ODDS STILL AGAINST BN DESPITE ATTACKS ON ANWAR AND PKR
By Wan Hamidi Hamidi
Political Editor, The Malaysian Insider
SEBERANG JAYA, Aug 20 — The political tsunami that swept Barisan Nasional out of Penang five months ago is still strongly felt in the state particularly in the mainland's Permatang Pauh by-election.
This means BN is about to lose 30 per cent of the votes – almost all of the Chinese and Indian votes – as the sentiment against the federal ruling coalition has yet to subside.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat insiders claim that some 17,000 non-Malay votes that were delivered to former MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail would also be given to her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
A PKR insider said the non-Malays in the state still perceive BN, particularly Umno, as neglecting their needs and pandering too much to the Malays.
They also think Gerakan, MCA and MIC had nothing much to offer after their electoral debacle on March 8.
"After five months, our assessment shows that the sentiment is still there. Not that we're over confident but that's the information we get on the ground," he said, adding that PKR continues to campaign among non-Malay voters with the help of its ally Chinese-majority DAP.
Even BN's Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah's good command of Mandarin and Hokkien does not help much as the Chinese voters have made up their mind, at least for the moment.
The five per cent Indian voters are also expected to vote for Anwar, and a number of Indian campaigners – from PKR and DAP as well as members of the Hindu Rights Action Force – have been concentrating in Indian-majority residential areas.
That leaves 70 per cent Malay votes up for grabs. With Anwar playing up the local boy's homecoming campaign, it's getting harder for BN to swing the 30,000-plus votes garnered by Wan Azizah recently.
It is understood that a lot of BN component party members voted against their own candidate in the general election.
BN chief campaigner Datuk Seri Najib Razak is adamant that his current candidate could regain the voters just by concentrating on the ruling coalition members' votes – 19,000 Umno members and 7,000 from other parties.
But is a tough call for BN. Its previous candidate Datuk Pirdaus Ismail only managed to poll 16,950 votes recently compared to 21,147 in 2004.
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| BN buttfuckers on Nomination Day in Permatang Pauh (photo courtesy of MAFREL) |
For the past few days, he's been campaigning with his own election workers without much help from his Permatang Pauh Umno colleagues - who all lost in the general elections.
But Arif Shah was the only survivor and kept Seberang Jaya – one of the three state constituencies under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.
The Umno division chief Datuk Jalil Abdul Majid lost to PKR's Mohd Fairuz Khairuddin who is now Penang deputy chief minister while division secretary Ahmad Sahar Shuib lost to Pas incumbent Hamdan Abdul Rahman.
Permatang Pauh Umno has been rudderless - and almost winless - since its former leader Anwar was sacked from the government and party a decade ago.
But that has not stopped local leaders from fighting each other to lead the division but the by-election has halted the fierce campaigning for the party polls.
Besides Jalil who wants to defend his post, Arif Shah and Pirdaus have offered to contest.
There has been serious jostling for power, and the BN candidate knows the stakes, he has made another offer – if he wins Permatang Pauh by-election he will back down from the division polls.
The signal is meant for others to help him in the campaign but some local leaders have been busy surrounding themselves around Umno deputy president Najib rather than following Arif Shah in canvassing votes.
"It seems that their mind is focused on the Permatang Pauh Umno division campaign. They are giving the impression that this by-election is a gone case and they would rather prepare for their own party polls," said a local observer who has been a Seberang Jaya resident for the past 20 years.
A Penang Umno insider confirmed the observation, claiming that the BN campaign seen on TV daily does not reflect the actual canvassing for votes and many who attended Umno ceramahs are actually party workers.
"I'm worried that if this trend continues, it will reflect badly again on Umno and BN. When I watch the TV news, our leaders are all out campaigning against Anwar but on the ground there's not much being done.
"If we lose badly again, people will get more fed up with us," he said.
PKR campaigners have also complained about the wide TV coverage for BN leaders, similar to that given to the ruling coalition during the general election, with no space provided for Anwar.
They are also upset with the timing of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's swearing on the Quran that Anwar had forcibly sodomised him.
Although Najib had denied the oath, made 24 four hours before the nomination day, was politically motivated, the deputy prime minister has been going on that issue since Saturday.
PKR campaigners are also upset with the Anti-Corruption Agency's action against two Pakatan Rakyat-led Perak state exco members today – not so much whether the graft allegation is true but rather the timing, again.
"I'm confident that the voters in Permatang Pauh are smart enough to differentiate between propaganda and the truth. We know that BN is desperate, not just about Anwar winning this by-election, but what will happen on Sept 16," said Johor PKR information chief Hasmi Hashim who is assisting the campaign in Permatang Pauh.
He was referring to Anwar's Sept 16 deadline for the crossover of BN MPs, paving the way for him to set up a new federal government.
"What BN is doing is to derail Anwar's plan although the March 8 results have indicated that the people wanted change," added Hasmi.
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THE CORRIDORS OF POWER | Malaysia TodayIN GOD WE TRUST, THE COURTS CAN GO TO HELL
There are those who can’t imagine why Anwar Ibrahim ignores the call for him to swear on the Quran in a mosque that he is innocent of the allegation of sodomy and also why Raja Petra Kamarudin ignores Malaysian courts.
On the Anwar issue, first of all, there is no such thing as swearing on the Quran in Islam and many religious scholars and leaders have said so quite explicitly. Why these people still insist that Anwar do so is perplexing. Read our lips: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SWEARING ON THE QURAN IN ISLAM. Let’s hope these sorry excuses for Muslims hear us loud and clear this time.
Secondly, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Bin Azlan, IC No: 850706-01-5687, of No. 29, Jalan BU 7/6, Selangor, swore on the Quran at 6.00pm on 15 August in the Federal Territory Mosque in front of Ramlang Bin Porigi, UMNO Member No. 03405853 of Cawangan Seri Macang, Bahagian Bukit Mertajam, Parlimen Permatang Pauh.
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Ramlang Porigi (circled) the "instant imam" (photo courtesy of Malaysians Unplugged Uncensored) |
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| Ramlang Bin Porigi: Permatang Pauh Umno division member |
Raja Petra was detained under the Internal Security Act on 11 April 2001. The Special Branch then demanded that he hand over his international passport. But Raja Petra did not have his passport with him. It was lodged at the British High Commission and there was no way the Special Branch could get its hands on it.
The Special Branch demanded to know why his passport was not in his possession but was instead with the British High Commission. Raja Petra refused to reveal the reason. “Never mind,” the Special Branch told him. “We have other ways of blocking your passport.”
Three days later, on 14 April 2001, the day of Raja Petra’s wedding anniversary, a letter was dropped into the letterbox of his house giving him 14 days to contest a bankruptcy order. Since he was under 60 days ISA detention he certainly could not make an appearance in court within the stipulated 14 days to contest the bankruptcy order. Anyway, the bankruptcy order was not served on him but was dropped into the letterbox.
Raja Petra was released from ISA detention on 6 June 2001. A few weeks later, he went to meet Manjeet Singh of Sri Ram & Co. to try to get them to set aside the bankruptcy order. Sri Ram & Co. checked with the courts and discovered that the whole file had disappeared. There was no way they could contest the order, Manjeet told Raja Petra, since the file had disappeared. Anyway, Manjeet told him, once bankruptcy has been obtained you can’t apply to set it aside. You are supposed to contest the order within the 14 days given to you. The fact that one is under 60 days detention and there was no way one could appear in court to contest the order does not change the decision of the court.Since then Raja Petra ‘tak layan’ Malaysian courts. Malaysian courts do not dispense justice. They serve their political masters.
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* As of 20 August 2008, RAMLANG BIN PORIGI, the Umno member who witnessed as "imam masjid" at Saiful's swearing was promoted as IMAM, according to the Directory listing of the Federal Territory Mosque. He was one of eight others who suddenly were made into "Imams." Prior to August 20th, Ramlang Porigi was listed as Pembantu Hal Ehwal Islam (Assistant for Islamic Affairs). [Source: Malaysians Unplugged Uncensored]
Although most blogs and media report that he is from Sandakan, a friend of mine who knows him personally said that Ramlang Bin Porigi originates from Balikpapan, Indonesia, a small town neighbouring Tawau. It is believed that he is one of the products of Project IC Mahathir. From Balikpapan to Sandakan, and now part of Umno's "rescue operation" in Permatang Pauh! [Source]
Couldnt UMNO choose a better IMAN
ReplyDeleteh0 h0 h0
Budak sekampung ku!
There ARE no MEN in MUMno! The party is now totally infested with BUMOIDS! :-)
ReplyDeletethat guy really came from indo???
ReplyDeleteand now a blue ic malaysian and can vote somemore!!!???
it is... utterly... heilous!!!
it's a treachery!!!
these buggers are selling malaysia!!!
wtmf!!!
That's "Ketuanan Umno" in action, Chong. You know, I was 20 years old when Razak introduced the NEP - just starting out in life - and then we saw the emergence of a "National Cultural Policy" and so on. At the time I paid little attention to politics. I was a young daddy to two adorable daughters and busy maintaining a domestic routine while having as much fun as possible. Threw myself into theatre and music and traveling. It was only in October 1987 when some of my friends were locked away under the evil ISA that I decided I could no longer be apathetic about who does what in the government - and that I had to pay close attention as a citizen and ensure the country doesn't get hijacked or destroyed by a bunch of pyschopathological criminals waving kerises, building gaudy palaces and buying Mercedes's with public funds.
ReplyDeleteNow that those buggers in Umno/BN are staring at a Great Void right in front of them, panic has kicked in. People with dirty consciences are terrified of death because to them it means OBLIVION. Now can you understand why there's no trick too dirty for them to use in their attempts to STOP ANWAR?
Looks like we have to keep promoting awareness of what Good Governance is all about until it becomes a reality in our beloved Malaysia.
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal principles of good governance and rule of law .....
Can we learn from the Iraqi experience???
A global consensus recognizing that good governance is vital for economic development and poverty alleviation has emerged. Good governance provides an enabling environment for general economic development, human resources development, ensuring the prevention and resolution of conflict. All these elements are essential to build a firm common ground for Iraqi national reconciliation. Good governance, as we know, is a pillar of democracy. Finding a consensus on a definition of the concept of good government has not been easy. Does it apply to just sound administration and management or does it also refer to the political domain and political leadership? Is it a universal principle or does it vary according to context? This vagueness raises the risks associated with applying a concept, which may not be rooted in the particular socio-cultural and political environment of Iraq. It is generally accepted that in the context of a political and constitutional environment that upholds human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, good governance is the transparent and accountable management of human, natural, economic and financial resources for the purpose of equitable and sustainable development. Citizens expect the government to respond to their needs through a systematic process of accountability, transparency, and checks and balances. Good governance ensures that political, social, and economic priorities reflect broad consensus, that decision-makers represent the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable in allocating development resources, and that the rights of the people are respected. It entails clear decision-making procedures at the level of public authorities, transparent and accountable institutions, the primacy of law in the management and distribution of resources and capacity building for elaborating and implementing measures aimed in particular at preventing and combating corruption. Essentials of Good Governance, The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) defines good governance as “the responsible exercise of political, economic and administrative authority in the management of a country’s affairs at all levels”. Good governance, among other things, is participatory, transparent, accountable, effective, equitable, and fair. It promotes the rule of law. Participation ensures an open, inclusive, participatory political system. It involves citizens in the decision-making process and in implementing public projects orother government activity. Participation goes beyond mere consultation and implies the existence of opportunities to contribute through gainful employment; opportunities to move in the mainstream of political, economic, and cultural processes and the eradication of the marginalization of groups and discrimination, poverty, and deprivation; and freedom from vulnerability through a guaranteed system of social safety nets and social security systems. To this end, good governance embraces the concept of devolution of power to local authorities and communities. The right of citizens to participate in the conduct of public affairs is more directly exercised at local levels. The existence of local authorities that are given real responsibilities can provide an administrative system that is both effective and close to the citizen. Transparency involves establishing appropriate lines or forms of accountability between the government and the public, which should include access to information through suchmeasures as freedom of information legislation, open decision-making, and rules ofsubstantive and procedural fairness. The rule of law assumes the existence of inalienable rights and liberties for every citizen, which governments should not touch or violate. To some extent the essence of the rule of law lies in its juxtaposition to “the rule of men or women”. This aphorism seeks to state the following basic principles: that all state power ought to be exercised under the authority of law; and rules of law should govern the election and appointment of those who make and execute policy, as well as the manner in which such policies are made and executed to ensure rationality and fairness in the decision-making process. In addition, good governance must assure the equal participation of women with men in all processes of governance. Only complete equality between men and women in all legal, political, and social arrangements can create the proper conditions for human freedom and good governance. Establishment and protection of good governance whatever the case, it is agreed that good governance is above all a domestic issue and inadequate domestic policies have played a role in widening the gap between rich and poor and achieving good governance is a process which must come from within andsteps must be taken to support and recognize genuine initiatives to attain it. Transparency, good governance and development are closely linked and together they become a vehicle to improve the human condition. The promotion of good governance requires a determined campaign against corruption, which is one of the most concrete expressions of misadministration. The quality of the administration of a country’s resources is an essential factor that explains its development performances — good or bad. Good governance is the true test of democracy. A government, which administers scarce resources in accordance with the real needs of the population, must be fundamentally democratic.
The political, judicial and intellectual elite must be benchmark and models of integrity. The political leadership must be genuinely determined to attack the problem of corruption and must demonstrate that determination. Good governance like democracy must not be allowed to become just another slogan - a false front to placate the providers of funds. Experience shows that it is unrealistic to hope to change things at the instigation of civil society alone. The essential first step is to influence public opinion and make decision-makers and the public at large aware of the devastating effects of misadministration. Underemployment, inadequate or sporadic employment and low wages continue to contribute to a high level of poverty in Iraq which in turn feed the militias and terrorists groups. We have to extricate ourselves from our backwardness by building a strong and democratic Iraq. Debates on national issues are healthy and should continue even after the national reconciliation. Different point of views should be respected. After all, “in a democracy dissent is an act of faith, like medicine, the taste of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects.”
Conclusion
The success of efforts to improve governance, the respect of human rights and the rule of the law throughout Iraq will depend on the development and strengthening of institutions that underpin good governance, democracy and the rule of law. With respect to the current political process, these efforts cannot succeed unless economic conditions in Iraq improve and develop to a level where Iraq is able to develop and sustain the institutions necessary to promote governance, the protection of human rights and the rule of law. Good governance cannot flourish along side grinding poverty and weak state institutions.
Dr. Widad Al-Ali,
Executive Director
Al-Yaqeen Centre for Training, Studies and Development