The beginnings of a Malay tsunami

Gertrude Pereira

In Viewpoints on NTV7 on Monday night, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin appealed to the opposition to be magnanimous and accept the GE13 results. I wonder if he would ask his party, Umno, and the Barisan Nasional it leads, to do the same.

Instead, one day after the elections, after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had said he would seek national reconciliation and healing, Umno-owned Malay daily,Utusan Malaysiaheadlines ‘Apa lagi Cina mahu?’ (What more do the Chinese want?) When his attention was drawn to it, Najib defended the paper, alluding that Chinese papers do the same.

Now, tell me who is stoking racialism in post-GE13 Malaysia and who is not being magnanimous? Apparently the Chinese voted en bloc for Pakatan Rakyat in predominantly Chinese areas where the DAP is strong.

Even without leaders, people make their voices heard

Ram Anand

Thousands could not make it into a Kelana Jaya stadium brimming with a heavily passionate crowd last night, and many could not even drive anywhere close to it as Petaling Jaya was caught in a gridlock by those heading to the mass protest rally against the Sunday’s polls alleged fraud.

At least half of the 120,000 people who descended upon the stadium for one of the biggest rallies in recent times did not even get to hear their leaders speak.

Many did not have a clue when or where the likes of Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang spoke. Part of the sound system in the stadium was inaudible to the outlying areas and even to some stands at the far end of the stadium.

Winds of change

Mark Baker

Anwar Ibrahim once seemed a certainty to rule Malaysia. Then came his arrest and imprisonment. Now, with his party shaking up the establishment, is he set to finally fulfil his ambition? By Mark Baker.

Rabble rousing … Anwar Ibrahim on the hustings in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Austral Press

It’s nearing midnight in Penang. In a park surrounded by decaying concrete apartment blocks, a swelling crowd waits patiently amid the sticky heat and pungent aromas of food stalls, traffic fumes and open drains. This is a poor Malay neighbourhood, but there are Chinese and Indians here, too, a representative cross-section of multiracial Malaysia.

Malaysia’s GE13 too close to call – former US ambassador

John Malott

Malaysia’s 13th General Elections on May 5 will be the most important — and the most hard-fought — in Malaysian history. The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and its coalition partners have ruled the nation since its independence in 1957. But now, for the first time in history, the Malaysian opposition is united and strong, and it believes it has a real chance of coming to power.

And also for the first time, UMNO, as well as those who have benefited politically and economically from their connections to the ruling party, fear that the voters might reject their party and the system that have governed the country continuously for over five decades.

GE13: The good, the bad and the ugly

Ali Cordoba

Malaysia is probably living one of its most exciting times, with delayed polls, never before seen handouts and an opposition strangulating the regime to its last breath.

Malaysia’s upcoming general election on May 5 seems to be scripted from the Hollywood western, ‘The Good, The Bad and the Ugly’ but there is a surprise on the timeline.

The battle to govern the nation is pitting Pakatan Rakyat leader, Anwar Ibrahim, who is living the greatest political revival in Malaysia’s history, against a regime that has probably overspent its days in power.

Najib still has not got it

Anwar Ibrahim

‘I am not convinced that the BN manifesto can comprehensively resolve the people’s economic, political and social concerns.’

On behalf of PKR, I welcome the launch of the Barisan Nasional Manifesto which took place with much glitter and fanfare Saturday night, ahead of the nomination day.

As generally acknowledged, Pakatan Rakyat clearly has the upper hand for launching its manifesto for the 13th general election (GE13) much earlier on Feb 25, 2103, blazing the trail of a healthy political competition landscape.

Who’s afraid of Anwar Ibrahim?

Boo Teik, Khoo 

Far from being discredited in the public eye, ‘DSAI’ has grown much closer to the common people than when Mahathir made him a ‘martyr’ of sorts, writes Khoo Boo Teik

Imagine you were Anwar Ibrahim in September 1998. The pharaonic PM had turned off the lights on you (even cutting the power supply to your residence). On cue, the controlled media sensationalised your alleged immorality, never once referring to your reputed religiosity.

In self-preservation, the politicians ‘in the know’ shunned you like a pariah, forgetting that they used to flatter you as the ‘anointed successor’.

Anwar to defend Permatang Pauh

OPALYN MOK

Anwar had earlier said he will decide between contesting in Tambun and his home ground.

PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will defend his seat in Permatang Pauh and not go to Tambun, Perak.

The PKR de-facto leader announced his decision at a ceramah at Taman Pauh here amidst cheering from the crowd.

“While my intention was to help the campaign in Perak and if I look at it rationally and strategically, it would have to be Tambun but because of the heart, soul, relationship and spirit of Permatang Pauh in their support for me, I have to defend my seat,” he said.

Dr M: Najib will be challenged if he fails

 M Jegathesan

With a rising opposition promising to end authoritarianism, Mahathir is seen trying to protect his legacy.

Four years after leading a charge to oust Malaysia’s previous prime minister, authoritarian ex-leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad is making his sizeable influence felt again as a close election looms.

Mahathir, who towered over Malaysia for 22 years with his grand development projects and hard-nosed politics, is 87 but has peeled back the years to step from the shadows and whip up support for the long-ruling regime he moulded.

Sodomy 3: What if it’s an inside job?

CT Ali

Just bear in mind that the hunting season within PKR and Pakatan has already begun and the hunted is Anwar himself.

Let the games within Pakatan Rakyat begin.

From my personal experience, when your father is not that wealthy, there is no infighting within the family to get what you think is your “fair” share of his money.

Let the first million roll in and then it’s a free for all to get into his good books. By the time the second and third million is in his bank, all hell will break lose.

Double blow for Pakatan

 Jeg Hui, via e-mail

Pakatan Rakyat has suffered a double blow to wrest Putrajaya from the ruling coalition as the 13th General Election looms. The death of Private Investigator Balasubramaniam due to heart illness has not been a good timing as he was only about to “reveal all” in a nationwide campaign. Then came a series of pictures purportedly taken from a video feed featuring two men in compromising positions where one of them appears to be of Anwar Ibrahim.

Conspiracy theorists may have suggested the former was killed while the latter was the work of Umno. However, reality would soon settle-in to the minds of even the hardcore supporters as hard proof would soon be released. Some supporters have even admitted they do not care if the man in the video was Anwar Ibrahim as long as ABU (Anyone But Umno) movement is implemented when choosing the new government. While the Umno-ists might see this as a veiled attacks against the Malays as a whole, many has also seen Umno as a party drenched with filth of corruption.

MUTINY IN PKR: Anwar under fire for “betraying” members over seats

Malaysia Chronicle

Disgruntlement within PKR, simmering for months now, has erupted over party adviser Anwar Ibrahim’s alleged betrayal of “long-standing” members, dropping them after having indicated they would be selected to contest at the coming general election.

That is what some upset PKR members are claiming. Their complaints and views if not treated with respect can cause a really serious rift in the PKR party and derail its recent resurgence and return to the top spot in the Pakatan Rakyat hierarchy.

“This is a most unpleasant situation with racial overtones. Not all who have been dropped are Chinese but most are Chinese. The Malays in PKR are now also very concerned. Who will be next?” a PKR insider toldMalaysia Chronicle on strict conditions of anonymity.

Expired PM is desperate, fears losing Sabah, other PR leaders incl Anwar next

Malaysia Chronicle

MP for Batu Tian Chua pleaded not guilty to Sedition charges pressed against him by Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government for allegedly linking the ruling Umno party to the Lahad Datu intrusion.

“These are politically-motivated charges and I will clear my name through the court,” Tian said as he made his plea.

His lawyers, Latheefa Koya and N Surendran, minced no words in his defence.Calling the charges a gross abuse of power and the judicial processes, they slammed the Najib administration for putting Umno above the government.

GE13 will be on 13 May 13?

Ken

It is already past March 8, 2008, more than five years since the last general election and yet Parliament has not been dissolved.

Parliament will dissolve automatically on April 29, 2013.

If Premier Najib Abdul Razak does not dissolve Parliament by that date, that would be most embarrassing for him and confirm to all that he is indeed a very weak leader – it’ll be a gift from Najib to former premier Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to kick him (Najib) out for good.

So, it is clear that Parliament will be dissolved by April 29, 2013, unless the war in Sabah does not end and Najib declares a state of emergency throughout the nation.

Tian Chua to be charged under Sedition Act on Thursday: Will Anwar be NEXT?

Maria Begum

MP for Batu Tian Chua will be charged under the Sedition Act for remarks allegedly made in connection to the Lahad Datu intrusion.

“This is a classic case of hypocrisy of the highest order. The Prime Minister himself announced last year the Sedition Act would be repealed and replaced with the National Harmony Act but now with the general election nearby, suddenly the Attorney General seems to have forgotten that,” Latheefa Koya, the legal affairs director for PKR, told Malaysia Chronicle.

It is not yet clear if Tian will be charged for alleged “mati katak”comments or for allegedly linking Umno to the Lahad Datu intrusion.

Lahad Datu conspiracy: Anwar may be arrested soon – Rafizi warns

Malaysia Chronicle

There is mounting fear that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim might be arrested soon, with Prime Minister Najib Razak and the ruling Umno party charging him for allegedly masterminding the Lahad Datu intrusion.

Members of Anwar’s PKR party fear the worst may happen, based on information received from high-level sources as well as from reading a recent chain of “orchestrated” events they worry are aimed to create hate towards the 64-year-old leader.

A resurgent Anwar is widely expected to form and lead the next federal government, and if he is ‘taken down’, the Opposition’s advance could well be stymied.

Don’t fear the consequences of change

Anwar Ibrahim

The present Umno-BN government of Najib Abdul Razak is living on borrowed time. It doesn’t want to admit it but its legitimacy is now totally in question because constitutionally, its full term has expired.

The people’s patience is tested to the limit here by the audacity of a government that goes on ruling without a mandate.

A number of bogus analysts and self-appointed doomsday prophets, especially those driven by very personal agendas, have warned that Malaysia will descend into political and economic chaos in the event of a Pakatan Rakyat victory.

‘Blackmail, sabotage threats will not work’

Athi Shankar

The Opposition leader said threats like sabotage and blackmail will not work when it comes to allocating seats for the general electiosn.

Pakatan Rakyat is a tight knit coalition and threats like sabotage,blackmail or boycott will not work.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said of late some disgruntled leaders have resorted to threats because they might not be happy with the coalition’s electoral seat formula.

Speaking at the state Pakatan convention here today, Anwar labelled those who issued such threats as sour grapes with low mentality.

No retribution for foes if Pakatan wins GE13, says Anwar

OPALYN MOK

The crowd at the Pakatan Rakyat 5th anniversary celebration in Penang March 8, 2013. 

Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) foes do not have to fear any retribution if the opposition pact captures Putrajaya in Election 2013, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promised last night.

The PR de facto leader said the pact will follow the law when dealing with those who have committed offences in the past.

“People say if we take over, we will start arresting our political foes but let me say here, I promise there will not be any retributive justice.

Anwar predicts minimum 10-seat majority in GE13

Chong Pooi Koon, Bloomberg

On day one of taking power, a People’s Alliance government would liberalise newspaper licences, Anwar said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur today.Pakatan Rakyat will win the country’s upcoming general election with a parliamentary majority of more than 10 seats and control at least six of the nation’s 13 states, leader Anwar Ibrahim said.

Policy priorities within the first 100 days would include education, corruption and government procurement. No retribution would be taken against past leaders, including Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who sacked him in 1998, he said.

“I don’t want to sound over confident, but I believe looking into the trend now it will be a comfortable majority,” the 65-year-old politician said. “Beyond 10 is comfortable.”

Saiful’s father says Sodomy II an ‘evil conspiracy’, apologises to Anwar

MD IZWAN

Azlan reads out his statement at the press conference on March 8, 2013.

The father of Saiful Bukhari Azlan publicly admitted today that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s second sodomy charge was an “evil political conspiracy” involving his son.

In a heavily-guarded press conference here, the 60-year-old Azlan Mohd Lazim alleged that the conspiracy was planned by a special officer in the Prime Minister’s Department and was engineered to tarnish Anwar’s image with another sodomy charge, the opposition leader’s second since he lost his post in government in 1998.

BN becomes caretaker gov’t on March 8

Tommy Thomas

Parliament’s term is five years. Article 55(3) of the federal constitution states: ‘Parliament unless sooner dissolved shall continue for five years from the date of its first meeting and shall then stand dissolved.’

Because the current Parliament had its first meeting on April 28, 2008, it shall automatically ‘stand dissolved’ on April 28, 2013.  As it is an instance of automatic dissolution, no action by any person is required to trigger it.

By virtue of Article 55(4), the 13th general election (GE13) ‘shall be held within 60 days from the date of the dissolution of Parliament’. Hence, the very last date on which GE13 can legally be held, at least for Parliament, is June 28, 2013.

CNN’s John Defterios Also Flogged FBC Media’s Illegal Services To Microsoft, Azerbaijan, Uzbeks, Khazakhs, Mubarak.. !

Sarawak Report

For a fat fee FBC will promote you on its regular news programmes – Defterios interviews Najib on CNN

American blogger Josh Trevino’s belated confessions about the more than one million ringgit he received from Malaysian PMs Abdul Badawi and Najib Razak to attack and slander the opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and others has left his former colleagues and bosses at FBC Media exposed.

This includes the high-profile CNN anchorman John Defterios, who was the registered President and a shareholder of FBC Media until shortly before the company folded in 2011.

Pakatan: Life beyond Anwar Ibrahim

Ooi Kok Hin

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim flirted with his smartphone throughout the Fourth Pakatan Rakyat Convention on Monday. The fact that he took the convention so nonchalantly and let others run the show is a sign of how much things have changed in the opposition camp.

Back in 1999 when DAP, PAS and Keadilan first formed a pact, the Barisan Alternatif, he was the shadowy overarching figure behind bars. Anwar Ibrahim, the man, was the glue, the purpose and the Messiah.

Anwar is so deeply intertwined with the very existence of Pakatan and its predecessor that many people couldn’t imagine how Pakatan can move together when Anwar is no longer around. However, while the former deputy prime minister is still a very influential leader, Pakatan has outgrown the man.

Shoring up Chinese support for Pakatan

Leven Woon

The PKR de facto leader attended five Chinese New Year open houses in the span of 12 hours and got a warm reception.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim made a whirlwind tour of five Chinese New Year open houses here today – and received a resounding “Yes” from the people who are ready for Pakatan Rakyat.

Hundreds of people who gathered at the Batu PKR Chinese New Year open houses gave the de facto PKR leader an enthusiastic reception.

The emcee of the event, when announcing Anwar’s arrival, threw the question to some 700 people at the SJK (C) Jinjang Selatan.

MORE HOT SOUP FOR UMNO-BN

Maria Begum

It looks like Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Umno-BN coalition have shot themselves in the foot again. Australia is now officially seeking the immediate release of its Senator Nick Xenophon, who is now being detained by the Malaysian government for allegedly being a “security risk”.

Xenophon was held at the budget carrier terminal upon arrival this morning and is expected to be deported later today by the Malaysian Immigration Department, which until now has not given any official statement.

“Australia’s concerns have been raised with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs and the Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia. Their support is requested in securing Senator Xenophon’s swift release from custody,” Australia’s Foreign Minister Bob Carr said in a statement today.

Australian senator deported after 15-hour detention

Malaysiakini

Australian senator Nick Xenophon was deported at 10.30 tonight after being detained for 15 hours at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) for allegedly being an ‘enemy of the state’.

Xenophon, who landed at the LCCT terminal at Sepang 6.40am on an AirAsia flight, was immediately detained by Immigration authorities on arrival.

“I am effectively a prisoner here,” Xenophon told Australia’s Sunday Mailsoon after he was detained. “I’m being held in an area with all these holding cells which are full of women.

“They have basically told me I am an enemy of the state. They are trying to get me on the next plane out of here and back home.”

BN may scrape through in GE13

Christopher Fernandez

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim might have to wait for the GE14 to become prime minister.

While coffeeshop politicians are firm in their convictions that Pakatan Rakyat will sweep to power in the 13th general election (GE13), based on prevailing realities, it looks quite certain that they might have to wait for the 14th general election (GE14) for their dreams to come true.

While more Malaysians now hope to witness a change of government – and this has caused a groundswell of support to surface for Pakatan – the likelihood that Pakatan can end 55 years of Barisan Nasional rule is still distant. Most Malaysians will need a longer time to adjust to Pakatan, a relatively new player.

Hindraf blueprint needs amendment

Kua Kia Soong

I have all along been supportive of the Hindraf movement because I believe that Malaysian Indians are a marginalised minority and are victims of state racism, often resulting in their forming the majority in statistics on deaths in police custody and police shootings. The marginalised Indians in this country are a specially oppressed section of the working class – it is an oppression that has taken on a racist character through the years.

SUARAM has also been approached to endorse Hindraf’s blueprint. Now, while the blueprint has some good policy proposals, there are contradictions with its own professed “multi-ethnic paradigm” and human rights assertions. Consequently, Hindraf has neglected certain fundamental demands that we would have expected the movement to stress especially in the coming general election.

The renaissance man of Malaysia

Ali Cordoba

Anwar is now leading the Malay and non-Malay spectrum of voters while Mahathir is reviled for numerous economic and social misgivings.

Knowing the Barisan National culture, would it not have been easier for Anwar Ibrahim to have joined the ruling coalition after his release in 2004? Instead, Anwar opted to face the BN’s brutal force in full brunt!

“The demands of the people remain to be good governance, accountability for corruption, political empowerment and social justice.” said Anwar in an Asian Renaissance forum in 2011 in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. Anwar has always fought for all that he mentioned in that event.

‘Don’t treat me like an alien. This is my country’

Susan Loone

This is the constant plea of Letchumy Ramasundram (below, left in photo) from Nibong Tebal, who expressed frustration as she has been trying to secure a proper MyKad for close to 12 years, but failed at every attempt.

The worst, she claimed, was being naive enough to hand over her documents to a BN component party in Jawi last year, as she never again heard about her application from the individuals involved in the incident.

“I was often discouraged by people who asked me why I need a blue identity card (IC) when I am already 50-years-old. I tell them I want it so I can vote, get a proper job and get better hospital benefits.”

Social media a double-edged sword for Umno

Boo Su-Lyn

Najib stressed that voters at the coming 13th general election were more concerned with what the government could do for them in future. – File pic

Social media is both a boon and a bane for Umno as it caused Barisan Nasional (BN) to lose its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority in Election 2008, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

The prime minister told CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland yesterday that voters were getting more educated and critical.

“I see the advent of ICT, social media as both something good, but also our bane. Could be our Achilles heel as well,” said Najib in the interview with Fareed.

PKR flays PM for keeping mum on Bible-burning issue

Nigel Aw

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today for not immediately condemning the Bible-burning remarks from the ultra right-wing Malay rights group, Perkasa.

“We know their (Perkasa) role is outsourced by Umno to fan racist bigotry… we have not yet heard any tough response from the Umno leadership.

“Not even from the prime minister or the home minister. This is disturbing.

“Notwithstanding partisan politics, you have to draw the line,” Anwar  said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.

Anwar shows the way with moderate stand on Allah, Bible-burning: MALAYSIA IS MULTIRACIAL!

Moaz Nair

Muslim leaders must wise up to show the beauty of their religion to others. Since UMNO has failed, the onus now is on PAS to show the right path to the people. As long as PAS can show the middle path or moderateness of Islam – the actual prescription of Islam – to the masses the Pakatan Rakyat coalition will survive in Malaysian politics.

Malaysia is a multi-racial country with people who are multi-religious. If religion has to be part of politics then it has to serve the needs of all people – Muslims and non-Muslims, not only a few puritans who know ‘more’ of religion and less on the reality of politics.

Nation’s destiny in our hands

KJ John

I still believe that Najib Abdul Razak has tried his absolute best to move our ‘Titanic’ in the right direction, but unfortunately his own team has been his worst enemy to date.In an earlier column I had postulated that the nation may be moving in the right direction after the last general election, but I had questioned whether we were moving at the right speed.

Even Dr Mahathir Mohamad plays wayang kulit with Najib, although in less public ways than he did with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Actually, the opposition and NGOs have been better friends to him. At least they do not seem to shoot him below the belt, other than to highlight the unfortunate legacies that already surround and continue to haunt him.