Memorandum of Understanding between Barisan Nasional and Hindraf

By - Hindraf Economic Unit

This is the first of a series of articles which will be released heading up to the Polling day and beyond. The articles are targeted towards Malaysians in general and Indian Malaysians specifically.
The main purpose of these articles will be to set a standard of reference for what needs to be done to uplift the Indian poor. Along the way, the articles will also try to give Hindraf's perspective on why the MOU has been chosen as the way forward.
Much has been said about the signing of the MOU, and a lot of what was said has been in the realm of conjecture as well as emotional reactions to the signing. Hindraf finds the reactions understandable, though it does not share them, which should be just as understandable to the reader.
Indians make up 7.3% of Malaysia's population according to the Department of Statistics.
We all know that except in crime statistics, Indian Malaysian do not have a 7.3% share of any cake in this country, be it as a part of the annual budget for education, or job opportunities or business licenses.
If the fact that Indian Malaysians are usually allocated about 1% of the total annual education budget (excluding higher learning) seems fair to you, then read no further. But if it seems a tad unfair, then ask yourself this question: How can this be challenged, and changed?
The same applies to all areas where the Indian Malaysian citizen has been excluded from, or has been deprived of.
How can this unfair state of affairs be challenged, and changed?
This does not only apply to the areas which fall under the control of the federal and state governments, but also in the private sector. As a quick exercise, imagine yourself to be an Indian Malaysian youth, of between 19 to 22 years of age, who is looking for some suitable part time or temporary employment. Now go to a popular job site like asiaparttime.com and see for yourself what percentage of the hundred odd new jobs advertised on that site daily will even accept an application from an Indian Malaysian like you.
The only area where an Indian Malaysian is automatically an equal to any other citizen in this country is when it is time to vote. An Indian vote is counted as one, just as a Malay or a Chinese vote is.
And it is from that position of equality, namely the vote, that Hindraf challenges and changes what is wrong, to what is right.
Now, some of you may say that it is the individual that determines his or her success in life, and not the circumstances that surround the individual's particular race.
To this, we ask you to do another simple mental exercise. Give away all your possessions, empty your bank accounts and liquidate your investments, sell your properties and start from zero. But before you start, also burn your birth certificate and diplomas and degrees, destroy your passport and mykad and driving license. Once you are standing there with no document which identifies you as so and so, with no money or wealth, with no right to apply for a bank account or a driving license, to make a police report when someone assaults you and leaves you for dead, no means to obtain medical care in even a government clinic, no right to marry or have children, unless you want your children to share your fate, no way to enroll in school or apply for a job, with no right to property or security.
Once you stand there just like a stateless Indian Malaysian does, please show us how you will achieve everything you have achieved so far in life.
Even Einstein would have become a beggar, if he had been born as a stateless Indian Malaysian in this country.
This brings us to the first point from the MOU which we will address.
Statelessness among the Malaysian Indian poor shall be addressed by the following programs:

i) Identify all Stateless ethnic Indians as ethnic Indians without Birth Certificates and Blue Identification cards and those with Red Identity Cards.

ii) Develop Common Sense and transparent proposals to address the problems of Malaysian Indians who claim to have been born and raised in Malaysia but who do not have any documentary evidence whatsoever of their birth and residency.

iii) Develop policies including those that may allow defined local persons of repute who are given official standing to issue Statutory Declarations conveying their opinion that a said stateless person was indeed born and raised in their locality in Malaysia.

iv) Develop streamlined and transparent policies to resolve the large problem of all persons who only hold Red Identification Cards.

v) Differentiate a system that can differentiate legitimate from non-legitimate citizenship applications from ethnic Indians in Malaysia.

vi) Ensure that the common sense and transparent proposals developed should strictly adhere to the provisions of the Federal Constitution.

Point number three simply means this. A retired headmaster, or some other figure of local repute, can make a Statutory Declaration, which can lead to the stateless Indian Malaysian being released from the nightmare that is his nameless condition.
Now, we issue a real challenge to the reader who believes that Pakatan Rakyat is the salvation for Malaysia. Can you guarantee that Pakatan will at least match the criteria listed above, and eradicate the problem of the stateless Indian Malaysian once and for all?
We in Hindraf are not interested in your curses or your personal attacks. The people that lead and make up Hindraf are fighters, and we will take full responsibility to hold Barisan Nasional to what has been agreed in the MOU. What we are interested in is whether all of you who believe that there exists both the political will and moral backbone within the Pakatan Rakyat coalition to address the question of statelessness among the Indian Malaysian, to hold Pakatan Rakyat to the same standards by which we in Hindraf now hold Barisan Nasional.
If you cannot see the pragmatism that is the basis for the question above, then let it be forever beyond you. But if you understand the import, are you then prepared to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that Pakatan does what is right? If your answer is no, then please find other matters to occupy you, and leave the task of bringing the Indian poor to the mainstream development of Malaysia, to those that can.

Hindraf Economic Unit

Memorandum of Understanding between Barisan Nasional and Hindraf – Part 2

By - Hindraf Economic Unit

The purpose of this series of articles is to set a standard of reference for what needs to be
done to uplift the Indian poor in Malaysia.

A large percentage of the Indian poor cannot vote for themselves, as they are stateless. For
a majority of those that can vote, bread and butter issues are what matter, and not whether
car prices will come down after the election. Hindraf represents their voice, and is morally
and ethically obligated to do what is best for the marginalised Indian poor.

A message is now being sent out to the Indian poor in this country. In that message,
probably for the first time ever in his life, the marginalised Indian Malaysian will see a clear
statement of intent with regards to improving his condition by one of the two coalitions
which are vying for his vote and support.

For a start he will be shown the following:

BN and HINDRAF, in:


Recognizing that there has occurred a transition of the vast majority of Malaysian
Indians from plantation estates to towns and cities over a period lasting
approximately 4 decades, and,
Recognizing that this was not directly and adequately addressed by Government
policy and implementation, and,
Now desiring to correct the chronic socio-economic problems that have resulted in a
comprehensive and permanent manner, etc…


Is that the best “apology” in the world? Not by a long shot. But, it is the only apology he
would have received so far that also brings the promise of hope into his life and that of his
children. We can say with certainty that none of the developers who displaced the Indian
estate worker, or the people who purchased the properties built on the land the estate
worker was displaced from, would have gone out of their way to apologise to him.

There would have been no greater betrayal that the displaced Indian poor could have
suffered than if Hindraf had turned down BN on his behalf.

For the pro Pakatan Malaysian voter who cannot stand the thought that Hindraf has thrown
the full weight of its support behind BN, fret not, there is a way to counter that move, if not
in the coming polls, then in the one after.

The MOU spells out the following key points with regards to uplifting displaced estate
workers.

For the purpose of the Blueprint, ‘Displaced Estate Workers’ shall be considered as
synonymous with ‘Low-Income Indian Households’ and shall be defined for the purposes
of policy formulation and execution as all Malaysian Indian households, earning less than
RM3,000 in 2013(hereinafter referred to as the "Target Group”).

The MOU states that the overall objective of the program will be to double the mean
monthly family incomes of all Malaysian Indian families earning less than RM 3000, base
lined in 2013, by the end of 2020.

There will also be programs to retrain and reskill displaced estate worker youth.

The program will provide easy and attractive placements with appropriate financial support
for the displaced youth (Target group) into 176 GIATMARA centres and 78 community
colleges across the nation.

After retraining, placement services will be provided for jobs and internships in Government
and GLC’s.

For the youth who wish to start a small business after retraining, TEKUN or a program
similar to TEKUN will be set up to provide support.

If you are a pro Pakatan voter, and you no longer want to hear the name Hindraf even in
your dreams, all you will have to do is make Hindraf irrelevant, it is as easy as that.

This can be achieved if you are prepared to ensure that Pakatan Rakyat will at the very least
match the programs and work towards the objectives which are being listed in this series of
articles.

If you are prepared to put the effort to formulate concrete steps to uplift the Indian
poor, address the issue of statelessness and solve it once and for all, increase educational
opportunities from pre-school to University as well as increase employment and business
opportunities for the target group, so much so that the marginalised Indian Malaysian
becomes only a memory, and becomes fully integrated into the mainstream development of
Malaysia, then Hindraf will also become a memory.

When you can get Pakatan to bring down car prices, fuel costs as well as abolish toll charges,
uplifting the Indian poor should be a piece of cake, shouldn’t it?

While we in Hindraf would love to wait with bated breath while Pakatan Rakyat and its
supporters get around to uplifting the lot of the Indian poor, there is a small problem that’s
in the way of us doing just that.

Hindraf knows first –hand that the needs of the marginalised Indian poor are not an abstract
matter. It is a real need, and it exists in real time, for a part of the population who are as real
you are, dear reader. What is unreal is the pain and suffering that they have to endure as
their daily lot.

That knowledge makes it impossible for Hindraf to wait for anyone to get their act together,
so forgive us while we forge ahead while you explain to the Indian poor why abolishing toll
charges is going to turn his life around.

Hindraf Economic Unit

Survey: BN, Pakatan in 'neck and neck race' to May 5

Is Uttar Pradesh Govt. making friendship with Jihadi Outfits? UP Govt. frees serial blasts ‘mastermind’.

Arrested Mohammad Tariq Qasmi and Khalid Mujahid in 2007 UP blasts

15 people were killed and 60 hurt in terror attacks on courts in three cities in 2007.

UP frees serial blasts ‘mastermind’. Why Govt of Uttar Pradesh is kneel down to the Jihadi elements in the state? UP is now a safe land of Jihad.
Upananda Brahmachari & Deep Gidwani | Lucknow | Thursday, Apr 25, 2013:: In Lacknow, Gorakhpur, Aligarh, Gaziabad, Muzaffarpur and in other Muslim majority areas of Uttar Pradesh, jubilant Muslims are preparing a special Jammat of Friday prayer on 26 April to convey their special veneration to Allah after hearing a pleasant news of freeing two deadly Jihadis connected with various blasts in UP in 2007.

While Swami Aseemananda and Sadhvi Pragya Bharti are languishing in Indian Jails with fake charges and facing all severities of denial of bails, the accused and born Islamists are being freed to execute further Jihad against Hindus. Uttar Pradesh is now being most preferable and safe land for Al Jihad.

The Akhilesh Yadav Government of Samajwadi Party & its Islamic allies, has withdrawn charges against Tariq Qasmi, the alleged HuJI militant behind terror attacks in Uttar Pradesh in 2007.

On December 22, 2007 Mohammad Tariq Qasmi and Khalid Mujahid were arrested from Azamgarh for the blasts. Explosives were also recovered from the duo. The Uttar Pradesh ATS then described Qasmi, a Unani doctor, as the area commander of HuJI in Uttar Pradesh and Khalid Mujahid as the head of the action group of HuJI.

In a significant decision that has opened the Pandora’s box, the State Home secretary announced the withdrawal of case against Qasmi on Wednesday. The state home secretary Sarvesh Mishra said that the government’s recommendation has been sent to the court through the law department. However, he added, the final decision of dropping the case would have to be taken by the court.

In a series of embarrassing development under Islamic conspiracy, the trial court has yet to frame charges against Qasmi in the cases.

This is the first instance in which the Samajwadi Party (SP) government has withdrawn a case against an alleged terrorist. Official sources say that terror charges against Khalid Mujahid would also be withdrawn soon.

However, senior police officials fear this might start off a series of such releases driven by votebank politics which could have dangerous consequences. “For its own political games, the government is neutralizing all the efforts we put in to arrest these terrorists,” a police official with the Uttar Pradesh anti terror squad (ATS) lamented.

The SP had promised in its election manifesto that innocents jailed on terror charges would be freed once the party came to power. The Akhilesh Yadav regime has been under great pressure from clerics and Muslim organisations to honour its promise.

Opposition parties have criticized the SP regime for its decision. “The SP is clearly out to appease the minorities with an eye on the Muslim votebank. But this is a very dangerous trend it is setting,” BJP spokesman Vijay Pathak said.

More importantly, the withdrawal of the cases promises to open up a Pandora’s box.

Besides being a major embarrassment for the ATS and the police, questions are sure to be asked about how the ATS had prepared the charge-sheet, what now happens to the evidence and relevant material placed before the court, and, most importantly, who are the real culprits responsible for the blasts.

Hurdles for government

Lawyers’ organisations have threatened to take to the streets on this issue. “The court serial blasts case is a serious matter. Several lawyers lost their lives. We will not allow the (state) government to withdraw the terror charges,” says Ajay Pandey, vice-president of the Central Bar Association.

Senior advocate Padm Kirti says it might not be easy for the government to withdraw the charges. “Though under the Criminal Penal Code the government has the right to withdraw any case, in this case it would be rather difficult as the STF and the ATS have submitted strong evidence, the charge-sheet has been filed and the case is in its final stages,” he says.

According to law, the court hearing the case has the final word on whether the charges can be withdrawn.

A PIL has been filed in the Allahabad high court against the withdrawal of the case. The petitioner has submitted that the two HuJI terrorists were arrested along with a large supply of explosives.

Experts say it would be virtually impossible to deny all the evidence that the STF and ATS have submitted before the court.

If the government chooses to rubbish the entire evidence, it would have to prove how the STF and ATS officials stand to benefit by framing the entire case.

Islamists influencing UP Govt

For the vote Bank Policy through appeasement of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh who are 17% -23% in a rough estimation in the state, the Uttar Pradesh Govt. is plying a dangerous role in the direction of Islamize the whole Uttar Pradesh under an nefarious design. The connection of Bukharis and Jama Masjid of Delhi with Mulayam and Akhilesh, the father and son duo, is self explanatory. More and above the influential Minister Azam Khan is also controlling another lobby of Jihadis in the state.

Islamic hooliganism and riots are growing through out the state to frighten the peace loving Hindu people of Uttar Pradesh.

Pressure Politics from the Political Jihad groups made this success for releasing such Terrorist from the clutch of Police and Judiciary under a heinous role of State Administration.

UP govt. is now contemplating 30% reservation for Muslims in political representation, education and employment for getting a boost from the Muslim support in the coming elections. In a very confidential move, Akhilesh Ministry is preparing a blue-print to give reservations for Muslims in the state, following the model of West Bengal Reservation Policy which implemented 10% Muslim reservation under the quota of Backward classes.

Thousands rally in UK to demand end to anti-Islam speeches

BIRMINGHAM: Up to 25,000 British Pakistani men, women and children from across the UK gathered in Aston Park here to express their love for Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to call on the British government to introduce legislation that bars Islamophobes from insulting Islam under the garb of the freedom of speech.
The participants, who also travelled from several parts of European cities, were led in a peaceful and colourful mile-long march by Hazrat Peer Alauddin Siddiqui. This is the fourth consecutive gathering for the biggest Melaad-un-Nabi (PBUH) of British Pakistanis in Britain but this year it was dedicated to “protect the honour and legacy of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)”. Speakers included interfaith leaders from Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish religions and parliamentarians from Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats. Sardar Attique Khan, former Azad Kashmir prime minister, was the chief guest of the rally.

Hazrat Peer Alauddin Siddiqui, who is a renowned Sufi scholar, told Geo News: “Thousands have come together to show peacefully to the western world that the production and promotion of a recent film insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has caused hurt to Muslims all over the world. We are a peaceful community and we will do everything to protect peace and respect for all on equal basis. It’s not fair that some people insult Islam everyday and preach hatred through their actions and words but the lack of legislation encourages such elements. We want to tell our government that we welcome debate and constructive criticism of our religion but insults are unacceptable and inflammatory language is contributing to the rise of extremism amongst youth in western countries where youth mistakenly believe that the West hates Islam and Muslims.”

He announced that a rally of tens of thousands of Muslims will be held soon in Hyde Park to profess loyalty to Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as well as to condemn the crudely made “Innocence of Muslims” movie which was recently released in the US and caused outrage in the Islamic world, including leading to a ban on Youtube in Pakistan.

Peer Siddiqui told the audience that relations between Islamic and Western countries have improved in recent years and these years need to be strengthened but that is possible if all religions are respected and there should be law in place to ensure that Islam and Muslims are not singled out.

“There is resentment amongst Muslims over the continuing failure of the western government for not doing enough to protect Muslims. Attacks on Muslims have increased and while we are law-abiding and peace-loving citizens of this country, we want our government to take our concern into account,” he added and appealed to Muslims to stay peaceful against provocations.

Speakers said that freedom of speech was a cherished value but abusing Islam is not freedom of speech. They said the best way forward is to engage constructively with Muslims about their religion. They said Muslims were making a great contribution towards everyday life in western countries and it is important that their contribution is recognized.

Waytha, choosing between Ravana and Rama matters

By Tamil Mani,
The last few days have been really very sad times for Malaysian Hindus, and especially those who belong to or associate with Hindraf.

I am not referring to the purported betrayal of Indian Malaysians by P Waythamoorthy, the leader of Hindraf, for signing a MOU with BN, nor his willingness to work with BN, nor his subsequent call to Indian Malaysians to return BN to power with a two-thirds majority.

There are enough letters and comments from the cyber-world and right-thinking Malaysians to condemn his latest decision in his avowed bid to uplift the Indian community.

Specifically, I am referring to Waythamoorthy's defence of the MOU wherein he had said it is inconsequential whether Ravana or Rama rules the country.

This is what has me - and, I believe, many other Hindus - really peeved with Waythamoorthy.

In effect, what Waythamoorthy meant was this: "I don't care who - bad or good - rules the country for as long as I get what I want."

Self-centred and short-sighted, he is prepared to gamble away the long-term welfare and well-being of Indian Malaysians for short-term gains.

Whether his stance pays off is left to be seen in the near future.

To make matters worse, and in pursuit of political expediency, Waythamoorthy made a mockery of Hinduism by implying that any ruler in the likeness of Lord Rama is inconsequential to him as long as he has achieved his ends.

This, and to equate, compare, or relate Lord Rama to Ravana in the context of a questionable MOU, is a huge disservice - even sacrilegious - to all Hindus everywhere.

Maybe, a little lesson from our Hindu epics and scriptures will, hopefully, do Waythamoorthy some good.

Ravana was an asuran, a demon king whose rule of Lanka, though characterised by his concern for the welfare of his people, was marked by violence, cruelty and greed for power.

He also had hatred for those - including his own brothers - who advised him to mend his wayward ways.

This ten-headed monster became so powerful that even the demigods prayed to the Supreme for his ultimate destruction.

And, Ravana's death came at the hands of Lord Rama.

The Lord is the incarnate of the Supreme Soul who takes different forms every time there is unrighteousness in the world. And to right the ills and evils perpetrated by mankind and beasts.

Lord Rama took a human (and princely) form not only to kill Ravana, but to show mankind how life should be led according to Hindu scriptures.

Lord Rama is the symbol of chivalry and virtue.

In the words of the sage Swami Vivekananda, He is "the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king."

Now, for Waythamoorthy, to unfavourably cite the Lord's name in a mundane manner and context is the biggest travesty!

For sure, because of his unexpected and shocking U-turn, Waythamoorthy had to defend his decision against many critics, especially those who are also well aware of the plight and status of Indian Malaysians and have been working towards a practical solution.

For sure, he has a right to embrace any party whom he deems will be able to fulfill his goals of uplifting the Indian community, even if it means working with the devil.

But, to drag the name of the Lord in spurious circumstances is unforgivable!

Waythamoorthy undertook a "severe" fast recently, hoping to move the caretaker PM Najib or the PM-in-waiting Anwar to his cause.

Subsequently, he conveniently abandoned the fast when his unrealistic demands were not met by either party.

Then, when his hopelessly scaled-down blueprint was endorsed by Najib, he demeaned the Lord by dragging His name in a thoughtless manner.

With scant regard for the Lord, why then fast in the confines of a temple? Was this merely a big show of piety?

Waythamoorthy should have had his farce on the streets, in similar fashion to disgruntled politicians in India who put on a grandiose but pathetic display of fast to gain attention for personal gains.

Hindus of good nature who know their scriptures and follow them faithfully, aspire to reach the Lord through liberation from the vicious cycle of birth and death.

On the other hand, grossly passionate and ignorant Hindus do the opposite through greed, lust, and anger.

Some even go to temples and make rich offerings to the Lord or undertake severe penances merely to seek material wealth, fame and power.

Some carry out charities, or lead organisations purportedly for a noble cause, yet with expectations of some gain or reward in mind.

Whatever egocentric austerities and penances one does, he or she cannot fool the Lord when these are carried out under pretence!

Hindraf was (and still is to a certain extent) a good thing that awakened Indian Malaysians in particular and Malaysians in general.

But, when its leaders are overcome with obsessive passion, they make unreasonable demands and blurt out ill-conceived statements to defend their actions.

Ultimately, they lose themselves and their souls.

To Waythamoorthy's view of the insignificance of the Lord, only time will answer.

Till then, I hope the Lord will have mercy on his soul - whatever little is left of it.

Indian 'Judas' unfazed over kissing Zul

The man who has earned the ire of the Indian community by kissing Zulkifli Noordin on the cheek during nomination day, is unperturbed at being labeled 'Judas' for supporting the controversial Perkasa vice-president.

The Malay Mail caught up with N Devendren (left), who claims to be an MIC member, and has since nomination day earned widespread scorn over social media for his action.

"Life goes on, people especially the Indian community will have their say but in the end I have the right to support whom I choose to as it is my right," said the 32-year-old bachelor businessperson.

Devendren denied claims he took money in exchange for a show of support for Zulkifili, who is standing under the "Friend of BN" ticket, against PAS incumbent Khalid Samad.

"I did not do it for money," he said when met at the BN campaign centre in Section 23 here.

Devendren said he was initially angry with BN for selecting Zulkifli, who disparaged Hindus and referred to Indians with a derogatory term.

Two videos of his actions have since gone viral on the Internet.

"When they announced his candidacy at the Section 9 Umno building, I led 100 of my supporters to the event to protest against the decision. I was so incensed that I would have hit him," he said.

But when Zulkifli (right) came out to meet them, he immediately apologised for his statements.

"He (Zulkifli) clasped his hands and begged forgiveness... It was touching and sincere. I am only human so I accepted it. If Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could be forgiven and accepted by the people, why can't Zulkifli be treated the same way?" he asked.

While he admits the peck on Zulkifli's cheek might be perceived as "an extraordinary act of affection", he does not regret it.

When asked whether he was shunned by the Indian community over the matter, Devendren said many people have questioned him but he has been patient in his response towards them.

Claiming to be an MIC party member for over a year, Devendren, who is from Section 7, is unfazed by the critical comments by thousands of netizens angered by the now infamous picture taken by the Malay Mail.

"Today they will remember me as such since it is campaigning period but 15 days after the results, I would be forgotten altogether," he said with a sly smile.

- The Malay Mail

Don’t vote for Zul Noordin, says MIC veep

M Saravanan says he will never forgive Zulkifli Noordin for degrading and passing racial remarks against the Indian community.
VIDEO INSIDE

PETALING JAYA: Vowing not to forgive the Barisan Nasional candidate for Shah Alam, MIC vice- president M Saravanan has advised Indians not to vote for the Perkasa leader.

“I will never forgive him (Zulkifli). I will continue to tell Indians not to vote for him, he doesn’t deserve their votes.

“If I were to say something disrespectful towards Muslims or their beliefs and then apologise, do you think they will accept it?” he asked.

“It is the same, we are Malaysians and the thought of disrespecting other religion should never even cross our mind.

“I respect the Prime Minister’s (Najib Tun Razak) choice. But his candidacy degrades BN on the whole, he is a disgrace to the party,” said Saravanan, who is contesting the Tapah parliamentary seat.

In an old video clipping which surfaced recently, Zulkifli had questioned the Hindu concept of God and mocked the Ganges River, which is considered sacred by Hindus.

“I have been to Sungai Ganga before. How can you say it’s pure? There are chicken carcasses and small sticks floating,” Zulkifli had said in the video clip.

He has since apologised for his remarks.

PKR candidate confident in Tapah

Saravanan is defending the parliamentary seat against PKR’s K Vasanthakumar, who is contesting the polls for the first time.

Vasanthakumar carved a name for himself with Hindraf and was one of the five detained under the now defunct ISA after the 2007 Hindraf rally in Kuala Lumpur.

Tapah consists 38,000 registered voters with 46.47% Malays, 27.86% Chinese, 13.31% Indians and 12.36% others, including Orang Asli.

Speaking to FMT, Vasanthakumar was confident of beating the incumbent, saying that he was more capable in providing service to the voters of Tapah.

“I have done my research and I know what the people here need and want, I think I know more than anyone else,” he declared, when met in Tapah.

“Poverty is one of the main issues here. About 30% of the people here suffer from poverty. We promise to uphold our minimum wage pledge as stated in our manifesto,” he added.

He also claimed that the Orang Asli communities in the constituency have also shown confidence in him.

“I would like to take this opportunity to call Saravanan for a debate by April 27. Show me what you have done for the people here. Show me if you are a worthy enough to stay a second term.

“I would in turn reply with my grounds on how I would be able to perform better than you and serve the people of Tapah better,” he added.

‘Debate with the cows’

However Saravanan, who is also Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing deputy minister, brushed aside the invitation to debate with Vasanthakumar.

He slammed Vasanthakumar’s debate call, claiming that it was Pakatan’s “standard operating procedure” to call for a debate everytime they are on the losing end.

“They want to debate for every single thing, that doesn’t make sense. Why do I need to debate with him? The people know what I have done for them.

“I have published booklets on my work here for the last five years, you already have my side of the story. You can go ahead and debate with my book.

“If he wants, he can debate with the cows here. Even they know how much I’ve done for the people, don’t waste my time,” he added in jest.

Saravanan claimed that he has strong local support from all races and is confident of retaining the seat.

“The people here like me…I have performed not only for Indians but also for the Malays, Chinese and the Orang Asli. I know they want me to stay and continue to provide my service to them,” he said.

Hadi’s outburst affects PSM’s chances

Sungai Siput incumbent Dr Michael Jeyakumar says the PAS president's remarks will affect Malay votes.

PETALING JAYA: Incumbent Sungai Siput MP Dr D Michael Jeyakumar is worried about his chances of winning over the Malay electorate following PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s outburst against PSM.

“We have problems over Hadi’s statement among the Malay voters but it is a non-issue for the non- Malay voters.

“We are taking the bull by the horn by addressing this issue in our ceramah sessions in the Malay areas,” said Jeyakumar whose constituency is made up of 33% Malay voters.

On Monday, Hadi described PSM as a party glorifying communism with photographs of Lenin, Marx and other communist personalities without naming the party.

Hadi said this while explaining the reason for the multiple candidates contesting from Pakatan component parties.

Another issue that affects Jeyakumar’s chances is DAP’s decision in dropping incumbent DAP representative Leong Mee Meng for Loh Sze Yee for the Jalong state seat, which falls under Sungai Siput.

“The Chinese voters are upset with DAP’s decision to drop Lee. They may not turn up to vote or they may vote BN,” he said.

He is however confident that his relationship with the Pakatan components will not impede his chances of retaining Sungai Siput.

“Here we have pragmatism, PAS needs our support to win the Lintang state seat and DAP works with us to retain the Jalong state seat,” said the first term MP.

He said this when asked about the party’s chances of retaining Sungai Siput while the party faces multiple cornered fights in three other state seats.

‘People disappointed with PKR’

In Semenyih, PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan is facing a three-cornered battle with Umno and PKR’s Hamidi Hassan.

“We have no issues with PKR so far but the people are dissapointed that PKR is contesting against us.

“The questions are who is to take the blame and who is winnable? We say we are winnable and are pro-Pakatan. PKR are the spoilers,” Arutchelvan said.

Party chairman Nasir Hashim has a six-cornered battle with three independents, Umno and PAS in Kota Damansara after Redzuan Ismail of PAS filed his nomination papers.

“The votes are split so my chances of winning is slimmer now. PAS even performed prayers to ensure my defeat on nomination day. We would not get the support from PAS’ hardcore supporters,” said Nasir.

PSM deputy chairman M Sarasvathy is facing a three-cornered fight for the Jelapang state seat in Perak with DAP and MIC joining the fray.

She however is confident of the voters’ support and brushed aside concerns that she is contesting in a Chinese-majority seat.

“They don’t see me as an Indian but as a fellow Malaysian. I don’t see any difference in their treatment towards me just because I am ethnic Indian,” she said.

Jelapang has 68% Chinese voters.

Orang Asli outraged by BN banners

The leader of the Indigenous Village Network condemns the unauthorised use of her picture.

PETALING JAYA: An Orang Asli leader has expressed outrage over the use of her picture on Barisan Nasional banners, calling it “dirty politics”.

Tijah Chopil, who leads the Indigenous Village Network, told a press conference today that she did not support any side in the election and was upset that BN had used a photograph of her posing with members of her community without her knowledge.

She condemned the action as irresponsible and urged contending parties to give up “dirty politics”.

“I will be viewed by my people as campaigning for political parties when I do not support any particular political campaign,” she said.

“I urge Najib, the caretaker prime minister, to remove the banners displayed in the native settlements or I will remove them myself.

“If BN has done so much for natives, why do they resort to something such as this?”

Tijah acknowledged the right of political parties to display campaign banners and distribute associated materials, but said no one should be allowed the audacity of using another person’s picture without that person’s permission.

She said it troubled her that members of her community thought she was a BN supporter whereas she did not favour any side contesting in the May 5 general election.

The offending banner, which claims that the Senoi tribal community supports Najib Tun Razak, have been spotted in Kelantan, Pahang and Perak.

Tijah said her people were confused by it and many had asked her to clarify matters.

She lodged a police report on April 22.

Dr M: PAS tak mungkin laksana hudud tanpa majoriti

PAS perlu memperoleh sokongan dua pertiga tetapi hanya bertanding 70 kerusi parlimen daripada keseluruhan 222 kerusi.

KUALA NERANG: PAS tidak mungkin dapat melaksanakan hukum hudud kerana parti itu tidak akan mampu menguasai majoriti kerusi parlimen untuk meminda perlembagaan negara, kata bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Beliau berkata bagi meminda perlembagaan, PAS perlu memperoleh sokongan dua pertiga kerusi parlimen dan ia pasti tidak akan tercapai kerana parti itu hanya bertanding 70 kerusi parlimen daripada keseluruhan 222 kerusi.

“DAP dan PKR tidak akan sokong, mereka (PAS) tidak akan mendapat dua pertiga majoriti tetapi rakyat tidak memahaminya.

“Untuk menubuhkan negara Islam dan melaksanakan hukum hudud, ini semua temberang, cakap bohong. Orang yang menipu, suka berbohong tak boleh jadi kerajaan,” katanya kepada pemberita pada Program Himpunan Rakyat Padang Terap Bersama Calon Barisan Nasional di Padang Awam Padang Terap, di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata pakatan pembangkang juga tidak layak mentadbir negara kerana pemimpin-pemimpin mereka sering bercanggah pendapat.

`PKR lawan PAS’

“Kalau kita tengok Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) cakap semua sokong, Cina, Melayu, India, Iban dan Kadazan. Tapi bila satu pihak mereka (pembangkang) kata sesuatu benda, yang lain semua bantah.

“Mereka bertanding, PKR lawan PAS, mana boleh ada kerjasama, kalau tak dak kerjasama macam mana nak bentuk kerajaan bersekutu?,” kata Mahathir.

Dalam perkembangan lain, beliau menyifatkan insiden letupan ketika majlis ceramah perdana anjuran BN di pekarangan Bilik Gerakan BN Nibong Tebal Selasa lalu sebagai bukan budaya orang Malaysia.

Mahathir berkata budaya itu mungkin ditiru dari negara yang kerajaannya bersifat kuku besi dan perkara seumpama itu tidak seharusnya berlaku di sini kerana Malaysia ada pilihan raya umum setiap lima tahun.

“Dia tak tau nak jawab apa yang kita kata, dia guna kekerasan, cuba nak bunuh orang, orang Malaysia tak bunuh orang, ini budaya orang luar,” katanya merujuk kepada mana-mana pihak tidak bertanggungjawab yang melakukan perkara itu.

Dalam kejadian pada 10.15 malam itu seorang petugas keselamatan cedera di kaki kanan akibat terkena bahan letupan yang diletakkan pada jarak kira-kira 10 meter dari bahagian belakang pentas ucapan.

-Bernama

Pakatan will lose 15 seats, predicts MIC

Its strategy bureau deputy chief R Ramanan turns soothsayer, anticipates Pakatan Rakyat to lose about 15 seats in the 13th general election.

KUALA LUMPUR: Internal sabotage and Indian voter swing towards Barisan Nasional will result in Pakatan Rakyat losing several seats it currently holds in the 13th general election.

Among the reasons for this, said MIC strategy bureau deputy director R Ramanan, is that Pakatan, unlike in 2008, is missing the support of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The Pakatan coalition – comprising PAS, DAP and PKR – made massive inroads at the last election, reducing BN’s long held two-thirds majority in Parliament.

It captured five states – Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kelantan. Perak went back to the BN after three state assemblymen crossed over and declared themselves Independents in favour of the BN.

The lack of Indian support for BN contributed to its big loss in the 2008 general election, as the 1.8 million Indian community, its traditional supporters, turned their backs on the ruling coalition.

“Opposition parties failed to convince people that their candidates are credible. The top leadership did not even bother to consult grassroots leaders before announcing the candidates.

“This has led to sabotage on the ground. Grassroots leaders are not happy with the candidates and this led to many defections,” said Ramanan.

Ramanan said the “dictatorial” way of Pakatan in its picking of candidates has irked many in its respective parties, especially in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Johor.

“The state committees of Johor, Selangor, Perak and Kedah have had open spats with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim over the issue,” he said.

“Parachute candidates were chosen over local candidates well-versed with the area and the people. They should have explained their decisions. This would have been welcome.”

Indians back to ‘Barisan Najib’

On NGOs, Ramanan said they were now not like in the 2008 election where they and the rakyat spent money from their own pockets to ensure a Pakatan victory.

“The scenario has changed. The NGOs and the public are disappointed with Pakatan leaders who disregarded their views and suggestions,” he said.

He cited an example where the Pakatan-led Selangor state government had promised to reserve four councillors’ post for each local council for NGOs in the state.

“But the Pakatan government betrayed the NGOs by not fulfilling this promise. This is one of the reasons why the NGOs have moved away from Pakatan,” he said.

As for the Indian community, the MIC man said it was obvious that the Indians have crossed back to “Barisan Najib”.

He said statistics showed that 80% of Indian voters supported Pakatan in 2008 “but, with Najib’s wow factor taking shape, 55% Indians are back to the BN”.

“Taking all this into account, Pakatan will lose at least 15 parliamentary seats in the election. You have to remember that Indians are kingmakers in 35 parliamentary seats.

“The BN still has another 10 days to go before polling and the Indian support is expected to increase to 65% by polling day,” said Ramanan.

PAS beri 48 jam untuk Teng minta maaf

Naib Presiden PAS Datuk Mahfuz Omar berkata, dakwaan Teng itu merupakan satu fitnah jahat dan berbaur hasutan.

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS memberi 48 jam untuk Pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) Pulau Pinang Datuk Teng Chang Yeow meminta maaf kerana mengaitkan Pakatan Rakyat dengan insiden letupan bom di bilik gerakan BN Nibong Tebal kelmarin.

Naib Presiden PAS Datuk Mahfuz Omar berkata, dakwaan Teng itu merupakan satu fitnah jahat dan berbaur hasutan yang tidak sepatutnya dikeluarkan oleh seorang pemimpin tertinggi BN negeri.

“Fitnah yang dibuat Teng adalah jelas untuk memberi imej buruk kepada Pakatan Rakyat dan merupakan strategi publisiti murahan untuk meraih undi kepada BN,” katanya dalam sidang media di Pejabat Agung PAS di sini hari ini.

Calon PAS Parlimen Pokok Sena itu juga berkata, pihaknya akan membuat laporan polis terhadap kenyataan Teng seperti yang disiarkan dalam laporan FMT semalam.

“Kami juga memberi masa 48 jam kepada Teng untuk menark balik tuduhan tersebut dan meminta maaf kepada Pakatan dan semua rakyat Malaysia.

“Sekiranya beliau ingkar, saya akan berbincang dengan kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat lain untuk mengambil tindakan undang-undang di mahkamah,” tegas Mahfuz.

Teng dalam sidang media di George Town semalam menyalahkan Pakatan Rakyat sebagai dalang serangan terbabit dan cuba mensabotaj perjalanan kempen BN.

Petugas keselamatan cedera

Insiden terbabit mengakibatkan seorang petugas keselamatan cedera di kaki kanan kerana terkena bahan letupan.

Ceramah yang dihadiri 3,000 orang penyokong BN itu bertukar kecoh selepas terkejut mendengar satu letupan di kawasan longgokan sampah di belakang pentas.

Ketika kejadian, Pengerusi Gerakan Pulau Pinang Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan sedang menyampaikan ceramah.

Polis turut menemui satu lagi bungkusan bahan letupan pada malam yang sama, dipercayai hasil buatan profesional dan berjaya diletupkan sejam kemudian.

Pada masa yang sama, PAS menurut Mahfuz turut mengecam keras dan mengutuk tindakan ganas malam kelmarin serta kebakaran yang berpunca dari bom petrol yang dilempar ke bilik gerakan BN di Sekinchan, Selangor.

Katanya, PAS percaya ini merupakan satu tindakan provokasi oleh pihak yang sengaja mahu menimbulkan ketakutan dikalangan pengundi menjelang pilihan raya umum (PRU) 13.

NS DAP loses MB seat by default

By fielding only Chinese and a few Indian candidates, DAP has lost its opportunity to suggest an MB for the state because it does not even have one single Malay candidate for the entire state?

Concerned Negeri Voter

Seeing the crowd in ceramah in Negeri Sembilan is very exciting and if they transfer into votes it will be good for PR as they can at least maintain the status quo held previously of having 16 state seats to BNs 20 seats. The difference is just 4 seats which had 4 years of time to prepare and plan to take over the state.

Perhaps PR in Negeri Sembilan jumped too soon with their Halilintar ke Putrajaya Program in 2010 which was led by Chegubard and created massive energy within people in Negeri Sembilan to start warming up to 13th General Elections.

But today the Energy of Chegu Bard is missing and Khairy has lost a formidable opponent and is going to have an easy way in Rembau. It was Chegubard's war cry to go against Khairy's Parliament seat in every election. We are not privy to the internal tussle going on within PKR which is upsetting many people in Negeri Sembilan and the latest being Teluk Kemang MP Kamarul Bahrain standing in for the Ampangan state seat just to fill up the post of MB if PR wins Negeri Sembilan. This has forcefully upset the good doctor who was caretaker of the Ampangan seat which was promised his until the last minute. They had 4 years to prepare and what a mess it became when it was a free for all contest on 20th April Nomination Day.

We do hope PR will sort out its PKR issues to pave the way for a strong Goverment in Negeri Sembilan if it wins.

Our main concern is DAP's involvement in deciding the MB of Negeri Sembilan. DAP had 10 seats in the previous DUN and a lion's share of deciding the direction of the state. So why didnt DAP choose its own candidate for MB? Does not DAP want to have a Menteri Besar in other states other than its own Chief Minister in Penang? Knowing the state rules that only a Malay must become a Menteri Besar.

By fielding only Chinese and a few Indian candidates, DAP has lost its opportunity to suggest an MB for the state because it does not even have one single Malay candidate for the entire state?

DAP is not bereft of Malay candidates. ASPAN ALIAS is a Blogger and goes to all ceramahs and has been convincing Malays all over the country that DAP is not a Chauvinistic Chinese party but also accepts Malay. He is a strong figure and a famous blogger in Negeri Sembilan. Giving him a sure win constituency would have ensured him a place as a Menteri Besar contender. You can still read his blogs on how upset he is regarding DAP's snub and its token Malay candidate sprinkled here and there all over Malaysia.

You can see he is upset and also his fellow Malay DAP comrades who didn't make the cut in his posting below. http://aspanaliasnet.blogspot.com/2013/04/perubahan-macam-mana-yang-perlu-kita.html

Other than ASPAN, there are also some prominent Malays in DAP Negeri Sembilan such as Lawyer Rosli and others.

This was DAP's good chance but it blew it without a proper strategy for the state of NS. Perhaps the DAP Mindset is always an Opposition mindset not willing to change according to its UBAH call? Perhaps DAP wants to be on constant antagonism with the Malay population and is not able to accept Malays into its fold, especially when there are Malays who have walked into DAP's fold even withstanding the stigma it will cause for them.

Karpal maintains DAP's stand on Hudud

(Daily Express) - DAP's earlier choice to use the PAS logo did not mean the party now agreed to hudud laws being imposed in Malaysia, said party national chairman Karpal Singh.

"PAS allowing us to use their party logo does not mean we have shifted our stand on the establishment of Islamic state or hudud laws," he said.

Karpal said Malaysia is not an Islamic state but secular, pointing to a landmark decision on the issue by the Federal Court in 1988.

"The introduction of hudud to the legal system would mean one system but two laws, which is impossible to impose," said the incumbent Bukit Gelugor MP.

He was responding to PAS deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din's statement that the Islamist party was confident its Pakatan Rakyat ally will accept hudud law because it was willing to contest using the PAS logo.

"Although PAS has said hudud is only for Muslims, the implementation of two systems will cause conflicts and chaos," Karpal reiterated.

As an example, Karpal said that if a non-Muslim and a Muslim were to be jointly charged for the same crime under the Penal code and hudud system respectively, it would be impossible to have a trial.

He pointed out that the Federal Constitution also does not provide for an Islamic state.

"If PAS wants to amend the Federal Constitution, DAP or PKR will not allow it," he said.

"I don't think PAS would insist on amending the Federal Constitution," he added.

Instant Media's Got Malaysia

(Asia Sentinel) The current campaign bypasses the biased mainstream

Online media, already a major factor in Malaysia's 2008 general election, has exploded this time around with newer platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and others transforming electioneering for both the opposition and the government..

In a country where virtually all mainstream media outlets are owned by pro-government political parties, the rapid growth of social media outlets is not just a social phenomenon but also a key part of the political process.

According to statistics, there are 2 million Twitter users in the country, compared with only 3,000 in 2008. Any large political event is amplified by millions of tweets and posts as dramatic pictures are passed around showing tens of thousands of supporters attending opposition rallies. Who cares about the front page of a newspaper? If violence threatens, as it often has, witnesses record the action, posting it immediately on Facebook, which has 13 million user accounts in Malaysia, and YouTube, where 67 percent of all online videos end up.

The online media is crucial to the opposition, which is nearly frozen out of traditional print and broadcast outlets. "Watching the Watchdog," a study released this week by Malaysia's Center for Independent Journalism in conjunction with the UK-based University of Nottingham, found just how biased the mainstream media can be. Drawing from data gathered the week of April 7-15, the chart below shows the ruling Barisan Nasional, or BN, getting 97.5 percent favorable or neutral coverage in the mainstream media, against less than 20 percent for the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

By contrast, news coverage on the Internet was far more even, with the volume of coverage slightly higher for the Barisan, at 49.42 percent against 47.14 percent for Pakatan Rakyat.

Malaysians "are being deprived of fair and objective information about political parties and coalitions which are taking part in the elections," the report concluded.

"The only news sources which do not conform to the above trends are the online news portals, which give approximately equal quantities and quality of coverage to both Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat," the report found.

There are times, however, when attempts to look cool via YouTube can backfire. Earlier this week, 13 candidates running under the pro-government Malaysian Chinese Association banner were widely ridiculed online as they butchered an old 1970s disco song called "Love is in the Air." It would be hard to imagine this doing anything good for a party already suffering from a host of popularity problems. The video went viral, generating comments like this, from a user named teosamhean: "LOL!!! What a bunch of morons!!"

Social media is now a vital part of any political campaign strategy in Asia, but Malaysia may be running ahead of countries with a freer press since it does not impose restrictions on the Internet, making it a free-fire zone for the opposition. Online platforms were crucial to opposition gains in the 2008 election, when the Pakatan Rakyat was largely denied use of the conventional media, which is still largely the case. The government parties have had no choice but to join in the fray.

"Online media is replacing print and broadcast in terms of being sources of news," said Masjalizah Hamzah, the executive director of the Centre for Independent Journalism. "Both sides are using social media to their advantage in terms of sharing information. In GE12 [the 2008 polls, Malaysia's 12th general election], it was only Pakatan, because of the lack of access to the print media."

Immediately after the 2008 election, virtually every Barisan politician in Malaysia, seeing the effectiveness of the medium by the opposition, acquired a blog. However, in the current intensive campaigning, blogs have become obsolete as the technology has swerved away from the Internet and computers to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

The difference from 2008, Hamzah said, is the huge budget allocated for social media by the Barisan. "You can only look at the product. It is very well done - infographics, lots of Facebook pages. The use of Cybertroopers paid to do work promoting candidates or attack work against the opposition."

The effect of all the chatter is questionable. As Hamzah and others have pointed out, most of it is preaching to the faithful. Videos and tweets tend to be shared with people of like disposition.

"In terms of bridging the divide, I am not sure how much is actually happening. You could argue that it's all partisan online anyway. The fast pace of social media - it is all about sharing things, infographics, videos, really."

The prize, for both the Barisan and the opposition, is the 2.5 million young voters who are eligible to vote for the first time. As an indication of the falling influence of the conventional media, nine of 10 young voters use the Internet as their main source of political news, according to Shaharuddin Badaruddin, a political scientist at Universiti Teknologi Mara in Malaysia, quoted by the Straits Times of Singapore. By contrast, only 15 percent get their political news from television.

Asked who is winning the cyber war, Hamzah said she really didn't know. "How do we measure who wins? I'm not sure that question is important at this point in time. I think what's important is how much is being spent. Where is the money coming from? Are these public funds? I don't know what the answer is. But those are the questions I am interested in. It's so intense, feeling and support and emotions are quite high."

Vote buying and Foreign Voters

Since Nomination Day, I have been traveling the whole length of Peninsular Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak. Pakatan Rakyat is witnessing a new wave of groundswell of support that will unleash another tsunami. Even in the so-called UMNO fortress of Johor, we are seeing an unstoppable momentum building up. Last night in Segamat, over thirty thousand people came.

I have also been briefed by many Pakatan leaders and civil society leaders on what is happening on the ground. The intimidation and level of violence on Pakatan Rakyat party workers, Pemantau and civil society volunteers are increasing. Over 400 police reports have been lodged. Vote buying and bribery are rampant. BN is so worried that they will lose and are desperately bribing voters with gifts, cash and cash vouchers ranging from RM50 in Penang to RM1000 in Sabah. There is video evidence of this vote buying, and it will be released in the next few days.

In another report and analysis of the Electoral Roll which will be released very soon, there are some shocking revelations. 28,593 registered voters are designated as Indonesians, Filipinos, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis – nationalities from countries with high number of workers in Malaysia. Sabah alone has 15,907 of registered foreign voters, majority of whom are Filipinos and Indonesians. Selangor has the next highest number with 4,324 foreign voters.

The majority of these foreign voters will be voting in Sabah, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Parliamentary constituencies with highest number of foreign voters include Silam, Kibaran, Kelabakan, Sepanggar, Putatan and Tawau.

What is even more disturbing is that 16,589 of these foreign voters are assigned with the Sabah “Kod Negeri” even though they are from Indonesia or Philippines. There are even 42 foreign voters from Philippines, Indonesia and Pakistan in the Army and Police registered as “Pengundi Pos”.

The Election Commission must clarify immediately the existence of these thousands of foreign voters in the Electoral Roll and why these voters are designated local “Kod Negeri” in their ICs.

I feel especially strongly for voters in Sabah who are being disenfranchised by the many foreign voters in their constituencies. No doubt this is the reason why the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah has been delayed until after the elections.

Sabahans and Malaysians in general are being cheated of their democratic choice. BN is still dragging its feet on how to fix the ‘Project IC’ problem it has created. For Pakatan Rakyat it is clear, we will order the Election Commission to clean up the electoral roll within our first 100 days in government.

I urge all legitimate voters to come out on 5th May and cast your votes. Do not let those who have corrupted our electoral system steal democracy from you. We must protect our rights as Malaysians.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Ghani should change his political advisers in the Gelang Patah contest as he is made to say things which undermines his reputation as a sober, rational and level-headed classic Malay gentleman

I am really flabbergasted. I am accused by the Johor Mentri Besar and Barisan Nasional candidate for Gelang Patah Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman of saying things about him which I had never done.

For instance, in an interview today with the UMNO-owned and controlled New Straits Times, which claims to be a newspaper when it is in fact a “lies-paper”, the Johor Mentri Besar was asked a loaded and completely untruthful question and Ghani gave an equally baseless and untruth answer because it was founded on lies and falsehoods.

This is the Q and A I am referring to:

“Question: Your opponent had tried to paint a picture of you being a Malay chauvinist. Do you think it will influence the Chinese electorate, who make up the majority of voters in Gelang Patah?

“Answer: It is cruel. I’m quite sad about the attempts to label me a racist. But Johoreans know me.

“I have been here for the past 18 years and the Chinese community here knows that I have always engaged them. I work with them directly on community issues as well as on education, culture and welfare.

“Since (Lim) Kit Siang decided to come here to contest (Gelang Patah), he has been provoking the Chinese.”

The interviewer from the News Straits Times “lies-paper” asked not only a loaded a question, but a completely fabricated query as I had never “tried to paint” Ghani Othman as “a Malay chauvinist” in my campaign in Gelang Patah.

Having been a four-term Mentri Besar for 18 years, Ghani cannot be so naïve as not to know that the question is not only loaded, but grossly unfair and untrue. How could Ghani answer a question that I had tried to paint him as a Malay chauvinist when I had never done so?

Surely, Ghani should have known what I said publicly about him, and if he does not know, let me repeat what I said on Monday, two days after Nomination Day, viz:

“The BN candidate for Gelang Patah, the four-term Johor Mentri Besar, Datuk Ghani Othman, is a classic Malay gentleman who is respected for his moderate and rational views. I have no qualms in giving credit to him for bringing development and progress to Johor in his 18 years as Mentri Besar.

“But he does not sound like himself in his first two pronouncements after the Nomination Day on Saturday, as captured by these Malaysiakini headlines:

Ghani rails against Pakatan’s ‘racial polarisation’
Ghani: If Kit wins, Hadi might be PM

“Ghani is sounding more like Perkasa leaders like Ibrahim Ali and Zulkifli Noordin as what he said is completely contrary to his image as a moderate, rational and level-headed political leader.

“Is this the price that moderate leaders have to pay if they are to stay and survive in present-day UMNO, whose most powerful leader is not Najib Razak but Mahathir?”

An experienced four-term Johor Mentri Besar would have sensed that there is something very wrong about the question, as it is so far from the truth from what I had said publicly about Ghani.

His protest that my attacks (which never existed) on him being so “cruel” causing him to feel “quite sad about the attempt to label me as a racist” is completely baseless as I had never called him a Malay chauvinist in Gelang Patah.

Why is Ghani playing to the tune portraying him as an “aggrieved victim” on attacks from me, when I had not done any such thing?

Equally baseless, unworthy and dishonourable in his attack on me in retaliation, saying: “Since (Lim) Kit Siang decided to come here to contest (Gelang Patah), he has been provoking the Chinese.”

Can Ghani quote chapter and verse as to when and where in Gelang Patah I had been “provoking the Chinese”?

It was former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir who accused me of wanting to cause “racial confrontation” in contesting in Gelang Patah, alleging that I want to cause the Chinese to hate the Malays.

I don’t think Mahathir had made a more irresponsible and defamatory statement than this, which is why I have instructed my lawyers to institute legal action for defamation against the former Prime Minister.

Why did Ghani act as if Mahathir is speaking the gospel truth about my contest in Gelang Patah?

My invitation to Ghani to make the battle of Gelang Patah the model of a clean, free, fair and gentlemanly contest in the 13GE still stands.

If Ghani responds positively, I am prepared to meet him to finalise the ground rules as to how both of us can agree for the Gelang Patah contest to be the model of a clean and gentlemanly election contest in a general election which is expected to the dirtiest in the nation’s history – stemming from Najib and UMNO/BN’s kiasu and kiasi attitude about the possible outcome of the 13GE.

In any event, whether Ghani accepts my standing invitation to make the battle of Gelang Patah the model of a clean and gentlemanly contest in the 13GE, the first thing he should do is to change his political advisers in the Gelang Patah contest as he is made to say things which undermines his reputation as a sober, rational and level-headed classic Malay gentleman!

Opposition Playing Up Lynas Issue Will Not Affect Investment - PM

KUANTAN, April 25 (Bernama) -- The issue of the Lynas advanced materials plant in Gebeng near here which has been played to the hilt by the opposition has had little impact on investors wanting to invest in Kuantan, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said despite their (opposition) trying to frighten people by claiming their health was at risk because of the plant, the government of China did not hesitate to invest in the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP).

"They (Chinese government) never even asked about the Lynas plant, they never saw it as a threat.

"That is why they dared to invest in MCKIP and not only that, they also dared to ask for land closest to the Lynas plant to invest in this project," he said at a dinner with members of the Chinese community in Kuantan at a hotel here Thursday night.

Najib launched MCKIP in Gebeng on Feb 5. The project involves investments totalling RM10.5 billion and offers 8,500 job opportunities.

The idea to open MCKIP came about after the opening of the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park in China, which was given national status by the Chinese government.

Najib said if before the opposition was going in overdrive in claiming that the factory endangered the people's health, now the situation had changed.

"Anwar Ibrahim (opposition leader) initially said Lynas plant was dangerous but now it appears he has come around to accept it is not.

"In an interview with an Autralian news agency, he said he would support Lynas if it was proven the plant was safe, he has also started to follow what we said," said Najib.

At the function, Najib also announced that tax exemption would be given for donations made for the construction of the Chong Hwa private school in Kuantan. "As education is something close to the hearts of the Chinese, the Government agrees to donations made for building this school to be tax-exempt, besides the existing RM5 million allocation already made available," he said.

Prior to this, the prime minister had announced an additional RM3 million allocation for the school on top of the RM2 million that had been provided earlier.

At the same time, Najib said the Barisan Nasional (BN) guaranteed that the country would be stronger, more peaceful and stable if the mandate was returned to it in the 13th General Election on May 5.

"This is not political rhetorics because we know in the last four years we can see Malaysia has become stronger and more progressive.

"If we are given the trust, we can be a fully developed country in seven years ( by 2020)," he added.

Now it’s 1Malaysia petrol vouchers – plus free traffic jams

As if free dinners were not enough, now we have a lucky draw for 1Malaysia petrol vouchers from the 1Malaysia Penang Welfare Club.

Photograph: Aliran

Read ‘Umno-BN – Buying lower income votes, appealing to middle income greed’ on the Aliran website.