Liberalisasi? 23 April 2009

Saya mendapat maklumat ini dari blog YB Nik Nazmi.

Beliau melaporkan pengamatannya tentang pengumuman liberalisasi beberapa sektor perkhidmatan bagi menjana pelaburan asing. ‘Liberalisasi’ tersebut adalah dengan melupuskan keperluan equiti 30% bumiputera di dalam sektor-sektor tersebut. Media masa tempatan telah memutar-belit, atau dalam Bahasa Inggeris, spin perkara tersebut.

Contohnya, dalam the New Straits Times:

Move to liberalize economy: Services sub sector to soar with bold revamp

PUTRAJAYA: In a sweeping move towards liberalising the economy, the government yesterday removed the 30 per cent Bumiputera quota on equity ownership in 27 service sub-sectors (see list at right).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will take the move a step further next week with a major announcement involving the financial sector.

The sub-sectors affected with immediate effect are health and social services, tourism services, transport, business and the computer industry and related services.

Tiada apa-apa yang menarik, bukan? Tetapi lihatlah laporan Berita Harian untuk perkara yang sama:

Buka 27 sektor kecil

PUTRAJAYA: Dalam usaha menarik pelaburan asing, teknologi dan menjana peluang pekerjaan bertaraf tinggi, kerajaan semalam membuka pasaran 27 sektor kecil perkhidmatan tanpa sebarang syarat pegangan ekuiti tempatan, berkuat kuasa serta-merta.

Ia meliputi perkhidmatan dalam bidang komputer dan yang berkaitan; pelancongan; kesihatan dan sosial; pengangkutan; sukan dan rekreasi; perniagaan; sewaan/pajakan tanpa operator serta pengangkutan sokongan dan bantuan.

Dan juga di akhbar ‘pembela Melayu’, Utusan Malaysia:

Sektor perkhidmatan diliberalisasi

PUTRAJAYA 22 April – Kerajaan hari ini memutuskan untuk meliberalisasikan 27 subsektor perkhidmatan berkuat kuasa serta-merta tanpa sebarang syarat ekuiti dikenakan.

Ini bermakna syarat peruntukan ekuiti 30 peratus tempatan untuk subsektor berkenaan tidak lagi terpakai.

Mengumumkan perkara itu di sini, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, subsektor yang diliberalisasikan itu adalah dalam bidang perkhidmatan kesihatan dan sosial, pelancongan, pengangkutan, perniagaan, komputer dan yang berkaitan.

Akhbar bahasa Melayu tidak mengatakan ekuiti bumiputera tetapi ekuiti tempatan!

Sudah tentu ianya untuk mengelakkan backlash dari sesetengah masyarakat Melayu yang begitu pro-DEB (dan mungkin sekali ahli-ahli UMNO). Ketika Buletin Utama di TV3 malam semalam, saya sendiri mendapati bahawa perkataan ‘liberalisasi’ sering digunakan tetapi tidak pula memaklumkan kepada penonton apakah yang dimaksudkan sebagai ‘liberalisasi’. Perkataan ‘bumiputera’ langsung tidak digunakan.

Secara peribadi, saya rasa ianya satu langkah yang baik. Tetapi, saya ingin lihat NGO-NGO yang begitu lantang memperjuangkan ‘hak Melayu’ seperti Perwaris dan Perkasa untuk menyuarakan ‘kemarahan’ mereka sekali lagi. Saya juga ingin melihat juak-juak yang protes di hadapan Komtar ketika YB Lim Guan Eng kononnya menyatakan bahawa Pulau Pinang tidak akan mengamalkan DEB untuk juga memprotes ‘liberalisasi’ ini. Mana Badan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu? Mana GPMS? Mana UMNO?

Mungkin mereka tidak membaca New Straits Times, maka tidak mengetahui apa itu sebenarnya ‘liberalisasi’.

Saya mahukan pilihanraya kecil (kalau saya pengundi di DUN Penanti) 18 April 2009

Saya adalah seorang pengundi berdaftar di kawasan parlimen PJ Selatan dan DUN Bukit Gasing di Selangor. Setakat ini, saya berpuas hati dengan wakil rakyat saya dan juga kerajaan negeri saya.

Baru-baru ini, pengundi di DUN Penanti di Pulau Pinang dihadapkan dengan kemungkinan akan berlaku pilihan raya kecil (PRK) di DUN tersebut, dengan perletakkan jawatan Mohd Fairus Khairuddin dari parti PKR. Dengan perletakkan jawatan itu, Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya harus menetapkan tarikh pengundian bagi PRK di DUN tersebut dalam masa 60 hari.

Perdana Menteri saya mengatakan bahawa ini semua adalah mainan politik PKR dan negara tidak memerlukan suatu lagi PRK setalah 5PRK telah berlangsung sebelum ini (untuk rekod, Pakatan telah memenangi 4 dari 5 PRK sebelum ini). Seperti yang dijangkakan, media arus perdana mengambil ‘cue’ dari kenyataan Perdana Menteri dan mula memainkan isu ‘ketidakperluan PRK’ ini. The Star, misalnya, telah memaparkan kos yang harus dibelanjakan bagi setiap PRK yang diadakan sebelum ini. Utusan Malaysia pula menyiarkan pendapat mereka yang dikatakan pengundi-pengundi di DUN Penanti untuk memberikan gambaran bahawa PRK menyusahkan rakyat (apa yang menarik adalah mereka yang ditemuramah kesemuanya berumur 50 tahun ke atas).

Saya juga kurang bersetuju dengan mengadakan PRK pada waktu sekarang. Saya fikir rakyat sudah mula merasakan by-election fatigue kerana terlalu banyak PRK. Saya lebih suka sekiranya kerajaan menumpukan perhatian terhadap keadaan ekonomi yang kian meruncing.

Tetapi jika saya seorang pengundi di Penanti, saya tentu akan mengalu-alukan sebuah PRK di tempat saya.

Dengan adanya PRK, perhatian seluruh negara akan difokuskan kepada DUN saya. Petugas, penyokong politik, wartawan dan pelancong politik sudah tentu akan berkunjung ke tempat saya dan ini akan menguntungkan para peniaga di tempat saya. Orang luar akan memerlukan tempat tinggal, orang luar perlu mencari makanan dan orang luar juga sudah tentu akan sedikit sebanyak membeli-belah.

Di samping itu, dengan adanya PRK, DUN saya akan dibanjiri dengan ‘gula-gula’ untuk meyakinkan pengundi-pengundi untuk mengundi sesuatu parti itu. Jalan-jalan akan ditarkan, sekolah-sekolah akan diberikan bantuan dan projek-projek akan diperbanyakkan lagi. Jika kami bernasib baik, kami mungkin mendapat kontrak kerajaan melalui cabutan bertuah, seperti yang berlaku di Kuala Terengganu. Ataupun, gadis-gadis seksi akan membuat pertunjukkan di tempat saya untuk memancing undi, seperti yang berlaku di Bukit Gantang (yang dikatakan merupakan ‘budaya Cina’).

Walaupun PRK memerlukan kos yang tinggi, saya lebih rela supaya wang dibelanjakan untuk kegiatan demokrasi di mana saya akan punyai hak untuk tentukan, daripada ianya lesap ke dalam poket ahli-ahli politik ataupun digunakan untuk ‘besiar-siar’ di luar negara sambil berjumpa dengan watak-watak kartun Disney seperti Mickey Mouse dan Goofy.

Dari segi senario politik Malaysia secara amnya, perletakkan jawatan Encik Fairus seharusnya dialu-alukan. Terlalu banyak alegasi-alegasi yang berkaitan dengannya dan ini akan menyusahkan parti dan kerajaan Pulau Pinang. Kita juga mahukan wakil rakyat kita supaya mempunyai sikap tanggungjawab untuk berundur apabila dipalitkan dengan isu integriti. Janganlah apabila sudah terbukti bersalah masih tidak mahu mengaku salah, tidak langsung berasa bersalah dan menyaalahkan orang lain. Ataupun sudah didapati bersalah masih boleh kekal menerajui sebuah negeri. Samada Encik Fairus ditekan untuk letak jawatan atau dibuat secara sukarela, saya lihat ini sebagai perkembangan positif untuk memupuk satu budaya di mana wakil-wakil rakyat yang tidak lagi layak akan diganti dengan mereka yang lebih layak. Walaupun kita harus ingat bahawa setakat ini, Encik Fairus masih belum didakwa di Mahkamah, apatah lagi didapati bersalah.

Jadi, walaupun saya kurang berseteju dengan politik berlebihan, jika saya seorang pengundi di Penanti, saya tetap mahukan PRK diadakan.

Oleh itu, sekiranya UMNO dan Barisan Nasional merasakan bahawa sebuah PRK akan membebankan rakyat, saya cadangakan supaya mereka tidak meletakkan calon di PRK Penanti dan memberikan walkover kepada PKR.

Khir Toyo, the worst kind 16 April 2009

In politics, we will often disagree when it comes to opinions from people with different political views with us. Sometimes, political affiliations will cloud our better judgment and we tend to defend the actions of our party we support even though we know that they are wrong, and vice versa.

I myself may be guilty of such practices. All I ask is that those who disagree with my views engage me a a healthy discussion. I am quite certain that enough points have been made to convince me, I will not hesitate to concede. Discourse between people of different political ideologies would ultimately result in a more mature and vibrant Malaysia and will pave the way for a ‘first world’ democracy.

Sometimes however, that actions of certain politicians simply cannot be defended. What is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ is so clear cut that it would be almost impossible for the other side to argue otherwise.

This was what I felt yesterday when I read the response from former Selangor Mentri Besar, Mr. Khir Toyo on the Selangor government’s decision not to accept Ms. Elizabeth Wong’s resignations. He said:

Terima atas keputusan (kerajaan Selangor itu)….kita akan mengeksploitasi isu tersebut.

No, he cannot deny that Malaysiakini ‘misreported’ those words, as today’s Sinar Harian also carried a similar quote.

Yes, politic is dirty. One cannot expect to venture into politics without contemplating the possibility of being burned. Yet there must still be taboos and limits as to what we can venture into in our political endeavours.

The fact of the matter is Ms. Wong is a victim in this whole tragedy. Irrespective of whether the photos were taken without consent or without her knowledge, the fact of the matter is that Ms. Wong definitely did not consent to them being circulated and distributed to the press and the public at large. Thus it is clear that Ms. Wong was the victim of a crime , one we should condemn regardless of our political affiliations.

By openly declaring that he will exploit the issue, Mr. Khir Toyo has shown Malaysians once again the kind of person he is; an unscrupulous, unprincipled, gutter politician. Remember, he was one of the first persons to demand that Ms. Wong resign from her position when the news first broke out.

Here is a man who has sucked dry the state’s coffers with holiday trips around the world, expensive gifts and lavish functions, all using the rakyat’s hard-earned money. What is worse is that till today, he remains unapologetic about it. and is adamant that he has done nothing wrong In fact, he even told the current administration not to ‘look for the faults of the previous administration’. Quite the contrary Mr. Khir, the rakyat wants to know what our previous Mentri Besar, his wife, their children and their maids have been doing with our money.

Mr. Khir would like to see himself as a pembela and jaguh of the Malays. Yet, at the same time during his tenure in office, what has he done for the Malays, let alone Selangorians of other races? If he is so concerned about the Malays, why did he not put the money spent by him, his wife, their children and their maids to better use? Are those rewards for his service as pembela Melayu? Or his ‘entitlements’ as Mentri Besar of Malaysia’s richest state?

Looking back, I wonder how Selangorians ever allowed ourselves to suffer under his ‘leadership’.

Now, Mr. Khir wants to talk about morality. About integrity. About leadership. All coming from a man whose tenure as Mentri Besar was filled with corrupt practices. All coming from a man who has quite obviously made cosmetic changes to his face just because he was ashamed that he looked more like a village headman rather than a Mentri Besar.

Mr. Khir Toyo is the epitome of all that is wrong is with Malaysian politics.

Ketua masak chappati, kunco genggam keris 15 April 2009

Saya hanya geleng kepala melihat muka hadapan akhbar Utusan Malaysia pada hari ini. Lihatlah!

(gambar ini saya ambil dari sini, tanpa kebenaran)

Tajuk utama, dengan perkataan-perkataan bold adalah “Bangkitlah Melayu: Bersatu hadapi tuntutan kaum lain yang semakin keterlaluan.“

Gambar pula menunjukkan Perdana Menteri kita sedang cuba membuat chappati dengan rakyat Malaysia berbangsa Punjabi sempena perayaan Vaisakhi.

Adakah ini yang dikatakan ‘1Malaysia’? Satu tangan dihulurkan sementara tangan yang lagi satu mengenggam keris?

Saya tak paham bagaimana rakyat Malaysia nak bersatu sekiranya media arus perdana yang merangkap lidah rasmi UMNO-BN terus memainkan isu perkauman.

Saya nak tahu apa yang Utusan cuba sampaikan dalam mesejnya untuk bangkit. Bangkit membuat apa? Bangkit menentang siapa? Siapa yang kita harus ‘hadapi’?

Bacalah sendiri apa yang Utusan katakan:

Bangkitlah Melayu

KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Orang Melayu perlu bangkit dan bersatu dalam berhadapan dengan tuntutan kaum lain yang kini dilihat semakin keterlaluan.

Mereka juga perlu sedar dan insaf dengan situasi politik semasa yang menyaksikan pelbagai tuntutan hingga boleh menjejaskan kekuatan politik orang Melayu.

Sehubungan itu, orang Melayu diminta tidak tunduk kepada tuntutan keterlaluan tersebut sebalik bangkit bersatu bagi mempertahankan hak dan kepentingan mereka.

Ahli Parlimen Pasir Mas, Datuk Ibrahim Ali berkata, pemimpin bukan Melayu dalam hal ini perlu sedar yang sesebuah kerajaan itu boleh sahaja untuk tidak ‘melayan’ tuntutan mereka.

Katanya, jumlah kerusi terbanyak di Parlimen adalah milik Melayu dan ia cukup untuk membentuk sebuah kerajaan berasaskan wakil rakyat Melayu semata-mata di negara ini.

Katanya, justeru, dari segi politiknya kerajaan itu sepatutnya memenuhi apa sahaja yang menjadi kehendak Melayu kerana mereka adalah majoriti dan bukan asyik bertolak ansur dengan bukan Melayu.

‘‘Parti Melayu akan kuat bila Melayu dijaga. Jadi UMNO kena fokus orang Melayu. Jadi UMNO tak perlu takut kerana saya lihat bila UMNO itu kuat orang bukan Melayu automatik akan sokong juga Barisan Nasional (BN) macam dulu,’’ katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas pandangan mengenai situasi politik semasa yang menyaksikan kedudukan politik Melayu seakan terancam dengan tuntutan bukan Melayu pada masa kini.

Ahli Parlimen Sri Gading, Datuk Mohamad Aziz berkata, parti pemerintah ketika ini tidak boleh merasa bimbang untuk membuat apa sahaja keputusan yang dilihat perlu untuk membantu orang Melayu.

“UMNO kalau kita tengok Fasal 3 perlembagaannya ialah memperjuangkan hak Melayu.

“Pada masa sama orang Melayu pun kenalah sedar, asyik bercakaran sesama sendiri, tak untung Melayu sedangkan kita main politik untuk apa kalau tidak untuk membela Melayu.

“Jadi UMNO dan Pas kena duduk, tak kan dalam berbeza tak ada persamaan. Atas persamaan ini kita duduklah semeja dulu,” jelasnya.

Pemimpin UMNO, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim menegaskan, dalam soal wakil Kabinet misalnya, semua pihak harus menerima pilihan Perdana Menteri kerana ia bidang kuasa beliau.

“Saya fikir kalau dilayan, Najib tak akan ada kerja lain.

“Apa pun ini akan mengajar UMNO supaya terus kuat. Bila kuat, orang segan, kalau lemah orang kucar kacirkan,” ujarnya yang juga Ketua UMNO Bahagian Jelebu.

Ketua Pembangkang Dewan Undangan Negeri Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr. Mohamad Khir Toyo berkata, hak orang Melayu tidak harus dilepaskan dalam usaha kerajaan memenuhi kehendak masyarakat pelbagai kaum.

“Biar wujud situasi menang-menang. Kita tidak boleh biar sebelah pihak sahaja menang. Kalau kita nak penuhi apa yang mereka nak, jangan pula kita lepaskan apa yang jadi hak kita,’’ katanya.

Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad berkata, walaupun kerajaan mahu menekankan konsep Satu Malaysia yang menyatukan rakyat pelbagai kaum, langkah juga perlu dilakukan bagi mengembalikan keharmonian di kalangan orang Melayu sendiri.

“Dalam keadaan sekarang ini, orang Melayu berhadapan banyak cabaran semasa dan kita perlu mencari cara untuk memastikan kaum itu tidak berpecah-belah,” katanya.

Katanya, UMNO dan Pas tidak boleh melengah-lengahkan masa lagi untuk bekerjasama dalam memajukan orang Melayu.

Ketua Umum Badan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu (BBPM), Osman Abu Bakar yang sependapat dengan GPMS berkata, cadangan yang baik seperti itu perlu dilaksanakan secepat mungkin.

Katanya, kerjasama antara dua parti politik itu bukan sahaja akan memberi faedah kepada orang Melayu sahaja tetapi juga kaum lain.

Tambahnya, penyatuan UMNO dan Pas perlu menjadi batu loncatan untuk mengeratkan semua rakyat berbilang kaum di negara ini.

“Sememangnya usaha ke arah itu akan mengambil masa tetapi sekurang-kurangnya kita tidak hanya bercakap atau mencadangkan sahaja,’’ tambahnya.

Dan, pada masa yang sama, Utusan melaporkan:

‘Saya PM semua komuniti’

KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini menyatakan keazaman beliau untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri bagi semua komuniti tanpa mengira agama dan kaum.

Sejajar hasratnya itu, katanya, beliau akan berusaha menyatupadukan rakyat berasaskan konsep Satu Malaysia yang intipati utamanya berlandas kepada semangat saling mempercayai dan hormat menghormati antara satu sama lain.

“Kita mesti meruntuhkan sebarang halangan antara kaum dan tidak seharusnya melihat antara satu sama lain berasaskan warna kulit.

“Setiap orang mesti menolong satu sama lain tidak kira mereka daripada komuniti mana. Kalau individu ini patut ditolong, dia sepatutnya dan mesti ditolong oleh kita semua,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Majlis Sambutan Vaisakhi di Kuil Tatt Khalsa Diwan, Chow Kit di sini.

Turut hadir, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon dan Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

Najib yang tiba pada pukul 9.30 pagi meluangkan masa selama 45 minit beramah mesra dengan kira-kira 2,000 hadirin dan menikmati juadah tradisional kaum itu seperti prata, barfi dan laddoo.

Beliau menghadiri majlis itu dengan memakai songkok sebagai menghormati peraturan kuil yang mensyaratkan pengunjung mesti menutup kepala.

Menurut Najib, beliau percaya sekiranya semua kaum dapat menghayati konsep Satu Malaysia dengan bekerja sebagai satu pasukan atau keluarga, ia akan menjadikan negara ini lebih kuat dan makmur.

Menyentuh kehadirannya ke majlis hari ini, beliau berkata, ia sebagai mengiktiraf dan mengucapkan terima kasih terhadap sumbangan kaum Sikh kepada pembangunan Malaysia.

“Walaupun kaum Sikh di negara ini agak kecil iaitu kira-kira 100,000 orang, tetapi sumbangan mereka terhadap sejarah dan pembangunan negara amat besar dan bermakna. Saya berharap mereka akan terus bersama-sama dengan kerajaan pada masa depan,” ujarnya.

(Kata-kata “Saya PM semua komuniti” itu seakan-akan sama dengan “I am a prime minister for all Malaysians” yang diluahkan oleh mantan Perdana Menteri, Tun Abdullah Badawi.)

Bagaimanakah rakyat Malaysia hendak percayakan slogan ‘1Malaysia’ dengan mesej-mesej yang mengelirukan yang datang dari parti pemerintah?

Malaysia tidak akan dapat mencapai perpaduan sekiranya pihak-pihak seperti Utusan Malaysia masih terus cuba memperbodohkan orang Melayu dan melagakan orang Malaysia sesama sendiri.

UMNO Terengganu pun nak derhaka? 14 April 2009

Dengar ceritanya puak-puak UMNO di Terangganu nak ikut Datuk Seri Nizar ‘pohon derhaka’. Meraka nak derhaka sebab nak buat undi tak percaya pada Mentri Besar Terengganu yang dipilih oleh istana Terengganu menggantikan Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh tahun lepas.

Desas-desus ini sampai membuatkan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said beri amaran kepada sesiapa yang nak buat usul undi tak percaya.

Tiba-tiba pula, hari ini dilaporkan bahawa sepuluh orang ADUN Barisan Nasional sudah memboikut DUN Terengganu kerana kononnya menerima ugutan bunuh. Mereka kata meraka diugut sebab dipercayai hendak membuang Datuk Ahmad Said.

Nampaknya UMNO masih berpecah. Luka tahun lalu sudah bernanah kembali. Ingatkan semuanya sudah berakhir dengan perlantikan Datuk Ahmad Said, rupanya tidak. Ingatkan UMNO sudah bersatu dengan adanya saf pimpinan UMNO yang baru dan kemasukan semula Tun Mahathir, rupanya tidak. UMNO masih UMNO. Masih berpuak-puak, berkelompok-kelompok dan berdendam.

Apa-apa hal pun, nampak gayanya kumpulan Datuk Seri Idris sudah berpatah arang dengan kumpulan Datuk Ahmad Said. UMNO Terengganu nampak retak menanti belah. Mengapa kumpulan Datuk Seri Idris tak suka Datuk Ahmad kita semua boleh agak. Tetapi tidaklah jelas mengapa parti yang kononnya membela Melayu dan raja-rajanya sanggup untuk memikirkan untuk ‘membuang’ Mentri Besar lantikan istana Terengganu. Bukankah seperti yang mereka laung-laungkan sebelum ini, membantah raja-raja Melayu itu derhaka namanya?

Saya akan tercari-cari geng-geng Pemuda UMNO yang akan berdemonstrasi dengan semangat yang berkobar-kobar. Saya harap akan dianjurkan sekali lagi perhimpunan menyokong Sultan di PWTC dan di seluruh negara. Lilit kuning dengan slogan “DAULAT TUANKU” itu jangan dibuang, dilit semula di kepala!

Saya juga akan tengok samada blogger-blogger yang dahulunya begitu pro-monarki dalam isu di Perak akan membuat pula gambar dengan tulisan “DAULAT TUANKU” di hadapan bendera Terengganu kemudian papar di blog masing-masing.

Ayuh, Melayu UMNO yang dahulu berlagak pembela, institusi raja-raja memerlukan pembelaan kamu sekali lagi. Ayuh, PERKASA yang kononnya mempertahankan kepentingan orang Melayu, berdemonstrasilah menunjukkan kemarahan anda.

Kalau marah pada YB Karpal, kenalah marah juga pada geng Datuk Idris Jusoh. Kalau marah pada Datuk Seri Nizar, kenalah marah pada Datuk Rasol Wahid. Kalau marah dengan Pakatan Rakyat di Perak, kenalah marah dengan Barisan Nasional di Terengganu.

Ataupun kalau UMNO buat kira boleh?

My 1Malaysia 13 April 2009

What is ‘1Malaysia’?

Is it ‘Bangsa Malaysia’? ‘Malaysian Malaysia’? Unity in diversity? National unity? Upholding the status quo? Moving away from affirmative action? Ensure no race is marginalized whilst practising affirmative action? Assimilation? Integration?

By now, everyone should have heard of the slogan introduced by Mr. Najib Razak, in his very first speech as prime minister. Yet, the actual definition of the concept has thus far been ambiguous. It would seem that the meaning of the concept differs depending on who one talks to.

For example, Utusan Malaysia recently provided its take on the definition. According to the Malay broadsheet, ‘1Malaysia ‘ is a concept in which no ethnicity will be marginalized yet at the same time affirmative action in favour of the Malays will still be continued. Utusan even cautioned certain quarters that have used the ‘1Malaysia’ concept to ask for a revision into what is considered to be our ‘official history’ as narrated by the textbooks that our schoolchildren use. According to Awang Selamat, the psuedonym used by the editors of Utusan, ‘he’ is ‘disturbed’ (terganggu) that the discussion on 1Malaysia has encroached even into our history books.

Following up on this editorial on ‘1Malaysia’, Utusan sought the views of certain Malay leaders on the concept. Independent MP (and President of the Malay ethno-nationalist group PERKASA) warned that should 1Malaysia be equated with ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ (introduced by the DAP), PERKASA would not hesitate to ‘oppose’ them (menentang). “This is not Singapore,” said the outspoken politician.

The discourse on ‘1Malaysia’ in the English dailies are markedly different. The concept is equated with unity, of Malaysians finding strength in diversity, of being multi-racial yet Malaysian at the same time. For example, Dr. Denison Jayasooria was quoted in the Star as saying that 1Malaysia “…gives a clearer picture of unity in diversity, taking a pluralistic and integrationist approach. If the idea is unpacked in practical dimensions, we might be able to really see major changes in the future.” Certainly a far cry from the discussion in Utusan Malaysia.

Thus it would seem that everyone has their own opinion on what is ‘1Malaysia’.

Such diverse definitions on the concept may be good for discussions, yet it would be a difficult goal to achieve collectively for the simple fact that the very definition of that ‘goal’ differs depending on the person. But for argument’s sake, allow me to share with you what 1Malaysia means to me.

To me, ‘1Malaysia’ is nation-building through national unity. I am not in favour of assimilation into one ‘Malaysian culture’, akin to Indonesia, as I believe that such assimilation would be superficial and would encounter strong resistance. No, the unity in Malaysia must be one achieved because of and in spite of our diversity.

The ‘1Malaysia’ concept must ensure that we achieve true national unity. It must not be superficial. We cannot claim to have achieved unity merely because there are no major ethnic riot since 1969. Our society is still fractured along racial, religious and social lines, despite illusions created to convey the contrary. Look around us, to what level is our interactions with ‘the others’? Lunch during work? Complimentary visits during festive seasons? The occasional futsal matches? Are these instances proof that we are united as Malaysians?

No, quite the contrary, there is still a deep undercurrent of suspicion and frustration simmering just below the discernable surface of our society. The Malays resent their Chinese countrymen for the latter’s supposed economic superiority. The Chinese resent the discrimination in favour of the Malays. The Indians and the East Malaysians resent the marginalization upon them perpetrated by the other larger and more powerful ethnic communities.

‘1Malaysia’ must aim to slowly eradicate such divisive feelings. To me, there must be two major changes that must be made before we can achieve this aim. First would be the abandonment of race-based politics. Second would be the formulation of a more equitable economic policy.

Discarding racial politics would be difficult, especially because the three major component parties within the ruling coalition are race-based. It does seem that the formula would continue for some time since there are those who still believe that only a representative from their community would be able to safeguard that community’s interest. This notion has now been challenged with the advent of the experimental political platform introduced by Pakatan Rakyat. The mult-racial message brought by the year-old coalition is slowly being accepted by more and more Malaysians. At the same time, there is also heavy resistance and opposition from certain ethno-centric quarters who fear the lost of the status quo should Pakatan Rakyat’s ‘ketuanan rakyat‘ be allowed to grow. But if to achieve true national unity, race must no longer be a factor in politics.

Once racial politics are relegated to the annals of history, the country must then formulate an economic policy that is more acceptable in today’s scenario. It is very difficult to argue that the New Economic Policy (NEP) does not need a thorough re-examination. The policy is creaking under decades of corruption and abuse, its original aim being lost in the forest of political patronage and lack of proper implementation. Yes, affirmative action and government assistance still has a role to play, but it must not be entirely race-based. Instead, it would be a mixture of race-based affirmative action and means-based government assistance. Race-based affirmative action must still be carried out in certain industries such as construction, where there is a clear imbalance and monopoly in raw materials. But in terms of education for example, the provision of government assistance based on race should be replaced with a mean-based method to ensure that deserving Malaysians are given the opportunity to pursue an education.

I believe that once these two major changes are carried out, we will be closer to achieving true national unity. There are no politicians who will play the race card and flare up sectarian emotions and with a more acceptable economic policy, the resentment between the races will be minimized.

Only then can we hope to achieve true national unity, in line with what I believe ‘1Malaysia’ should be.

MIC’s stupid threat 11 April 2009

From the Star:

MIC may withdraw its lone minister, deputies from Government

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC is studying a proposal for the party to withdraw its one minister and two deputy ministers from the Government as a protest over the lack of importance accorded to the Indian community, said a senior party official.

The official, who declined to be named, said the proposal was drawn up at a meeting of top party officials on Friday.

“The proposal will be tabled in the party’s central working committee meeting on Thursday where it is expected to be endorsed,” he said.

MIC’s sole representative in the new Cabinet is Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam who was reappointed the Human Resources Minister.

The party also has two deputy ministers namely Datuk M. Saravanan (Federal Territories Ministry) and Datuk S. K. Devamany (Prime Minister’s Department).

“The MIC as the third largest component member in the Barisan Nasional had not been given due respect or accorded the deserving treatment by the new government.

“However, even if we do withdraw our representatives, MIC will remain in Barisan but would concentrate on uniting the Indian community,” added the official.

He said party members were unhappy that their request for a senior ministerial portfolio in the Cabinet had not been accepted despite repeated appeals to the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and later to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“MIC had requested for the Works Ministry portfolio – a post held by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu until he lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary constituency in the last general elections,” he said, adding that former MIC president, the late Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam had held the Transport Ministry portfolio.

The official said the Human Resources Ministry is considered a junior post in the Cabinet and did not fit the party’s status as the third largest component party in the Barisan.

“The MIC brought back Indian voters to the Barisan in the recent Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections.

“The administration line-up will further erode the support of the Indian community for the coalition,” he said, adding that the MIC was disappointed that other component parties were given more and better positions.

I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief when I heard this.

Ever since its devastating defeat, the MIC, far worse than all other component parties in the Barisan, has not shown Malaysians any inkling of proof that it can be rescued from the current dire state it finds itself in. When other major component parties had leadership changes to try and save themselves from irrelevance, MIC recently re-elected its long-serving President, Mr. Samy Vellu to another term in office. His challenger, who garnered enough nominations to contest, had his papers rejected unceremoniously and Mr. Samy got elected uncontested.

Threatening to pull out from the Cabinet is, for the lack of better term, stupid. It serves no purpose and proves to Malaysians the selfish interests of its leaders. It is said that MIC’s threat was due to the fact that Mr. Samy was not made a minister in the Cabinet when he had lobbied so hard for post. The party argued that since Mr. Koh Tsu Koon, whose Gerakan was similarly nearly wiped out by the rakyat during the political tsunami of last year, obtained a minister post, Mr. Samy should similarly be appointed as one. With all due respect to Mr. Samy, I do think comparing himself and Mr. Koh is like comparing glass and diamond.

How can it possibly help Malaysian Indians, whom it claims it represent, by refusing posts in the government is beyond my comprehension. Of course, the notion that only Indians can help Indians is in itself an antiquated one, but such is the ‘power-sharing’ formula of the Barisan.  The decades old set-up, which appear to have served the country so well up to now, is tearing at the seams. It is because of having to conform to the Barisan formula that Mr. Najib’s cabinet, which was supposed to be a ‘meaner and leaner’ one, ended up looking like old wine in a new bottle. MCA protested when there were rumours that it might lost a ministerial post. Now, MIC has protested as it did not get more portfolios.

Barisan has become too bloated, too divided and too defined along ethnic lines. MIC’s threat is undeniable proof that the ‘grand old coalition’ is fast losing its relevance.

He should just retire in peace… 9 April 2009

It was to be a grand re-entry. He was supposed to come riding in, back where he belonged, to save Barisan Nasional from defeat in the two Peninsular by-elections of Bukit Gantang and Bukit  Selambau.

As expected, his appearances attracted the crowds. They came from all over, all wanting a glimpse at the legendary statesman, who helmed this country for more than two decades. When he stepped onto the stage, he did not disappoint. With his trademark sarcasm, he launched volleys after volley of attack against ‘the enemy’. His archenemy. The treasonous candidate. The tri-party ‘axis of evil’.

They cheered his name, again and again. He smiles, acknowledging the support, revelling in the limelight. He campaigns for the candidates, he tells the crowd to go for the tried and true. There’s no other party, he said. He even praises his successor’s successor, convincing the crowd that the man will lead the nation to greater heights.

When he left, pundits and observers thought that he had single-handedly swung the votes in Barisan’s favour. In fact, one candidate even predicted that he will win with a majority of 3,000 votes, based purely on the statesman’s presence.

But when the votes were counted, Tun Mahathir’s presence in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau counted for naught. Yes, the crowd numbered the thousands, but whether there were voters or they were UMNO supporters watching to listen to the man who returned to UMNO can now be questioned. It would be worse if they were indeed voters in those constituency, as it proved that he was not able to convince them to vote for the ruling coalition.

The Malaysia we see today is the product of Tun Mahathir’s 22-year rule. The accelerated developments, the skyscrapers, the putting of Malaysia onto the world map. The disregard for democratic notions, the erosion of public institutions and the widespread corruption.  He came at a time when Malaysia needed a firm hand, a ruthless leader and a visionary. For better or for worse, Malaysia would not be what it is today if not for the former prime minister. He was the right leader at the right time.

But even after he left office, Tun Mahathir has refused to retire peacefully. His incessant sniping upon Mr. Abdullah eventually contributed to the latter’s downfall. Now, with Mr. Najib at the helm, it is clear that Tun Mahathir feels that he has a big part to play in Najib’s administration. No, of course he doesn’t want to be made a ’senior minister’. But he wouldn’t refuse to dispense advice should he be asked to do so, he said. The appointment of Tun Mahathir’s son, Mr. Mukhriz Mahathir as a deputy minister has raised some eyebrows, especially since Mr. Khairy Jamaludin, the man who defeated Mr. Mukhriz in the recently concluded UMNO general assembly, did not get a cabinet appointment. Some whisper that Tun Mahathir had somehow struck a deal with Mr. Najib in this regard. Some say that with Mr. Najib’s premiership, the nation would see a return to so-called ‘Mahathir-ism’.

A return to those days of Mahathir-ism would definitely be a step backwards for the country. Although Tun Mahathir was the right (and only) man for the job during his time, his methods and leadership were fit for those times only. The Malaysia of today wants to move forward.

What happened in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau proves that Tun Mahathir no longer commands the same influence over Malaysia as before. The opposition won those seats with higher majorities. Some even cynically commented that Barisan won at the place which Tun Mahathir did not help out; Batang Ai. Similarly, his intense compaigning for his son ,Mr. Mukhriz in his bid for the UMNO Youth head, had not influenced UMNO Youths members, the majority of which instead chose to vote for Mr. Khairy and Mr. Khir Toyo over Mr. Mukhriz.

Yes, as far as knowledge and experience in government goes, no one else can compare with Tun Mahathir. His views, especially during these trying times would be very useful. But Tun Mahathir should realize that this is a very different Malaysia than the one he left behind when he left office. This is Malaysia that wanted to be more open, more democratic, more inclusive and had more respect for democracy and democratic rights. This is Malaysia that had left ‘Mahathir-ism’ for many years.

As such, Mr. Najib would do well not to let Tun Mahathir have too much influence over the government.

The politics of fear and division in Bukit Gantang 8 April 2009

In the run up to the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election, the issues of derhaka and Nizar being a ‘puppet’ to the DAP were used by UMNO in its efforts to win the Malay votes.

UMNO and Barisan realized that Pakatan had solid support from the non-Malays of Bukit Gantang. Their best efforts at winning over the non-Malays did not seem to work, even after the usual vernecular school allocations, the ‘pemimpin bersama rakyat’ dinners, even the PR exercise of releasing 13 ISA detainees and the ‘1Malaysia’ slogan.

So they gunned for the Malay votes. Bukit Gantang is a Malay majority area, with Malays making up more than 60% of the electorate. Whilst the constituency has a sizeable minority as well, any gains the opposition alliance might have amongst the non-Malays would be offset should there be a huge swing in the Malay votes.

And why not? Bukit Gantang has a Barisan stronghold ever since Merdeka. Prior to 2008, Barisan won those seats with huge majorities. It was only during the political tsunami of 2008 that PAS wrested the seat from Barisan, with a majority somewhere in the region of 1,500 votes.

BN’s loss of Bukit Gantang in 2008 was attributed to discontent amongst UMNO members that a ‘parachute’ candidate was picked, and not a local boy. By picking Mr. Ismail Safian, a Bukit Gantang boy through and through, the logic was that Malay votes lost in 2008 would return to Barisan.

But fielding a local would not be enough. To win the Malay voters, Barisan had to be aggressive. Sure, it was boosted by the recently concluded UMNO Assembly, which supposedly elected a strong leadership for the party. The image of Messrs. Mahathir, Abdullah and Najib hand must have resonated inside some of the older Malays in Bukit Gantang. A return to the ‘good old days’, where Malays were united under a strong UMNO.

But Barisan needed more. So it launched attacks after attacks upon the PAS candidate, Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaludin. The issues played were supposed to strike deep into the Malay psyche.

After all, ever since Sejarah Melayu narrated the covenant between Demang Lebar Daun and his king Seri Teri Buana that the former’s descendants would remain loyal to the latter’s descendents, disobedience or derhaka to a Malay ruler is considered as a big taboo. By UMNO’s calculations, which Malay would not take offence when derhaka is committed?

Other issues being played by UMNO to the Malay audience was the fact that Mr. Nizar’s Pakatan government had awarded land titles to some Chinese families in new villages in the state. UMNO also calculated that this beri tanah issue would also alienate the Malays. Related to this, UMNO alleged that Mr. Nizar was in fact being used a boneka to the Chinese dominated DAP.

Night by night, day by day, UMNO hammered these issues into the Malays. Speakers come and go to campaign, but they all had one message: Mr. Nizar has betrayed the Malays and his Sultan for power. Mr. Ezam was brought in. Mr. Osman Jailu, who hopped and caused the downfall of the Perak Pakatan government made appearances. Even former prime minister chipped his two cents worth, making a u-turn on his views on the Perak takeover.

Apart from that, UMNO had the help of the mainstream media, specifically Utusan Malaysia and TV3. These two media dedicated inches of space and airtime to do two things: belittle Pakatan and sing praises of Barisan. A few days prior to voting day, UMNO brought a religious angle to its campaign. DAP’s Mr. Nga Kor Ming’s well-meaning but ill-advised attempt at quoting verses from the holy Quran was used to further alienate Mr. Nizar from the Bukit Gantang Malays. Heck, even some BN-friendly muftis helped Barisan’s cause.

It was typical UMNO. It used the tried and true method of garnering support, which had worked all this time up to 2008. Fear and division. It tried to sow the seeds of anxiety within the Malays so much so that Malays feel threatened by the so-called demands of the non-Malays. The DAP is portrayed as the Chinese chauvinist party and by co-operating with the DAP, PAS had compromised its principles for the promise of power. The ‘enemy’ was the Chinese DAP. By working with the ‘enemy’, PAS and the Malay elements in PKR are betraying the Malays.

It’s a simple message and it has proven to be effective before. And leading up to polling day, it appeared to work. Reports coming from ground zero said that whilst Mr. Nizar is well ahead with the non-Malays, he is trailing amongst the Malays. Even PAS’ Mr. Mustaffa Ali admitted as much. There was real concerns within Pakatan that Mr. Nizar would lose Bukit Gantang due to the loss of Malay votes.

Yet as well know, Mr. Nizar triumphed in the end, against all odds. Early reports show that whilst PAS had lost some Malay votes compared to 2008, it had substantially increased its support amongst non-Malays and specifically Chinese voters. It garnered 43% of the Malay votes, down from the 47% last year. For the record, Chinese support increased from 64% last year to 75% in the by-election.

The drop of about 4% in Malay support was not enough for UMNO to win the seat. It also shows that for all of UMNO’s best efforts, the racial and religious cards played by UMNO failed to sway the Malay votes in any substantial manner. The 4% drop may also be explained if we take the analysis that UMNO members voted PAS last year because they were unhappy with the candidate at the time. With Mr. Ismail Safian, those UMNO members would theoretically return to voting Barisan.

At the end of the day, Barisan’s old strategy of ‘divide and conquer’ did not work in Bukit Gantang. PAS level of support amongst the Malays, although less than Barisan’s, did not falter much, even after Barisan incessant attacks. This should auger well for the new politics being experimented in Pakatan, where differing ideologies come together to achieve a common goal. As for Barisan, it should realize that the old way of doing things is no longer working. Fear and division will only work as far as the rakyat wants to be divided and kept at bay by fear. Should the people want to put aside their differences, racial politics will no longer have purchase. When Barisan had seperate functions for different races, Pakatan had ceramahs filled with multi-racial crowds. When Barisan talks were mono-ethnic, Pakatan talks were multi-ethnic. And by choosing Mr. Nizar over Mr. Ismail, PAS over UMNO, Pakatan over Barisan, the majority of Bukit Gantang voters have shown which approach they prefer.

The multi-racial message brought by Pakatan and epitomized by Mr. Nizar has won the day in Bukit Gantang.

Thoughts on the Bukits and Batang 7 April 2009

Tomorrow, we will see the excuses streaming in from Barisan leaders and supporters. It’s expected, they’ll say. They were seats previously held by Pakatan, they’ll say. Mr. Najib didn’t have enough time for to carry out his reform agenda, they’ll say. They might even say that Barisan picked the wrong candidates.

But the fact of the matter is, in the battle for the two Bukits and one Batang, Pakatan edged out Barisan 2-1. Thus far, the by-election score for the two political coalitions stands at 4-1, with Pakatan winning in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu previously. Barisan’s loss in Permatang Pauh, like the tsunami of 8 March, was blamed on former prime minister Mr. Abdullah Badawi. Similarly, Barisan’s failure in retaining the Kuala Terengganu seat was also blamed on Mr. Abdullah, as his detractors argued that he picked the wrong candidate. But Mr. Abdullah did not do anything in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau. Yet, as Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu before this, Pakatan won with bigger majorities.

The most crucial of the three simultaneous by-elections was the one held in the Parliamentary seat of Bukit Gantang in Perak. Experts predicted a win for Barisan in Batang Ai and in all likelihood, Pakatan would retain Bukit Selambau. Yet it was at Bukit Gantang that Barisan focused its efforts upon, sensing that they might wrest the seat from PAS.

But they found that the 37 or so percent of non-Malays in Bukit Gantang shunned them. Even with their best efforts, they simply couldn’t win over the non-Malays, who had made up their mind on who to vote for. So they turned to the Malays and launched an onslaught onto Mr. Nizar Jamaludin, the PAS candidate and the Mentri Besar (PR) of Perak.

Their most often used arsenal? The so-called act of treason committed by Mr. Nizar. UMNO played up the derhaka sentiment to the hilt, along with allegations that Mr. Nizar was a DAP puppet and betrayer of the Malays. Political pariahs like Mr. Ezam Mohd Nor  and Mr. Lokman Nor Adam were sent to Bukit Gantang to attack PAS and Nizar. Utusan Malaysia and TV3 did their best to campaign for UMNO. The media, along with some BN-friendly muftis, even created a mini-uproar when a DAP politician quoted verses from the holy Quran. Bukit Gantang even saw the return of former prime minister Tun Mahathir, making his ‘grand’ comeback to UMNO. And the reports coming in from Bukit Gantang was that Mr. Nizar would lose due to a huge swing in Malay votes.

It’s still too early to receive detailed information on the voting patterns in Bukit Gantang. But with Mr. Nizar’s improved majority, it is unlikely that there was any significant swing in the Malay votes. Which means, for all UMNO’s efforts, the Malays of Bukit Gantang were not swayed by the rhetorical volley launched at Mr. Nizar.

But what does the result in Bukit Gantang mean in terms of the Perak political crisis? Pakatan Rakyat had turned the by-election into a referendum on the Perak power grab and Barisan wanted the seat badly as it would effectively ‘legitimize’ the coup d’etat. Of course, after this they would claim that Bukit Gantang is not reflective of the wishes of the people of Perak, but those excuses will sound hollow. Make no mistake, there was only one issue in Bukit Gantang that mattered and it was used by both sides; the Perak political and constitutional crisis. As such, any result is reflective of the people of Bukit Gantang’s opinion on the matter as that is what the discourse had been throughout the campaigning period.

Mr. Najib, Mr. Zahid Hamidi and Mr. Zambry Abdul Kadir should realize that the Perak coup did not have the consent of the majority of Perakians. This hugely embarassing loss in Perak should be an eye-opener to those concerned and proves once and for all that regardless of what UMNO and Barisan tries to tell us, the current Perak ‘government’ will not be legitimate in eyes of the rakyat. The result of Bukit Gantang is the biggest indicator to UMNO and Barisan Nasional that a there is only one way out of the political impasse in Perak; dissolution of the state assembly.

Are the three by-elections a referendum on Mr. Najib’s premiership? Maybe it’s too early for that. What is clear is that Mr. Najib’s public relations act of freeing the 13 ISA detainees and his new slogan ‘1Malaysia’ did not create the instant impact that he obviously wished for. The rakyat have heard enough talk during Mr. Abdullah’s era and Mr. Najib is leading a country that has become very sceptical, especially to the government. Mr. Najib will not have a honeymoon period.

In terms of Malaysian politics, the results of the by-elections today must be good for the future of a two-party system in Malaysia. Once again, Pakatan has proved that despite it’s so-called differing ideologies, PAS, DAP and PKR can work togather well to achieve a common goal. And with Mr. Nizar, PAS may have found it’s ambassador to the non-Malays, the epitome of the slogan ‘PAS untuk semua‘. Never have we seen DAP members worked this tirelessly for a PAS candidate. Never have we seen non-Malays accept a PAS man so willingly and with such open arms.

Lastly, the by-elections proved once and for all that the Tun has passed his time. His much-publicized campaigning have had little, if any, impact on the voters. He should just retire in peace and leave the nation to the man he claims will take it to greater heights.