STUPID! Do Not Make Us Shame Again

Thinking of skip any comments this Tenang by-election and remain as observer as I am still busy with my personal things.

However, this President made us shame again like we people do not understand and respect others religions.

I met my MCA friend afternoon and joke with him, " didn't your President have others election tactics than talking about shaking hands and Islamic State? This is all he have in the campaign?" Ha, my friend did not even want to talk about his name.

In the speech, he even sounded like he accept UMNO corruption but can not accept the candidate and Wan Azizah did not want to shake hand with him with the bare hand.

Stupid! This is about religions and culture and there is no wrong and do not mean they do not respect others by not shaking hand with you.

If some countries like in Europe, people greet someone by kissing the face, could we do the same here? Of course, from what were happened, the President like to do so very much.

Really really stupid, irresponsible and low class.

Galas & Batu Sapi

Pakatan lost again in these latest by-election in Galas & Batu Sapi.

Of course there are many reasons why PR lost and BN won. Analysts will made all analysis from now but the fact is Pakatan Rakyat that give a lot hopes and confident especially in city areas did not achieved the same in the rural areas.

Pakatan must realized that the wind of change in 308 did not brought to whole nation. There are certainly a big group of people especially those in cities believe and hope for 2-party system, but there are a bigger group of people that might choose to stay with BN that had 'taken care' of them in the past 50 years.

Obviously, Pakatan has to work harder and smarter to gain the supports from these "uncertainty" groups. They have to show their capability, commitment, caring, etc.

Sibu's MIRACLE

Sibu MIRACLE, couldn't believe it, really happened.

I started to follow Anilnetto live broadcast since this morning and the excitement was much more than the Thomas Cup. PR was left behind in the afternoon but SWING tremendously in the evening and finally won by 398 majority.

It is great, the Sibuan.

My Sibu friend called me and said,:" Look, do not look us down. We can also make the CHANGE."

Yes, SIBU 4 CHANGE. JOM UBAH!

The whole and future Malaysian will also remember you.

Some quick thoughts for this by-election:

a) When BN has left nothing but money and government resources, and all these also did not work, what are they going to do?

b) PR mark a step further in the rural area (like long houses) but it is still long way to go, they should not stop at this point and should go further into the rural area. PR could not go Putrajaya without all these penetrations.

c) A better team work and understandings among the PR coalition parties. They are more confident to face the attacks and differences between them and have more common directions now.

d) PAS and DAP have better campaign strategy but PKR needs to improve. They should have more dedicated politicians than the opportunists. People like Wee, Zahrain, Zul, etc are in this group and should be glad if they go.

e) Postal votes should be demolished and it is damned unfair and unnecessary nowadays.

Thanks again Sibuan bravely say NO to vote-buying and electoral bribery, and a lot could be learnt from this election for whole Malaysian.

Lastly, should PM honour his RM5million cheque?

He should honour it as the money shall be used to solve the drainage problems of the people, and the money is the People's money.

If the Campaign is only about Giving Money

If the campaign is only about giving money.

If the BN PM's job in by-election strategy is only giving money. (And it is our money, not his money)

Then anyone else also could be the PM. Nothing great if the PM ran here and there to give money, anyone also can pass the cheques to those who in fact should get the subsidy automatically and systematically.

But why all these schools or people still need the money after they had been supporting BN for the past 50 years. They should have been taken complete care by BN since 50 years ago.

Sarawak is a state that full of natural resources like oil & gas, the kayu balak, the land, etc but why the majority of the people still so poor and need money?

Why the schools still need the money?

Why the long house still need the money?

The rich family SUPP candidate and Sin Chew Chairman still so thick skin to "request" all attendees to stand up and give applause and gratitute to our 1 Malaysia PM because he is giving out money.

Shame on you.

Money Power temporary Leads

Congratulation to BN, again proof that money still powerful in any buy-election.

Frankly, it is hard for the Chinese society to resist the "corruption promise" of RM3mil for the school. Similarly, it is hard for the Felda settlers to reject the "gifts" of RM50,000 that they have been waiting for since 1994. After all, it is hard to wait the YB to pass away in your constituency to held the by-election.

Pakatan Rakyat lost 1725 votes or 3.5% among the 48935 voted, even they placed an iconic leaders of PKR. PR should treat this a serious alerts if they want to march into Putrajaya.

However, it is just a by-election, it is a sad day but not the end of day. Looking at the good parts of the defeat, carry out a deep analysis and post-mortem. The journey of change is not so simple and needs a longer struggles.

We achieve some good things through this by-election:

a) A better and committed co-operation among the coalitions, the leaders are more comfortable and confident sitting together in any occasions and any attacks on the coalitions by BN no longer works. A stronger coalitions is shaping up.

b) An opportunity to know more about the weak areas among the voters. Probably, PR should carry out more campaign and show them a good visions to convince more people especially those are still believe that only BN could bring development.

c) Carry out campaign for "voter get voters" to bring more qualify voters to register.

Of course, there are more to suggest from the political experts, but do it from now.

The majority is narrow, even though tons of money thrown in by BN. The winning by BN is temporary and a bigger battle is coming. Thus, the hope is still bright but the PR needs to work harder.

A fight of MARUAH

Anwar said this is a fight of MARUAH, a self-respect and dignity, in front of close to 15,000 attendees in the ceramah tonight.

Yes, this is a fight of MARUAH. The way BN campaign had shown their desperation, throwing money like "no government control", giving empty promises like last few elections, control the media, using all government vehicles, etc to buy and threaten votes.

In the report, BN had given close to RM60million in a combination of projects and cash to the voters. They also promise to keep their PROMISES MADE IN 1994 to settle the Felda settler. The settlers are lucky as they have by-election.

Whatever it is, our last hope that the by-election is conducted clean and that ZAID will win this election to keep our MARUAH and HOPE of Malaysia.

Biar Tukar Sekali Sehabis-habisnya

I am still busy setting up the new office and also on travelling mode. I got into a taxi this morning at LCCT to Putrajaya and the Malay driver, who originally from Perak, start chatting with me. He was a bit careful initially and asked me what I think about the by-election at Hulu Selangor.

I said I am supporting for change and in this case, I support Zaid Ibrahim. He was a bit relief and told me, "ya, biar tukar satu kali sehabis-habisnya." Now I understand his carefulness initially as he thought that I might bec related or worked for the government and "kebanyakan pekerja kerajaan takut undi pembankang", he said.

Yes, I might related to the government but the government is not owned by BN. A lot of people could not differentiate this.

The Hulu Selangor is important to continue the spirit of change among the people.

The driver said he did not agreed BN tactic of using alcohol issue on Zaid, probably BN have no other tactics. I agreed.

YB MCA Leow & Yen Yen, do you know that you are holding hands with someone who said Malay First and attacking someone who fight for the anti-racism? Do you know that if they can not accept Zaid for holding alcohol, can they accept your new President for naked in the CD?

Kamal+Alan+Nathan, do you know that you are kissing someone who ignore your President's choice of candidate? or might be you kiss to thank him for choosing you.

I think, what the driver said this morning is correct, "tak endah semua orang itu, biar tukar sekali sehabis-habisnya"

1 Win by-election

On Sunday, the polling date of 9th by-election after 308 in Bagan Pinang.

BN field thier "most popular", "sure win" but "controversy" candidate in their stronghold constituency, Mohd Isa to contest.

The intention of the PM or BN is only one, 1 WIN. (after 7 defeats in Peninsular)

As reported, BN leads all the way in the campaign from the first day. Even our DPM is confident this time and said Isa is impossible to lose.

Whatever results is, the lessons we could learn from this by-election:

a) Is Isa the "most popular" as claimed and still shine?

b) Is BN/Isa a sure win?

c) Could Pakatan improve thier influences into BN stronghold consituency?

d) Could majority of the people accept politicians that had black mark of money politics?

e) What is the distribution of supports between Malay/Chinese/Indian to BN and Pakatan?

But the most interesting part is, what if BN/ISA lose?

The Battle is On

Here go the battle no. 9 between BN and Pakatan.

BN placed their "best and the only" candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election, Tan Sri Mohd Isa, the previous UMNO strongman as MB and Minister, who later was found guilty of money politics in party election year 2005.

PAS also placed their best candidate, Negeri Sembilan PAS chief, Zulkefli Omar, who had lost 3 times in past election, hoping to beat this BN stronghold constituency.

Needless to say, BN priority is to win a by-election to boost the motivation of the party, after defeating 1-7 in the recent by-elections. This is the best chance as they never lost in this constituency.

PAS or Pakatan also hope to continue their victories especially this considered the stronghold of UMNO. They have to penetrate the BN castles if they want to win in next general election.

photos sources: m'kini, m'insiders

Permatang Pasir Retain Green

I was having buka puasa dinner with my Malay friends in one of the restaurant in KL while watching the live reports from Permatang Pasir by-election.

We were having a good and cheerful dinner with the good news from Penang. We have no problems or odd feelings to mix with our Malays friends, having dinner together and talked about pork and beer issues in Selangor.

Only UMNO feel that we have the issues.

However, the results in Permatang Pasir somehow show that the traitor, racist and religion issues did not really affect the election results.

Most of the People basically stay the similar supports as 308 despite of tremendous attacking by BN using all sort of irresponsible tactics.

Permatang Pasir, an state assembly by PAS, within the PKR Parliamentary seat in DAP-lead state government. This combination factor had brought the 3 parties closer to works hard, unite and understandings in the campaign during the election.

Pakatan should understand that even though they won the by-election, but they still had many disputes and discrepancies like what they were attacked by the opponent during this by-election.

People had made the choice to give another opportunity to Pakatan Rakyat and we really hope that all lawmakers and leaders of PR could understand the significance of unity and look at a bigger picture in dealing all issues.

Undi PAS = Undi DAP

As comparison, I am upset of what BN still using the old stupid tactics for the Permatang Pasir by-election campaign.

In Malay community, UMNO attacked PAS if Undi PAS=Undi DAP, as PAS had been so tolerate and listen to DAP which is anti-Islam.

On the other hand, Gerakan urged the Chinese voters not to vote PAS as PAS did not allow eating pork & drinking beers. Yes, this tactic might work in 1999 General Election. But, this to me looked stupid in the year of 2009.

OTK said LGE "get advice" from Anwar and his coalitions. What is wrong if the coalitions leaders argue and compromise about the issues appeared between the parties beliefs, as compared with Gerakan/MCA/MIC that only "obey instructions" given by UMNO.

I personally feel that this "divide and campaign" tactic would be less effective in this modern day as the multi-racial community had live and work together closer that ancient days.

We attended one the forums by the young Pakatan leaders at "Pentas Pemuda" during malam Ramadhan at Permatang Pasir. These future leaders of Malaysia, such as Samsul from PAS, Nik Azmi from PKR, Ng Swee Ling & Nga Kor Ming from DAP, etc that spoke the same philosophy of the new Malaysia, "Keadialan untuk Semua."

I think "Keadilan" is a good concept the the whole Malaysia should promote and encourage. This should more effective and less controversal in dealing with this multi-racial, multi-religions and multi-living styles country.

With the concept of "Keadilan", the leaders do not need to play "hide and seek" policies, do not appeal people's right based on race or religions and create unnecessary sensitive sentiments within the people.

In Malaysian, we should accept the fact that we could not ignore the existence of the new Malaysians that more understandings each other, accept and respect the differences between races and beliefs and wish to stay and work together to create a better Malaysia.

The next step is how to get all these philosophies and differences re-tuned to suit the whole Malaysian common wishes that could lead us to a better living place.

And, I believe, the coalitions that always shouting for rights based on race will be eventually dropped by the people.

What is the choice of voters?

A few of us drove into the heart of Permatang Pasir yesterday night, listening to what the two charismatic leaders, also the newly acknowledged by UMNO as "Malay's traitor" Anwar Ibrahim and the "stooge of DAP", Hadi Awang going to tell to their voters.

UMNO had decided their strategy, using race appeal instead of 1Malaysia as promoted earlier by the new PM to hopefully able to regain their supports as sole defender of Malay rights.

They make use of main stream media to amplify the issues such as beer sales in Selangor, pork, etc. and those statements in related to "insulting" Islam. They even felt that PAS is so liberal nowadays in terms of fighting for Islam. In short, we could conclude that they temporarily ignore the significance of other races in their campaign.

Last night, we were the 3~5% non-Muslim's audience attended. Mat Sabu, Khalid, Anwar and Hadi Awang were consistence in their speeches as before. They understand that they may lost certain supports especially among the Malay electorate but I respect them for their firm stands and believes as before.

"Muslim taking arak, dilarang. Non-Muslim taking arak, dibenarkan." Anwar said. "We must respect the rights of non-Muslim friends."

My opinion, this "self-regulation" policy is the best way at the moment to settle the issue. After all, i never feel that the alcohol and pork are a big and difficult issues to solve in this modern and mutual-understandings days.

UMNO had made the choice, so do Pakatan Rakyat.

Now, what is the choice of the voters?

BN not Wins, Pakatan not Lost

Before this, we should give a big applause for the voters of Manek Urai for their high 87% turnout of 12,293 voters.

PAS won by tiny margin of 65 votes. BN again did not win any of 6 by-elections in the peninsular. However, PAS lost 1,287 votes just in 16 months from last election.

PR may blame BN for all their dirty tactics, either scare tactics or development threats. But Najib is not Pak Lah, he know the games, and he know the rules of games well.

Probably the "unity talk" is the main factor, it unexpectedly caused the infighting within PAS and cause "confident crisis" within the PR coalitions. In this case, we should respect Tok Guru to hold the coalition even he knew that this would affect the supports if did not handle carefully.

BN should thank Najib and KJ for their successful tactics in splitting up PAS and PR using race and religion issue with "unity talk".

However, I think this result served a good wake-up call to Pakatan Rakyat.

Since 308, Pakatan thought that they will win all by-elections until next General Election. They will then move into Putrajaya and all other states governments.

They start celebrating without forgetting infighting. They fight from photo scandal in Selangor, losing power in Perak, councillor issue in Penang, pig abattoir in Kedah, PAS flirtation with UMNO and now, gangster in Selangor.

So, it is time to wake up, Pakatan.

Pakatan must know that Najib is not anyone else, BN will not wait there to be defeated and Pakatan is still under probation period.

Mansor the new DCM I of Penang

Dr Mansor Othman finally made himself as new Penang state assemblyman representing Penanti. He will be also recommended to be the DCM I of Penang and expected to be sworn in this coming Wednesday.

He won the by-election with 6052 votes, getting about 85% of voters turn-up and majority of 5558 votes over the other 3 independent candidates. BN did not contest in this by-election.

Hope this new appointment would strengthen Pakatan Rakyat in the state government line up and provide a better service to the voters to compliment their continual supports for the past 3 elections.

photo source: The Malaysian Insiders

Penanti by-election is on

After experiencing a few days of low speed and frequent drop line of internet access in Malaysia, I finally able to enjoy a better internet access in Ho Chih Minh City today. I have given up comparing our great country with this so called "20 years left behind" country in terms of bandwidth and its popularity of internet services.

Now I only hope that the RM15.2bil HSBB (High Speed Broad Band) contract awarded to Telekom by the government did not throw into drain again this time and able to provide a real high speed of the internet access in very near future.

Finally, the slow motion EC announced the Penanti by-election poling date on 31 May 2009 and nomination date was set on 23 May 2009.

While BN still considering whether to skip the participation in this by-election for whatever reasons they may give, PR particularly PKR will definitely contest in this by-election and hope to retain the seat following the resignation of its Penang DCM I, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

This by-election is blamed by BN as the "created by-election" due to internal reshuffling or infighting of PKR. Following the MACC cleared the Fairus corruption charges, I think the PKR de facto leader, Anwar need to clear the air the actual reasons of the resignation, before attacking by BN.

The other issue that may influence the sentiment of the voters is how both BN and PKR handle the incoming Perak Assembly that to be held on 7 May 2009.

The desire of change continues............

PR beat BN by 2-1. This is an encourage results and means a lot to all parties.

MCA & Gerakan: a) A Go-Go dance did not help. Please transfer this message to your UMNO 'tai kor' that the dance is just an entertainment and not the Chinese culture.

b) The additional minister posts or even No. 2 DPM are not the desire of Chinese community but MCA/Gerakan. In fact, these are also not the desire of UMNO. Only "ka ki kong, ka ki song". Instead, MCA/Gerakan should analyse more in depth what are the desires of Chinese community.

c) The threaten of Islamic state is not so scary nowadays. In fact, UMNO sometimes are more islamic than PAS. More Chineses now believe that understanding could be built with mutual respect and integration.

MIC: a) The "re-branding" of MIC seemed did not work without change of "forever" President.

UMNO: a) The 3R (Race/Religion/Royal) did not work. People understand what are the actual problems and priorities nowaday.

b) The new elected UMNO committees did not attract the faith from the grounds.

c) The new PM did not bring enough effects for the victory like Abdullah had. He has to work harder than all previous PMs.

d) The popularity of old PM did not reflect in votes.

PR: a) PKR should take this opportunity to "clean up" and to restructure the turbulances in the party

b) PKR should establish a more transparent selection process to avoid chaos in its own party

c) PKR/PAS/DAP move towards a more sincere coalition, more mutual-understanding & trust in working together in the future

d) People had again shown their believes and faith towards the philosophy of PR, such as Ketuanan Rakyat, fair, freedom, transparent, no racism, no corruption as manifested

e) PR has to work harder in Sarawak/Sabah if they intend to expand their political territory

The Voters: a) The voters had again shown their courage and desires of change despite of all "sweet talks" from BN.

b) The voters still has faith with PR even though there are some internal issues and some controversial policies. People are looking for a bigger picture that Malaysia should have a better check & balance system

c) Especially for Bkt Gantang, the Perakians had indirectly shown they are not agree on grab of power issues and asking for the fresh election in Perak.

8 hours to 3 by-elections

The news from the ground are not so encouraging.

We have done a good move last year to getting nearer the real dream of Malaysia for Malaysian, we have made a group of principled leaders sitting together to outline the new Malaysian, we have made all races closer than ever, we are now more mutual understanding and mutual respect than before, we have made the 51 years ruling party start to realise the wave of change is unavoided anymore.

And now, after defeated from last 2 by-elections, the ruling party use their old dirty tactics again. Racism, religion, monarchy, main stream media, promises, utilisation of government agencies resources, new PM effects, old PM effects, alienate the PR coalition relationship, etc to confuse the voters.

With 8 hours to start the poling, we could not do much but pray and wish that the voters stand their believes that this country must have a drastic change by sending a strong message through this 3 by-elections to the new PM and his coalitions.

The news from the ground are not so encouraging but the believe and the hope should continue..........

The Emperor's New Clothes

I remembered when we were still in the primary school, our parents always warned us: "Don't talk about May 13, don't talk about DEP, don't talk about other people religion, don't talk about this & that, later police will come and arrest you."

And at one time, all of these "sensitive" issues are no longer sensitive, all races were talking about these and surprisingly, the relationship between races became closer, instead of more tension as were advised.

However, when I am adult now, we are once again warned not to talk about that women from north China, the monarchy decisions, the religion, race and those consider sensitive issues in the coming 3 by-elections.

"No eye see". Let's enjoy the popular story of The Emperor's New Clothes.

At the last part of the story:

The emperor walked beneath the beautiful canopy in the procession, and all the people in the street and in their windows said, "Goodness, the emperor's new clothes are incomparable! What a beautiful train on his jacket. What a perfect fit!" No one wanted it to be noticed that he could see nothing, for then it would be said that he was unfit for his position or that he was stupid. None of the emperor's clothes had ever before received such praise.

"But he doesn't have anything on!" said a small child.

"Good Lord, let us hear the voice of an innocent child!" said the father, and whispered to another what the child had said.

"A small child said that he doesn't have anything on!"

Finally everyone was saying, "He doesn't have anything on!"

Are we still waiting for that small child to tell us?

By-election on April 7

EC could not disagree if the public having perception that they listen to the ruling federal government.

Firstly, their unconstitutional rejection of resignation of 2 assemblymen as submitted by Perak Speaker, resulting the grab of power by BN coalition.

And now, EC announced the by-election nomination date on 29 March and poling date on 7th April, 57th day after the seats are vacant.

The nomination is1 day after the UMNO assembly from 24~28th of March, at that time, UMNO election is settle, less infighting within UMNO and they could unite to face the election.

The poling day is 1 week after Najib take over power as 6th PM of Malaysia, hoping the wave of new PM could assist BN in the by-elections.

The poling date is on tuesday, a working day. EC said if the voters are keen to vote, they shall take leave from working. How can they take care of UMNO election but ignore the most important voters' rights.

But that is Malaysia politics, until we make the change.

Pakatan Rakyat won KT by-election

PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid won the KT by-election of 2,631 votes majority, higher than in last GE in 2008 which won by BN.

The by-election means a lot for the both coalitions, the PM-in-waiting, the voters' direction, the future politics approach, etc.

Wind of Change marches further ..................