– The Malaysian Insider
May 27, 2012
MAY 27 — Here’s the dichotomy. Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak is working hard to get the people’s support. From anywhere in Malaysia to the O2 arena in London. But some of his followers are pelting their political foes with eggs and stones.
The case in point is Lembah Pantai where Umno leaders have accused Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of provoking Thursday night’s violence during a PKR rally in Lembah Pantai, and said it should not be held responsible for the incident.
They have denied starting the ruckus. But Anwar only criticised them after the PKR ceramah was pelted with stones, eggs and water bottles, resulting in a “night of bloodshed” that saw at least two seriously injured.
“On that night, some of our own (Umno members) were also hurt. The provocation was started by Anwar, who called (Lembah Pantai) Umno Youth ‘sial, celaka’.
“You have to understand, when provoked… anything can happen,” Lembah Pantai Umno Youth chief Datuk Mohamad Sazali Kamilan told reporters.
But residents there say Sazali has failed to mention that Umno had hurriedly brought forward their “ceramah” by a day when they knew that PKR was having a major ceramah with Anwar and his daughter, party vice-president and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah.
What are we to make of this? The Lembah Pantai violence is just the latest thuggish behaviour growing in the country that some say is due to Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) government encouraging these groups to be aggressive.
The cops? They cops are just standing by rather than enforcing the peace, say witnesses. Nurul Izzah herself says there is a mounting pile of police reports that have not been acted upon.
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has condemned the violence and denied that any instruction was given to Umno Youth members to disrupt the ceramah. But anecdotal evidence show that despite a lack of instruction, there have been disruptions in ceramahs conducted by their political opponents.
All the good work done by Najib, who intends to seek his personal mandate as prime minister, is being undermined by these groups who disrupt Pakatan Rakyat (PR) events. All the news and hype of his “1 Malaysia. People First. Performance Now.” in the mainstream media is being drowned by the reality that there are those who wreak havoc against PR.
So what good is campaign violence for those who favour Umno? How will that help the party shore up support and get Najib his two-thirds parliamentary majority? If anything, the rising violence shows desperateness among the lower ranks of Umno who have not worked as hard as Najib to get back the support of the people.
If Umno members and supporters wants to win the next general elections, it best follow Najib’s footsteps and reach out to people, not throw stones, eggs and water bottles or intimidate people.
You want to sell something, not force it down people’s throats. You want to win elections, not get it by nefarious means. Malaysians are all grown up and don’t fear such tactics. At this rate, those who use violence are doing Najib and Umno a huge disfavour. And those who condone such tactics are condemning the party to lose in the polls.
It’s your call. Be stupid and lose it all by going postal. Or be smart and charm the voters.
#1 by sheriff singh on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 12:29 pm
Who was it who warned of “crushed bodies, broken bones….”, I forget. Anybody remember ?
#2 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 4:29 pm
Mariam Mokhtar has already summed it up sovereignly by coining one word – “Mobocracy” and asking couple of hard questions. She said “Malaysians face a tough future because extremist elements within the government do not wish to relinquish power. The extremists have a strong sense of entitlement because of their wrong and unshaken belief that they deserve it; but why should one’s race and religious inclination be the determining factors in education, financial aid and welfare programmes? Why should others be held hostage by the extremists? Why exclude legitimate Malaysians from sharing Malaysia’s wealth? What did the police do to stop the petty stall holders who distributed free burgers outside Ambiga’ house?”
#3 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 4:41 pm
I would add that for every extremist element “within the government” there’s likely another two outside it feeling anxious and insecure of their vested interests and sense of entitlement threatened by change. These are spawned not for over 4 years but 40+ years! Anyone who thinks they would allow (even notionally) a way of life – and an order society structured on subsidies, privileges, preferential treatment based race & religion patronage and allegiance to the right political connection – to be changed just because of some high minded ideas of fair play, democratic practices and constitutional law in one GE – must be a naive optimist. No incumbent office-holder at the government’s helm who is willing to gracefully concede defeat of ruling coalition/party and hand over federal power (by the rules) will get their support to stay at the helm for long, without his rival being supported to immediately usher him out from helm position. The stakes are simply too high to allow such a prospect of regime change based on electoral rules. The “campaign violence” talked of in this article is likely a mere “warm-up” (to borrow the words of Tun Dr Mahathir) of things to come
#4 by Winston on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 5:28 pm
Everything can be summed in a mere two words.
The GRAVY TRAIN.
That’s all there’s to it.
#5 by yhsiew on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 5:31 pm
Say NO to a government which tacitly condones violence and takes no action against thugs who threaten public peace and order.
#6 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 5:34 pm
Sheriff Singh, you are just like Tun M with his inimitable and iniquitous form of selective amnesia. “Such men are dangerous,” like Shakespeare would say, “they think too much.” It’s so ironical that amnesia of this sort requires you to have a full mind and to pick and choose your words to produce maximum deceptive effects.
OK, now I tell you who said those words ““crushed bodies, broken bones….” It wasn’t Shakepeare. It sounds like, looks like, seems like the Prime Minister of a peninsula right above the small red dot of a island. I hear this PM’s wife is world-famous for her shopping but in a tradition much grander than Imelda Marcos. Imelda collects shoes…yikes…this woman collects ….hmmmm…. now I have selective amnesia.
#7 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 5:37 pm
Hello, did you say “All the good work done by Najib,….”
Well, go get your head and eyes checked, please. Your condition may be fatal.
#8 by sotong on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 5:38 pm
” Anyone who thinks they would allow (even notionally) a way of life…must be a naive optimist ” – Jeffrey.
Leave gross mismanagement and corruption aside.
The non Malays do not depend on the government….life will go on as usual with a change of government with improvement in services.
The issue is the majority of the Malays left out in the last few decades of ” development ” and they have not benefited from the distribution of wealth and jobs in government & GLCs to secure their future – many GLCs are not doing well and oil is running out.
#9 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 5:42 pm
Well some of our academics have already come out with this “idea” that political leaders and political parties of both side of the divide come out with a short public pledge (jointly crafted by the ruling and opposition parties). It should say in a gist that :
1. no campaign violence of the sort described above is tolerable amongst their supporters in the run up to the 13th GE ;
2. both coalition will respect the Rule of Law and the will of the people exercised at the polling booth as well as honour a peaceful transition of power whether at Federal or State Level(s), if it happens.
It should be specifically addressed to public service, security forces and respective supporters. It should be widely disseminated by advertisement in all mainstream as well as alternative media. Such a proposal of such a joint declaration should say that the political side that does not agree to enter into it deserves the proper inference from Malaysian voters that it does intend to abide by the principles stated in such a joint declaration even before the GE. It goes to the root of legitimacy of intent even before the GE. Will this help?
#10 by bennylohstocks on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 6:23 pm
aHE PROVOKED FIRST…
#11 by bennylohstocks on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 6:37 pm
faulty
#12 by bennylohstocks on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 6:39 pm
error
#13 by monsterball on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 6:42 pm
Quoting Najib…”We have the best democracy in the world”
Those who believe in him…they need to check their brains.
Alas….so many being programmed for decades…UMNO b is their founder…their Savior .. their Lord is still alive.
This is the way jungle people live and think 100 years ago.
#14 by mauriyaII on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 7:23 pm
Those who believe that the violence perpetrated on the Opposition will come to an end before the 13th GE are day dreaming in their own make believe world.
When the PDRM do not do their duty to curb violence but instead just stand by and watch hooligans and thugs at work, what does it say? When thuggery and the promotion of an uncivilized and barbaric culture is the order of the day, can we expect the violence to diminish or end?
It is obvious that PDRM has been ordered by their masters to stand down. They are to only act if the victims – the opposition supporters – react and bash up a few of the louts. Then only the PDRM are to jump in, arrest the Opposition leaders and supporters.
Then they can have a field day through their controlled MSM to declare the cheramahs are just the prelude to the Opposition staging a coup. Then they can strengthen their case by getting some of their ex IGPs, to brand all Opposition members as communist planning to overthrow the government.
The evil mamak is in the background orchestrating another Operasi Lalang. UMNO/BN and the UMNOputras are so scared of losing the 13th GE that they are not prepared to accede to BERSIH demands for a CLEAN and FAIR election. They with the help of the EC have decided to play as DIRTY as possible to win by gerrymandering, blatantly buying votes, selling Mykad to foreigners, creating phantom voters in the electoral roll, bloating up the postal votes and removing all checks which would expose their foul play.
The only way to scuttle their plans is NOT to play into their hands. The cheramahs should go on. Even if there is extreme provocation and violence, the Opposition should not react likewise. The Opposition should play their cards well to ensure that the 13th GE takes place. They should make it happen so that the silent majority, especially the moderate Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sabahans and Sarawakians can show these desperate UMNO/BN mobsters the exit.
As it is the only way to get rid of the menace that UMNO has become to the rakyat and the nation is through the ballot box. There is no other way. Let us all work towards that end – ABU.
#15 by Bigjoe on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 8:18 pm
UMNO is simply an overgrown out of control infantile with destructive weapons avail to them. So far they have already proven they can be a menace. Its a hairline away from causing chaos.
The narcissistic grown-ups have abrogated responsibility for too long let the irresponsible and spoilt-rotten children, simply spawns of hell, run amok in their own house.
#16 by dagen wanna "ABU" on Sunday, 27 May 2012 - 11:58 pm
Umno is trying a preemptive move. Umno is actively engaged in acts designed to topple pakatan even before pakatan gets to putrajaya after ge13.
#17 by dagen wanna "ABU" on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 12:03 am
One good thing will emerge from those continuous acts of violence. It would surely serve as a constant reminder to voters the real reason to reject umno.
#18 by monsterball on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 4:03 am
At least 75% voters will vote for new government.
Presently…the Electoral Roll is very dirty…with millions of ‘ghost” voters and EC know that too well.
When a survey was made with 92% voters demand the EC to clean the said roll up before 13th GE….his respond is that those who were surveyed do not know what they are talking about.
With this most idiotic excuse….Najib may appear to have a slight edge over PR.
He must cheat big…as vast majority voters do reject him and his leadership.
He must win for the love of his and wife’s life.
Under Najib….who is an APPOINTED PM…never elected for past 3 years…will stay as appointed as long as he can.
He knows…he will be defeated and all tricks and treat ….threatening… provocation…bullying…insulting …you name it…all have been performed under him as PM…with his blessings.
With ALL his unfair and unjust advantages,,,,,YET he dare not declare the 13th GE date.
He knows….People Power will not sit idle and be fooled by him.
Cunning Mahathir has already demonized BERSIH is out to topple the Govt.
That’s the cue for Najib to create as much trouble he possibly can and declare Emergency Rule
Dirty politics can continue by these evil people…but once Malaysians are treated like useless animals that can drop dead anytime….Najib and whole family may need to run like hell.
That is his option.
#19 by Dap man on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 10:30 am
Violence is the language of the frustrated, rejected, and disillusioned.
UMNO is psychotic , mentally deranged,
insane, schizophrenic and unbalanced at the thought of losing power.
Just notice how Mahathir is behaving. He looks desperate and fearful because he cannot imagine what it would be like for a 87 year old man to live the rest of his life behind bars.
There is possibility of Penjara Sungai Buloh being renamed Penjara UMNO.
#20 by monsterball on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 11:32 am
What is wrong with “bennylohstocks”….always error and meaningless comment.
If he wants to put out his cartoons…to advertise himself…just do it..and don’t waste space.
#21 by Kampong Orang on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 11:50 am
Najib: Bersih 3.0 cost traders ‘millions’ in losses. I would say he bought two submarines paying his crony, Razak Baginda, RM500 million. This is more losses for Malaysia.
Taib: having billion dollar property in overseas. This is also a loss to Malaysians.
Hongkong newspaper reporting French authorities believe the money has been taken away by Najib and his friends, Razak.
#22 by Kampong Orang on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 11:51 am
港公司捲大馬首相3億賄案
http://news.sina.com.hk/news/2/1/1/2628843/1.html
潛艇交易涉落格 法司法部調查
【明報專訊】一間香港公司捲入法國軍火商涉嫌賄賂馬來西亞首相納吉布的案件，正接受法國司法部調查。外電引述司法部文件指，法國軍火公司DCNS年前向大馬出售3艘潛艇，涉及款項逾1.44億歐元（15億港元），其中3600萬歐元（3.66億港元）疑通過一家香港公司轉到時任大馬國防部長納吉布及其友人手上。
有關買賣於2002年進行，涉及兩艘新建潛艇及一艘二手潛艇，由法國軍火公司DCNS出售予大馬政府，納吉布當時為馬來西亞國防部長。
#23 by megaman on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 11:56 am
“You have to understand, when provoked… anything can happen,” Lembah Pantai Umno Youth chief Datuk Mohamad Sazali Kamilan told reporters.
Dear Datuk Sazali,
Getting provoked doesn’t mean you are given a license to do whatever you like.
Two wrongs doesn’t make one right …
Plus calling you “Sial, Celaka” doesn’t give you the right to pelt others with stones and eggs.
If you really want to take action, make a police report or sue … That’s ur right !!!
Memang Sial dan Celaka !!! Puiii … You call urself a “Datuk” ??
#24 by tak tahan on Monday, 28 May 2012 - 3:22 pm
What can you expect from this thuggish goons?This herd mentality is not fit to hold any governmental position.How could such irrational leaders been able to bring the best democracy to the country and the peope?The only best option left is to reject all of them who are found not fit,compatible and corrupt.We need new leaders to bring much more progress to our nation.Let’s bury Umno/BN in the coming GE13.It’s due time for change.ABU!