PKR succeeds against all odds

Andrew Aeria

The party has made inroads in Sarawak; it now faces new challenges in building up the state-level Pakatan coalition.

 

BN’s bloodied nose By the time the electoral dust had settled late on 16 April, it was clear that despite Barisan Nasional (BN) having thrown even the proverbial kitchen sink at the Sarawak Pakatan Rakyat (PR/Pakatan) opposition coalition, it won only 55 out of 71 seats. The opposition secured 15 seats (DAP – 12; PKR – 3) with a BN-friendly independent taking one.

The BN’s share of the popular vote slumped 7.7 percentage points from 62.93 per cent to 55.24 per cent. If there was a consolation prize for the BN, it was that the lynchpin of the Sarawak BN, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) led by Chief Minister (CM) Abdul Taib Mahmud, managed to win all the 35 seats it contested. Still, it only did so with a reduced share of the popular vote (2006 – 29 per cent; 2011 – 28.66 per cent), meaning that even PBB is slipping.

Selamat Hari Gawai

To my fellow Sarawakians who are celebrating Hari Gawai Dayak festival on 1st June, I wish you all a wonderful meaningful one – an abundance of blessing and prosperity be yours and family!

Anwar believes Pakatan is ready even without him

Syed Jaymal Zahiid

He said Pakatan was already a solid united pact with potential young successors including Azmin who he said may be brash in his “stunts” but more than capable to lead.

SUBANG JAYA: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is confident in Pakatan Rakyat’s second tier of leadership and discounted the notion that the pact will collapse in his absence.

Speaking at a closed door dialogue session with young professionals here, the PKR de facto leader said the pact was armed with young and more than capable leaders that can take Pakatan forward should he be convicted and jailed for sodomy.

S’wak CM’s office ‘issued cheques to buy votes’

Susan Loone

Malaysian Election Observers Network coordinator Ong Boon Keong has revealed more damning evidence of alleged vote-buying in the recent Sarawak elections, following an equally controversial video exposé of the alleged offence on May 26.

Ong is giving the authorities two weeks to act, failing which he will initiate a nationwide campaign to mobilise voters in rejecting all candidates who have a similar ‘strategy’ in mind for the coming general election.

He revealed photocopies of vouchers dated March 25 and 27 purportedly from the Chief Minister’ s Office, showing that a payment of RM15,000 had been made to members of a longhouse and RM1,000 to another recipient.

Putrajaya belongs to the people and politics must unify not divide

J. D. Lovrenciear

There are no winners when we play a divisive game. Well, who does not know that? We all do. But why is the country so bent on being so very divided today then?

A quick litmus smapling of the political landscape will reveal:

1. Everyday someone out there from within the political perimeters is hollering some sort of threat that pits one race against another.

2. Everyday someone from the pinnacle of power is ranting about the need to unite to divide another.

Save Putrajaya! From the clutches of the BN!

Ismail Dahlan

When Najib Razak stood before a sea of youth in Putrajaya yesterday, he had to have thought carefully about what he should say. Young voters form a formidable percentage of the electorate and he needs them to keep his job.

He might have have announced that he has come up with a solution to job woes. He might have announced that he really, actually would crack down on corruption, starting by disbanding the discredited MACC. Or he might have announced that education would be free for all Malaysians up to doctorate level.

That’s what the Germans do, and look what a powerhouse they are. And countless other might-haves.

‘Solid proof to declare S’wak polls null and void’

Athi Shankar

Banned activist says rampant vote-buying was a well-oiled operation involving the chief minister’s office.

A political activist said he has visual and documented evidence to prove that rampant vote-buying in the recent Sarawak polls was a well-oiled plot from the very top.

BK Ong, who was deported from Kuching last Tuesday, claimed he has the evidence which revealed cheques and vouchers to voters were issued from the Chief Minister’s Office.

“The evidence is strong enough to declare Sarawak polls null and void,” said Ong, a coordinator of the Malaysian Election Observers Network (MEO-Net).

No political party is entitled to defend Putrajaya

Kim Quek

There is something disturbing in Premier Najib Razak’s repeated and frantic calls to defend Putrajaya. The latest, when he was addressing youth at the World Youth day gathering in Putrajaya on May 28.

After asking the youth “Will you defend Putrajaya with me?”, and getting a positive answer, he then shouted: “Defend Putrajaya! Defend Putrajaya! Defend Putrajaya!”

His equally paranoid call on an earlier occasion was during the recent 61st Umno general assembly when he shrieked: “Even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost, brothers and sisters, whatever happens, we must defend Putrajaya”.

Who wants another 13 May?

Jacqueline Ann Surin

I DIDN’T live through the racial clashes of 13 May 1969. I was born a year after. And yet, throughout my childhood and into my adulthood, just mentioning “13 May” evoked whispered warnings and an unnameable fear.

In the aftermath of 13 May: A few days later, at the corner of Jalan Yap Ah Shak and Hale Road in Kuala Lumpur (Pic by Hassan Muthalib)

What is it about 13 May that gives rise to fear and suspicion that fellow Malaysians might re-enact the violence of 42 years ago? As citizens and a nation, what have we been told – and continue to be told – that makes us believe that it will take little for hatred of another race to explode into bloodshed and mayhem at any moment?

Fighting shadows, stoking fire

FMT

NEW An attack on Utusan Malaysia is an attack on the Malays. If the newspaper goes to town with screaming headlines about more unverified dark plots hatched by “infidels”, no one can squeak a word of criticism against the sacrosanct daily. To do so would risk a full-blown crusade. The enemies are fellow citizens who also called Malaysia their one and only home. They are threatened with another round of bloodshed which would probably be the final solution – no more Chinese, Indians, Christians. The country will be swept clean of all these irksome “guests” and only the Malays will remain intact. It will be a celebration of fanaticism, narrow-mindedness, insanity, intolerance. But what good would all this do? What purpose would it serve the country when the social fabric is torn asunder? It is well-nigh impossible to rebuild the country when the soil is soaked with the blood of innocent people.

BN told to be focussed on GE

Bernama

Party deputy chief Muhyiddin also wants members in Penang to work doubly hard to win the state.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today instructed members of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to focus on ensuring the coalition’s victory in the next general election instead of being preoccupied with their party elections.

Saying that the next general election, the country’s 13th, was most crucial for the BN, he advised the members to forget about their party elections for the time being.

Kazim The Crazy Cleric That Preaches Hate

Mariam Mokhtar

If you are asked to watch the clip called “Ustaz Kazim Elias kutuk Cina India?” (Kazim the Cleric condemns the Chinese and Indians?) on YouTube, don’t bother.

It is a waste of 11 minutes and far from being inspirational or motivating, the clip was clearly an incitement to violence and every Malay/Muslim should be ashamed of Kazim. Come to think of it, the Malays who were listening to this mad mullah preach, should have walked out of the congregation.

Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak goes around the nation trying to sell us his 1Malaysia slogan. So if the Chinese and Indians are prepared to accept this unity concept, why has Najib not been able to reach out to Malays like Kazim the cleric?

The general election: A fulcrum for change

Sim Kwang Yang

People in the Malaysian ‘political class’ are now all excited over the impending general election, speculated to be held anytime after July 2011.

Malaysia now sits at the fulcrum of her history. This election can open up opportunities for major political change, which may alter the face of the nation forever.

At the moment, BN maintains its grip, as it still commands a simple majority in Parliament, while holding onto power in 9 of the 13 states.

But after the political tsunami of 2008, BN can no longer regard its political dominance as sacrosanct, for the world is a fast changing place. 

SUPP set for sweeping party make over

Ang Ngan Toh

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), badly bruised in the recent state elections, is to make sweeping changes at all levels, party president Dr George Chan announced after the central working committee meeting yesterday.

The move will see the top five leaders giving up their posts at the triennial delegates conference (TDC) scheduled for the end of the year.

They are Dr Chan (left), deputy president Lau Hieng Ding, secretary-general Sim Kheng Hui, deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh and treasurer-general David Teng Lung Chi.

Eye on religious teachers from Peninsula

Joseph Tawie

Sarawak State Islamic Council to monitor them to ensure they do not promote extremist teachings that go against the government

Extremist religious teachers from Peninsular Malaysia sent to Sarawak will be closely monitored by the state government, said Daud Abdul Rahman, assistant minister in charge of Islamic affairs in the Chief Minister’s department.

“Those found to be promoting extremist or anti-government teachings will be sent home,” he said. “We will need the cooperation of the public and the education department to inform us of such teachers.”

SUPP makes a 360 degree turn

Joseph Tawie

After thumbing its nose at the Taib government, party makes an about turn and decides it needs it two candidates in the state cabinet

KUCHING: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has made a 360 degree turn. Last month, after its poor election showing, it said it wanted nothing to do with Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud’s government.

The Central Working Committee (CWC), at a meeting last month, decided not to recommend any of SUPP’s elected representative to serve in the cabinet of Taib Mahmud after the party’s dismal showing in the election.

In the end, it will be the Malays who lose most

Iskandar Dzulkarnain

Malaysia is 54-years old. But to many of its citizens, the country sure doesn’t seem to be as matured as it should be. And Prime Minister Najib Razak – who at 58 is 4 years older – sure doesn’t behave his age either.

His strategies have created the impression that Malaysia is little more than a flighty teenager, pimply and full of adolescent urges that destabilise public and investor confidence, from within and overseas.

Najib’s Barisan Nasional has been the government of the day since independence from colonial rule in 1957. BN is a coalition of 14 race-based political parties where communal lines are sharply defined.

Is the Tunku’s dream dead?

Mariam Mokhtar

As a nation, we are moving backwards in time. We are almost tribal in the way we defend our racial space.

How ridiculous that 54 years after Merdeka, we are still talking in terms of Malays, Chinese and Indians, and that we cannot and will not think and work as Malaysians.

In the article, “Big Unity Plan” (Sunday Times, May 28, 1961) the Federation Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, warned of the communist threat: “We want citizens to think, feel, believe and work for the good of Malaya and look to Malaya as the sole object of their loyalty. This, I am sure, is the desire of all in the country except for a small minority.”

Beware the spectre of inflation

Sim Kwang Yang

In our society, housewives or homemakers are the people most sensitive to the market prices of daily necessities, because they have to deal with inflation every day.

I meet these housewives regularly at my local supermarket and wet market. Occasionally, I see them venting their anger at rising prices on the local tradesmen.

But I know the problem of inflation has a much wider dimension than the retail prices charged at the market stalls.

We are told by economists that inflation is the result of too much money chasing too few goods.

PAS outshines UMNO or PBB in credibility

Pak Bui

PAS is a political party that deserves Sarawakians’ support far more than PBB or UMNO.

Any political party must have a platform, or a ‘raft of policies’. PAS stands for Islamic policies, and the building of an Islamic state.

Most Sarawakians do not agree with this aim. This is fundamental to democracy: that parties must stand for some principles, and we must be free to support part or all of their plans.

But we must also be able to distinguish between PAS’s need to have an Islamist manifesto – in order to win the hearts and minds of its power base among village folk on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia – and the pragmatism that runs throughout the party’s ranks.

Whether BN or Pakatan is ready, fed-up Malaysians can’t wait for GE-13

Iskandar Dzulkarnain

Malaysia is 54-years old. But to many of its citizens, the country sure doesn’t seem to be as matured as it should be. And Prime Minister Najib Razak – who at 58 is 4 years older – sure doesn’t behave his age either.His policies have created the impression that Malaysia is little more than a flighty teenager, pimply and full of adolescent urges that have destabilised both public and investor confidence, from within and overseas.

Najib’s Barisan Nasional has been the government of the day since independence from colonial rule in 1957. BN is a coalition of 14 race-based political parties where communal lines are sharply defined.

Truth buried in the printed pages

Jeswan Kaur

The mainstream newspapers are the voice of their political masters and this has seen the growth of the alternative media.

Not so long ago “don’t believe all that you read in the newspaper” was said in jest. Now, unfortunately there is a ring of truth to this statement.

Ask just about anyone what they think about the mainstream media and chances are you will get a look of disgust. The mainstream media is owned by political parties and their glossed-over news coverage has given rise to the alternative media.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) has a stake in all the country’s premier’ newspapers such as New Straits Times (NST), The Star, Utusan Malaysia, Tamil Nesan and Sin Chiew Jit Poh through its investment companies

Mahathir and Anwar – the top two Malay leaders

Maclean Patrick

Since 1998, no other Malaysian political struggle has had a greater impact than the one between former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim.

It has been a battle of epic proportions dividing the political landscape into two camps of thought. The Mahathir camp which sees Anwar as the mastermind for their demise and the Anwar camp which sees Anwar as the leader for change.

We have been served up every treat in the how-to-kill-off-your political rival cook-book. A relentless barrage of attacks, designed to undermine the people’s opinion of Anwar Ibrahim. Yet, in the deluge of attacks, the government has exposed its soft underside for all to see.

Long distances, but not enough fuel

Patrick Lee

Bus companies in Sarawak are in bind . Daily they have to travel hundreds of kilometers but their subsidised diesel fuel is not enough.

Bus companies in Sarawak have a fuel problem. They travel really long distances but their subsidised fuel is not enough for the distance.

The Sarawak Bus Transport Companies Association (SBTCA) says in Sarawak the routes stretch in hundreds of kilometers.

For example, Sibu to Miri is 440km each way, and Sibu to Kuching is 462km each way. Stage or city buses were also affected by the vastness of Sarawak. Some buses travel up to 500km for a return trip each day.

PKR gears up for snap polls, machinery activated

Joseph Sipalan

While a July date for snap polls remains speculative PKR is not taking any chances as it began getting battle ready should the 13th general election actually take place in the next few weeks.

The opposition party held a two-day retreat in Port Dickson for its top leadership and political bureau members with special attention focused on its nationwide polls campaign.

Vice-president Tian Chua said the retreat – which ended yesterday – is the start of the party’s push to complete their polls preparations before July.

“The retreat centred on policy issues such as our (campaign) machinery, training of election volunteers, our website and mobilisation,” he said when contacted.

Rape of Penan girls allowed to continue

Rosita Maja

The rape of the Penan girls and women in Baram continues because of the inaction of the federal and state governments and the police.

Hajjah Zuraida  Kamaruddin, Ampang MP and Keadilan National Women’s Chief came over to Sarawak last July to be interviewed by the police on the issue of the rape of Penan girls by loggers. She volunteered to give this statement so after she had received a letter from the Polis Diraja Malaysia dated July 13 last year, signed by Huzir Bin Mohamed (Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah or Criminal Investigation Department head) on behalf of the state Police Commissioner.

BN must respect next GE result

John Inbaraj

The government should ease the minds of the people by passing a parliamentary resolution that the 13th general elections will be democratic, free and fair, writes John Inbaraj. The resolution must further include a clause that the Barisan shall concede power graciously should the opposition win.

Great Man talk of Ideas, Average Man talk of Things and Small Man talk of other Men. If I choose to be kind, I can best rate the Malaysian government as average.

BN vs Pakatan: Into uncharted territory

V Vijay

When Malaysia goes to the polls in the next general election, it will be a journey into unchartered territory. In every election before this one, the winner was always known in advance. But in the coming general election, there are no certainties, and there may very well be a new government in place when the dust settles.

In the past, many wanted change, but few dared to vote for it. At most, they would make an almost faustian bargain, voting BN for the state election and an opposition candidate for Parliament. The electorate could not be blamed; as the opposition was disunited, even engaging in 3-cornered fights. Who would run the country if the BN was dislodged? There was no alternative. Only the people of Kelantan, would have none of it, and voted consistently for PAS year after year.

Is Najib a sentimental fool?

Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz

Singapore PM had the temerity to persuade the republic’s two ex-PMs to quit politics, unlike our Umno leadership.

It’s more difficult to acknowledge what we did not learn. And the truth is, we have not learnt anything from the Singapore election.

What has happened is that Umno’s conceit and belligerence have escalated. The leadership’s insensitivity appears to have heightened instead of subsiding.

It still claims to be the sole spokesman and the voice of Malays. Umno advertises pompously its commitment to transformation. Yet Umno is digging itself deeper into the trenches.

‘Ustaz should stay in peninsular schools’

Joseph Tawie

A proposed plan to 80,000 teachers from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak draws flak from locals.

The Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) has expressed concern over the federal government’s proposal to send 80,000 teachers to Sarawak next year.

Said association secretary Nicholas Mujah: “We are worried about this trend. And we have highlighted it five years ago.

“At that time, many of our politicians were either ignorant of the trend or did not trust us when we informed them.

More ‘evidence’ of alleged vote-buying in Sarawak

Kuek Ser Kuang Keng

Although it has been more than a month since the Sarawak state election, polls watchdog Malaysian Election Observation Network (MEO-Net) says it has found more evidence to show that vote-buying was rampant during the campaign period.

MEO-Net coordinator Ong Boon Keong today released a short video recording showing stacks of cash purportedly being distributed to voters in the Tamin state constituency, which was retained by the BN.

The video, allegedly shot in the verandah of the Rumah Unban Anak Endu longhouse located at Tenting Terentang in Nanga Selangau, shows stacks of ringgit notes placed on the floor being distributed openly on the night of April 14, two days before polling day.

Villagers cry foul over fraudulent logging deal

Joseph Tawie

Villagers in Lundu are claiming that a company has ‘contravened laws governing NCR’ by harvesting timber from their land.

KUCHING: Bidayuh landowners from four villages in the Lundu district – Kampung Stum Muda, Kampung Stungkor Baru, Kampung Stungkor Lama and Kampung . Bokiah – have claimed that a Miri-based timber company has cheated them through an ‘undated, unsealed and improperly attested agreement’.

They claimed the agreement also had not been stamped with the term ‘hasil’.

D-Day is dawning for the BN components, especially MCA

Iskandar Dzulkarnain

MCA is the second largest party in the country. It is also about to be decimated along with MIC, Gerakan and SUPP. The MCA will probably not recover and the 13th General Election will show them the door.

Since the last GE in 2008, UMNO has made no pretence of the fact that it will wrestle back all the seats lost by these parties, and to field their own candidates. Unless MCA and MIC can convince UMNO that they stand a fighting chance, UMNO will want their own choice of candidates to contest even if the candidate isn’t a Malay, like in the case of Hulu Selangor where an Indian candidate managed to unseat Zaid Ibrahim.

What is Najib doing about fuel subsidies?

Reuters

High fuel prices contributed to the Election 2008 backlash that forced Abdullah’s eventual exit. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak could face questions over his commitment to economic reform after his government dodged a cut in fuel subsidies, threatening to put finances in peril and test the patience of investors seeking change.

The decision yesterday to avoid a subsidy cut is likely to be regarded as the latest in a series of U-turns by Najib’s two-year old government which has tried to woo investment by pledging to overhaul the economy while trying to keep voters happy.

BN can still survive fuel price hike

Syed Jaymal Zahiid

Analysts believe any increase in the price of RON95 may have an impact on the coming general election but it will not lead to the downfall of the BN.

 Any move to raise the price of RON95 petrol or increase the power tariff would dent Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s hope of a stronger electoral mandate but will not be strong enough to unseat his ruling coalition, analysts say.

Barisan Nasional (BN) could also scrape through the 13th general election, tipped to be held year-end, unscathed by its unpopular subsidy rationalisation policy if the increase in RON95 or power tariff is kept minimal.