It was a simple but symbolic and historic ceremony – the commemoration of a plaque of democracy at the site of the Raintree Perak State Assembly on 3rd March 2009 by the legitimate Perak Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin, accompanied by Pakatan Rakyat Perak State Exco members, leaders as well as staunch defenders of democracy among the Perak public.
2008 gave the historic date of “308” while 2009 has given “303” as another historic date in the Malaysian battle for democracy.
The commemoration of the marble plaque beneath the “Democracy Tree” and the planting of five sapling raintrees today is doubly significant, falling on the anniversary of the political tsunami of the 12th general election last year – which completely changed the political landscape by bringing the graph of possibility of change within reach of all Malaysians.
But I have only one message which I made at the media conference after the ceremony – that the Perak political crisis had gone on long enough and should be ended without any more delay, so that Perakians and Malaysians can unite as one people to face the worst global economic crisis in 80 years.
The Perak constitutional crisis, which has produced two Mentris Besar, can be ended within 30 days if Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders can agree to a common solution – to dissolve the Perak State Assembly and hold state-wide general election to let the Perak voters decide on the state government they want.
Pakatan Rakyat fully accepts the results of such a state election.
The ball is in the court of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the Prime Minister-in-waiting who personally orchestrated the unethical, illegal and unconstitutional power grab in Perak – whether he is prepared to put national interests above personal, Umno and Barisan Nasional interests to end the Perak political crisis which has undermined national and international confidence in the legitimacy of his impending premiership and will cripple the second economic stimulus package he is to present to Parliament on Tuesday in the face of the global financial meltdown.
#1 by ch on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 4:43 pm
Dear All,
It is difficult for BN to accept the idea suggested above as they are aware of the public sentiment against them. It is not going to be wise investment as the likelihood of winning enough state seats to enable the formation of new legitimate BN government in Perak through a snap election at this point in time is as good as jumping off the cliff. They all know this as well as leaders from Pakatan. That’s why Pakatan leadership is clamouring for a snap election as the chances of winning it is extremely high.
UMNO is going into its internal party election and created many factions as a result. Any wrong selection of candidates for the snap election will lead to further division of votes to UMNO-BN. Having thought so, UMNO will not agree to the idea suggested no matter how often it is played in the blog. Zahid Hamidi, a staunch supporter of Najib who is coincidently a close associate of Anwar Ibrahim prior to his sacking as Deputy Prime Minister had made it very clear in an interview with NST that the current Perak government is legal and they will demonstrate to all and sundry that UMNO has the support of the majority in the forth coming Bukit Gantan by-election. It is going to be a very interesting by-election as this seat had always been won by UMNO-BN. If Pakatan wins the by-election, then it is going to be a big slap to Najib who will then be tasting his maiden defeat as Prime Minister.
After a year since “308”, we have yet to see extraordinary changes coming from Pakatan government apart from the several populist actions taken. To the dismay of certain segment of the society in Perak, several of those populist actions taken by the Pakatan government are hanging in the air and may not materialize in the near future. Having gone through, we may have to reconcile with the fact that governing a state government without the full support from the federal government may be something which is quite frustrating and nauseating.
This is the complications of everyday’s life in politics. Perhaps both BN and Pakatan leaders are already acclimatized with such dynamics but the one who will be suffering are the rakyat. For example, while UMNO-BN struggled to regain control of several states from Pakatan, they were going around informing the rakyat that Malaysia is insulted from the vagaries of the global financial melt-down. Now they are trying to tell us to stop politicking and concentrate on the falling economy.
How ironic.
#2 by k1980 on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 4:48 pm
Less than a month to go before the by elections in Bkt Gantang, Bkt Selambau and Batang Ai. PR must go all out and whip BN in all these 3 important litmus tests. Najib would be forced by umno to step down if he fails to win all 3 of them
#3 by Saint on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 4:57 pm
Perak by election is not going to happen. Concentrate on the in coming 3 by elections and get ready for a long, bitter and most probably unfair court hearings. In short get practical.
#4 by monsterball on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 5:15 pm
It does not make sense why Perakians do not unite to demand a State election….especially from those who supports UMNO.
If every Perak voters put aside politics…..for or against ..and think sensibly….they should unite to demand a State election…to settle it….once and for all.
That will also show…how powerful their votes are….and not let elected servants do as they like.
And on the election day…vote in UMNO….if you think it is the best.
But for God’s sake….do not let any political party make a fool of your hometown…creating so much tensions…no good to earn a decent living.
#5 by voice on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 6:00 pm
A fresh state election is the only solution to the crisis here, we are facing the worst ever economic slowdown, if the political crisis goes on, it will further the impact.
A right-minded citizen sure want a fresh state-wide election, and those who trying to avoid the election are UMNO-thinking, they just cannot afford to lose, how gila kuasa they are?
#6 by lkt-56 on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 6:27 pm
Kit,
Couldn’t agree with you any better. The point has been made and it is time to move on. The power usurper has shown his weakness in grabbing power and then clinging on desperately…
Do you think the people does not see this? ;) Have no fear that the people will forget what happened. They have the power (of incumbency) to cling on but they do not have the mandate of the people.
#7 by wanderer on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 6:33 pm
If both the competing political parties are in a stalemate, why don’t the electorates of Perak rise up and demand a fresh elections…with no political interference.
The Perakians should organize a mass peaceful rally and let the ruler knows without any uncertain term that they want a fresh election and choose a govt of their choice.
Perak must move on and cannot allow politicians to play politics while dragging the State down the drain.
#8 by lopez on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 6:38 pm
lousy losers , we all can shout about , so now who is the lousy loser
the biggest loser is of course the commoner if you put yourself as one in a world of master and slave choreographed by self elected bee end mongers.
many called themselves as representatives of the electorate, some represent a 1000 voters , some 100x more, some were simple folks , some were technocrats and yet some true self entreprenuers
So what have done today for the people you claimed to represent.
#9 by hiro on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 6:40 pm
I think the fed government would rather use one of their usual methods of turning over the Perak Speaker rather than agreeing to a snap election.
Either that, or the Sultan will issue a proclamation convening the next assembly where the police will permit all assemblymen to attend, but the current speaker relegated to the seat as another assemblyman only. And why is that, because in the Sultan’s mind, there’s BN majority, so BN gets to appoint their own Speaker. That BN Speaker will be ushered to the Speaker’s seat by the police.
If you think it’s impossible after what they’ve done so far, think again. It’s a clean solution. And one that will be made even a lot easier once the courts decide that
1) there was no resignation of the 3 assemblymen,
2) BN does have majority,
3) Zambry is correctly appointed,
all for whatever scurillous reasons there may be.
#10 by limkamput on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 6:44 pm
The impasse in Perak is not about we do not know the right way, the constitutional way, the gentlemanly way or the civil way to resolve it. It has everything to do with how the power is acquired, sustained and enjoyed, not unlike the many African states we see today. I believe there are among us who want to serve or have better ideas on how to develop or administer the state. But I doubt very much the fight will be so tenaciously just to have the opportunity to “serve” the wider objectives of the state, the community and the people of Perak. I think it has everything to do with power and the enjoyment of that power and very little to do with serving.
Political offices in Malaysia are too lucrative and have much “unaccountable” power. People in power can’t relinquish their positions simply because the stake is too high. Not only they will lose a lucrative source of wealth, they may be called to account for all the misdeeds that they have committed while in power. I can’t see them giving up power willingly or even constitutionally. Malaysians have slept for too long to allow a corrupted system to take root deep and wide.
#11 by malayan on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 6:56 pm
CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA JUNE 1957
Page 128 stated that
(6) The Mentri Besar shall cease to hold office at the expiration
of a period of three months from the date of his appointment,
unless (before the expirattion of that period a resolution of confidence
in him has been passed by the Legislative Assembly ; and
if at any time he ceases to command the confidence of the majority
of the members of the Legislative Assembly, then unless at his
request the Ruler dissolves the Legislative Assembly, he shall tender
the resignation of the Executive Council.
Very much believe that the Mentri Besar have the rights request the Ruler dissolve the Ligislative Assembly at any times he ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA JUNE 1957 is the original Malayan Cositutiion being used from after Malayan Indepedence.
#12 by malayan on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 7:05 pm
And also at CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA JUNE 1957
Page 122 stated that
(6) If the Mentri Besar oeases to command the confidence of the
majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly, then, udess
at his request the Ruler dissolves the Legislative Assembly, he shall
tender the resignation of the Executive Council.
It stated strongly two times Page 122 and Page 128 inside the CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA JUNE 1957
#13 by malayan on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 7:10 pm
Page 122 stated that
(6) If the Mentri Besar oeases to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly, then, unless at his request the Ruler dissolves the Legislative Assembly, he shall tender the resignation of the Executive Council.
#14 by kevchua on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 8:22 pm
The problem is, Pakatan Rakyat and the Rakyat of Perak are more than eager to have the State Assembly dissolved. However, the BN refuses to do that because they do not want to let go of Perak.
This is why there’s a gridlock in the first place, and we all know that BN leaders (who have spent millions in getting Perak back) will continue to fight too until Pakatan loses.
It’s gonna be a cycle… I beat you because you beat me, and I beat you back – an indefinite cycle.
Pity the Rakyat of Perak
#15 by yhsiew on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 8:25 pm
Kit,
Make the ‘Democracy Tree’ a tourist attraction spot so as to bring in revenue for Perak.
In fact all PR led states could have the ‘Democracy Tree’ included in their tourism brochures to attract tourists to Perak.
#16 by lopez on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 8:42 pm
Which devil in you made you elect these clowns and then allow them to belittle and yell at you and your parents.
And they wallop you left and right in all the legality and protocol either written or implied until the cows come home.
Dont leave the people behind ..stop hiding behind clauses and clauses…face the people needs, ask them how….ask them through a fair vote ….it is very simple dont make it any more difficult …
There is always time to make a change , built it up for GE13…if at all made impossible now.
dont tear down the people’s hope for change.
#17 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 8:52 pm
“CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA JUNE 1957 is the original Malayan Cositutiion being used from after Malayan Indepedence.”
Unfortunately those are constitutional proposals. There is only one constitution and that is the Federal Constitution of Malaysia 1957. Know of any other??
#18 by undergrad2 on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 9:00 pm
“The ball is in the court of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the Prime Minister-in-waiting who personally orchestrated the unethical, illegal and unconstitutional power grab in Perak …” Kit
The ball was kicked in his way and he scored!
You’re accusing him of an illegal power grab and then you’re asking him to agree to let the people of Perak decide. I don’t follow.
#19 by Onlooker Politics on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 9:38 pm
Malaysia is on the verge of denigrating its Parliamentary Democratic System into a Totalitarian Police State System. The Umno Dynasty is going to close up its downfall stage in history very soon if Najib Razak continues to resort to the following dirty tricks in order to struggle for his shaky power grabbing in Perak:
1. Use the Police Force as the private inquisitive tool of Umno for launching a massive scale political persecution on the Perak State Assemblymen from Pakatan Rakyat.
2. Use the newly established Anti-Corruption government body, namely the MACC, as the private deterrent tool of Umno for launching an interrogation attempt on the legal counsel being engaged by the Speaker of Perak State Legislative Assembly Mr. Sivakumar in order to assist Umno to harrass and hinder a practising lawyer from providing the professional service to the Speaker of a State Legislature who is from an opposing party, Pakatan Rakyat.
3. Use the Kangaroo Court to issue restraining order to the Speaker of Perak State Legislative Assembly in order to assist Umno to tie the hands of the Speaker and to impede the Speaker from performing his sacrosanct official duty as the Speaker of a State Legislature.
4. Use an illegal way to spend the state funds on any public spending which has not been duly approved, especially when a legal approval can only be obtained with due process of assembly proceedings by the Perak State Legislative Assembly through a proper sitting of the assembly which is chaired by the Speaker of the Perak State Legislative Assembly, namely Mr Sivakumar.
5. Continue to deny Nizar the rights to perform his official duty as the legitimate Menteri Besar even after the Perak State Legislative Assembly has already given Nizar a vote of Confidence on 03.03.2009 in the Raintree Legislative Assembly.
Umno will lose its mandate from the People very soon if it continues to adopt the Machiavellian approach in order to fulfill its ambition of upholding the permanent reign of Malaysia through the blatant defilement of gutter politics.
#20 by lkt-56 on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 9:53 pm
Onlooker Politics Says:
Today at 21: 38.21 (9 minutes ago) :
Umno will lose its mandate from the People very soon if it continues to adopt the Machiavellian approach in order to fulfill its ambition of upholding the permanent reign of Malaysia through the blatant defilement of gutter politics.
They have lost the mandate already. ;)
#21 by malayan on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 10:01 pm
CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA JUNE 1957. Of course, it is a proposal need to
presented to British Parliment for debate and Her Majesty Government approval.
There is no any records of any main changes of these proposal between July and August 1957.
Any changes of these proposal would need to raise to debate in Britisah Parliment before present to Her Majesty Government.
#22 by malayan on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 10:23 pm
Before indepedent of Malaya, there is no such thing as Federal Constitution of Malaysia 1957.
There is only Federal Constitution of Malaya 1957, and it was born from CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA JUNE 1957.
#23 by One4All4One on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 11:19 pm
All said and done, it takes only common sense to see that Perak needs a state-wide election to decide and settle once and for all the problems, doubts and contentious issues that are plaguing and causing much affliction to Perakians, in particular, and Malaysians, in general.
In much doubts are the interpretations of the state and federal constitutions which are seen to be biased and even deranged, depending on the divide, the leaders or the preferred conclusions the judges and politicians are baying for. As if not wanting to lose out, even federal ministers joined in the fray to make pronouncements which border ridicule and sheer madness!
Such unmitigated and selfish intentions are meant to confuse the uninitiated to solicit sympathy and support to advance their own hidden agendas.
It is an affront to society when those who are suppose to defend the nation and people are themselves a party to the corrupt and indefensible.
The rakyat have made known their demand, desires and aspirations. The powers that be have the duty to deliver and fulfil that demand. Non fulfilment of that demand is not an option.
Any further delay would mean denying the rakyat the justice and liberty which are guaranteed under the constitution.
#24 by Fellow Citizen on Sunday, 8 March 2009 - 11:30 pm
Re : Proposal to urge MACC to investigate the 3 “Frogs” in Perak State Assembly for corruption
There seems to be (not that I know) no one so far pressuring MACC to investigate the 3 “frogs” in Perak State Assembly for corruption.
It is highly unlikely and impossible for the 3 frogs to quit PKR just because of their dissatisfaction with the party. Additionally, how could all the three decided to quit at the same time. It is apparent that it is a concerted action, orchestrated by someone to achieve a certain common goal which is none other then paving way for BN to seize the power. Obviously, the frogs must have been subjected to certain corruption be it money, promise of position by BN or offer of amnesty to the 2 frogs who face corruption charges. Continues revelation by many quarters on BN’s attempt to fish out Pakatan Assemblyman with large money, adds more clue to bribing the frogs.
When MACC can so quickly interrogate Speaker V.Sivakumar for power corruption, why they never act against the frogs who are prime suspects for corruption. Although, we readily know MACC’s answer, let them confirm that the frogs are innocent which will certainly contradict BN’s previous charge on the 2 frogs. It will also give chance to people to asses the credibility of MACC.
Sincerely hoping that Sdr.YB will pick-up on above issue if it has not been raised by anyone.
Re: No-Confidence Motion on “Frogs”
Undeniably, the frogs have cheated the voters who have voted them for a change of government and not for their individual personality. Their irresponsible action is a clear-cut betrayal.
Hence, the voters should pass a “No-confidence Motion” to remove the betrayers from the State Assembly.
Someone should study the legal provision for a no confidence motion in the state legislation and confirm that it can be legitimately enforced despite BN’s every effort to invalidate the motion.
If the “No-confidence Motion” is realistic and practical, someone should initiate the action immediately.
#25 by boh-liao on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 1:18 am
LKS should plant 5 raintrees, representing adil, amanah, wibawa, telus, and kebajikan, in front of Hee Yit Foong’s house in Jelapang to remind her to do the right thing for her constituents, like getting lost from this planet ASAP.
One year went by so quickly. PR must produce positive results in the states that they rule, otherwise they will be known as NATO. NG!
#26 by passerby on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 3:46 am
According to the Star, I quote:”Hee had arrived with her husband in a silver Mercedes Benz bearing a Kuala Lumpur registration number.”
Hee’s husband was supposed to owe the Ah Long a substantial amount. Did the Ah Long also loan him the Merce? Will the good for nothing going to investigate why Hee was all of a sudden given the Merce?
#27 by chengho on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 6:52 am
IKT-56 , Onlooker,
Umno will never lose they have the number ,the last election they have 28 seats , BN component MCA , Gerakan and MIC lost in the Umno stronghold area, could be the malay sentiment . If play with no and Umno contest in all area what likely happen ? that why BN formula still the best recipe for Malaysia…forget about Anwar… you cannot trust Pas..
#28 by passerby on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 7:34 am
I mean good-for-nothing MACC going….
#29 by lopez on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 8:14 am
graphic artists out there..it appears naturally that the raintree is as iconic and synonymous to people under a repressive regime.
So damn vulgar that the very people that they claimed to possess just months ago before the polls were even deny of shelter and roof to convene and express their plight.
the raintree with her wide canopy is never selfish, anyone can stand under it for shelter
#30 by Jeffrey on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 8:41 am
The idea is by itself good : placing a marble plaque at the “historical” tree where PR Perak State Assembly last convened on 3 March 2009 and planting 5 saplings around it symbolising the five pillars of PR – justice, transparency, trustworthiness, welfare and integrity….
There is power in this ‘democracy trees’ symbolism. After all trees may in their natural state last a hundred year for generations of Perakians/Malaysians and even tourists to witness how democracy was stolen and snatched from PR in an unvigilant moment in what YB Kit described as an “ethical, illegal and unconstitutional power grab in Perak”.
The question is of course not how many years the commemorative rain tree and the 5 saplings around it will last to serve as commemorative symbol. It is how long – 5 days or 5 months – PR could continuously night and day guard and protect them from being hacked, felled and chopped down. It is not as if the memorial symbol were a 2 storey high Bronze sculpted tree where any destruction of it will be more difficult, create a loud noise and attract commotion.
We all know enforcement authorities bias! Does PR control bureaucrats in Ipoh Municipal Council? If not, these local authorities, recognizing BN as the valid state govt led by Zamri, will just chop down these “Democracy Trees” on grounds that under this and that bylaws the planting and felling of trees in public areas is a matter of their jurisdiction.
It may well be within your calculation that if they do that, it would generate greater public outrage since it represents an official assault on the symbol of democracy.
However one can skin a cat in more ways than one. They would get some independent contractors who will come with their chainsaws, and axes in the stealth of the night, maybe at 3 a.m. when all are asleep, to complete the job by the first streaks of dawn….If they can’t chop the rain tree they could pull out the plaque and the saplings! That won’t create so much noise!
Then the whole blame will be shifted to vandals or some detractors of PR and supporters of BN, nothing to do with official action on Municipal Authorities’ part.
How long then can you/PR guard and protect them – do you keep on re-planting saplings everything they are pulled out in the night????
#31 by Bigjoe on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 9:01 am
Everyone feels that way even UMNO/BN but dysfunctional organisation don’t change without a lot of pain and UMNO/BN Perak is NOT going to suddenly decide to be take the emotionally intelligent route simply because its the logical thing to do even for themselves. By its nature, dysfunctional organisations need extreme pain to change.
Where is that pain going to come from? The royals? The Courts? Fat Chance.
#32 by limkamput on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 9:22 am
How long then can you/PR guard and protect them – do you keep on re-planting saplings everything they are pulled out in the night????Jeffrey
Sometimes i think you are not very smart and you just want to say something eventhough you have nothing better to say. They can chop down the tree and they can remove the saplings. Has it ever occurred to you that PR may just want them to do it?
#33 by boh-liao on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 9:26 am
“Hee Yit Foong had arrived with her husband in a silver Mercedes Benz bearing a Kuala Lumpur registration number.”
Also, Chitrakalla Vasu, the former chief executive of MIED, the education arm of the MICP, said “Samy Vellu financed my education, launched my career and got me started in business. He got for my husband contracts and licences. He was our greatest benefactor.” She readily admited that SV personally met former Prime Minister MM and Najib to help get for her husband a Proton and a Perodua outlet and management of a National Service camp. [At last, now we see the usefulness of NS to BN and their cronies and why the budget is so huge. Besides, NR, did Rose help too in securing the management of a National Service camp?]
The above two news are so heart-warming and exciting for many existing and potential PR MPs and state assemblymen. The path to richness is so easy. The special Ah Long (Don’t know them? Ask Umnoputras for help. Some of them carry large amount cash in their cars.) gives no-need-to-pay-back loan, in return for one’s soul.
Easier than to become Slumdog Millionaires. Just jump. You jump, I jump, together jump! Jump to the pots of gold and contracts!
#34 by sheriff singh on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 10:13 am
5 saplings were planted to represent justice, transparency, trustworthiness, welfare and integrity.
But unfortunately, “accountability” seems to have been forgotten and left out. Everyone’s afraid of accountability.
Maybe “transparency” will include “accountability” but shouldn’t it be made obvious and transparent?
#35 by Jeffrey on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 10:57 am
I suppose there are some “smart” people like LimKamPut who think that PR wanted to fix a marble plaque at the “historical” tree and plant the saplings just so in order for and in anticipation of all these symbols to be pulled down easily within a week so as to enrage the people. [Maybe after the tree being chopped, fix another marble plaque at the stump of the tree chopped or maybe some commemorative stones at the places where saplings had been pulled out????]
What would such an entire exercise accomplish?
The whole idea of making a commemorative symbol is that it reminds people of what happens over a longer period of time.
If it were just to get people enraged, the incident of what already happened – PR’s assemblymen being barred from entering the state secretariat building and having to conduct the assembly under a tree – would have sufficed to etch in the collective memory.
A symbol for commemoration of an idea or an event or a principle must necessarily be something that lasts and is enduring or at least something not so easily destroyed by those opposed to that symbol standing.
We have seen this happening not only here but elsewhere where people protesting those in power erected a monument which those in power quickly dismantled and the entire episode is forgotten.
It is a good idea to erect symbols but it is better to think of something that is not so easily destroyed or dismantled overnight under the easiest of pretenses and guises.
We’re living in a place not just where force by water cannons, tear gas, batons and shields are deployed but even C4 might be used to protect vested interest.
So what is there in pulling out 5 saplings in the middle of the night that even street urchins or the homeless whom for a few Ringgit would gladly do the job for those who instruct without anyone being able to prove, fix accountability or blame on the actual perpetrator?
Or are you going to next place a CTTV around there to monitor and identify whoddunit so as to get the people enraged at that party?
#36 by ShiokGuy on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 11:43 am
Dear Kit,
We cannot kid of ourselves, in order to win the federal government we need to win 55% of Sabah and Sarawak.
In order to do that we need the Indelible Ink? read about why the people of Sarawak say this
“We don’t have car in the long house, the road is tarred so that when car passing by we will have less dust”
read my take on Rain Democracy here…. http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2009/03/lets-have-rain-of-democrcy.html and why Indelible Ink.
Shiok Guy
#37 by Onlooker Politics on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 12:00 pm
‘The commemoration of the marble plaque beneath the “Democracy Tree” and the planting of five sapling raintrees today is doubly significant, falling on the anniversary of the political tsunami of the 12th general election last year – which completely changed the political landscape by bringing the graph of possibility of change within reach of all Malaysians.’ (Lim Kit Siang)
The commemorative symbolism may be taken as an important reminder of the happening of a historically meaningful event such as 303 Raintree Democracy Assembly. However, similar to other man-made monuments, using the mortal raintree as a commemorative symbolism is just a transient approach. For a long-lasting memory of the meaningful event, we will still need the brilliant and conscientious historians to write the event into part of the history of political development of Malaysia. A symbol that is cast in the heart of the History Book readers is much more real than a physical tree standing in a fixed location.
As for I myself, I will certainly be able to recall the 303 Raintree Democracy Assembly of Ipoh for the rest of my life whenever I see a raintree appearing at my eyesight. This is because I belong to the generation which has been aggrieved by the racist political oppression of Umnoputras.
#38 by frankyapp on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 1:22 pm
The PR wanted to desolve the state assemby,the sultan said no and sacked the PR MB.He appointed BN MB and now BN wants to hold on to power and the people particularly perakians are suffering in many ways especially unstable government and econony blues.The rakyat as a whole are very concern of this situation which may explore to unhealthy dimension affecting the whole country. The sultan started it and he should end it in the interest of the rakyat.
#39 by 9to5 on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 1:38 pm
Whether the Perak political crises will continue will very much depend on the Sultan of Perak. But looking at the recent events unfolding, the intervention of the police and the dead silence of the Sultan, it is quite apparent that the Sultan very much prefers the crises to continue.
The Sultan is not so stupid after all. Other than his own private business interest, he is trying to milk the present dead-lock situation which is very much to his favour (not the Perakians) for as far and as long as possible. He knows Mahathir has taken away the powers of the Sultans a long time ago. He is keeping very silent and low profiled because he knows day by day UMNO is bestowing back all his powers and respect that he had lost! Just look at the daily shouts of allegiance and the marches, banners and placards carried by UMNO members in praise and support of the Sultan lately. He never had it so good since the days of Mahathir!
In this dead-lock situation the royalties know that both sides, BN and PR, are desperate to get the royalties to their sides. As a result they will be very accommodating to what the royalties want! The next logical step, as expected, is the request for the restoration of the Sultans’ immunity in the guise of protection of the malays’ rights. The recent Sultan of Kedah call to the restoration of the royalties immunity lends credence to this.
But is it the malays’ rights or the self preservation of power that the royalties are more concerned? Look no further than the very poorest state of Kelantan; it was reported a royalty’s Porche valued at RM1.4 million has been stolen. This car may be just one among a fleet of very expensive cars owned by the royalty but the average citizens in the state are living from hand to mouth.
UMNO has already supported the call. Will PR dare to go against the Sultans? I don’t think so and I won’t be surprised if the Federal Constitution will be amended in the near future to accommodate this.
So it boils down to the royalties using UMNO to gain back their powers and respect and UMNO is using the support of the royalties in the desperation to cling onto power! All of them are using each other for their own ends. The losers are democracy in Malaysia and the rakyats!
The royalties should be wise enough to realise that by associating with the corrupt UMNO, their position and stature could also be mired with the same filth and his popularity/reign could follow whatever fate that awaits UMNO in the future.
Even if they are using each other for now it will only for a short term. In the end the rakyat is the bigger power. The rakyat are already up to their neck in frustration with the arrogant and corrupt BN regime. In a rakyat uprising, even if the Sultan sides with UMNO, anything and everything that stand in the way of the rakyat will be swept away by the tsunami of frustration and anger!
#40 by limkamput on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 6:58 pm
A symbol for commemoration of an idea or an event or a principle must necessarily be something that lasts and is enduring or at least something not so easily destroyed by those opposed to that symbol standing. The Great Sir Jeffrey
Don’t worry, I know that. When the situation stablises, and when PR is back in power, I am sure a monument will be built to commemorate whatever you said. Right now, I think it is supposed to keep the issue alive. Anyway don’t take it too hard lah. Sometimes we just can not see our own illogic. You can’t expect to have the final say all the time.
#41 by manusia ada akal on Monday, 9 March 2009 - 7:18 pm
It has been said that Pakatan Rakyat has no symbol, I would like to suggest that the RAINTREE be chosen as the symbol for Pakatan Rakyat. The RAINTREE can represent the protector for those who comes under it. So aspiring graphic designers out there, pls comes out with a RAINTREE design which is current and symbolized the protecting qualities which the PR preaches.
#42 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 10 March 2009 - 6:30 am
It would be better to carry around a coffin with the words “Democracy is dead” written on it. We could put Limkamput inside.
#43 by ekans on Tuesday, 10 March 2009 - 5:11 pm
Yesterday, Zambry said that the raintree assembly commemoration is an act of disloyalty to the Sultan of Perak.
Last night, 92% of the ntv7 news SMS poll disagreed with him.
Zambry should know very well when he and his fellow BN & ‘independent’ state reps were elsewhere on the 3rd of March, the PR state reps were prevented by force from entering the state secretariat by the police, and thus, had to convene under the raintree.
Zambry later commented that the raintree assembly is an embarassment to the Perak & the nation, but that night, 97% of the ntv7 news SMS poll disagreed with him.
If the public opinion through the media is still against him & his views, Zambry must now seriously doubt whether he really has the people’s approval to lead the state govt, and to erase any doubts, there should be an election, but then, he is most unlikely to relinquish his new found position of power…