In responding to my blog “Will Najib call for general elections in November this year if he could crank up his popularity rating to 80 to 85%?”, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said at a meet-the-people session in Jitra he had no plans to announce snap elections at the function but remained very ambivalent as to whether he would go the full term or hold early general elections.
As he said that he “read an email sent by an opposition leader”, let me clarify that I never sent him any such email.
In my blog, I had asked whether Najib would call general elections in November this year (which seemed to be his personal auspicious number like No. 13 for his predecessor, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) if he could crank up his popular rating to 80 to 85% from a dismal low of 42% just before taking oath as Prime Minister on April 3, 45% a month after becoming PM and a jump to 65% two weeks before his First Hundred Days as PM.
What I find significant in Najib’s response is that he did not rule out the possibility of snap general elections.
Of course Najib being enamoured with the number “11” could also mean general elections in November this year, 2010 or 2011.
I am quite optimistic about the Manek Urai by election in Kelantan today, as there is strong likelihood that Pas will win with a bigger majority than during the general elections last year – which will be an unmistakable message that the people in the East Coast stand solidly with the people in the West Coast in Peninsular Malaysia in supporting Pakatan Rakyat to bring about historic political changes in the country, as evident in the previous by-elections in Permatang Pauh, Kuala Terengganu, Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Penanti after the political tsunami of the March 8, 2008 general elections.
Hard work for Pakatan Rakyat will begin after the Manek Urai by-election result tonight.
The Pakatan Rakyat leadership council will have to address a host of problems in the Pakatan Rakyat, many of which are self-inflicted ones, which had been fully exploited to create the public perceptions that Pakatan Rakyat is losing momentum and in terrible disarray.
The Pakatan Rakyat leadership council meeting on Friday will be a most important one after the foundation meeting establishing PR after the political tsunami of the March 8 general election last year.
Pakatan Rakyat must take a grip of itself if it is not to disillusion its members and the Malaysian people looking for political change and national renewal, erasing public perceptions of the great difference between Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional.
One great difference between Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional must be the way internal and inter-party differences are addressed. In the Barisan Nasional, they are handled on the basis of two factors – “fear” of Umno, the Big Brother and Big Bully, by the other BN component parties; and “greed” so that unhappiness of the other BN component parties can be pacified with the distribution of goodies and even bread crumbs.
Such a modus operandi to resolve internal and inter-party differences has no place in Pakatan Rakyat, where differences will have to be resolved on the basis of equality, mutual respect and commitment to agreed common principles.
Internal and intra-party differences in Pakatan Rakyat cannot and should not be swept under the carpet but they must be ventilated and resolved in a manner which do not cast Pakatan Rakyat in a poor light as a quarrelsome, undisciplined and divided lot, which could only damage and destroy public confidence and support.
Time has come for Pakatan Rakyat to set up a disciplinary committee to restore public confidence in PR cohesion, coherence, discipline, unity and common sense of purpose.
This is a subject among many others which the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council will have to address on Friday.
#1 by SpeakUp on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 4:34 pm
Yes, FINALLY some action. This is a good call to arms for PR. No. 1 on the list is Mr Racist in Kulim. Get rid of that bugger and keep his mouth shut.
So Limkaput and Munster, still think there are no problems in PR? Hmmmm … interesting huh when it comes from the horse’s mouth itself?
#2 by DAP man on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 4:45 pm
Kit,
Please push for this disciplinary committee. Pakatan reps are misbehaving and forgetting that they are there because of our votes.
For Example, Wee, Azmin, Zulkifli Nordin, and few others do not seem to realise the negative impact of their aggressive stance against their own camp.
Too much self aggrandizement and self importance is bad for the coalition. The group spirit must prevail over individual desires.
It looks like we dont need the media and BN to vilify us. There are many within the PR to burn the house.
#3 by SpeakUp on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 4:52 pm
Well spoken DAP man … hammer those guys who think they are the US president, wanna use media to convey their comments. Who the heck are they? Not happy, phone and talk la, not call media. Small fry only, all useless small fries.
#4 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 5:04 pm
Time has come for Pakatan Rakyat to set up a disciplinary committee to restore public confidence in PR cohesion, coherence, discipline, unity and common sense of purpose. – LKS
It looks like Pakatan Rakyat MPs and assemblymen are going back to school. Behave, or else face the Jedi Council. This is not the only way to move the PR coalition forward.
#5 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 5:05 pm
More than just a loose coalition, PR is in reality a dialogue. A dialogue of Malaysian with strong differing views but with a fundamental sound foundation of what it means to be Malaysian – that of clean, transparent and accountable govt and of multiraciality.
But it has strong difference, differences that has to be discussed and debate within PR. Fundamentally on issue of religion and secondly on race and language. Unlike BN that has shut the door on these dialogues long time ago, PR has not by virtual fact its an informal coalition. It component parties has different plans and ideas and all of that is OK so long as those plans and ideas are discussed as often as needed rather than let the difference get ahead of them.
Such formal structure as a disciplinary committee is part of formalisation of PR, in essence a deepening of dialogue between the parties.
It is a good sign if things can move forward as such.
#6 by SpeakUp on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 5:14 pm
Eh … maybe they can also confirm that no more race based politics? Cannot have PAS saying removal of NEP etc is unacceptable. :)
I think this is a good start, its moving in the right direction for sure.
“It looks like Pakatan Rakyat MPs and assemblymen are going back to school. Behave, or else face the Jedi Council. This is not the only way to move the PR coalition forward.”
Maybe some of them are like kids? Hehehehee …
#7 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 5:15 pm
Internal and intra-party differences in Pakatan Rakyat cannot and should not be swept under the carpet but they must be ventilated and resolved in a manner which do not cast Pakatan Rakyat in a poor light as a quarrelsome, undisciplined and divided lot, which could only damage and destroy public confidence and support. – LKS
We don’t need this, it sounds like the PAP in Singapore.
#8 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 5:24 pm
I am glad there are different in opinions among PR MPs and assemblymen which has gone public. I don’t see any wrong in Azmin’s call for exco to be reshuffle, the same with How Teresa responded, as Rakyat we are entitled to know the real reasons behind the squabbles, first hand in the state assembly, not keep in the dark by the Jedi Council. As for the allegation by Wangsa Maju Mps, Wee should prove his allegation, if can not, he should resign.
#9 by limkamput on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 6:07 pm
It is funny, when I first read the posting by Sdr Lim above (I mean before I read the comments), I sense that the half baked loose cannon ball II would say something like how right he was. I can’t be more right. It is so typical of him, a real half baked loose cannon ball.
Which political party does not have internal rivalry and problem? It is how one tackles it. I believe PR is strong enough to handle the problem openly and objectively. Those persist in creating troubles for self interest reasons or for settling old score (like that ex DAP scum) should be dealt with sternly and objectively. Political party with solid support from the people must be daring enough to confront and deal with the problem head-on. The trouble makers can resign, leave or whatever, it is ok. No one is indispensable, in case this antarabangsa fellow think he is so capable or popular. He is far from it without others and we know how he behaved when he was the personal assistant to Anwar when Anwar was Finance Minister. We are just giving him the benefit of doubt and hope that time and different circumstances will change him.
On the other hand, if the conflict is for the interest of the people, I believe some leeway should be allowed. This will ensure that those holding leadership positions will not start to squander or lay back.
I think PR has to be vigilant against turned coats. Never underestimate the power of money and also the harassment engineered by the state apparatus and thus causing doubts in the mind of the rakyat. I believe the last election also have many PR candidates with dubious and weak character elected MPs simply because many did not expect them to win in the first place. However, going forward, the selection has to be very thorough to ensure only men and women of impeccable character are chosen as candidates. The scouting has to begin from now.
Loose cannon ball I and II both don’t qualify for sure (just an example).
#10 by Loh on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 7:17 pm
Tengku Razaleight has clarified that NEP has no racial agenda. It was totally race-blind in the policy conception.
We know that the race-blind policy has turned out to the most racist of all. NEP is not included in the constitution. There is no reason for PAS and PKR to support a policy design by UMNO-led government, and worst, it was liable for misuse, as was shown over the past 38 years. The root problem of NEP was its objective to achieve results where race was taken as an indicative measure of success. It is the racial statistics, such as the collective score of some nebulous measures or the proportions share of whatnots that motivated policies with race as the deciding factor. The persons who stand to gain, whether justly or not, would support policies which tend to benefit them as members of a race. The division of the people in the country is complete. That is against unity and people divided by race view very issue as zero sum game.
The poor and the down trodden need help. They should be assisted out of compassion and not because they bring pride or shame of to the community or religion the beneficiary belongs.
It is the duty of modern government to help satisfy the needs of the people. It is not they duty to satisfy the desires of the people.
It is the responsibility of the government to provide the environment so that the citizens can become world beater, in business as tycoons or leaders in professions or economic function. It is not the duty of the government to help individual to be corporate-shaker as Najib wanted to help the AP king. It was as though the higher car-loans paid by ordinary motorists in supporting the AP king in building for himself the 50-story building has not been enough of UMNO philosophy that all the poor contribute their blood and sweats so that one Malay can be billionaire so that Malays can be proud of him. If that is UMNO philosophy, clearly PAS need not support. One wonders why Hadi Awang was dead supportive of the 30% rule.
PR has to settle this important issue of whether the government should care for the individual needs of the citizens, or the collective score of the people based on race or religion. If PR component holds the same racist view as UMNO, the citizens in the country have really no chance of improving the country, and themselves.
#11 by chengho on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 7:28 pm
uncle Kit,
PKR should appoint you as defactor leader , chairman of PKR just like Najib as chairman of BN .
Start with your shadow cabinet NOT your shadow committe and subcommitte …
#12 by House Victim on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - 10:56 pm
1. It is time for PK to affirm that the Principle Direction of PK is to restore a Fair Constitution according to the People’s Declaration in last GE. The final goal should be towards Human Rights! This should be the common Target for all PK officers to work and perform. PK should promote and walk to pave the way to the 13th GE where a majority of Parliament seats is essential for any Constitution and Law Reform.
2. A complaint Bureau or similar should be set-up to enable grievance to be collected and to be channeled to various Departments. So the PK officers know what are concerned by the People and learn at least how to handle complaints and the respective operation of the Department concerned with the related Rules and Regulations. Let PK officers be properly trained and not depending on anyone who may parachute in the coming GE.
These should at least be done in those states under PK.
3. Disciplinary for PK officers, MP or Assemblyman is more a internal and party matter than really helping the People. And, that does not provide any training and so a chance of verifying their ability. An honest and ethnics PK officer could only mean no harm but does not mean contributing if they do not know how to communicate with People, to pass the problems to the respective Department and monitoring the outcome.
COALITION UNDER A COMMON PRINCIPLE AND DIRECTION IS MORE IMPORTANT AS THIS WILL ALLOW ALL THOSE SHARING THE SAME IDEA TO MOVE IN THE SAME DIRECTION DISREGARDS OF PARTIES/RACE/RELIGION….
#13 by imranj78 on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:10 am
LKS,
Again more excuses given by a PR leader to `defend’ and divert attention from all the problem that the informal PR coalition is facing. A disciplinary committee will do little to hide the true problem within PR i.e. PKR, DAP and PAS are just idealogically too different for a long term viable coalition to be sustained.
LKS you said: `I am quite optimistic about the Manek Urai by election in Kelantan today, as there is strong likelihood that Pas will win with a bigger majority than during the general elections last year – which will be an unmistakable message that the people in the East Coast stand solidly with the people in the West Coast in Peninsular Malaysia in supporting Pakatan Rakyat to bring about historic political changes in the country’ unquote. Now that PAS has won with a wafer thin majority, what is the unmistakable message by the people in your view?
#14 by dawsheng on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:29 am
Wee Choo Keong, be a man and name the Selangor Exco member who has underworld links. Don’t give me lame reasons like siapa makan cili dia rasa pedas, be a man and show us the evident, we are entitled to the truth.
#15 by Jamesy on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 1:08 am
“I am quite optimistic about the Manek Urai by election in Kelantan today, as there is strong likelihood that Pas will win with a bigger majority than during the general elections last year – which will be an unmistakable message that the people in the East Coast stand solidly with the people in the West Coast in Peninsular Malaysia in supporting Pakatan Rakyat to bring about historic political changes in the country, as evident in the previous by-elections in Permatang Pauh, Kuala Terengganu, Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Penanti after the political tsunami of the March 8, 2008 general elections.” – Uncle Lim
—————————————–
PAS won by 65 votes. Pakatan Rakyat’s honeymoon and infatuation with March 8 political tsunami is over.
The rakyat is sick and fed-up with your quarrel and infighting. Your arrogance and finger-pointing among yourselves in public only goes to show this is the breaking-point of all the rakyat can take of your nonsense. You are voted in power to do what you are suppose to do as an MP or Assemblyman .i.e. servicing and attending to the needs and problems of the people, but you are calling each other names such as “shit-stirrer” to boast your ego.
Honeymoon’s over. Buck-up or another political tsunami will come in the next general election. – this time IN FAVOUR OF BN and its 1MALAYSIA Concept!
#16 by frankyapp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 2:06 am
Yeah.I think it’s the right time now for PR to start “house cleaning”.Every family,small or big has some problems.Most families have some black sheeps and PR having some black sheeps moving and playing with the media is a normal thing.What matters most is the head or heads of the family can maintain its unity through good discipline,honesty,integrity and some flexiblitiy to change under any circumstances.PR should strive for such public image in order to gain the general public (rakyat) confidence. I think PR should now presents to the “rakyat” that it’s the alternative to BN.It’s also time for PR to let the people know what’s BN doing is wrong and what’s PR’s plan to make it right for the rakyat.PR should give the whole nation (rakyat) the good impression that its a capable and better alternative to BN . It’s also the right time for PR to think,speak,talk and act in a kind of way(humble and humane) that you guys can lead the nation to achieve a better ,a greater,a successful and a united nation for all malaysians.
#17 by Jong on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 2:40 am
Congrats, PAS/PR retained the Manik Urai seat but too bad with a very much reduced majority which is very worrying. Of course a win is still a WIN, but what went wrong? … an inside job to sabotage Nik Aziz’s choice of candidate?
Yes, post-mortem, house-cleaning whatever you call it must be done with utmost urgency to get rid of the termites before they bring the house down.
#18 by Woof on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 6:21 am
To discipline members for speaking out their minds?? You see, that’s why I think Pakatan will be just another UMNO-BN. They just don’t get it.
It is all about freedom of speech. Even if it is hateful speech.
#19 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 6:27 am
///Now that PAS has won with a wafer thin majority, what is the unmistakable message by the people in your view?/// – Imranj78
As I have said in thread on Manek Urai earlier on 13th July, “there’s some risk (for YB) to assert that if Pas wins with bigger majority in Manek Urai by-election tomorrow it will be a clear and unmistakable signal to Najib that his Hundred Day performance and goodies are just not good enough….because if PAS wins with lesser majority than the general elections last year” that would lead to the unmistakable inference that “Najib’s Hundred Day performance and goodies” are “good enough and reversing the tide against Pakatan Rakyat”.
#20 by frankyapp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 6:30 am
The present problems within PR ,I think is not a big deal.It looks pretty big because it’s been blown up dispropotionately, purposely by Umno/Bn propagandas and pro Umno newspapers.NR,Umnoputras and warlords have no option to lose,They will do whatever it takes to win.Getting the various newsmedias to focus intensively and prominently on every bits and pieces of its enemy’s problems and then make it all look big,ugly and bad.It’s a part of NR’s strategies to weaken,to divide,to disarm the enemy(PR) in order that their(Umno) final stink on all the opponents is fatal.Hence PR’s generals and war strategists should be prepared and ready to launch a counter attack as deadly or even more deadly on its(Umno/Bn) enemy when and where it’s requires.According to the master of “the arts of warfare” Sun Tze”….knowing your enemy’s strenghts and weaknesses is the mother of all successes.
#21 by frankyapp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 6:56 am
Hi Jeffrey,it’s good to know from you that Pas/PR has won the by election,though you said by a wafer thin majority. A win is win. It still proved that PR is strong and intact.Maybe like you said shaken abit…….LOL… My congratulation to all PR leaders especially to YB Lim KIt Siang. Brother Lim,my suggestion is work smarter next time to win neat and clean.
#22 by Hishamuddin on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 6:59 am
There have been too much in fighting among PR members lately and after the last election. It gives the impression that the alliance is not working anymore and will break up soon.
If you three guys cannnot grow up, work and stand up together as one, then your chances to win the same number of seats in the next election will be slim. I for one will not support you.
I am not in favour of BN but there are certainly too much infighting among PR members for small trival matters.
The next question is, given this scenerio, can you administrate the country like this. I certainly doubt it.
#23 by cemerlang on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 7:08 am
Since independence, you are hardly given a chance to govern the people and the country. Teamwork is never easy and made worse by power seeking individuals. Only some have the chance. The new ones have yet to find their place in this governing process. Who to trust ? Who to look for ? What tricks ? Those sort of things as compared to an innocent mind who thinks that situations are either black or white. Many times, they are grey.
#24 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 7:23 am
Although PAS won by wafer thin majority of 65 – and a win is still a win – Manek Urai by-election is basically a ‘victory’ for Najib (at Nik Aziz’s own backyard).
BN has depended on Manek Urai as turning point marking the rolling back of the 8th March political tsunamy and got it!
Which is why it has to be reiterated that NTR is not to be underestimated. It is not that he is brilliant, great or what. Unlike his predecessor he has just to engage – and listen – to good political and strategic/public relations advisers. It is using others’ brains lah!
(Talking of TDM’s long rein, it is rumoured that the ruling party engaged services (amongst others) of Saatchi & Saatchi for Public Relations and Salomon Smith Barney for the Currency Crisis).
Manek Urai is “lost” not just by reason of Najib’s Hundred Day performance and goodies but fractional infighting amongst PR in general and PAS in particular.
Basically it has nothing to do with PR’s officials being now more power crazy and fighting each other or that BN’s politicians/officials under NTR have suddenly embraced ethics or developed pangs of conscience in any way reformed for the better. Hardly.
There is no change non either side but all that is needed (in politics) is to tweek public perception to show one’s good side and the rival’s bad side.
What NTR’s advisers have got right is to engineer initiatives (carrot and stick) to sow discord in the opponent’s camp amongst Pakatan Rakyat’s politicians from Perak to kelantan and at same time better one’s own image by populist moves.
“Populist” because a lot of these initatives are contradictory. For examples: there is push for Malay/Muslim unity with PAS and at the same time appeasement of non Malays/Muslims/foreign investors by liberalisation of New Economy Policy, and then in order for NEP beneficiaries not to be unhappy with taking away of pre-existing right, the liberalisation is limited to selected non core sectors, and what is conceded (in abolishment of 30% quota in public listing) is compensated by public spread 50% given to bumiputras. Even when playing hardball, the ISA is downplayed/not used against opposite side but, in its place, sedition, criminal defamation against RPK, sodomy against DSAI, investigation of corruption by MACC against Pr’s officials etc are stepped up! ..
In other words it is a clever play of contradictory initiatives that please opposing sides so that all sides are “happy” under 1 Malaysia (never mind whether actual governance may not be improving – but public relations certainly is, and thats what counts).
For all these reasons and more, the BN under AAB is not BN under NTR. The latter poses a formidable and unique challenge to Pakatan Rakyat, whether you realisev or not… They have multi-tiered advisers, abundant resources to marshall to BN’s Cause (not to mention hold over all major institutions). For someone who has to come to office with heavy baggage/controversies more than any other predecessors, the numero ono has the motivation and determination to win because failure (to roll back Pakatan Rakyat tsunamy) is not an option for him.
Pakatan Rakyat ignores these extraordinary circumstances at its own peril.
You can no more rely on BN ‘negatives’ as you did in last GE to generate the tsunamy. They are strong in “Public Relations”. You have to build your own “positives” or at least do a better Public Relations job to maintain tsunamy momentum/retain rakyat support or you are done for!
#25 by Joshua on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 7:28 am
Manek Urai won by PAS with 65 majority after several recounts with different result.
so it is likely a snap GE 13 is on the card now.
all those little drama of deception by the 100 days are meant to fire up BN for the snap GE.
Would PR challenged the vote bribe without challenging the result of MU as PAS had won such a small majority?. If PAS has lost, there will be surely challenge in Court over the bribes of the bridge. Even now PAS or any voter should bring it to Court as a principle for fair and free election . So it is now likely a hopeless dilemma. The DPM should resign over the said scandal of vote bribe as a deliberate move to bring the by-election to disrepute like a football match . Should not BN or UMNO suspend Muhyiddin?
Would EC charge DPM for the Elections rules are clear.
Let this be the first one case by EC for compliance with Election Offence Act. Otherwise the rotten system is at the death end for all.
pw: hopeless 2.4
#26 by Joshua on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 7:35 am
The bridge bribe did have an impact on the 65 small majority.
The areas where the bridge is situated as proposed were won by UMNO/BN.
so that affected the overall results of the by election.
So for PAS it is still good to go to Court to even challenged the results and be prepared for fresh by election.
pw: crosby Iting
#27 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 7:50 am
The bridge bribe ? That does not explain PR/PAS’s reversal at Manek Urai. It has been PAS’s stronghold. Right or wrong, they have been “bribing” with development enticements all along right up to 08 GE and beyond in various by-elections and lost! Why does “bridge bribe” make a difference now when it did not in earlier GE or by elections?
The fact is they have identified PR’s vulnerabilities and go all out with their abundant resources to exploit them.
It is seen in Perak by the crossovers; it is seen again in Manek Urai Kelantan in the earlier courting of a certain section within PAS to explore unity govt. with BN; it is seen in HINDRAF’s agitation in Penang; it is seen how DSAI now quietens down preparing for the charge against him amid NTR’s rapproachment with his main backer, the US!
#28 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 8:08 am
The Manek Urai results show how time this move is. Support for PAS is suppose to be the most reliable and yet you see it get hammered AND it come at a time except for PPSMI, Najib more liberal policies. Its does not instinctively make sense on the surface.
In the end even the Malay heartland want very fundamental things that PR does not have a lot of resources to offer – development, cash in the pocket, special interest. You can’t ignore these things.
PR cannot keep tapping the same well of discontent when it makes little progress even though their reasons make intellectual sense. Malaysian voters are spoilt and apathetic. That is given.
The key to understanding what is happening is that Najib will mess up sooner or later. You look at Manek Urai vote buying and you know the animal have not changed. Sooner or later, Najib has to put dirty money into the pockets of UMNO machinery and it can only come from the Rakyat. The key is to be able to wait it out until all comes out and it will take some waiting because they are better at hiding it these days. PKFZ scandals don’t come by everyday. But it will happen again and its a matter of time..
#29 by ctc537 on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 8:46 am
Don’t read too much into the Manik Urai by-election results. From past election results, we can see that the BN can usually chalk up around 10% more votes in any by-election than they do in General Elections, with the full weight of the BN election machinery concentrated in one electoral constituency. I still believe that come 13 GE, Manik Urai would still be retained by PAS with at least a1000-vote plus majority, based on this simple calculation.
‘Bridge bride’ can only influence 5 to 10 percent of the voters only. Other outside factors, besides the level of cooperation between the three parties in the PR, can also influence the election results, like the rise of Iran and the Palestinian issue.
#30 by wesuffer on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 9:02 am
according result last night, more than thousand voter swing to vote BN.
pAS should be blame for unity talk with BN.
if Pas can unity talk with BN. what for voter vote for PAS but not BN in last GE.
#31 by wesuffer on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 9:07 am
but as result, win still win.
najib face another by election defect.
pas should remember in manek urai still have 51% voter are voted PAS.
dont igrnored them to unity talk with umno again
#32 by Joshua on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 9:09 am
Yes, there have been all sorts of things under the rigging concept in most GEs.
The Unity talk and the PR disarray may have national impact and little impacts for the by election. at the local level.
The Bridge Bribe is the visible (potent) bribes [amongst others less visible like transport allowance etc] that is outside EC of the regulation and it is so tempting that the areas affected by this ‘incentive’ supported UMNO/BN.
pw: dullen us
#33 by SpeakUp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 9:30 am
Joshua … sorry to say the bridge is not going to make the difference to such an extent. Maybe RM10K per voter would.
This is really a good wake up call for PR. Time to see the light.
Me personally, I like the idea of the disciplinary committee but like someone here who has posted, do we need to treat the MPs and ADUNs like kids? No maturity?
I met Wee a long time ago when he was getting his butt sued off. He was such a worry pot, he looked dejected and even his lawyers felt that he got himself into that suit because of his big mouth. Today, he is cocky and hammering DAP like some big timer. Making unsubstantiated allegations “I will reveal it when the time is right.” He is a pussy.
Do we think a man like him can lead even the Boy Scouts? Where is the humility, where is the understanding of working together. He wants to be in the media like in the days gone by. Making noise, speaking out loud for attention. All the while, feeding the BN machinery. That is our ADUN?
Limkaput … as usual you only will name call and insult, no meat as you can see, many here feel that PR’s bickering is unnecessary. Not only here but in Malaysia Today, ardent anti-BN forumers.
#34 by SpeakUp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 9:34 am
Limkaput … here is some reading material for you:
http://www.othermalaysia.org/2009/07/14/the-two-sided-implications-of-manek-urai/
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/108516
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/108446
All are from non BN aligned media … all are very fair people. So read and weep. Its time PR wakes up.
#35 by HJ Angus on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 10:23 am
This is a wake-up call for PR as it shows voters can be swayed with a slick election machinery and bribes.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2009/07/malaysiakini-and-what-can-be-learned.html
#36 by OrangRojak on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 11:15 am
I think the ‘bridge bribe’ matter should be carefully documented and then laid to rest. I get the strong feeling that the narrowed margin was down to in-fighting in PAS and PR. PR is being portrayed as internally inconsistent, chaotic troublemakers. I think a complaint as trivial (this is Malaysia – nobody died, no freedoms were trampled and no money actually changed hands) as the bridge bribe might just irritate PR’s remaining support as much as it encourages it.
If the matter can be referred to MACC or the Election Commission without fuss, then do it. People might be tiring of ‘noise making’. A disciplinary committee is nice, I suppose, but neither here nor there. BN has the MACC – so what? Isn’t a disciplinary committee going to be seen as just another toothless organ? I don’ think it would hurt PR for one of its own to voluntarily resign a post if they’re really hurting the coalition. Eli Wong’s offer was good, especially since most reasonable people were on her side. The tricky thing will be persuading someone who is really embarrassingly bad to ‘do the honest thing’.
I think what’s really missing from PR is the appearance that it really exists as a credible government-in-waiting. If people are losing confidence in PR, isn’t it just because – let’s face it – it doesn’t really exist?
#37 by SpeakUp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 11:49 am
OrangRojak … I suspect most have no confidence in PR as a real government in waiting. Only the diehards who have no idea what is real will say its ok. Better than BN. Can argue all day in the open. Expose everything for all to see.
The idea of the ‘Tripartite Committees” only serves the PR coalition with their own insecurities and dreams of power, it does not go down well with the public or shows a matured form of governance, it is clearly and inability to agree or fully trust.
PR was given a unbelievable opportunity on 8 March 2008, what have they done with it? That is the question.
Why throw away such a great opportunity to make a difference?
#38 by true-malaysian on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 11:56 am
why pakatan members, supporters and bloggers making a big fuss about the manek urai as a big issues….
even during last election pakatan rakyat conned the malaysian by putting up so many (empty promises), the rakyat vote for the becauses of promises, but till todate how many of it fulfilled, but blaming the previous government for the shortcomings…
At least the BN have the courage to fulfill their promises not like Pakatan…..tin kosong
Remmber, rakyat punished them in last GE, so now for pakatan to walk the talk…don’t give ecuses that just 1 and half years in power…
Coming next GE, i believe the rakyat would not punish the same person twice….time running out for pakatan….rakyat will retire the LIm’s Dynasty (including the first lady of penang), the Karpal’s Father and Sons, Ngeh and Ngah Cousins…..
pakatan downfall begin here…….
#39 by frankyapp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:01 pm
I have already prewarned PR about Umno coming in the early hours of dawn loaded with bags and bags of cash to certain targetted kampongs to offer cash to each registered voter to vote for Umno candidate.However ,Like said a win is still a win.Hopefully for PR it’s another lesson learnt,though it’s through a hard way. From now onwards,lets hope PR will take the sweet way instead of the bitter way.Umno/Bn ,despite all kind of briberies offered to the voters of Manek Urai,completed with most of its big guns campaigning and making promises of goodies,still failed to win this by election is indeed God’s will. Umno/Bn should be ashamed of themselves.I hope the Manek Urai voters and voters through out the nation now realised just how dirty and corrupted these Umno/Bn politicians are and should never trust them again in the 13 GE.
#40 by limkamput on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:07 pm
//In other words it is a clever play of contradictory initiatives that please opposing sides so that all sides are “happy” under 1 Malaysia (never mind whether actual governance may not be improving – but public relations certainly is, and thats what counts).// jeffrey
//It is not that he is brilliant, great or what. Unlike his predecessor he has just to engage – and listen – to good political and strategic/public relations advisers. It is using others’ brains lah!// jeffrey
Jeffrey, don’t act smart. So you think support and performance are just interplay of public relations and hoodwinking? I wish things are that simple. One sparrow does not a spring make.
If Malaysians, after living for 30 years in misery, still think that a good government is one with good public relation and one able to say different things to different audience, then we are certainly a brunch of idiots who deserve to be exploited and hoodwinked for another 30 years.
I hope whatever reforms and good governance practices being formulated and implemented (both by BN and PR) are genuine and sincere. I hope people’s expectation of a good government remain in focused. If we the people can be easily swayed by cosmetics and talks of reform but devoid of sincerity and the genuine desire to reform and practise better governance, then we deserve the inept government we get.
#41 by SpeakUp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:17 pm
“Jeffrey, don’t act smart. So you think support and performance are just interplay of public relations and hoodwinking? I wish things are that simple. One sparrow does not a spring make.”
Jeff … looks like some one does not understand the power of the media … what public relations can really do? Hahahahahaha …
Also, how does one sparrow become related to pr? This is malapropism for quotes!
#42 by limkamput on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:37 pm
SpeakUp, you are now Loose cannon ball I. You have just been promoted since the original loose ball has retired.
If you don’t understand, I suggest you go back to read again. If you still don’t understand, read again till your stupid brain gets it, ok.
We Malaysians always like to draw mega conclusion out of nothing. If March 8 can’t be a conclusive trend toward change, one Manek Urai seems able to move mountain, according to a group of nincompoops here.
Hello, loose ball I, how much does Jeffrey pay you? I argue with him, but I have respect for him, but not you. You are nothing – a mere empty ball.
#43 by SpeakUp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:48 pm
Limkaput … I love your consistency. The amazing ability to constantly insult without shame. You should really work for people like MP Bung. I think you both are related.
#44 by Joshua on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 12:57 pm
Whatever we may want to interprete the result of 65, it is both damaging to BN or Broken Necklace and PAS as the ruling state govt.
How bad is that, it will be clearer in the next few months.
I think similar scenario of 513 is still in the making with the latest Al Islam. BN/UMNO knows full well the implication of the MU. Both PAS/UMNO are in dilemma after the Unity talks albeit aborted.
The card of 13GE and 513 is to be weighed out.
pw: N. Y. U birthday
#45 by SpeakUp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 1:57 pm
Limkaput … here’s another assignment for you:
http://www2.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/32362-in-manek-urai-pas-was-the-great-pretender
Yeah … let’s pretend there is no real problem. Just like BN pretend that all is fine since they are all walowing in money. I think Chairman Mao once pretended all was good in China too during his Great Leap Forward drive.
#46 by OrangRojak on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 2:39 pm
by limkamput: we deserve the inept government we get
That’s probably the most succinct definition of democracy yet.
It’s such a difficult choice for the Malaysian voter. When Pakatan Rakyat appeared to be LKS and a few good men (I use ‘men’ to mean humans, so don’t feel excluded if you consider yourself a ‘laydee’), it was a much better option than BN. Now that PR has lots of new people standing in the cold light of day, it can be seen to have warts and wrinkles of its own.
It would be nice to go back to the days when PR seemed to be veteran, sensible, charming politicians, but we’d have to wait for 40 years for the young, silly, obnoxious politicians to serve their time or be replaced by better ones. I think the choice is still clear if you want a better Malaysia: any government is better than another BN one even if it is worse. For voters in a 2-party system, there’s no real option but to keep changing the government until we get a good one. Keeping a bad one is the wrong choice, even if it’s not as bad as the alternative.
You won’t be able to convince enough voters of that to secure a win at GE13 on that basis, so you’re stuck with being better than BN. For that to work, you’re going to have to bring about 1Pakatan. We can wave hands and say “what marriage doesn’t have quarrels?”, but everybody knows you’re going to have to have a single policy for Malaysia, or forever be an Opposition of squabbling whingers.
I think you need to convince PAS to be ‘Islamic Democrats’, or join UMNO. I get a feeling you don’t do straw polls. Any idea of how MU would have gone if it was ‘Unity Government’ versus PKR / PR?
#47 by k1980 on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 2:46 pm
1PakatanRakyat Action Now BN OUT!
#48 by SpeakUp on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 2:52 pm
OrangRojak … single hearted and single minded for a single nation?
My worry is the PR warts and wrinkles will evolve into BN after the next 50 years at the rate they are going. DSAI was once a true blue BN man. I have not seen real changes in his ways other than that he wants to get to be PM. When has he shown great leadership? When has he really led by speaking words of wisdom? Only words are words of contempt fr BN.
I never saw great leaders who are well remembered doing that … maybe Malaysia will be a real leader in showing new ways like a Tripartite Shadow Cabinet.
So far the only people who speak words of wisdom are Nik Aziz and perhaps LGE. Other than that, we do not see anyone doing much.
Its only Penang that is successful after GE12, of course we leave Kelantan out since its still fine there as always.
#49 by Woof on Wednesday, 15 July 2009 - 7:54 pm
“I hope people’s expectation of a good government remain in focused.” limkamput
I hope your English is in the well.
#50 by frankyapp on Thursday, 16 July 2009 - 3:30 am
Maybe TR’s controverial speech against the NEP has caused Umno losing the 65 votes,Will NR take action against him ?.
#51 by SpeakUp on Thursday, 16 July 2009 - 11:06 am
Woof … nice one … hahahahaa
#52 by newchief on Thursday, 16 July 2009 - 11:40 am
anwar maybe going to jail very soon but pk is currently fighting and strangling each other’s necks instead of joining up as a strong team to analyse manek’s weaknesses.
if that’s the case, i think pk still has lots to learn from bn’s cool and iron grips.
by right, since anwar is so influential to be able to drag all three teams to be as one, he should now decide to make an announcement of WHO WILL LEAD in case he goes to jail !!! if not,all will claim to be big brothers and the end result will be each team going their own way!!!
we the rakyat are ok because we are ‘biasa and bosan sudah’ dengan bn. if there’s an alternative, of course we want a change but if no pk, the loss is theirs more than us.
i think bn can now shred pk with ease at anytime they want. if they don’t, WE THE RAKYAT WILL if there’s still fighting around among each other!!!
#53 by SpeakUp on Thursday, 16 July 2009 - 3:19 pm
“if that’s the case, i think pk still has lots to learn from bn’s cool and iron grips.” – I agree with this but many ardent supporters will say, its okay to argue openly, this is democracy and transparency.
I tell those people, just because you voted for the government does not mean you have the RIGHT to know what they are bickering about. Our concerned is a CARING GOVERNMENT.
You think shareholders in a company have the right to sit in BOD meetings to hear exactly what is being said? Never …
“we the rakyat are ok because we are ‘biasa and bosan sudah’ dengan bn. if there’s an alternative, of course we want a change but if no pk, the loss is theirs more than us.” – this is SO TRUE
In my opinion only 2 are cool enough to lead … Zaid Ibrahim and LGE. I find Zaid to be shooting his mouth in frustration too much, don’t blame him but it will not do down well in the long run. LGE almost the same. For me they both need to calm down and learn how to handle things using pr. Win the people’s hearts and not allow BN to label them as barking dogs. BN is good at that.
Both to be are great candidates, better than DSAI who is a nut case.
I was chatting today and I remembered that it was rumoured very strongly last time that DSAI allowed tons of Indons to have BLUE ICs. Remember that? So now we wanna trust him? Remember how he wanted to obtain IMF loans in ’98? Remember how he wanted us all to speak Malay only when he was Education Minister? Remember Bahasa Baku? Remember how he hated DAP and PAS? That is the man we are rooting for …