Anwar’s bumpy road to Kajang a reminder of Umno’s shenanigans


NEWS ANALYSIS BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
February 02, 2014

In the throes of Malaysians debating the correctness of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim contesting the Kajang state seat, comes a stark reminder that evil resides in Umno.

Umno and its so-called non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have started their campaign to block Anwar from reaching out to voters – the sure sign of how worried they remain of a politician they themselves have tagged as a has-been.

From Perlis down to Johor, every trick in the book has been employed against the opposition. At times, the royal households are used, sometimes the religious authorities are co-opted.

Often, laws are bent to suit the whims and fancies of Umno.

So it seems to be the case in Kajang where Anwar was barred from giving the tazkirah (a short speech before the Friday sermon) at the Impian Saujana mosque in Kajang on orders from the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais).

The PKR de facto leader was supposed to give the tazkirah before a Friday sermon delivered by party information chief Dr Muhd Nur Manuty.

“But after subuh prayers on Januari 30, the mosque’s caretaker told us that they were pressured by Mais to stop the event. So the mosque committee did not dare go ahead with the plan.

“So we had to quickly look for another mosque,” said the source, who is part of Anwar’s team, explaining how the programme was later moved from the Impian Saujana mosque to the Kariah mosque in Batu 10 Cheras, which is part of the Kajang state constituency. This, too, was blocked by Mais at the last minute.

The source said Mais and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) threatened to arrest Anwar if he delivered the tazkirah, pointing out that he did not have tauliah (certificates of approval) to give talks or sermons in Selangor mosques.

Due to the ban, Anwar, Muhd Nur, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders who were present, performed their prayers at the Kariah Mosque.

They later spoke to the congregation after the prayers.

Of course, there are state laws that say such speeches are not permissible. But it is apparent it only applies to those who do not enjoy the favour of the powers-that-be.

This has also happened to other opposition leaders and preachers or lecturers who are not in line with Umno or groups aligned to it, reflecting institutionalised and feudal reverence to the dominant Malay nationalist party.

If anything, it plays into the hands of Anwar and his cohorts who say his candidature is to prevent such a scenario from happening – that agencies and departments will be used by Umno to recapture the country’s wealthiest state from Pakatan Rakyat.

In other words, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy that the Selangor government is under threat and some departments are playing right into Anwar’s hands when they act against the state government.

And its speaks volumes that such agencies and departments which insist that they are independent of any political party, are actually doing the bidding of one side to the detriment of the other side and the people of Selangor.

It will not get easier for Anwar or the opposition but these authorities should know that their actions will only push people to blame Umno for it and support the underdog.

It is perverse, but so are the authorities when they forsake their independence and act against the people. – February 2, 2014.

  1. #1 by worldpress on Sunday, 2 February 2014 - 9:20 pm

    save our country Malaysia from mamak umno

  2. #2 by boh-liao on Sunday, 2 February 2014 - 9:22 pm

    Every1 has a reason 4 d coming buy erection in Kajang
    Wonder who is speaking d TRUTH

    Now Perkosa-UmnoB/BN want action 2 b taken against dis video – racial controversy, anti-national, insulting diamonds, handbags n a SCREWed horse (lo-si-ma), etc, LOL
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtsRcId70bk
    U judge

  3. #3 by Bigjoe on Sunday, 2 February 2014 - 10:15 pm

    Actually the way UMNO has come after Anwar in Kajang is nothing less than phenomenal. It betrays the fact they wrongly believe that PR is so much about Anwar and that without Anwar, PR would be defeated. Its betrays their fundamental refusal to believe that its something much broader – especially about the broad failures of UMNO/BN, their fundamental failure that goes right into their very heart.

    While Anwar still plays a crucial role and should still be the leader, not only PR no longer need Anwar to hold them together, PKR would even survive without Anwar.

    UMNO/BN is so wrong about what the problem is. They are i n denial and attacking the wrong thing..THEIR defeat will be so much sweeter when they clearly lose badly after throwing everything they have at Anwar-Kajang.

  4. #4 by good coolie on Sunday, 2 February 2014 - 10:36 pm

    Now Anwar knows the character of his erstwhile UMNO bed-fellows. And that Nalla joker!

  5. #5 by sheriff singh on Monday, 3 February 2014 - 3:41 am

    Surprisingly, many speakers from the Middle East e.g. from Yemen, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan etc, have been going around giving religious talks and courses quite freely without any problems. They come and go in numbers regularly. Yet MAIS, JAIS, JAGONG don’t seem worried or concerned as to what they are preaching.

  6. #6 by boh-liao on Monday, 3 February 2014 - 11:09 am

    Lots of WAYANG going on, fr both Perkosa-UmnoB/BN n PR/DAP/PAS/PKR

    Look at d tok-tok-chang WAYANG going on in Selangor – after almost 6 years of PR’s rule, now PKR kaki declared dat d MB (one of their own kaki) not savvy n competent politically n administratively 2 continue 2 lead; HUH!? Apa itu?

    WHAT hv PR really achieved in Selangor n Penang?
    Hv d civil servants in both states improved their service attitude, productivity, competence?
    Hv d basic infrastructures in both states improved, gotten GOODer?
    R elected PR kaki MORPHING in2 Perkosa-UmnoB/BN kaki?

    Even LKS dare NOT comment on d wayang n buy erection 2 b held in Kajang – following d practice of kangkung, elegant silence

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