Jed Yoong

Anwar (left) with Lim Guan Eng, Penang chief minister and DAP secretary-general, when they were still FULLY in the opposition. /JYPix

Malaysian blogosphere’s greatest anti-Anwarista, KTemoc, is huffing and puffing that his most hated one, Anwar Ibrahim, may become prime minister after all. This is no doubt giving poor Uncle Kaytee sleepless nights as he twists and turns the knife into our former deputy prime minister.

Alas to no avail. Those who disbelieved the political powers of Anwar Ibrahim, including me, are still coming to terms that the puny political party born in the aftermath of the UMNO political “bloodshed” in 1998, PKR, is now the parliamentary opposition leader with 31 Members of Parliaments (MPs).

Anwar has successfully engineered the Barisan Rakyat’s (BR) electoral victory. Make no mistake, is it possible that Hindraf, Bersih and Lingamgate came one after another and so close to the recent general election? Hindraf shook the Indian votes, once a safe vote bank for the Barisan Nasional (BN) while Bersih and Lingamgate brought to the public consciousness our far from free and fair elections and the rot in our judiciary respectively. All three also challenged prime minister Abdullah Badawi’s leadership as they suggested that he wasn’t quite holding the country and the warring factions in Barisan Nasional (BN) together.

The crux of disapproval of BN leaders crossing over is whether the ideals of BR will be sacrificed. Founded upon a “New Hope” for the country, the post-election horse trading reminds many of BN’s previous enticements to Opposition politicians who jumped ship. Some detractors also feel that such methods are dishonest as the candidates contested on a BN ticket. Others worry that BR will be contaminated by the tainted BN MPs.

For the first time in history, another coalition is just 30 parliamentary seats to taking over the federal government. After much thought, I’ve concluded that it’s more beneficial to the country to seize the moment and ride the momentum.

Is it ethical for East Malaysian MPs to cross over? I believe it depends on whether you feel the two states have been fairly represented over the years. They are among the richest in resources yet the poorest in the country. What has former and longest serving premier Mahathir Mohamed done in his 22 years to develop the states? From a glance, I see nothing much in my last visit to Sarawak two years ago. Under BN, the only party that benefited was UMNO and its cronies. Why does Sarawak have to pay so much in royalties to the federal administration? For the army? What else?

As a voter, I am realistic. I want a government that will bring changes. One is replacing the much abused New Economic Policy with a fairer poverty eradication programme. Another is restoring our democratic institutions like our judiciary and the media. Both have been promised by BR.

The status quo is likely to be preserved under BN. Hence, we can afford to take a chance with BR.

Politicians are politicians, they are not gods and are only human. The fact is many ex-BN types are already in PKR and more may cross over.

Although I would prefer the perfect transition of power in which the ideals of democratic election are upheld, we may have to compromise and keep the bigger picture in mind.

So far, Anwar and co have made the right noises and moves. Let’s see where we will be in four years.

Tengku Razaleigh, or fondly known as Ku Li by Malaysians, still yearns to taste the power of being prime minister. Born in 1937, the former finance minister is now 71. But he has declared that he is still keen to fight for bangsa, agama dan negara (race, religion and country).

In one word, Ku Li is kolot-lah. Did you read his letter to prime minister Abdullah Badawi? He bemoaned that Penang has fallen to the “Chinese-based DAP”, Perak to “DAP despite that the mentri besar is from PAS” and Selangor which will be “dominated by non-Malay DAP and non-Malays from PKR despite that the mentri besar is a Malay”.

WOW! It doesn’t get any more racist than this I hope. OH NO! TANAH MELAYU telah jatuh dalam tangan kaum pendatang (Tanah Melayu has fallen into the hands of the immigrants)!

I’m surprised he didn’t add the favourite, “The Malays will always have political power.”

But in his two-page letter calling for an emergency meeting to discuss the party’s devastating performance, he warned that “Umno will not be able to represent the voice of Malays again”.

Well, in this case, I would prefer Abdullah as at least he said in the UMNO General Assembly in 2006 that UMNO was “for all”, suggesting that as the biggest party in Barisan Nasional, it had a duty to look after the interests of other “races”. This has yet to translate into policy except for the scrapping of bumiputera privileges in the Iskandar Development Region in Johor and opening up small loans to non-bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

REFRESHER ON TENGKU RAZALEIGH and the RM2.5BIL BUMIPUTRA MALAYSIA FINANCE SCANDAL

Not directly related to him but one of Ku Li’s cronies, Lorrain Osman, who was a former BMF chairman. Notoriously known as the Carrian scandal in the early 1980s, the case involved murders, extraditions and glamorous personalities from London to Hong Kong. In the end, the alleged mastermind George Tan of the Carrian group was not convicted. Meanwhile, Lorrain is living in the very posh St. John’s Wood in London and was investigated in 2001 for some shady deals involving the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern.

SO TAINTED-LAH. Can we have some FRESH FACES please? At least Anwar is not associated with financial controversies like Ku Li, Mahathir and Daim are.

Rumours are flying and intensifying that some kataks are going to jump. According to Anwar Ibrahim, they won’t be bought.

Questions.

1. If these politicians believed in BR, why didn’t they leap before the election?

2. What about those people who voted BN? The coalition still holds a majority and more importantly commands the popular vote of the Malays. Some people still vote for dacing blindly, regardless of the candidate.

3. What does BR stand for? To me, an ordinary rakyat, BR represents change — a “new hope” as PKR says. But this hope is slowly changing to the same-old-thing. Firstly, PKR is partly filled with ex-UMNO types. Secondly, more UMNO types will leapfrog aboard.

4. Isn’t Anwar the same Anwar of UMNO? Isn’t post-election wheelin’ and dealin’ something that Anwar is probably familiar with as it is well-known that non-BN elected representatives are invited to join the coalition if the need arises. It’s so bad that Pairin, according to Kalimullah Hassan, locked-up his state legislators and took away their mobile phones in a state election in the 90s till he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Sabah. This is to prevent the froggies from hopping over.

But it looks like Anwar has been endorsed by Lim Kit Siang, who is not DAP secretary-general anymore, and Hadi Awang, PAS president. I wonder what hardcore DAP and PAS supporters think of Anwar’s backdoor entry to government and the no.1 job. Well it doesn’t matter, ‘cos we can still vote him out. Lots of protest votes this time. And UMNO isn’t sleeping anymore.

Raja Petra wrote an article in his popular political website, Malaysia Today, which mentioned that most DAP leaders and supporters oppose wearing the songkok at official functions in the Istana. I think this is nothing new. It’s also nothing new that RPK has made a mountain out of this molehill to suggest that DAP is an anti-Islam party.

It’s accepted by most that the palaces have strict dress codes. Like the Brunei palace has some requirement to wear all black and all white or something like that. Also, if I remember correctly, women must wear skirts below the knees or even covering the ankles. It was a long time ago when I was asked to attend a function at the Brunei Palace. I think it’s ankle length and all black.

Additionally, there are lots of protocols to learn and I was required to attend a short course on it so I won’t screw up. As I am a person of minimum formality and an ardent believer of comfortable, casual dressing that suits our hot and humid weather, I suggested someone else go in my place. Plus, I may ask silly questions. Already I suspected I had semi-pissed the Palace off by asking if the absolute monarchy as practised in the country was better than democracy….Ha ha ha ha.

Those who refuse to wear the songkok will insist that they are not Muslims, which is a fair argument. Their traditional dress or a suit without a songkok should suffice. This is also the view of “modern” minds who oppose traditions for opposition sake.

On the other hand, like Raja Petra mentioned, is the fact that the Sultans’ are Muslims. So when in Rome does as Romans do. And I believe it’s simply good manners to respect the host, whether royalty or not.

I think the main problem is some DAP leaders may have gone on the overkill in their secular stance and their perjuangan (crusade) to defend Chinese culture that to suddenly wear the songkok, a move that they’ve criticised most of their political life, would just seem so glaringly hypocritical. The DAP now risks being labeled as being the same as the MCA.

I believe this is a good lesson and experience for both sides as more mingling among the different cultural groups will show how extreme certain arguments are. Whether defending the right of non-Muslims not to wear Islamic dress at official functions or pushing for “Malay rights” (which incidentally is a term not mentioned in the Federal Constitution) to ensure the survival of bangsa, agama and negara (race, religion and country).

Press Statement by Syed Husin Ali (SAT — March 15, 200 :

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR, People’s Justice Party) has a clear and firm stand on the New Economic Policy (NEP). As explained by the Ketua Umum of the Party, Anwar Ibrahim in his 20-page article as well as through his many public pronouncements and ceramah, and further reaffirmed in several Party documents, including the Election Manifesto, we intend to replace the NEP with the Malaysian Economic Agenda.

(more…)

No joke. Not alarmist. Well, it was confined to the North-South Highway. The Simpang Pulai Rest Junction, I think. It also had a Petronas gas station.

I was hungry, so I ordered nasi ayam (chicken rice). At first, of the four to five Malay staff there, all ignored me and it took a few times to take my order. And when my drink was late and I called the boy, he acted dumb till finally they brought my drink without a smile. Not to mention my chicken portion was almost half of that of the Malay men sitting next to me….My tomato and cucumber were also smaller. Am I being over-sensitive?

Anyway, I was quite annoyed with their attitude and service but sensed that they were trying to piss me off. I was there. Maybe another five Chinese. The stalls were manned by Malays. Some other travelers who stopped over were also Malay. And I don’t know.

But I was quite petrified and kept looking down on the ground. Never in my life have I been so scared around Malays. At that point and about 30 minutes after, I really wished BN had won Perak with UMNO holding the majority and the DAP in the Opposition as usual. Or at least PAS and PKR had more seats than DAP.

(more…)

First, the Fong Po Kuan incident.

Now, this seemingly unilateral decree by Dictator Lim Kit Siang to Perak DAP. Ngeh Koo Ham, who is state DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state legislator, has signed the submission of the three candidates to the Palace. So, I suspect Perak is also pissed off with Lim Kit Siang.

Also read on Husam Musa’s blog that DAP and PAS have worked things out and DAP (probably state) has accepted the PAS MB.

Why not just let UMNO, who has a clear majority as a party, form the Perak state government?

OOOga OOOga OOOga.

Sorry-lah brothers. IF you can’t keep the peace and act like you are in government, which includes working with the Istana and catering to Muslims via PAS, then too bad-lah.

Now, PKR also berdrama-drama. Please-lah. Already two weeks of all this drama. Just form government and fulfill your election pledges, if you can’t then let UMNO rule again. Then crybaby Tajol Rosli can continuing staying at the Mentri Besar’s official residence-lor. Stop crying-lah Tajol, maybe you become MB again!

A Mentri Besar from PKR. No way-lah. Please-lah. I understand there isn’t a suitable candidate and Nizar from PAS is most qualified. So all you champions of meritocracy, why cannot accept this?

And it was published in the Asian Wall Street Journal. For a guy who can barely string sentences together when speaking to the media, this opinion piece is truly a ground-shattering achievement in good writing. Unfortunately, it is still more wishy washy mythos.

Malaysia will heal her divisions

By DATUK SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI

WHILE I am honoured to have been re-elected as Prime Minister of Malaysia and to have received a 63% majority of the 222 seats in Parliament in our just-completed general election, I am also disappointed that we fell a few seats short of the two-thirds majority we were hoping for.

JY: I believe with just barely half of the popular vote.

(more…)

We are probably not the core or hardcore supporters. Or the grassroots, to whom the party probably promised to defend from Islamisation and used lots of examples of rights of non-Muslims being trampled on in civil and syariah courts. So for LKS and DAP to turn around and work with PAS, which “berjuang untuk menegakkan Islam”, will probably be the ultimate betrayal to them grassroots. If I voted DAP ‘cos I bought their secular state rhetoric and then DAP forms govt with PAS. That’s bad.

Right now, I think DAP remembers who voted them in BY FAR. And they are trying to stay true to their promises unlike MCA — the voice of UMNO. It’s not so much that they don’t want to be truly Malaysian but probably due to the reality of their own devise. If they hadn’t played the secular card so much, then perhaps it’s easier to work with PAS.

We all think BN is courting PAS and PKR. But could UMNO have upset the Perak BA via DAP in exchange for Penang? This is just my conspiracy theory which is TOTALLY BASELESS and a result of my OVERACTIVE WILD IMAGINATION. But this would explain the totally random behaviour of LKS….Who knows. I mean with PKR or the election statistics may show that there is some swing in Malay votes but DAP’s core support is from the non-Malays, as per Ong Kian Ming’s analysis. Haiyah, maybe I find out in Ipoh on my way back to KL.

Malaysiakini reported:

When contacted for an immediate reaction, Nizar said: “We believe that as a coalition government, all decisions will be collective.”

“We would not respond to comments being made outside the new coalition government,” he added.

JY: That’s the way-lah. Government-lah. Not Opposition…I wonder if DAP leaders will still speak to me after this. Am supposed to try to catch the swearing-in of the state exco in Dewan Sri Pinang tomorrow….Ha ha ha ha ha

***UPDATE***7.51PM

From Uncle Kit’s blog:

No DAP CEC mandate for PAS Menteri Besar in Perak

The decision to appoint a PAS Assemblyman Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar has caused shock and consternation to DAP leaders, members and supporters.

The DAP Central Executive Committee, at its emergency meeting in Penang on Sunday, 9th March 2008, had given approval for the formation of a Perak coalition government comprising 18 DAP Assembly members, seven PKR Assemblymen and six PAS Assemblymen.

DAP is prepared to accept DAP chairman and Assemblyman for Sitiawan Ngeh Koo Ham or PKR Behrang Assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi as Perak Mentri Besar.

As the appointment of PAS Assemblyman for Pasir Panjang Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar representing the third and smallest political party in the proposed coalition has not received the mandate of the CEC, DAP Perak Assemblymen will stay away from the swearing-in ceremony for Perak Mentri Besar scheduled tomorrow.

JY: What’s happening. Am gonna go makan now. Sigh. Life goes on. Remember peace is more important than power.

***UPDATE***7.30PM

Spoke to my source. Bless him. He maintains that Ngeh was supposed to be the first Christian MB in West Malaysia and attributes the change to “horse trading”…..

I think it’s better for the peace that the MB is Malay and Muslim. Politics is about perception…

***UPDATE*** 7.01PM

Actually Raja Petra of Malaysia Today thought Perak would go to DAP too…

Tomorrow, we should see the Selangor and Perak state governments getting sworn in. PKR will lead Selangor and DAP, Perak. That would mean two states would be led by PAS, two by DAP, with one for PKR.

So I think my source is right. Something might have happened. Maybe after Guan Eng’s drastic move to abolish pro-Malay policies in Penang scared ‘em Perak royals.

ORIGINAL POST 

OOOoooooPPPPppppSSSssss. I am not using that DAP source anymore, who is usually reliable. Malaysiakini’s report here.

What a boo-boo. Apologies to all.

Congrats to PAS. Thank God, someone who can keep the peace and speak Malay…..

Susan Loone asks if Mukhriz has cheated.

Marina posted a video that shows the returning officer announcing the results in Jerlun. The SPR website seems dodgy.

Related: Mukhriz won Jerlun, Voter turnout 99.85%

Yes. Have arrived in Chinatown. And compared to Kelantan, Penang (mainland and island) is really developed materially. Lots of buildings, factories, malls, cars, and people per square feet. The dynamics are definitely different here.

Georgetown is littered with election posters. The grinning faces of Chia Kwang Chye and Koh Tsu Koon are probably relics of the past not too long ago.

But the air is strange. Almost tense. Yet, there is an underlying happiness that they’ve done it with the uncertainty of what next. I believe, it was very important for ethnic Chinese — of the passionate about Chinese culture, heritage, language and education sort — to have defended the island from UMNO. After the fall of Malacca, this former strait settlement may be seen as the last refuge of Chinese identity.

Maybe I am imagining things but there is something different when interacting with Malays here. Maybe ‘cos I’m from out of town. Maybe ‘cos I look so scruffy. Maybe ‘cos of the general mistrust among races here.

My good cyber fren, wits0, sent me an email about an article on a blog that the new Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is DAP secretary-general, has abandoned the pro-Malay affirmative action policy, the NEP which is “endearingly” known to non-Malays as the Never Ending Policy.

I think this is too drastic a move. Although promised by Anwar Ibrahim, the self-proclaimed leader of the “government in waiting”, I’m not sure if the people are ready for such a severe change without something in return. I’ve a feeling that Malays here still feel marginalised compared to the more affluent Chinese. But then that’s fallacious ‘cos the UMNOputeras are also very rich. But it’s the emotions that motivate…..

To digress, I note with interest that it was reported (can’t remember where) that Anwar is back to his “bangsa, agama, negara” ways by saying he will protect Malay rights, yadda, yadda. Can you blame the BN for saying that he says different things to different people? Anyway, we can just vote him out the next time.

It’s the fourth day of a new dawn. Yet in the coffee shops, people are still watching RTM1 or TV3. And one particular UMNO politician described the suasana yang berbeza (a different atmosphere).

Actually, I was quite scared. The Malays looked at me funny in Perak and Penang. It’s a creepy feeling. I don’t want to be alarmist. Maybe I am paranoid.

I hope DAP learns to work with PAS, who is the REAL alternative to UMNO. To me, PKR is just UMNO 2 although PAS also broke off from UMNO before. But PAS people are more into religion. PKR to me is just like UMNO. But on the wrong team. So it’s just another big UMNO squabble that somehow Anwar has gotten us non-Malays into.

I pray that the peace will remain. Also, I wait for Anwar to deliver his promises and be the multi-racial leader he claims to be. I don’t think he will ever be able to shake off “bangsa, agama, negara“.

I thank all the PAS supporters who voted DAP.

I just can’t shake off the creepy feeling that something bad might happen. Let’s pray nothing does. And maybe it’s just the years of MSM drilling that only BN can keep the peace. But don’t listen to me as I’m not clairvoyant . Check with the oracles in the MSM.

I miss Kelantan. It’s so peaceful there. And got nice beach with deep-fried squid and coconut water.

More later.