Monday, April 13, 2009

Muhyiddin Yassin fails to see the straw that broke the camel's back!

Three days ago, after the loss in the Bukit Gantang federal by-election, where the status quo of PAS holding on to that seat (since March 2008) was assured, DPM Muhyiddin Yassin pledged that UMNO would work hard at improving the voting trend of all races for BN candidates in future elections.

Sounded promising for Malaysian politics.

He admitted that Bukit Gantang showed the anti-BN tsunami witnessed in last year’s general election has yet to subside – in fact it has worsened.

He mumbled: "We hope this trend will not continue, but as we are facing a serious scenario, a transformation process has to take place soonest possible."


Presumably he had meant for the transformation process to start within UMNO itself, because he said:

"Although, we look after the well-being of the Malays, we are also fair to the other races, but some say that we are not fair. Therefore, we must act now before it is too late. We also need to support the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and strive to regain the people's support for Umno and BN."

And one day after his avowed transformation process, he continued on that theme, stating that UMNO and the BN have this year and the next to regain the confidence and trust of the people.

Malaysian Insider reported in Two years to regain people’s trust - Muhyiddin:

He said the primary focus of action during the two-year period would be to ensure that the leadership at all levels understood the new direction of the party and took measures to revive the party’s image and improve the people’s perception of it.

Well and good, BUT …

WTF, this morning as reported by the Malaysian Insider in UMNO puzzled about Chinese votes, Muhyiddin Yassin has veered on to a new direction, one seen to be blaming the Chinese for UMNO’s loss in Bukit Gantang.


No doubt he has learnt of Chinese support for the PAS candidate in Bukit Gantang increasing from 65% to 75%.

Muhyiddin claimed he is confused, perplexed, and puzzled, because after BN had poured in millions of ringgit to improve Chinese language schools, those presumably-ungrateful Chinese continued to vote overwhelmingly for the Pakatan candidates in both by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau.

Money politics, pre-election bribes, Chinese cheats – he seemed to be saying, but let’s leave these aside for a while.

He stated he couldn’t understand ‘… why Malaysian Chinese voters continue to treat the Barisan Nasional with disdain.’ And this is just 3 days after he had pledged for BN to begin a ‘transformation process' to regain the people's support for UMNO and BN.

What has made him gostarn (go-astern) from his original proposed track, from realization that UMNO in its present (corrupt, arrogant, ketuanan Melayu) form was not palatable to the electorates, to blaming the Chinese for its political unacceptability?

And he made it worse by unfairly accusing the Chinese of grandiose scheming, that they have begun to think of themselves as kingmakers in politics.

There's no escaping the fact that his public musing has been aimed at the heartland, to convince the faithful to re-marshal beneath the keris-ed banner, by his fear-hate propaganda, reflected in his statement to Mingguan Malaysia today:

“The Chinese even though are a minority group feel that they have the deciding power because the Malays are split into three groups … In such a situation, they can decide the outcome of an election and this can be seen from the general election and the by-elections.”

“They think they have the power to decide. It is not only the Chinese but the Indian community as well.’’

Maybe the 5% swing of Malay voters towards UMNO in Bukit Gantang that noted Malaysian pollster Ong Kian Ming mentioned in his new Malaysiakini article Bkt Gantang: Lessons for BN, Pakatan might have given him a glimmer of hope, believing that the bangsa, agama dan negara formula could be the magic mantra to UMNO's future election victories.

Well whatever, my dear Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, that sure as hell wasn’t the transformation process you proposed for UMNO to start working on. And if you continue along this finger-pointing-at-Chinese for UMNO’s problems, you’ll need more than 2 years to improve UMNO’s image – certainly not by 2013!

The truth was, has been, is and will continue to be …

… that Chinese, being less political-minded (per se) than Malays or Indians and far more concerned about ...


... (a) the economy - the '3 bowls of rice', jobs, business, land to cultivate, etc, ...

... (b) education - not necessarily Chinese medium but good quality stuff to ensure their children through education have a chance of climbing out of or above their current status - the Lotus doctrine, and ...

... (c) security - safety for their families from an unstable environment (eg. political upheavals, racist mobs, criminals) and a hope for fairness in above two, economic and educational participation …

… would usually vote against rather than for a party …

… and would have been quite happy to maintain the status quo (of the BN in rule) … unless BN has demonstrated it cannot/could not provide one of the above-mentioned principal concerns of Chinese Malaysians …

… which in the past few years, UMNO-BN have shown its decided lack of responsibility.

At each UMNO general assembly, the racist arrogance, taunts and boasts have been gnawing away at each Chinese guts (at even those of MCA and Gerakan members).

The unfairness of the selection process for Malaysian universities and many other public institutions is already legend. The corruption prevailing in the business environment is known to generally favour the chosen (inclusive of chosen Chinese and Indians).


All these add on to the disenchantment with an UMNO-led government.

UMNO’s emasculation of MCA hasn’t added on to the confidence and dignity of Chinese Malaysians.


Much as many Chinese detest MCA for its ineffectual role as the representative of the community, precisely for the reason UMNO had frequently humiliated and undermined MCA, the Chinese have been quietly seething, resenting UMNO’s disdainful dismissive disregard for the largest Chinese political party, because they suffered vicarious humiliation and shame.

I have to say the situation became far worse and pronounced under the weak premiership of AAB who couldn't control those bigots in his party as they tried to out-do each other in demonstrating their ethnic credentials.

This straw broke the back of the Chinese Dromedary camel, as it had the Indian Bactrian camel when Hindraf emerged in fiery H-power in their show of utter frustration.

It's not the nature of most Chinese Malaysians to do what Hindraf or PKR anwaristas had done or would do, taking to the streets, so they quietly employ the only thing they could use to show their unhappiness and dissatisfaction – the vote.

When they walked into a polling booth, they voted not so much for the candidate (though Nizar has been a special exception, a one-off), they voted AGAINST the despised UMNO candidate … and if the candidate was not UMNO, then a despised UMNO stooge.

There was never any sophisticated coordinated Chinese Machiavellian program to vote in the role of a wannabe kingmaker – that’s sheer finger-pointing racist bullsh*t and it's very mischievous and sinister of Muhyiddin to suggest that.

My dear Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, remember my advice, that the magic mantra for a return of Chinese voters to the BN banner is not bangsa, agama dan Negara but assured fairness and quality in …

… economy, education and security!

42 comments:

  1. Well said-let's wait for the response of the MCA and Gerakan apologists.

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  2. Ah, it looks like UMNO-BN still doesn't get it.

    Now its time for the Chinese & Indians to be scapegoats (again) for BNs defeat of 2-1. I guess the findings of the independent panel will be disregarded again, but at least they should be paid for their work.

    The youngsters, be they Malay, Chinese, or Indian, support BNs outdated politics & hubris no more. BN is now surviving on support of the older generation & the rural voters who are feudally dependent on government on projects & land matters. With this trend, and the increasing urbanization of Malaysians, the next 5 years will be interesting indeed.

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  3. Not our DPM? Not the man who was Johor MB? Nor our new Minister of Education?

    Surely, he can't be that stupid, can he?

    "Although, we look after the well-being of the Malays, we are also fair to the other races, but some say that we are not fair."

    And there you have it in a nutshell. You can take the Bumi out of the kampung, but you can't take the kampung out of the Bumi.

    Muhy can't see beyond race politics. More than that, in defiance of Badawi & Najib, he proposed last year to extend the AP gaji buta crony system beyond 2010. And he can't see why he's losing ground?

    This man who has 'lean and hungry looks' is not to be trusted. He will turn out to be Cassius and Brutus rolled into one. Najib had better watch his back or be wearing body armour 24 hours a day!
    http://donplaypuks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. 'BN is now surviving on support of the older generation & the rural voters who are feudally dependent on government on projects & land matters. With this trend, and the increasing urbanization of Malaysians, the next 5 years will be interesting indeed.'

    You are right Brighteyes the Malays are abandoning the kampungs for the bright lights of the towns and cities. However, not many Malays until the last 10 years or so understood the hardships faced by the Chinese and Indians in the urban areas. Trying to eke out a living amidst intense competition and corrupt government officials have given many Malays a better understanding of the non-Malays. I do not think the top echelon of UMNO believes the above is even possible given their racist ideology. They are just like the Nazis who still believed in Hitler even though Allied troops were already taking over Berlin.

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  5. Parvinder Kler

    MCA and Gerakan apologists ?? Outa off your mind ! Who's apologising ?

    Gerakan, MCA rebuke DPM over ‘ungrateful Chinese voters’
    By Lee Wei Lian

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin continues to draw criticism over his recent comments that Chinese voters were ungrateful for not voting for BN even though the government had assisted the community, with the latest rebukes coming from Umno’s partners in the Barisan Nasional (BN) .

    Of the two component parties in the ruling coalition that issued a response to Muyhiddin’s comments however, it was Gerakan that saw its senior leadership speaking out while the task of doing so at MCA was left to the party’s information and communication bureau.

    MCA’s response however, was remarkable in that it hit out hard against Umno’s perceived arrogance and listed down an exhaustive list of grievances harboured by the Chinese and even other non-Malay communities.

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  6. he is just echoing mahatir's words.

    Is that One Malaysia, KT?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very well chaptokam,

    I take it back. What I will say however is, what next for MCA and GERAKAN? They argue their case, then the hoopla disappears and nothing happens. Until the next time that is, and the next, and the next, and the next, and so forth.

    A few threats here, a few threats there, and then nothing. UMNO knows it can go on making these statements because the other BN component parties will bitch and moan a bit, and then shut up.

    If MCA/GERAKAN take this matter up with Najib and Co. with all seriousness and make it clear they will no longer stand for UMNO's overbearing and racist attitude, then I will stand corrected. Till then, while I made my point badly, I stand by it.

    Indeed, I make this point for the opposition as well. With people like Zulkifli Noordin and Ibrahim Ali-PR has Ketuanan Melayu problems too which they have struggled to deal with.

    But UMNo has been making these statements for years on end now and the other component parties have taken the slap, moaned a little and then shut their traps.

    When, chaptakom, will this useless tactic end? UMNO will not change its spots while other BN component parties use the same failed methods to repudiate racist comments. Surely you can agree with that.

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  8. Parvinder Kler

    I think I'll give Najib and company six months to prove themselves before I can come to the conclusion that a leopard never losses its spots so in the meantime I dont agree nor disagree with you , ok ? I always believe in giving sometime for people to change since people or UMNO in this case can't change overnight .

    Actually for Bukit Gantang its more like the Gerakan's baby since all these while it was the Gerakan's seat before UMNO exchange it with Taiping if I am not mistaken . The MP used to be from Gerakan . The Chinese voters in Sepetulang fishing village also unanimously voted for Nizar . MCA is just providing the back up service .But Muhyhideen's statement was for all that's why MCA had to come out with a statement too .

    History also has it that many a cruel man do change for the better . One good example is Ashoka the Great .In the early part of his life he was engage in wars and many were killed during those wars . At that stage of his life, many called him Chanda Ashoka (Sansrit word chanda means cruel) meaning fierce, rude, passionate and heartless Ashoka . In this phase of life he was known for his unquenched thirst for wars and campaigns launched to conquer the lands of other rulers made him called as Chandashok(the terrible Ashok).
    Ashoka's reign was apparently quite bloodthirsty, he became a follower of the Buddha's teaching after his conquest of Kalinga (India) on the east coast of India in the present-day state of Orissa. He was a changed man after becoming a Buddhist.The brutality of the conquest led him to adopt Buddhism and he used his position to propagate the relatively new philosophy to new heights, as far as ancient Rome and Egypt. He made Vibhajyavada Buddhism his state religion around 260 BC. He propagated the Vibhajyavada school of Buddhism and preached it within his domain and worldwide from about 250 BC. Emperor Ashoka undoubtedly has to be credited with the first serious attempt to develop a Buddhist polity. Kalinga was a state that prided itself on its sovereignty and democracy. With its monarchical parliamentary democracy it was quite an exception in ancient Bharata where there existed the concept of Rajdharma. Rajdharma means the duty of the rulers, which was intrinsically entwined with the concept of bravery and Kshatriya dharma.

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  9. Hi chaptokam

    Rais Yatim called your beloved
    MCA a "mosquito party" in an unguarded moment on BBC's Hardtalk.

    Freudian slip, ho ho !

    Phua Kai Lit

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  10. Aiyah ktemoc,

    This is UMNO's "Good Cop, Bad Cop"
    strategy.
    The PM (Good Cop) says the right things about a multiracial Malaysia. The DPM (Bad Cop) makes all these unpleasant and even nasty statements and innuendos to mobilise the UMNO base (i.e. the ultranationalist, racist and fascist wings of UMNO).

    Phua Kai Lit

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  11. Ashoka is far more likely to be Anwar Ibrahim (with apologies to our beloved blog owner, name withheld[!]) than Najib Razak though.

    In 6 months this argument may well be repeated-in fact I expect it to, and I'd suggest with the same sorry results. I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong however, but I doubt anything will change.

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  12. Phua Kai Lit

    Let that joker who said I have burnt my bridges be . He has since replace the planks of the bridge which was burnt . Talks cock all the time , Chinese say " low mor " meaning senile old guy rejected by his own people . Good for the junkyard to be scrapped .

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  13. Parvinder Kler

    Ashoka is far more likely to be Anwar Ibrahim ? More like Ashoka in reverse ie from good to bad , not bad to good .

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  14. Well Chaptokam,

    One way or the other we'll find out-seeing his sorry antics during his UMNO years (and for me personally his disgraceful conduct during the 1994 Sabah elections), I'd suggest he is going from evil to 'not so evil.' Najib, on the other hand, I'll resrve my judgement, but do not hold out much hope on.

    It is always strange when I find myself putting Anwar in a favourable light, but damn, I hold the BN leaders in such low regard even Anwar looks good!

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  15. Parvinder Kler

    Well let's hope the path to a better Malaysia is in store . Personally , I think every country / religion / race / politically is affected in one way or another by this end process of mankind / new phase of humanity . Current religions will see a revival as predicted in all the religions in the coming of the new messiah , Matreiya Buddha , second coming of Christ etc . The current period of the phase cycle of 26000 years per cycle ends in Dec 2012 . Don't you think that 2012 also marks the end of the RAHMAN prophecy ! Armageddon ! End of civilisation ? Probably not but rather the end of evil / negative influence in our daily lives .

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  16. Parvinder,

    Anwar and Najib wallowed in the same cesspool. The difference has been that Najib has survived while Anwar, due to his impatience and unjustified arrogance in his ability to outfox other UMNO factions, came to his grief.

    Anwar now has to act as if he is a political reformer, but even recent events have shown that to be utter bull.

    Knowing he has very little heartland support (other than the idealistic young who haven't been exposed to his old UMNO ways) he has (forced) to bank on mainly non-Malay support. Thus he sprouts the things non-Malays want to hear ;-) or as we Malaysians would term it, he cari makan saja, though it has been music to those who desperately want to believe.

    He'll revert to his old conservative Islamic/nationalistic UMNO ways the very moment he has secured a position of power, say as PM, and can do away with the non-Malay support.

    When AAB was around, he was a bit more modest, hoping to be DPM, and then to succeed AAB as PM. He thought this would be a shoo in as he had considered AAB to be beneath his 'intellectual' level, but again due to his unjustified arrogance and hubris, failed to realise that he couldn't match AAB in political cunning, in the same as he was no match for Dr M.

    His bullsh*t antics in recent times (frogs as the 1st act of reformasi after 08 March 08? 916, Taiwan, 'BIG' announcement, he started Perak nonsense first, etc) showed he hasn't changed at all since 1994.

    He's so obsessed with becoming the PM he should/would have been if he hadn't try to 'push' Mahathir out prematurely that he has cast caution to the wind by demonstrating deformasi after deformasi, and would say ANYTHING just to gain support, to attract attention.

    I feel so disappointed that people still believe in him as a righteous leader after so much bull.

    And the sweetest irony (for us, but bitterest for him) has been the political elevation of his one-time proxy to oust Dr Mahathir in 1998(?), Zahidi, who is now virtually the No 4 in UMNO (after Najib, Muhyiddin and Hishamuddin).

    If one is religious, one would say God is punishing him severely with the sight of his one-time closest aide and proxy to oust Dr M, being elevated to high office in government and in his dream party while he languishes outside.

    But being an aethist, I would just atrribute all his misfortune to his impatience, arrogance, hubris and lack of loyalty to Dr M, or even to his one-time friends like Nallakarupan and Ezam.

    Yes, criticize Nalla and Ezam as running dogs (which anwaristas are wont to fanatically do, without rhyme or reason) but cut out those fanatical devotion to Anwar and spite for anyone against him, be clinically neutral and one would see their point, their grievance against Anwar - for example what kind of reformasi had it been when he told Nalla not to contest in the PKR VP party election when Nalla was a sure winner. Who was his favourite that he wanted elected as VP and not for Nalla to obstruct, and why? Why not Nalla as VP?

    Reformasi? or Deformasi?

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  17. Ktemoc

    Najib's got finesse
    Anwar is crass.
    Ebough said.

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  18. KT and all

    Racism aside, Muhyiddin speaks the stark truth.
    Like it or not Chinese do not and will not benefit from PKR or PAS.
    It does look ungrateful that you didn't give your mandate to the BN who cares for your welfare.
    And you don't see the MCA, Gerakan or MIC working hard at Bukit Gantang or Bukit Selambau.
    The MIC did not even acknowledge that it was a Malay seat in Bukit Selambau and the Malays who voted them.
    The Chinese in Bukit Gantang voted
    for Nizar not because they love PAS more.
    But they hate Hee the most.
    It was like the proverbial saying marahkan nyamuk kelambu dibakar.
    P.S. Really amused that the non-Malay bloggers were really working hard in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau.

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  19. BN cares for my welfare? By big bear and monkey foot. UMNO is a racist party and a con man party. They think the rakyat are children can be easily win over by candies using lap dogs to dispense goodies as in recent election. UMNO gives only small ringgits whereas they pocket millions.

    They hate Hee and in turn UMNO because UMNO uses the same underbelly method to dethrone PBS when they were in power

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  20. The Chinese people of Bukit Gantang, don't ever cry to BN ( like what LGE is doing ) if you don't get any developments, go to you heros, Anwar, Nizar, LKS etc and see what he can do for you....You people just do not know how to harvest what the chinese use to say " golden hill " instead shallow the venom the trouble makers are spilling. Of course is your right, but don't blame later when the poison take its course..........

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  21. I think Malaysian politics works a little like the economic cycle, with its boom and bust periods. I remember LKS and the GSOS making highly disparaging remarks about non Malays too after the 1995, 1999 and 2004 GEs and a few other by-elections.

    I am of the opinion that the many people actually did not vote for Pakatan but rather voted against BN in the 2008 GE. It is fair to say that this disenchantment stemmed from various issues of which we are all too familiar with.

    As for our new DPM, I am surprised that he thinks the trust of the non Malays (especially) the Chinese can be so speedily gained. The damage done will take some time to recover and blaming Gerakan or MCA is not fair. UMNO itself must shoulder much of the blame. But while much of this damage is self-inflicted, Pakatan did a fine job in demolishing the UMNO’s image by their cyber campaign (which I suspect had foreign help).

    However, to be fair to DPM, I don’t think he said the Chinese are ungrateful. Based on the Malay version that I read, what he meant was the Chinese seems to be “unappreciated” of the BN’s efforts. This “mistranslation” is no doubt is the work of the propaganda minions of Pakatan. We have seen how PR folks have been hard at work to derail Najib from becoming the PM. We also have seen how they have been attacking Najib and his cabinet. We can expect them to attack every statements, policies and strategies of Najib’s administration.

    As for Bkt Selambau and Bkt Gantang, I think these losses are actually in the benefit of BN and to Pakatan’s detriment. Though I would have liked BN to have win them, mainly because it would have greatly reduced the political temperature of the country, this will bear positive result as Najib will have a greater urgency and stronger mandate to make the necessary changes. Had BN won, BN might have fallen into complacency and maintained status quo.

    The GSOS’ greatest gift was his ability to make all kinds of promises without being accountable. But that honeymoon period is over now that PR holds 4 states. The performance of PR will be used to judge him and by all indication PR had failed to bring a single significant change. That these 3 parties cannot agree on common policies are quite clear with 4 different system of governance.

    As for BN, their in-fighting had enabled PR to run wild and gain momentum. With Najib in charge, BN now can afford to focus on reforms and go on “attack” mode. Every reform that Najib carries out, will take some steam out of the Pakatan train.

    I predict serious problems in Penang and then Selangor in the coming months due to political in-fighting, corruption and mismanagement. The payback time for the GSOS is just beginning.

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  22. Yep Killer

    We wait for Elizabeth Wong and Fairuz's replacement story tomorrow.

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  23. Thanks Killer for a well written piece . I am reduced to writing short stories/comments as walking the talk takes prominence .
    Hope you don't mind I post your comment in a friends blog .

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  24. Mistranslated my ass. He's playing the race card while his boss plays the so called 1Malaysia card, whatever that may mean (does even Najib know?).

    Our beloved DPM is blind to the fact that $$$$ during by-elections is bribery. Development funds is a right, not a privilege. There is no need to feel grateful for what is your right.

    For years, we in Sabah suffered when PBS was in charge because the great democrat Mahathir withheld our development funds-once the kataks were bought over (thank you anwar ibrahim...) the floodgates opened. Our timber money, not to forget our oil and gas revenue used to build his megalomaniac KLCC, Sepang and KLIA. While we wallowed in filth. This is the true Mahathir and post-Mahathir BN, make no bones about it. bribery and coercion. A morally bankrupt organisation.

    The organisation is rotten to the core-it is refusing to reform and will continue to raise a stink. And it will get worse and worse.

    Of course Pakatan is benefitting. They don't even have to do anything. Anwar just needs to sit there and watch power fall into his lap. The blind is leading the blind within UMNO.

    They'll reform all right-if and when they lose power as we have seen with the congress in India, LDP in Japan, PRD in Mexico etc...

    Whether PR are worthy of leadership isn't even an issue because they aren't going to win it. BN and UMNO's going to lose it at this rate. Good riddance too, even if that means Anwar as PM, I don't care. That'll teach UMNO and BN a lesson to treat the people like fools. Once they learn humility maybe they'll get back in.

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  25. Yo chaptokam

    No problem, please go ahead.

    Hi Idzan...

    Yes, not just Eli Wong and Fairus but I heard PKR and PR Penang to be falling apart. Serious in-fighting between 2 factions over the DCM1 post.

    Also there is a serious bribery case hovering with at least 2 PR reps to be charged (chaptokam's info) and there is a chance that the Cheap Minister and DCM2 also charged for abuse of power and withholding of information, according to my sources.

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  26. Parvinder

    Former American vice-president Hubert Humphrey was famous for this quote: "We believe that to err is human. To blame it on someone else is politics."
    What he said may be relevant till this day.

    The blame game continues unabated on both sides -- in all three by-elections in Batang Ai, Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau -- but, undeniably, the bulk of the venom comes from Pakatan Rakyat.

    During his rounds in this rural constituency of Batang Ai, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been repeatedly accusing the government of neglecting the predominantly Iban community here.

    He claimed that the thousands of Iban farmers and the Chinese trading community in Lubok Antu town had been shortchanged.
    "Lubok Antu has not changed much even after 46 years of Independence.

    "The PKR can bring about change if you vote for our candidate. He has the experience.

    "Jawah Gerang is the right man to develop Lubok Antu," Anwar said.

    Other PKR leaders have likened Lubok Antu to a ghost town, for this small border town has slightly more than two rows of wooden shophouses.

    The fact is, development in Lubok Antu is not centred on the small town but has been spread out within a five kilometre radius.

    The new sports complex, Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex, district police headquarters and schools are all away from the two rows of pre-Independence shophouses.

    "Anwar is saying that PKR will change the fate and livelihood of Batang Ai people if its candidate wins on April 7.

    "Let us now look at the constituency Anwar and his wife have represented for 27 years.

    "Pekan Permatang Pauh is not a remote interior area but yet it is still behind in terms of development.

    "If you take the location and everything else into consideration, I think Lubok Antu is better than Permatang Pauh," says Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Datuk Seri Dr James Masing.

    Anticipating the blame game that PKR and its allies have mastered, PRS had organised a "working visit" to Permatang Pauh for a group of longhouse chiefs, community leaders and party members from Lubok Antu.

    "I witnessed how there are still poor people living in plywood squatter houses and huts in Permatang Pauh.

    "We spoke to the people there and they are still waiting for development," a Lubok Antu district councillor, who visited Kampung Bagan Serai, Seberang Prai, said.

    The 40-year-old mother of three is now going around Batang Ai to relate the actual situation in Permatang Pauh where Anwar and his wife have served as elected representatives to the Parliament since 1982.

    "It was a real eye-opener. We have been made to believe that only the natives in Sabah and Sarawak are living in neglected longhouses without water and electricity, and that we are being discriminated against.

    "That visit showed us the actual situation in Semenanjung (West Malaysia). Not everybody there is living in air-conditioned houses with all the necessary amenities.

    "The poor in Permatang Pauh are worse than us in Batang Ai.

    "At least we have vast land for agricultural activities," farmer Nakad Indab said.

    PKR had the upper hand during the first few days of campaigning, but the tables seem to have turned against them.

    With just three days left before polling on April 7, the Barisan Nasional is now on the offensive with both state and federal leaders blazing the campaign trail.

    The battle for the hearts and minds of the 8,006 voters in this constituency has now returned to Lubok Antu, after being taken to the remote upper reaches of Batang Ai.

    Among those who went on the offensive was newly elected Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

    But the strongest counter strike against PKR's allegations came in the form of a billboard erected in Lubok Antu town centre on Friday.

    Displaying pictures of ageing wooden shophouses and squalid pre-war buildings in Permatang Pauh, the billboard carried a catchy phrase in the Iban language.

    "Pasar Permatang Pauh Nadai Berubah Dalam 27 Tahun" (Permatang Pauh town has not changed in the last 27 years) and "Ulih Orang Tu Ngubah Penghidup di Batang Ai?" (Could the person change our life in Batang Ai?)

    Several PKR supporters protested loudly after the billboard was erected, but isn't that the way the game is played? If you turn politics into the art of blaming others, you should be prepared to be blamed, too.

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  27. Yo Killer

    Re Eli Wong seat , we can forget about it , cause looks like she has been told not to quit her seat , but even if she does , we don't think we can win in that seat . So our main focus should be in Penang right now . Getting very interesting . will keep you inform should anything interesting crops up . Penanti is one seat they are going to lose . Period !
    Btw I posted your comment in Meiyen's Corner . You should pay a visit there !
    http://meiyenn.blogspot.com/

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  28. Now the Malaysian Talibans are talking about street demonstrations to topple the Perak government. License already given to those trouble makers to cause trouble so who are to be blamed?..........the lethal effects of the poison get underway.......

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  29. Parvinder

    As for DPM's statement,I suggest you read the BM version before making your statement. I did and that's why I am saying so.

    As for pork barrel politics /by-election bribery, well this is a tactic that almost every incumbant govt does and it is not unique to Malaysia. But don't misunderstand me,I don't condone it either. BTW you might be interested to know that BN is not the only guilty party in such offences. PR did the same during PP and BS by-elections.

    As for bribery, well we all know it exists. But this is not unique to UMNO. Just check how many PR reps were caught for bribery and other crimes in the last 1 year ? Ask people of Kelantan, Kedah, Penang or Selangor. They will tell you they haven't seen much different. PKR, PAS and DAP are equally compromised. Perhaps this is what is equal opportunity all about.

    Pakatan looked clean because they didnt have the option of being corrupt previously. The 12GE gave them the opportunity and we now have PR politicians helping themselves to the riches.

    So, where's PR's moral high ground we are talking about ?

    I am not surprised by these "exploits" of PR reps, after all they are led by the GSOS, a convicted serial sodomite himself.

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  30. Yo Killer

    Just to add to your piece "I heard PKR and PR Penang to be falling apart. Serious in-fighting between 2 factions over the DCM1 post."
    Here's this extract from Malaysian Insider

    Guan Eng might delay naming Penang DCM1

    GEORGE TOWN, April 14 — An indecisive Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and a split in PKR Penang could force Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng postpone naming a deputy chief minister I tomorrow to replace a disgraced Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

    Anwar has yet to decide between Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Malil Abul Kassim and Sungai Bakap’s Maktar Shapee, the only two Malay PKR assemblymen apart from Fairus who represents Penanti.

    The post is reserved for PKR in the Pakatan Rakyat government.

    “The chief minister has yet to get a name from Anwar. The ball is at Anwar’s court so any delay is due to him,” a source in the chief minister’s office told The Malaysian Insider.

    Lim was to have made the appointment last week after Fairus officaily resigned effective April 8 but had given Anwar a week to decide in what the chief minister called a “spirit of camaraderie and cooperation”.

    The Penang executive council last week gave Lim the discretion and prerogative to name his deputy. The other deputy is Perai assemblyman Professor Dr P. Ramasamy from DAP.

    It is understood that Anwar’s indecisiveness is causing a split in PKR Penang as supporters of the two eligible assemblymen array against each other.

    The state PKR has already been facing cracks after its chief Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim reshuffled its officials, apparently on Anwar’s orders.

    One of the more controversial moves was to name Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff as state youth chief , an appointment usually made by the PKR Youth itself.

    “Anwar is in a hurry to just put his people in office without considering its a democracy,” a state PKR official said.

    “PKR Penang is effectively split into two,” he said, declining to be named. Ironically, Anwar hails from Penang and is MP for Permatang Pauh, his political fortress that he won with a higher majority than his wife and PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

    The frontrunner for the DCM 1 post is Abdul Malik but he has not been named due to intense last-minute lobbying.

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  31. Pavinder

    As for DPM's statement,I suggest you read the BM version before making your statements .

    Read the Original Comments

    I am not sure whether most of you have read the original version of the comments in the right context:

    Question from Utusan journalist:
    Tetapi bukankah setiap kali pilihan raya kecil, permintaan kaum bukan Melayu dipenuhi, malah di Bukit Gantang walaupun peruntukan RM1juta diberikan tetapi kaum Cina tidak juga menyokong BN?

    Answer from Muhyiddin:

    "Ya, kadang-kadang kita berasa terpedaya juga kerana zahirnya nampak macam 'ok', sambutan dengan tepukan gemuruh tetapi mungkin sudah ada tertanam dalam hati iaitu sesuatu tidak mudah hendak berubah, pokoknya masalah isu Perak terutamanya di kalangan masyarakat Cina yang mungkin telah dipengaruhi dengan sentimen simpati kepada Datuk Seri Ir.Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin, kononnya dia 'dijatuhkan', lepas itu kononnya dasar memberi pegangan tanah selama 99 tahun dilihat dasar yang menguntungkan.

    Ini yang mungkin menyebabkan sukar BN mendapat sokongan walaupun kita fikir bila mereka hendak sekolah Cina dibantu, kita bantu, sepatutnya mereka membalas budi. Pada waktu itu, kita pun tidak berharap sokongan kaum Cina akan meningkat 40 peratus dan sebagainya cuma kita berharap ada peningkatan sedikit tetapi apa yang berlaku ia mencatatkan penurunan, macam tidak ada penghargaan terhadap apa yang kita lakukan.

    Oleh itu kita kena kaji psikologi apa yang menyebabkan masyarakat Cina tidak bersedia untuk berubah, pada zaman dahulu tidak begitu."

    It seems that, the DPM is looking for an answer to why the Chinese is not voting for BN. He simply said, even after assistance was given to them, they are still not changing their mind and not voting for BN, then there must be something that they don't like about BN. The journalist who asked about RM1mil contribution, its not him who mentioned that!

    So, what's wrong with that statement!! Pavinder !

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  32. Pavinder

    walaupun kita fikir bila mereka hendak sekolah Cina dibantu, kita bantu,sepatutnya mereka membalas budi.= Even though we think when they need help for the Chinese school , we help , rightfully they should return us a favour .

    Is that the right translation !! Hope so !

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  33. Cgaptikam, Killer

    Mmm getting interesing ya.
    Love to read Slooney and Zorro's blog when this happened.
    From what I heard Eli won't be resigning her seat.
    The reason people still wants her.
    But she will give up exco seat.
    Btw today LGE sounds angry about Anwar still dragging his feet on the deputy Cheap Minister's post.
    He said why the delay since its only two positions to fill.
    See Anwar can't make even small decision.
    Still waiting for his shadow cabinet.
    It will remain a shadow/ wakaka.

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  34. Why you guys worried about Penang, Selangor, Perak ? Better run back to Terengganu to help protect the BN ADUNs who are "scared" to attend the assembly. Looks like they have no faith in the Police.

    As someone said,"This is always the case when it comes to Umno, the infighting is becoming an embarrassment."
    And as KT would say: Wakakakaka

    Koh Lai Huat

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  35. You guys are all comedians-lah... all of you XieAn, idzian, chapto, and Killer.

    Barely 2 weeks ago you all were predicting a BN victory in Selambau and/or Gantang, but you lost with larger margins. Never mind, eat humble pie & move on to the next bull-story.

    Killer, before you continue your quack talk of infighting & predictions on Sel & Png, you might want to have a look at what's going on in Terengganu. I need not say more. You made so many fortune-telling stories which all turned out to be BS.

    How Samy doing man?

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  36. One Malaysia. Yes, what about making all those born in Malaya/ Malaysia after August 31, 1957, 'sons of the soil' Then we all can talk about how this One Malaysia should be shaped.Ramlax

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  37. BrightEyes

    We move along with the current .Ever heard of diversionary tactics ? Why did the Allied Forces openly proclaim they would liberate France thru a place called Pas-de-Calais ? Pas-de-Calais was also the target of Operation Fortitude during World War II, which was an Allied plan to deceive the Germans that the invasion of Europe at D-Day was to occur here, rather than in Normandy. The Germans were duped .

    Ever heard of this ? Probably you are too young to understand all this and also what we are doing .

    Suggest you take your humble pie back home at eat it yourself . Its already stale and infested with maggots !

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  38. Killer, Chaptokam,

    I did read the BM version before posting my comments-seems pretty clear to me-perhaps my bias is clouding my translation; or perhaps your bias is clouding yours....

    And no need to tell me that PR are far from saints. I'm no defender of them. I have no illusions of them. But I don't believe the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Not in this case. I'm not one of those of who have 'turned opposition.' I have always been opposition, but as objectively as possible. A PBS supporter I may have been, but not one that blindly followed Pairin's edicts, and never one to follow Anwar's edicts. I'm skeptical of all politicians and am a firm believer that Obama (for example) will prove himself to be a hypocrite extraordinaire.

    BN's time in govt is probably up because it seems incapable of change-and i certainly hope it is. If you want to avoid seeing Anwar in charge, then help BN reform. start with the DPM.

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  39. Idzan

    Read my post in the "PKR - Pakatan Rakyat's weakest link" thread for the inside story on the DCM1 fiasco and why the Cheap Minister is pissed with the GSOS.

    Bright Eyes : Yes, there is trouble in Terengganu...and that's well covered in the alternative media and MSM. But the nastier fighting that is raging in Penang and Selangor is being covered up by the so-called "transparent" alternative media.

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  40. End of the day, whats is so wrong with using our votes wisely?
    It was the bn who told the rakyat to vote for a good and fair government.
    And the rakyat voted for Pakatan!
    Nothing wrong in making a change .
    umno is as usual blaming the Chinese and Indians , Malays and the lain lain for their own failures.

    But Pakatan really really , and i mean really must improve their choice of candidates. It is really a No Go to select former umno people as candidate.

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  41. To know what UMNO guys think, read the blogs of Big Dog
    (a smart conservative) and Pasquale
    (an ultranationalist "Ketuanan Melayu" type).

    Phua Kai Lit

    ReplyDelete