I like this man!
I am talking about Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS, who is the current MB of Perak. From the most junior of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ‘loose’ coalition (in terms of numbers of ADUNs, only 6 from PAS), he was propelled unexpectedly into the State No 1 political seat by ‘royal interference’ in the political process, but I have to concede, thus far, the royal interference seems to be bearing some good fruits.
Mind you, that doesn’t let the royalty off the hook yet, for I have a few things to say about them – but that’ll be in another post.
Anyway, back to Nizar.
In Malaysiakini article a few day ago, which discussed Nizar's tight balancing act in Perak during his first 100 days as MB, I find his candour refreshing when he asserted he isn’t a stooge of the PR Taiko in Perak, namely the DAP.
Even though I am a supporter (but not a member) of the DAP, I can’t stand sycophants or obsequious lapdogs, whether political or otherwise.
The other variety of creature that I can’t stand, though I am more kind to them, would be the blinded-by-faith (or idol worship, and sometimes fanatical) political lemmings.
Nizar is also politically dexterous, handling the issue of religion cleverly, where currently the PAS Youth has been an embarrassment to their own party, by ayatollah-ingly loud-mouthing their Islamic morality laws for the PR controlled states and their misogynistic but aborted campaign against female entertainers.
In the latter, HRH the Sultan of Selangor gave the right royal reaction by slapping them down hard (and it wasn’t political interference but his royal prerogative on a State socio-religious matter).
Nizar correctly stressed that the affairs of the state comes first ahead his obligations to his party, that he was not a MB of PAS, but a MB representing PR and the people of Perak.
Isn’t he brilliant? Wish AAB would act correctly as not a PM of his family, UMNO or Malays, but a PM representing the people of Malaysia. And, of course I wish too ;-) that the de facto leader would act as not a leader for himself, but a leader representing PKR, PR and the people of Malaysia.
Nizar told Malaysiakini that he wasn’t going to introduce any new laws on morality, stating: “I understand that the composition of Perak is different from other states. That is the reason for me to be more tolerant and considerate ... I have to review certain policies, particularly those from PAS-ruled states. It has to be modified when it comes to Perak.”
Well said Datuk, bukan kah orang Melayu katakan “Lain padang, lain belalang”?
… as opposed to “lain padang, main katak”!
Then Nizar said something which was rather interesting. While relating to Malaysiakini his experience as the new MB travelling around the traps in Perak, he revealed that some UMNO people had approached him to express their appreciation of his State leadership and the work performed thus far.
Probably Malaysiakini must have asked him how would he know they were UMNO member, which made him reply with a smile: “I can tell if a Malay belongs to Umno, PAS or PKR”.
Hmmm, let me see …
An UMNO Melayu would be …….., whilst a PAS Melayu ………, and those from PKR would be …….. ;-)
Lets rehash the stereotypes
ReplyDeleteUMNO - greedy Melayu
PAS - Taliban-wannabe Melayu
PKR - Katak-hunting Melayu. UMNO wannabe.
Like many situations in life, stereotypes really don't help understanding people and situations.
Well, as a 100 day old state govt, his report card is FAIR, but could be better (just like Lim Guan Eng).
ReplyDeleteFair, in the sense that the state is peaceful, for now.
No drastic policies that angers the rakyat.
No PAS-like policy interpretation, yet.
Could be better, if he had handled the JKKK matter tactfully.
When Karpal stood his neck out for him, he felt awkward and wasn't sure of himself on how he should react to that. For the most part, he was silent on that.
Then there was the sacking of the Head of Religious dept guy that ended up in a tug-of-war with the Sultan.
All these, he could have done better. Maybe he is inexperience. We shall wait and see.
Hmm...after MUCH thought, since BN & UMNO got 50 years before the rakyat decided that there were good for nothing, I'll give this new govt another 50 years before assessing them again....
ReplyDeleteEven though I am a supporter (but not a member) of the DAP, I can’t stand sycophants or obsequious lapdogs, whether political or otherwise.
ReplyDelete===============================
Oh I like that "sycophants or obsequious" bit of your entry... ;)
and sadly you get quite a number of them in DAP... eventhough likewise I'm DAP supporter but no member... ;)
YAB Dato Seri's demeanour has left a sweet aftertaste to many people, in particular the people of Perak. I harbour a silent admiration to this man. If we had a man like him to be PM...
ReplyDeletestereotyping is a very bad disease in a society you know...
ReplyDeleteI can tell the difference too. So easy mah!
ReplyDeleteUMN Malay = Middle Class and Elite. Mid Rank Govt Officer. Owns many small business enterprises, talks of subsidy and handouts projects.
PKR Malay = Poor n Middle Class. Own one business enterprise and struggling.
PAS Malay = All Classes but wears long garbs and goatee
One can find many chinese joining Malay based parties including PAS but very difficult for multi-racial parties like PPP, Gerakan, DAP to recruit Malays.
ReplyDeleteAn UMNO Melayu would be RICH…….., whilst a PAS Melayu POOR………, and those from PKR would be IN BETWEEN…….. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWant to know why Nizar is a successful MB so far and acceptable to most Perakians ?
ReplyDeleteIt is because he is a simple, sincere and practical politician - no ideologue, no ostrich, and no hypocrite. If only all the politicians in this country are of this nature/character, we will sure have a peaceful and harmonious Malaysia. Vision 2020 would not have been necessary.
Pardon me, but isn't it too early to judge a man's values in only 100days? We will only know what a man is made of when there is a trial by fire, and how he responds to obseqiousness and sycophants - not just initially but consistently over a long period of time.
ReplyDeletePower usually corrupts. A man without strong abd approporiate value systems and beliefs, is likely to degenrate into "fat cats" and boorish despots by virtue of the chair.
Let's see if the Hon. Nizar is truly made of the right stuff. Two years is a better time frame for knowing a person true character.
So far however, he appears to be doing well however.
Hope the best is yet to come from you,Mr MB of Perak. I would rate MB of Perak, MB of Kelantan & CM of Penang and the last MB of Selangor in terms of their handling of Sate Admin. Whatever said, you owe yr power to the people. Long Live all of You.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has held a senior executive position will know that the bulk of what constitutes effective leadership and management is not the fireworks, but solid, low-profile, day-to-day execution.
ReplyDeleteIf you are willing to look beyond appearances and see what they are actually doing, I would rate the new State leaders, from best down, Lim Guan Eng, Khalid Ibrahim, Nijar a distant 3rd, Kedah MB a 4th. I leave out Nik Aziz as he is a multi-term MB, totally different case.
I like Nizar, but the fact is the Perak state government has done very little in terms of execution in the last 100 days.
In long term, either way is gonna be suicidal for Nizar. When he said that the affairs of the state comes first ahead his obligations to his party, it would also mean PAS does not much say in the affairs Perak government.
ReplyDeleteThus UMNO will open their loud mouth and claim that PAS is just a puppet to DAP and PKR.
Don't rest our laurels, we need to be critical whenever PR states goes awry and praise when it's good. That's the difference with PR states and BN's. We have a voice and a willing listening ear.
ReplyDeletePeople who make comments here must understand the power dynamics existing in Perak today. Here u have an MB who is selected not from the majority party but is from a party that (was) and maybe is still least trusted by the majority (non-Malays) in the state. Secondly, the PR majority in the State Assembly is so wafer thin that one has to constantly look over the shoulders of your own colleagues.
ReplyDeleteUnder the circumstances, the fact that the government has lasted this long and is still functioning (quite efficiently), albeit a bit slow, is a credit to the MB himself and his PR colleagues as a whole. Like most Perakians, I am not that impatient/demanding about this government. As long as it is not worst than the previous government, I think we Perakians should 'bersyukur'.
Come on guys, let's be realistic given the circumstances and the reality of the situation and, given the known fact that the BN (UMNO) people have been trying to destablise this new government, in everyway the last 100 days, just like in Penang and Selangor in particular. Be wise !
Hmm I think it is time for the Sultan of Perak to dissolve the State Assembly as PAS minority MB is helpless to do anything. He cannot implement his Islamic law as is incumbent on his Islamic credential to Allah. It only involve curbing any social activities ala Shah Alam. No cinemas, no gambling 4D outlets no rumah tumpangan where Ipoh mali.. girls kencing tatak bunyi..
ReplyDeleteInstead he is building a mega pig project just as his breathren in Selangor did.
Since when is the minority allowed to rule the majority. If the Sultan fail to abide by the simple rule democracy then maybe streets demonstration maybe the only solutions so that rakyaat feeling can be heard against the chinese dap goons and pkr gay manipulation of PAS
Hmm I think it is time for the Sultan of Perak to dissolve the State Assembly as PAS minority MB is helpless to do anything. He cannot implement his Islamic law as is incumbent on his Islamic credential to Allah. It only involve curbing any social activities ala Shah Alam. No cinemas, no gambling 4D outlets no rumah tumpangan where Ipoh mali.. girls kencing tatak bunyi..
ReplyDeleteInstead he is building a mega pig project just as his breathren in Selangor did.
Since when is the minority allowed to rule the majority. If the Sultan fail to abide by the simple rule democracy then maybe streets demonstration maybe the only solutions so that rakyaat feeling can be heard against the chinese dap goons and pkr gay manipulation of PAS
KTemoc,
ReplyDeleteI think you are either a little hard of hearing or are a master of selective listening.
You note that Nizar stressed in an interview "that the affairs of the state comes first ahead his obligations to his party, that he was not a MB of PAS, but a MB representing PR and the people of Perak."
You go on to say: "And, of course I wish too ;-) that the de facto leader would act as not a leader for himself, but a leader representing PKR, PR and the people of Malaysia."
Haven't you listened to Anwar Ibrahim's countless speeches where he emphasised, over and over again (hint, hint: youtube.com), that he is not a leader of the Malays exclusively... that he is a leader who represents the Indians, Chinese, Kadazans, Ibans and all other races, that everyone are equally worthy Malaysians in his eyes?
It is unfortunate that your mental wiring has been set to automatically shut off your thought faculties whenever any information pertaining to Anwar Ibrahim comes to you bar those that are negative.
I am wary of Anwar myself -- and many, many are -- but I am at least pleased by the fact that amongst all major Malay leaders of the recent past or present, he is unequaled in giving his pledge to treat all 'anak-anak Malaysia' as his own regardless of race, and his 'Ketuanan Rakyat' policy is an encapsulation of that desire.
It is hard not to be moved by his consistent emphasis of this.
Dr Lim, anwar said a lot of things which has turned out to be utter bullshit - take for example his main thrust, "political reforms" or reformasi, the principal platform on which he based his so-called fghtback.
ReplyDeleteTell me please, is encouraging and actually boasting of successfully enticing party defections a political reform?
It has been the same UMNO sinister political manipulation, a dirty tricks action that's subversive to the democratic process.
You accused me of being hard of hearing,; now may I reciprocate and say that you are 'blind' to his blatant subversion of the supremacy of the ballot box. The leopard hasn't and can't changed his spots.
There's none so blind as those who refuse to see.
Mr Nizar, " ...I am NOT the MB of PAS but Perak ! we work for the
ReplyDeletepeople in Perak ...!!"
Thank you Sir, please keep your
JANJI, thank you !!
Ktemoc:
ReplyDelete"is encouraging and actually boasting of successfully enticing party defections a political reform?"
Enticing party defections is a guerilla politics tactic (this manoeuvre is separate to the political reforms that Anwar may institute after coming into power, e.g., setting the playing field level, for example). The means justify the end. Remember that presently the playing field is not level, and in fact it is on a steep incline with UMNO at the peak jiggling and toppling the contenders. UMNO controls the whole bloody system and has opponents at a disadvantage. How do you turn things around?
It is no different to what Robert Mugabe has been doing -- playing dirty, threatening, lying to and paying off the people to vote for him. What has Morgan Tsvangirai achieved by playing Mr. Nice? Are you saying that it is okay for Robert Mugabe to stay in power and that despite whatever obstacle he has erected for his opponents, his opponent should play clean and suffer the consequences?
Don't be ridiculous. The means justify the end, even for a good end.
Dr Lim, in 1994 DPM Anwar was BN campaign boss in the Sabah elections, which saw PBS won with a 2 seats majority. Pairin thought he would be CM but instead became Opposition Leader because of UMNO-induced froggies.
ReplyDeleteYour hero's legacy of subverting the supremacy of the ballot box lives on today, with the froggie-master still attempting to play his old game.
So, don't talk about level playing field - Inside BN or outside BN it's just the man's style of deformasi (not reformasi) politics.
You sure can kick the man out of UMNO but you can't kick UMNO out of him.
To be honest, I'm a little taken aback by some of the anti-Islam sentiments expressed on this article and some of the comments here.
ReplyDeleteAyatollah-ing ? Taliban wannabe Melayu ? And what Oiirah said in his June 23 post.
Yes, I admit that many non-Muslims have problems with PAS and indeed many of PAS' policies can be questioned whether they are truly Islamic. The same goes for the Taliban actually and so many of their kind where Islam has became subsumed by gross misinterpretations of the religion.
And this is the distinction which many non-Muslims, and even some Muslims, have failed to make.
While Islam itself gives the right of the citizens to criticize, be it the government or a religious ruling, but I am provoked to ask whether criticisms / comments in this blog about PAS or Islam are on the basis of fairness or because of prejudice against Islam ?
Criticize PAS or even Islam - but make sure that such criticism is just and fair.
So many people speak of democracy. of open-mindedness, yet when it comes to Islam, they themselves failed.
I am astounded by the fact so many well-read and well-educated people can be so ignorant at the same time. Indeed, how many people who think that they know Islam enough to think that their criticisms of it are educated ones have actually pick up a Quran and read it cover to cover ?
I say, the chances are nil.
Empangan Emas
This guy represents the contemporary face of PAS. Well done Nizar!
ReplyDelete