balloon!

If PAS wins, there will be conclusion made that the people, including the non-Muslims, may not be adverse to hudud. Again, Pakatan Rakyat would have some soul searching to make. And the Barisan Nasional too. Hudud laws, and its implementation, is not an easy subject and it touches the nerves of all and sundry, not only the Muslims and the Malays . It involves international perception, international finance and investments, non-Muslims and Muslims alike. It involves the very basic structure of Malaysia. It involves the basic premise of Malaysia as a secular state with Islam as its official religion. Contrary to all political posturing by the likes of Mahathir Mohammad, Abdullah and the present UMNO leadership, everybody knows that Malaysia is NOT an Islamic state.

PAS itself is in the middle of a leadership tug of war. It is replete with factions where the Hadi, Nik Aziz and Anwar factors provide endless supply of political entanglement. Hadi is the Islamic state chieftain. Nik Aziz heads the more rationale and pragmatist group and is known to be the sympathisers for Anwar’s reformist agenda.

P036 is thus more than what it seems. It is not only about the Barisan Nasional against the Pakatan Rakyat. It is about the survival of political ideologies within component parties of these two. It is also about the fight within the component parties.

The voters in P036 should be so lucky to know that their one vote each may in more than one way decide the future of Malaysia. They should therefore all come out and exercise their right to vote with a clear conscience and unhurried in their choice.

Happy voting.

  1. #1 by Godfather on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 12:07 pm

    Even without Mamakthir blurting out against the choice of Wan Farid, who doesn’t know that the candidate is one of the key “4th floor boys” ? Who doesn’t know that while Wan Farid’s brother is shamelessly spending Trengganu’s money on the Monsoon Cup, Wan Farid is also pulling the strings on this white elephant in Putrajaya ?

    I agree that Najis is in a difficult situation but he must do like what all incoming CEOs do – wipe the slate clean, and start off with a much lower base. All incoming CEOs reduce headcount and take write-offs so that they can look like superstars once they have taken over. Najis will be well advised to do the same – make sure that Wan Farid loses and all fingers can point at the outgoing PM.

  2. #2 by juno on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 12:45 pm

    When they need the minorities to pull their horses UMNO will come like 40 thieves. Now to frighten the locals they tend to play their secret card– not for long — the locals know what UMNO is good at in their own selectivity. Fear is all they have in these trying times of bankruptcy http://sjsandteam.wordpress.com/ Altantuya aka Aminah is not forgotten!

  3. #3 by waterfrontcoolie on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 12:59 pm

    YB., sorry to off-track. What is the real issue in PR or rather DAP over the Sentral Bus Station in KLang? The location is certainly no-go for the majority of people staying in Klang. Of course, the station was the job of Toyo.But how come Teng is implicated? or indeed if he has interests then show the evidence and out he should go.
    Just because the previous State Gomen asked KLang Council to resolve the problem, can’t the current State Gomen reverse it, especially when it had caused so much inconvenience to the general public who depend on buses to go about their daily life.
    Of course, the location is not only impractical but from logistics point of view rather idiotic. We are asking those people to travel some 9km to the west in order to go east! Such scenario may happen in shipping industry but certainly not in the life of the daily workers who would be charged twice for the futile distance.
    Please get the State Gomen to be more practical, as I see it, there is still some undeveloped space near Klang Baru, take the land and develope it as the new station!
    After all we have been criticizing the short sightedness of the previous gomen, maybe with a dose of under-counter arrangement, so why continue with the brainless project?

  4. #4 by Jong on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 1:40 pm

    I have said it before and I will repeat it – If you have seen Permatang Pauh by-election, you have seen it all.

    I was there, and seeing is believing even took pix of the many unmanned UMNO/BN Booths filled with stacks of flyers and printouts left unattended and ‘tutup kedai’ after the 1st week to save embarrassment for lack of public interest in them!

    UMNO/BN dared not even hold public Ceramah for fear of being ridiculed with low public attendence. I attended two of theirs and the crowd was something like 25 excluding their BN workers and no mic was used, there was no necessity to. :D
    It sure was embarrassing.

    Yeah, we have enough of UMNO/BN, the people don’t need more lies and false promises. Trengganuites have woke up amd already made up their mind, know what they want despite the presence of UMNO’s running dogs working overtime!

    Bet my words, he and his UMNO, MCA, Gerakan & MIC entourage will be leaving KT for KL soon before the final results are out. However, don’t expect Najib to be affected, he has afterall skin that is thicker than that of the Trengganu kerbau!

    We’ll see, history will repeat itself. I am sure and I believe so it will happen in KT – Yes Pakatan Rakyat for CHANGE!

  5. #5 by ch on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 2:04 pm

    Dear All,

    Malaysian politics is certainly a class of its own. I do admire the antics of some political leaders. However, there are Malaysians who, however, not sure about some of these leaders passion to really serve the rakyat. Many are good at spreading “sugar coated words” only when there is an election going on but can be extremely difficult and at times, snubbish, after being elected. This time around UMNO is playing second fiddle and proudly assumed the “underdog” tag in this election. The reason of being so is simply because they are wanting to win over the fence sitters and majority of the Chinese votes. As the writer correctly pointed out, suddenly we can hear and see no issues pertaining Ketuanan Melayu, Chinese schools so on and so forth. Even Hishammudin has been rather aloof after March 08 and had apparently took up some other issue(s) to champion as UMNO Youth leader. The mass-media and press have also tune down all these issues which were just several weeks ago labelled as extremely sensitive and challenging the Malays. Had such issues were to be played up now, the votes from the Chinese for UMNO in KT would go down like a balloon without air. But again, this is the reality of politics in Malaysia. Likewise the apparent internal bickering inside PKR, PAS and DAP. Or maybe we are hearing more of the bickering within PR because of this by-election?

    So let us reconcile with the fact that in politics what is real could be unreal and vice versa.

  6. #6 by cintanegara on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 3:46 pm

    A party which represents a particular community and practise nepotism without regard to the merit like DAP must realize that it is loosing the majority support. The leaders tend to admire the policies introduced by a tiny country which they claimed to be the most excellent among all.

    I remember LKS posted a topic about Obama’s hiostoric win and later asked whether it is possible for a Chinese, Indian, Kadazan to become the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The similar question was later thrown to the PM of another country by a minority group and the replied was crystal clear. Surprisingly, there after, there was no more posting associated to that subject. Why didn’t DAP leaders take into account the PM’s stand that ONLY majority can lead the country?

    Assuming PR took over the Government, DAP must propose their Phd Holder candidate to be an environment minister who is responsible for the environment related matters as well as issues related to its community. Let the majority ethnic from PKR and PAS hold the PM, DPM, Senior Ministers posts etc. Furthermore, DAP must suggest to the newly formed Government, ONLY majority can lead the Top and critical government agencies/positions (Military, Police, Trade, Finance Fighter Jet pilot and many many more

  7. #7 by pee_ash on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 4:53 pm

    why is this umno spy doing in DAP blog…

  8. #8 by pee_ash on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 4:58 pm

    my father is loyal DAP supporter, attending all the ceramah whenever there is one in Klang…
    my 0.02, it will be close one in KT…it’s down to the majority malays

  9. #9 by OrangRojak on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 5:04 pm

    cintanegara: A party which represents a particular community and practise nepotism without regard to the merit
    Well, this is Malaysia, what is a party to do? In a land of racists, how can one sell equality? The job of Opposition parties is simple: point out what the elected party does wrong, until they get a chance to demonstrate how they would do it better. Before they get a chance, you either give them the benefit of the doubt or try to pick trivial examples from their utterances and lifestyles.

    I’ve been to DAP ceramahs locally, and they were indistinguishable from my wife’s family celebrations. They were not an example of racial equality at work. That may be greatly due to DAP’s history, but there didn’t appear to me to be any attempt at all at social inclusion. LKS does the least bad job of any politician I’m aware of in Malaysia, but that doesn’t mean he’s perfect.

    I don’t understand your reference to ‘ONLY majority can lead the country’. If it’s the majority party, it sounds close to reasonable. If it’s the majority race, well, since your parties are forged along racial lines, it amounts to the same thing, doesn’t it? If a coalition of near-equals were to govern, the question of who the leaders should be should take only merit into regard, shouldn’t it? Oh hang on: democracy. The leader will be whoever is most popular, which in modern countries means whoever has the best hair and teeth (not sure what happened in the case of Gordon Brown), and in retarded countries, who has the most money / richest friends.

    For those having grown up in Malaysia, where racism is officially enforced from before birth, I imagine it’s difficult to even think along egalitarian lines, let alone act or vote. Having said that, the choice is still clear: vote for more of the same or vote for something different.

  10. #10 by Jong on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 5:24 pm

    Fifty one(51) years plus, we are still talking about ‘only majority’ can lead. Are we not to creating ‘Bangsa Malaysia’ with the best man wins based on merits?

    What you are proposing is no different from what is being practised today by this UMNO-led government that is causing concern and discontentment? As it is we have idiots who are skillful shoe polishers/ampu bodeks helming top posts – GLCs, Police, Armed Forces and even Radio/tv & Media. This is the reason why we are where we are today. Look at our Ministers, from the Prime Minister down – name me one you can be proud of, can you?

    So far I have only two in mind who despite their shortcomings – Yes, former Health Minister Chua Soi Lek and former International Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz. These two former ministers have earned their worth – confident, capable, efficient and knows their job at the back of their palm.

    Look at our Prime Minister Abdullah, Deputy PM Najib and Home Minister Syed Hamid Alblur, don’t you think they represent the majority yet do you agree they are nothing but a bunch of jokers?!! …sigh!

  11. #11 by Jong on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 5:26 pm

    Oops, my post above is in response to “Cintanegara”

  12. #12 by Jong on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 5:28 pm

    ” ….knows their job like the back of their palm’

    sorry.

  13. #13 by AhPek on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 6:33 pm

    Cintanegara may not know what the hell he is talking about but he certainly is doing a great job of a cybertrooper,earning his keeps so to speak!

  14. #14 by cintanegara on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 6:41 pm

    Majority regret with DAP’s negative attitude towards our beloved motherland. On the other hand, they seem to admire a tiny country which they claimed to be outstanding in every aspects. Has LKS forgotten about the unresolved issues our beloved motherland had with that country?

    Why didn’t he work closely with the Government to resolve those issues? Why unnecessarily praise others? Would DAP highlight if Malaysians had bad experience while travelling there? Would there be any opposition leader over there willingly support our people and highlight our grievances in their blog?

  15. #15 by Mr Smith on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 7:04 pm

    If the KT by election depends on Chinese vote then then is hope. The Chinese are a very pragmatic and realistic people. By and large this community want change and they will vote or change. They will support Pakatan.

  16. #16 by chiakchua on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 7:25 pm

    The 3-HIGH of BN (UMNOputras) after 51 years of independence:
    HIGHLY CORRUPTED:
    Police, Majlis Bandaran officers, JPJ, JKR, Income Tax Investigating Officers, Custom, Foreign worker office, Bomba officers doing business premise inspection when one apply for business license, Pejabat Tanah, Land survey dept, any department that award contracts.

    HIGHLY WASTEFUL:
    Award contract to cronies at very high price.
    Unnecessary project; becomes white elephant later.
    Modern equipment unable to operate properly due to poor maintenance or incompetence operators.
    Purchase of things or equipments that do not fit the intended application.
    Too much of luxurious functions in hotel; government must continue to hold functions in cronies’ hotels otherwise they will go bankrupt!
    Why need a new LCCT in Labu when KLIA is designed for upto 120 millions passenger per year (current passenger volume is 25 millions); Just because Labu Estate belongs to Sime Darby?

    HIGHLY ARROGANT:
    – Pendatang
    – Unfair treatment and allocation to non-Malay schools; keep saying Malaysia is the only country other than China and Taiwan where the Chinese school is still funded by government. They purposely forget that this was the agreement in 1957 (independence) when Chinese and Indian population combined was about 50%!
    – Licensing control on mass media
    – Lop sided TV and radio coverage, particularly during election
    – Brutal treatment of detainees by police
    – Double standards of police in rally and demonstration permit issuance
    – Ketuanan Melayu
    – Misuse of NEP to fatten UMNOputras own pockets
    – Abuse use of ISA on non-terrorist
    – and too many more!

    Why the above were so rampant? Simple, it is because of the UMNOputras agenda (for the past 40 years since 1969) under the pretext of ‘Tanah Melayu’ to gain Malay support for their own benefits.

    May I appeal to all Chinese and Indians in KT to join our Malay fellow countrymen to go all out to vote PAS-PR candidate! The loss of UMNO in P36 will force them to be more ‘rakyat’ oriented!

  17. #17 by Godfather on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 7:31 pm

    cintanegara:

    Who is talking about Singapore ?

    Our beloved country is being run into the ground by your racist and thieving masters, and we are going to make the change.

    Now, go collect your RM200 from Muhammad Taib for making your entry in this blog.

  18. #18 by drngsc on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 7:52 pm

    Yes, P036 by-election is important for all the good reasons that Art Harun had written, but he forgot to mention that it is also an indictment of PR and all our hopes for a two party parliamentary democratic system. It also showed off the big divide between PAS on one side, DAP on the other and Keadilan ( Anwar I ) in between. Looks like whoever wins, we have all suffered. Our hopes partly dashed. Please PR, get your act together and give us hope for the future.
    drscng

  19. #19 by simon041155 on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 8:29 pm

    BULL EYE! —> “While Samy Vellu says he wants to re-brand MIC he forgets that re-branding MIC would most certainly involve his removal from the party as he has become synonymous with all that is wrong with MIC itself.”

  20. #20 by jus legitimum on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 8:33 pm

    Cintanegara or cintaumno? a typical kaki bodek.Had Malaysia looked south instead of looked east 27 years ago,it would have become a better country for its people to live in today.

  21. #21 by OrangRojak on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 8:43 pm

    Not really on topic: just saw maybank2u’s gaza fund raiser and wondered who ‘NSTP’ was. Looked it up – New Straits Times Press – and went to their website http://www.nstp.com.my, where the news stops at 8th March last year! Funny old place, Malaysia.

  22. #22 by monsterball on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 9:25 pm

    Yes…after the 12th election…you can read….UMNO…MCA… MIC and Gerakan….are quarreling amongst each other.
    Each active member in each party…is trying hard to save their own skins.
    Do not be fooled by speeches ….like Ong Ka Ting did..in his last days as President of MCA….so nice to hear …how much he knows…how Malaysians feel.
    The ousting of his brother by his own members..send a clear signal to him…not to be a hypocrite. He knew it!! So the Ong brothers are history…to also send a message to Ling Liong Sik. That smart ass …Liong Sik…knew when to run away…and let others take the raps of his balls carrying Mahathir….disuniting Malaysians and became so filthy rich too….LEGALLY!!
    These are real lapdogs of UMNO….can never change.
    Never before….so wide differences of opinions….spoken out…published out…crticizing UMNO….yet UMNO keep quiet. Previously….you will get UMNO in real serious moods…shouting and demanding apology by MCA …must sack that person or get out of BN. Nowadays….so quiet..means UMNO need everyone to continue their race and religion politics.
    There is no other ways for UMNO and BN. MCA newly elected Pres and VP..are at loggerheads…so clearly seen..and Chua Soi Lek do carry alot of weight.
    You can see Ong Tee Kiat….putting on such a hypocritical low class front…..to save his own skin. MCA is most disunited now….than ever before.
    Koh Tsu Khoon??…..is actually representing himself with a shell party name. Members resigning and ..since loosing Penang…it is totally insignificant..yet he went to support UMNO…..as if he is representing so many Malaysians voters.
    Yes….UMNO and BN…are putting on a show……with the lowest voters support…in their entire history.
    Najib…knew…if they loose the by-election…it will be so clear.
    But even if they win….does not mean voters are against change of government….as change is depending on the entire few million voters…not the few thousand in Terengganu.
    But it will be nice….if Terengganu voters are inspired by Permatang Pauh result….and send another clear message to UMNO…..to stop bragging and preparing themselves as good opposition politicians….long long overdue.

  23. #23 by undergrad2 on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 9:25 pm

    Jong Says:

    Today at 17: 24.25 (4 hours ago)

    “….Minister Chua Soi Lek and former International Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz. These two former ministers have earned their worth – confident, capable, efficient and knows their job at the back of their palm.”

    Some say she likes to munch carpets.

  24. #24 by monsterball on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 9:38 pm

    Cintanegera with his pea brain….is trying hard to prove…he is smarter than all of us..as well as …being the best Malaysian…one can ever be.
    This is the kind of Malaysian that have selfish ulterior motives..or scared to death for change of government..that may knock off his chances to win tenders based on who he knows….and not what he knows.
    What he knows..actually know nothing!!
    But at least he is not a two timer.
    He is simply a willing second class citizen… .also willing to carry balls of UMNO and BN….to survive.
    What do you call such a person?

  25. #25 by limchaibeng on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 9:49 pm

    Reformasi…..Give PAS 5 years better than give BN.

  26. #26 by chiakchua on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 10:59 pm

    I think cintanegara is damn scared of Singapore! What’s wrong to compare with Singapore? The 2 countries split in 1965 with same per capita income, so they are the best pair for comparison! Why not? Malu kah?

    Rift between PR component parties? This is damn healthy sign; better for them to thrash out the differences. It shows they are all equal partner.

    BN sudah mati lah! Everybody got no say, only UMNOputras can say! That’s how they bring us to Holland! All component parties are ‘iron fisted’ by the UMNOputras, and regrettably only for the elite UMNOputras pockets.

    So, which one do you think is better? Which one will bring change to the country?

  27. #27 by cintanegara on Thursday, 8 January 2009 - 11:30 pm

    Dear Godfather,

    I’m not referring to this posting. There were many instances, DAP tried to be the champion of that country. The most recent and mocking posting was complaint against Teluk Dalam Resort, posted last December. Weren’t there any important issues involving Malaysians at that particular time, LKS could take up & backing? It is more fruitful though, for LKS to tackle problems of Malaysian women accused for trafficking drug in China, Spain & etc. But he is not making any effort to do so. Or maybe & just perhaps these women were not from the community he represents?

    My question, was it necessary for LKS to publicize that posting over the WEB? What would others’ perceive of our tourism industry? Has LKS investigated whether the allegation made was true? If it was true, then why didn’t LKS contact the resort and obtain the justification from the management. Bear in mind, Perak is ruled by PKR. The timing to acquire such information shouldn’t be a problem…perhaps. BTW, by publishing such issue in this blog, will it solve the problem thoroughly?

    For your kind information, I AM A LOYAL MALAYSIAN WHO DELIBERATELY LOVE MALAYSIA. My entry to this blog is to defend everybody’s right as stipulated in the federal constitution. I am not being selfish but RM 200 is not a bate that will make my eyes blink. It worth nothing. No money can buy the pride and dignity of our beloved motherland. I am a Malaysian that truly love and loyal to my country.

  28. #28 by dawsheng on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:54 am

    “It is therefore quite obvious, that come what may, Najib would be the biggest loser in P036.” – Art

    This by-election is not about Najib. It is about electing a new MP. It is not a about PAS or PR, it is about KT voters doing what’s right for themselves. They should vote for the independent candidate.

  29. #29 by waterfrontcoolie on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:54 am

    Cintanegara, you and your kind just think that everything is best swept under the carpet. You refuse to face reality just like the Hamas; see who is suffering now in the fight.Being a loyal Malysian, YB wanted our tourist centers to improve and you prefer to think this is sabotaging! How shallow is your mind!. You just wanted to hide behind slogans, thinking others are as shallow as you! Yes, someone had said this long ago, ‘ all great men think alike but fools seldom differ’.
    You just refuse to face the truth of a changing world, you can go on denying that, but it does not mean the world will stop to consider your denial. Friedman informed your Super-ego some years ago, if you refuse to face reality of a changing world, get off this world!! Because whatever you shout and curse, it will be heard only here. The rest of the world will continue to move on and smart Malaysians will make their choices to move with the whole world.

  30. #30 by dawsheng on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:59 am

    “P036 is thus more than what it seems. It is not only about the Barisan Nasional against the Pakatan Rakyat. It is about the survival of political ideologies within component parties of these two. It is also about the fight within the component parties.” – Art

    People don’t care about political ideologies, they just want efficient and fair civil servants.

  31. #31 by dawsheng on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:04 am

    “Would DAP highlight if Malaysians had bad experience while travelling there?” – Cintanegara

    So far, only MCA member had bad experience traveling there.

  32. #32 by ringthetill on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 3:14 am

    The people must continue what started in Mar08, which is to send the BN a clear message that ‘No Change Is Not An Option’. There are many things wrong and nonsensical happening in the country. They cannot just go on like that but need to be corrected, and corrected fast.
    Polical dynasties are bad in this modern day and age. It is guaranteed to breed corruption and nepotism which we know will bring ruins to the ’empire’.

  33. #33 by computation on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 4:48 am

    we are not surprised that the loser incompetent
    deputy prime minister left even before the permatang
    pauh results were announced. typical sore loser behaviour.
    i think he should be investigated for racism and sedition.
    i believe it was reported in the news papers that
    he was present when that infamous umno member
    made the remark that the chinese were squatters.
    if he was there what was his response? did he
    move immediately to caution that umno member about his
    remarks? or was it tacit approval? he does not command
    the confidence of all malaysians.
    when the new government takes over he should be thoroughly
    investigated and charged if necessary.

  34. #34 by computation on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 4:54 am

    i hope to see a new clean government.
    i hope that in the end when the current opposition
    wins they will be humble and realize that all races
    want change. we want a change for the better. we want
    accountability. we want an end to corruption and the
    looting of the country. we want equal oppurtunity for all.
    i do not want to see the chinese being marginalized
    and courted only during the elections. i believe the
    a lot still has to be answered as to why
    the chinese who pay the lions share of tax still do not
    have much by way of funding of their schools. i do not
    think that is right. and certainly those involved should pause
    and ask why this is so.

  35. #35 by computation on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 5:07 am

    the current government with its so called
    ministers are weak, not very bright and incompetent.
    they move quickly and present ultimatums to the
    UN. they do not seem to realize that outside
    of malaysia they are nobodies with not one
    ounce of credibility. no one recognizes them as having
    any intelligence. they are so quick to point out
    what they perceive as injustices against those they
    favour and yet at the same time turn a blind eye and infact
    perpetuate injustices against fellow malaysians.
    hypocrites of the worst kind. I look forward to their
    severe judgment and harsh punishment for their wickedness.

  36. #36 by chengho on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 5:18 am

    KT by election is very much a local issue ,the voters is very much interested to know who is among the candidates uphold the islamic principal more than the other . KT by election also like a mini referendum for Huddud law the question to ask is Pas huddud or Umno huddud take your pick…

  37. #37 by taiking on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 8:57 am

    Would a win by PAS in kt be seen as endorsement of hudud by chinese there? Nah! Its a vote of rejection to umno, if you ask me. Between a serpent and an indian I would kill the serpent unhesitatingly. Between PAS and umno, I would reject umno immediately. PAS has chinese support during 308 election for several reasons. Rejecting umno being one. Supporting Pakatan (of which PAS is a component party) being the other. And of course, supporting PAS is also a possibility.

    What basis has the author of the posting quoted above to concentrate of the last of the three possibilities?

    Being a chinese (and hence understanding fully our complete disillusion with mca’s and gerakan’s Hamba de Bully position and our dissapointment with umno’s Tuan Bully attitude) I dare say that a chinese vote for PAS is almost certainly a vote of dissapproval for umno and bn. If not then it would be vote of support for PAKATAN. Vote of suppport for PAS? Maybe. But support for hudud? Nah. That is stretching too far. Way too far.

  38. #38 by pee_ash on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:06 am

    a correction to so-called smart a** cintanegara.
    Any elected MP, who is supported by majorities of the rest of MPs can be Prime Minister of Malaysia.
    It got nothing to do with race mojority or religion majority or party majority…
    Go home and study the constitution.

    Anyway, I don’t mind malay/chinese/indian to be the PM, as long as HE/SHE can bring prosperity/growth to the country.

  39. #39 by lchk on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:11 am

    Ignore Cintanegara’s postings.

    He’s just another Ketuanan Melayu racist from UMNO who is paid RM50 for posting his rotten two cents in this blog.

  40. #40 by pee_ash on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:24 am

    The current batches of DAP MPs/assemblymen were the best ever.
    A lot of new faces, highly educated, pro-active. It really represents Malaysian Chinese at hteir very best.
    Unlike MCA or Gerakan, who is running out of young guns.
    I used to admire Team B of MCA… but now they become dog of UMNO. Just look at OTK. THis guy changed a lot after becoming MCA president.

    I still recalled during Tanjong 2 & Tanjong 3, a lot of DAP candidates were going for both state seat & parliament seat; in which really showed lack of suitable candidates.

    So, this is the huge milestone DAP had achieved over the years.
    Young people joined DAP mainly because we shared the same idealogy. I can predict more and more will join DAP.

    One thing to remind, stay away from corruption. Otherwise, DAP will become another MCA/Gerakan/MIC/UMNO.

  41. #41 by cintanegara on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:44 am

    I still haven’t got satisfying answers with regards to Telok Dalam and nepotism practised by DAP.

    1. Has LKS investigated whether the allegation made was true? If it was true, then why didn’t LKS contact the resort and obtain the justification from the management. By posting the complaint in this blog, will it solve the problem? Wasn’t his main intention to gain political mileage out of the issue?

    2. Why didn’t LKS to tackle problems of Malaysian women who were cheated and accused for trafficking drug in China, Spain & etc. Obviously, he was not making any effort to do so. Or maybe & just perhaps these women were not from the community he represents? Astonishingly, in 2005, DAP made a lot of noise over the issue of woman doing squats.

    3. Does DAP support or against nepotism? Why a contemporary and tolerant leader like Dr Tan Seng Giaw who hardly ever touch on sensitive issues involving race, religion and others’ supremacy as stipulated in the Federal Constitution was not given a chance to hold the highest post in DAP? Why the highest post in DAP now held by incapable person who never got the respect from majority community?

    4. Would DAP share their views and thoughts when the PM of a neighbouring country publicly announced that the country is not ready for non majority to become PM?

  42. #42 by zak_hammaad on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 11:07 am

    If the by-election has come at an “inopportune time for BN”, let’s hope that Pakatan can make the most of the advantage and win it by a clear majority. Notwithstanding the setbacks to Pakatan’s own image, I believe this is going to be tight race myself.

  43. #43 by pee_ash on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 11:14 am

    walao, cintanegara earned a lot of money today…imagine RMB200 for every posting…

    1 suggestion to LKS, employ someone to help out in this blog.
    instead of posting one article and let the rest of us to feedback, i would suggest you participate in some of the replies as well. (of ocurse I knew u won’t have time to reply to all)

    otherwise, it is not really a blog…

  44. #44 by monsterball on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 11:30 am

    Cintanegera have 4 point against DAP.
    There are more than 100 points against UMNO..yet he ignores.
    Each of his posting worth RM200????
    Nay…not one sen.
    To sum up his 4 points..cintanegara..totally ignored Lim Kit Siang went to ISA few times..exposing corruptions and defending the rights of Malaysians………and his son went to jail..defending a Muslim girl being raped by a minister..which the girl mother is ever so grateful.
    The way..cintanegara writes….he is a young educated greenhorn….pro UMNO….trying so hard to impress UMNO…to be chosen for next election?
    His does not understand ….”cinta” fro his heart…but from his pea brain.
    That’s young man..trying so hard to get attention…..for all the wrong reasons.

  45. #45 by monsterball on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 11:45 am

    hi Cintanegara…….no one is perfect……so your 4 points…what are you getting at??
    Has DAP ever cause anyone..hardships…put them into jail for no reasons.. and steal our money?
    Putting out …advertising your pro UMNO comments….telling them…..”cintanegara” is you…hoping that your balls carrying will get you a tender?
    Maybe hoping to be admitted to a Tong Sampah University…being rejected few times.
    Maybe print out all his postings..submit to UMNO…as evidence of his great mind..to be chosen for election…thinking he is like Tian Chua?
    WHO KNOWS!!!

  46. #46 by Godfather on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 11:53 am

    “Cintanegera have 4 point against DAP.
    There are more than 100 points against UMNO..yet he ignores.
    Each of his posting worth RM200????”

    Monsterball, based on UMNO’s policy of meritocracy, yes, each of cintanegara’s posting is worth RM200. He’s the best that UMNO can muster against us in the “war” against bloggers. He’s the best in logical reasoning, the best in English and he has the thickest skin. He’s definitely better than Mike Tyson. Like they say, among the blind, the one-eyed is king.

  47. #47 by taiking on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:00 pm

    Cintanegara is of the view that umno is great.
    Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
    Malaysia was great once upon a time.
    Was actually greater than s. korea and singapore and taiwan.
    That was 50 yrs ago.
    Then somehow umno the great came into the picture.
    And now 50 yrs later, singapore, s.korea and taiwan are lightyears ahead of us.
    Yea. Yea. Umno is still great.
    Damn great.

  48. #48 by OrangRojak on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:12 pm

    it is not really a blog
    Uh no. It is a blog. You and cintanegara want something different, something that isn’t a blog. A blog is a WebLog – a log (journal, or diary) on the Web. Leaving comments on blogs isn’t always possible, and replying to comments in a useful way isn’t always possible. Even when author replies are possible, not every author does it.

    I think it would be great if Malaysian civil servants used issue trackers, so that you could raise issues or ask questions, and it would be clear which issues had been responded to, whether all agreed they had been dealt with, and who is currently expected to reply. I’m not convinced you’ll get an Opposition MP to start first – they’re too busy raising issues!

  49. #49 by k1980 on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:29 pm

    Bumipetera status for Malays in Philippines, Singapore, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and South Africa? The KT Chinese have a chance to make this come true by voting for BN

    In a move that could backfire by drawing attention to discrimination against Chinese, Indian and other minorities in Malaysia, the country has claimed a role in the advancement of Malays in other lands.

    The Malaysian deputy prime minister and heir apparent, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, told an international Malay/Muslim audience recently that his government would work to help support them in countries from the Philippines and Singapore to Madagascar, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

  50. #50 by art harun on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:42 pm

    Dear YB Lim,

    First of all, thank you for featuring my humble article on your esteemed blog. I am grateful for the exposure.

    Mr/Miss Taiking,

    I have not anywhere in my article postulated that a PAS win would mean the Chinese has demonstrated their acceptance of hudud. Surely if I had said so I would not have a any basis to support that kind of statement. What I have said was if Pas wins, there will be conclusions made that the people, including the non-Muslims, are not adverse to the idea of hudud law. I am sure such conclusions will be made by many parties, especially PAS themselves. Whether that kind of conclusions would be correct or otherwise, I would not venture to speculate as it involves social, cultural and religious dynamics, which my I did not intend set to delve in in my article.

    I however failed to say, I must admit, that the most stable party within the Pakatan Rakyat is DAP. It seems sound and safe from internal bickering in recent times, although it had, like any other party, internal problems before. For now though, DAP remains the most stable and almost dogmatic in its stand on several important issues. That owes perhaps to a good leadership or the fact that the party internal dynamics had settled down after years of polemic, analysis and searches for common ground.

    PKR will of course have to grapple with thhese dynamics for quite a while as it is a relatively new party. PAS on the other hand will always be exposed to internal struggles as Islamic views and compliance with various scholastic views always move from right to the left and vice versa. This will not stop in the near future and PAS will remain fluid in that sense.

    Thank you everyone for reading my article.
    http://www.art-harun.blogspot.com

  51. #51 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:45 pm

    cintanegara,
    don’t you see there’s another wrong for you committed by your future great world class statesman Najis according to what k1980 using taxpayer’s money (90% contributed by non Malays) to help Malays of other countries whilst the orang asli of Peninsula,the orang asal of East malaysia,the poor Indian Malaysians and the poor Chinese Malaysians are not cared for cos they are not Malay!

  52. #52 by OrangRojak on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:47 pm

    If it’s any consolation to cintanegara, I thought the complaint letter to Teluk Dalam Resort was an odd thing to include on this blog. I doubt including it will have much effect on Malaysian tourism – bad accommodation is probably the least of Malaysian Tourism’s problems. My European friends skip Malaysia while they’re touring South East Asia mostly because of the way Malaysia is portrayed in their home press. That problem, in my view, can only be cured at the ballot box, positive affirmation will only make the problem worse and make people more frustrated and more likely to seek scapegoats in the long term.
    As for the Singapore references, I don’t think LKS overdoes it, even if some of his regulars do. If Mid Valley Mega Mall were to declare their independence from Malaysia, I’m sure they could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Singapore in no time at all. Malaysia has different problems and different opportunities to Singapore, so ‘be more like Singapore’ isn’t as simple as some would suggest. Singapore has, like many countries, got some things right, so there’s nothing wrong in picking good examples, as long as people remember that Malaysia isn’t the same as Singapore, and never will be.

  53. #53 by monsterball on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 12:58 pm

    Cintanegara…..For idiots like you….please note DAP does not represent one race.
    UMNO…MCA and MIC…all identifying the one race they are representing and call that BN. Note the…\ M\…\C\…and \I\.
    Barisan National….my foot!!
    It’s divide to rule.
    Mahathir accused DAP as a racialist party…and he has developed the thickest skin to accuse everyone….anything…that he actually is……thinking Malaysians will fall into his traps…..all the time.
    Do not be fooled by his resignation from..\UMNO BARU\…..he created. That is to distance himself from Dollah and Najib…..not for the sake of Malaysians at all.
    That devil reincarnated art is totally out-dated…so do not copy that sick old man……..greatest liar and most corrupted PM we ever had…yet cintanegara hero worship him. Why like that?
    But you ….ever forgive and forget all UMNO sins..as you are one of them.
    hi…..Cintanegara….go read \talking\ writer comment……and learn….the whole truth.
    If you do not agree…then plan to migrate to kampong life….when UMNO is gone.
    You are a useless gas bag……so similar to Mahathir.
    UMNO is but your umbrella for false security….yet you do not know.
    UMNO is controlling your brain with dirty religion politics….yet you do not know.
    UMNO is separating the malays……yet you do not know.
    UMNO is stealing from you….yet you do not know.
    UMNO government….have evidences showing people can be killed by c4 bombs…raping young girls….throwing tear gas onto Malaysians…..treating some of your righteous brother muslims…walking to free your mind….yet you do not know.
    UMNO government….have three types of Malays…the very rich…the ordinary people… and the third class…yet you do not know.
    It’s the vast majority ordinary Malays that know.
    Folks….after writing so much with loving kindness to open his eyes…to change for the better..he still do not change…..GIVE HIM HELL!!
    I give up!

  54. #54 by k1980 on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:06 pm

    Nearly all schoolchildren in the country will be mobilised to protest against the Gaza offensive by Israeli forces.
    Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said about five million pupils and 360,765 teachers from more than 10,000 schools would be involved.

    Why not ask the 20 million adults in Malaysia to squeeze into their children’s school uniforms and join the protest? And why no protest against the Mumbai terrorists, the kidnapping activities of the Abu Sayyaf, the on-going massacres in Congo,the pirates of Somalia ect?

  55. #55 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:14 pm

    Worse still even it has been pointed to him a probably 100 wrongs has been done by Mamak,cintanegara can still classify shamelessly that Mamakthir is the greatest PM and statesman in the world! Imagine,he cannot even see so much wrongs done to the country by his idol.That’s why this country can be continously screwed by UMNO for more than 50 years!

  56. #56 by OrangRojak on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:34 pm

    k1980 – a couple of good posts today – protest where? Is this a scheme to prop up the ailing MAS by flying all those kids to Syria for the day?

    Why does he have to use children? I find that … distasteful.

  57. #57 by pee_ash on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 1:44 pm

    ask PDRM to charge education minister in court, if he use children in the protest.

  58. #58 by Onlooker Politics on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 6:37 pm

    “2. Why didn’t LKS to tackle problems of Malaysian women who were cheated and accused for trafficking drug in China, Spain & etc. Obviously, he was not making any effort to do so. Or maybe & just perhaps these women were not from the community he represents? Astonishingly, in 2005, DAP made a lot of noise over the issue of woman doing squats.” (cintanegara)

    Dear cintanegara,

    While I sympathise the Malaysian women who were being cheated by their companions to commit criminal offence of drug trafficking and then got caught and prosecuted by the foreign authorities, I simply do not see the need to ask DAP to intervene in the court proceedings in mainland China or Spain. I would hope that some senior counsels like Mr. Karpal Singh or Jeffrey could offer themselve to provide free legal advice services if the family members of the alleged Malaysian women did come to see DAP Leaders for legal assistance.

    I simply do not think that it will be a great idea for DAP to say anything while the court proceedings are undergoing in accordance with due process of law. If we believe in the Concept of Judicial Independence, then we should also ensure that the Judges in mainland China or Spain are able to drop judgement independently in the legal proceedings of a criminal prosecution case without fear or favour from anybody’s intervention or interference.

  59. #59 by Onlooker Politics on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 7:26 pm

    “3. Does DAP support or against nepotism? Why a contemporary and tolerant leader like Dr Tan Seng Giaw who hardly ever touch on sensitive issues involving race, religion and others’ supremacy as stipulated in the Federal Constitution was not given a chance to hold the highest post in DAP? Why the highest post in DAP now held by incapable person who never got the respect from majority community?” (cintanegara)

    Dear cintanegara,

    Thank you for showing your support to DAP’s National Vice Chairman, Dr. Tan Seng Giaw.

    Dr. Tan has been a Specialist Dermatologist since 1976. Many Malaysian skin diseases patients owed Dr. Tan a big favour because he served many patients faithfully and professionally with his superb medical skill without charging a high price when he was working in Kuala Lumpur Tong Shin Hospital. Some patients even told me that Dr. Tan Seng Giaw gave away medicine free of charge out of his own pocket when the patients were too poor to pay for the medical fees. One of the patients was a high school classmate of mine many years’ ago. Dr. Tan is presently working as a Specialist Dermatologist at the Chinese Maternity Hospital Medical Centre. Dr. Tan is currently leading the DAP team to help in the PR’s campaign in Kuala Terengganu. You shall continue giving your valuable support to Dr. Tan in Kuala Terengganu.

    The incumbent DAP’s National Chairman, Mr. Karpal Singh, is not an incapable person who never got the respect from majority community like you said. Even the Malay victims who were falsely accused in a criminal prosecution (sometimes involving UMNO’s top shot) would go engage Mr. Karpal Singh as a defense counsel. If you don’t know Mr. Karpal Singh, then please don’t ever claim that you are a Malaysian.

    What a big shame on you when you choose “cintanegara” as your pseudo name while you know nothing about the great Hero of Malaysia, Mr. Karpal Singh, who managed to save many innocent Malaysians from being victimised by the oppressive legal enforcement units and by the imperfect court system of Malaysia under the BN Administration.

    You may be too young to know that Mr. Karpal Singh helped save the life of a 14 years’ old kid who were being prosecuted by the Malaysian Police (the Police had its own prosecuting department for many years) for Drug Trafficking Offence during 1970s. Mr. Karpal Singh indeed earned his respect from me through his own merit.

    Please do not try to tell lie in order to demonise the Hero of Malaysia simply for the dirty purpose of serving your political master. God forbids false accusation, no matter how eloquent you are in telling lie!

  60. #60 by jus legitimum on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 7:49 pm

    That so called cintanegara is a compulsive liar and has chosen to criticize blindly and impudently against the DAP leadership.He is just incorrigibly naughty.

  61. #61 by Godfather on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 8:16 pm

    He’s just parrotting the views of UMNO. That’s why they are all coconut heads over there.

  62. #62 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:02 pm

    cintanegara’s mindset has been so set in stone by his master that he cannot tell the difference between loving one’s government with loving one’s country.To him loving one’s government is always synonymous with loving one’s country without exception.That is why he keeps saying he loves his country and in this thread he even claims he loves his country DELIBERATELY (whatever that means?)He can’t see that his loving his UMNOputras is synonymous with hating his country for he can’t see that if a government is not working in the interest of the country (in our case we have a government enriching enormously a select group of people) then loving his government simply means hating his country.

  63. #63 by Jimm on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:07 pm

    All of us can speak out our mind nowadays because we are given IT platforms to express our views …..
    We have to thank GOD for giving us these platforms as compared to our foreparents whereby they have been duped to read and believe what was approved and published by evil umno.
    Everyone is entitled to post their pwn personal views as to what they intended to stand for.
    We should not asked DAP what have they done for us in the past as we ourselves wasn’t properly feed with these kind of ‘freedom’ platforms to execute our rights in the past.
    DAP have been standing behind the truth dan continue to walk the talk until IT was brought into our todays’ living.
    We can condemned anything that once DAP did not accomplished for us (as claimed by most of us) in the past and seek an explaination from them ….. however, please take a look at ourselves first before throwing our angers out …
    where were you when the walk begins some 40 over years ago ???

  64. #64 by AhPek on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:07 pm

    Cintanegara for your information the critics here are all for Malaysia but never for the government because this government is a much hated government.

  65. #65 by Onlooker Politics on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:09 pm

    “4. Would DAP share their views and thoughts when the PM of a neighbouring country publicly announced that the country is not ready for non majority to become PM?” (cintanegara)

    Dear cintanegara,

    Singapore national leaders have always been well-known for their courage to speak up openly what they see as something which is a political urgency. When Singapore Prime Minister BG Lee Hsien Loong told people that majority Singaporeans are not ready for a leader who comes from minority group to become PM, he was indeed showing his good personal trait of being honest to the people. The honesty is a very-much-sought-after leadership quality which is rarely found in the UMNO leaders.

    There are hundreds of thousands of Malaysians currently residing in Singapore in order to earn a living for their family in Malaysia. By knowing the facts that those hardworking and good-talented Malaysians who have to find employment in Singapore simply because they could not find a decent job in their home country, namely Malaysia, which is put under the dominance of a Malay party UMNO, it is too natural for the majority Singaporeans to feel that they are not ready to accept a Malay Singaporean for taking over Lee Hsien Loong as the Prime Minister. The incompetence and corruption practices of the UMNO leadership have already transmitted a lousy wrong perception to the whole world that the Malay people would not be able to manage their own business well even in their home country of Malaysia, whereby the Malays occupy all the majority seats in the Parliament and in the seats of Top Posts in almost all government offices for the past 51 years. The only way to make a rectification on such a wrong perception is to overthrow UMNO and to give mandate to Anwar Ibrahim of Pakatan Rakyat to become the new Prime Minister of Malaysia in the next general election. Only Anwar Ibrahim is deemed to be the best suitable person who is able to revive the respectable image of all Malaysians.

    Just don’t forget that Singapore Authority usually has to wearily deal with some Malaysian racist politicians such as Dr. Mahathir and Ahmad Ismail who would never give up any opportunity they could grasp in order to speak up some racist remarks for the malicious purpose of inciting hatred among the Malays towards Singaporeans, solely for serving the selfish purpose of mobilising the political support around their political pets such as Mukhriz Mahathir or Hishammuddin Hussein Onn.

    DAP is an independent political party of Malaysia. DAP certainly does not need to share any or all views and thoughts of a foreign Prime Minister BG Lee Hsien Loong. It is also not necessary for DAP of Malaysia to intervene in the internal affairs of Singapore because Singapore is an independent sovereign nation by itself.

    Anyway, noone should make it an issue on whether Karpal Singh or Lim Guan Eng shall be nominated as the future Prime Minister of Malaysia at the present premature stage. The most important thing is that all Pakatan Rakyat component parties are now ready to take over Barisan Nasional to rule the country because they have already reached upon a consensus that a much more senior and competent candidate, namely Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, shall be nominated to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia in the event that Pakatan Rakyat is able to control the majority seats of the Parliament.

  66. #66 by Jimm on Friday, 9 January 2009 - 10:12 pm

    When all of us can decide and form our walk the talk together as ONE …….. Malaysia will obtained her freedom from evil umno.
    Are you all serious about this walk ?

  67. #67 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 1:17 am

    The difference between what HS Lee says about the possibility of non Chinese becoming PM of Singapore and Bodohwi’s statement saying anybody from any ethnic group can become PM of Malaysia is one is stating a fact wheareas the other is telling a lie with a straight face.
    Why is HS Lee’s statement a statement of fact.If you look at the demographics of Singapore,one can say Singapore is more or less a homogeneous society with an overwhelming 75% Chinese population.Because of this factor HS Lee is merely stating the obvious that Singapore is not ready to have a non Chinese as PM but one very important thing is that he has not stated that a non Chinese cannot be a PM of Singapore.
    In the case of Bodohwi he is lying with a straight face by saying people from other ethnic groups can be Malaysia’s PM.Just look at the hoha created when Khalid appointed a Chinese as acting CEO of PKNS,whatmore having an Indian or a Chinese or a Murut or a Penan as Malaysia’s PM. There will be a riot!!Besides the UMNOPUTRAS will see to it that non Malays cannot even be deputy PM.
    On top of this Malaysia is not homogeneously Malay only 53% of population and only having a slight majority over others.Yet their position is so commanding and yet the UMNOPUTRA is selling the idea to the Kampong folks that the others are trying to take away their rights,their priveleges,their Ketuanan melayu status etc,etc

  68. #68 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 1:26 am

    sorry it’s HL Lee and not HS Lee.

  69. #69 by Jeffrey on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 8:02 am

    What’s effect if any of Mahathir factor on political dynamics of KT P036 by-election?

    Mahathir attacked both Umno choice and PAS for the upcoming KT by-election.

    He said Umno’s choice – the former political secretary of PM – was “known to be snobbish, who does not know how to be friendly with people,” and was chosen because he was Pak Lah’s man, an allegation Najib subsequently rebutted on grounds it was joint choice of the best candidate by both premier and him .

    He attacked PAS for allowing pig rearing at a Malay village; willing to give permanent land titles to garner the support of the Chinese; downplaying its 30 year plan of implementing hudud laws.

    (Ref : Malaysiakini report “Mahathir attacks both key KT candidates” – Jan 9, 09 1:36pm)

    What is the effect of his rantings on political dynamics of KT P036 by-election?

    Either no effect on both sides or if any, it would likely pour cold water on UMNO’s side (as some traditional UMNO supporters might listen to him and abstain voting, whilst those customarily antithical towards UMNO/BN or those supportive of PAS are unlikely to listen to whatever negative he said about PAS anyway).

    In a tightly contested by election in which every vote counts, his remarks may unwittingly tip the scale in favour of Opposition and if UMNO candidate loses, the top in the ruling party would blame TDM, whilst he would harangue the party warlords to rid those at the helm faster.

  70. #70 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 8:43 am

    AhPek,

    In the U.S. whites number some 71.6% of the total population, and blacks number some 12.8% but yet on January 20th 2009, we will be seeing the inauguration of the first black President of the United States. In Malaysia non-Malays number some 40% of the total population and after some fifty years, the chances of seeing pigs fly are better than seeing a non-Malay sitting in the Prime Minister’s chair in Putrajaya. Demographics has less to do with it than pigs dressed in Spiderman’s outfit.

    What does the law of probability tell us this time?? Any smart ass in the room who says it is all about logic and logical thinking?

  71. #71 by taiking on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 10:28 am

    Of course a non-malay can be prime minister of malaysia. I have no doubt about that. Its only umno and umnoputras. They will not let that happen. In fact I fear that they will not even let any non-umnoputras to become pm. Plain Joe bin Ahmad too (not just any Gupta or Ah Kow) would not stand a chance to be pm. Obama is plain lucky for he borned an american and not malaysian.

  72. #72 by Bigjoe on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 10:53 am

    The writer makes a good point – KT election is about a lot of things but it does not seem that any one or two thing is the main theme. That leads to one wondering, if this election is about a lot of things and yet not one thing register heavily, what would be the likely outcome i.e., will machinery prevail or will ideology prevail?

    If machinery prevail, BN should win but if ideology prevail, then it should split down the line with Malay voters and Chinese decide the vote.

    It is interesting. I think opposition goof in taking the high road on personal issues. Its quite obvious BN candidate have much more negatives on personal issues. Wan Farid is linked to Monsoon cup, grew up elitist and does not have the common touch like the dead guy, he is labeled as lackey of outgoing PM, he can’t carry his own weight (he is told to smile and intervention by a heavily handicaped Najib has been too many).

  73. #73 by OrangRojak on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 10:58 am

    I think the Mahathir factor can only be good for PR. If he is vocal on a subject, then the international community might speak up too. Zimbabwe will side with Mahatir. Every other country for anybody else.

  74. #74 by cintanegara on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 11:46 am

    Dear Mr Onlooker Politics

    Many thanks for your crystal clear explanation. Yes indeed…I did gain “titbits” of justification about all the answers that I acquire. On the other hand, I would be very much grateful if you could elaborate further question no 4.

    1. Why there is only one Malay minister in that country’s cabinet holding an insignificant position. Aren’t the Malays not qualify enough to hold any senior positions? In our country it is basically contrary, we can see several MCA, MIC and other component parties, holding senior positions in the cabinet. The oppositions claim that UMNO is racist but the fact is otherwise.

    2. What about the Top Government agencies, fighter jet pilot, etc why Malay names are hardly found?

    To the rest of bloggers, below are just fruitful facts to ponder.

    Negarawan Ulung, Tun Dr Mahathir obtained a medical degree from King Edward VII Medical College in Singapore. Upon graduation, TDM spent his housemanship at the General Hospital, Pulau Pinang, and later appointed as Medical Officer at General Hospital, Alor Setar; District Hospital, Langkawi, Jitra and Perlis. In 1957, together with Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, they became the first Malay doctors to open up a private clinic in Kedah. His clinic which was named ‘MAHA’, rendering health services to everyone and at times didn’t even charge his patients a single cent. Yes, this is not lies. It is merely true, nothing but the truth about TDM. Was I lying? NOT AT ALL. It is the fact that Malaysian can’t deny about our beloved Negarawan Ulung.

    There is no doubt in my own mind that Tun Dr. Mahathir is a superb politician and an intellectual with strong work ethics..

  75. #75 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 12:26 pm

    ‘There is no doubt in my mind that Tun Dr. Mahathir is a superb politician and an intellectual with strong work ethics.’. cintanegara.

    Humans have a capacity to learn but you,you don’t seem to learn.Perhaps the racism in you has shielded you from believing your kind can do anything wrong.Would you believe that Mahathir and family has fixed deposit amounting to USD199.45 million and the bank their fixed deposits are placed? And I am not even asking you his net worth.Talking about work ethics,it’s bloody laughable and you are oblivious of the fact that you are a clown amongst most of us here.Mahathir is nothing but a big cheat who is now doing a sandiwara for the public…don’t use USD,don’t buy American products,don’t work in Starbuck or KFC bla,bla bla..Just ask him which bank he placed his fixed deposits in plus all his cronies.
    Cintanegara if you wish to know,just leave your mailing address and you will get the information in due course and that goes for anyone here.I am also most interested to send a copy to melurian,zak,realworld or any great admirer of mamak.

  76. #76 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 4:18 pm

    undergrad2,
    The whites in US are about 66%,African American 13.4%,Hispanics(mainly from South America exception being Brazilians who speak Portugese and probably most are mixed with natives)15%,Asians 5% and Native Americans (Alaskan Natives,American Indians and Hawaiian natives)1.6%.
    The white population comes mainly fromEnglish18%,Germans17%,Irishmen12% and Italians 8% the remaining 11% coming from the French,Greeks, Dutch,Czechs,Romanians etc etc.In other words US is not homogeneous like Singapore is homogeneous (75% Chinese).In fact if say US has 66% English,then perhaps we might have Barak Obama as President

  77. #77 by AhPek on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 5:49 pm

    correction: “In fact if say US has …… ..we might not have B.Obama as President.Or 66% Germans or Irish or Italians for that matter.”.

  78. #78 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 10 January 2009 - 6:55 pm

    AhPek,

    I’m not sure if you are a convert to logical thinking or you are a casualty to it.

  79. #79 by imranj78 on Sunday, 11 January 2009 - 12:20 am

    P036 is going to be a tough fight and the I expect the outcome to be too close to call. Both BN and PAS have more or less equal chance of winning the seat and local issues + perceptions will be highly important factors. The new Tganu MB Ahmad Said seems to be doing a fairly good job and has asserted himself well against the federal government so that might earn Tganu BN some points. Bickering within PR and PAS especially on hudud might cause some ripples but nothing major as everybody is already aware about such inconsistencies within PR. I also personally do not think Najib will be a major factor though.

    The important thing is that voters think carefully and make a wise choice based on track records by both BN and PAS in Tganu and at the same time look at the future to see what both have got to offer to them and to the country. Do not get clouded by `noise’, rhetoric and irrelevant issues from both sides of the political divide.

  80. #80 by AhPek on Sunday, 11 January 2009 - 12:38 pm

    Maybe a casualty case undergrad2 but then you have to ask Prof for confirmation since he has such a complete variety of tools (theory of probability,inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning,fallacy,syllogism
    and Boolean algebra) at his disposal and which I certainly know are not
    made available to mere mortal like you.

  81. #81 by Onlooker Politics on Sunday, 11 January 2009 - 1:25 pm

    “1. Why there is only one Malay minister in that country’s cabinet holding an insignificant position. Aren’t the Malays not qualify enough to hold any senior positions? In our country it is basically contrary, we can see several MCA, MIC and other component parties, holding senior positions in the cabinet. The oppositions claim that UMNO is racist but the fact is otherwise.

    2. What about the Top Government agencies, fighter jet pilot, etc why Malay names are hardly found?” (cintanegara)

    Dear cintanegara,

    This is not an attempt to answer your questions in relation to Singapore’s political situation. This is the webblog of YB Lim Kit Siang, the advisor to Democratic Action Party (DAP) of Malaysia. I think it will be much better for you to address your Singapore-related questions to a webblog of People’s Action Party (PAP) of Singapore.

    By the way, if you yourself do feel that it is wrong in principle to use racist approach to manage a nation, why do you continue to voice out your support for a racist politician such as Dr. Mahathir.

    In his Blogsite called http://www.chedet.cc, Dr. Mahathir sarcastically accused PAS for allowing non-muslim people to trade “Babi”. If you ever passed by a small village along Jalan Mersing (Highway No. 2) in Johor by the name of Kampung Batu 24, Kahang, please drop by a coffee shop nearby and ask the villagers whether Dr. Mahathir’s wife has any interest in the huge pig farm in that village.

    If you have plenty of time to spend in Johor, then just drop by any cow farm in Padang Hijau along Jalan Mersing Batu 13 and ask around whether Dr. Mahathir owns a 1000-acre ruminant farm there. Of course, Dr. Mahathir can easily deny that he has any interest in that cow farm because he makes use of a nominee. However, Dr. Mahathir might be able to fool the whole world outside his farm but he couldn’t fool his farm workers who had to always keep alert on whether the big boss would come for a spot check occasionally.

    Dr. Mahathir is an “intellectual with strong work ethics…” Yes, I do agree. Dr. Mahathir is just too smart to make much more money for himself. I wish that more and more Malays will learn the business acumen from Dr. Mahathir so that the BN Government will not have to waste so much of the tax-payers’ money in giving out subsidies to the underachievers from the Malay community.

  82. #82 by mts on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 - 8:15 pm

    Anyone interest about how Malaya Constitution prepare.

    Here it is the Reid Commission Federation of Malaya Constitution Report

    http://www.digitalibrary.my/dmdocuments/malaysiakini/223_report%20of%20federation%20of%20malaya%20constitutional%20commission%20%201957.pdf

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