I think you should be ‘perturbed’, Mr. PM sir! 4 August 2008

Taken from Malaysiakini:

Abdullah unperturbed by drop in popularity

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today described his drop in popularity as one which was common for all politicians.

MCPX

“That’s the fate of all politicians everywhere. Up and down. What’s important is what you do before you leave,” he said when asked to comment on a massive plunge in his popularity rating as surveyed by a local polling organisation.

About 54 percent of those surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the prime minister, while 42 percent said they felt otherwise – resulting in more Malaysians disapproved of him than approved.

The opinion poll – among 1,030 Malaysians – was conducted between July 4-16 by the independent Merdeka Center for Opinion Research and aimed at gauging voters’ perceptions of current issues, the state of the economy and leadership.

The survey found that Abdullah’s popularity plunged to below 50 percent for the very first time from a record high of 91 percent in late 2004 – months after he won his first term as prime minister.

His approval rating was at 61 percent just before the March 8 general elections. In April, it went down to 53 percent and currently it is at 42 percent.

Obsessed with Anwar factor

The survey, which was conducted by telephone, targeted Malaysians throughout the peninsula who were randomly selected and structured along the national electorate profile to achieve proportional balance in terms of gender, ethnicity and state.

The survey’s margin of error is estimated at plus or minus 3.1 percent.

Merdeka Center executive director Ibrahim Suffian told Malaysiakini last week the decline in Abdullah’s approval ratings over the past few months was not only restricted to the widespread anger over rising food and fuel prices.

The continuing ‘bickering’ and political uncertainty – both within and outside Abdullah’s Umno – has also been a source of concern, he said.

Commenting on the premier’s plunging approval rating, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang today said that Abdullah might go down in history as the worst Prime Minister of Malaysia despite his glorious electoral mandate in 2004.

Lim also added that the Abdullah administration was “terribly obsessed and mortally worried about the Anwar (Ibrahim) factor in Malaysian politics”.

“Otherwise, why should Abdullah be dwelling on the subject of Anwar in the past two consecutive days, as if he has nothing more important to fret about,” he asked in a statement.

“I call on Abdullah to take the bold and courageous step to drop Anwar’s sodomy persecution as the first step to end the free-fall in public confidence in him as prime minister,” he added.

Yes Pak Lah, a politician’s popularity ebbs and wanes with time. Sometimes you’re up, other times you’re down. That the lumrah of politics.

However, you’d be best to take heed to your approval rating. From the dizzying highs of 91% in 2004, you have dropped to a mere 42% in only 4 years. It’s not as if your approval rating fluctuates, there is a clear downward trend to it.

With the majority of Malaysians unhappy with your leadership, there best thing for you is to do some soul-searching. Think of all the unfulfilled promises, the empty rhetoric, the prevalent corruption and the mismanagement that you and your cohorts have inflicted upon us.

Ignore this warning at your own peril, Pak Lah.

Less than amused with the police… 14 July 2008

I’m very angry at the police today.

In anticipation for a ‘massive protest’ that was supposed to be held in Parliament today, the police have taken the trouble of setting up roadblocks all over the capital in the interests of ‘national security’.

In case you haven’t heard, the road blocks caused massive traffic jams all over Kuala Lumpur.

I have no idea from where did the police get their information that there will be a massive protest today. I  scour the weblogs everyday, yet I have not come across any news of any gatherings organized by Pakatan Rakyat. Indeed, Pakatan themselves have denied calling for protests to be held today.

But they claimed to have information that Pakatan indeed had organized a gathering today.

So what if Pakatan did?

Article 10 of the Federal Constitution states that every citizen has the right to assemble peacebly and without arms. I’ve repeated this before, it is our democratic and constitutional right to hold public demonstrations.The police and the government have no business taking away this right from us.

And surely if the target of the supposed ’security-endangering protest’ was Parliament, why can’t we confine the security just to the Parliament? Cordone off the gates of Parliament, surround it with FRU and RELA or whatever. Why in the world do you need to put roadblocks at roads coming into Kuala Lumpur?

From my office, I could see the roadblocks. I could see most roads leading to Parliament. And I did not see any crowds making their way to Parliament to protest.

No arrests have been reported in connection with the supposed protest. No one has been apprehended with parangs or hand grenades or any sort of weapon to justify the heavy security. Heck, no one has been caught with so much of a placard denouncing the government!

Which begs the question, what was the whole point of the police exercise yesterday and today? What is the possible justification for hassling us with roadblocks, police checks and traffic jams on a Monday?

Still no sight of Sharlinie. Still no closer to finding Nurin’s murderer. Our crime rate is ever increasing. And all our authorities can think of is trying to stop an imaginary protest.

Let’s Not Get Distracted 4 July 2008

In less than 7 days, the battles lines have been drawn.

Najib versus Anwar. Anwar versus Najib.

No holds barred. All the gloves are off.

When the dust settles, only one man will be left standing. And he will claim to be the successor to the premiership of Malaysia.

Pak Lah’s days are numbered. For him the question is ‘when?’. For Malaysians, the questions is ‘who?’.

Recent events have raised more questions than answers. The end is no clearer, the victor is far from apparent.

It’s all very confusing for us.

But let’s not get distracted.

This nation is not about Anwar. It’s not about Najib. It’s not about Pak Lah, or KJ or Ku Li or Mahathir or Samy Velu or Lim Kit Siang or whoever.

This nation is about us, Malaysians.

So let us not get distracted.

Politics shape the country, but the country is not all about politics. Let us not forget the real issues here.

It’s not Saiful or Bala or Altantuya or Barisan or Pakatan.

It’s about the prevalent corruption. It’s about the blatant abuse of human and constitutional rights. It’s about media freedom. It’s about a credible judiciary. It’s about lack of proper administration. It’s about inflation and stagnating economy. It’s about a flawed education system. It’s about racism and racial prejudice.

It’s about striving to create the new Malaysia.

Let elephants fight each other to death. Whoever the victor, we, the rakyat will demand from them what we have always demanded.

A better Malaysia.

My brothers and sisters, let’s not get distracted.

Why can’t we protest? 30 June 2008

I noticed that a lot of people are very unhappy with the government these days.

Be it corruption, be it indecision, be it insensitiveness, be it because of the fuel hike or because of Anwar Ibrahim.

There’s a multitude of reasons why people are sick and tired of this present administration.

But what do we do to show our displeasure?

Well of course, we can vote against the party in power. But the elections have just recently been concluded. Some of us voted against this government, yet we still have to live with it. Such is democracy.

Does that mean that in these 4-5 years time, all we do is wait for the next elections? If so, we might as well live under a monarchical system in the past: take it all in until the present ruler whom we despise dies or the country is taken over by enemies.

But we live in a democracy. And democracy guarantees certain rights to the citizens.

Article 10 of our Federal Constitution states that every citizen has the right to freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms.

Yes, regardless of what the authorities say, we have the right to peaceful assembly. Most of the time, we’re told that demonstrations and protests jeopardizes public security. We’re also told that such demonstrations are ‘not our culture’. This is especially true when the demonstrations are anti-government.

Of course, whenever it’s someone from the ruling party, it’s quite alright to demonstrate. They are supposedly a peaceful lot, and would never create any trouble.

But back to our enshrined rights. So we do have a right to demonstrate peacefully, don’t we?

Because it gives our country a bad image? Well unless we start burning effigies and start rioting, a peaceful assembly is normal and would not be frowned upon by the international community. They have protests all the time in the West.

So what’s the problem? Why can’t we protest?

Do we sit quietly, resigned to our fate as nobodies in our own nation?

Or do we exercise our constitutional rights?

DSAI 29 June 2008

I have actually refrained myself about writing about Mr. Anwar Ibrahim for a long time. Quite a feat actually, considering that I think myself as a ’socio-political’ blogger, and Malaysian politics these days revolve around Mr. Anwar.

10 years ago, in 1998, when he was sacked from his post as Deputy Prime Minister and charged with corruption and sodomy, I was only 15 years old. Yet, the reformasi wave swept me and even though I was too young to actually join in the rallies and demonstrations, I was convinced of his innocence, as many people did. Even more so for me, as my family was directly involved in the events leading up to his sacking.

I remembered the sense of anger amongst the people at that time. The internet revolution was just beginning and not many had access to it. So those with internet access would print out pieces of information from the internet and distribute amongst family and friends. His subsequent beatings at the hands of the then Inspector General of Police and the legal circus that he was subjected to made people angrier. The opposition gained a lot of support, riding on the wave of emotion on what Mr. Anwar had to endure.

Yet, I did notice that in school, opinions on the issue from those people that actually cared about politics were varied. Being teenagers, we were influenced by our parents, and as such, what my schoolmates thought of the issue at that time reflected the public perception at large. Some believed that he was a sodomite. Some, like me, didn’t.

Ultimately though, when the 1999 General Elections came, Mr. Anwar’s tribulations did not echo deep enough into the hearts of Malaysians as one would imagine. Yes, UMNO lost a few seats and PAS gained Terengganu, but Barisan Nasional still retained its two thirds. A mere hiccup to the ruling party, but no reason to ring the alarm bells.

Analyzing the results in hindsight, although there was a massive swing in Malay support, non-Malay votes for the Barisan held firm, if not increased. Many people, rightly so, opted for the devils in the government that could give them stability, rather than the unknown entities making up the opposition. Events in Indonesia did not help: the fall of the Suharto regime was marred by violent riots that were directed at ethnic Chinese. In the end, apart from Mr. Anwar, there were no other major issues that could turn the elections.

Fast forward 10 years later, and some 3 months ago we saw an unprecedented elections result. The man widely credited in orchestrating the widespread gains of the Pakatan Rakyat was Mr. Anwar. Some say that Anwar had made a political comeback. Some called him the ‘Prime Minister in waiting’. Some see him as Malaysia’s saviour.

10 years ago, I was a teenager. Easily influenced, highly emotional. I could not see the bigger picture. If I could vote, I’d probably would vote for the opposition because of Mr. Anwar.

10 years later, my decision to cast my vote for the opposition had nothing to do with the ex-Deputy PM. Yes, I attended some of his talks and rallies, and whilst there were immensely enjoyable, my decision on March 8 was not influenced by Mr. Anwar.

***

10 years later, I believe that I am mature enough to think rationally. I am not so willing to jump on the Anwar-led Pakatan bandwagon, even though I am sick of the present administration. My ‘objectivity’ will not allow me blindly support Mr. Anwar, even though I admit that I am attracted to his reform agenda.

This is because Mr. Anwar, whether he wants to admit it or not, caries some political baggage from his past. This was a man who was a student leader, jailed for his anti-establishment tendencies, and subsequently joining the party whom he directed his fiery speeches against in his student days. Mr. Anwar, undeniably, was a part of the very same flawed government and flawed political party that are now his political opponents. I myself have heard stories of some of Mr. Anwar’s questionable actions in the past. It has not helped that Mr. Anwar’s has a bad track record with his close friends. Mr. Chandra Muzzafar, Mr. Nalla Karrupan and Mr. Ezam are some of the high-profile friends of Mr. Anwar who have subsequently turned against him, with a vengeance.

Understandably, there are many who view him with suspicion.

Can a leopard change its spots, his detractors ask. Has Anwar Ibrahim has truly changed?

I cannot answer that. That is why I’m still reserving my judgment on Mr. Anwar.

But if we believe that people can change, then what does it take for people to change? Surely, what Mr. Anwar had endured, being smeared all over the media, being called a sodomite, being beaten up and jailed, surely these are things that would change someone. Surely the pain of being separated from the family he loves and the solitude of prison would be enough for someone to change for the better?

I want to believe that he has changed. That Mr. Anwar is the man to lead our country forward.

Because right now, Mr. Anwar is promising reforms that appeals to me. Yes, his detractors will say that it is merely empty promises and sweet talks to entice us, but isn’t politics the art of promise? Isn’t talking what the present government is doing as well? What more, the present government actually has the means to ‘walk the talk’ but yet all they do and all we get is merely talk. Where is the judicial reform? Where is the ACA reforms? Where is the media freedom?

In a situation where all that we have is talks and promises, Mr. Anwar’s words are far more appealing that the government’s.

Another thing which Mr. Anwar has and the present government doesn’t is the ability to unite Malaysians, regardless of colour and creed. Look at his ceramahs. We see Malaysians sitting together as one, united in hope and admiration for their hero. And these people need no compulsion, they need no promise of free food or RM100 ‘duit makan dan minyak‘ or whatever. They came voluntarily.

In a country whose unity needs severe reparations, Mr. Anwar’s ability to unite is surely a plus point.

***

At the height of his influence, just as he was knocking on the door of Putrajaya (so he claims), we were shocked to learn that his 23 year old aide had filed a police report that Mr. Anwar had sodomized him.

Yesterday, at 1.15 am, I received an SMS update from the Star:

An aide of a senior opposition politician has alleged in a police report that the politician sodomized him, he has been warded in hospital.

At that time, I wondered who the ’senior opposition politician’ was. My mind never contemplated Mr. Anwar at all.

When I checked Malaysiakini, imagine my shock to know that the ’senior opposition politician’ that allegedly sodomized his aide was Mr. Anwar.

I could not believe it.

1998, all over again?

From then on, things happened like a whirlwind. Mr. Anwar released a press statement, denying the allegations as fabrications. Pictures of his accuser were distributed all over the internet, the most telling one being the picture of him with an assistant to a high-ranking minister at the lobby of the said minister’s office. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi denied any government involvement. Mr. Anwar, claiming that he fears for his personal safety, has sought refuge in the Turkish embassy. All this are reported on the internet and I don’t think I need to repeat them to you.

To me, it’s the timing that casts the biggest doubt to this latest facade. After public opinion of the present government is at an all time low with the fuel price increase and fears of inflation, after the Barisan Nasional is feeling the heat in the form of rebel SAPP MPs and a certain statutory declaration, we suddenly have another person who accused Mr. Anwar of sodomizing him. Coincidence?

That is why I feel so menyampah. It is so distasteful. I feel sick.

I wonder to what depths can some people plummet to in their attempts at holding onto power. I had hoped that we have moved on since 1998. Apparently, I was dead wrong.

To the unseen hands that cooked up this latest facade; shame on you.

We Malaysians have matured since 1998. If not many believed it then, even less will believe it now. Do not test our patience, please. Do not think we’re stupid.

***

Do I trust that Anwar has changed? I hope he has. I’m still reserving judgment.

Do I think Anwar is a sodomite? No.

I knew that he wasn’t in 1998 and I believe that he isn’t now.

Used: The Sedition Charge? 6 May 2008

The sedition charge against blogger Raja Petra today left a bad taste in my mouth.

I’m not a fan of RPK, I don’t really follow his ‘Malaysia-Today’ blog. In fact, I think RPK is a ’sensationalist’ writer, who uses bits and pieces of facts that he obtains and fills in the gaps to connect those facts. An entertaining blogger, to say the least. And a wildly popular one.

But regardless how much credibility I attach to RPK, I still respect his right to freedom of expression. His freedom of speech. If he wants to put forth his views, let him do so. Whether you agree with his views or not is a different matter altogether.

So to charge RPK with the Sedition Act goes against everything that I believe in. There is no justification for doing so. His post, “Let’s Send the Altantuya Murderers to Hell”, does not incite racial hatred. It will not cause an uprising. It does not threaten the security of the country.

What it does is implicate a certain senior leader of our country and his wife in the Altantuya case.

I doubt if he has any proof for what he implied in his post. RPK is again being RPK, writing straight from the hip. He doesn’t care about being politically correct. He will air his views whether you like it or not.

But of course, he must not be allowed a free reign, to write whatever he wishes, be it the truth or not. No one should be allowed to do so. One must be accountable for what one says.

Everyone has a right to clear his/her name. If someone has written lies about you or has defamed you, then you have the right to bring legal action against the person. Similarly, if what RPK has written was libelous, then the concerned persons should seek legal redress in civil law. That is why we have defamation laws.

But RPK was not sued because of his Altantuya post. RPK was charged for a crime because of the said post. A criminal offence is an offence committed against the state. A civil matter, between two private parties, has now become a criminal one.

Can we be blamed if we think that the AG’s Chambers has been used to ‘retaliate’ against RPK for his post? In the absence of contrary evidence, people tend to connect the obvious. And what is obvious is this: RPK blogged about Altantuya, implicating a certain leader and his wife and now RPK is charged with sedition.

This time, we won’t need RPK to fill in the gaps for us.

12th Parliament of Malaysia 1 May 2008

On 28 April 2008, the 12th Parliament of Malaysia officially began with the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs). As we all know, the latest composition of our august house is unprecedented in our nations history: 82 Opposition MPs, comprising of the Pakatan Rakyat (PKR-DAP-PAS) and one independent member as oppposed to the 140 Barisan Nasional members. For the second time in history, the ruling coalition does not have the two thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat. Many are predicting that we will see a far livelier Parliament than ever before.

And as far as being ‘lively’ is concerned, our MPs did not disappoint. The first full day of Parliament saw BN and Opposition MPs shouting and trading choice words at each other. The general public consensus was that the behavior of our MPs that day was quite shameful, to the extant that the Information Minister, Datuk Shabery Cheek threatened to scrap the live telecast of proceedings if things did not improve.

I do admit that what transpired yesterday was ‘un-Parliamentarian’, to say the least. Our MPs, whether from BN or from the Opposition, must improve on their Parliamentary decorum. The rakyat has shown maturity in casting our votes last March, so our representatives must themselves show maturity in Parliament. What is the point of having a functioning democracy if Parliamentary proceedings remain third world?

But all is not lost, of course. I’m willing to chalk of Wednesday’s facade as a ‘first-time jitters’, so to speak. Both sides, with the house delicately balanced, see the need to ’show their strength’, and some MPs may have tried to take advantage of the 30-minute telecast. Both sides must, however, settle down as fast as possible and get to the business of legislating.

Having a stronger Opposition in Parliament bodes well for the country. In any democracy, there must be a system of checks and balances upon the Executive. In light of a subdued Judiciary here in Malaysia, the Legislative must take up this mantle. With a stronger Opposition, the government cannot bulldoze their way to enact laws. At the same time, a more diverse Parliament will also promote accountability. Both sides will have to be on their toes all the time.

It is my wish to see a dynamic Parliament, where bills are questioned and justified before becoming law. A Parliament where issues are debated and discussed in the interests of the nation. A Parliament that serves the rakyat, regardless of race, religion or political ideology. I want to see a Parliament that Malaysians can be proud of.

Yang Berhormats, please show us that Parliament.

Epilogue: Terengganu Monsoon 29 March 2008

So now that the Terengganu impasse has been resolved, we can look back at the ‘players’ in this grand ’saga’ and see how they emerged from it.

Datuk Ahmad Said
New Terengganu MB

To me, he looks like a jolly man, although Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said something about ‘jatuh macam nangka busuk‘ that might have referred to his, ‘plumpness’. A virtual unknown before, he is now MB for an oil-rich state. We will have to wait to see how he fares as MB, but at least we know that his Majesty Tuanku Mirzan Zainal Abidin definitely prefers him over Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh. Emerged as the biggest winner in the whole affair.

Datuk Rosol Wahid
Ajil assemblyman, State UMNO liaison secretary

Universally regarded as the person who talked way too much during the whole saga. When it was announced that Ahmad Said was to become MB, he came out with a statement that all 22 BN assemblymen will boycott the swearing in ceremony. Pandemonium ensued. Rasol led a group of people to the palace to hand over a memorandum and that said that Ahmad Said was no longer an UMNO member, forgetting (or not knowing) that such decisions rests in the hands of the UMNO Supreme Council.

When the Supreme Council accepted Ahmad Said’s appointment, ‘principled man’ Rosol said that he will stand by the decision. What happened to his bravado talk about ‘resigning in protest’ over the appointment just some days ago?

Emerged from the whole saga as an ignorant, hypocritical, biadap loser.

Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh
Former Terengganu MB, now just a ‘normal’ assemblyman

If we learn one thing from the Terengganu saga, it’s that Tuanku Mirzan Zainal Abidin DOES not think Idris should remain as MB, period. Idris tried to see his Majesty a couple of times, but was turned down. At first he was tensed, then happy, then he said that he accepts the decision of the palace but has the people’s support, after that he said that he is willing to apologize for all and any mistakes that he made to the Sultan. He didn’t have to; his Majesty was adamant.

Lately, Tun Mahathir ripped him to shreds in an article in the Sun newspaper. He now joins Shahidan Kassim in the ‘Kicked out by Palace’ club, which is a subset of the much larger ‘former MBs/CM’ club, along with Messrs Koh Tsu Koon, Tajol Rosli, Mahadzir Khir and of course, Dr. Khir Toyo.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister of Malaysia, UMNO President 

The troubles never stop for our premier. On 8 March 2008, his Barisan Nasional took a beating at the hands of the people. Then, the Tun called for his resignation, and this was echoed by son Mukhriz. At the same time, Wanita UMNO and Sabah UMNO are not happy with the Cabinet composition. 3 deputy ministers have so far declined/resigned cabinet positions. Ku Li is gathering support to challenge him. The opposition and the bloggers continue to criticize him. And ON TOP of ALL these, he had to deal with the humiliation of having his ’selected’ MBs rejected by two Malay rulers.

I almost pity him. Almost.

When UMNO (and associates) hold protests 20 March 2008

I believe in freedom of speech and the freedom to hold a peaceful assembly.

The organizers of the protests in Penang, Perak and recently Selangor have all the right to protest and air their grievances in a public assembly.  Personally, I think they’re made out of mostly UMNO members who can’t quite get it in their thick, chauvinistic heads that they’ve lost the support of the people, but that’s just my opinion. I respect their right to behave like sore losers.

But what I do not respect is the pin drop silence from UMNO leaders on these protests. I remember the widespread condemnation from the same leaders after the HINDRAF rally in Kuala Lumpur. The party’s official mouthpiece, Utusan Malaysia even coined the protesters as ‘pelampau Hindu‘ (Hindu extremists). But apart from the fact that the HINDRAF rally was bigger, the assemblies all have a common thread. They were intended to be peaceful (regardless of what you read in the mainstream media about the HINDRAF rally), they are about airing grieviences and they involve racial issues.

So why is one condemned and the others condoned?

At least the police’s stance has been consistent so far: no permit = illegal = FRU deployed = maybe ISA.

I remembered and so I will vote 6 March 2008

Until a few days ago, I was one of those ‘undecided’ voters that you often hear about. Not quite the ‘silent majority’, I never made secret my opinions, but I saw myself as an independent, objective person, not being affiliated with any political parties.

I have thought long and hard about this elections. After all, I did not want to vote based on emotions, as I believe that the voting process should be done with a clear mind and conscience. So I observed and I read, putting my best efforts to be objective. 

I thought about the elections four years ago. Yes, I was not part of the electoral process at that time, in fact I was scrolling through the results on my laptop in Cardiff. Yet I’m very sure that if I was to vote, my vote at that time would be for Barisan Nasional.

In fact, most Malaysians did that. We were overwhelmed with a feeling of euphoria, a sense of new beginning; we harbored hopes that things will be better from now on. We want our nation that we love so much, to grow from strength to strength. 20-odd years of the Tun (great, but very flawed that he was as a prime minister) was enough for us. We wanted change. 

So we voiced out that hope through our votes. We gave the ruling coalition a huge mandate. We told them, with our votes, ‘You have our full confidence’.

How things have changed in four short years. 

Little by little, I saw the mistake we made. Slowly but surely, I realized that the proverbial wool was cast over our eyes and the new dawn we had hoped for turned out to be a false one.

I saw how those who are supposed to represent us have failed us. I saw leaders acting in such a way that no other leaders of a democratic nation would ever dream of. Personal insults were traded in the sacrosanct chambers of Parliament. Words such as ‘bodoh’, ‘beruk’ and other expletives became the norm, rather than the exception.

How can we forget the sexist ‘leaking’ joke by the Yang Berhormats from Kinabatangan and Jasin? How can we forget the gentlemen from Jerai uttering the word ‘keling’? Or his comment about the ‘tunnel’ under a lady’s skirt. On a personal note, I was up in arms when I heard the ‘observations’ of a Johor state assemblyman from Parit Sulong who claimed that missionary schools such as my alma mater, La Salle Petaling Jaya, were funded by the Vatican and that we sang church hymns! To that gentleman, let me tell you how long my school had to collect donations just to build a new block of classrooms. If we were funded by the Vatican, you would think that the Vatican, being as wealthy as they are, would simply donate us some funds, right? 

I too remembered, the internal bickering between the Barisan component parties. Remember the spat between UMNO Youth and all the other Youth wings? Remember the name-calling between Mr. Samy and Mr. Kayveas? Mr. Keng Yeik and Mr. Kayveas? Mr. Kayveas and everyone else? Or how about the ‘tussle’ for Perlis between it’s prominent UMNO leaders.

Remember the keris-waving? The fist up in air, ‘it’s us against them’ speeches? How about the racist insults and the incitement to racial riots during the UMNO General Assembly two years ago. 

“We want to know when he is going to use his keris!” the Youth delegate exclaimed, eliciting thunderous applause from the floor. 

And now, we’re supposed to believe that everyone’s ‘buddy-buddy’ with each other?

I do not understand how such speeches can be allowed. I even more confused when the very same people are warning others not to use race and religion for political gain. Pot to kettle, you’re black!

We are supposed to respect each other’s race and religion. Yet, what kind of message are they sending by organizing the UMNO General Assembly last year during Deepavali? The reason that was given? Mr. Badawi was too busy, and that was the only time that he was free.

Yes, it’s a small issue. Yes, it might not swing votes and people do not remember it. But I remember. And I really believe that it’s just common courtesy to respect the festival of others. Imagine, if another component party held it’s meeting during Hari Raya.

I also remembered the temples that were destroyed, even after strong opposition from various groups. Am I supposed to believe that there was no other way to solve the problem other than destroying places of worship, sacred to so many people? Where then, were the ‘custodians’ of the community, if I may borrow a phrase from the MIC advertisement.

I remembered sending e-mails to some close friends when I saw the temple at Batu Caves being bombarded by gas canisters and water cannon. I remember my outrage at such blatant disrespect. That day, tens of thousands of Malaysians converged onto our capitol for a peaceful assembly. Yet, they were treated like criminals and eventually charged. Words like ‘terrorists’ and ‘traitors’ were thrown around freely. Then, a few months later, things were all rosy again. The ‘attempted murderers’ were released, and we got a holiday for Thaipussam. I am supposed to believe that all is good. 

On the same subject, how come we don’t hear words like ketuanan Melayu in this elections?

Further, as a legal practitioner, I remembered the outrage I felt when Mr. Nazri insulted the walk of justice by my fellow lawyers. How he dismissed any ‘crisis’ in the judiciary, how he told us to disregard the video as we cannot verify it’s authenticity. He must have felt very foolish after seeing the proceedings of the Royal Commission. 

On the topic of lawyers, I have not forgotten how five lawyers were caught for participating in a walk to commemorate Human Rights Day. There were charged and were asked to be denied bail because they are threats to national security.

Actually, come to think of it, anything to do with Mr. Nazri opening his mouth is enough to flare me up. 

I think of all the promises made, and I how empty they seem. We were not promised freedom of the press? Yet why are we bombarded by Barisan Nasional advertisements in the media? Why is Utusan Malaysia filled with stories of the greatness of the ruling coalition?

Corruption? We have gone down a few rungs in the global transparency index. We hear of scandals with BN-linked corporations like Scomi and ECM Libra. We see the façade of the Port Klang Free Zone. Maika Holdings. Submarine deals. And of course, overpriced screwdrivers, according to the Auditor General’s report. 

Come to think of it, was anything done with the findings of the report?

We were told that the economy is booming while we are struggling with inflation and rising fuel prices. We were told that we are a heavily subsidized country: compare our fuel prices with Singapore!

(Singapore, incidentally, is NOT a fuel-producing country. It has to buy fuel. Of course the oil will be more expensive.)

I remember all this.

The ruling coalition thinks that they can get away with anything, just because they have our mandate. In the past four years I have seen the importance of a strong opposition in order to provide balance to the government. I now realize that if we wish to progress as a nation, we must ensure that the actions of our leaders are kept in check.

I cannot stand the fact that they think they can fool us and that we have forgotten.

But I remember.

That is why, on 8 March 2008, when I cast my first vote, it will be a vote for change.