When launching the Barisan Nasional election manifesto for the 13th General Elections at the carefully orchestrated rally of 15,000 Barisan Nasional supporters at the Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur last night, Datuk Seri Najib Razak posed the question: Who do you trust to lead Malaysia? BN chief Najib Razak, PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim or PAS President Hadi Awang?
As expected, the BN crowd of 15,000 roared back: ”Najib”.
When I posed the question whether the people trust Najib or Anwar as the Prime Minister at the DAP Taman Molek ceramah at Johore Jaya close to midnight, the response from the thousands of Malaysians who have spent more than four hours at the DAP ceramah was a spontaneous, ringing, categorical and thunderous support for Anwar and not Najib!
I believe that the spontaneous response of the Malaysian public at the DAP Taman Molek ceramah last night is more reflective of the real mood and aspirations of ordinary Malaysians in the country than the synthetic and even mercenary response of the BN rent-a-crowd gathering at Bukit Jalil Stadium last night.
Although Najib expressed glee and satisfaction at the positive answer from the 15,000-strong BN crowd at Bukit Jalil Stadium last night, I do not think it had fully removed the hurt and humiliation he suffered when tens of thousands of people at the Barisan Nasional Chinese New Year Open House in Penang shouted in unison three times each that they were “Ready” for the South Korean global K-pop star, Psy, but “No, No, No” and therefore “Not Ready” for the Barisan Nasional!
In the past 54 days, the cries that Malaysians were “ready” for Psy but “No, No, No” for Barisan Nasional had reveberrated throughout the country almost every night of Pakatan Rakyat gatherings, and it is no exaggeration to say that some 500,000 Malaysians would have taken part in this unique “public opinion” poll of saying “No, No, No” to Barisan Nasional since the second day of the Chinese New Year on Feb. 11.
It is both pathetic and unprofessional for Najib’s political and propaganda consultants to believe that the public vote-of-no-confidence in the nation-wide declarations of “No, No, No” for Barisan Nasional could be undone by one orchestrated rally of 15,000 BN supporters.
I have been informed that since the very next day of the Penang Chinese New Year Open House disaster, all BN supporters who had been bussed from one function to another throughout the country, had been indoctrinated to answer in the affirmative if they are asked whether the people are ready for BN at the BN functions.
But it has taken Najib some 54 days before he could muster the courage to pose the question in public asking for a vote of public confidence, which was what he did yesterday, without really satisfactory results.
Malaysians should confront and grapple with the real issues in the forthcoming 13GE, which is for the ushering of a new politics in Malaysia of good governance and issue-oriented debate and the beginning of the end of politics of race which had haunted the country for 56 years, and which is being perpetuated by the old politics of UMNO/Barisan Nasional based on the “divide and rule” of communal politiking in the country.
#1 by monsterball on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 2:10 pm
Naturally at rallies of the respective parties….roars of supports are expected.
In the end….it’s the People Power votes… all over the country…. that matters most.
What I am observing…Najib is campaigning vigorously…while PR politicians are straightening things…to let voters just…who are telling truths,,who are liars.
#2 by worldpress on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 2:17 pm
Current UMNO is not the Malaysia 1st Prime Minister UMNO
Current UMNO is Mama UMNO…UMNO BARU pretend to be UMNO to deceive Malaysian
This Mama is an enemy of Malaysia 1st Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman
#3 by PR123 on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 3:22 pm
BN is just talking about money, while PR is coming out with facts, figures, strategies, finding viable solutions to improve the livelihood of the people. Busloads of paid rent-a-crowd attending BN’s function for freebies with a care-less, selfish mentality attitude.At PR function, the crowds are the mature, rightthinking and sophisticated lot hoping for a better Malaysia.
#4 by chengho on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 3:28 pm
BN is multi racial party , Pakatan not even register eh, of Cz Dapters will support your black horse Anwar , you broke Hadi heart
Vote for Najib
#5 by assamlaksa on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 2:33 pm
BN consists of multi (i.e. many) racial parties. Only PR member parties are truly multi-racial parties.
#6 by worldpress on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 3:39 pm
Pakatan Rakyat should concentrate raising TWO issue
1. Corruption administration
2. Project IC (giving MyKad to illegal immigrants)
#7 by chengho on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 4:19 pm
layout pakatan controlled states Penang, Selangor , Kelantan and Perak ( almost 2 years) totally free from corruption eh and really CAT not DOG
#8 by assamlaksa on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 2:38 pm
any corruption in PR states, ask MACC why no case against PR. Oh yes, there is one case i.e, Teoh Beng Hock for RM2,400.
#9 by Bigjoe on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 4:30 pm
Einsten defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result.
Can anyone tell me if anything in BN Manifesto is different than what he has done in the last years and resulted in falling approval ratings?
#10 by sotong on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 4:53 pm
BN needs another term to clean up the ‘ mess ‘ of the past 3 decades.
#11 by worldpress on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 5:04 pm
it should be
BN needs to be resigned in order to clean up the ‘mess of the past 3 decades.
#12 by Dr. W on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 5:05 pm
Every mega scandal exposed within these five years is sufficient to bring down any government in a more civilized and sense society. Take Altantuya’s case as the extreme which involves first-degree murder, corruption, police involvement, defense ministry involvement, prime minister involvement (!), etc.
And yet, the very suspect could continue his tenure as the prime minister until recently. How on earth could Malaysian entrust the nation to a murder suspect!? But under the draconian governance of the corrupted BN coalition, the upholding of justice and righteousness appears to be impossible.
This is one typical example. We can refer to the Life and Time of Dr Mahathir’s Crime for the more substantial and extensive Bolehland Fairy tales. It is now very clear that PRU13 is essentially the battle between good and evil. We must stand united in the fight against these disgustingly immoral bastards for the love of our children and country.
Be fooled no more.
#13 by Winston on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 5:20 pm
UMNO/BN = Devils’ Party
Speciality: Corruption, Irresponsibility and Opaqueness.
PR = Angels’ Party
Speciality: Competence, Accountability and Transparency.
So, between the two, who will you vote for in GE13?
It’s a cinch!!!
Isn’t it?
#14 by Loh on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 8:34 pm
Najib has distributed cash and issued post-dated cheque which he will not have to honour because he has good reason as a defeated PM hopeful. If BN had the interest of the people at heart, all those promise did not have to take four years to prepare. Now Najib wants five more years to do something at the last months of the fifth year. Even if BN does not practice racist policies it should not be given a chance. Najib still talks about 1Malaysia, but it is the 1Malaysia approved by Ibrahim Ali who has brought himself up to the level of Mamakthir; or was it Mamakthir who has descended to the level of Ibahim Ali of Perkasa notoriety. Both of them are liabilities to Malaysia.
#15 by Loh on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 8:48 pm
///PUTRAJAYA, April 7 – The police force’s loyalty to the government cannot be questioned although there are one or two former senior police officers who no longer show such support, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.///–MalaysianInsider
To Najib loyalty to government means loyalty to UMNO else he would not have made that remark. That is the calibre of a person who has been PM for four years. How can he deserve more days as PM?
#16 by Shadowss on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 9:08 pm
If there is a clean and transparent election , BN will be trashed for sure, no doubt about it . Hope that Pakatan Rakyat has come up with solutions to cope with election issues.
#17 by boh-liao on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 9:30 pm
Likewise, NR believes dat d EC’s loyalty 2 UmnoB/BN gomen cannot be questioned
So, everything kow dim lor
#18 by Winston on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 9:39 pm
In fact, elections, be they local or country wide ones, should be ho-hum, mundane affairs.
Just like day follows night and the sun rises in the East and sets in the West!
That is, if the political parties operate on principles of honesty, integrity and having the interests of the people and country at heart.
But as long as there are parties that are corrupt and scandalous, there will be desperate attempts for such parties to hang on to power like they are hanging on for dear life!
And that’s true!
Because if they lose, they will have to account for all their malfeasance, both past and present!
That’s what this country is experiencing now.
But be that as it may, we, the electorate, will ensure that we will bask in the sunlight again after fifty-six years of unremitting darkness!!!
#19 by Loh on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 9:42 pm
///After all the brouhaha to get Malaysians living abroad the right to vote, only a dismal 6,268 out of over 700,000 have registered as postal voters.
IT’S disappointing, especially after all the brouhaha over giving all Malaysians living abroad the right to vote.///–Wong Chun Wai, the star
For him to write the above, it proves that he is trying to belittle the efforts of BERSIH. The 6,268 persons who registered clearly have exercised their right, and others who have not done so now will want to avail themselves of that right. If they do not vote now, it does not mean that they are not going to vote in the coming election. What is important is to recognize the right of overseas Malaysians to vote, and what they do now is their choice. It is not something for WHW to decide, and it was stupid of him to make those remarks.
Malaysians overseas want to be sure that the system of voting by them will not be turned against their wishes. As the Election Commission has not gained their confidence that they are indeed independent, it is understandable that they would like to wait and see how absentee votes from overseas are handled. Is that too difficult for WCW to understand?
#20 by Loh on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 9:56 pm
///KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged Barisan Nasional (BN) today to field Datuk Ibrahim Ali under its banner in Election 2013 and even offered to campaign for him, saying Malaysia needs more individuals like the controversial Malay rights leader.
The former prime minister said Ibrahim’s right-wing group is a force to be reckoned with, as it boasts a membership of over 400,000. ///–MalaysianInsider
There are 400,000 racists, and if they are also UMNO members, that is good enough reason for UMNO to be defeated.
Najib’s will soon show whether he is still in Mamakthir pocket, and whether he is afraid even to pretend that he was not. We will know on the nomination day.
#21 by boh-liao on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 10:25 pm
Rakyat n voters MUST know dat it’s WONDERFUL 2 VOTE 4 PR
Oredi we hv seen a strong PR or d MERE possibility of PR toppling UmnoB/BN in GE13 has triggered UmnoB 2 pretend 2 b humble n begging 4 support by bribing rakyat n copying some of d proposed actions of PR
So, rakyat n voters, hv NO FEAR, VOTE 4 PR, KICK out UmnoB/BN
Let UmnoB/BN b d OPPOSITION in our parliament – as some1 said, UmnoB/BN kakis VERY EXPERIENCED in all sorts of corruption, malpractices, murders, sex videos, black $$$$ leaving d country, etc, they will SERVE COMPETENTLY as effective opposition watch dogs checking PR kakis (as federal n state civil servants), INexperienced in corruption, fr abusing their newly gained power n positions
UmnoB/BN hv d evil, corrupt, know-all-tricks MMK 2 advise them
Also pornoSnake knows how 2 catch ministers 4nicating during office hours, cheating on their spouses, in seedy hotel rooms
Also cowgal 2 ensure dat no PR ministers or their spouses n cronies abuse $$$ 2 hv cows or other animals in expensive condos in M’sia or overseas
N many more truly know-all corrupt UmnoB/BN kakis
It takes an experienced thief 2 catch a novice thief
Look, it’s a WIN-WIN situation 4 rakyat
So, WHY NOT Just Do it!? Vote 4 PR, ABU, ABD (Anything But Dacing)
#22 by highhand on Sunday, 7 April 2013 - 11:20 pm
giving seats away, that fellow is wiping out own party. kahkahkah
#23 by sheriff singh on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 1:42 am
I think DAP and PR is getting too overconfident. Najib may be an irrational, confused, bumbling kid but don’t underestimate the machinery behind UMNO / BN. There are just too many people in there with too many interests to protect and these ‘Little Napoleons’ are all looking to protect their little empires. They have much to lose should PR win.
They have all not been idle and will, in extreme circumstances, not play cricket and they have already got their bags of dirty tricks out. Don’t expect a clean fight. They all will want to win at all costs. If they have to wait 5 years, they will all be nobodies. So it is now or never for them too.
So don’t be cocky and become over confident as you might all be caught by surprise.
What will you do when, on the eve of nomination day, your party is suspended by the ROS, ‘by coincidence’ and ‘not planned’ ? What is your Plan B if you have one at all ?
#24 by Bigjoe on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 7:36 am
Its not about overconfident, its about rallying to go all out on the offensive. When you have the other side outright bribery for vote, handing out helmets and racing circuit, they battle is for the lowest common denominator that respond to sensationalism not the intellectual complexity of policy and administration..
#25 by Noble House on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 1:47 am
The BN election manifesto is nothing short of the usual “Money talks, Bullshit walks” fanfare that Malaysians are so accustomed to by now. What Najib should also announce to the Rakyat is: how he plans to get the revenue to carry out his most ambitious plans if the BN were elected again? Are we to see a string of tax hikes across the board, cuts in subsidies, the implementation of GST., etc. that will have an adverse effect on the lives of ordinary Malaysians? These are the bread and butter issues that the Rakyat should be concerned about, not the temporary reliefs the PM is giving out.
#26 by monsterball on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 3:02 am
Deputy….over confident is better than always be on the defensive side.
Umno b has tired all sorts of stunts to make life difficult for PR ..parties.
Why so…because they lack confident to win 13th GE.
#27 by chengho on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 7:08 am
Monterball Sir , vote for BN , multiracial party , Pakatan not even dare to register until now . Pas Taliban just waiting for Dapter ROS issue crop up
#28 by cseng on Monday, 8 April 2013 - 8:02 am
Politic is abt how much money you give, if you became goverment, not about governance.