PM Najib has made the biggest blunder of his life; something that I and most people would not want to believe nor hear what he has said during his recent by-election campaign in Sibu. I wouldn’t want to watch the video of him campaigning again, because I believe that what he did was all wrong. I am surprised that he had the audacity to utter ‘child like promises’ to the people of Sibu. Isn’t the manner the promises were made a form of corruption? If it was not, then what do you call it? It is just like saying, “I give you this million ringgit contract, and you give back 500 thousand in kickback”.
We have had five PMs before Najib, and as far as I can recall, none had campaigned the way that Najib did. I think, the honorable Tun Abdul Razak would the first person to criticized Najib, and I do not know what the others would say. Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tun Abdullah has so far refrained themselves from commenting, and could it be that they are in agreement with what Najib had done? Silence does indicate agreement.
I want to be honest that I once admired Najib, for I like his simplicity, caring, approachable and mild mannered nature. I first met him when he was the Menteri Besar of Pahang, when I was then the Chief of Staff of HQ 4 Brigade back in the early 80’s. Having to attend several state meetings in which he presided, and despite his youth, I still appreciated his maturity at the way he conducts the meeting. He was then in his late 20’s, and I was nearing 40 then.
The last time I met Najib was when he flew in to visit the Malaysian troops serving in Cambodia in 1992. I attended dinner with him in Cambodiana Hotel that night, and in attendance was PERNAMA Chairman, retired Gen Tan Sri Hashim Ali. We talked among others, the quantum of UN allowances that each soldier was to receive, and Gen Tan Sri Hashim Ali supported my view that the UN allowances must be paid in full to each soldier, without any deduction. Gen Tan Sri Hashim Ali was making reference to the deduction made by the government upon the UN allowances paid to our soldiers serving in the Congo then. Najib must have heeded the argument made by Gen Tan Sri Hashim Ali and upon his return to Kuala Lumpur; he announced that soldiers serving with the UN in Cambodia shall receive their UN allowances in full. That announcement fulfilled the promise that I made to my soldiers at a parade in Majidee Camp, Johore Baru, prior to our departure to Cambodia when I said that, “ if I were to receive 1 ringgit, you all too will receive 1 ringgit”.
Now that Najib is the PM, he has changed somewhat in his tone and language. The language that he had used in Sibu, appears like he is so desperate in wanting to win, and is willing to disregard decency and good campaigning ethics. He was at his best trying to dangle a carrot to his audience that eventually was thrown back at him. I would say that the BN could have won if Najib had used his own personal strength i.e. his good-natured character. He did not employ such demeaning tactics during the 12th GE. Najib has now to swallow his pride and accept a portion of blame for BN’s lost, and not just simply say that the Sarawak BN campaign machinery was not up to the mark. He should have been more direct by saying that the Sarawak Chief Minister, who has been at the helm of the state government for more than two decades, should assume full responsibility for the loss, and not to remain mute and oblivious to the issues affecting Sibu.
Losing Sibu, a former stronghold of the BN is a bitter lesson for Najib’s administration. If the lost of Sibu is to serve as a wake-up call for the up-coming Sarawak state election and the 13th GE, then the BN had better watch out. Losing Sarawak would mean losing the political grip of the Federal government and with that ends BN’s political dominance over the whole nation.
Dangling the carrot is no longer an assured method used to appease the voters, especially the Chinese in Sarawak. It may still be applicable here in the peninsular because the Chinese in Sarawak and the Chinese in the peninsular are two different people. The BN could use such campaigning methods successfully with the Ibans, just like the way the BN did with the Malays and Indians voters during the Hulu Selangor by-election.
My appeal to Najib is please change your campaigning methods to something more honorable and decent. Stop this carrot dangling method as it is nothing more than corruption. What you have done is to encourage more corruption, and it does not surprise me now that this country will one day end up like Zimbabwe. Besides, you have also given sufficient ammunition to the opposition to ridicule you in the next GE.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Showing posts with label BN/PR by-elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BN/PR by-elections. Show all posts
Friday, May 21, 2010
Sunday, September 20, 2009
IS ISA SAMAD THE BEST BN CHOICE FOR THE BAGAN PINANG BY-ELECTION?
PM Najib, I believe is in a quandary as to who should be the best BN candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election scheduled October 11, 2009, and with the nomination date in just a week from today. PM Najib's predicament is made worse with the likes of Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh voicing their reservations on the choice of former Federal Territory Minister Isa Samad, who is said to be the only BN/UMNO Negeri Sembilan choice.
Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh obvious comment to Isa Samad's choice is because of the latter's involvement in money politics that led to his suspension from UMNO for three years in June 2005, and his subsequent resignation as the Federal Territory Minister. Tun Dr. Mahathir said that by nominating Isa Samad, the BN would be seen as not being serious in discarding insavoury characters, as a precondition to being an assemblyman. I think, Tun Dr. Mahathir was only commenting the obvious.
Isa Samad was reported to have said that in the case of the opposition, they had a former prisoner (I suppose referring to Anwar Ibrahim) who contested in a by-election and won, as a justification for his rightful nomination. I am surprise that Isa Samad have to come out with such a justification which smack of thoughtlessness and self interest. He had failed to realised that what Tun Dr. Mahathir was trying to suggest is to rid unsavoury characters from within BN/UMNO, and he was not making any reference to the opposition party. If this is the kind of mind set that Isa Samad inhibits, then I would say that he and his supporters are no better than 'Si Luncai' of the famous Malay annals.
Isa Samad must also have been emboldened by the outcome of a popularity poll conducted by PAS recently, which finds that it will be difficult for the opposition candidate to beat Isa Samad, if he is the candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election. I am not privy to the polling method adopted by PAS, but my basic training in military intelligence tells me that this is a ruse or a deception to convince the BN/UMNO that Isa Samad is indeed their best choice. If BN/UMNO takes the trap, it will be to the advantage of the opposition who will have a gala time during the campaign to demonised Isa Samad over his unsavoury past. Is this what the BN/UMNO wants to see?
And now Mr. Samy Vellu has also joined the fray. He had asked Tun Dr. Mahathir not to interfere in BN's affairs and to just leave it to Najib to make the decision. Mr. Samy does not seem to understand the difference between 'interference' and 'commenting' which have differing connotations. I think, Tun Dr. Mahathir was merely making a comment and there was no pressure what so ever applied to the BN leadership to accept the comment. It is only the BN that is feeling the pressure for undue reasons and Mr. Samy knows this.
Tun Dr. Mahathir has not come forward to comment on what Mr. Samy has said, and by the look of it, the spat between the two seasoned politician is unlikely to end that soon.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh obvious comment to Isa Samad's choice is because of the latter's involvement in money politics that led to his suspension from UMNO for three years in June 2005, and his subsequent resignation as the Federal Territory Minister. Tun Dr. Mahathir said that by nominating Isa Samad, the BN would be seen as not being serious in discarding insavoury characters, as a precondition to being an assemblyman. I think, Tun Dr. Mahathir was only commenting the obvious.
Isa Samad was reported to have said that in the case of the opposition, they had a former prisoner (I suppose referring to Anwar Ibrahim) who contested in a by-election and won, as a justification for his rightful nomination. I am surprise that Isa Samad have to come out with such a justification which smack of thoughtlessness and self interest. He had failed to realised that what Tun Dr. Mahathir was trying to suggest is to rid unsavoury characters from within BN/UMNO, and he was not making any reference to the opposition party. If this is the kind of mind set that Isa Samad inhibits, then I would say that he and his supporters are no better than 'Si Luncai' of the famous Malay annals.
Isa Samad must also have been emboldened by the outcome of a popularity poll conducted by PAS recently, which finds that it will be difficult for the opposition candidate to beat Isa Samad, if he is the candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election. I am not privy to the polling method adopted by PAS, but my basic training in military intelligence tells me that this is a ruse or a deception to convince the BN/UMNO that Isa Samad is indeed their best choice. If BN/UMNO takes the trap, it will be to the advantage of the opposition who will have a gala time during the campaign to demonised Isa Samad over his unsavoury past. Is this what the BN/UMNO wants to see?
And now Mr. Samy Vellu has also joined the fray. He had asked Tun Dr. Mahathir not to interfere in BN's affairs and to just leave it to Najib to make the decision. Mr. Samy does not seem to understand the difference between 'interference' and 'commenting' which have differing connotations. I think, Tun Dr. Mahathir was merely making a comment and there was no pressure what so ever applied to the BN leadership to accept the comment. It is only the BN that is feeling the pressure for undue reasons and Mr. Samy knows this.
Tun Dr. Mahathir has not come forward to comment on what Mr. Samy has said, and by the look of it, the spat between the two seasoned politician is unlikely to end that soon.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Saturday, September 19, 2009
WASTEFUL SPENDING ON POSTERS
I have just returned from Seremban, after an unusually long two hour drive early this morning from Kajang. I thought driving out early to Seremban from Kajang would allow me to escape the anticipated heavy traffic along the South bound highway. That thought however proved to be wrong because the moment I exit Kajang at the Country Heights toll house to get into the Seremban-KL highway, I noticed that the highway is clogged with traffic. By this time, it was already to late for me to turn around and I had to bare the agony of trailing the heavy traffic that took me almost two hours to reach Seremban, where usually it takes only 30 minutes.
Upon getting into Seremban town, you would not believe in what I saw i.e. a line of large posters of the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar with the caption 'Selamat Hari Raya Idilfitri' hung at every alternate street light pole along the roads in Seremban town. It is pointless to count the number of posters because one is sure to lose count of it. Even having a calculator will not help.
I cannot understand the usefulness and purpose of the posters with the picture of a smiling Menteri Besar on it. I would like to ask why have his picture on the poster? Why are the countless of posters needed? Don't the Seremban folks recognise the face of the Menteri Besar?
I think this is cheap publicity and a total waste of money; more so if it is public money. I would'nt mind if the posters bill is paid from the personal account of the Menteri Besar himself, which I think is certainly not the case. Or is the bill taken up by some Chinese businessman? This Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar seems oblivious to the fact that the country's economy is still bad, and that the money spent on his posters could have fed hundreds of poor families. I think the people of Seremban do not mind to be without the Hari Raya greeting posters.
I have noticed that this Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar fancies posters with his photo on it. During the last 2008 General Elections, the number of election posters with the Menteri Besar photo must have been in the thousands. Not only was Seremban town turned blue by the BN colour; even highways and village roads were turned blue. And I am now reminded of a case that appeared in court recently were the supplier of posters, flags and other election paraphernalia had lost his case of claim against BN for the payment of all the election paraphernalia that costs several millions. I just wonder if these were the election paraphernalia that the supplier was to attempting to lay claims.
The Bagan Pinang by-election is just around the corner and the Menteri Besar should be concern about winning the by-election more than scattering posters of him in Seremban town. Or are the posters meant to be part of his by-election campaign to spike up his popularity more than whoever the BN candidate would be for the by-election?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Upon getting into Seremban town, you would not believe in what I saw i.e. a line of large posters of the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar with the caption 'Selamat Hari Raya Idilfitri' hung at every alternate street light pole along the roads in Seremban town. It is pointless to count the number of posters because one is sure to lose count of it. Even having a calculator will not help.
I cannot understand the usefulness and purpose of the posters with the picture of a smiling Menteri Besar on it. I would like to ask why have his picture on the poster? Why are the countless of posters needed? Don't the Seremban folks recognise the face of the Menteri Besar?
I think this is cheap publicity and a total waste of money; more so if it is public money. I would'nt mind if the posters bill is paid from the personal account of the Menteri Besar himself, which I think is certainly not the case. Or is the bill taken up by some Chinese businessman? This Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar seems oblivious to the fact that the country's economy is still bad, and that the money spent on his posters could have fed hundreds of poor families. I think the people of Seremban do not mind to be without the Hari Raya greeting posters.
I have noticed that this Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar fancies posters with his photo on it. During the last 2008 General Elections, the number of election posters with the Menteri Besar photo must have been in the thousands. Not only was Seremban town turned blue by the BN colour; even highways and village roads were turned blue. And I am now reminded of a case that appeared in court recently were the supplier of posters, flags and other election paraphernalia had lost his case of claim against BN for the payment of all the election paraphernalia that costs several millions. I just wonder if these were the election paraphernalia that the supplier was to attempting to lay claims.
The Bagan Pinang by-election is just around the corner and the Menteri Besar should be concern about winning the by-election more than scattering posters of him in Seremban town. Or are the posters meant to be part of his by-election campaign to spike up his popularity more than whoever the BN candidate would be for the by-election?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Monday, September 14, 2009
WILL THE BN WIN BIG IN BAGAN PINANG?
Recent events does not look good for the BN alliance; with the MCA divided between Chua Soi Lek and Ong Tee Keat and the MIC aiming its missiles at Tun Mahathir who is accused by Samy Vellu of interfering in the affairs of his party. Samy claims that the “Indian comunity is upset with the BN, and not with him”. Don't Samy know that when he mentions the BN, it also comprised of the MIC of which he is the boss; hence he is equally to be blame? This is the usual Samy's antics; blame others except himself.
I just wonder whether Samy realises that he does not command the entire Indian community in this country any more, but rather he only commands those in the MIC. If he had the command of the entire Indian community, he would not have lost the Sg. Siput constituency during the 2008 General Elections, which he had won for umpteenth time. Had he contested anywhere else, he would have lost any way. Is he now going to say that it was BN's fault that he lost? The Indian community is so divided now, especially after the Hindref 'uprising' where most are said to be angry with Samy.
What Tun Mahathir commented was the obvious, that the Indian community has had enough of Samy; his arrogance, loud and boastful language. He proudly claim his 30 years as a politician, oblivious to the fact that as a Minister he was merely apple polishing his BN bosses; and have ignored the plight of the many poor Indians; especially those living in the estates. Who does he blame in this instant; the BN or himself?
I think as a soldier, I have visited the families of the poor estate workers more than Samy does. Some don't even know that Samy existed; let alone see his face because most cannot afford to buy the Indian daily.
The 'all the president's men' that won the Saturday's MIC party elections, and the lost of Datuk S. Sothinathan for the Deputy Presidency may not be good for the BN in the up-coming Bagan Pinang by-election. Sothinathan is from Negeri Sembilan and his lost can have a negative impact on the Indian voters, who may not be pleased with the MIC. The Indians comprised about 20% of the total 5171 voters in Bagan Pinang.
The Chinese voters that comprised almost 10% is another cause of concern for the BN with the MCA leaders in tatters. Which MCA leader would lend support for the BN during the campaigning is going to matter very much to the Chinese voters. Remember that former Health Minister Chua Joi Meng is now with the PR pack. I am not surprise that if Ong Tee Keat is bent on demonising Chua Soi Lek, the latter might gang up with Chua Joi Meng, to campaign for the opposition. If this happens, this signals the eventual demise of the MCA.
Now what about the Malay voters. Of the 5171 total eligible voters, the Malays makes up almost 66% of the voters, and out of this, 37% are postal voters who are military voters. This is an exceptionally high percentage that can easily influence either a win or a lost for the BN. Being a former servicemen, it would be difficult for the opposition to sway the support of the soldiers, who traditionally have been supporting the government of the day.
There is also the perception that postal voting is not transparent and flawed, especially having to cast their votes a few days ahead of the actual polling date. Actually, there is no reason to do this, especially if the postal voter is located in the same constituency where the voting is held. The voter can cast his vote like anybody else, and his name checked against the nominal roll usually prepared by the Armed Forces Record & Pension Directorate. If this is done, transparency is upheld and there will not be any accusation that absent voters ballot papers are marked and place in the polling bags.
Now, if one were to ask me to assess the wining chance of the BN in the Bagan Pinang by-election, I would say that the BN should concentrate more on the Malay and Indian voters to ensure a win because the two races forms the majority. The Indians and Chinese community are clearly divided now and have lost confidence in the MIC and MCA. I think they are more incline to vote for the PR candidate, regardless of who it would be, and this have been the case in the previous by-elections.
And if the PR comes in convincingly during the campaigning, and if Isa Samad is the BN's candidate, I then foresee a situation similar to the Permatang Pasir developing during the campaigning. While many have confidence that Isa Samad can produce the result, my intution tells me that if Isa Samad's does win, it can spell trouble to the present MB leadership of Negeri Sembilan. If at all UMNO wants to see the removal of the present MB who is said to be a non performer, then Isa Samad would be their best choice.
In the case of the PR, losing the by-election does not matter much for the PR in Negeri Sembilan state assembly, as the status quo would remain. But to win is a major setback for the BN, and a clear indication that the PR is gaining ground in Negeri Sembilan. This would then be BN's greatest fear during the next General Elections.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I just wonder whether Samy realises that he does not command the entire Indian community in this country any more, but rather he only commands those in the MIC. If he had the command of the entire Indian community, he would not have lost the Sg. Siput constituency during the 2008 General Elections, which he had won for umpteenth time. Had he contested anywhere else, he would have lost any way. Is he now going to say that it was BN's fault that he lost? The Indian community is so divided now, especially after the Hindref 'uprising' where most are said to be angry with Samy.
What Tun Mahathir commented was the obvious, that the Indian community has had enough of Samy; his arrogance, loud and boastful language. He proudly claim his 30 years as a politician, oblivious to the fact that as a Minister he was merely apple polishing his BN bosses; and have ignored the plight of the many poor Indians; especially those living in the estates. Who does he blame in this instant; the BN or himself?
I think as a soldier, I have visited the families of the poor estate workers more than Samy does. Some don't even know that Samy existed; let alone see his face because most cannot afford to buy the Indian daily.
The 'all the president's men' that won the Saturday's MIC party elections, and the lost of Datuk S. Sothinathan for the Deputy Presidency may not be good for the BN in the up-coming Bagan Pinang by-election. Sothinathan is from Negeri Sembilan and his lost can have a negative impact on the Indian voters, who may not be pleased with the MIC. The Indians comprised about 20% of the total 5171 voters in Bagan Pinang.
The Chinese voters that comprised almost 10% is another cause of concern for the BN with the MCA leaders in tatters. Which MCA leader would lend support for the BN during the campaigning is going to matter very much to the Chinese voters. Remember that former Health Minister Chua Joi Meng is now with the PR pack. I am not surprise that if Ong Tee Keat is bent on demonising Chua Soi Lek, the latter might gang up with Chua Joi Meng, to campaign for the opposition. If this happens, this signals the eventual demise of the MCA.
Now what about the Malay voters. Of the 5171 total eligible voters, the Malays makes up almost 66% of the voters, and out of this, 37% are postal voters who are military voters. This is an exceptionally high percentage that can easily influence either a win or a lost for the BN. Being a former servicemen, it would be difficult for the opposition to sway the support of the soldiers, who traditionally have been supporting the government of the day.
There is also the perception that postal voting is not transparent and flawed, especially having to cast their votes a few days ahead of the actual polling date. Actually, there is no reason to do this, especially if the postal voter is located in the same constituency where the voting is held. The voter can cast his vote like anybody else, and his name checked against the nominal roll usually prepared by the Armed Forces Record & Pension Directorate. If this is done, transparency is upheld and there will not be any accusation that absent voters ballot papers are marked and place in the polling bags.
Now, if one were to ask me to assess the wining chance of the BN in the Bagan Pinang by-election, I would say that the BN should concentrate more on the Malay and Indian voters to ensure a win because the two races forms the majority. The Indians and Chinese community are clearly divided now and have lost confidence in the MIC and MCA. I think they are more incline to vote for the PR candidate, regardless of who it would be, and this have been the case in the previous by-elections.
And if the PR comes in convincingly during the campaigning, and if Isa Samad is the BN's candidate, I then foresee a situation similar to the Permatang Pasir developing during the campaigning. While many have confidence that Isa Samad can produce the result, my intution tells me that if Isa Samad's does win, it can spell trouble to the present MB leadership of Negeri Sembilan. If at all UMNO wants to see the removal of the present MB who is said to be a non performer, then Isa Samad would be their best choice.
In the case of the PR, losing the by-election does not matter much for the PR in Negeri Sembilan state assembly, as the status quo would remain. But to win is a major setback for the BN, and a clear indication that the PR is gaining ground in Negeri Sembilan. This would then be BN's greatest fear during the next General Elections.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Monday, September 7, 2009
BETWEEN THE LEMBU AND A HUMAN BEING – WHICH ONE IS MORE STUPID?
It is distressful to listen to the grandson of Dato Onn Jaafar, Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein not to think and follow the strides of his illustrious grandfather, who not only cared for his own race, but including other Malayan minority races at the time as well.
Hishamuddin is reported to have supported the actions of the Kepala Lembu protesters in Shah Alam, even before the police could conclude their investigations of the incident.
To say that Hishamuddin is a Kepala Lembu himself is improper and downright rude. But for a trained lawyer to have preempted an 'opinion' at a time when a police investigation is on going, makes me to think that there is something seriously wrong with Hishamuddin, who is himself the Minister in charge of the police. The call by some parties to have him sack from his ministerial post for his outrageous statement regarding the Kepala Lembu incident is apt.
It will not be wrong now for the rakyat to perceive that the incident is UMNO's doing, and this puts UMNO/BN in a precarious position to placate the minority Indian votes in Selangor, and in particular Shah Alam come the next General Elections. There is already a call by some Indians not to vote in the next General Elections, and I suppose the Chinese too would be skeptical of UMNO's motives. Isn't this unruly act of some despicable Malays ridiculing the hopes and aspiration of Najib's I Malaysia? Or are we seeing a deliberate attempt by some from within the party to sabotage Najib's I Malaysia? And the actions and statements of some leaders within UMNO recently appears to be breaking ranks from Najib's I Malaysia policy. It was unlike the era of Tun Dr. Mahathir where leaders within the BN speaks in unison and does not break ranks easily.
Speaking of Dato Onn Jaafar, I remembered as a primary school student of Batu Road English School, Kuala Lumpur some time in the early 50's, listening to a talk delivered by Dato Onn Jaafar at the school assembly one morning. I cannot remember what he was talking about, but I could remember that he looks like a white men, not realising that he is a Johorean born of a Turkish mother and a Malay of aristocratic lineage. Neither do I know who he was at the time. I only knew what a great person Dato Onn Jaafar was upon knowing that he was the person who marshaled the support of all Malayans to oppose the Malayan Union that the colonialist had propagated. I remembered too a picture of Dato Onn Jaafar prominently displayed at the home of my uncle in Ulu Langat. I suppose he adored Dato Onn Jaafar and he was a staunched supporter of Party Negara that Dato Onn Jaafar had formed after leaving UMNO.
I am not at all surprised that the 'opinion' made by the grandson of illustrious Dato Onn Jaafar's was well received and supported by some UMNO politicians for the same wrongful reasons. Famous among them is former MB Selangor Khir Toyo who even claimed that the Lembu is a stupid animal, and the controversial Independent Parliamentarian from Kelantan Ibrahim Ali who said that the protesters intention was not to hurt the Indian community. But why the Kepala Lembu where any idiot would know that the Lembu is sacrilegious to the Hindu faith. Why not Kepada Harimau or Kepala Beruk? And why has the authorities not slammed the ISA on the person who uttered threatening language that could incite racial disharmony? Is ISA the privilege for those who opposed the government only?
I was taken aback by Khir Toyo's claim, because the Lembu is certainly not a stupid animal. In fact God has created the Lembu to feed mankind besides being a tough, loyal and a humble worker. I think I find some humans to be more stupid than a Lembu, because some could not even think rationally and only knows to echo the voice of their leaders without thinking the repercussions of their claims.
There have been too many things happening in the country today that I fear the worse is yet to come. Hence, I am not going to comment the recent event that happened in Perak concerning the 'illegal' sitting of the State Assembly, as well as the uncertain political future of the Trengganu state government. I am also not going to pass any comment on the extended service of the IGP Musa Hassan, and neither will I write anything more on the PKFZ scandal because there are too many filthy hands at work, and most of them are associated with politics.
And while the opposition has found some relieve after winning the Permatang Pasir state assembly by-election, another by-election is in the offing with the sudden demise of the BN state assemblyman for Bagan Pinang Azman Mohd Nor a few days ago. What concerns the opposition is the high number of postal voters (armed forces and police) estimated at 5000 or 35% of the total number of eligible voters.If the opposition is not able to entice these postal voters to cast their votes for the opposition, the result will surely be in favour of the UMNO/BN candidate (whoever it may be). It is for this reason that Najib was quick to announce that the party will vie for a contest in the Bagan Pinang by-election. And Najib knows that the party cannot afford to lose this by-election and if they were to lose, this spells disaster for the BN in the next General Elections.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Hishamuddin is reported to have supported the actions of the Kepala Lembu protesters in Shah Alam, even before the police could conclude their investigations of the incident.
To say that Hishamuddin is a Kepala Lembu himself is improper and downright rude. But for a trained lawyer to have preempted an 'opinion' at a time when a police investigation is on going, makes me to think that there is something seriously wrong with Hishamuddin, who is himself the Minister in charge of the police. The call by some parties to have him sack from his ministerial post for his outrageous statement regarding the Kepala Lembu incident is apt.
It will not be wrong now for the rakyat to perceive that the incident is UMNO's doing, and this puts UMNO/BN in a precarious position to placate the minority Indian votes in Selangor, and in particular Shah Alam come the next General Elections. There is already a call by some Indians not to vote in the next General Elections, and I suppose the Chinese too would be skeptical of UMNO's motives. Isn't this unruly act of some despicable Malays ridiculing the hopes and aspiration of Najib's I Malaysia? Or are we seeing a deliberate attempt by some from within the party to sabotage Najib's I Malaysia? And the actions and statements of some leaders within UMNO recently appears to be breaking ranks from Najib's I Malaysia policy. It was unlike the era of Tun Dr. Mahathir where leaders within the BN speaks in unison and does not break ranks easily.
Speaking of Dato Onn Jaafar, I remembered as a primary school student of Batu Road English School, Kuala Lumpur some time in the early 50's, listening to a talk delivered by Dato Onn Jaafar at the school assembly one morning. I cannot remember what he was talking about, but I could remember that he looks like a white men, not realising that he is a Johorean born of a Turkish mother and a Malay of aristocratic lineage. Neither do I know who he was at the time. I only knew what a great person Dato Onn Jaafar was upon knowing that he was the person who marshaled the support of all Malayans to oppose the Malayan Union that the colonialist had propagated. I remembered too a picture of Dato Onn Jaafar prominently displayed at the home of my uncle in Ulu Langat. I suppose he adored Dato Onn Jaafar and he was a staunched supporter of Party Negara that Dato Onn Jaafar had formed after leaving UMNO.
I am not at all surprised that the 'opinion' made by the grandson of illustrious Dato Onn Jaafar's was well received and supported by some UMNO politicians for the same wrongful reasons. Famous among them is former MB Selangor Khir Toyo who even claimed that the Lembu is a stupid animal, and the controversial Independent Parliamentarian from Kelantan Ibrahim Ali who said that the protesters intention was not to hurt the Indian community. But why the Kepala Lembu where any idiot would know that the Lembu is sacrilegious to the Hindu faith. Why not Kepada Harimau or Kepala Beruk? And why has the authorities not slammed the ISA on the person who uttered threatening language that could incite racial disharmony? Is ISA the privilege for those who opposed the government only?
I was taken aback by Khir Toyo's claim, because the Lembu is certainly not a stupid animal. In fact God has created the Lembu to feed mankind besides being a tough, loyal and a humble worker. I think I find some humans to be more stupid than a Lembu, because some could not even think rationally and only knows to echo the voice of their leaders without thinking the repercussions of their claims.
There have been too many things happening in the country today that I fear the worse is yet to come. Hence, I am not going to comment the recent event that happened in Perak concerning the 'illegal' sitting of the State Assembly, as well as the uncertain political future of the Trengganu state government. I am also not going to pass any comment on the extended service of the IGP Musa Hassan, and neither will I write anything more on the PKFZ scandal because there are too many filthy hands at work, and most of them are associated with politics.
And while the opposition has found some relieve after winning the Permatang Pasir state assembly by-election, another by-election is in the offing with the sudden demise of the BN state assemblyman for Bagan Pinang Azman Mohd Nor a few days ago. What concerns the opposition is the high number of postal voters (armed forces and police) estimated at 5000 or 35% of the total number of eligible voters.If the opposition is not able to entice these postal voters to cast their votes for the opposition, the result will surely be in favour of the UMNO/BN candidate (whoever it may be). It is for this reason that Najib was quick to announce that the party will vie for a contest in the Bagan Pinang by-election. And Najib knows that the party cannot afford to lose this by-election and if they were to lose, this spells disaster for the BN in the next General Elections.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Monday, August 24, 2009
IT IS 'D DAY' FOR PERMATANG PASIR VOTERS TOMORROW
Tomorrow August 25th 2009, voters in Permatang Pasir will cast their votes to elect their new assemblyman for the Penang state legislative assembly. The by-election is held following the death of the former PAS state assemblyman Datuk Hamdan Abdul Rahman. It will be a straight fight between BN candidate Rohaizat Othman and PAS candidate Tuan Hj. Salleh Man, both being lawyers by training.
Ilham Centre, an independent field research organisation that ran a four days poll to determine the popularity of the two candidates, has found that the PAS candidate is ahead and is most likely to win the by-elections. However, there is still the 'unsure' category of voters or 'fence sitters' that can tilt the results to be in favour of the BN candidate.
It appears that PAS and its DAP and PR 'coalition partners' have fully exploited the disbarment and the second marriage denial of the BN candidate. Rohaizat seemed to have failed miserably in the 'integrity and honesty test', but BN is not rattled by the poll results and remained hopeful of a winning chance. BN attempt to cast the PAS candidate for embezzlement have little impact on the largely Malay voters.
Like in all previous by-elections, the pattern of campaigning has remained consistent i.e. candidate's character assassination prevails over real issues that will benefit the constituency and the rakyat. And having followed the campaigning issues by both the candidates in the print and electronic media, there is absolutely nothing worthy that I can say of both the candidates. I do not know what their visions and their aspirations are, and it is the party leaders and others that is doing lots of talking; but not the candidate.
Personally, I do not have any particular choice of candidate, and even if I were a Permatang Pasir voter, I will have difficulty in making a choice.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Ilham Centre, an independent field research organisation that ran a four days poll to determine the popularity of the two candidates, has found that the PAS candidate is ahead and is most likely to win the by-elections. However, there is still the 'unsure' category of voters or 'fence sitters' that can tilt the results to be in favour of the BN candidate.
It appears that PAS and its DAP and PR 'coalition partners' have fully exploited the disbarment and the second marriage denial of the BN candidate. Rohaizat seemed to have failed miserably in the 'integrity and honesty test', but BN is not rattled by the poll results and remained hopeful of a winning chance. BN attempt to cast the PAS candidate for embezzlement have little impact on the largely Malay voters.
Like in all previous by-elections, the pattern of campaigning has remained consistent i.e. candidate's character assassination prevails over real issues that will benefit the constituency and the rakyat. And having followed the campaigning issues by both the candidates in the print and electronic media, there is absolutely nothing worthy that I can say of both the candidates. I do not know what their visions and their aspirations are, and it is the party leaders and others that is doing lots of talking; but not the candidate.
Personally, I do not have any particular choice of candidate, and even if I were a Permatang Pasir voter, I will have difficulty in making a choice.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
SANTA CLAUS COMES TO MANEK URAI
Santa Claus in once again back in Malaysia; this time in Manek Urai. And having to arrive in the scorching heat of the Kelantan weather, must have taken its toll on Santa who is only accustomed to the cold winter of the Nordic region. This time around Santa Claus will be distributing free school uniforms and bags to more than 6,000 students; with the courtesy of the Education Ministry, and just prior to the by-elections scheduled this July 14th 2009.
In the previous by-elections in Kuala Trengganu, the Education Ministry had promised computers and laptops to students, and I wonder how many students actually received it. In other by-elections, roads were resurfaced, sawing machines and bicycles were handed out, and not forgetting the kain pelekat for the elders. I just wonder why such extreme generosity; and of all times prior to a by-election.
I find it most hilarious and odd for free school uniforms and bags to be distributed to students at this time of the year. Usually, school uniforms and bags will be purchased around the close of the year, and just before the first school term begins. I would have welcomed the government's good gesture if such handouts were given out at the start of year, and not only for Manek Urai, but throughout the entire country. This would be more meaningful, especially to needy parents who have many other school going children. And I am quite sure, the impact on the parents to support the BN government would be more positive; if such was the purpose of the free handouts.
I am of the view that there is a lot more wrong for the BN government to proceed with this ridiculous idea of offering free school uniforms and bags to students at Manek Urai, supposedly “as a gesture by the ministry to lighten the burden of the people”. And certainly, this instantaneous good gesture is definitely not a winning strategy for the BN to woo the electorates to vote in favour of the BN in the up coming by-election. Previous by-elections have proven clearly that gestures like this have little impact on the voters.
I know that the BN government is not short of ideas to win back the support of the voters. But bringing back Santa Claus, every time there is a by-election is definitely wrong and it only reflects the short sightedness of the BN government.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
In the previous by-elections in Kuala Trengganu, the Education Ministry had promised computers and laptops to students, and I wonder how many students actually received it. In other by-elections, roads were resurfaced, sawing machines and bicycles were handed out, and not forgetting the kain pelekat for the elders. I just wonder why such extreme generosity; and of all times prior to a by-election.
I find it most hilarious and odd for free school uniforms and bags to be distributed to students at this time of the year. Usually, school uniforms and bags will be purchased around the close of the year, and just before the first school term begins. I would have welcomed the government's good gesture if such handouts were given out at the start of year, and not only for Manek Urai, but throughout the entire country. This would be more meaningful, especially to needy parents who have many other school going children. And I am quite sure, the impact on the parents to support the BN government would be more positive; if such was the purpose of the free handouts.
I am of the view that there is a lot more wrong for the BN government to proceed with this ridiculous idea of offering free school uniforms and bags to students at Manek Urai, supposedly “as a gesture by the ministry to lighten the burden of the people”. And certainly, this instantaneous good gesture is definitely not a winning strategy for the BN to woo the electorates to vote in favour of the BN in the up coming by-election. Previous by-elections have proven clearly that gestures like this have little impact on the voters.
I know that the BN government is not short of ideas to win back the support of the voters. But bringing back Santa Claus, every time there is a by-election is definitely wrong and it only reflects the short sightedness of the BN government.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Sunday, May 31, 2009
PENANTI BY-ELECTIONS – WIN FOR PR
It is a 5 win for Pakatan Rakyat (PR), 1 win for Barisan National (BN), and another by-election at Manek Urai, Kelantan scheduled this July 14th 2009; an astonishing 7 by-elections since the March 8, 2008 General Elections.
Despite the low voters turnout of only 46% at the Penanti by-election, PR candidate Dr. Mansor Othman garnered 6,052 votes, securing a majority of 5,558, against his nearest rival Independent Nai Khan who secured 494 votes. All three Independent cadidates lost their deposits. The majority votes garnered by Dr. Mansor, though less compared to the 2008 elections, reflects the unflinching support for the PR in Penanti.
I reckoned that even if the BN had fielded a candidate, there was every possibility of the candidate losing the by-election. This should be a worring trend for the BN, and coupled with the losing streak in all previously held by-elections, only a miracle could overturn the results in favour of the BN in the next General Elections. The BN, after their poor outing in the 2008 General Elections had vowed for drastic changes within the party, but the results of the Penanti by-elections (although BN did not field a candidate) does not seemed to have changed the voters perception towards PR.
In the 2008 General Elections, the Penanti PR candidate Muhamed Fairus Khairuddin secured 7,346 votes, against his BN rival Datuk Abd. Jalil Majid who secured 5,127 votes. The voter turnout was 82% of a total voters population of 17,000 voters.
With the up-coming Manek Urai by-elections in July, the BN will have another opportunity at proving that their popularity and influence has not waned in Kelantan. My bet is that PR, through its PAS candidate will have a 60-40 chance of winning the by-elections. What then would be your bet?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Despite the low voters turnout of only 46% at the Penanti by-election, PR candidate Dr. Mansor Othman garnered 6,052 votes, securing a majority of 5,558, against his nearest rival Independent Nai Khan who secured 494 votes. All three Independent cadidates lost their deposits. The majority votes garnered by Dr. Mansor, though less compared to the 2008 elections, reflects the unflinching support for the PR in Penanti.
I reckoned that even if the BN had fielded a candidate, there was every possibility of the candidate losing the by-election. This should be a worring trend for the BN, and coupled with the losing streak in all previously held by-elections, only a miracle could overturn the results in favour of the BN in the next General Elections. The BN, after their poor outing in the 2008 General Elections had vowed for drastic changes within the party, but the results of the Penanti by-elections (although BN did not field a candidate) does not seemed to have changed the voters perception towards PR.
In the 2008 General Elections, the Penanti PR candidate Muhamed Fairus Khairuddin secured 7,346 votes, against his BN rival Datuk Abd. Jalil Majid who secured 5,127 votes. The voter turnout was 82% of a total voters population of 17,000 voters.
With the up-coming Manek Urai by-elections in July, the BN will have another opportunity at proving that their popularity and influence has not waned in Kelantan. My bet is that PR, through its PAS candidate will have a 60-40 chance of winning the by-elections. What then would be your bet?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
PENANTI BY-ELECTIONS – WIN FOR PR
It is a 5 win for Pakatan Rakyat (PR), 1 win for Barisan National (BN), and another by-election at Manek Urai, Kelantan scheduled this July 14th 2009; an astonishing 7 by-elections since the March 8, 2008 General Elections.
Despite the low voters turnout of only 46% at the Penanti by-election, PR candidate Dr. Mansor Othman garnered 6,052 votes, securing a majority of 5,558, against his nearest rival Independent Nai Khan who secured 494 votes. All three Independent cadidates lost their deposits. The majority votes garnered by Dr. Mansor, though less compared to the 2008 elections, reflects the unflinching support for the PR in Penanti.
I reckoned that even if the BN had fielded a candidate, there was every possibility of the candidate losing the by-election. This should be a worring trend for the BN, and coupled with the losing streak in all previously held by-elections, only a miracle could overturn the results in favour of the BN in the next General Elections. The BN, after their poor outing in the 2008 General Elections had vowed for drastic changes within the party, but the results of the Penanti by-elections (although BN did not field a candidate) does not seemed to have changed the voters perception towards PR.
In the 2008 General Elections, the Penanti PR candidate Muhamed Fairus Khairuddin secured 7,346 votes, against his BN rival Datuk Abd. Jalil Majid who secured 5,127 votes. The voter turnout was 82% of a total voters population of 17,000 voters.
With the up-coming Manek Urai by-elections in July, the BN will have another opportunity at proving that their popularity and influence has not waned in Kelantan. My bet is that PR, through its PAS candidate will have a 60-40 chance of winning the by-elections. What then would be your bet?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Despite the low voters turnout of only 46% at the Penanti by-election, PR candidate Dr. Mansor Othman garnered 6,052 votes, securing a majority of 5,558, against his nearest rival Independent Nai Khan who secured 494 votes. All three Independent cadidates lost their deposits. The majority votes garnered by Dr. Mansor, though less compared to the 2008 elections, reflects the unflinching support for the PR in Penanti.
I reckoned that even if the BN had fielded a candidate, there was every possibility of the candidate losing the by-election. This should be a worring trend for the BN, and coupled with the losing streak in all previously held by-elections, only a miracle could overturn the results in favour of the BN in the next General Elections. The BN, after their poor outing in the 2008 General Elections had vowed for drastic changes within the party, but the results of the Penanti by-elections (although BN did not field a candidate) does not seemed to have changed the voters perception towards PR.
In the 2008 General Elections, the Penanti PR candidate Muhamed Fairus Khairuddin secured 7,346 votes, against his BN rival Datuk Abd. Jalil Majid who secured 5,127 votes. The voter turnout was 82% of a total voters population of 17,000 voters.
With the up-coming Manek Urai by-elections in July, the BN will have another opportunity at proving that their popularity and influence has not waned in Kelantan. My bet is that PR, through its PAS candidate will have a 60-40 chance of winning the by-elections. What then would be your bet?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Monday, April 6, 2009
THE THREE BY-ELECTIONS – WHO WINS AND WHO LOSES?
In a few hours from now, eligible voters for the Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai by-elections will cast their votes. The results of the last ten days of intense campaigning by the two main political parties i.e.BN and PR will finally be known by late evening of 7th April. Political observers have given little hope for any one of the independent candidates winning the by-election in the contested areas. Some are likely to lose their deposits. But their participation can be telling on the outcome of the majority votes to be won by winning candidate, especially in Bukit Selembau.
I have somewhat lost interest in monitoring the three by-elections, unlike the two previous by-elections, since the 'political crisis' in Perak erupted. I felt that the voters of Perak have lost their rights to choose their own government, and that elected representatives today; be they state or federal representatives, can no longer be trusted to remain loyal to their voters. Defectors to me no longer represent the people that had voted them in. In fact, they have betrayed the voters trust; hence they don't deserve to remain elected representatives, let alone to claim that they are elected representatives.
I feel that the peoples interest in the three by-elections has been over shadowed by events of the recent UMNO general assembly. This has somewhat given the opposition an edge in making their presence felt early in the areas affected by the by-elections, while UMNO is too busy sorting themselves out for the general assembly.
What BN lacks in their early preparation, the party edges PR in its campaigning effort, since the former has the full force of the media (electronic and print), and some government agency to act as their 'proxy' in the campaigning. There is a total blackout of any good news reporting of the opposition by the mainstream media. And if the BN is to believe that they have succeeded in neutralising the opposition by this means, they are totally mistaken. In fact, it has angered people more, and the results of the two previous by-elections is sufficient proof.
It is hard to predict the outcome of the three by-elections, but from what I gather, the fight will be stiff, except for Batang Ai, which is most likely to favour the BN candidate. In the case of Bukit Gantang, PR candidate Dato Nizar Jamaluddin is hard to beat, and is the sure favourite to win with a sizable majority. Bukit Selambau has a 50-50 chance for both the BN and PR, and there seemed to be no clear favourite.
And one should not take Samy Vellu's assessment to be the gospel truth, and I am told that his presence at Bukit Selembau will have no bearing on the MIC's candidate chances of winning. And what about Tun Dr. Mahathir's presence at Bukit Gantang? Will it garner support for the BN candidate?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 11.00 pm on April 6, 2009
I have somewhat lost interest in monitoring the three by-elections, unlike the two previous by-elections, since the 'political crisis' in Perak erupted. I felt that the voters of Perak have lost their rights to choose their own government, and that elected representatives today; be they state or federal representatives, can no longer be trusted to remain loyal to their voters. Defectors to me no longer represent the people that had voted them in. In fact, they have betrayed the voters trust; hence they don't deserve to remain elected representatives, let alone to claim that they are elected representatives.
I feel that the peoples interest in the three by-elections has been over shadowed by events of the recent UMNO general assembly. This has somewhat given the opposition an edge in making their presence felt early in the areas affected by the by-elections, while UMNO is too busy sorting themselves out for the general assembly.
What BN lacks in their early preparation, the party edges PR in its campaigning effort, since the former has the full force of the media (electronic and print), and some government agency to act as their 'proxy' in the campaigning. There is a total blackout of any good news reporting of the opposition by the mainstream media. And if the BN is to believe that they have succeeded in neutralising the opposition by this means, they are totally mistaken. In fact, it has angered people more, and the results of the two previous by-elections is sufficient proof.
It is hard to predict the outcome of the three by-elections, but from what I gather, the fight will be stiff, except for Batang Ai, which is most likely to favour the BN candidate. In the case of Bukit Gantang, PR candidate Dato Nizar Jamaluddin is hard to beat, and is the sure favourite to win with a sizable majority. Bukit Selambau has a 50-50 chance for both the BN and PR, and there seemed to be no clear favourite.
And one should not take Samy Vellu's assessment to be the gospel truth, and I am told that his presence at Bukit Selembau will have no bearing on the MIC's candidate chances of winning. And what about Tun Dr. Mahathir's presence at Bukit Gantang? Will it garner support for the BN candidate?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 11.00 pm on April 6, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
EZAM BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT
UMNO has once again unleash Ezam Md Noor to campaign for UMNO/ BN in the up-coming by-elections in Perak and Kedah. I am not quite sure whether he will be wanted in Batang Ai in Sarawak, because he is not known there. Furthermore, rural Sarawak is rather skeptical of outsiders and to win them, one has to speak and understand their language.
Wasn't Ezam the person who claimed to have boxes of incriminating documents of corrupt practices by UMNO/BN top leaders? And to be welcomed back by Pak Lah in a much publicised media frenzy into UMNO's fold, must have forced him to conveniently stash the boxes in some secret vaults, only to use it again when he is no longer wanted by UMNO. What a desperate guy this fellow is.
Ezam will once again adopt a campaign strategy that focuses on stale issues to incriminate Anwar Ibrahim. And if Ezam calls Anwar a liar, the former is no better. Ezam had failed to swing voters allegience to the BN in the Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu by-elections by employing the same campaign strategy. And what assurance does he now have, that makes him think he can do better this time. He seems not to have understood that voters are sick of listening to his speeches that speaks of nothing else, except to bad mouth others.
And is UMNO at a loss of able and experience campaigners to challenge the opposition in the by-elections? Get the Oxford trained guy to campaign, and who knows he might be the winning formula for UMNO. Well, Norza is currently not holding any party post. Why don't he be used to campaign. The least is for people to get to know Norza better, and if he does well, people may forgive and forget all the troubles that he has been through, and UMNO may want to reward him.
The mood and desire of the voters has changed dramatically these days. An assurance of a real and positive change to their livelihood is what these rural voters wants, especially during this period of economic uncertainty. Bread and butter issue comes top of the list. Serious attention should also be given to assuring job security, and issues affecting health care, raising standards of rural education, combating crime and drug usage among youth, and ways of negating the ever rising cost of living that is affecting the rural folks, and many other social and economic issues.
What about Ali Rustam? They say he is a popular politician and would have been UMNO's Deputy President if he was allowed to contest in the recent party elections. His popularity could be a pulling factor during this campaigning.
Finally, UMNO/BN has the full force of the print and electronic media, and without Harakah and Suara Keadilan in circulation, the world of media reporting for the by-elections is entirely UMNO's. As was the case in past general elections and by-elections, TV3 seemed the most active propaganda machine, sometimes taking the entire day of 'election campaigning'. Were they successful in winning the voters allegiance in support of UMNO/BN, is something that most are not quite sure about. And if the past two by-election results were to be taken as a measure of success or failure, than TV3's campaigning efforts was certainly a total flop.
We are now beginning to hear promises of development being mentioned, should a particular candidate wins. What these developments are is quite hazy, and I would regard them as mere rhetorics. If resurfacing a village road, or constructing a new bus terminal, or building a new hyper market, or building a stadium are termed as development, then I would say that the candidates are talking rubbish. These issues does not in anyway contribute to improving the livelihood of the rural folks, but it will only enrich contractors who are cronies of politicians.
But if one were to say that they will introduce new agriculture technology, or build more clinics, or improve the water and electric supply into all areas, or create small industries to generate job opportunities, then these issues are likely to draw the attention of voters. Whether the projects will be implemented or not, will be left to the winner to resolve. This has always been the case in all elections. Lots of promises made before the election, but only to see it wither after the election.
Both the BN and PR have gone through two highly strung by-elections in the past few months. They should know what are the issues that attracts voters attention that can be translated into votes. Certainly Ezam's ways of campaigning, the way he did in the past two by-elections, will not be one that is likely to achieve any success...........and I think, UMNO knows this too well.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 9 pm on April 3, 2009
Wasn't Ezam the person who claimed to have boxes of incriminating documents of corrupt practices by UMNO/BN top leaders? And to be welcomed back by Pak Lah in a much publicised media frenzy into UMNO's fold, must have forced him to conveniently stash the boxes in some secret vaults, only to use it again when he is no longer wanted by UMNO. What a desperate guy this fellow is.
Ezam will once again adopt a campaign strategy that focuses on stale issues to incriminate Anwar Ibrahim. And if Ezam calls Anwar a liar, the former is no better. Ezam had failed to swing voters allegience to the BN in the Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu by-elections by employing the same campaign strategy. And what assurance does he now have, that makes him think he can do better this time. He seems not to have understood that voters are sick of listening to his speeches that speaks of nothing else, except to bad mouth others.
And is UMNO at a loss of able and experience campaigners to challenge the opposition in the by-elections? Get the Oxford trained guy to campaign, and who knows he might be the winning formula for UMNO. Well, Norza is currently not holding any party post. Why don't he be used to campaign. The least is for people to get to know Norza better, and if he does well, people may forgive and forget all the troubles that he has been through, and UMNO may want to reward him.
The mood and desire of the voters has changed dramatically these days. An assurance of a real and positive change to their livelihood is what these rural voters wants, especially during this period of economic uncertainty. Bread and butter issue comes top of the list. Serious attention should also be given to assuring job security, and issues affecting health care, raising standards of rural education, combating crime and drug usage among youth, and ways of negating the ever rising cost of living that is affecting the rural folks, and many other social and economic issues.
What about Ali Rustam? They say he is a popular politician and would have been UMNO's Deputy President if he was allowed to contest in the recent party elections. His popularity could be a pulling factor during this campaigning.
Finally, UMNO/BN has the full force of the print and electronic media, and without Harakah and Suara Keadilan in circulation, the world of media reporting for the by-elections is entirely UMNO's. As was the case in past general elections and by-elections, TV3 seemed the most active propaganda machine, sometimes taking the entire day of 'election campaigning'. Were they successful in winning the voters allegiance in support of UMNO/BN, is something that most are not quite sure about. And if the past two by-election results were to be taken as a measure of success or failure, than TV3's campaigning efforts was certainly a total flop.
We are now beginning to hear promises of development being mentioned, should a particular candidate wins. What these developments are is quite hazy, and I would regard them as mere rhetorics. If resurfacing a village road, or constructing a new bus terminal, or building a new hyper market, or building a stadium are termed as development, then I would say that the candidates are talking rubbish. These issues does not in anyway contribute to improving the livelihood of the rural folks, but it will only enrich contractors who are cronies of politicians.
But if one were to say that they will introduce new agriculture technology, or build more clinics, or improve the water and electric supply into all areas, or create small industries to generate job opportunities, then these issues are likely to draw the attention of voters. Whether the projects will be implemented or not, will be left to the winner to resolve. This has always been the case in all elections. Lots of promises made before the election, but only to see it wither after the election.
Both the BN and PR have gone through two highly strung by-elections in the past few months. They should know what are the issues that attracts voters attention that can be translated into votes. Certainly Ezam's ways of campaigning, the way he did in the past two by-elections, will not be one that is likely to achieve any success...........and I think, UMNO knows this too well.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 9 pm on April 3, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
ARE WE EXPECTING MORE GIFTS AND PROMISES?
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung told Dewan Rakyat today (Feb 18) that the government had to cough out RM 15.153 million to maintain a total of 3,376 extra policemen during the period of the Kuala Trengganu by-election held recently. This must have been a record of sorts i.e. with the largest number of policemen deployed for a by-election in a single state constituency, and the hiring of the most expensive tents costing RM 6 million to accommodate the extra police force.
Now that a precedence has been set, I am just wondering how much more will the government be spending in up-coming by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and most probably Bukit Lanjan? And if Kuala Trengganu is the trend setter, I wonder too, how many more thousands of policemen will be deployed?
Honestly, if one were to ask me for an opinion, I would say that the cost to maintain security (so they say) in the Kuala Trengganu by-election is a waste. That amount could have been used to feed thousands of poor and hungry Malaysians. Or better still, donate that amount to the Palestinians suffering in Gaza, if there are no poor and hungry people in Malaysia.
Anyway, I do not believe there was any threat, perceive or otherwise, in the KT by-elections. Neither do I believe that threat was the real issue. Or were they expecting some suicide bombers? Certainly, there were some other hidden agendas that was blinded from our view. And if the agenda is one to ensure a win for the BN, they surely have failed miserably.
These up-coming by-elections will be interesting to watch. Will there be more Santa Claus doling ‘gifts’ and lots of promises to the electorate? If it does, I just wonder if the promises and pledges made in Kuala Trengganu has been fulfilled. Enticing the voters with promises and pledges is an effort in futility these days. It’s their tummies and the food on the table for their families that they want assured.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 16.00 pm on Feb 19, 2009
Now that a precedence has been set, I am just wondering how much more will the government be spending in up-coming by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and most probably Bukit Lanjan? And if Kuala Trengganu is the trend setter, I wonder too, how many more thousands of policemen will be deployed?
Honestly, if one were to ask me for an opinion, I would say that the cost to maintain security (so they say) in the Kuala Trengganu by-election is a waste. That amount could have been used to feed thousands of poor and hungry Malaysians. Or better still, donate that amount to the Palestinians suffering in Gaza, if there are no poor and hungry people in Malaysia.
Anyway, I do not believe there was any threat, perceive or otherwise, in the KT by-elections. Neither do I believe that threat was the real issue. Or were they expecting some suicide bombers? Certainly, there were some other hidden agendas that was blinded from our view. And if the agenda is one to ensure a win for the BN, they surely have failed miserably.
These up-coming by-elections will be interesting to watch. Will there be more Santa Claus doling ‘gifts’ and lots of promises to the electorate? If it does, I just wonder if the promises and pledges made in Kuala Trengganu has been fulfilled. Enticing the voters with promises and pledges is an effort in futility these days. It’s their tummies and the food on the table for their families that they want assured.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 16.00 pm on Feb 19, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
BATTLE OF THE TWO BUKIT
The announcement has just been made………..Bukit Gantang in Perak and Bukit Selambau in Kedah by-elections will be held on April, 7, 2009. What a coincidence, the battle of the two bukit in a single day. But the unfortunate thing is that, why hold it on a Tuesday, a working day.
The onus is on PR to retain both the seats, while a lost by BN means a status quo in its numbers in parliament and the state assembly. This being the case, the pressure to win lies heavily on the PR.
The question now is whether PR can repeat the two wins in the previous by-elections, like they did in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu.
The contest to watch to my mind will be Bukit Gantang, for the simple reason that this by-election will be a test of the people allegiance to either party (PR and BN), as the result of the controversial take over of the Perak state government by the BN recently. In this regards, BN has to work extremely hard to win back the confidence of Perakians in Bukit Gantang, who may have switch allegiance, and are now more sympathetic towards PR over the controversial take over issue.
From my personal observation, it is the Malays that have been rather vocal in their disagreement to the take over, and Bukit Gantang being a predominantly Malay populated area may have been infected by the rise against the ‘foul take over’ of the Perak state government by the BN.
Can Zambery, who is yet to warm his seat as the Menteri Besar and is still grappling with the issue of his exco members, may not be equally ready to take on the challenge to lead his party in the Bukit Gantang by-election. Najib too will not be able to lead this time, in the manner that he did in the two previous by-elections. He has other worries i.e. to fulfill his responsibilities as the newly proclaimed Prime Minister (hopefully) and the economic, social and financial issues troubling the nation today. This are serious issues that requires serious attention, and the burden now is on Najib.
With regards to Bukit Selambau by-election, the issue is one of a right candidate for both the contesting parties. It will still have to be an Indian candidate. And I personally think that having a non Indian candidate by one party, and an Indian candidate by another party will spell disaster for the former. Besides, the Indian community will feel that they are being marginalized, and this may not be good for both parties.
I do not want to predict, who wins and who looses. But my only hope is for both parties to adhere strictly to rules governing the process of a free and fair elections, and that sensible issues affecting the nation and the daily lives of the people, takes center stage during the campaigning.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 17.00 pm Feb 13, 2009
The onus is on PR to retain both the seats, while a lost by BN means a status quo in its numbers in parliament and the state assembly. This being the case, the pressure to win lies heavily on the PR.
The question now is whether PR can repeat the two wins in the previous by-elections, like they did in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu.
The contest to watch to my mind will be Bukit Gantang, for the simple reason that this by-election will be a test of the people allegiance to either party (PR and BN), as the result of the controversial take over of the Perak state government by the BN recently. In this regards, BN has to work extremely hard to win back the confidence of Perakians in Bukit Gantang, who may have switch allegiance, and are now more sympathetic towards PR over the controversial take over issue.
From my personal observation, it is the Malays that have been rather vocal in their disagreement to the take over, and Bukit Gantang being a predominantly Malay populated area may have been infected by the rise against the ‘foul take over’ of the Perak state government by the BN.
Can Zambery, who is yet to warm his seat as the Menteri Besar and is still grappling with the issue of his exco members, may not be equally ready to take on the challenge to lead his party in the Bukit Gantang by-election. Najib too will not be able to lead this time, in the manner that he did in the two previous by-elections. He has other worries i.e. to fulfill his responsibilities as the newly proclaimed Prime Minister (hopefully) and the economic, social and financial issues troubling the nation today. This are serious issues that requires serious attention, and the burden now is on Najib.
With regards to Bukit Selambau by-election, the issue is one of a right candidate for both the contesting parties. It will still have to be an Indian candidate. And I personally think that having a non Indian candidate by one party, and an Indian candidate by another party will spell disaster for the former. Besides, the Indian community will feel that they are being marginalized, and this may not be good for both parties.
I do not want to predict, who wins and who looses. But my only hope is for both parties to adhere strictly to rules governing the process of a free and fair elections, and that sensible issues affecting the nation and the daily lives of the people, takes center stage during the campaigning.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 17.00 pm Feb 13, 2009
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