The Wrong Mentality

by | May 26, 2014 | Politics

Barisan Nasional (BN) seems to have the wrong mentality when it comes to by-elections. This is despite the fact they have been in power ever since Malaya achieved its independence. BN approaches by-elections with the “vote for me and I’ll do this for you” mentality

Amongst others, BN promised to settle the problem of Tamil schools in Teluk Intan, as well as to give Rela members new uniforms IF and ONLY IF BN’s candidate (Mah) wins the by-election.

When Penang wanted to build a Tamil secondary school, BN opposed it. However, just for the sake of garnering Indian votes in Teluk Intan, BN are willing to fork out money to deal with issues plaguing the Tamil schools in the constituency

The Deputy Minister of Education II had the guts to say, “Jika BN menang, sudah pasti segala masalah dapat diatasi dengan segera.” What is BN implying? That if they lose, despite being the ruling coalition, they are unable to help the Tamil schools in Teluk Intan?

If BN was sincere about helping the people of Teluk Intan, they would have done so a long time ago. As cliche as it sounds, “actions speak louder than words”

Regarding the Rela uniforms, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi said, “If he (Mah) doesn’t win, you must buy it (the new Rela uniforms) yourself.” Could this amount to bribery? ‘Vote for BN and you’ll get a new uniform’. Or worst still, could it amount to a threat? ‘If you do not vote for us, you are paying for your own uniform’

Furthermore, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (who is also our Minister of Communication and Multimedia) said that Teluk Intan’s broadband facilities could only be improved if the parliamentary seat was held by a BN representative.

He said that, “This (the improvement of Teluk Intan’s broadband facilities) is a good proposition and can only be realised if the candidate comes from the same party as the one that oversees the local authorities.” Anyone notice the trend? ‘Vote for us and we’ll do this for you. Don’t vote for us and we can’t do it’

I agree with Dyana Sofya (DAP candidate for the Teluk Intan by-election) when she said, “It doesn’t matter who wins this coming by-election, it is still the responsibility of the ministry to improve broadband speed in the area.” BN needs to get their priorities right. They serve the rakyat, not otherwise

The right way to approach a by-election is by capitalising on past performance. If BN has truly served the people in Teluk Intan despite not winning there the past 2 elections, they would have plenty to show for. ‘We have done so and so over the past few years. This is why we would best represent the people of this constituency’

This article can also be found at The Malay Mail Online

Should Hudud Affect BN’s Unity?

by | May 11, 2014 | Misc

I disagree with the article which says that BN’s component parties should not let hudud affect their unity. The President of Parti Progresif
Penduduk (PPP) Datuk
Seri M. Kayveas goes on to say that hudud is a Pakatan Rakyat problem. His statement shows his ignorance to the fears and concerns of Malaysians

Firstly, UMNO has 88 members of parliament. If UMNO opposes the Private Member’s Bill, then PAS (who has 21 MPs) can only go as far as dreaming that one day hudud will be implemented. However, even with UMNO’s support, the Private Member’s Bill would not succeed as a simple majority (more votes in favour than against) in Parliament is required (at least 112 MPs voting for)

That is presuming all of BN’s component parties as well as PKR’s MPs vote against the Bill. MCA and Gerakan (2 political parties under BN with 9 and 1 MPs respectively) have openly voiced their displeasure as to the Bill. With MCA and Gerakan against hudud while certain UMNO politicians all for it, this is not an issue which can be swept under the rug

BN’s unity SHOULD be affected by hudud. Only when it’s pressured will UMNO state it’s official stance whether they sokong atau tidak sokong (support or dont support). I mean, don’t you want to find out if your partner is for you or against you? If UMNO comes out supporting hudud, the parties affiliated to UMNO which opposes the idea should leave BN. How can you work together when you are fighting for different things?

It is just like being in a romantic relationship. When both parties start heading towards opposite directions, it’s best to call it off instead of deceiving themselves that it may still work out someday

Moving on, hudud is NOT a Pakatan Rakyat problem. It is a Malaysian problem. Hudud has so many hiccups which haven’t been sorted out yet (it could affect non-muslims, it could cause injustice, etc.). As mentioned above, UMNO has quite a big say as to what will happen.

Even if every Muslim opposition MP votes for the Bill but UMNO opposes it, it will not pass. With Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom (an UMNO politician who is also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic Affairs overseeing the “Jawatankuasa Teknikal” which is looking into implementing hudud, do you still think that it is a PR problem which is therefore none of your concern?

In conclusion, Datuk Seri M. Kayveas, it is NOT a PR problem but more of a national issue!