All my life I have voted BN, so have my parents, brothers and sisters. But
maybe
this time, I'll make a change. Hopefully it'll be a change for the better.
Will Malaysians be fooled yet again?
Thirty-Something Professional: It’s time for our say now as elections are upon us, and this time we smell the winds of change. It's not that there is a chance of giving BN the boot, they'll still be ruling the country no doubt, but the change I am talking about is perhaps a reduced majority and more opposition representation in Parliament and DUN.
That alone I am sure will be a marked improvement for this beloved nation of ours. It's never good to have limited choices and a monopolistic situation is always bad for the people (take for example Astro), and it is no different with a government. To be honest I don't think I want to see BN out this round, a sudden revolutionary change is also not healthy, a steady evolutionary like change is better.
All my life I have voted BN, so have my parents, brothers and sisters. But after all the ceramah and having my house broken into thee times over the past one year, maybe this time I'll make a change. Hopefully it'll be a change for the better. It's time for OUR say now.
Colin A Pereira: At the time I pen this, there are just over 24 hours to go before Malaysians vote. Many Malaysians would have probably by now, decided for whom to cast their votes. There will also be a large number who have yet to decide. It would be wise at this juncture, to reflect just not on the past two weeks of campaigning, but on the last 50 years of our independence.
Whilst it is natural for the powers that be to exhilarate us with their purported achievements, one cannot but be sickened when a fifteen-year old heart transplant patient is used to champion the cause of the ruling party. One cannot but feel nauseous when those who have lost their loved ones to, or in fact been victims of crime, are told that Malaysia is in fact an incredibly safe place.
Many Malaysians know in their hearts that it is time for a change. It is perhaps the fear perpetuated by the entrenched powers that prevent us from making that final leap and placing the cross where our hearts truly lie.
This is not an appeal to vote for any particular party or individual for every Malaysian is capable of making his or her own mind up. This is an appeal to vote according to your conscience and for a better Malaysia, and not be intimidated to vote for fear of the classroom bully. This is an appeal to discard racial politics and to send a clear message to those who thrive on racial discord that the things which unite us as a nation will always outnumber the things that divide us.
This is an appeal to vote, not for those who purport to represent the Malays, or the Chinese or the Indians, but to vote for those who will speak for all Malaysians. This is an appeal for each and every one of us to stand up and make our vote count, to speak with one true Malaysian voice and to stand tall and tell the world that we are proud to be Malaysian.
Tim: Who is the oldest in the cabinet?
Who has the loudest voice in the cabinet?
Who wears the most expensive suit in the cabinet?
Who is the least academically-qualified in the cabinet?
Who has the least understanding of the word 'democracy'?
Who comes from the most dysfunctional party in the country?
Who blames 'his god' for all the poor infrastructure in the country?Who has been a big hindrance to Indians' progress for so long now?
We all know ‘who’ so let us show all that we cannot be fooled! Vote!
A Malaysian: As a diaspora Malaysian, I can notice and feel the arrogance of our politicians who have been sitting on their warm and comfortable" seats for too long. We need to wake up and pinch ourselves to realise that the era is long overdue for these ‘rotten eggs’ to go with the garbage trucks to the dump-ground.
March 8, 2008 needs to be declared ‘All Malaysian Day’ because this is the day that we must do our rightful duty so our children of tomorrow will not point their fingers at us. Fellow Malaysians wherever you are in Malaysia, this call is on your court.
CSG: I am 30 this year, and have never voted nor cared about politics. For me, politics is a dirty game and the players are even worst off. However this year I took interest in politics because of the rising crime, rising cost of living and the worsening leadership of our prime minister.
What surprised me is I never registered to vote but when I checked my IC at the EC website to my shock, my name was registered! I never bothered to register, never cared about politics and my name is eligible to vote!
Of course, I am going to vote this year for the opposition simply because there is a need for a check and balance on the government. I can also predict that opposition will win more seats this year but not enough to deny BN their 2/3rds majority. BN will still rule but at least they know someone is watching their back now.
JTB: I have always voted for BN and my father and all my siblings voted for BN. It was drummed into my head that only the BN can look after the interest of Malaysians. I have to confess that I am one of the voters who voted for Pak Lah. I am sure that there are many like me, the silent voters, who will probably decide only tomorrow who to vote for.
My point really is this - I want to continue my family tradition of supporting BN. But come on, please give us some substance that you, BN, are able to bring about changes for a better Malaysia. All Malaysians know that since the VK Lingam tape scandal, our Malaysian judiciary has lost all its integrity. Has any BN minister come up with a solution to repair the damage
To all BN candidates, the pendulum is swinging and we, the silent majorit,y are watching you in action. Running down the opposition and telling Malaysian that your report card shows that you scored straight A’s is not enough. Tomorrow, you will then know how we, the silent majority, will decide.
Kimm Tang: For over 30 years I have been voting for the MCA thinking it was good for the future of the country and the people called Malaysians – Satu Bangsa. But one cannot ignore the facts before us now. You can certainly feel it in the air wherever you go and people are really unhappy with the present government.
National unity is in jeopardy and democracy is in its apparent decline. Corruption abounds, murderers are freed . Race and religious tensions have mounted. So when one votes; pay attention to BN’s past performance and for their stand on issues related to constitutional rights, civil liberties and the freedom of religion and whether their candidates dare to stand up and speak for the people who have voted him/her in.
I certainly want a one big change where there is fair sharing of wealth and freedom of worship. Enough of the present lot of hooligans and corrupted.
Ghani Nambu: The corruption and perversion of justice in Malaysia is so complete and the mistrust and hatred towards the Umnoputras is so deep-rooted. The BN's only success has been the destruction of the Malaysian race, the Malaysian agenda and the Malaysian psyche to achieve their full potential (the taunt of ‘Malaysia Boleh’ is more and more sounding like ‘Malaysia Bodoh’).
While we are turning round and round in the crooked way of doing things and letting more monies flow out of the economic cycle every time trading activities are engaged, Vietnam and Thailand will be surpassing us socially and economically just the same way their footballers have demolished ours since more than 10 years ago.
At one time Malaysia was seen as a model of how a modern Muslim-dominated state should be (thus the OIC presidency for Abdullah) but now the jewel of the crown has become just another stone on the road.
VJ: Can anyone tell me how BN defines democracy? Every newspaper and the TV channels (including Astro) are controlled solely by BN for their election campaign. BN said the opposition is spreading lies via the Internet. But how do we know BN spreading only truth via the local media?
BN leaders keep demanding the people to show their frustration via ballot box and not via street demonstrations. But now BN is literally threatening the people not to go against BN in the coming election. One of their newspaper advertisement says: ‘If you don't vote for MIC, then be prepared to pay the price’. This is going overboard.
To educated Malaysians , it's ridiculous if someone vote based on the quantity of party flags or posters displayed. Enough is enough. Enough annoying the people's patience. Enough of misjudging people's intelligence. I will vote for a change.
Abu Bakar Saat: The best caretaker government that ever existed in Malaysia was during Tunku's times. He was a most democratic leader and gentleman. I remember when I was very young and when it came to election time, Tunku stepped down as PM and put Abdul Razak as PM. He when round the country to campaign for Umno and the Alliance - not as PM but only as Umno president. He did not use any goverment machinery. I think the rakyat of Malaysia mudah lupa this episode.
Rakyat: I really don't believe that we have had proper and fair elections since independence. The Alliance then the BN has been taking the rakyat for a ride for far too long. Perhaps it was excusable during the Alliance’s time where everything was in an infancy state.
But our nation is now 50 years old and the BN government still behaves in the same way in every election. How can they not win the election - they can give goodies to the electorates prior to polling day. Parties in the opposition are at a disadvantage, they cannot do anything to counter this. How can BN 'give' goodies when Parliament's already dissolved? There is no government, so from where do they derive they power to 'grant' things to the rakyat ?
Nehemiah Lee: PKR however is the only party that has the potential to become a true multiracial party because it is led by a Malay who is able to embrace the interest of all other races. Anwar Ibrahim fought very hard for the interest of Malays. What else do we expect him to do?
Now that Anwar heads PKR, the only chance for him to win is to get the support of the Chinese and Indians and other non-Malays. He may be able to garner the support of some Malays but only the more enlightened ones. But the number of these enlightened ones are not many.
If PKR wins on the platform of Chinese, Indians, some Malays and other non-Malays, then it has no choice but to practice multiracialism. And for once, the true spirit of NEP ie eradication of poverty irrespective of race, can be practiced. For once, if PKR is in power, we can think above race. So my decision is to vote for PKR. A stronger opposition will help to make the ruling party more accountable.
Arunasalam P: Yesterday when I was about to leave my house my little cousin who is 12 years old cautioned me that the police might arrest me ISA if I speak at the ceramah . What does a 12- year-old kid know about the ISA? What fear has the ISA inflicted on the population of Malaysia including children? Is the Malaysian population under some kind of psychological arrest, so much so that they live in perpetual fear?
These are some of the painful questions that are bothering Malaysians like me. The ISA in my view is there to protect the very few who are in power at the sufferings of the masses. Why does a democracy like Malaysia need the ISA? Not a single Barisan Nasional MP in my memory had voiced their objection against the ISA.
I would challenge any BN candidates who are contesting in this election to denounce this draconian law. Malaysians should rise up against the ISA so let us join forces to destroy this black chapter in our history. Enough is enough. Time to change.
Ganesan Doraisami: A coalition in politics is formed so that various groups can collectively share the power of being a majority. A coalition is never formed for one group to enjoy unlimited resources of the country’s wealth. The purpose of a coalition is so that individual groups can get together and form a powerful group as government.
But the Barisan Nasional coalition exists to protect the bumiputera interest only. One may ask why the Indians are in this coalition when their welfare is not equally as important as the bumiputera welfare?
Being the reality as such, any such coalition should never be permanent. From time to time, each coalition member needs to evaluate the value of being part of the coalition. Is the coalition providing the progress to the communities they are supposed to represent? If not, a new negotiation is needed. A coalition cannot be an open-ended club.
Ken Gan: It's election time and the Chinese and Indians are exhorted to vote for their respective race-based parties in the Barisan Nasional to ensure adequate representation of their race in Parliament. They are told that only with adequate representation can these parties continue to be guardians of their respective communities.
On the surface, this appears plausible but the reality on the ground belies this simplistic assumption. Under the BN party whip system, the majority component party within Barisan will dictate the rules of the game and this means Umno.
Under this prevailing system, how can these component parties claim to be able to effectively represent their communities? I would rather elect an opposition MP who can make some noise in parliament over unfairness and injustice rather than one who is subjugated to Umno and unable to even speak up. The opposition may not be ready to govern but with more of them in parliament, Umno will be less arrogant and dismissive of the minority races.
Raj: We have been saying, listening and arguing about many things on corruption, judiciary, racial harmony, equalities and etc. While we disagree on few, we agree on most of them. And the general acknowledgment is Malaysia does not practice what it preaches. So once again we are given the opportunity to choose the government we want for next five years.
The BN machinery have started the latest approach. It is called ‘character assassination" aimed at Anwar Ibrahim in particular. There is only one conclusion we can make out this - BN and their leaders will never place the interest of general Malaysians above themselves.
The BN leaders will continue protecting each others' wrongs to accumulate wealth for them and their cronies. Eventually we public will be doomed for supporting them. Hence, enough is enough. Whether Anwar, Lim Kit Siang or Hadi it doesn't matter. The opposition is all that matters now and who else can qualify that more than Dr Mahathir who himself says ‘the country needs an opposition that can hold up a mirror to the government’.
Chin Chin Siong: God bless Pak Lah and BN.
Makkalsakthi23: It is very clear that marginalisation is practised. Let me quote an example. There is a widow with four schoolgoing children living in the heart of Georgetown, Penang. She and her children are staying in a rented room. The living conditions are quite bad. She has tried seeing the authorities to get the low-cost flat but you know what the outcome was. She is also not so healthy and she goes for regular check-up at the Penang general hospital.
The Social Welfare Department was giving her RM400 per month which is definitely insufficient for the family. In order to earn some extra income, she made nasi lemak and sold it by the roadside (Jalan Dato Keramat near to Kuantan Road). The business was a failure.
The department came to know that she was selling nasi lemak and ceased giving her monetary aid with effect from January 2007. The department assumed that she was doing well in her business and told her that she does not deserve the financial aid. She explained that she had stopped selling nasi lemak as the business was a failure and pleaded for aid but was thrown out.
Every year the government has a budget allocation for the hardcore poor but I think the budget reaches the hardcore criminals. The officials entrusted by the government have just failed to ensure a fair distribution to the deserving people. This is only one case and I believe that there could be many more families of all races who have been suffering silently.
I sincerely hope that the voters will vote wisely in order to establish a bright future for all rakyat .
NK Khoo: Some questions before we all vote. Q1: What would happen if there are no Chinese ministers in the cabinet?
A1: From past historical records, Chinese basic rights were eroded even with MCA ministers in the cabinet. MCA and Gerakan are toothless tigers and they are no more relevant to the Chinese community. In the nutshell, with or without MCA or Gerakan ministers in the cabinet, it makes no difference to the Chinese Malaysian dilemma.
Q2: Why SPR withdrew the use of indelible ink at the last minute?
A2: To let BN releases their phantom voters tomorrow.
Q3: Why more personal attacks on Anwar Ibrahim in recent days?
Q3: BN is starting to worry that Anwar may change the political landscape if urban Malays decide to revolt against Umno. In addition, Chinese and Indian voters are very upset with Abdullah’s unfulfilled promises made in past GE besides other bread and butter issues.
BN cannot attack Anwar's popular poverty based-NEP policy so the next best option is launching a character assault against him.
Q4: Foreign investors want a 2/3rds majority, but waht about our corrupted judicial system and government?
A4: The Indian government with slightly more than 50% of the seats in parliament does not drive away investors. A clean, effective and fair government is more important for foreign investors.
Teo Chuen Tick: The PM is going to address the nation tonight from his house in Kepala Batas, so say he papers. No big deal in normal circumstances but coming on the eve of election day, it shows to me the extent of BN's disrespect for the electoral process. Lim Kit Siang was reported to have filed a suit on the powers of the caretaker government but I supposed it has been buried what with our judiciary's ‘independence’.
The threat of denying the Chinese Malaysian voice in the government is given prominence. Any thinking Malaysian will ask: What has the Chinese voice in our government been doing since the 2004 landslide victory? If they had done their part to voice out against injustices, corrupt practices, cronyism and the whole litany of ills, BN will not feel so insecure as to have resort to threats. Instead they have shown themselves to be impotent and are just the errand boys of Umno. From what we have seen of the Chinese representation in government over the years, I believe it is time to go into uncharted territory. Even if it means Umno will carry out its threat. I really wonder why BN pulling out all the stops. All the independent political analysts I have read say there is no way BN will lose that 2/3rds majority. So why resort to all the dirty tricks?
P Lah: This Warkah Untuk PM . Is this another publicity stunt by the BN to gain last minute votes? According to the newspapers, they have received thousands of emails from Malaysians disclosing their wishes, hopes and unresolved problems. Is BN really using this as a channel to hear and solve the rakyat's problem or is it just to fish for votes?
Ameez Thumb: Over the years, I have always had faith in Barisan Nasional. But this election is a different ball game because I have witnessed the proceeding in the Parliament including the passing of Bills and especially amendments to the Federal Constitutions where bills and amendments were bulldozed through without much scrutiny and the low-quality answers during the Q&A sessions. The rights of the people are truly eroded.
Useless, we take action, our children will be at the losing end. Are we not a democratic country? Or are we merely people working our butts off to serve the cabinet ministers' interests? We need a voice in Parliament. Not just any voice but a strong and solid voice in Parliament because we would like our interest to be heard and protected.
Looking at our MCA and MIC leaders, what have they done to sustain their existence? Our MCA and MIC guys must always toe the party's line. And that party is Umno. Think about it before you cast your vote. We can bring a stop to this rot.
The Healer: I am utterly disgusted by what the PM has said. He said, in short, that if the Chinese vote for the opposition, then there will be a lesser Chinese voice in the parliament. What nonsense is that? I do not want a Chinese, Malay or Indian voice; I want a Malaysian voice. His statement can be viewed as a threat.
Can the ruling coalition be so hardened that they will never accept an opposition voice in parliament? Then where is their interest in the people if a particular constituency decides that the opposition candidate is more competent in bringing their voice to parliament?
Kumar: I was born in Kuala Lumpur in the year 1946 and left KL.late 1971 for Germany. I was working for the government before that but left as there was no scope for Indians and Chinese. I realise even today that non-Muslim senior government officers still have the problems regarding their promotions. I really hope that Abdullah would look into this matter.
Sarawak Boy: In Sarawak, I hope the opposition wins big time. Only then will the state and federal government start to listen. They say if the opposition wins, no development will come our way. But look at Kuching, the Chinese voted in DAP in the last state election because of the land title renewal issues. Only then did the Supp (BN) work overtime to get the state government to reduce the land premiums.
BN will not block the necessary funds for the state if the opposition wins. They have to try and win the hearts of the voters back so they need to do more instead of less. Telekom is now demanding that people pay ‘contribution charges’ if you want fixed lines.
Sarawak is being used as a benchmark before they apply the same principle to West Malaysia. As if cost increases are not already affecting the rakyat . Only the government can put a stop to this but without an opposition voice in Parliament, who will fight for us? Vote wisely.
TST: I'm not ashamed to say that all my life, I have been voting for the opposition. This time, I'm so grateful and heartened to see that so many Malaysians from all walks of life and from all races have finally realised that for 50 years, we have been cheated by the BN.
BN is now using all the dirtiest tricks available to frighten and threaten the Chinese and Indians. Even the Malays are not spared. Tell all your friends, enough is enough. Together we build a new Malaysia. Think of our children.
KL: Referring to the PM’s comment that by voting for the opposition, the Indians and Chinese will not have any voice or representation in the government. I think this is nonsense. What can the MCA and MIC voice out for us in the government? They have no power to say or do anything for the people at large. They will only think of how to enrich themselves.
It doesn't really matter who is the minister representing the people as long as he does a good job in serving the multi-racial society. It is no use that we have a Chinese or Indian minister that only serve for his or her own interests and does not have any say in the government. As the saying goes: ‘We don't care if it is a white or black cat, it is a good cat as long as it catches mice’. Don't be fooled by BN, vote wisely.
Malaysian Voter: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has threatened, in particular the Chinese community, that we will lose our representation or a ‘stronger’ voice in Parliament and in the cabinet if we don’t vote for MCA and Gerakan. This assumption may be valid if Umno does not also lose seats like MCA and Gerakan.
If Umno also loses support in terms of the popular vote and seats, shouldn’t Umno’s voice in the Parliament and the cabinet likewise be correspondingly reduced? If so, why threaten the Chinese with the politics of fear? Is Abdullah’s assumption flawed, just as the current government is also ‘flawed’ (quoting MCA’s unofficial spokesman, Wong Chun Wai, admission in his recent column in The Star )?
Twenty-Something: I am a twenty something from Pahang. If my memory serves me well, the best leader of all times should be Onn Jaafar, the Umno founder. He was the one that thought ahead of his times. When he was fighting imperialism, at one time he suggested Umno opens its doors to people of all races.
But Umno rejected him and let him go. And then came Tunku (Tunku what I do not remember, thanks to the history teacher that so good at hypnotising me to sleep) and the other leaders of the various races who set up an alliance but if we look deeper it is actually race-based.) Please correct me if I am wrong.
Fair Comment: Many people are afraid of the very Islamic views of PAS, and whether they will further trample and deny the rights and way of life of the non-Muslim minority by introducing more Islamic policies and rules. In fact, if I am not wrong, the non-Muslim minority is a tad lower than half of the total population of the country. But in recent months or years, it seems the ruling Umno and Barisan is also not being fair to the Chinese and Indian population of the country, maybe in fear of angering the Malays or bumiputera people.
The various accusations and grievances need not be repeated here. So perhaps there would be no difference in PAS policies compared to the ruling party, hopefully moderated by the view of DAP and PKR leaders in parliament. Further, with a majority ie, more than 50 % representation in parliament, the ruling Barisan coalition will still take centrestage in parliament and in making the rules, so there would be no harm in at least one third or more representation by the opposition.
Koh Eng Yee: In my opinion, I think all parties regardless whether ruling or opposition, should not insult one another in their campaigning during the election time. Instead, they should talk about how to address the current issues and how they are going to solve them.
The so-called intellectuals are now threatening the Chinese and the Indians of the nation that if they vote for the opposition their races will not be represented in the cabinet. Who is the one playing with fire now?
Dean Kuok: I will be voting for non-BN candidates. I have never been so sure of whom I wanted to vote for. The nation is on the wrong track after being ruled by racial-based BN political parties for 50 years and I am not willing to let BN rule for a day longer.
We are no more a nation building wealth by sheer hard work and determination but based on who gets what on government handouts. Most opposition parties are now more multi-racial but they still lack the in depth representation to put Malaysia on the right path and lead the nation forward as a whole.
But these parties provide us an opportunity, a new paradigm shift in the future of politics and leadership for all Malaysians. I will be voting for the non-BN candidates (I do not like to use the word ‘opposition’) this time because I believe the need for change has come and taking this risk is a step forward for all Malaysians. This is better than the status quo where we know what will happen over the next five years.
Michael HY Chong: In another weird manner of Malaysian politics. I am truly puzzled as to how the prime minister can still be addressed as prime minister in the media when Parliament is dissolved. I am no expert in the Malaysian constitution but even my rudimentary knowledge of democratic workings tells me that once Parliament and cabinet are dissolved, all individuals cease to be officials and revert back to that of an ordinary citizen.
Hmmm...truly strange. I had better check my geography as last I know I was still living in Malaysia and not a tribal country somewhere in the middle of Africa.
Jason: Having failed to register in time, I felt like I've let my fellow countrymen down to put in my share of shout in this coming election. For years I've been sitting on the fence, and up until last week, I was leaning towards BN as I believed over the years they have been providing us a decent life.
But I yearn for a better life, where there's no corruption in the government and no racial discrimination. No marginalisation, no consistent increment in cost of living and basic necessities, no security threats and no monopolisation in industries and workforce.
BN, with our support for the last 50 years, has failed us in the above respects. Now, with the possibility that they will lose to the opposition for the first time ever, they resort to threatening us and that we will 'pay the price' if we vote for the wrong parties.
Today, I've finally opened my eyes. I urge to you, my fellow Malaysians, to vote with integrity tomorrow. You have the ability to change the country, be it for better or for worse. I could not vote, but I hope those who can will do the right thing and make us Malaysians proud.
KC Wong: Over the past 50 years, our beloved land, rich in natural resources, has been plundered to benefit elitist groups in Umno and to a little extent in MCA and MIC. Four years ago and every four years, my BN state assemblyperson will again reconfirm that they will undertake to have all our drains clean and grass cleared.
Where are we? Do we need to be reminded every four years that this basic amenities will be provided? Are we living in Malaysia or Dark Africa after 50 years of independence? I feel something must be changed and it have to be now in this election.
Meng: The ruling elite says that Anwar Ibrahim is irrelevant and forgotten. Abdullah says he forgot about Anwar and did not even consider him when deciding on tomorrow’s date for elections. It’s good that the BN has forgotten him because from the looks of the crowds that surround him wherever he speaks, it looks like the rakyat has not forgotten him.
Thousands upon thousands gather to hear Anwar Ibrahim’s message of hope. It is attractive and compelling. A Malaysia which the young can identify with and the old can reminisce about. So, I hope that despite the BN’s pressure to ensure Anwar Ibrahim and his party loses, the people will overwhelmingly show that Anwar Ibrahim is not forgotten and the rakyat will pay back on his behalf all that Umno and the BN leaders have put him through.
K Jeevan: We Makkal Sakthi have one important message to MIC and that is we will vote for DAP, PKR and even PAS but not MIC candidates tomorrow. Under Samy Vellu’s leadership, MIC is totally rubbish and can't do anything to uplift the Indian community.
As stated by Tun Mahathir, Samy Vellu never fought for the Indian community in Parliament. For voters in Sg.Siput, we hope that you will decide to vote wisely and give Samy Vellu a lesson that he will never forget in his life.
Zee Khay: Umno is going to steal Kelantan.With their 'in-your-face' arrogance, they don't give a damn about stealth anymore. The phantoms are coming in under the cover of outstation voters. The ink has been rejected for use because it limits the use of the phantoms. My disgust I reserve exclusively for the EC chairperson.
To the imam of Islam Hadhari: You can steal Kelantan but that doesn't make you a better leader. It only makes you a better thief and what you steal is never halal . It's haram, wahai o imam . You are as phony as the Islam Hadhari you espouse.
Do you and Umno think the Kelantanese are going to accept you? Kelantan is the only state which gives hope to the big minority nationwide which is against what Umno stands for. It is our contention that the federal governments has been illegitimate since 1969 for the simple reason that elections have never been fair. The Kelantanese will never accept being the anak haram of an illegitimate government.
If you win by fair means, the Kelantanese will grudgingly accept your rule. But if there is a whiff of foul play and you win dirty, be prepared for civil disobedience.
B Wee: Today I am 51 years old. I am tired of the BN government because there is no equity, fairness, accountability, transparency. We all want to create a proper wealth re-distribution and a large middle class – for all races. We do not need to replace one administration with another which seeks to create an elite group of cronies.
We do not need race politics. We need a serious and clean government which gives us our basic needs – freedom of speech, assembly and expression and tackle bread and butter issues. BN seems more interested in how to create more opportunities to reward cronies with contracts which are 10 times the actual value.
There is no accountability. So much public funds being wasted. No one was asked to resign. Monopolies and licencing seem the order of the day to prevent even ordinary Malays from getting decent contracts and earn a decent living. What chance have the other races except through Ali-Baba type of enterprises?
These are real observations of an ordinary citizen who does not want the overthrow of the BN but a more vocal representation in Parliament against the excesses committed by these shameless politicians.
Tan: It saddens me that MCA and MIC are resorting to threats that if the people do not support them in the 12th GE tomorrow, then the Chinese and Indians’ voice will not be heard in the State excos and cabinet.
This was reiterated by our caretaker PM, contradictory to what he has repeatedly claimed to be a PM for all Malaysians. So now who are the ones playing communal politics now?.
I agree with Dr M that you need a strong opposition, both in Parliament and the state assemblies to act as a 'mirror' for the BN tand again receive feedback, adverse or otherwise. For the sake of all Malaysians, irrespective of ethnicity, we have to put in as many opposition members as possible in our legislatures. There is no danger of BN being voted out of office.
So, fellow Malaysians come out in full force to exercise your vote and vote for the future of our children and grandchildren, for a Malaysia with less abuses, mismanagement and corruption.
Ignatius Anantha: Did not like today front page news of the papers. Yes, it is definitely threatening. The same prime minister said that he is a prime minister for all the races. However this week, he is threatening that if we don't vote for MCA, there would not be any Chinese representative in the government. It shows that the PM is confident that Umno can win - not sure eitherlegitimately or illegitimately and still by playing the racist card.
Subra: Why can"t MCA and Gerakan tell the truth to Umno? Let Umno know that the non Malays want the keris -waving to be put to an end immediately and if Umno promises to do so, well, BN could gain a few thousand votes. If MCA, Gerakan and MIC maintain this slave mentality, there is no way they'll have our support. Speak up and be respected... for once.
Seetha: To cut a long story short. Think about it, we have been getting from bad to worse with the current government hence the situation can't get any worse by voting for the opposition. So vote opposition.
Thanraj: Our fathers agreed on special privileges for the Malays who were living in the country for hundreds of years but not for the people jumping in from another country and enjoying bumiputera status. A good example is our Selangor MB where his father is an Indonesian immigrant. Khir Toyo become MB of Selangor and enjoys all the benefits of the bumiputera which suppose to be given to the Malays.
In my opinion we should look into this and define who is Malay and who is supposed to get the bumiputera status and enjoy the benefits. I support bumiputera privileges for the Malays who have been living in this country for a few generations.
KevinP: Let me borrow the famous speech from the movie ‘Independence Day’, a speech I hope that Barisan Rakyat will make. I have always found it inspiring and with some changes here and there I hope it will inspire Malaysians!
‘Good evening. In matter of hours, Malaysians from here will join others from all over Malaysia. And you will be launching the largest electoral battle in the history of Malaysia.‘Malaysia’. That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty racial differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests of freedom and unity.
'Perhaps it's fate that today is the eighth of March, and we will be fighting for freedom. Not only from tyranny, oppression, or persecution.but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to be Malaysians. To exist. And should we win the day, the eighth of March will no longer be known as one of the election dates of Malaysia, but as the day Malaysians declared in one voice: ‘We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Tomorrow we celebrate People's Power!’
Leonard: The nation should no longer fear for another repeat of May 13 because if by any means it happens, the price to be paid will not be by the rakyat but by the corrupted and greedy politicians of BN who own them huge companies in Malaysia. The one who should fear the most the repeat of another May 13 are the BN politicians because they will lose their piece of greedy wealth. The voters should not fear to vote for the opposition. Good luck!
Concerned Non-Economist: Just two days before the 12th GE Tun Dr Mahathir has taken the moral high ground by taking the leaders of today to task. Let us face it - the problems that Pak Lah faces today were all created during the 22 years of Mahathir’s rule. So technically Pak Lah needs another 25 years to fix the ills of Mahathir's rule.
On the eve of the GE, let us not write off Pak Lah. Give him another five years to enable him to bring back this country to an even racial keel so that we can all work together to pull ourselves out of the Mahather era or should I say ‘error’.
I worked under Pak Lah during the days when he was foreign minister. I am confident that he will not let Malaysians of all races down. He has made the right soundings over the past four years so much so that today we are discussing racial issues that were never even mentioned during the Mahathir era. The signs are good for the next five years. Let us all Malaysians join hands to help Pak Lah right the wrongs of our country.
William: Why are they going back to past history which is no longer relevant. We should concentrate more on current issues and present leadership between Pak Lah and Anwar. Dr. Mahathir's views of the past are not our immediate concern now as there are more urgent current issues arising. Please concentrate on current agenda in hand. Please let us hear how the non-usage of indelible ink can overcome the phantom voters? We believe that the losers at the end of the day will not accept the verdict unless and until this problem is solved right now.
On Mahathir: Samy stifled Indian voices
Orang Dunia: To hear the man who kept S Samy Vellu as a minister for so many years to now say that Samy was stifling Indian voices is hypocritical to say the least. Frankly, my heart burns to see how the man who made Malaysia what it is today now appear so statesmanlike and blameless. Mahathir has so cleverly made himself look so good and put the blame on others in numerous instances and on every subject. To hear him, he is completely blameless and he was a caring leader.
Well, to me he is the real chameleon and I hope that there will be a proper reckoning of his ‘contributions’ to Malaysia one day. I strongly feel that he should not be given a platform to utter such rubbish. At least not until he comes clean like Anwar and acknowledges that he did wrong then and has changed his beliefs for the better.
Stephen Dorairaj: The current pathetic state of the Indian Malaysians is due to the Barisan government in general and Samy Vellu in particular. Mahathir, who was the PM for many decades, laid the foundation for the marginalisation of the minority ethnic groups with disastrous consequences. For him to blame Samy Vellu totally and still maintain that Malays should still have special privileges baffles me. This cannot be the thinking of a civilised, matured politician in a globalised World. All Malaysians should be treated equally irrespective of colour, caste or creed. Wake up, man.
Santhira Kumar Madhavan: Tun Mahathir is trying to minimise the extent of the defeat of BN by ‘killing off’ Samy Vellu. Something has got to give soon. Was Mahathir PM of Malaysia or only of PM of Umno? Why had only Samy Vellu to highlight Indian issues? Shouldn’t every BN candidate promise their constituents that they are their voice in Parliament and government? Mahathir should shoulder full responsibility for the present situation and not point fingers.Man In Red: If all what Dr Mahathir said about Samy is true , then the following questions arise
1.What did Dr M as PM do about Samy? Whether Samy brought the issues or not to the cabinet, can Dr M say that he as the PM then, he was in the dark about the plight of his people, immaterial of race?
2. Since Dr M. was a champion at throwing out ineffective people from his cabinet, why then did he tolerate Samy Vellu? Surely a good leader should take responsibility for the inefficiency of his team.
3.The whole country knew that Samy planned the downfall of Pandithan and Subramaniam. Why did Dr M not confront Samy and teach him to do the right things?
4.Finally, why the realisation only now and not during the his 22-year reign of reign as PM?
It is amazing how a leader like Dr M could have allowed such incompetence during his term as PM. Isn't this exactly what Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is doing? I am sure he will also have things to say about the weaknesses and inefficiencies of his men after he resigns!
New Malaysian: Mahathir's analysis stating that Samy stifled Indian votes is not true. MIC MPs, when they want to speak out, are squeezed by Umno until they become dumb and mute. Samy got the same dose and he gradually evolved into an Umno eunuch. The underlying cause is Umno's blatant corruption, wherewith Samy became a willing partner. Umno being the supremo for corruption, had the power to silence.
Mahathir actually planted the mega-seed of corruption and poor Samy became a victim because he was part and parcel of Umno. Mahathir is cleverly diverting the people's mind from the real epicenter of corruption , which is Mahathir himself. Do not be trapped by his seemingly logical rhetoric.
Malaysians who have basic common sense must ensure that both Mahathir and Samy Vellu are condemned and relegated as rogue self-serving leaders who gloated in power abuse. Malaysian democracy must be recreated , reinvented and cleaned from the devastating effects of Umno and this can be done by replacing Umno as the ruling party.
S Radhakrishnan: What was Mahathir doing when such a thing was going on? Why did he remain silent? Was is because it was convenient for him during his tenure as PM? As long as any issue was not a threat to him, he closed his eyes.
Mahathir's comment that Hindraf's requests are unreasonable is a jaundiced and convenient opinion. Mahathir allowed the country to slip backwards in terms of economic development except for the Twin Towers, the KL Tower, KLIA and other glamorous gross wastage of public funds and manpower.
With 222 MP's in Parliament, what have we achieved? Pro-rate this number of MPs with the number of MPs in other countries. The result will be shameful. The list can go on.
Barathi Tamil: Tun Mahathir should have advised Samy when he was in power. Samy’s properties have increase but his power is decreasing. Samy has blocked the progress of the Indians. Many Indians will progress well in Malaysia without Samy’s or MIC’s help. This has been proven.
We need to wake up. Don’t let Samy and the MIC to destroy the future of Indians in Malaysia. With BN we are losing all. We need a change.
Kaisim: Malaysiakini had a hard time during the former PM’s time. Today, the same person is using Malaysiakini to vent his frustrations. As for Samy Vellu, he should have gone a long time ago. He holds the record for staying too long in the MIC. Dr M. stayed more than twenty years in Umno. You shed tears when you wanted him to step down but changed the decision after a short drama. To me, no body is indispensable in this world. There will always be someone who can do the job just as good and maybe better.
Indians used to work in the railway, schools, Telecom, TNB, JKR and plantations. Where are they today? They disappeared during the former PM`s time. The sad news is that MIC never mentioned these problems in the cabinet. If Samy Vellu had brought this matter up, he would have retired long ago because the PM liked only to hear nice things and kept only the kaki bodek ..
Mahathir says Samy Vellu did not bring up Indian issues in the cabinet. Nazri said Samy fights very hard for Indian issues in the cabinet. Well, one of them is surely lying. It doesn't matter who, but what it shows is that we have another case of people in BN lying. What else is new?
KillBill07: Dr Mahathir is also trying to spin the Hindraf issue to create tension between the Indians and Malays. Hindraf is not asking for the Malay privileges to be removed. They are just asking that they too be given some benefits like the Malays. Is Mahathir saying that in order to provide Malay privileges, the government has no choice but to marginalise the Indians? Isn't it possible to keep the Malay privileges and assist the poor Indians and Chinese too? For example, all Malays irrespective of income, get discounts to purchase homes. If we allow poor Indians and Chinese to get the same discounts, there is no reason for the Malays to object as their status is not affected. Is Dr M telling that the Malays are that selfish?
I don't think Dr M's intent is to create racial tension, but he is hoping his statements will make the Malays angry with the Indians, and this anger will make them vote for the BN, since most Indians and Hindraf are swaying towards the opposition. This kind of irresponsible statements to win Malays votes can backfire. I am confident the Malays are wise enough not to fall for our former premier's spin.
S Sennimalai: The main culprit for all the grouses of the Indian community is Mahathir and nobody else. Mahathir behaved like a PM for Malays and not for Malaysians. Ask the former PM to recall his days and look around the ministries. If you walk into any ministry, all the counter staff are from one community. Are there no other rakyat Malaysia? Is this not marginalisation?
He, Mahathir, simply allowed millions of Indonesians to acquire citizenship easily to offset the Indian population. Isn't this ‘ethnic cleanising’. From 14% in 1956 to 7 % in 2007? On promotions, he intentionally deprived the Indians.
What is this he talks about Indian doctors? What about other professionals? Civil servants. DGs and the rest. The anger is more than my writing so I am stopping here.
George Thomas: We are hearing how innocent our past leader was, even though his regime was the most cruelest in the history of this country. He blames people like Samy and talks about the misguided direction of Hindraf, not knowing what the spirit of this movement stands for.
The real rogue of this blessed nation is this man. We must cleanse him and his cronies now, those who have perpetrated his sly and cruel intentions on the populace. Let God judge them.
Wishuponastar: What makes Mahathir remember MIC affairs so accurately? Is it because of his love for Malaysians of Indian origin? If that was so, what did he do for the Indians after the Kampong Medan incident? He only remarked that he was not aware that PJ Indians were poor.
When rubber estates had to be given away for residential and industrial use and couldn't he foresee the plight of the displaced Indians? Did he need fortune-tellers to convey their misfortunes? Why didn't he be prime minister for all Malaysians?
He can be aptly called Father of Modern Malaysia but did this bapa ever give thought that his magnificent administrative capital robbed hand-to-mouth Indian labourers of their livelihood (Prang Besar Estate)?
I share Karpal Singh's view that one should never condemn one's mother publicly no matter what the circumstance. The same goes for a bapa condemning his son.
Not A Gentleman: Apparently Mahathir 'forgot' about what he said that ‘his cabinet decisions are based on consensus' when he said Samy stifled the Indians’ voices during his time. Mahathir is passing the buck to Samy Vellu.
On Postal voting secrecy compromised: polls watchdog
Alvin C: I served in the TUDM for 15 years as an NCO and left for greener pastures later. After reading this report, I have this to say: I concur. Yes, we were briefed and ‘indirectly cautioned’ before going for the postal voting. I noticed that we had to fill up a declaration form and then enclosed it together with the ballot slip into an envelope. No one is allowed to say or question anyone after that.
Well, that’s no voting secrecy. No wonder I didn't get the promotion I was due. My juniors who were much lazier and not that smart got it much earlier. Anyway, I'm glad I left. I'm better off now.
On Have mercy, MCA's plea to Kinta Valley folks
Lim HK: To MCA, if if this is your case, then have the courage to leave BN and join PKR to make the Chinese voice heard.
Justice Bao: I rather to have no Chinese ministers from MCA or Gerakan in the next cabinet. Only then, we can see if the next prime minister (Pak Lah or otherwise) can be 'just and fair' to all the races in Malaysia. With the taiko attitude of Umno, the so-called 'power sharing' does not exist. What we want to see is a truthful partnership that is colour blind. Solving problems by identifying cause of problem, not by looking at a person’s race. I am sick of race-based politics.
On The 'quiet kid' of Teluk Kemang
Shan: Sothinathan s/o Sinnagoundan was entrusted with a parliamentary seat by Samy Vellu for no reason other than helping him and his son to get rid of nine million Telecom shares out of the ten million allotted to Maika Holdings by the Finance Ministry.
He was a director of one of the three RM2 companies to which Samy diverted the nine million shares. Maika Holdings ended up with only one million shares. Do the voters, especially the Indians, in Teluk Kemang know of this fact? Do they think that this is the type of person who is going to fight for their economic upliftment?
As to going to school without a sen in his pocket, my wife and I have been to school as teachers without a sen in our wallet often too because a huge portion of our salaries was used to settle the monthly instalments on the loans our parents had taken to educate us. So what is the big deal?
Dr GJA Sitther: During the by-election for Teluk Kemang in 2000, Sothi gave orders for a pre-mix road to be built at Kg. Setia (Lukut) where his family property (Lot A) is located but without a proper survey of the area to identify the boundary stones. One of the results was that two lots (Lots B and C) next to Lot A did not have the necessary sidetable, and the pre-mix road was laid within the boundary of the very lot next to Lot A. When the problems were discovered Sothi despicable response was that the owner of the two lots could ‘bulldoze’ the road. When he was asked, ‘What about the families who use the road?’ his insensitive and irresponsible response was that they could commute ‘like before’.
When he built the pre-mix road, the opposition accused him of doing this for selfish reasons because of his family’s Lot A. His answer then was that it was to serve the people who needed better roads. And now, his response was they could commute ‘like before’. The situation until today remains unsolved. The callous indifference of Sothi in resolving the problems that he himself has created indicates he has no integrity, his attitude is deplorable and he has no genuine passion to serve the interests of the people.
He also has no deep realisation that he must be both responsible and accountable for ‘the people’s money’ that he spends. Maybe, what happened was that Sothi got ‘promoted’ too high too fast, and he did not know how to handle his ‘success’. I as voter will not do him harm by voting for him when he does not possess the right credentials.
On MCA raps commission over indelible ink reversal
Gan Kai Hock: Maybe we can consider implementing an electronic voting kiosks stationed at the voting station only. There should be a system that keeps the list of registered voters and their status to ensure no double voting or ‘phantoms’ voting. For added security, it should come with biometric verification system such as thumb print. An audit log will be kept for every activity done on the machine in a secured environment, and should be audited if doubt arises for a certain voting area.
JD Lovrenciear: By now, the voters are screaming mad over the spanner in the works. It is just mind boggling how the EC - despite all the fracas, suspicions and unanswered questions - can suddenly announce at the eleventh hour that the use of the indelible ink will be scrapped.
And what about the image, reputation and credibility of the EC itself? Have they not considered their worthiness in the eyes of the public or have we reached a station where these are secondary or worse, irrelevant for the times?
All respectful Malaysians will agree that we cannot go on and on with all this kinds of madness. Perhaps, the rakyat must hold all those involved in this absurd development and take them to task in the best interest of nation, king, rakyat and God.
Tadin Sahak: The decision of the EC to forgo the use indelible ink can only mean one thing - the BN is in trouble or that BN will win but Umno will lose. This decision lends more credence to allegations that the commission is nothing but a tool for BN to retain power, thus it is quite worthwhile for Pak Lah to go to the extend of amending the constitution to extend the service of the commission's chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.
The decision is not only a slap on the process of free and fair election but it may yet prove fatal to BN and Umno because with this move - plus many other unfair terms and conditions of election on the oppositio - even hardcore BN and Umno supporters may be having second thoughts about giving their votes to BN and Umno again.
It is quite ridiculous to say that elements from the opposition are trying to use the ink to beat the BN - this is sure one desperate measure. What's the point of going to Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham, etc if your mindset still remains in the Dark Ages?
Wengthye Foundry: Malaysia, Malaysia, wake up, wake up. While you were asleep, our politicians violated our sacred constitution more than 600 times. Most recently last year, so that the EC chairperson could serve one more year to do our politician's bidding. What happened to the MPs who took an oath of office to defend our constitution?
It seems our EC chairperson is ignorant of the constitution too. This guy really does not know his job. He ought to be fired for showing such incompetence. And to think our lawmakers (actually they have become more and more like overpaid glorified petition writers) amended our constitution for this not so towering Malaysian.
And since they are responsible for the hiring of the EC chairperson, they should also be fired for the fiasco. So people, this time round show some intelligence. Get us some real lawmakers who know how to get the job done well.
Patrick Soh Chin Hooi: I was undecided whether to vote for BN or for the opposition. The reasons not to use indelible ink is lame. Surely if some people are fooled into preventing them to vote by marking them with indelible ink, the polling agents could make an exception as well as fingerprint and photograph such people. This would be better than allowing people to cheat or attack the credibility of the voting process.
I believe this is a very lame excuse and it tilts my decision to vote for the opposition. Any win by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will see BN losing its credibility and Abdullah's legacy would probably be one where the integrity of elections was lost.
We have lost the credibility of our judiciary, police force, government, and now even the election commission. It is a black day for Malaysia.
HB Choi: I seriously doubt the claims of Abdul Rashid (the EC chairperson) that the EC is 100% perfect. If the claim that the EC is 100% perfect happens to be true, why hasn’t the rakyat got any words of explanation on the numerous queries by so many parties out there?
Phantom voters, missing voter names, transferred polling addresses, an unbelievable number of over 100 years old voters, the about-turn on the indelible ink issue - the list goes on. Nothing is perfect in this world and as a person who knows statistics, the performance of our EC is way below 50%,.
Malaysians have already lost much of their confidence in the current government. Even I am considering leaving this country if given a chance not because I don't love this country but because this country doesn't deserve my love. The government doesn't deserve the rakyat 's love because it has jeopardised the democracy of the country in favour of the interest of a few individuals.
Unless these wrongs are overcome, I would deem Malaysia as not a democratic country. As the whole nation now knows, the BN will once again repeat its victory in the elections tomorrow. Nothing will be changed. We can't change the government. Only the government can make a change. And we only have one final choice. Make a change for our own selves and find a place where we can make a stand. The world is so big why worry? Happy Election Day, Malaysia!
Anonymous : ‘Abdul Rashid: We were aware of the legal requirements, but we thought that it wasn’t so bad and that we could overcome it. But (it) looks like we can’t. And on advice of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, we decided to cancel it. You see, we wanted to use the ink. We really did but the legal restrictions prevented us from carrying out our plans.’
This came from a EC chairman - he is undermining his own credibility! He's an embarrassment to his own self and the EC. Such puerile statements, like he was talking about going to the movies, a supermarket or on a holiday. Shooting down an idea and reversing a decision are two different things. It just shows he made lots of assumptions.
Aren't there a more capable and credible Malaysians to do the job? Twenty-six million people and the government hired this guy? It's no wonder the EC’s image is in tatters. If Rashid can't do his job properly, he should resign immediately. Don't embarrass the government, himself and the EC.
Umadevi Gobal: It was alarming to note that the EC had just cancelled the usage of the ‘magic ink’ at the eleventh hour. If only the EC had put a thorough study on this matter and used its teams to educate the citizens on the procedure, I am sure any illegal activities could be eradicated. It was so simple for the IGP to come with a statement saying that some people had lodged complaints on the purchase of the ink illegally. The police should highlight the evidence rather than fooling us.
I know that the EC will say that the cancellation is appropriate since the constitution of the usage of the ink had not been amended. But the real concern is the money used to purchase the ink and now it is in storage. As for the EC, they had great access to the media and they could have easily advertised the proper method of using the ink. I don't remember seeing any advertisements on TV on the whole process of the usage of this ink.
I think the government should apologise for mishandling our money. Remember, we have to pay penalties for late submission of income tax forms and here we see utter wastage of millions!
A True Malaysian: I strongly agree with the statement that 'Only the Malays can cure Malaysia of the Umno/BN malaise'. Malays, being the majority race of the country, are needed to lead Malaysia out of the race based politics played by BN. Malaysia cannot go far and compete with the rest of the world if majority of them are still hinged on a Ketuanan Melayu mentality make famous by Umno.
We can see the trend of this shift in mentality among the Malays. It is really heart-warming to see Rocky Bru supports Jeff Ooi, Zorro supports Chegu Bard, Haris Ibrahim and Raja Petra help out in DAP ceramah . I believe these individuals do not regard themselves as Malay, Chinese or Indian, but as a true Malaysians that will protect every Malaysian's rights.
I am tired of BN's brand of racial politics. I sincerely hope everyone of us can put a stop to this and I pray that the Malays can lead us towards true sense of multi-racial politics in Malaysia.
On Vandals 'paint' EC head's house red
Raj: Whoever did that to Rashid, I would say he had gone too far in showing his displeasure. Nevertheless, there is also a lesson for us to learn. When you suppress people and refuse to hear and address their grouses, they might resort to various means to express their discontent. I believe Rashid's incident mirrors just that.
On Samy lauds PM's pledges for Indians
Chuacj: Do you believe the government will deliver as promised? Look at their track record for answer. What the government pledges for the Indians are nothing more than basic human rights. Samy, what have you been doing for the last 10 terms? How are you going to face the Indian and your family?
The Indians should thank Hindraf as it achieved something for the Indian in months compared to the MIC in 30 years. So guys, if you want more goodies to come, you should vote for the opposition. When this happens, the BN will be shaken and start to give you more.
Apollos: I am curious. What will the other MNCs in Pulau Pinang do now knowing that a threat to pull out can bring in huge contracts?
On Young M'sians say polls make no difference
Siti Norhayati Mohd Yusoff: I am not registered as a voter and I have been cursing myself for this especially with all the dirty tricks I am seeing. It is suggested that a large number of young people like me, will not vote and the excuse given was something like ‘I know who will win’.
We all agree that BN will win but should we allow them to win big? Should not we give them a strong message of our unhappiness at the state of things? Then there are many among us who do not want to vote for the opposition because we have no confidence in them. That’s not their fault because they have never been given a chance since the day Malaysia was established. But one thing I’m dead sure is that the current government is not what we want.
To all registered voters, this is my plea. Please vote for the opposition. We know they will not win, but let’s ensure the BN will not win big. We do not lose anything even if the opposition wins. If we can survive with the rapid increase of oil price, unfair racial treatment, rising prices, meaningless salaries and wasteful adventures to see the moon, why can’t we survive with the unknown opposition? If they are worse, then by all means, stick to BN for the rest of our lives!
Toky74: I'm in my thirties and I know it's a shame I haven't made the effort to register myself eligible to vote. Even should I manage to register my voting rights, my so-called 'X' will not go to either the ruling coalition or the opposition.
BN keeps emphasising that opposition is not capable to bring prosperity, peace, development and financial stability to the rakyat. However, did we ask ourselves whether BN has brought such developments? What makes me even more sick is that coalition parties of MCA, Gerakan, MIC, PPP, etc are behaving like string puppets to the Umno bullies.
As for the opposition, I find great difficulty to make myself eligible to give them the 'X'. This is because DAP resembles the BN but with a different logo.The entire political structure/framework of DAP is very similar to BN and should DAP be in power, I don't foresee much changes.
I' attended several DAP ceramah and the speakers only repeatedly condemned BN. They didn’t address what should be done, how it would be done and when it would be done should they be given the vote. They only criticize without offering constructive ideas. As for PAS, I have reserved opinions on them. After all, they are clearly an Islamic party and I do not share the same wavelength as them.
PKR seems to me as a one-man party. Perhaps, if the leader is not Anwar Ibrahim, my sentiments towards this party might change. At the end of the day, I sincerely hope Malaysia will progress whether it's under the rule of BN or the opposition. Tentatively, I'm saddened to view Malaysia as a ‘no hoper’ though I do believe there will be some sort of miracle for this depressing country.
On Don't expect BN to lose big
JD Lovrenciear: This analysis very well captures the general views of the man in the street. All said, the journey will only begin following the elections. However, as long as the socio-political and economic framework is sealed with the steel of absolute power and control by the elite, a national change in mindset would be slow in the making if not almost impossible to come by over any quick time.
But for those of us believers in Murphy' Law, there is hope. And for the wrong-minded individuals within the incumbent party, remember that throughout the centuries, nothing withstood the indomitable human spirit. The longer the suffering of the silent citizens, the bigger your fall.
And for the losing opposition, you need to learn to shift too. It is time to review your founding philosophies and re-configure as a united one-party opposition if you are to go anywhere in the next term.
On BN on the offensive against Anwar
Little Kid: It seems to me Pak Lah has to bite his own bullet. I thought he said 'I have forgotten Anwar'?
On Limited electoral fight in East Malaysia
Archie: Dr Bridget Welsh says, ‘Given that the DAP candidate (for Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat) has been an ineffective challenger for so long...’
Both Dr Hiew and Christina Liew contested this seat in 2004. They lost to the BN candidate. Hiew obtained many more votes than Christina. This time, Christina is contesting a state seat (Api Api) and a parliamentary seat (Kota Kinabalu) and if someone has to give way, it should be her.
On RM110mil law suit against Khairy, Chandra
Mahfuz Omar: The frantic smear campaign by the Barisan leaders against Anwar Ibrahim , repeated and amplified by the Umno-controlled TV stations, is evidence of the effectiveness of his campaign. They deny him an opportunity to refute their allegations and have resurrected the failed, politician ‘scholar’ Chandra Muzaffar and other hired scribes to defame Anwar in the media.
Chandra now claims that if Anwar becomes prime minister, it would be an ‘unmitigated disaster’ for Malaysia. However, he was singing a different tune when Anwar was in power as deputy prime minister. Then, he was promoting Anwar as the successor to Mahathir. In a piece he wrote in The Star he praised Anwar as the leader who is concerned about, and looking after, the welfare of the poor and the lower income group.
Chandra was once a bitter critic of Mahathir and an ardent supporter of Tengku Razaleigh and his Semangat 46. But when it became clear that Tengku had no chance of assuming power, Chandra abandoned him and Semangat 46. He was then jobless when Anwar picked him up and gave him a job in the Universiti Sains Malaysia. Then he became a confidante and trusted adviser of Anwar. Through Anwar, he managed to get close to Mahathir.
After Anwar was jailed, he decided to abandon Anwar and PKR which he regarded as a sinking ship. He then cultivated the friendship of Khairy Jamaluddin and got close to his father-in-law Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. To curry favour with the government he began attacking Anwar. Whether Anwar will be an ‘unmitigated disaster’ to Malaysia is academic and has yet to be seen. But Chandra has proved to be an unmitigated disaster for PKR, Anwar and all those seduced by his rhetoric without substance.
Aspiring Bukit Bendera MP: If Chandra and all the BN gentlemen claim to have known Anwar's ‘real’ character so well, they could have brought this up weeks, months if not years ago. Why now? The answer is because of the elections. Abdullah has repeatedly said Anwar is no longer relevant nor is he a threat to the Barisan Nasional. So, if he is not relevant, why does the mainstream media bother quoting these so-called ‘experts’ on Anwar?
Abdullah says that we Malaysian have a first-class infrastructure but a third-class mentality. I would say that BN has a first-class political machinery and third-class ethics in fighting a clean and fair election. Why can't BN walk the talk and have first-world ethics without having to resort to character assassinations? The answer is that they cannot win without it.
MG: I had always been impressed with Dr Chandra Muzaffar’s intellectual prowess as a writer and analyst on political and social issues. I thought the man’s ability to articulate the Asian perspective internationally on important global, political issues was a credit to Malaysia as not many such speakers have emerged.
This time, however, I can’t help feeling that something is truly amiss, with Chandra’s latest outburst against Anwar Ibrahim on the eve of the general election. He cited Anwar’s ‘unsavoury past records’ way back when he was in government which incredibly didn’t stop him (Chandra) from going ahead and joining Anwar’s party, as deputy president no less, after Anwar was expelled from government. What contradiction.
To my mind, Anwar Ibrahim, for all his shortcomings and his strengths, is one politician in the Malaysian context who has consistently demonstrated to be more sympathetic to the plight of the many, the poor and the marginalised. What motivates a man such as Chandra Muzaffar who writes coherently on justice and fairness, religion and social issues to speak unjustly at such an inopportune/opportune time, tarnishing his own credibility in the process?
Chandra Muzaffar: Let me begin by correcting some erroneous phrases in the Aliran media statement . I had not said that the BN ‘is a better choice’. What I said was that ‘at this juncture in our history, the BN, despite all its flaws, constitutes the only viable inter-ethnic coalition in the country’.’That the BN …is a better choice’ is a phrase concocted by Aliran officials who had signed the statement.
By the same token, there is no way that my remarks on Anwar could be construed as an ‘emotional outburst’. The half a minute answer I gave was in response to a question from a member of the audience. I spelt out briefly the reasons why I thought Anwar was not fit to lead a multi-ethnic nation. There are many other factors that disqualify him from performing a leadership role which I shall reveal at the right time.
Some ask why I had decided to go public at this time, in the midst of the 12 th general election. I did not choose the moment or the occasion. I was merely replying to a question from the floor.
Aliran leaders demand to know why I am ‘so concerned about the problem of money politics in PKR’ and yet have not ‘said much of late about the money politics which has always been associated with the BN’. If any of the Aliran leaders was at the forum he would acknowledge that I had highlighted corruption in the upper echelons of politics and business as one of the three major challenges confronting the nation.
I had also suggested that the widening gap between the ‘have-a-lot’ and the ‘have-a-little’ and the strengthening of democracy are two other challenges that demand urgent attention from the ruling elite. At the end of my talk, I proposed that the BN should at the grassroots level begin to transform itself into a truly multi- ethnic rather than an inter-ethnic party in order to enhance national integration.
It is of course true that these Malaysian concerns have not been the primary foci of my attention in the last decade and a half. This is because I have been concentrating upon the global power structure. But I am aware of how that global impacts upon the local. It is because I know quite a bit about the global-local interface that I am deeply worried about Anwar Ibrahim’s role in Malaysian politics.
