A Case of Accidental ‘Terlanjur Kata’

Timbalan Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO negeri, Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah berkata, apa yang diperkatakan oleh Ahmad mengenai ‘orang Cina adalah menumpang’ merupakan satu fakta sejarah yang tidak patut diragui mana-mana pihak.

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Ahmad yang turut hadir pada sidang akhbar itu bersama-sama para penyokongnya melaungkan ungkapan ‘Hidup Melayu’. Para pemimpin UMNO Pulau Pinang itu juga mengetuk meja secara serentak tanda menyokong Ketua UMNO Bahagian Bukit Bendera tersebut.

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The Extinction of UMNO as a Malaysian entity could happen because of the uproar over the statement by Bukit Bendara Umno division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail during the campaigning at Permatang Pauh given the sentiments that ‘Hidup Melayu’ is not perceived to be necessarily ‘Hidup Malaysia‘. What can Pak Lah do with both hands are tied?

Tun M has an interesting take that UMNO as a party should not apologise as it is the fault of the individual and not that of the party. Click here to read Chedet’s explanation where he counter-balances the current issue out with Hindraf & Namawee.

The challenge to all readers of blogs & mass media is ‘have you heard or read the original statement by Datuk Ahmad Ismail?’

See below an excerpt from the Star:

‘I am not denying that I made the statement but I had merely said that the Chinese were squatters in the country then because that is a fact and furthermore, at that point in my speech, I was referring to the pre-Merdeka days,” he said.’

If we could rewind the tape, Datuk Ahmad Ismail should hopefully realise that the politically unnecessary statement caused more ‘political pening kepala’ than potential mileage claimed.

Ibrahim: PAS should lead Pakatan Rakyat

Regardless of whatever non-Muslims think of PAS (favorably or unfavorably), Pasir Mas MP Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali’s statement that PAS should lead the opposition coalition if only to form a stronger counter balance to BN will put many political strategists in BN to shame. Truly, a classical strategem from Bismark’s school of thought in dividing, isolating & conquering the enemy bit by bit. We can attempt to second-guess UMNO’s contingency plan if this scenario really pans out (with PR post-DSAI giving way to PAS to win the Malay votes). Of course, it’s unlikely DAP will ever allow this to happen unless PAS can show restraint over Avril Lavigne & Inul Dangdut concerts.

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PASIR MAS: The Pakatan Rakyat should be led by PAS instead of PKR because the former had more grassroots and a greater Malay membership, said Pasir Mas MP Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali.

He said PKR, although led by a Malay and had more MPs in Parliament, is perceived by many to be a multi-ethnic party, similar to DAP.

“This does not fit in well with the Malay psyche. To balance insecurities and fears, PAS should be appointed to led the Pakatan,” he said in an interview.

Ibrahim said this move would reflect the actual demographics in the country where Malays were dominant in terms of numbers.

He added that this would appease all communities and lead to the birth of a practical two-party system where no single coalition is strong and each side can become the watchdog of the other, he said.

In such a situation, he said the people would benefit the most as both sides would be competing with each other.

Asked about Anwar’s attempts to lure Barisan MPs to defect by Sept 16, Ibrahim said he did not think it would become a reality.

“Firstly, Parliament is not in session on Sept 16. Secondly, to achieve a secure majority, Anwar needs more than just 30 MPs which means he has to fish a sizeable number of MPs,” he said.

Thirdly, he said any change of the Federal Government must involve the Rulers’ Council and specifically the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Ibrahim said Sabah and Sarawak MPs knew they stood to benefit from a weakened Umno and could seek the Federal Government’s attention since they were now more valuable to Barisan than they were to the Pakatan.

“Why should they give it all up for incentives promised by Anwar?

“A few Sabah MPs spoke personally with me. We had a frank chat and some swore that there is no need to join a coalition led by Anwar now,” he said.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin- the voice of reform?

The war drums are being sounded- can the other UMNO leaders maintain a graceful silence on game-changing strategies? With Tun M, Ku Li & Muhyiddin being more vocal, is this now setting a scene for battle royale come November?

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos – Format dan pengisian Barisan Nasional (BN) perlu diolah semula bagi menarik sokongan generasi muda sekali gus mengekalkan statusnya sebagai parti pemerintah.

‘‘Saya ambil pedoman daripada keputusan pilihan raya umum dan kecil yang lalu, seolah-olah terdapat satu pandangan bahawa mereka (generasi muda) tidak berapa setuju dan berminat untuk terima konsep BN.

‘‘Saya berpendapat dalam situasi sekarang, mungkin ada keperluan untuk BN disusun dalam format dan pengisian baru yang lebih diterima masyarakat kita,’’ katanya.

Muhyiddin berkata, usaha mengolah semula format dan pengisian BN perlu dimulakan oleh UMNO sebelum diikuti oleh parti-parti komponen BN yang akan mengumpulkan maklum balas kehendak kaum yang diwakili mereka.

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The Hope of Reform & Moderation?

We do not officially endorse nor selectively criticise individual leaders as we believe the best mode of governance is through the democratic process- beyond a party & within a party.

However, the faces in the poster below (besides DSAI) deserve more air-time- for positive reasons of course.

Interesting extracts from Malaysian Press

With the Permatang Pauh by-election being just around the corner (and DSAI’s return to Parliament almost imminent), now comes Gus Dur & the Jews as a side topic to influence Malay thinking. Our challenge to the person who linked campaigning for votes with disrespect for another religion of the Book is ‘dude, get a life’. Sheesh- the amount of anti-semitism/racism within some people. And you call this responsible journalism?

True- Gus Dur was taken to be ‘weak’- but under him, there grew to be more openness. Is there no similarity with the situation right now in Malaysia? In addition, Gus Dur showed a willingness to speak to others irrespective of religion. What the article reeks is just senseless racism.

We do agree that Gus Dur should not interfere in Malaysian politics- but surely there must be better ways to deflect his ‘unwelcomed’ canvassing for DSAI.

Siapa Gus Dur mahu ajar kita?

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Ogos – Beberapa hari lepas, bekas Presiden Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid tiba-tiba saja muncul di Malaysia dalam apa yang dilihat sebagai cubaan untuk membantu kempen Parti Keadilan Rakyat dalam pilihan raya kecil Permatang Pauh.

Namun, untuk PKR bergantung kepada seorang personaliti yang bercelaru dan tidak lagi berwibawa, adalah sesuatu langkah yang dianggap kurang wajar.

Gus Dur, yang terkenal dengan kelakuan bercelaru dan kenyataan yang bercanggah, cuba berbaik-baik dengan pertubuhan Yahudi walaupun beliau mempunyai latar belakang agama yang kuat.

Orang seperti inikah yang boleh memberi perangsang kepada kita rakyat Malaysia?

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BN London: 1st Meeting

The ad-hoc committee had the first meeting to discuss the scope for the formation of BN London on 23/06/2008. Representatives from 3 major component parties (UMNO, MCA, MIC) came in their personal capacities to agree on the way forward to pursue the reform agenda.

A follow-up meeting will be held in mid-August to structure the governance process & provide greater clarity on lobbying methodology required.

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