They, too have to kowtow and plead for some bread crumbs just like MIC. They are equally powerless.
On Inform the people, deny BN two-thirds
Peter Ooi : Daniel Pragasam said: ‘Samy has got no power.The government is not serious about him at all. He gets things done by begging for things to be done for the Indians in this country. Look at the Umno and MCA leaders, For what they want, they will just bang on the table and get it done’.
I beg your pardon? When did the MCA become so bold that they bang tables? At this point in time, how I wish your statement was true. On the contrary, MCA leaders are just like how you described about Samy Velu. They, too have to kowtow and plead for some bread crumbs just like MIC.
Lately there was a small handouts to Chinese schools by Hishamuddin and Pak Lah. Ong Ka Ting thanked them profusely as if the money belonged to Umno only. This type of such subservient really is uncalled for. The money did not belong to Umno, but we, the taxpayers. It should rightfully be channelled back to the schools.
Yes, MCA leaders are no better than Samy Vellu. They are equally powerless.
Mister Tambourine: I have read many letters by non-Malays claiming that this coming election is the first time ever that opposition parties have any chance at all of defeating the Barisan Nasional. Such nonsense. Did they just wake up from slumber or were they still wearing diapers in 1999?
All leaders from opposition parties agreed that the best chance ever was in the 1999 general election. It was at that time that all the major opposition parties were united and, for the first time in our election history, formed an alliance of sort to challenge the BN one-on-one. Sadly, the non-Malays had preferred the devil they know rather than risk an untested and untried administration.
After all the sacrifices of the Malays to put democracy one step up in Malaysia, non-Malays simply could not be bothered. Remember, one true test of democracy is a smooth change of power.
The outcome of this coming election may or may not be favourable to the opposition parties, but many Malays like myself would be voting for the BN. We have given up on PKR, because of its alliance with PAS.
SXT: I read with interest the comment ( above ) made by Mister Tambourine. I respect his choice of voting BN. But I must point out that the non-Malays voted BN in 1999 due to two main reasons:
1. The former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad together with the MCA leaders had agreed to accept the Suqiu (which means the Requests and Demands from the marginalised Chinese, long before Hindraf) and this prompted the Chinese to vote BN. But this old man later changed his tone and called those who submitted the Suqiu demands as communists. How can we trust a ruling party with leaders who do not honour their promises? Now we have Pak Lah, remember the words he said before he dissolved Parliament?
2. The DAP has formed the alliance with PAS in 1999 and this actually frightened the non-Malay voters and they have voted BN instead. But this year, it is different.
I hope Mister Tambourine will change his mind and tell all his Malay friends not to vote BN. If BN continues to rule, the whole country will suffer ultimately and the majority Malays will not be spared.
Ibrahim Musa K: When a driver makes an illegal U-turn on the road, he/she will likely be fined, or severely reprimanded if lucky. And when another forbidden U-turn is made soon after, heavier and hefty compounds would follow.
But politicians belong to an exceptionally awful breed, flourishing especially during the awesome mess of the pre-election ‘hot’ period. They can announce a quick U-turn to fight for their survival or cling to their interests, and make an equally fast U-turn again when their wish is granted or they get what they have bargained for. They have no qualms about such pathetic move, just that some do it openly and others surreptitiously.
Most politicians, indeed all over the world, are wonderful and incredible actors. Pity that it is not in any of the Oscar Award category. Maybe there ought to be one.
A True Malaysian: Logically, we should vote for candidates based on integrity and quality. That is to say, based on this criteria, we should vote in those from both the BN and opposition parties.
The problem is, as shown in the past, MPs and state assemblypersons from BN were subject to many restrictions which resulted in even MPs and assemblypersons with integrity not being able to exercise their conscience when carrying out their duties and responsibilities.
Under such conditions, decisions and laws were passed that were full of flaws as there were no constructive debate in the law-making process. This was clearly evidenced from the shouting match in Parliament and the resulting mess that we are facing now. This is why I agree that, this time around, we should deny BN their two-thirds majority.
On Wan Azizah's plea for 'votes of hope'
A Ray of Hope: I can still remember clearly the scene of Wan Azizah running across to Sri Perdana to seek help from Siti Hasmah so that Anwar will be 'rescued' from Mahathir. This makes me really admire Wan Azizah, who was never involve in politics but has risen to the occasion.
Just imagine, if Wan Azizah was not 'strong' enough to rise to occasion, what would have happened to Malaysia. If Anwar was allowed to contest in this coming 12 th general election, I am quite sure Wan Azizah would prefer to be a simple housewife again. Also, after the tragic episode of his life, Anwar realises that race-base politics should not be the way for Malaysia in the long run, thus the birth of PKR, which I believe is sincere in bringing back 'the hope lost' for many Malaysians.
A vote for Wan Azizah is a vote to Anwar and also a vote for hope for Malaysia.
On All-tantuya
A Voice From Beyond: The very scales of justice that represent the Barisan Nasional shall bear on them during this election, it shall bear on the Palace of Justice on judges and those who administer justice, their children, and their children's children, for beware the curse of Altantuya shall prevail over all those who dispense injustice.
The Barisan in the first place shall pay the price, those in the Barisan involved in this cover up shall pay even more directly or indirectly, the unanswered questions and all the injustice shall all be revealed, those who have attempted to hide this shall have their fair share and those who perpetrated this heinous crime shall all be brought to justice and shall pay tenfold by an unseen hand, and nothing and no one can stop it for it is the ‘Curse of Altantuya’ and this comes from the realm of the supernatural and believe me only God can deliver them. To them I say repent, repent now and take your beating now, for the beating you are to receive shall be so extreme you shall wish you were never born.
On 11th-hr poll rules changes: Bersih is livid
A True Malaysian: I hope Bersih will not fall into the trap set up by Election Commission by organising another rally to protest the 11th-hr poll rules changes. Let us show our displeasure through the ballot box in the coming general election. In fact, I suggest opposition parties include in their manifestos a move to set up a Royal Election Commission which answerable to Yang Di pertuan Agong, instead of to the government. That, I think, is a wiser move than having another rally.
On Dr M must stand for elections
Birdseye: Where has the writer been all these years? Who do you think is responsible for the state the judiciary is in today? Who do you think was in power when the events in the Lingam Tape affair unfolded? Who do you think was in power when Maika Holdings was denied the benefits of nine million shares in Telekom Malaysia?
Who do you think was in power when the chief minister of Selangor was caught entering Australia with a bag full of cash? Why are so many ministers and other bigwigs able to live in palatial homes given that their official salaries cannot sustain such opulence? Have you heard of a Selangor state assemblyman with a home that can rival the Sultan’s palace? Ever heard of Rafidah Aziz’s handling of Approved Permits for the importation of motor vehicles?
I suppose other readers can give far more ‘glittering’ examples.
On Po Kuan to defend Batu Gajah
KC Leong: Hooray. The tigress of Perak is contesting again in Batu Gajah. God bless her for her courage and fighting spirit.
K Manickam: The line up of the DAP candidates for the upcoming 12 th general election needs to be applauded. Furthermore, by Po Kuan coming back to the fold , they are going to give a bitter message to the Barisan. The assumption that there is a split in the party is proven wrong. Po Kuan, you are great keep up your good work. DAP is the only party that protects the rights of its citizens.
Their margin of win this time will open up the eyes of the Barisan. Oh my God - for giving roses tear gas and water guns are used. Is this democracy? Wish you all in the opposition a resounding victory.
Suguna Papachan: I have been many years in the women's movement and still am. I know what's it like for Fong Po Kuan. The men in DAP want to wrest the power she held in Batu Gajah and they must have used sexual innuendos for example because she was unmarried.
Men always use sexual innuendos to gain their might over women and Po Kuan has seen that and felt the pain. Most women talk about these things even how much a ‘cili padi’ they may be. Another woman in DAP said that its doubly hard for women politicians and that is true.
When Samy Vellu was challenged by Uma Sambanthan for the MIC leadership he said that she was now a widow and that she had a few affairs. Indian men like to shame women who are single - whether single or a widow. Because the needles he threw were painful, she stepped down.
I could give a thousand other cases but it’s late and I'm sick and tired of male politicians.
On Khairy: Anwar and kin no threat
Railcoop: Anwar is not only a nightmare but also a ‘hideous dream’ as Shakespeare said in Macbeth . Anwar tramped the corridors of power at their zenith and had complete knowhow and knowledge of the rudiments of government, the push and pull of power and politics and the complete finite and inner details of the workings of Umno and Barisan.
Now that he is spearheading the opposition forces, all this knowledge would surely be put to 'good' use. That perhaps is the main cause for the nightmare.
Then comes the part that is called retribution. Anwar may by now be a changed man and may not want to seek retribution from those who brought him down and incarcerated him on trumped up charges which still reek of infantile psychosis.
In his hour of victory, God willing, it is hoped that Anwar will leave vengeance in the hands of God and proceed to steer Malaysia back to a nation to be cherished where goodwill, fair play, compassion, forgiveness, honesty and above all, love, for fellow beings will rule the day.
On Rembau: It's Khairy vs Badrul Hisham
Barathi Tamil: Khairy should be out on the election. I hope Rembau voters will reject and kick Khairy out of with this election. This will teach him a lesson not to act. Khairy is a person who gets very emotional and bangs other people without thinking. People say he’s educated, but he acts like he’s not. A weird and wild character . Rembau votes should think wisely before voting for him as an MP. Parliament will be out of control with him. People like Nazri and Khairy should be out of parliament. They scream more than they talk.
Pak Lah says there have been a lot of changes for this election. What changes? We see almost all the same old crooks there again. New faces are less than what he promised. Even MIC is the same. Person with a nick name ‘Ganja something’ selected to stand as MP? What kind of world is this? Malaysians choosing mafia leaders to be MPs. It’s time for voters to select who they want this time.
On Next Penang CM: Koh mum, Chia glum
Gerak For All Races: I refer to the comments made by the chief minister of Penang that the CM of Penang must be able to speak Mandarin. I thought Gerakan was a party for all races. Why then is there a stress for the CM to be able to speak Mandarin?
Chia Kwang Chye will certainly be a better choice whether he can speak Mandarin or not. I am sure he would have not have been given a post of deputy information minister if he was unable to ‘communicate’ with the people.
There must be an online public poll conducted so that the people of Penang themselves can show who they want as their next chief minister.
A True Malaysian: I am puzzled Gerakan starts talking on who is the next Penang CM. Are they so confident that they could win the coming 12 th general election?
On We're watching you, Azalina tells bloggers
Rsere Manipato: It comes to my disgust that she actually had the audacity to make such a statement. Although I'm not a blogger, I have been using the Internet for the past 15 years. However, any Jane out there would know that there is no way in the world to watch every blogger. How exactly these buffoons intend to watch all bloggers when they do not even have the resources and the bandwidth simply escapes me.
I need not reiterate, but neither are bloggers a nuisance nor are they cowards. We do not have freedom of speech in this country so we have to resort to means where we have 'some' sort of freedom. These bloggers are merely servicing an already willing audience with the knowledge and the truth (although all may not be true) they want since the guys we elected only want to enrich themselves and control our lives.
Blogs are written to serve selective audiences. So if it's not your cup of tea, move on and find something which you like. Criticise them all you like, you're open to do so, but do not threaten. After all, it's not 'Hadhari' to threaten.
On Sarawak: Taib makes way for son
Munti D: Like father, like son; like mother, like daughter: This is true in many professions, even more pronounced in politics, particularly in Asia where a dynastic power transfer to family members has already become a norm (just look at India, Pakistan, or China). This 12th Malaysian general election is seeing more children of politicians joining the race; fathers pass the baton to sons and in-laws or accompany the son while mother tags along with daughter.
The children of the powerful have always been in an advantaged position, easily edging out all other competitors. Don’t even talk about fairness, honesty or virtue in politics. This applies to practically all nations in the world. Never mind if that is the way of ‘democracy’.
In the final analysis, democracy, to most people, is a hollow word without a concrete definition. It is what the very powerful and the super rich dictate to the ‘lesser’ mortals. They maneuver and manipulate people at their own whims – all in the name of ‘democracy’.
