Are Dr M, Shafie still 'Kawan tetap kawan' of Harapan?

Malaysiakini (extracts):

Are Dr M, Shafie still 'Kawan tetap kawan' of Harapan?



... my most important question for today: Are Mahathir and Shafie Apdal still “Kawan tetap kawan” of Harapan?

Reading Mahathir’s statements over the past weeks, I believe he has burnt his bridges with Anwar and in turn, Harapan.

After his proposal to be the PM candidate was rejected by PKR, it became clear that Mahathir was adamant that Anwar should not be prime minister because “he (Anwar) was a liberal and lacks the support of the Malays”.

Assuming that PKR has supported Mahathir’s quest to return as PM for the third time, if only for six short months, would he be taking the same jabs at Anwar as well?

Or would Anwar suddenly be suitable to be PM only after he (Mahathir) has served six months? I’m sorry to say that does not hold for me.

On that score, I think PKR made the correct decision by rejecting Mahathir as the PM candidate for Harapan Plus.

Mahathir has made too many twists and turns, both in words and action, that his credibility and integrity become questionable.

On Shafie being proposed as the PM candidate, I have been wondering why Mahathir never chose Shafie as the Umno candidate to be the Sabah chief minister during the rotation system of the chief minister’s post in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.



Instead, Mahathir overlooked Shafie and picked Salleh Said Keruak, Osu Sukam and Musa Aman to be chief minister. All three represented Umno when Mahathir was Umno president.

If Shafie was not suitable to be even a state chief minister then, why is he suddenly good enough to be the prime minister now?

Notwithstanding that it was some 20 years ago, an explanation from Mahathir for his decision then would be in order.

I have no intention at all to question Shafie’s credentials or suitability to be prime minister. In fact, as a Sarawakian, I would warmly welcome a neighbour from Sabah to be my prime minister. But I doubt that would materialise in the near future.

It is Mahathir who has a lot of explanation to do with his latest moves, some bordering on ludicrosity and even a semblance of senility.

So, to answer the question: Are Dr M, Shafie still “Kawan tetap kawan” of Harapan?

I don’t think Mahathir is interested in the survival of Harapan or Harapan Plus at all. He has already declared that he was unprepared to work with Anwar from now on.

I say, let the grand old man be and move on, Harapan Plus.



I agree with Anwar’s statement yesterday that Harapan should now refocus on their struggle and fight for the people instead of being distracted by the prime ministerial candidate issue.

I also find Anwar’s veiled swipe at Mahathir worthy of mention as the PKR president has been overly diplomatic and respectful of his former mentor for far too long.

Oh yes, “Harapan cannot act as if we are still exposing our necks and still being dragged here and there, breaking up and fighting and then following his whims on the candidate”.

As for Shafie, there is a better chance of him and his party to be “Kawan tetap kawan” with PKR, DAP and Amanah.

Shafie and Warisan could certainly do with some friends and allies at the federal level, post-Mahathir era.


FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com

Never trust a slimy sneaky sleazy slug-snake

Extracts from MM Online:

Azmin: Perikatan could call for snap polls anytime

Snap Erection yang Best, Sayang, Adoi Adoi

Citing the possibility of a snap election anytime, Azmin, therefore, said it was crucial for all parties to get themselves ready and be united in facing the polls.

“We are not destroying the country. The government will take care of the welfare of all people and we will continue to attract foreign direct investment to ensure the prosperity of the country,” he said.

Azmin said while Malaysia was struck hard by the economic fallout caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the situation in the country had improved following the stimulus package announced by the government which benefited the people.

In an apparent jab at former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Azmin claimed that a said individual failed to resolve various issues faced by the people despite ruling the country for 22 years while failing to resolve the political impasse on the prime minister candidate until today.

Now, why would Ass-binte warn Pakatan Harapan of a possible snap election?

I suspect there'll be no snap election - he just wanted to send Harapan morons into a tizzy, expending their scarce resources and possibly going into tiffs. This would be what Intelligence Agencies call 'Disinformation' (not Misinformation).

Then, I am even more suspicious of his snide remark at Atuk, his godfather one way or another. Note when Atuk recently excoriated Muhyiddin for treachery (as he had frequently excoriated Anwar for other faults) he was rather mild with Ass-binte's role in the Sheraton Move. So for Ass-binte to insult Atuk, I find that unlikely even for an assh*%e like him/her/shim.

Never trust a slimy sneaky sleazy slug-snake like Ass-binte.

Tuan Ibrahim's "Kerbau for Kelantan"

MM Online:

Putra president Ibrahim Ali slams environment minister for saying it will take at least 30 years to resolve Kelantan’s water woes

Putra president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today lambasted Environment and Water Minister Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for saying it will take about 30 years to resolve Kelantan’s water woes

Picture by Yusot Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today lambasted Environment and Water Minister Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for saying it will take about 30 years to resolve Kelantan’s water woes.

In a statement today, Ibrahim, who is a native of Kelantan and former Pasir Mas MP, said he was disappointed with Tuan Ibrahim’s remarks and lamented the lack of clean water sources and proper water facilities for the state’s residents.

“I was so sad and devastated when I read that it will take 30 years to replace the pipes and by that time, I will be 100 years old. I won’t be able to experience clean water from the new pipes. Don’t just give clever excuses. Old pipes that are 40 years old need to be replaced. After 30 years of the same government, what was done before?” he asks.

“The people of Kelantan have drunk and used dirty water that is filled with bacteria for how long already?... Water that comes out of the pipes is like teh tarik. The colour [of the water] is like clay due to logging in Ulu Kelantan but the PAS leadership is uncaring as it hides behind the name of an Islamic government,” he said in the statement.

In the same statement, Ibrahim also observed that Kelantan suffers from a myriad of issues such as a lack of economic activities, thousands of locals migrating from the state, as well as an absence of foreign investment and tourism.

Ibrahim went on to claim that all of these issues had happened under PAS, which has governed the state since 1990.

“Kelantan is Allah SWT’s gift that has fallen into the hands of those who are not well versed in technological advances, science, innovation and non-creative industries.

“Rhetorical leaders have used Islam as mere capital to play with the emotions of the people of Kelantan who have a strong faith in Islam,” he said.

Ibrahim then urged the people of Kelantan to vote for a change in the government at the next general election if they wish to see real change in their state.

“Because it will take 30 years to change the pipes, why don’t the people of Kelantan change the government come GE15? This is more expedient compared to waiting another 30 years after 30 have already passed that have not been beneficial at all,” he said, referring to PAS’ administration of the state for the past 30 years.

Ibrahim’s statement came after Tuan Ibrahim’s explanation earlier today that the Environment and Water Ministry (Kasa) will seek an allocation of RM7 billion under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from the federal government to resolve water issues in Kelantan holistically.

Tuan Ibrahim said this would involve three major areas: namely flood mitigation including the construction of four new dams, the replacement of water pipes which are more than 40 years old to reduce non-revenue water, as well as upgrading plants and integrated sewage projects.

He explained that the project would take up to 30 to 40 years to complete.

UMNO's Chini landslide victory a humongous snub for Atuk

MM Online:

Chini victory an endorsement of Muhyiddin’s leadership and Perikatan Nasional

Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Sharim Md Zain with Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after winning the Chini state by-election, July 4, 2020

Bernama pic

COMMENTARY, July 5 — Barisan Nasional (BN) winning the Chini state seat was pretty much expected and the thumping victory by Umno’s candidate can be seen as an endorsement of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition of three Malay-based parties.

But just as importantly, it is seen as recognition of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister and leader of the coalition.

This is Muhyiddin’s first victory as prime minister and the landslide achieved must have tasted rather sweet as it not only gives him the mandate to lead but to refocus his attention towards steering the country out of the Covid-19 quagmire.

Mohd Sharim Md Zin won with a huge majority of 12,650 votes, trouncing two Independent candidates who were probably left in a daze.

An Umno man, Mohd Sharim Md Zain polled 13,872 votes against Independent candidates former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Pekan deputy division chief Tengku Datuk Zainul Hisham Tengku Hussin who obtained 1,222 votes and Mohd Shukri Mohd Ramli who polled just 137 votes from the 15,231 voters who came out to vote.

Aisehman, how and what MOTIVATED you to courageously stand in an UMNO stronghold?

wakakaka 

Although he contested under Barisan Nasional, PN leaders had campaigned for him and the co-operation between Umno, Bersatu and PAS grassroot workers showed the effectiveness of the Malay coalition.

The state constituency which is one of the four state seats under the Pekan parliamentary constituency has 20,972 voters. Polling for the by-election was held yesterday where 73.87 per cent of voters turned up to vote.

The two weeks of campaigning was carried out in a relaxed manner and there was a total absence of any tension among the party workers — this is probably because Sharim’s opponents were lightweights.

All the same, PN had set a target of a 10,000-vote majority given the seat was BN’s the past four terms.

The 12,650 majority easily surpassed this and could also be due to the good work done by the previous assemblyman Datuk Abu Bakar Harun who died on May 7, triggering this by-election.

The margin more than doubled Abu Bakar’s previous one in 2018.The ease of the victory must also be credited to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Chini is in his constituency.

The huge majority polled can also be considered as Najib’s personal victory who has been under heavy attack by his arch enemy Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is also gunning for Muhyiddin.

Dr Mahathir even issued a 41-paragraph open letter addressed to the Chini voters in which he attacked his two former protégés and repeated all the accusations from before where he accused Muhyiddin of betrayal and Najib a kleptocrat.

But the reality on the ground is voters did not heed any of Dr Mahathir’s words as proven during the campaign; the people were not interested in national issues but rather bread and butter ones — something which the 7th prime minister is not very good at.

For Muhyiddin and PN, this is a good beginning and as for Najib it is a recognition of his prowess in Pekan.

Nothing much to say about the massive landslide victory for the UMNO candidate as the state constituency has long been an UMNO stronghold, which Penang Chinese would describe as a 'haw siew' (tiger's den), akin to Teresa Kok's (old) Seputeh.

F-Atuk!
Yes brader, F-Atuk!

Of course it provides Najib and opportunity to revel in the glitter of the gargantuan victory and also for a wee enhancement of Muhyiddin's reputation as the putative leader of the PN coalition. Every little positive PR helps, wakakaka.

But the juiciest part of the Chini by-election victory for the PN candidate has been the Banjaran-Besar-ish snub for Atuk who was campaigning for his Bersatu renegade (who reneged against Bersatu's Boss, Muhyiddin - what motivated him, wakakaka), even going to the extent of issuing a 41-paragraph open letter to the Chini voters in which he attacked his two former protégés and repeated all the accusations from before where he accused Muhyiddin of betrayal and Najib a kleptocrat.

Wrong tactic - which voter wanted to read a paragraph load of kerbau, let alone 44? Atuk would have been more effective if he had turun padang in Chini, but I supposed fear of Covid-19 infection and of losing 'face water' (as expected in Chini) deterred him, wakakaka.

Anwar Ibrahim on right track

MM Online:

Pakatan is stable, says Anwar despite PM choice disagreements

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today assured that the Pakatan Harapan coalition is stable and is ready to speak up for the people as it did before

Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — Amid talks of cracks appearing within Pakatan Harapan (PH), PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the coalition is stable and is ready to speak up for the people as it did before.

Anwar said while it appeared that PH, now known as PH Plus, has some disagreement with who would be their prime minister candidate, this issue did not affect PH as a coalition and the struggles they stand for.

“Some say that there are cracks appearing within the coalition. But from the beginning, the prime minister candidate was agreed on through meetings, without disputing the people’s mandate given to us.

“Maybe there are some who disagreed (decision on the prime minister candidate), this should not be something that should hurt the relations between parties within the coalition,” he said today during a Facebook live broadcast.

He also reminded that it was time to go back to engaging with issues surrounding the people’s hardship without using the Covid-19 as an ‘excuse’ anymore.

“We must stick to the mandate the people gave to us in 2018 (when they voted for PH).

“Let us come back together, put aside sentiments of betrayal, to bring Malaysia to a new era that has its future guaranteed and fair,” he said.

I believe Anwar is on the right track by:

(a) repeating the mantra of respecting 'people's mandate', which 'someone' (wakakaka) did not,

(b) talking about the rakyat's hardship, which 'someone' (wakakaka) did not,

(c) assuring all that Pakatan Harapan is still cohesive and compact (even though some idiots prefer the treacherous maverick, wakakaka), as Anwar/PKR still needs DAP and Amanah and more to make it in GE15 and therefore must BBSS* the two power-crazy dumbos, and

* bong-bong soe-soe = raba raba 😂😂😂

(d) preparing for GE15 seriously by even having a 'shadow cabinet' in PKR alone (if DAP and Amanah are more interested in sucking up to Atuk's murderous intent of vengeance against both Najib and Muhyiddin - hmmm, could be he has a 'mole' inside PN? Wakakaka). For more on PKR's 'shadow cabinet' please read MM Online's PKR announces list of Parliamentary spokespersons to shadow portfolios held by federal ministers for greater check and balance.

Anwar is becoming more and more prime-ministerial each day. Kudos to him.

Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid victim of "Hong Kong Protests" syndrome

MM Online:

Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid labelled ‘racist fish’

A graffiti reading ‘Racist Fish’ is seen on a statue of ‘The Little Mermaid’ in Copenhagen, Denmark July 3, 2020

Reuters pic

COPENHAGEN, July 3 — Denmark woke up today to the words “racist fish” scrawled across the base of the Little Mermaid, the bronze statue honouring Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale that perches on a rock in the sea off a pier in Copenhagen.

Police said it had not yet identified the perpetrators. The 107-year-old sculpture, which is visited by one million tourists each year, has been vandalised before, including by anti-whaling campaigners and pro-democracy activists, twice suffering decapitation.

“We consider it vandalism and have started an investigation,” a spokesman for the Copenhagen police said.

Protesters of the Black Lives Matter movement around the world have in recent months rallied against statues of historical figures who played a role in racist oppression, such as slave traders and colonialists.

The Little Mermaid has not been part of this debate but last year a Disney live action remake of the 1989 animated film of the same name was the subject of a controversy after African American actress Halle Bailey was cast in the central role.

“I am having a hard time seeing what is particularly racist in the fairy tale The Little Mermaid", Ane Grum-Schwensen, researcher at the H.C. Andersen Center at University of Southern Denmark, told local news wire Ritzau. — Reuters

The story follows the journey of a young mermaid who is willing to give up her life in the sea as a mermaid to gain a human soul. The tale was first published in 1837 as part of a collection of fairy tales for children.

The original story has been a subject of multiple analyses by scholars such as Jacob Bøggild and Pernille Heegaard as well as the folklorist Maria Tatar. These analyses cover various aspects of the story from interpreting the themes to discussing why Andersen chose to write a tragic story with a happy ending. 

Indeed, I agree with Ane Grum-Schwensenin that I too am having a hard time seeing what is particularly racist in the fairy tale 'The Little Mermaid'.

But as I have mentioned, there exist 'anarchists' in our world, people like the young brats protesting in Hong Kong recently who just loved to destroy to show their power - yes, they started off with an ideal or a reasonable cause, but as the protests continued and ratcheted up they lost track of what they were supposed to be protesting about and showed far greater interests (and perverse delight)in destroying, threatening (police families, MRT passengers, shop employees etc) and even hurting people like shooting arrows and hurling bricks at law officers. Yes, they even demonstrated their vile discrimination against Chinese Mainlanders and the latter's shops.

Hong Kong police tweeted images of the injury to the police officer after an arrow pierced through his leg 

UK and Australia are welcomed to have such rioters

The protests would eventually developed into riots, as we have also seen in 'Black Live Matters' - some of those protesters were/are (as mentioned, 'lil anarchists' who just love to eff around and destroy just for the fun of destroying).

I term such anarchic behaviour as the "Hong Kong Protests" syndrome, wakakaka. And this was what has happened to the 'Little Mermaid' in Copenhagen.