Khairy: Ditch Malay dominance

By Shanon Shah
thenutgraph.com

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Oct 2009: In a bold and surprising move, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has called for his party to ditch "Malay dominance" and replace it with "Malay leadership" in order to reframe its nationalist agenda.

"We can continue with the chest-thumping rhetoric, warning other races never to challenge this or that ... But, we must ask ourselves, is this what Malaysians — Malays included — really want from Umno?" he said in his maiden policy speech as Youth chief today.

Speaking at the Youth meeting at the party's 60^th general assembly, Khairy also urged Malay Malaysians to defend the rights of all Malaysians, saying this would only encourage mutual respect.

Khairy's is a departure from his predecessor Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's speeches. Hishammuddin invited public wrath by unsheathing the keris at two consecutive Umno Youth assemblies and defending "ketuanan Melayu".

Hishammuddin later apologised to non-Malay Malaysians for making them uncomfortable with this gesture following the Barisan Nasional's bruising defeat at the March 2008 general election.

Khairy this morning, instead, called for Malay Malaysians to abandon the perception that Malay rights and privileges were constantly being challenged.

"Undeniably, we consider Article 153 [of the Federal Constitution], which guarantees the special position of Malay [Malaysians] and [bumiputera] as sacrosanct. However, if we scratch beneath the surface, we would find that it is almost impossible for Article 153 to be stripped from the [constitution], as it would require the approval of two-thirds of Parliament," he said.

Khairy went on to say that Article 153 alone could not determine the well-being and development of the Malay race. He said instead the abilities and achievements of Malay Malaysians would cement their race's prestige.

The notion of "kepimpinan Melayu", rather than "ketuanan Melayu", was previously publicly mooted by former and respected Utusan Melayu editor Said Zahari.

The idea was also taken up by Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in November 2008 but Hishammuddin vilified him for it, saying Chua should just join the opposition instead. A Malay rights group also demanded that Chua apologise for "inciting" Malay Malaysians, and Chua came under fire in the Malay-language press.

Some of the same

Khairy presented this unexpected departure from the usual ultra-Malay nationalist script expected of Umno Youth in the second half of his speech. The first half was spent praising Prime Minister and party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia concept.

He also spent some time attacking the component parties of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition.

"PAS steered away from its original core when the Islamic state ceased to be a key party agenda," he said, to raucous cheers from the more than 500-strong Youth delegation.

He accused the DAP of being mono-racial in character with "the chimera of a multi-racial platform — when it truth, DAP's priorities are unmistakably racial".

He also criticised Parti Keadilan Rakyat for being a party without an ideology, which was focused more on the personality of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"Anwar tries to position himself as many things: the voice of the marginalised, a champion of Islam, the Malay [Malaysians] and human rights. But is this truly Anwar Ibrahim, or is his political struggle motivated solely by personal ambitions?" he said, to thunderous applause and jeers of "pungkok (backside)" and "dia cucuk dari belakang".

The crowd went silent during the second half of Khairy's speech, which called for a more inclusive Umno Youth, but greeted his conclusion with a standing ovation and shouts of "Hidup Umno!".

The Enigma of Democracy: MCA and UMNO

by Richard Wee

This post is reproduced from here

13 Oct 2009

The last 48 hours in Malaysia saw the power of democracy. At MCA’s EGM on October 10, 2009, Ong Tee Keat was knocked out by a no-confidence motion; but Chua Soi Lek was not reinstated as Deputy (though re-admitted as member). Just a few hours ago, Mr money-politic Mohd Isa Samad won the Bagan Pinang (BP) by-election by a landslide.

The people of BP have spoken. The people at BP want development (ie, money in their pockets) without bothering the fact that the man they elected has been proven to be corrupt. I must now say (and I don’t say it with venom or anger; but with gentle assertion) - that unfortunately the people of BP have lost the moral authority to question corrupt practices prevalent in Malaysia, particularly at that constituency. They have lost the moral right to question the police officer who demands “coffee-money”. They have lost the moral right to demand a non-corrupt land office.

I suppose we deserve the Government we get. Despite the clear corrupt conduct of Isa Samad, he won. Pakatan Rakyat would have to study the situation and understand why they lost so badly. But in fairness, this was an UMNO seat to lose, though the higher majority won by UMNO raised eyebrows.

If we look at the UMNO machinery, Najib announced that Port Dickson located at BP as an “Army City” with incentives etc. Muhyiddin announced a new land for an Indian school. Najib attended the Makkal Sakti Party inaugural assembly. There was the usual promises of development etc, but the combination of Isa’s selection and Najib’s movement with the Indian community swung the votes to UMNO.

Pakatan’s perceived in-fighting is not helping. PAS Selangor’s antics in recent weeks have fueled talks that all is not well in Pakatan.

As for MCA, they are in deep waters. The members have ripped apart the party, and in my view, it will take many years for MCA to recover. Perhaps MCA should just leave BN and join Pakatan, that would give them a little more credence with the Chinese community. But one must respect the courage of the MCA members to take this step and rid the party of 2-fighting men. They now have the chance to start again, though (as mentioned earlier), I think, it will take some time before it gets back on its feet again.

We can’t really complain about BP’s decision to revive a corrupt man’s political career, as even the Americans were dumb enough to vote in George Bush for the 2nd term despite him clearly lying to the Americans. Whilst I don’t think the Americans are any better than us; but if the self-proclaimed world’s-best-democracy would vote a man in who lied, I suppose it’s alright to vote in a corrupt person.

Wanita, Youth, Puteri UMNO General Assemblies Begin

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The three wings of Umno -- Wanita, Youth and Puteri -- began their respective general assemblies this morning, with discussions centred on the amendment to party constitution which would be tabled at the party's special general assembly on Thursday.

The amendment is part of the effort by Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak to transform the party so that it will remain relevant to the Malays and Malaysians.

The assemblies started with speeches by movement heads -- Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

The Wanita and Youth each has 795 delegates while Puteri has 789.

The three general assemblies were simultaneously opened by Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last night during which he outlined four principles, which he said, should be understood by party members in creating One Umno.

They are unity of mind, unity of heart, unity of deed and unity of objective.

The party's amendment would be fine-tuned further tonight by the Umno Supreme Council.

There are 2,539 delegates attending this year's assembly.

Liow keeps mum on rendevous with Kong

Khairy: Fail to change, we close shop - Malaysiakini

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today stressed that reformation for Barisan Nasional parties was no longer a choice but a matter of political survival.

"We don't have a choice, this is survival. If we don't change... we are out of business," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur after the opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings' general assemblies.

He said all BN component parties must shoulder the responsibility of reforming the ruling coalition and making it relevant in accordance with the current political climate.

Therefore, he added that the task of transformation should be one of teamwork and the burden should not be borne by Umno alone.

"I think that when we talk about change and being relevant in this political age, we cannot take Umno in isolation.

"BN is a family and a team. So if we talk about change and becoming relevant it is importnat for all of BN to be relevant," he added.

Shahrizat: Hear the people's voice

In view of this, Khairy said it is not only Umno which must change but other component parties must follow suit.

Following the March 8 general election last year, all BN component parties, except for those in Sabah and Sarawak, suffered a setback and are struggling to regain lost ground.

Leadership tussles and credibility crisis have made it an even more daunting task.

Meanwhile, Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil also offered a similar view, saying: "All BN component parties must be in line with Umno in changing and hearing the voice of the people."

Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan pointed out that if the other BN parties are not prepared to embrace change, then "we won't see real success."

During his opening speech earlier, Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin also underscored the importance of change for all BN parties.

High Chaparral: DCM denies demanding apology - Malaysiakini

Penang Deputy Chief Minister (2) P Ramasamy has denied demanding a public apology from the 10 Kampung Buah Pala residents who have not accepted an offer of compensation for their demolished homes.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has not made any such demand either, he told a press conference at his office today.

"I have been sympathetic to the residents from the beginning and have tried to help them in every way I could. They can always see me to settle the compensation issue," he said.

Ramasamy said the state government could not be demanding an apology from members of the public for criticism levelled at it.

"The state government is bound to be criticised for its administrative policies and actions," he said.

Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association chairperson M Sugumaran (left) had told reporters on Sunday that the 10 residents, including himself, had been directed to sign and read out a letter of apology.

He claimed that the apology, to be prepared by the administration, was to be addressed to Lim and others for what the villagers had said and done at the height of the Kampung Buah Pala issue.

Sugumaran also said the state government had barred him and four other office bearers of the association from entering Level 28 of Komtar (where Lim's office is located) and Level 52 (Ramasamy's office) since last week.

He named secretary Joseph Stephen Draviam, assistant secretary C Tharmaraj, assistant treasurer I Pasunagi, committee member O Selvaraj, as the others who were affected.

In addition, the 10 were told to first see Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer to facilitate negotiations, he alleged.

Ramasamy said, however, that he is not aware of either the ban or the 'see Rayer first' directive.

"I have not given such directives to anyone. I don't think my staff would have done it either ... (any) such directive was surely not from my office," he said.

Committee created

Ramasamy reiterated his eagerness to resolve the compensation matter, in order to bring the issue to a close.

On some residents facing problems in securing alternative homes, he said they could always seek his help. He said the state housing department could accommodate them in vacant public housing units, pending completion of the double-storey houses offered.

Ramasamy (right) also announced the formation of a pro-tem committee for the 15 former villagers who have accepted the offer of houses. The committee is headed by R Karunakaran, a DAP member.

Asked why this is necessary when there is a registered association to represent the villagers' interests, Ramasamy said the committee is only for those who have accepted the compensation offer.

He also disclosed that the state executive council had rejected his proposal to set aside state land to rebuild Kampung Buah Pala, on grounds that it does not want to set a precedent.

Rayer, who was at the press conference, said the 10 villagers should retract their police reports and allegations against the state government.

"There must be retraction to show that what is past is past," he said.

Kampung Buah Pala, a 200-year-old Indian settlement, was demolished last month to make way for the Oasis condominium project, undertaken jointly by landowner Koperasi Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.

Samy: We won't take victory for granted - Malaysiakini

IC will not be over confident of the Indian community's support to Barisan Nasional in the Bagan Pinang by-election, said party president S Samy Vellu today.

According to the veteran politician, there is still much room for improvement.

"We should not take for granted that this winning streak would continue. We must really look after the needs of the Indians.

"Only then can we be assured of continued support for BN from the Indians," he said in a statement.

In view of this, Samy Vellu said after helping BN to secure 70 percent of the Indian votes in Sunday's by-election, MIC will now concentrate on fulfilling its pledges to the voters.

"It is time to carry out the work so that we (BN) will continue to have the trust of the Indian community," he added.

He convened a meeting of party leaders at the MIC headquarters here yesterday and gave them individual tasks to complete.

"We have identified several problems affecting the Indian community in Bagan Pinang and we must be able to resolve them with government intervention.

"Otherwise, we will be blamed for only seeking their votes and not doing anything for them," he said.

Different strategy deployed

Samy Vellu said MIC deployed a different strategy in wooing the Indian voters in Bagan Pinang and it proved to be successful.

"We had dealt with the Indian voters directly, communicating with them in their language and understanding their problems as they see it," he said.

The MIC supremo said the same strategy would be adopted in the next general election, "and hopefully, we can see a repeat of Bagan Pinang".

Meanwhile, MIC vice-president and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said the party would re-mobilise its 3,600 branch chairpersons to ensure the needs of the Indians are taken care.

"We will do more and win back the Indian voters just as we did in Bagan Pinang," he said.

Subramaniam said that, hard work aside by MIC leaders and members in Bagan Pinang, Indian voters were captivated by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia concept.

High Chaparral chief livid over apology request (Malaysiakini)

Athi Shankar Residents of the demolished Kampung Buah Pala today blasted the Penang government of ignoring their plight and neglecting its duties to help them.

MCPX

Residents association chairperson M Sugumaran said the government is playing games even while negotiating an amicable solution for remaining the 10 households, who have yet to take up any form of compensation.

He said the state government has demanded the 10 to sign and read out an apology letter to the state government at a press conference.

He said the apology to be prepared by the administration was meant for the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (left) and others for what the villagers had said and done during the height of the Kampung Buah Pala fiasco.

He said the government had barred him and four other principal office bearers of the association from entering Level 28 (Lim’s office) and Level 52 (Deputy Chief Minister 2 P Ramasamy’s office) in Komtar since last week.

Sugumaran said the other banned were association secretary Joseph Stephen Draviam, assistant secretary C Tharmaraj, assistant treasurer I Pasunagi, committee member O Selvaraj.

He said the 10 remaining householders had been told to first see Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer, not Ramasamy as told to the press, to facilitate negotiations.

“This state government is inhumane. It destroyed our homes while we were still living in them and flattened our 200-year-old village.

“Now it wants us to apologise for its wrongdoing,” Sugumaran told a press conference at the now uprooted village.Family squatting under a tree

Kampung Buah Pala was once famously known as Penang’s Tamil High Chaparral for its population of Indians, cowherds, cattle, goats, other livestock, unique and lively Indian cultural features and festivities.

It was demolished last month to pave for a lucrative Oasis condominium project undertaken jointly by land owner Koperasi Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.

Sugumaran (right, in blue shirt) accused the current DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat state government of allowing the demolishment of their houses, leaving them homeless and stranded.

He claimed that a family was now squatting under a tree nearby the village, another taking shelter in an Umno-owned community hall and one more residing in a vacant motor workshop, while the majority of those evicted are now staying in rented homes.

Sugumaran criticised the state government of neglecting its duties in handling the relocation and resettlement issues of the villagers.

He said the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), not the state government, had been helping the villagers in rental payments and search for alternate decent homes.

He pointed out that under the land sales and purchase agreement between the state government and the cooperative society, all issues pertaining to the villagers, including compensation, relocation and resettlement, have to be settled first before the land title could be transferred.

However, he said Chief Minister Lim transferred the land title to the cooperative society within 19 days after coming to power without settling outstanding villagers issue, even until today.

“This is how the DAP government had rewarded us for voting for Pakatan Rakyat in the last general election,’ said Sugumaran.

‘Who the rightful trustee?’

Pointing to an Oasis project signboard outside the site, he noted that the developer had not stipulated anything about the double-storey houses promised by Lim for the villagers.

The signboard, he said had also stated that the project development plan was approved by the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) when legally it should have been approved by the island council MPPP.

He said the villagers would still pursue their case to determine who the rightful trustee of their land is - if it is the federal or state government, and claim damages for criminal demolition of their properties and broken promises by Pakatan leaders.

He said in its decision on Nov 10 2007, the High Court stated that the state government had failed to disclose any documents or other evidence to show that the federal government had alienated the land to the state’s care.

“Thus, if it is under the federal government’s trust, how could the state government sell the land to a cooperative and allow a joint venture private development project?” he said.

He called the former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon (left) and Lim to hold the much-anticipated live televised debate to enable the public to know the truth behind the scam.

He said a document issued by the state land office revealed that the village land title had contained several restrictions on any future development plan.

“Who gave approval to by-pass these restrictions? A Koh v Lim open debate will reveal all these,” he said.

Bagan Pinang – Isa Menang Pertempuran, Siapa yang Bakal Menang Peperangan?

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Benar, Tan Sri Isa Samad menang besar di Bagan Pinang. Semua pihak akur yang Isa memang sukar digugat di Bagan Pinang, bahkan di seluruh kawasan parlimen Telok Kemang, yang beliau adalah Ketua Bahagiannya. Menawan kerusi ini dari Isa, semacam hendak merampas Permatang Pauh dari DS Anwar.

Bukan sahaja pihak lawan, bahkan MB Mohd Hassan dan tidak keterlaluan kalau dikatakan DS Najib, Presiden Umno itu pun tak boleh cabar Isa di situ. Sebab itu hanya dituruti saja kehendak penyokong tegar Isa.

Sebab itu, Umno tidak ada pilihan kecuali untuk meletakkan Isa juga, meskipun disanggah kedua-dua mantan Presiden, Tun dan Timbalannya, Ku Li. Mentelahan, setelah kalah 7-0 dalam p/raya kecil di Semenanjung dan 4-0 di tangan PAS, Umno tekad dan desperat untuk menang, walau dengan apa jua cara pun. Persetankan pengkritik.

Formula mereka mengena. Bahkan mereka untung besar. Pimpinan Umno bersorak dan berkokok sekeliling kampung. Lama mana media akan mainkan belum pasti.

Umno akan berhenti bersorak ketika mereka sedar dari lamunan dodoian bahawa Bagan Pinang, bukan Malaysia. Aduh! Yang menang pun, mengikut ramai pundit politik bukan Umno/BN tetapi Isa Samad!

Justeru pemimpin Umno sedar bahawa Isa tidak boleh dijadikan ikon membaik pulih imej rasuah mereka. Isa juga tidak dapat memenuhi hasrat Najib untuk menjadikan Port Dickson Bandar Tentera Darat. Sebabnya? Orang tempatan lebih mahu menggelarkan PD sebagai Bandar Lalat mengikut satu rencana dalam Kosmo (10 Okt). Sah seperti kempen PR.

Sememang Isa adalah peribadi yang rata-ratanya disenangi banyak pihak. Orangnya mudah bicaranya tidak canggih seperti juga pemikiranya. Namun Umno sendiri tahu bahawa Isa bukanlah tokoh yang hendak di’ikonisekan’ Umno. Isa adalah sebaliknya dari cita-cita pembaharuan mereka. 22 tahun menjadi MB bukan masa yang singkat. Tapi Isa gagal menjadi mercu-tanda atau lambang kemegahan Umno.

Tidak banyak yang mampu dibariskan Umno bagi memperagakan pencapaiannya. Sebaliknya setiap hari kempen menyaksikan jentera penerangan PAS/PR menyenaraikan kepincangan, ketimpangan dan ketidaksudahan kerja tangan Isa. Masih banyak yang berbaki yang tidak sempat didedahkan kempen Pakatan.

Samada kegagalan itu akibat rasuah, kronisme atau pendeknya ketidakcekapan kepemimpinannya atau ’Plain Incompetency’ dalam bahasa inggerisnya, dengan izin, pengundi Bagan Pinang tidak peduli samasekali.

Nah, sekarang Najib berdepan dengan dilema besar. Umno dikatakan akan kembali releven kerana kemenangan Isa Samad. Semacam mendapat talian hayat dengan Isa. Umno yang mengambil tindakan disiplin menghukum Isa kerana politik wang atau rasuah, kini terpaksa bersandarkan Isa untuk membenteras imej Rasuah parti Melayu terbesar itu. Ini menyeksa Najib.

Bahkan mungkinkah Najib terpaksa mengintai-ngintai peribadi-peribadi seperti Isa. Mungkin mantan Ketua Menteri Melaka, mantan MB Pahang dll, andainya berlaku pulak pilihanraya kecil lagi di negeri-negeri Umno/BN ini. Apakah golongan dari regim lama ini yang akan diharapkan menghidupkan Umno kembali seperti yang ditunjukkan di Bagan Pinang?

Masih banyak kerusi-kerusi seumpama Bagan Pinang yang Umno masih boleh menaruh harap untuk menang besar di Negeri Sembilan, Melaka atau Johor. Kemudian berkokok kuat-kuat bahawa orang Melayu dan India telah kembali kepangkuan Umno/BN. Najib silap dan partinya pun silap membuat ektrapolasi atau rumusan borong seperti itu untuk seluruh negara. Hati kecil mereka tahu bahawa itu tidak benar.

Kemenangan Umno di Bagan Pinang ialah kedudukan ’status-quo.’ PAS turun sebagai ’underdog’ dan Umno sebagai ’juara menanti’ atau ’incumbent’. Macamlah PAS menang di Bukit Gantang, Penanti dan Manik Urai, atau PKR memenangi kerusi Permatang Pauh. Kelainan hanyalah terdapat pada kerusi Kuala Terengganu yang ditawan oleh PAS dari Umno. Itu boleh berkokok kuat-kuat. Itu lonjakan dan luarbiasa namanya.

Sebaliknya, Najib dan media BN terlalu ghirah untuk meyakinkan bahawa slogan 1-Malaysianya telah diterima rakyat dengan kemenangan Isa. Maka Isa itu 1-Malaysia ke?

Inilah akibat kepemimpinan populis seorang Perdana Menteri yang takut mengambil risiko. Beliau gagal menampilkan orang muda, profesional dan mungkin juga bersih untuk proses penambahbaikan atau ’reengineering’ Umno.

Kini Najib terperangkap dengan kelemahan kepimpinannya sendiri. Umno terlepas peluang di Bagan Pinang untuk memerdekakan ahli, pengundi dan rakyat. Umno mahu terus mencandukan rakyat dengan imbuhan, sogokan dan gula-gula yang mampu ditaja oleh seorang ’taiko’ yang mewah setelah 22 tahun menjadi MB negeri terbanyak itu.

Umno tidak bersedia bermain di pentas ’Politik Baru’ –politik berteraskan pengundi yang dibekalkan maklumat, lantas keberanian memilih sesiapa pun yang mereka tanggap mewakili cita-rasa dan harapan mereka.

Justeru, Najib gagal meyakinkan rakyat seluruhnya bahawa dia komited untuk memerangi rasuah dan politik wang. Mereka tahu bahawa Isa bukan ikon ”pembenteras rasuah” bahkan sebaliknya. Di satu sisi, nampaknya MCA jauh lebih berani membuat tekad perubahan dalam pergolakan dalaman parti itu mutakhir ini. Umno tidak akan berlajar, selagi belum kalah di peringkat Pusat atau Persekutuan.

Apa kurangnya dilema PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat?

Bagan Pinang, penulis ingin tegaskan bukan ukuran terbaik dari banyak sisi. Namun ada petunjuk penting yang perlu diambil iktibar. PAS/Pakatan kalah besar di kerusi ini. Lebih besar dari kekalahan PRUke-11, 2004.

Sememangnya terdapat banyak faktor yang mengekang pencapaian PAS/PR.

Antaranya ialah Undi Pos yang berkenaan pihak keselamatan, Tentera dan Polis. Kekalahan hampir 3000 undi pos bukan satu jumlah yang kecil. Lebih parah lagi ialah

Pengurusan undi pos itu, paling tidaknya mencurigakan dan paling buruk, jelas ada unsur-unsur penipuan.

Terdapat 250 nama dalam daftar pemilih tentera yang masih juga mengundi sebagai pihak awam. Terdapat juga tentera yang sudah bersara yang masih mengundi sebagai undi pos. Selain dari 1200 yang tinggal dalam kawasan kem di DUN Bagan Pinang, selainnya sukar untuk ditentukan samada tentera atau pihak lain yang mengundi seperti zaman zaman awal dulu.

Tegasnya undi pos terus menjadikan persaingan pilihanraya di negara ini masih belum dapat dikatakan di padang yang sama-rata. Daftar Pemilih wajar dan wajib dibersihkan seluruhnya.

Pun begitu, PAS dan parti-parti komponen Pakatan, wajar menjadikan prk Bagan Pinang sebagai satu ’peringatan tegas’ bahawa ’Road-Map’ ke Putrajaya tidak semudah dan seenak yang dituturkan.

Kalau benar-benar Agenda Perubahan Besar PRU ke-13 mahu digapai dan direalisasikan, maka tahap kesiapsagaan dan keserasian bekerja sebagai sebuah Koalisi Politik yang bakal menjadi Kerajaan Pusat, semestinya diperbaikki segera.

Percakaran dan perbalahan di antara pimpinan komponen Pakatan khususnya yang menerajui kerajaan negeri disaran dihentikan segera. Mekanisme mengatasi perbezaan dan pertikaian polisi khususnya yang berunsur ras, kaum dan agama mesti diurus dengan bijak, cermat dan berkesan. Sikap berdolak-dalik atau flip-flop tidak wajar diraikan.

Tindakan disiplin terhadap sesiapa pun pimpinan yang tidak mengikut peraturan-peraturan yang disepakati oleh Muafakat Politik di peringkat Majlis Presiden mesti dikuatkuasakan tanpa diskriminasi.

Wakil-wakil rakyat samada Ahli Parlimen atau Adun yang tidak menunjukkan prestasi baik memberi khidmat kepada rakyat mesti segera ditangani pihak Pakatan. Jangan tunggu musim pilihanraya kecil seperti yang didakwa berlaku di prk N31 Bagan Pinang. Setiap kehilangan sokongan mesti dipertanggungjawabkan kepada Ahli Parlimen dan Adun serta jentera Pakatan setempat. Keseriasan bekerja mesti di pantau pimpinan tertinggi dan ini tidak wajar dikompromi, kalau benar kita punya agenda besar.

Bagan Pinang akan terus menjadi pertikaian dari pelbagai sudut. Umno/BN dan khususnya PAS/Pakatan berdepan dengan pelbagai ”Wake-Up Call” .

Hanya yang mampu belajar dan terus belajar serta berubah ke arah yang lebih baik akan berjaya memimpin negara ini.

Pakatan atau BN kah yang memilikki ciri keunggulan ini?

1Malaysia: Ori resipi asal Indonesia

Written by Faisal Mustaffa

Konsep 1Malaysia juga diciplak dari negara jiran, yang 1bangsa Indonesianya diperkenalkan 85 tahun dahulu Sumpah Pemuda (versi ejaan disempurnakan) Pertama: Kami putra dan putri Indonesia, mengaku bertumpah darah yang satu, tanah air Indonesia. Kedua: Kami putra dan putri Indonesia, mengaku berbangsa yang satu, bangsa Indonesia. Ketiga: Kami putra dan putri Indonesia, menjunjung tinggi bahasa persatuan, bahasa Indonesia. Sebelum ini saya sering mempertikaikan konsep nasionalisme yang dibawa oleh pemimpin kerajaan Barisan Nasional kepada rakyat Malaysia. Baru-baru ini Perdana Menteri Najib Razak memperkenalkan 1Malaysia yang membawa erti semua kaum di Malaysia berdiri di bawah satu konsep Bangsa Malaysia yang tidak mengira kaum. Sebelum ini lagu kebangsaan Malaysia juga dibuktikan bahawa ianya bukan lagu asli Malaysia. Ianya diciplak dari lagu keroncong Terang Bulan di Indonesia yang asalnya diambil dari lagu Memula Moon, suatu karya gubahan seorang Peranchis. Konsep 1Malaysia mirip Sumpah Pemuda yang dibacakan pada 28 Oktober 1928 yang mana berikrar berbangsa satu, Bangsa Indonesia. Sumpah Pemuda Indonesia juga berikrar bahawa mereka bertumpah darah yang satu, tanahair Indonesia dan menjunjung Bahasa Indonesia sebagai bahasa mereka bagi memperkuatkan kesatuan bangsa-bangsa di Indonesia. Para peserta dari kongres sumpah pemuda ini terdiri dari pelbagai organisasi pemuda seperti Jong Java, Jong Ambon, Jong Celebes, Jong Batak, Jong Sumatranen Bond, Jong Islamieten Bond, Perhimpunan Pelajar-pelajar Indonesia (PPPI), Pemuda Kaum Betawi. Bahkan ada juga keturunan Tionghua yang bertindak sebagai pemerhati dalam kongres tersebut. Signifikannya konsep yang dibawa oleh Pemuda Indonesia pada ketika itu apabila ianya diusulkan di dalam kongres yang dihadiri oleh wakil-wakil mahasiswa Indonesia dari pelbagai etnik di Indonesia. Mereka bergabung di Indonesische Vereeninging yang akhirnya diubah menjadi Perhimpunan Indonesia. Kewujudan gabungan ini adalah hasil daripada kecewaan dengan perkembangan kekuatan-kekuatan perjuangan di Indonesia, dan melihat situasi politik yang dihadapi, akhirnya membuat keputusan untuk membentuk kelompok pemikir dari kalangan mahasiswa berpengaruh atas keaktifan mereka pada ketika itu. Intipatinya keadilan sosial Peserta Kongres Pemuda II, Okt 28, 1928. Picture source: Wikipedia Antara kelompok pemikir terdiri daripada Kelompok Studi Indonesia (Indonesische Studie-club) yang dibentuk di Surabaya pada tanggal Okt 29, 1924 oleh Soetomo. Kedua, Kelompok Studi Umum (Algemeene Studie-club) yang direalisasikan oleh para nasionalis dan mahasiswa Sekolah Tinggi Teknik di Bandung yang dimotori oleh Soekarno pada tanggal Julai 11, 1925. Mereka berpendapat, bagi memperkuatkan kesatuan di kalangan bangsa-bangsa di negara itu ialah dengan melalui sejarah, bahasa, hukum adat, pendidikan dan kemahuan. Pada perhimpunan mereka kedua pada Okt 28, 1928 di Gedung Oost-Java Bioscoop, mereka membahaskan masalah pendidikan. Di akhir perbahasan, mereka bersependapat bahawa kanak-kanak harus mendapat pendidikan kebangsaaan, harus pula ada keseimbangan antara pendidikan di sekolah dan di rumah. Mereka juga bersetuju bahawa anak-anak perlu didik secara demokratik. Di akhir kongres juga diperdengarkan lagu ‘Indonesia’ karya Wage Rudolf Supratman. Kini hari Sumpah Pemuda menjadi hari bagi memperingati konsep yang diperkenalkan pada tahun 1928 itu. Setiap kali tiba tanggal 28 Oktober, mereka akan memainkan semula rakaman ikrar Sumpah Pemuda 1928 yang bertujuan untuk membangkitkan kesedaran segenap pemuda Indonesia dalam meningkatkan semangat kebangsaan serta daya saing pemuda Indonesia pada waktu tertentu. Dan harapan pelapis-pelapis kepimpinan yang menyanjung sejarah konsep ‘satu bangsa’ mereka ialah menimbulkan kesedaran bahawa kemajuan bangsa yang berkeadilan social dan bermartabat akan mudah dicapai apabila bangsa Indonesia tetap mempertahankan rasa persatuan dan kesatuan. Justeru, para pemuda harus memiliki kesedaran posisi untuk terus mengasah jiwa kepeloporan mereka dalam memperbaiki kualiti kehidupan bangsa mereka. Dulu kan Dr M ‘bersih’ dan ‘amanah’? Menurut blog 1Malaysia yang aku rasa bukan ditulis oleh Najib sendiri, 1Malaysia mengandungi lapan nilai iaitu perseverance (tekad), acceptance (penerimaan), pendidikan, integriti, meritokrasi, ciri kemanusiaan, kesetiaan dan kecemerlangan sebagai satu budaya. Menurut Najib di dalam salah satu ucapan di dalam blognya, matlamat 1Malaysia adalah untuk mengekalkan dan meningkatkan perpaduan di dalam kepelbagaian negara ini yang selama ini menjadi kekuatan supaya kekal sebagai bekalan sebaik kita untuk masa hadapan. Ia juga kononnya sebagai tempat untuk berkongsi impian, untuk satu masa hadapan yang lebih baik. Memang menakjubkan dan semememangnya nilai-nilai ini diperlukan. Tetapi apakah nilai-nilai ini diterapkan? Kita lihat konsep Bersih, Cekap, Amanah yang diterapkan oleh bekas Perdana Menteri Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan kemudiannya diubah kepada Bersih, Cekap, Adil yang mana nilai-nilai itu cuba diterapkan kepada kakitangan-kakitangan kerajaan. Adakah tahap kecemerlangan kakitangan awam berjaya dipertingkatkan? Kita lihat pula konsep Islam Hadhari yang diperkenalkan oleh bekas Perdana Menteri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bagi menerapkan cara hidup Islam. Ianya dikecam dengan cuba memanipulasi konsep kesyumulan Islam itu sendiri. Wawasan 2020, Hadhari, sekarang ni Sememangnya, konsep-konsep nasionalisme yang dibawa oleh pemimpin kerajaan Malaysia (sebut, Barisan Nasional) hanya cuba memberi kepentingan yang boleh membawa kepopularitian indidividu dan tidak melihatkan kesan kepada pembangunan insan. Inilah akibatnya apabila kita mempunyai konsep yang tidak mempunyai nilai demokratik yang betul-betul melihat kepada pemasalahan dan keperluan rakyat dalam membentuk satu bangsa. Saya cuba menanya pendapat teman-teman mengenai kefahaman mereka secara rambang mengenai konsep 1Malaysia. Mereka sering merujuk 1Malaysia kepada Najib. Pendapat melampau daripada teman-teman ialah retorik politik biasa pemimpin Malaysia. Mungkin sedih apabila mendengar pendapat sedemikian tetapi bukankah pendapat-pendapat mereka itu ada kebenarannya?

A picture is worth a thousand words

Sometimes I do not need to write my normal cheong hei article. Sometimes all I need to do is post a picture. After all, a picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words. So let this picture explain the difference between 'Islamic' Malaysia and 'Kafir' China. Should I shout and scream about how proud I am of Malaysia's version of Islam? Or should I instead hide my face in shame and hope no one notices that I too am a Muslim?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Muhyiddin wants all BN parties to reform, too

By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 – In urging all Umno leaders to support the party’s reform efforts, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tonight asked all Barisan Nasional (BN) parties to change as well.

“Let me state here that not only Umno must change. Barisan Nasional component parties must also change,” said Muhyiddin when opening the Youth, Wanita and Puteri assembly tonight.

His remarks underline Umno’s growing unhappiness with its partners in the 13-party coalition.

The Umno deputy president’s call was made amid uncertainties in MCA, the second biggest BN party, after its two top leaders were voted out at its EGM last weekend.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, however, has yet to make any decision on his future despite the defeat.

MIC, too, has been weakened since Election 2008, resulting in Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak seeking a new ally when he officiated the launch of a new Indian political party, the Makkal Sakti Party, led by former Hindraf leader RS Thanenthiran.

MIC president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu had also vowed to stay on until his deputy Datuk G Palanivel is ready to take over.

Today, Muhyiddin said Umno must re-examine its association with other BN parties.

“We must be ready to do a thorough transformation, including reaching a new consensus in our relationship with other BN parties,” he told party delegates.

He said the new form of cooperation must be based on racial acceptance and accepting diversity as the nation’s strength.

This year’s Umno assembly will see the party amending its constitution to expand its voting delegates size from some 2,500 to more than 100,000 members.

The amendment will also scrap the nomination quota to contest party posts, a move designed to allow more party members to take part in the elections.

Najib makes last-minute appeal to reform Umno

Najib ... ‘if we put unity above everything else, we will succeed just like how we succeeded in Bagan Pinang.’

By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 – Datuk Seri Najib Razak today asked Umno central delegates to support the party constitutional amendments scheduled to be tabled this Thursday that will do away with nomination quotas and increase the voting base to more than 100,000.

In his first presidential briefing since assuming the party presidency last March, the prime minister also said that the amendments would make Umno’s top leaders more accountable, as contest for senior posts would be made easier.

“I have explained the current scenario, the political landscape and the challenges faced by Umno,” Najib told reporters after meeting some 2,500 party delegates at its headquarters in the Putra World Trade Centre.

The presidential briefing or pre-council is always held before the start of the annual assembly, and is traditionally used by the party president to set the direction for the meeting.

“I pointed out how important it is for Umno to change for the better, in terms unity, culture and behaviour,” said Najib.

“I gave an example, if we put unity above everything else, we will succeed just like how we succeeded in Bagan Pinang,” added the chairman of the Barisan Nasional about the win that snapped its losing streak in the peninsula since Election 2008.

He explained the reason for the proposed amendment which includes, among others, increasing the number of delegates eligible to vote from some 2,500 to more than 100,000, noting, “so that we can control the behaviour of the members, so we can do better.”

“The amendment can eradicate money politics, because the number of voters is much bigger,” he said adding that it will be easier to detect the practice of vote buying with the higher number of delegates.

Najib said with the amendments, top leaders who don’t perform will also be open to challenges.

The main amendment is abolishing the quota system for aspiring candidates in the party elections, which has been a major obstacle in contesting party posts.

When asked whether the amendments will face opposition from the delegates, Najib said they responded well to him during the briefing.

“God willing, the response was warm, we’ll see in a day or two,” he said.

His reform effort was earlier opposed by Bukit Mertajam division and most divisions in Johor, as it was said to have been done in haste and not seen to be empowering the party grassroots.

The plan to reform the party through constitutional amendment was first unveiled by Najib at its general assembly last March in an attempt to curb money politics.

This year’s Umno general assembly starts tonight with the opening of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri assemblies by deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Your attendance means I am Speaker, Ganesan taunts PR reps

By Clara Chooi - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 – Perak Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan has issued a direct challenge to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) assemblymen, saying that if they chose to attend the Oct 28 sitting, they were endorsing him as Speaker.

Meanwhile, the PR parties are convening a meeting at the Perak PAS headquarters tonight, to decide whether to attend the sitting. They are expected to reach a decision by tonight.

It is widely speculated that ousted Speaker V. Sivakumar would issue his own notices on the assembly, citing the same date and time as the notices sent out by Ganesan on Monday.

This would give them the opportunity to attend the Oct 28 sitting without recognising the notice sent by Ganesan, whom they do not recognise as the state’s legal Speaker.

Ganesan however, has an entirely different take on the matter.

“If they attend, that means they are abiding by my notice and that they are endorsing me as Speaker.

“And if they endorse me as Speaker, they must follow my orders,” he told The Malaysian Insider today.

He refused to acknowledge the possibility that Sivakumar may distribute notices of his own to convene an assembly sitting at the same date and time.

Sivakumar has until tomorrow to issue his own circulars on the assembly if he wants to convene a sitting on Oct 28. This is because 14-days’ notice is required to be given to assemblymen prior to a state assembly sitting.

“Don’t refer to him as Speaker. To me, he is Tronoh assemblyman. He is not the Speaker,” said Ganesan.

He added that the notice that he had sent out to all the state’s 59 assemblymen had received the consent of the Sultan last Friday, and was legitimate.

The assemblymen were also asked to submit, by today, their questions to the state government for the question-and-answer session during the sitting.

The Malaysian Insider understands, however, that not one PR assemblyman has submitted questions.

Ganesan also issued a stern threat to all assemblymen, especially those from the PR – “follow my orders or face the music.”

He said that he would not hesitate to take any action, as enshrined in the Standing Orders, against those who misbehaved in the state assembly hall.

“If their behaviours warrant punishment, I will not hesitate to take action. I will use whatever powers I have within the Standing Orders,” he said.

Ganesan also chided PR assemblymen for the possibility of them going back on their word and attend the sitting in October.

“They already publicly said that they would not be attending. What kind of politicians are they? Leaders are not supposed to say one thing one day and then do something else the next,” he said.

Ganesan also told The Malaysian Insider to inform PR assemblymen to accept the reality that they no longer had the majority of the House.

“You tell them this. They only have 28 (assemblymen) and Barisan (Nasional) has 31. That is the reality and I know they understand this democratic principle well.

“This (former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad) Nizar (Jamaluddin), (former senior state executive councillor Datuk) Ngeh (Koo Ham), (former executive councillor) Nga (Kor Ming), they all understand this.

“Why is it when the BN had 28 assemblymen, they never kicked up a fuss?” he said.

Ganesan also firmly stated that, “by hook or by crook”, he would not allow PR assemblymen to interfere with the tabling of the Budget.

“They cannot interfere. We will pass the Budget. They only have 28 assemblymen to BN’s 31,” he said.

Isa gets hero’s welcome at Umno assembly

He’s No. 1. Isa’s Bagan Pinang win has elevated his status in Umno. — Picture by Choo Choy May

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Bagan Pinang by-election victor Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad was greeted with loud cheers and endless congratulatory wishes when he arrived on the red carpet, on the eve of Umno’s 2009 general assembly.

He was literally drowned, given his small stature, in the crowd of Umno leaders and supporters the moment he stepped through the main entrance of the party’s headquarters.

Isa was all smiles, looking sharp and clean shaven, his eyes glowing with pride, and came with an entourage of proud and loyal followers.

The cheers he received further boosted his spirits, already high after Sunday’s by-election victory, and he gave out a bigger smile.

Corrupt or not, this was the man that ended Umno and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) humiliating by-election losing streak and judging by his expression today, he knows it.

Isa had to battle opposition to his candidacy from many quarters, including veteran Umno leaders Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who pointed to his three-year suspension for money politics in 2005 as a reason to disqualify him from the by-election.

His past was exhumed and he was chided time and again but the welcome he received today may lead Isa to believe that black chapter in his life has finally come to an end.

And his re-entry to active politics could not have been done in better fashion.

Isa doubled the majority BN received in Election 2008 and pulled a significant amount of non-Malay votes back into the coalition’s fold — at a time when its non-Malay component parties are becoming irrelevant.

Out of the seven by-elections held in West Malaysia since the 2008 general elections, BN not only lost all but also by bigger majorities.

“This is a new start for the party, this victory will rejuvenate our spirit,” Isa told reporters who were abruptly alerted to his presence by the thunderous cheers that greeted him.

Isa will be among thousands of Umno delegates attending the annual assembly and an extraordinary general meeting later to vote on the party’s constitutional amendments seeking to abolish the quota system for top party posts.

We want ketuanan rakyat, not ketuanan Melayu, in Sabah

The Sabahan Muslim PKR man I shall call M. His Catholic counterpart, I shall call C.

I met both last Friday night.

Both declined to be audio recorded.

____________________________________________

Me : Anwar’s appointment as Sabah PKR chief early this year was never opposed, right?

M : Not opposed does not mean everybody is happy about it.

Me : So some were unhappy. Why? Was this made known?

M : Look, his wife is the president, but everyone knows Anwar is the real leader of PKR. So you have the top PKR man in the country now taking over the running of PKR Sabah. You can’t really go up to him and say “We’re not happy”. Some people thought that a local person would be more effective. Anyway, some also thought that with Anwar heading PKR in Sabah, it might be easier to get things done for Sabah in KL. So it might not be such a bad idea to have Anwar as the head.

C : Do you remember the elections in Sabah in 1994? You know what happened?

Me : You are referring to the elections won by PBS but which eventually saw a BN state government in place through defections from PBS?

C : Yes. Many in Sabah still remember this. And many still remember that Anwar was behind it. The people of Sabah had chosen their government but the politicians from Semenanjung, led by Anwar, were going to decide who should rule in Sabah.

Sabahans do not like it when Semenanjung people impose their will on Sabahans. ( M nodding in agreement )

Sorry, but Sabahans do not fully trust Semenanjung politicians, and Anwar is no different. ( M nodding in agreement ). People from Semenanjung tell us he is a changed man after his long time in jail. I don’t know. If Mahathir had not played him out, and he had become PM, would his politics be what it is now?

Last year, after the elections, Anwar started to speak of ‘ketuanan rakyat’. Is this for real or only political talk? Is ketuanan rakyat only for the rakyat in the Semenanjung and not also for the rakyat in Sabah and Sarawak? If the rakyat of Sabah are tuan, then let Sabahans decide who will lead PKR Sabah. ( M nodding in agreement )

M : Anwar must convince us that he is a changed man, that he no longer holds to the politics of UMNO, that PKR is not another UMNO.

Me : The PKR top man passed the post of Sabah chief to a PKR vice-president. Shouldn’t Azmin be given the same chance that you all were prepared to give to Anwar?

M : Jeffrey Kitingan is also vice-president of PKR. Should he not be given a chance to lead PKR in Sabah? Or is it that he is not from Semenanjung? Or because he is not a Malay Muslim? Please do not export ketuanan Melayu to Sabah.

Me : But shouldn’t Azmin at least be given a chance to do what he was appointed to do?

M : Go and ask him what he has done for PKR Sabah since June that is worth talking about. Ask him what he has done that the Sabahan PKR leaders could not have done.

Me : It has been suggested that because of the scrambling for positions amongst the Sabahan PKR leaders, it would be difficult to pick one Sabahan to lead without aggravating the others. Therefore, in the short-term, with a view to strengthening the party, pick an outsider as an interrim measure. What would you say to this?

C : Commonlah, you mean to say that the PKR leaders in Semenanjung are not also looking to climb up in the party? Azmin wants to remain vice-president forever? This is normal. What Anwar can do is get all aspiring candidates for the position of chief to agree to close ranks and work together once the choice of the local leader has been made. Of course, if you choose someone who does not have the support of the locals, do not expect that the chosen one will get the co-operation of the others. I’m sure this is the same in Semenanjung.

Me : The 16 PKR division chiefs who expressed no confidence in Azmin have asked for his removal with immediate effect. Azmin, however, has reportedly said that he will relinquish the post when the time is right. He says that this is a matter to be decided by the party’s Supreme Council. What if the Supreme Council stands by Azmin’s appointment?

C : ( Laughing ) That would mean that Semenanjung politicians not only cannot be completely trusted, but that they are also not very clever.

Me : Who would you like to see as head of PKR in Sabah?

M : Jeffery Kitingan ( C nods in agreement )

Me : Do you think that Jeffery would be acceptable to most, if not all of the divisions?

C : He would definitely be preferred to Azmin

Major cover up of RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal at work?

By Lim Kit Siang,

I had posed a question on the “mother-of-all-scandals”, the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the first day of the budget meeting of Parliament beginning on Monday, 19th October 2009.

I have just been informed that this question had disappeared altogether from the list of oral questions for Monday’s meeting of Parliament.

Signs of major cover-up of the PKFZ scandal at work?

DAP MP for Segambut, Lim Lip Eng’s question on the PKFZ scandal has also disappeared from the forthcoming parliamentary list of questions.

This is the question on the PKFZ scandal which I had submitted:

“19th Oct 2009 Monday

“To ask the Prime Minister the outcome of 2007 Cabinet decision commissioning the Chief Secretary, Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department to look into various aspects of irregularities in the Port Klang Free Zone scandal, including unlawful issue of four Letters of Support.”

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Malaysia's Ruling Coalition Wins One - Asia Sentinel

The fundamentalist tide appears to have washed out in a by-election Islamists hoped to win

Malaysia's Barisan Nasional coasted to a convincing by-election win Sunday in a state assembly constituency about 60 km south of Kuala Lumpur, dealing a blow to the hopes of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat, which had won seven of eight previous by-elections since national elections in March of 2008.

Mohamad Isa Samad, a veteran United Malays National Organisation politician who had been suspended for three years from active party politics after being found guilty of vote-buying, won the seat by a plurality of 5.435 votes over Zulkelfy Mohd Ahmad, state commissioner for the fundamentalist Parti Islam se-Malaysia, or PAS, who received only 2,578. As in the national parliament, the Barisan had lost its two-thirds majority in the Negeri Sembilan statehouse, with its majority falling to 21 lawmakers to 15 for the opposition.

There were some incidents of stone and bottle throwing between UMNO and PAS members, according to the Malaysian state-owned news agency Bernama. Two individuals reportedly were detained, one from UMNO and one from PAS. Nearly 82 percent of the voters turned out, which election officials described as a disappointment – although in many western democracies an 80 percent turnout would be met with gratified astonishment. The election was described as clean and fair.

There are questions about what the victory means in the wider context of Malaysian politics. Umno appears to have forgotten about its promises of party reform in picking a tainted candidate who could win after a string of electoral reverses. Isa was suspended for three years for vote-buying. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, among others, condemned UMNO for running corrupt candidates.

"Much as the likely win by Isa Samad in Bagan Pinang today would be welcomed by the leadership after the string of losses Umno has suffered, I am afraid what the nation needs is for Umno to lose again," said Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a longtime party stalwart and opponent of the current Umno ruling powers. "This is because again we have fielded a candidate proven to be corrupt. A win by Isa would translate into an endorsement of corruption-as-usual within the party and the government that it leads."

Both Razaleigh and Mahathir, however, are regarded as largely spent forces within the party.

There was jubilation in the relatively moderate tourist town of Port Dickson. It was originally expected that the PAS candidate might win because of Isa's reputation and infighting between different Umno factions. However, the constituency is deep in Umno territory. Pas's fundamentalist rhetoric doesn't particularly resonate here. It also numbers 4,600 absentee military and police voters considered likely to side with the government. The district has 13,600 registered voters, of which 63 percent are ethnic Malay, 21 percent are Indian and 11 percent are Chinese. The rest are of other ethnic origins.

The national coalition, which has been reeling from a long string of defeats and from perceptions of a kind of end-of-era deterioration, can breathe a sigh of relief. With the coalition mired in corruption, its only win among the previous by-elections was for a Sarawak seat with an overwhelming UMNO plurality

Among other things, the by-election was considered a test of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's attempts to woo ethnic Indian voters back to the Barisan. He appears to have succeeded, at least in the Bagan Pinang district. Indians, who make up about 8 percent of the total population of the country, have been disaffected partly by the endemic corruption in the Malaysian Indian Congress. The Indian community overall has bothered by racial tensions stemming from Malay Muslim protests that that forced the cancellation of the relocation of the 150-year-old Sri Mahamariamman Temple to a site more convenient to them after housing estates had overtaken the onetime rubber plantation in which it had been situated. Muslim protesters paraded a severed cow's head – an insult to Hindus, who venerate cattle -- to the local town hall and dumped it in the protest.

Najib, however, has presided over the creation of the new Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party (People Power Party in Hindi) within the Barisan in a bid to bypass S. Samy Vellu, the head of the Malaysian Indian Congress, who is considered hopelessly corrupt. Najib has attended Hindu festivals and been photographed making chapattis. Almost immediately after taking office in April, he freed several leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force, or HINDRAF, who had been jailed after protest rallies turned violent last October.

If PAS had taken the seat, analysts said, it would have been a dramatic repudiation of UMNO by the voters. In seven of eight previous by-elections since the 2008 general election, the party that previously held the seat reclaimed it. In those eight elections, the Barisan won only one. In Bagan Pinang district, however, the Barisan also had on its side a vast amount of party machinery including buses to haul their voters to the polls. Big billboards praising the Barisan went up all over Port Dickson. Multi-million dollar infrastructure projects and improvements were awarded during the runup to the election and fat government projects were handed out to local contractors. The mainstream media reportedly were warned not to write about Isa's legal problems. Books accusing Opposition Leader Anwar Ibraham of selling out the Malay race were distributed by the hundreds.

By contrast, the opposition Pakatan Rakyat relied on manpower, with as many as 1,500 volunteers swarming into the district to attempt to woo candidates. Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim flew back from the United States to attend rallies on Saturday, excoriating Umno for what he called irredeemable corruption. PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat also campaigned in the district. Lim Kit Siang, the leader of the Democratic Action Party, the Chinese leg of the Pakatan coalition, also came to attempt to take advantage of Chinese disgust with the foundering Malaysian Chinese Association.

Prime Minister Najib has faced a growing series of problems, not the least of which is the disarray in the other component parties in the Barisan. The MCA has been wracked by scandal over huge cost overruns in the Port Klang Free Zone west of Kuala Lumpur. That is the RM7.45 billion (US$2.12 billion) cost to turn Port Klang, the seaport 70 km. west of the capital of Kuala Lumpur, into a national transshipment hub to rival the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai. Its directors say it is likely to default on billions of ringgit in loans, with the possibility, according to an auditor's report, that accumulated interest could drive the cost to a whopping RM12.45 billion. The project was handed to the MCA to shepherd to fruition. The resultant scandal has had top MCA leaders blaming each other and threatens to wreck the party.

Najib's popularity originally soared to 65 percent voter approval in July after being only 43 percent on his selection as prime minister. His strong initial showing was attributed to a series of economic reforms in which he liberalized investment rules for non-Malays and sought to woo other ethnic voters. However, voter approval by people who said they were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with his performance has since fallen to 56 percent, according to the Merdeka Centre research firm. The economy, which is built largely on exports, has continued to suffer in the global economic downturn.

The diminutive Isa obviously allayed concerns that his vote-buying record would be a detriment to his campaign. Although UMNO had originally sought out other candidates, UMNO rank and file members pushed for his candidacy. He proved a formidable campaigner, making 18 to 20 stops in a single day, accompanied by a Malaysian rock singer. He was willing to subject himself to any and all questions from reporters about his suspension over vote buying. By contrast, the fundamentalist Zulkelfy often appeared lost and unable to deal with the development-oriented concerns of the district.

22 Oct for decision on Gobind Singh case

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Oct 2009: The High Court here today fixed 22 Oct for decision in Puchong Member of Parliament (MP) Gobind Singh Deo's application to lift his one-year suspension order imposed by the Dewan Rakyat early this year.

Judicial Commissioner Mohd Ariff Md Yusof told Gobind's cousel, Karpal Singh, and senior federal counsel Azizah Nawawi to file written submissions on Sections 32 and 33 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952.

He said the court needed clarification on the issue of renumeration, whether an MP under suspension can be deprived of his perks and benefits.

"I need both parties to file their written submissions by this Friday, even though I'm fully aware that the house has power in expeling its members," he said.

He also wanted their written submissions to include the position of the Common Law on the issue.

On 23 April, Gobind filed an originating summons at the High Court here seeking a declaration that his one-year suspension as MP, effective 16 March, is null and void as it violated Article 8 (1) of the Federal Constitution.

He named the Dewan Rakyat speaker, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Dewan Rakyat Secretary Datuk Roosme Hamzah, and the government as defendants.

Gobind, 36, is also seeking to declare that the letter dated 18 March and signed by Roosme, suspending him as MP and stripping him of all allowances and benefits as MP, is null and void because it is unenforceable under the law.

He wants a declaration that he is entitled to all those allowances and benefits under Article 64, and that the proceedings and decision of the Dewan Rakyat are not immune to adjudication by the court. — Bernama

Why Pakatan lost in Bagan Pinang - Anil Netto

The Pakatan needs to carry out a serious postmortem to find out why and how it was thrashed in Bagan Pinang.

Posters of the Kg Buah Pala demolition were found around Ladang Siliau in Bagan Pinang on nomination day – Photo by Tiger

In some ways, the BN victory was not unexpected. Perhaps the scale of the defeat surprised many. But a few keen political analysts noticed something amiss ahead of polling day and predicted that Isa would win comfortably as noted in my post here.

So far, many have pointed to some obvious reasons for the BN’s landslide win:

Pull factors:

• Isa was a popular, well-known – albeit tainted – local candidate.
• Bagan Pinang is an Umno stronghold.
• All kinds of promises and enticements were made, especially to army personnel about improved facilities.
• Questions about the postal balloting system persisted.
• And of course, the mainstream media were used in the campaigning (but then the last three points were no different from previous by-elections – except there were more postal ballots here).

Push factors:

The problems caused by certain Pas politicians in Selangor, and the bad press the party received over attempts to ban concerts and the like could have contributed to the defeat. In many ways, these Pas politicians have not learnt from GE1999, when they mistook increased support for their party (then under the Barisan Alternatif) as a vote for more conservative religious laws and an Islamic state. But then, the party was mauled in GE2004.

These Pas politicians are now making the same mistake by assuming that the support for Pas in GE2008 was because voters want more conservative religious regulations even at the local level in places like Selangor. But then, look what happened in Bagan Pinang…

“(The loss is the) result of Pas screwing everything, I think,” wrote a political scientist, who happens to be a Muslim, in a text message to me. He added that the result was expected and about time too, and lamented the PKR’s inability to stand up to Pas. He pointed out that “Anwar’s gutless stand” in this respect suggests that “they are prepared to cut cards with the devil to get Anwar to power at all costs”.

In a way, Pas’ defeat could have a silver lining: it could strengthen the hand of the moderates within the party such as Mat Sabu, Khalid Samad, Husam Musa and of course, Nizar.

PKR’s own inability to rein in certain elected reps from upsetting Pakatan supporters might have also cost the alliance some votes. DAP-PKR bickering, intra-party infighting and the perception that some Pakatan elected reps are more interested in securing positions of power instead of being focused on serving the rakyat surely did not help the campaign either.

As for the DAP, one observer emailed me, “If you get the chance to speak to LGE, tell him to get his Pakatan act together. Take this ‘probation’ period of five years to do house cleaning and remove all the baggage in the party. Or else it will just be a one-time surprise.” The same would apply to other Pakatan leaders and their parties.

The demolition of Kg Buah Pala – and the loss of the Makkal Sakthi factor – also would have eroded support for the Pakatan especially in estate areas.

Tiger, a Chinese Malaysian campaigning for Pas in Bagan Pinang who had visited Kg Buah Pala, sent me the photo of the posters above along with the following remarks:

This was one of BN’s tactics to win the Indian vote, and they did win the three Indian-Malaysian majority voting districts of Siliau, Ladang Atherton and Sua Betong – which in GE2008 were all won by Pas.

The issue of KBP will not be forgotten for a long time to come, as an example of social injustice perpetrated by a supposedly pro-people new state government.

If Pakatan Rakyat cannot understand this, they do not deserve to rule.

Harsh words, no doubt, especially when the Kg Buah Pala deal was approved by the BN. But perception in politics is also important. Did the Pakatan administration in Penang convey the impression that it was trying its level best to live up to its election promises and save the village by delaying the land transfer while it carried out an in-depth probe?

Among some segments of the middle-class, political betrayal may be par for the course. But when politicians make promises to the working class who are living on the margins of society, they’d better live up to them.

I was at the Freedom Film Festival in Penang on Saturday and one of the documentaries screened was about the demolition of Kg Berembang, a Malay settlement (and its surau) in Selangor, in 2007. One of the facilitators pointed out that the demolition swung popular support away from the BN in surrounding area during GE2008.

Just as Kg Berembang was one of the many factors contributing to the “perfect storm” that unleashed the political tsunami of 8 March 2008, the effect of the Kg Buah Pala demolition on the psyche of villagers and settlers elsewhere cannot be easily dismissed (even though Guan Eng is confident that the people of Penang are behind him).

The legal issues asides, it’s not going to be easy for either the BN or Pakatan to allow the wholesale demolition of villages in future without broad-ranging consultation with settlers especially in cases where they have lived on the land for generations. The gut-wrenching spectre of grandparents, parents and children wailing and sobbing as their homes are wrecked will extract in its wake a heavy political price.

Which brings me to the final point, brought to my attention by a political economist: the issues raised by the Pakatan tend to come from a middle-class perspective (issues such as corruption, civil and political rights – important as they are). But there is a class divide here: people living on the threshold of poverty are struggling to make ends meet, to put food on the dinner-table and to provide for their families. This is not to say that democracy, accountability and human rights are not important. Of course they are.

But economic issues do play a part. Has Pakatan clearly articulated its socio-economic agenda (apart from welfarism) when it is so obviously business-oriented? Does it even have a common position on a minimum wage and workers’ rights, for instance? What about insisting that all plantation firms provide their workers with adequate housing?

How does the Pakatan propose to deal with rising food prices? Many are constantly complaining about ever-increasing food prices in the market. How can the Pakatan talk about lowering or stabilising food prices when all its attention is on business and industry such that it barely talks about sustainable agriculture and farming?

And yet, higher food prices will hurt the poor the most. From what we have seen, the Pakatan seems unable to connect with the issues that matter most among many segments of rural voters – farmers, estate workers, fisherfolk – who remain cut off from the mainstream of development and the media.

So many lessons to be learned from Bagan Pinang – especially the fact, that voters cannot be taken for granted anymore by either the BN or Pakatan.

This was a defeat waiting to happen and it should serve as a reality check and wake-up call for the Pakatan.

If the lessons are heeded, then this by-election defeat could be a blessing in disguise for the Pakatan in its long-term struggle. If not…

SOUND BITES - BAGAN PINANG

1. Saya gembira kerana saya salah dalam masalah calon bagi pilihanraya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri Bagan Pinang. Saya percaya Barisan Nasional akan menang walau siapa pun jadi calon, tetapi mungkin kemenangan yang tidak sebaik 2008. Tetapi kemenangan yang diperolehi oleh Isa (bukan ISA) amatlah mengkagumkan.

2. Tetapi saya berpendapat ada baiknya jika kajian yang mendalam dibuat berkenaan dengan sebab-sebab kemenangan yang luar biasa ini tercapai.

3. Jangan pula ada yang mendakwa walaupun mereka jelas terlibat dengan rasuah, tidak salah jika dicalonkan, bahkan jika mereka dilantik menjadi Menteri Kewangan.

Photo Exhibition - NO REFUGE: BURMESE REFUGEES IN MALAYSIA

by Nathaniel Tan

I love photographs, and used to work with refugees, so hope you’ll join me on Thursday!

NO REFUGE: BURMESE REFUGEES IN MALAYSIA
A Photography Exhibition
Presented By SUARAM and The Annexe Gallery
Featuring photos by Greg Constantine, Halim Berbar, Rahman Roslan, Simon Wheatley & Zhuang Wubin

Thu 15 Oct, 8pm
Officiated YB Charles Santiago, MP for Klang, who will also launch a petition to the Malaysian Government to recognise refugees and to sign the 1951 UN Convention Relation to the Status of Refugees.

Admission Free
Exhibition continues till Sun 25 Oct, 2009.

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The images of NO REFUGE are photojournalistic documents of the living conditions of a people who are forced to flee to our hospitable country, but have yet to find refuge or hope here.

When one complains about human rights abuses in Malaysia, many Malaysians like to claim that at least we are better off than Burma. That is however not true for Burmese refugees in Malaysia. They may have escaped the horrors of living under the military rule of the junta in Burma, but here in Malaysia they live a life of fear all over again. As Malaysia is not a signatory of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Burmese refugees do not have rights in this country. Because of this, they cannot get work (out of desperation, many risk their lives accepting dangerous jobs at construction sites - and many die on these jobs), they have no access to healthcare (many also perish from trying to survive in unhygienic and rough conditions), their children have no access to education, and they are subject to all sorts of inhumane abuses, both by the authorities and other Malaysians.

Forced to hide in crammed apartments or makeshift encampments in forests, refugees live in constant fear of being detained by the Malaysian police, immigration officers and RELA volunteers. When caught, they are often abused, extorted for money, or sent to overcrowded and unhygienic detention centres. Sometimes they are even sold to human traffickers as slave labour or prostitutes. As the deplorable situation of Burmese refugees in Malaysia gains international attention, it’s high time for us to examine the human suffering we are causing.

Parts of the proceeds of the sale of the photographs will be channelled to SUARAM’s campaign to advocate for the rights of refugees.

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TALK BY PHOTOGRAPHERS & ACTIVISTS
Sun 18 Oct, 3pm
Come hear the stories, as witnessed and shared by those who document and work with Burmese refugees, of how these already downtrodden peoples are being treated in our country. As one hears the horrific stories of abuse, it is easy to feel ashamed to be Malaysian. But let us also be inspired by acts of compassion and courage. Let’s figure out how we can help those who need our help.

All Eyes On MCA's Central Committee Meeting

By Alan Ting

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- All eyes will be on the meeting of MCA's powerful body, the Central Committee (CC), on Thursday as party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is expected to quit his post as a matter of principle and moral obligation.

Meanwhile, party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is being regarded as the most popular successor.

Another vice-president, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha is largely tipped to be the next deputy president should the meeting decide that Ong step down.

Therefore, based on the current situation, Liow is to be highly recommended by the CC to take over the president's post should Ong's resignation be accepted.

It is learnt that some CC members had reached a "consensus" during a discussion among themseves on Saturday and they are going to recommend Liow as the successor.

It is said that Liow is the most suitable successor at the moment as he is clean and moderate and possesses certain leadership qualities.

However, the selection of the successor may not necessarily be based on the person's ranking in the party.

For example, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, who received the third highest number of votes (for the V-P post) and Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, who was in fourth spot, were chosen as party president and deputy president in 2003 instead of Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn and Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who respectively received the highest and second highest votes.

Age is also not an issue for the 47-year-old Liow to take over the office should the CC decide to accept Ong's resignation. Former presidents, including Ka Ting, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Lee San Choon became president before the age of 45.

Furthermore, some CC members believe that another fresh party election may cause further split in the party, dragging the crisis deeper and affect the party's image in the eyes of the public who have viewed the EGM's outcome badly.

Learning from last Saturday's EGM, some argue that another party election may lead to a leadership split and cause another party crisis.

However, there are CC members who disagree with this view as they believe that the top party leaders should be voted in by the party's delegates in a fresh election.

Based on the latest indication, it seems that all the four party vice-presidents have come to some agreement over the post-EGM matter.

The four vice-presidents are Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Johor executive councillor Tan Kok Hon.

When contacted, all of them refused to comment except Dr Ng who confirmed that there was discussion among themselves, but it was not on the succession plan.

"We only discussed about the stability and direction of the party, and we unanimously agreed that unity is important to the party now. We have not come to any conclusion, as we said the party should come together.

"No, we did not discuss about the succession. The situation is so unpredictable that no one wants to predict anymore. We've just got to wait until the CC meeting on Thursday," she told Bernama here on Tuesday.

Whatever the argument, the CC meeting this Thursday will be crucial in deciding Ong's fate. He is scheduled to return from overseas tomorrow and attend a religious function in Jenjarom tomorrow night.

MCA Can Resolve Its Crisis Internally - Ong

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Embattled MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the 60-year-old party was capable of solving its own problems through its own internal mechanism, hinting that he did not want any "help" from outside.

Saying that the party was now at a crossroad, he also assured that he would do what needed to be done in the best interest of the party.

In a three-paragraph statement in his blog today, the Transport Minister who is on a four-day leave since Sunday said the current crisis in MCA was typical of any organisation that called for change and reforms, particularly the eradication of unacceptable and decadent practices.

"We can either change or carry on at our own peril. We have to take stock of what has happened and learn our past lessons. Ultimately, we hope the party will emerge wiser and more mature," he added.

Yesterday, former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested that the Barisan Nasional leadership intervene and help solve the party's crisis.

At the MCA's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) last Saturday, 1,155 of the 2,304 central delegates passed a vote of no-confidence on Ong.

The EGM also passed a resolution to reinstate suspended Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's membership albeit rejecting the motion to restore him as the party's No. 2.

Following that, the party's powerful central committee (CC) will meet this Thursday to discuss the latest development and the next course of action for the party.

Ong also said that the party must stay united "as it gets back on track to forge forward with greater confidence after the dust settles down".

He also thanked party supporters and Malaysians in general for the concern they had shown him after the EGM.

"Your words of support and encouragement have given me great comfort. Rest assured I will do what needs to be done in the best interest of the party," he said.

Indonesian Workers Stage Protest Against Attempts To Undermine Ties

ROMPIN, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Some 200 Indonesian workers gathered peacefully in front of the worker's quarters of YP Plantation Holdings Sdn Bhd here to protest against attempts by certain groups to create tension between Malaysia and Indonesia.

The protesters, who gathered for about 30 minutes, carried banners that read, "Kumpulan bendera jangan cemari kami" (Bendera group don't undermine us), "Kami mencari rezeki halal di Malaysia" (We are working for a livelihood in Malaysia) and "Malaysia dan Indonesia serumpun" (Malaysia and Indonesia are of the same stock).

Rompin OCPD DSP Johari Jahaya, who was at the scene, ordered the group to disperse as the gathering had no police permit.

A worker, Talib Halim Abdullah, 38, of Flores, said they wanted to show displeasure over the action of a small group of Indonesians who fanned hatred against Malaysia.

Talib, who has been working at the plantation since seven years ago, said they were treated well by the Malaysian government.

"There is really no need to disturb Malaysia. We live in peace here," he said.

Another worker, Tupan Pramana Putra, 38, of Central Java said the peoples of both countries should live in harmony as they came the same stock.

He did not agree to the action of Bendera, saying the peoples of both countries should instead work together in developing their respective countries.

Bendera vigilantes recently launched the "sweeping" of Malaysians off the streets of Jakarta and threatened to wage war on Malaysia.

This was the second protest by Indonesian workers after the one in Cameron Highlands on Sunday.

Najib Sets High Standard For Umno Deputy Presidency - Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has set a high benchmark when he was the deputy president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

As such, the deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president said it would not be easy from him to reach the benchmark without the support of the president and party members.

Muhyiddin also expressed his gratitude to Najib for the support and trust accorded to him as the deputy president.

Speaking when opening the Wanita Umno, Umno Youth and Puteri Umno general assemblies here tonight, Muhyiddin said he was committed to helping Najib in implementing the change which the prime minister had outlined for the party.

He said that Najib spearheaded changes and renewal at the government level, which went down well with the people.

This was proven by the people's support to Umno and Barisan Nasional, which won big in the Bagan Pinang by-election, he said.

"We must embrace the spirit of change initiated by the president at the government level while spearheading change in the party," he said.

Rakyat di Bagan Pinang bodoh?

By Rocky's Bru,

Blame the rakyat, YBs. After so many by-election victories, you don't expect the Pakatan Rakyat camp to be graceful in the Bagan Pinang defeat. But I expected the leaders to be retrospect, to also look at themselves for flaws.

Anwar Ibrahim, in his blog, reproduced Azmin Ali's posting here which unabashedly, and quite unfairly, blamed the voters for electing Isa Samad. So bitter was Azmin that he suggested that there was now no need for Umno to reform the party as its candidate at Bagan Pinang was clearly the choice of the rakyat despite his "corrupt past" (Isa was found guilty of money politics by Umno when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was president).

Azmin wrote:

"UMNO perlu membuat persiapan awal untuk menghadapi Pilihan Raya Umum ke 13 dengan menonjolkan barisan calon-calon UMNO di kalangan perasuah kerana itulah cita rasa rakyat Malaysia."

Blogging from New York, YB Zul could not believe that the people of Bagan Pinang had voted for Isa. In his posting here, he lamented:

"Saya melihat ini dengan suatu perasaan yang gementar, apa dah jadi dengan masyarakat Malaysia. Bagaimana kita boleh menjadi toleran kepada sang koruptor, dan membenamkan Hang Jebat. Apakah ini petanda masyarakat Malaysia sudah menjadi masyarakat yang rosak, atau apakah UMNo/Be End sedang mempercepatkan proses menalqinkan diri mereka."

Kit Siang hints at foul play by Umno ("What was unexpected was Isa’s 8,013-vote and thumping majority of 5,435 votes sweeping all the eight voting streams – the result of gross abuses of power, money politics as well as the postal ballot chicanery") but the veteran is probably the only one brave enough to ask the Pakatan Rakyat leaders to also look within:

"With the rout in Bagan Pinang, Pakatan Rakyat must go back to the drawing board and address the many issues bedevilling the coalition but which had been swept under the carpet, aggravating public concerns about its unity, discipline, cohesion, viability and sustainability as the alternative of the Barisan Nasional for federal power in Putrajaya.

"For a start, Pakatan Rakyat leaders must stop being shy about the need to demonstrate discipline and common sense of purpose at all levels of Pakatan Rakyat as well as have the courage to admit and to resolve any crisis of confidence undermining public support for the coalition."

Lim Guan Eng's RM157Million Kg.Buah Pala Nature Gallery!

This is the impact for selecting the State Government with Bad, incapable, non-credible, and

Business minded, Cruel hearted ADUN and MP's. This is a gift from Lim Guan Eng, Rayer and

Ramasamy, who has no BALLS to change the error and sins made by the previous

government! Resign now! before more are affected!

Kg.Buah Pala today Tanjong Tokong next!

because Lim Guan Eng has no balls to change the Development project! Not Rights or legality.. NO BALLS!

Rwindraj@Cryingvoices..