Reasons why BN won Galas

BY TERENCE FERNANDEZ
AND MARIA J. DASS
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

BY noon, the drove of PAS supporters going into the polling centres in Kampung Baru and
Sg Terah seemed a bad omen for the Barisan Nasional supporters.

“At the moment, it doesn’t look very good,” said an Umno supporter outside SJKC Kampung Baru, his forecast compounded by a Special Branch officer who said BN was still in
for a slim win. However, by the time the orang asli votes were counted, it was evident BN had recaptured Galas. PAS only retained its Sg Terah stronghold by a reduced majority of 266.
PAS’s Dr Zulkefli Mohamed had, in fact, entered the premises of Dewan Sivik but made a U-turn
when told it was not going to be PAS’s night.
Even Kelantan Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed was surprised by BN’s 1,190 vote majority compared with the 646-majority the late Chek Hashim Sulaima gained for PAS in the last general election. So, what turned the tide for BN? Capitalising on the Ladang Rakyat issue and the loss of ancestral land played a huge part in garnering the orang asli votes.

Zulkefli was wiped out in all the six orang asli polling centres, obtaining just 321 votes to Ab Aziz
Yusoff’s 1,322. Of course, allegations already hurled were that the votes were not counted at the polling centres but flown to Dewan Sivik, where “anything could have happened up there”. But, then, how does one explain the 8% swing in Malay support from PAS to BN, the 60% Chinese support and 90% Indian backing?

One should not use the cliché “the people know only the BN can bring development”. It all has
to do with personality. Ab Aziz, 49, a local boy and much fitter than the 44-year-old Zulkefli, worked his charm from dawn till dusk. Zulkefli’s reserved style did not go down well with the voters. “I don’t like it if I cannot read a person,” said one voter, comparing Ab Aziz’s firm
handshake to Zulkefli’s lembik (weak) one.
The voters took to the personal touch of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, whose name alone used to be enough to win elections. Mustapa accompanied him and, together, they were the “silent killers”.
Loud and aggressive styles of campaigning, once the hallmark of Umno, was replaced by
the gentle one-on-one style of Ku Li and Tok Pa. Umno leaders deemed “aggressive” were persona non grata in Gua Musang. But the irony was that the PAS and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders were resorting to personal attacks and namecalling.

Tags like calon jahat (villain) or bodoh (stupid), kurang pendidikan (uneducated) were freely used in the ceramah – but they were responded with nervous laughter and even jeers from the
largely Malay audience, who did not take kindly to the mengumpat (gossip) culture of speaking ill of your neighbour.

While the BN banked on local issues close to constituents’ hearts, like housing and land grants, PAS only had stale national issues to play on. “What has Teoh Beng Hock got to do with Galas?” asked one Malay voter. One Chinese shopkeeper voted for BN, saying she was put off by the aggressive style of campaigners representing Teoh. There were a total of 2,317 Chinese voters.

Only the DAP would resort to the constant harping of the Teoh Beng Hock issue as a political issue . The case is pending at the coroners inquest and what is the purpose of bringing it to Galas ? Has the DAP run out of ideas how to fight the BN ? or have they run out of issues ? Is TBH really that big to bring down a govt ? when it concerns the MACC or is it a case of suicide ?

Why didn't the PAS people bring the Aminulrasyid case to Galas ? and demand justice for him since he was shot dead by the police ? another govt agency ? Why is it that this was not done ? The answer lies simply in not throwing mud at an imaginary target and not to politicise it . In this case they are smart not to throw mud at one's own race but not the TBH supporters who have been USED by the morons within the DAP .

Creating disturbances during the MCA ceramah is liken to gate crashing as the issue is whether he committed suicide or was he intentionally or accidentally pushed ? And that is for the coroner to decide whether the MACC has a hand in it . But what has it got to do with the MCA ? It goes to show that the DAP has no substance let alone govern the country , perhaps they are good and experts at creating disturbances , mischief , slander , spins issues to their advantage and to blacken the govt .

Even 165 of the 185 Indian votes had returned to the BN. The tarring of a road to Sri Subramanyaswamy Alayam here three days before polling day and a string of Deepavali functions could have swung the Indian votes in favour of BN.
There were no such gesture from PAS, other than banners wishing “Happy Deepavali”.

There was none in Penang by DAP. No Open House !.While the DAP claims to represent the Indians , there was no Deepavali open house hosted by Lim Guan Eng or the DAP or for that matter the State Government .

Many say the ghosts of 2008 have been exorcised for BN. But will Galas end up like Ijok, where there was a different outcome in the general election? The political manoeuverings in the
background made it an intriguing by election. What kind of strategy was the
BN employing by approving the 5 sen hike in fuel two days before polling day? Is there truth to talk that a loss for the BN is a necessary evil to rid of Ku Li once and for all?

On the 5 Sen hike in fuel prices it was never an issue , since it only affected Ron 97 which was mainly for the high end cars ie luxury cars and high performance cars and for foreign registered cars .

That PAS was facing a BN onslaught by its on-again-off- again ally may have factored in the silence of any attack against Ku Li. After all, if it wants to remain strong in Kelantan and realise the dream of capturing Putrajaya, PAS cannot alienate Ku Li completely. Hence, for PAS, it was a case of the proverbial telan mati ayah, ludah mati ibu
and gravely altered their style of campaign, with nary a mention on oil royalty , something that both PAS and Ku Li agree on. As for Ku Li, if Galas had proven anything, it is that he has to roll up his sleeves to earn votes. He was not this visible even during his own campaign but the message that he sends his own partyis that he is still a force to reckon with.

My comment highlighted .

'Racist' officer: BN leaders see red, DPM in the dark

2 Malaysia Tak Nampak !!

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:09

By G Vinod

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders, minus Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, today condemned yet another racial slur from a high ranking officer on the government payroll.

They also agreed that it had rendered another devastating blow to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia campaign.

Muhyiddin, however, claimed to be in the dark and reserved his comments about the latest controversy.

The leaders were responding to a news report which claimed that National Civics Bureau (BTN) deputy director Hamim Husin had allegedly used derogatory terms to refer to the Chinese and Indians.

During a closed-door meeting with Puteri Umno delegates, Hanim had purportedly described the Chinese as “si sepet mata” (slitty eyes) and Indians as “kaki botol” (alcoholics).

Seeing red, MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok called for prompt action, including a possible investigation by the police.

“It is time to put a halt to these arrogant and intolerant bigots,” he said in a statement.

Loh said it was shameful that a public servant employed by BTN, which trains upcoming civil servants, had used such stereotypical derogatory terms from a bygone era.

He said Hamim should be instead advocating that all races work towards achieving the 1Malaysia concept mooted by Najib, which was founded on the idea of inclusivity.

“BTN, as a government body has a responsibility to cultivate trust, not racial prejudice and polarisation based on an 'us versus them' dogma,” he added.

Loh urged the Public Service Department (PSD) to take action against Hamim as his statement had hurt the feelings of the Chinese and the Indian communities in Malaysia.

MIC vice-president and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said since BTN was a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Department, the views could be interpreted as being the government's stand.

“If an officer from this agency is found to have passed such remarks, it can be construed as reflecting the views of the government. It will also reflect badly on the government, and have adverse effects on the 1Malaysia concept.

“Therefore, I urge the BTN director-general to immediately investigate the matter thoroughly, and take the appropriate action according to the report of the investigation,” he added.

'Running counter to 1Malaysia'

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dominic Lau bayed for Hamim's dismissal, saying the degrading words were uncalled for, unwarranted and mischiveous.

“His open and blatantly demeaning descriptions of fellow Malaysians run counter to the prime minister's all-inclusive 1Malaysia concept which is supposed to be propagated to participants at BTN camps,” he said.

Both Loh and Lau urged the government to review BTN courses and if needed, overhaul it accordingly so that the course to train civil servants reflected a 1Malaysia outlook and did not become a breeding ground for racism.

“There were many complaints by participants that the courses were indoctrination programmes, outdated, racist, divisive and seditious in nature and should be changed. The recent ugly incident has once again reinforced the serious shortcomings of BTN,” said Lau.

When asked to comment on the issue at a function today, Muhyiddin said: "I am not aware of that speech."

The deputy premier added that he would check the matter first before commenting on it.

Also read:

Bigotry in school: 'Why the foot-dragging?'

Show maturity, support BN when beneficial, Zaid tells Pakatan

By Clara Chooi

September 22, 2010

BATU PAHAT, Sept 22 – Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has told Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers to show political maturity and shake off fears of being unpopular by supporting the Barisan Nasional government’s policies if they were beneficial to the people.

The former Umno minister also urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to take a firm stand on sensitive issues that touch on race and religion, even if his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, was against it.

This, he claimed, were the main ingredients needed if the country wanted to break free from divisive and race-based politics to achieve national unity.

In a summary of his speech on national unity delivered at a function in Batu Pahat tonight, Zaid (picture) stressed that leaders from both sides of the political divide needed to stop their petty bickering and show some political maturity by standing together on longstanding issues that needed to be resolved.

“A show of unity would send the right signal that elected representatives are the ones who decide on policies for the rakyat and not some theologian or bureaucrat.

“I believe the opposition must support the government when it is good for the people,” he said.

Zaid, who is now the Pakatan Rakyat coordinator and a contender in the PKR deputy presidency race, also said that bipartisan support in Parliament should be encouraged as it was a reflection of a mature democracy.

“This is especially when the government needs help in dealing with certain difficult issues,” he said.

He expressed disappointment that PR lawmakers had kept silent when the Najib Administration wanted to present three bills in Parliament to resolve sensitive, outstanding issues – the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976, the Administration of Islamic Law Act 1993, and the Islamic Family Law Act 1984 – in early July last year.

The bills were aimed at clearing up some of the ambiguities in the country’s legal system pertaining to jurisdiction issues surrounding the Syariah law and common law, which have oftentimes caused much difficulties to families engaged in divorce matters, religious conversions or custody battles.

“Unfortunately of course, the Rulers Conference deemed it fit to review the bills themselves first and hence, the effort of the new Prime Minister was stopped and we have heard nothing since then.

“But still... PR parliamentarians had not taken the opportunity at the time to support the BN and the new PM to resolve these issues,” he lamented.

Zaid added that it was easy to talk about the intention to unite the nation and to come up with a to-do list on how to achieve it but finding a strong enough political resolve to do so was difficult.

“And this is where PR and BN must show some political maturity. It will be a test for [Prime Minister Datuk Seri] Najib [Razak] on the one hand and PR leaders on the other, on their commitment to national unity and political stability.

“The nation awaits to see an effective and responsible leadership to guide them through an uncertain future. This is the real challenge to all present political leaders,” he said.

Zaid claimed that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s model of politics - to reign by securing and maintaining power at all costs – is contrary to the reconciliatory politics needed for nation-building.

“Najib’s new formula is 1 Malaysia. Will it work?” he asked.

Najib, he added, needed to take a firm stand when handling difficult issues pertaining to the racial diversity of the nation.

“The long walk that will really test the mettle and sincerity of our leaders is the handling and managing of difficult issues. Matters like the special position of the Malays under Article 153 of the Constitution, the position of Islam under Article 3, the equality of all citizens and religious freedom... these are issues that need to be clarified with honesty.

“A firm stand must be taken by Najib, even if his deputy (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) is against it. No pussy footing, no fudging to please only certain groups.

“Only a clear articulation of the government’s stand on these issues will coalesce into national building blocks of trust necessary for unity,” he said.

It has often been speculated that there was no love lost between Najib and his deputy Muhyiddin, who has been accused by the opposition as being a hindrance to the Prime Minister’s 1 Malaysia goals.

Although both men have denied a friction in their relationship, Muhyiddin’s controversial assertion once that he was a “Malay first and Malaysian second” has continued to stigmatise the BN administration as being fractured and falling apart.

Zaid also bleakly pointed out that Malaysia had only regressed over the past few years, claiming that the country could now hardly be called a “united nation”.

“Unity has deserted us. We need only to open the newspaper to see how one race is being pitted against another, or religious issues that are being played up so openly to antagonise or demean one group against one another.

“Teachers have become purveyors of sick ideologies. We need only to go on the internet to be bombarded with blog postings or video clips that scream bigotry and intolerance,” he said.

In recent days, the country was hit by a slew of racially-charged issues, further fuelled by bickering between political leaders in the BN leadership.

Among the issues were the racial slurs uttered by two school principals, one in Johor and another in Kedah, who had allegedly insulted their non-Malay students in front of their schoolmates.

While the opposition and many leaders in MCA and MIC spoke out to condemn both principals however, the BN government was seen as acting too slowly in resolving the issue.

Najib in fact, was criticised for remaining “elegantly silent” in the matter.

What was most disappointing, Zaid pointed out tonight, was how political leaders continued to stay non-commital, refusing to acknowledge the severity and the impact of such open displays of intolerance.

“Our leaders have stayed totally impotent in the face of such an onslaught. In fact now, the divisive politics of the BN are detrimental to the long-term goals of the nation. It is also detrimental to BN’s own wellbeing,” he said.

Don’t air laundry in public, Koh tells Penang BN

September 16, 2010

Koh said Gerakan would never abandon hope of recapturing Penang. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders in Penang need to close ranks and discuss matters through the internal channels rather than openly through the media, said its state chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Koh, who is also Gerakan president, said all issues discussed at meetings within the party and Penang BN should remain confidential and not be made public.

“No doubt, at the Gerakan and Penang BN internal meetings, we had discussed various possible scenarios and corresponding strategies. However, as these strategies need further discussion and fine-tuning, they should remain confidential” he said in a statement issued here today.

He said Gerakan would continue to fight for the interest of Penang and its people, and although the party lost in the 2008 general election, Gerakan would not abandon Penang and neither would it give up hope.

Penang Gerakan had been gearing up the party machinery, and stepping up services and other activities in the constituencies it lost, he said.

“But we acknowledge that we need to do more, much, much more,” he said, adding that the statement by Gerakan Penang chairman Dr Teng Hock Nan about BN not being able to regain the mandate in Penang in the 13th general election was his (Teng’s) personal observation and not the official stand of Gerakan or Penang BN.

Koh said drawing on and learning from previous experiences, Gerakan and Penang BN had steadfastly and steadily been making reforms and improvements.

He said at the moment, the focus of Penang BN and Gerakan was on supporting the prime minister’s Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), besides fully utilising their energy and resources to meet the needs of the people and challenges of the future in Penang.

“Penang BN’s Co-ordinating Committee will hold its next monthly meeting soon to continue driving our political transformation and other programmes, including dispelling any misunderstanding,” he added. — Bernama

Is Soi Lek for real - Umno doesn't believe in Malay supremacy

Is Soi Lek for real - Umno doesn't believe in Malay supremacy

Talking thru his Dick !

Soi Lek - gaffe after gaffe

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

MCA president Chua Soi Lek has fallen deeper into a hole of his own making. It looks like the final curtains will really fall on his party, which has been struggling with little success to regain the confidence of the Chinese community.

In his haste to curry favor with Umno, Soi Lek has now destroyed the last vestiges of self-respect that the community may still feel for the MCA.

Instead of insisting on change for a plural and equal society, the 63-year old Soi Lek stunned the nation on Tuesday when he insisted that Umno leaders had never sought Ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy.

Unsurprisingly, he drew a storm of flak – not just from Chinese leaders but also from prominent Malays, disgusted and alarmed at the growing racism and religious bigotry in the country despite 53 years of nation-building.

“This is utter denial syndrome from Chua Soi Lek. Not only will it make the non-Malays despise him and MCA more, it will increase the contempt the Malays already feel for him. He makes the MCA appear to be running dogs - and for this, he should be sacked,” Bukit Gantang MP Nizar Jamaluddin told Malaysia Chronicle.

“Let me as a Malay correct this lie put forward by Soi Lek. Let me tell all my fellow Malaysians - Umno not only preaches Malay supremacy, they live and die for it. Not for patriotism or nationalism but because this is the only way for the Umno elite to cling to power, to keep enriching themselves. But by helping Umno to perpetuate this smoke screen, Soi Lek is an accessory to the grand larceny taking place. He is not helping Malaysia, he is helping to destroy her.”

Between Kuan Yew and Soi Lek

The MCA leader had flown to the defense of Umno, who had been accused by Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, of practicing race-based policies that kept the country and its people backwards.

This is not the first time that Kuan Yew has accused Umno of such bigotry. In fact, he has crossed swords many times with various Umno leaders especially with former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

“Malaysians saw it as a Malay country, all others are lodgers, “orang tumpangan”, and they the Bumiputras, sons of the soil, run the show. So the Sultans, the Chief Justice and judges, generals, police commissioner, the whole hierarchy is Malay," Kuan Yew had said in an interview earlier this month..

"All the big contracts for Malays. Malay is the language of the schools although it does not get them into modern knowledge. So the Chinese build and find their own independent schools to teach Chinese, the Tamils create their own Tamil schools, which do not get them jobs. It’s a most unhappy situation."

But when asked to respond to Kuan Yew’s comments, Soi Lek came out with his by-now classic reply.

“In my association or the MCA’s association with Umno, I have never heard of any Umno leader who says that the Malays are more superior than the non-Malays. No,” he told reporters.

Ulterior motive

Since winning the MCA presidency earlier this year on a wave of sympathy votes after he was forced to quit the government following a sex scandal, Soi Lek has fallen into one scrape after another.

Not only did he incur disdain when he snatched a deputy minister’s post for his son, Chua Tee Yong, his hand-picked secretary-general Kong Cho Ha immediately ended a high-profile investigation into the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone financial debacle initiated by his predecessor Ong Tee Keat.

Speculation is now rife within MCA circles that he is angling for Umno support in next year’s party elections although he has promised he will only be president for one year.

“If Umno does not practice Malay supremacy, then Chua Soi Lek must be living in another country. He should also ask Dr Mahathir Mohamad if it is true there is no such thing as Malay supremacy and that according to Umno all the races are equal in this country,” Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming told Malaysia Chronicle.

He should ask Dr Mahathir and Prime Minister Najib to openly declare this stand, then only make this such a statement. Otherwise, he is just lying to the people, not just the Chinese but all the Malaysians. This is his own low standard and by reflection MCA’s low standard.”

MCA claims Umno leaders don’t preach Malay supremacy

MCA claims Umno leaders don’t preach Malay supremacy

Balls got caught in the snare !!

Chua Soi Lek

KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysian Insider) - With Umno now openly snubbing Perkasa, MCA appears to have made amends with its Barisan Nasional (BN) ally, claiming that not one of the Malay party’s leaders had ever preached the superiority of the country’s dominant race.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek put aside his recent disagreement with Umno leaders by reaffirming today his loyalty to the alliance with the country’s largest Malay party.

“In my association or the MCA’s association with Umno, I have never heard of any Umno leader who says that the Malays are more superior than the non-Malays. No,” he firmly said in a press conference after chairing a meeting with several Chinese associations at Wisma MCA here this afternoon.

Dr Chua’s statement was in response to Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s remarks during a recent interview with the New York Times on state of Malaysia’s race relations, which he described as “a most unhappy situation”.

“We respect the view of Lee Kuan Yew. He is entitled to say... he is a very senior statesman,” he said.

But Dr Chua agreed that Malaysia’s race relations were less than ideal and stressed that this was largely becaue of the intense competition between the political parties post-Elections 2008.

“There is intense competition between all the political parties in order to gain support.... and in a multi-racial country like Malaysia, race would be a very easy issue to be used for support,” he said.

Dr Chua however disagreed with the notion that this was caused by constant harping on the superiority of the Malay race by Malay leaders.

“I don’t think it is fair to say Malay leaders always harp on the fact that the Malay race is superior. I don’t think so.

“I think they are only the minorities of the minorities who harp that the Malays are superior. This is the tactic of the opposition to make Umno look bad,” he claimed.

Dr Chua claimed that in its 53-year rule, the BN had proven its worth in managing the complexity of race relationships.

“What we do here is that because the Malays are Bumiputeras and economically, they are not on par with the other non-Malays and they continue to require affirmative action... and that is the reason why we say affirmative action should be based on needs and merits.

“If it is based on needs and merits, then if the Malays are poor either economically or are academically backward, then they can still continue to receive help from the government.... because they are poor,” he stressed.

Dr Chua also indirectly disagreed with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s apparent continuing defence of Perkasa, and said that the views of the country’s current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should take precedence above everyone else’s.

“I think in a democratic country, people are entitled to their own opinion. In no country that practices democracy, 100 per cent of their people talk in the same tune.

“Dr Mahathir is also an elder statesmen... we respect his view, he is entitled to his views (but) I could hold on more to the views of the current Prime Minister. I would say it has greater relevance to us because he is the number one in the country,” he said.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the Prime Minister had instructed his leaders to distance themselves from Perkasa, fearing that any association with the controversial Malay rights group would only cause BN to lose more support.

Dr Mahathir, who is Perkasa’s patron, however stepped in to warn Umno against snubbing Perkasa, claiming it would only cause them bigger electoral losses in the next election.

The newly formed non-governmental organisation has been making waves in the country’s political landscape and has even succeeded in pitting Umno and MCA against one another.

In Dr Chua’s recent war with Umno leaders, Perkasa played a role in fanning the fires when he slammed the Chinese-based party for fighting to abolish the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity target.

In response, top Umno leaders like its deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein stepped in to remind MCA not to forget the BN’s struggles when fighting for the rights of the Chinese community.

MCA has also been the only BN party so far to strongly oppose Perkasa’s oftentimes extreme views.

When Umno began disassociating itself from the group, MCA jumped in quickly to laud the move.

Dr Chua also voiced hope today that despite the current spate of racially-charged political tiffs, the country would one day improve on race relations under the BN.

“I do not think we are a perfect government. We have our defects and deficiencies... this is to be expected because if you are in power for 53 years and you have no problems, then something must be wrong somewhere,” he said.

He pointed out that under a mere two and a half years in government, the Pakatan Rakyat coalition has already shown its weaknesses.

“If you look at Penang... I do not think they have done a good job. They have street protests by certain ethnic groups against the state government.

“In the same way, if you look at Selangor, you have the issue of the support letters affecting one particular race and one particular party,” he said.

Umno will challenge Ibrahim Ali in Pasir Mas, says sec-gen

By Adib Zalkapli and G. Manimaran

September 08, 2010

Tengku Adnan said Umno was unhappy with some of Perkasa’s actions. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the party would not back Datuk Ibrahim Ali in the next general election as the Perkasa chief was eroding Barisan Nasional’s (BN) support among the non-Malays.

He also dismissed allegations that Umno had strong ties with the Malay rights group,

“Why should Umno support him? Umno should put a candidate in Pasir Mas. We will contest in Pasir Mas,” Tengku Adnan told The Malaysian Insider in an interview yesterday.

Ibrahim, who was sacked from Umno in 2004, won the Pasir Mas seat in Election 2008 under a PAS ticket.

In 2005, he contested as an independent in the Pengkalan Pasir by-election but obtained only 415 votes and lost his deposit. Pengkalan Pasir is a state constituency situated in the Pasir Mas town centre.

Ibrahim abandoned his partnership with PAS soon after Election 2008 and founded Perkasa to defend what he called the constitutional position of the Malays.

The group which has successfully attracted more than 50,000 members nationwide has been pressuring the Najib administration to state its support for pro-Bumiputera economic policy, despite the government’s attempt to liberalise the country’s economy.

Recently, Ibrahim challenged Datuk Seri Najib Razak to declare that his 1 Malaysia concept— introduced to promote national unity — was consistent with the concept of “Ketuanan Melayu” (Malay supremacy), which Ibrahim claimed to be constitutionally enshrined.

“As a secretary-general I can tell you, we have nothing to do with Perkasa, and certain things Perkasa is doing we are not happy [with], because they are eroding our support,” said Tengku Adnan when it was pointed out that many Perkasa members are from Umno.

“When they talk about my Chinese friends or my Indian friends, they make us lose more votes,” he added.

Tengku Adnan reminded Perkasa leaders that BN had to address the needs of all racial groups in the country and could not afford to discriminate against anyone if it wanted to continue governing Malaysia.

“Please slow down. Whatever you do, please think properly. What is the end result? What do you want for Malaysia? You want a civil war?” asked Tengku Adnan.

“I know when I say this, the Perkasa members will attack me,” he added.

Tengku Adnan also dismissed the need to talk to Ibrahim over the matter.

“I don’t have to talk to him. It is not easy to talk to Datuk Ibrahim Ali, let’s just leave him in his own world,” he said.

Tengku Adnan stressed that most Perkasa leaders were those who defeated in the last Umno election in 2008 and sought a political platform for them to be heard.

“They are not wanted in Umno, they are no more leaders they are just ordinary members,” he said.

Tengku Adnan, however, admitted that some grassroots Umno leaders were also active in Perkasa.

“In my division, my vice-chief is also the Putrajaya Perkasa chief. He asked me for permission, I said you can join but I told him don’t destroy the country,” he added referring to Nordin Hassan.

Two-tier BN membership on cards, say Umno men

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

September 07, 2010

Nazri believed the only way for BN to become a unified multi-cultural party was through direct membership. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — Several Umno leaders have predicted that a proposal to allow direct membership into Barisan Nasional (BN) would result in the federal ruling coalition having a “two-tier” membership system, and see the continued existence of its component parties.

Under this new party system, BN’s membership would consist of existing members from affiliated parties like Umno, MCA and MIC as well as members who are part of BN through direct membership.

They, however, argued that dissolving race-based component parties within BN and transforming it into a single party would be “difficult” because many component party members were still “attached” to their respective parties and preferred fighting for issues on the existing race-based platform.

“The one way in which BN can become a multiracial party is if the direct membership for BN exceeds the membership of the (existing) component parties. This would then be fait accompli.

“What’s ideal for the future would be direct electorates. Look at the United States. They have Republicans as well as Democrats. Their parties are not race-based. The whole idea is to get the best Malaysians to represent BN,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

The outspoken Umno supreme council member told The Malaysian Insider that discussions on the issue of direct membership will be the main focus during the year-end BN convention, but added that before any decision could be made, members from all component parties needed to reach a consensus on the proposal.

“We will have to see how the members accept this,” said Nazri, who said that Umno should take the lead in pushing for direct membership as well as the possibility of having a single unified party under BN to replace the current component parties.

Nazri said that the onus was now on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to “lead” the movement for change towards a more inclusive, “forward-thinking BN.”

“I am not a leader in Umno. I can only discuss and suggest ideas to the Umno supreme council. Datuk Seri Najib has to take the lead. We all have to change. If we remain as we are now we are going to lose,” said Nazri, reiterating his statement last week.

The minister blamed his BN comrades last week for driving away support with their chauvinistic ways, warning them that they could not ride on Najib’s popularity to win the general election.

Khairy believed the move to direct membership would be a good gauge of BN’s larger support.

Nazri had criticised the “communal leadership” of certain BN politicians for the public’s declining confidence in the ruling coalition.

“It’s all about how they (BN component party members) don’t want to lose power. They want to remains the kings of their small kingdoms.

“Not everyone likes Umno, MCA, or MIC but they like BN. It is this group that we must enlist. There are people out there who support BN but they do not like the component parties,” said Nazri today.

Another Umno supreme council member, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah doubted that BN would be able to move away from being affiliated with race-based parties anytime soon.

“At this point of time, it’s definitely a long-shot. Barisan Nasional was formed as a coalition of many partners, and the majority of the partners are race-based. It’s quite difficult for race-based parties to abandon the original objective for (their) parties. It is primordial of people wanting to belong to a certain group,” said Saifuddin.

Saifuddin said that although BN could not become a single, multicultural party, there was a strong possibility that it could evolve to practise a “two-tier party system.”

“I see BN becoming a two-tier party system, made up of original affiliate members from component parties as well as direct members. Whether or not BN can become a single party, which represents all races is difficult... only time will tell. (But) BN needs to be more accommodating,” Saifuddin told The Malaysian Insider.

The deputy higher education minister stressed that there was an “urgent” need for direct membership to allow more options for people to join the federal coalition.

“There are some people, due to circumstances, [who have] left their own parties within BN, but still want to remain supportive and loyal towards BN.

“There are also some who want to become an affiliate of BN, but because BN practises a veto system so they cannot become members of BN. I have also met a significant number of young people who, as a result of inter-racial marriages, cannot claim what [party] they belong to. They do not belong to Umno, MCA or even MIC, but they want to join BN,” added Saifuddin.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin reiterated his Umno colleagues’ viewpoints, saying that the safest bet for BN was to start with the idea of direct membership first.

“At the present time, majority of members within BN component parties are still attracted to their own parties. I do not think that a single party can replace Umno, MCA or any component party at the moment.

“We should start with the idea of direct membership first, and see where it goes from there,” said Khairy.

Khairy told The Malaysian Insider that he was in full support of direct membership as a method to “gauge” the response in the public’s desire towards joining BN.

“I support direct membership, as a means to gauge the interest of people, on whether there would be more people joining BN if it was open to direct membership,” said Khairy.

Recent results of a Merdeka Center survey showed 45 per cent of Malays were dissatisfied with Umno while only 44 per cent were satisfied.

Umno performed even worse with the Chinese community, with only 12 per cent saying they were satisfied while 55 per cent were dissatisfied. A total of 34 per cent had evaded response, suggesting the possibility that a larger number than the 55 per cent could be dissatisfied with Umno.

The poll results, which involved a sample size of more than 1,000 registered voters in the peninsula, contrasted significantly with Najib’s approval rating of 72 per cent in a separate poll conducted in May.

But Merdeka Center director Ibrahim Suffian remained optimistic of BN’s shift towards becoming a multicultural party.

“The possibility is there on a long-term basis, but this depends on whether BN can become mature enough to do so. BN’s success in gaining support depends on how well it handles ethnic-relations issues,” said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim claimed that the problem within BN right now was the mindset of component parties, which have not evolved with the attitude of today’s electorate.

“For instance, Umno is a party that places a lot of importance on tradition... but the electorates today, they have moved on. Umno and BN need to look at how they are addressing issues. Najib was saying today that no one should challenge the ‘social contract’.

“You probably need to take a look at how one articulates the ‘social contract’ in today’s context,” Ibrahim told The Malaysian Insider.

MCA desperate but unlikely to quit BN, say analysts

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:42

By Patrick Lee and Teoh El Sen

PETALING JAYA: The apparent shift in the mindset of MCA as evidenced by its bold call for economic liberalisation shows that it is desperate for political survival, say analysts.

One even believes that the party may leave Barisan Nasional as a result.

“There is a definite possibility of that (quitting the BN), although it would depend on the results of the next general election,” said Ong Kian Ming, University College Sedaya International (UCSI) political analyst.

“The same goes for MIC and Gerakan. If they continue to be bullied by Umno, they might just leave.”

However, several others were sceptical about MCA taking a bow from the coalition.

“Almost all of them (MCA leaders) have government positions,” said James Chin, political analyst at Monash University Kuala Lumpur.

He added that if these leaders pulled out of the BN, they would have to concede their positions as well.

“The role of the MCA is to provide a Chinese voice in the government,” Chin told FMT, adding that if the party were to leave BN, then it would have no place in Malaysian politics.

UIA law professor Abdul Aziz Bari said it was unlikely that MCA would leave the coalition, or even survive if they do.

"I don't see them leaving. Would it make any difference? I think if they left, it would be even worse. They survived because of Umno. I don't see the logic of MCA leaving,” he said.

However, MCA's actions may have put them in a Catch-22 situation. Said Abdul Aziz: "Until and unless MCA is prepared to leave the BN, people are not going to believe a word they say."

Khoo Kay Peng, an independent analyst, said that MCA is not in tune with the Malaysian Chinese psyche.

“All the Chinese want is to be treated as equal citizens, or be given equal rights,” he said, adding that 70% of Malaysian Chinese doubted MCA's ability to perform.

“It is all a show. MCA already has a problem of credibility,” said Abdul Aziz. “From the PKFZ (Port Klang Free Zone) scandal to (MCA president) Chua (Soi Lek) putting his own son in charge of MCA property, these things have failed to impress the community.”

MCA may just lose in the general election

Ong also said that Chua was playing a dangerous game, and this could cause the party the next general election.

“Chua may win marginal votes from the Chinese (community), but would end up losing from the Malay majority seats,” he said.
“They would be lucky if they could even hold on to half (of the parliamentary seats they have now).”
Added Khoo: “MCA is very confused... ”

“If you put them in a spot where they had to choose between their business interests and their political principles, they would choose to protect their business interests.”

“Chua is trying to reposition MCA as a Chinese voice in the BN,” said Chin. “It doesn't matter what resolutions MCA tries to pass,” he said, adding that any socio-economic change was dependent on Umno.

Hosted by the MCA, Saturday's Chinese Economic Congress saw 13 resolutions passed, including the call for the gradual removal of the 30% Bumiputera equity, and the participation of non-Malays in government-linked companies.

The outcome of the meeting was met with sharp criticism by many Umno leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who warned MCA of going against Malay interests.

The situation is favourable to BN?

• There are a variety of factors that causes the current difficulties of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat. But the main two factors are, management failure and media hype.

  Anwar has been over believing in his personal charisma. He is laisser-faire and always sweep problems under the carpet. Such a poor leadership style has eventually caused him, PKR and Pakatan Rakyat a price to pay.

  Before facing the second sodomy allegation, Anwar had enough of time to do something to the party's discipline and organisation. He has no talent in leading. He allowed one after another political rebel to succeed and he said that actions would be taken on them, but nothing have been done so far.

  There must be a reason for Anwar to not taking actions on trouble makers in the party. And now, he has to be in court everyday, how would he still have time to curb discipline problems? He can only leave it.

  The second factor is, Pakatan Rakyat is facing an overwhelming pressure of public opinion. After political rebels have attacked Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Pakatan Rakyat leaders, the mainstream media have taken the opportunity to extensively cover the news and even a little man who quitted party had become a cover page story.

  Over 100 demonstrators burned Lim's effigy at Komtar to protest against the demolition of illegal hawker stalls on 5 Feb. It has become an issue used by BN leaders to attack the Penang government.

  It seems to be a crisis for Pakatan Rakyat, PKR and Anwar. Even if there is a by-election for Perak, will BN win for sure? Malaysia Today news editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin predicted that eight MPs will hop to BN, together with the support of Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali, there is an opportunity for BN to regain the two-thirds majority (148 seats). By then, BN may redraw constituency according to its political needs.

  The political situation seems to be very favourable to BN, but it is not necessarily so. Take the 8 March general elections as an example, Pakatan Rakyat was not yet been formed at that time and there were still a lot of contradictions between DAP and PAS. But voters voted based on their sentiments. Hunger breeds discontent and the public will be lack of confidence as long as the economy is not yet recovered.

  There must be investments in order to revive economy. Too many of political games and racial issues will cause them to lose the people's confidence and capital even faster. It will also be impossible to revive economy.

  In addition, in order to build credibility, BN must curb corruption, improve public delivery system efficiency and reduce crimes.

  Secondly, excessive political battles may bring negative effects, including the people's sympathy for Pakatan Rakyat may lead to a rebound when the space is overly compressed, just like the tight control on campus elections has caused some university students to demonstrate and protest.

  Instead of playing up issues involving Pakatan Rakyat leaders and state governments, it would be better to focus on revitalising economy and improving executive ability. Voters will sure support them when everyone is happy, isn't it? BN leaders must get a clear understanding of the fact.

  There must be a foresighted thinking in order to have new prospects for politics. How are they going to transform as they keep fighting with each other within a small frame? (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)

MCA chief mum over BN seat allocation

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 — MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (picture) today chose to stay non-commital in the face of increasing calls from grassroot Malay leaders pushing Barisan Nasional (BN) to abolish the quota allocated for component parties to contest in the next general election.

Grassroot leaders such as Datuk Wira Syed Ali Alhabshee have been vocal in pushing for Umno to take a more dominant role in the ruling coalition; and to stop ‘sacrificing’ electoral seats for the sake of preserving good relations with its sister parties.

But Ong, who heads the second biggest party in BN - after Umno — appeared dismissive of Syed Ali’s suggestion to revamp the current system.

“He is entitled to his view just like I am entitled to mine,” Ong said when asked to comment on the Federal Territory BN secretary’s suggestion.

“I may not need to agree or I may not need to comment on each and every view,” Ong retorted when pushed to state his view.

Wrought by infighting, the Chinese party’s relevance in the race-based coalition grows increasingly tenuous as the days pass.

A national Malay daily noted that the current practice was no longer ‘relevant’ in the aftermath of the landmark 12th General Elections in 2008 which saw Chinese winning in Malay majority constituencies and vice versa.

“Don’t give according to quota. Can’t use quota now,” Berita Harian cited Syed Ali as saying today.

“It’s meaningless for us to sacrifice for a candidate from another race just for the quota because it’s more important to have a leader liked by the people,” Syed Ali added.

Why don't we have it this way , that all BN component parties can contest in every seat against each other ? Who knows maybe MCA can win in Gerakan seats and Gerakan can win in UMNO seats ? The people are wiser now and they know who to vote and not to vote , maybe MCA can contest in a Malay dominant seat with UMNO and they might want to vote for MCA rather than UMNO , who knows ?

But what I know is many people will want to vote for MCA in many Gerakan seats if MCA candidates are nominated to contest there .

Free For All

Rebuilding trust in Barisan Nasional

Fervent Barisan Nasional propagandists and their cyberspace avatars have diluted the message of BN’s love, caring and sharing vision for 1Malaysians.

By Ho Aoi Ling
The writer was a former Senior Research Executive with MCA think tank, INSAP. She can be contacted at thelivingwall@gmail.com

Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government should remember to move cautiously to rebuild trust if they care for 1Malaysia and Vision 2020 to succeed.

With some 2,000 nationwide activities, over 2,000 projects and 100 programmes, the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) by Najib’s administration declares that it ‘focuses on generating positive outcomes which are based on what the rakyat wants and needs ("People First") by ensuring fast delivery of results ("Performance Now") to contribute to 1Malaysia and Vision 2020.’

I admit it makes a great work plan to improve efficiency for the government bureaucracy.

Unfortunately, in the enthusiasm to produce the visible public goodies to fulfill the National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) identified to spearhead the government’s transformation, Najib’s administration forgot to care and manage the intense public distrust for the Barisan Nasional political entity.

Poor communication and unprogressive comments by Barisan Nasional leaders dismissed, rather than effectively minister to concerns on issues like security concerns of missing fighter jet engines or acts of terrorism that fed on religiosity and attacking places of worship.

Emotive polemics that were not backed by reason were given the leeway to intervene in the democratic pillar of legislation’s process to dispense justice.

These contributed to heighten the suspicion of voters that indeed, Barisan has not learnt or understand a cause of its poor results in the 2008’s General Elections.

Literate Malaysians are served generous servings of unthinking and autocratic decrees from Najib’s cabinet ministers in replying to issues of Constitutional rights in religion and right to information.

Apologetic acknowledgement of the problems without legislative follow through over headlined issues by Barisan’s large stable of politicians contributed to make the people more bewildered, agitated rather than informed.

Why are the lawmakers unable to perform their duty to effectively resolve the citizens’ fears and insecurities?

Perhaps, our Yang Berhormats’ media communications were not meant for the everyday rakyat’s consumption.

Maybe their messages are a form of instructions for their underlings, not the rakyat because the rakyat could not compute the logic of what they are trying to say.

I do not envy Rais Yatim on the load he has to bear for 1Malaysia on his national duty as the Information, Communications and Culture Minister.

I can empathise with Rais Yatim’s patriotic concern on dangers of Twitter, Facebook and internet culture affecting the Malaysian identity and culture.

But his choice of words failed to convince minds and more unfortunately, entrenched him as a Twitter celebrity for the wrong reasons amongst twitterers.

Perhaps it is a result of a clash between the old and young lifestyles and changed aspirations.

Read more at: http://www.mylivingwall.com/v3/commentary-news-menu-70/7784-rebuilding-trust-in-barisan-nasional