All for the sake of winning votes

On The Beat
By WONG CHUN WAI
- A Daring article published on The Star on 10 Feb 2006.
URL : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/10/focus/20287210&sec=focus

Come the general election, there is an unusual degree of tolerance and flexibility in matters of race, language and religion as politicians try to woo the people. Why can’t it be like this every day?

IT doesn’t look like it will happen in Malaysia for a long, long time. The world is currently glued to the US presidential elections where the front-runners in the primaries include an African-American and a woman.

The Americans do not care if their candidate is black, yellow or white as long as he or she is the right person. Their supporters comprise Americans of all races and gender. Throughout the campaign, candidates have so far managed to stay clear from race and gender.

More important, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both Democrats, have debated in a civil and intelligent manner, focusing on substantial issues.

Young Malaysians following the race must have surely asked when our politicians would live up to such qualities.

For a start, those who have overstayed must know when to leave.

Most of the voters are finding it difficult to swallow the argument put up by these leaders that they still need time to carry out their work.

Surely, they can’t expect us to believe them after holding on to their posts for decades.

Used to walking the corridors of power and enjoying the prestige and perks that come with their positions, many find it hard to be like us, ordinary Malaysians, again.

The thought of not seeing their names and pictures in the newspapers must be difficult to fathom.

By clinging on to their posts, it is also an insult to their party members because the impression, which they like to create, is that no one else is suitable to take over.

No one else seems good enough to fill their shoes. You find these politicians on both sides of the political divide; they seem to be there forever.

Then there are those who have had their chances. They had served in various capacities but had to quit in the most controversial situations.

Now in their 60s, the age when most Malaysians are thinking of spending time with their grandchildren and watching the sunset with their loved ones, they dream of staging a comeback.

Some of these figures do not even know how to surf the Internet and have no inkling of what young people are saying about them in cyberspace.

They probably assume that the new voters, like their grandchildren, have forgotten the trouble they had landed themselves into, or the huge embarrassment they had caused their party.

Their renewed ambitions must be difficult for the younger leaders in the party, especially those in their 40s and 50s, who have worked faithfully and are waiting in the wings.

Then there are one or two Mentris Besar or Chief Ministers.

It’s amazing how some of them seem to assume that their respective states are their personal fiefdoms.

They show their displeasure at even the slightest suggestion that they ought to contest a parliamentary seat.

They lobby to remain at their posts but then advise the other state assemblymen that they must abide by what their party bosses tell them to do.

Also, there are those who still continue to play the race card, in this age and time.

At their party conferences each year, they play to the gallery by projecting themselves as the communal heroes.

But during the general election, they shamelessly become the true Malaysian leaders we dream of.

They greet their voters in Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil; and if they can speak all these languages fluently, they would do so.

But for the rest of the five years until the next general election, they would insist only on one language for us.

Never mind if we all know that they send their children to boarding schools in England or Australia.

Some, it is said, have homes there, too.

Of course, they are upset if we do not send our children to national schools, questioning our loyalty to the country.

Suddenly, all these languages are used in posters, bunting and advertisements, and you wonder why Malaysia cannot be like this every day.

Why can’t we embrace such Malaysian features and why must multi-culturalism be acceptable only during election campaigns?

Such an unusual degree of tolerance and flexibility seems almost unbelievable.

Even PAS is prepared to stop talking about an Islamic state during the elections but throughout the next five years, we can be sure they will tell us how certain principles cannot be compromised on religious grounds.

Politicians are also busy visiting places of worship and meeting religious leaders, including those of other faiths.

Yet we know we will continue to grapple with various bureaucratic problems relating to faith issues because these same politicians will struggle to stand up for the rights of all citizens once the election season is over.

Fortunately, there are many who take their positions as MPs and assemblymen seriously. They work hard, help their constituents and speak with decorum.

They are a credit to their party and the people who voted them in.

How we wish we could have elections more regularly instead of just once every four or five years.

But hey, good things don’t happen every day.

Let’s enjoy all the attention while we still can.

It’s good to tell the politicians what we want once every four or five years and do our best to hold them to their promises – every single day.

Malaysia After 2008 Election

My prediction on future of malaysian, especially Indian after 2008 General Election.. are...

1. BN will rule the country, but their majority will drop tramendously...

2. Sammy Vellu will either step down or loss in the election. (All of hoping for this)

3. Oil price, Toll price will be increased..

4. Khairy Jamaluddin will be holding a post in the govenment, preferebly a deputy minister.

5. Pak Lah...will still be the Premier of Malaysia..

6. Malaysian Indian will understand the meaning of unit between them and the advantage

This would lead to a business opportunity between Indians and cooperation which lead us to
a different level.

7. All five Hindraf member would be freed from ISA detention center, as there are no more treat to the government.

8. Wytha Moorthy would return to Malaysia.

9. India would stop buying palm oil from Malaysia, this would be a counter action to malaysia Umno Minister's sarcastic action.

10. Kelantan and Terangganu will be under control of PAS.

11. Penang will be controlled by DAP.

11. The most important, all Malaysian Indian would understand democracy and their right and right to question a elected MP, even a prime minister.

Let us all (Malaysian) cast our vote, as sign of democracy and reject, lies, Incompetent leaders, and show the power of Makkal Sakthy (People's Power)

;/

Gift for Pak Lah

Gift to premier of Malaysia by some angered Malaysian.

Memorandum to Malaysian High Commmissioner in India

FHROI (Federation of Human Rights Organisations of India) has strongly condemned the government of Malaysia on their action on 24 December 2007.
Some of the picture of the support from Indian in India.

" A nice poem which i receive through email from my friend"

Oh man, I love this country
I called it the land of political absurdity
Full of ludicrousness amid stupidity
First in the pipeline is Mr. Badawi
The country's 5th Perdana Menteri
Hailed from notable ulama's family
In that spirit he created a new Islam Hadhari
The so-called modern Islam resembling Turkey
Some touted it as Islam Ada Hari
When the original Islam turned awry

He loves to travel in style like big celebrity
Making grand entrance in any opportunity
So he insisted a private jet paid by Treasury
He got it despite hullabaloo by bloggers community
He said the government didn't purchase it out rightly
The government is leasing it from SPM, a GLC
For him, this is a good strategy
By doing that he thinks he can save money
Oh yeah, he thinks people believe his story

Perth seems to be his favorite city
Last December he opened Nasi Kandar Puteri
And then went on sailing trip with Todt of Ferrari
Back home worst flood hit Johor Kota Tinggi
17 died and 90000 evacuated in that tragedy
But yet, the jet setting PM was outside the country
He might use remote control key

Badawi has son-in-law by the name of Khairi
He married Badawi's daughter Nori
Recently both blessed with the baby
That has longest name in the country
I can only remember the last name, Khairi
This young chap is Pemuda Umno deputy
Claimed to have "protection" from Mr. Badawi
Has a big wish to be PM by age of forty
So he is gathering support from Putera and Puteri
At the same time accumulated wealth aggressively
Through ECM Libra and some crony
Media was at his helm through NST
Now he has potent tools – money, media and machinery

And his father in law alias Perdana Menteri
Meanwhile Hisham is putting up a new strategy
His kris wielding attracts flak of Malay supremacy
It backfires especially to Chinese community
His reasoning draws conclusion that he is punya
Najib is not convince Hisham to be his deputy
Najib may consider a big mouth Nazri
Provided that Rosmah is okay to work with Nazri
You know why lah, Najib takut bini


We don't have to elaborate the story
You have to come here to enjoy the absurdity
We have quite a few funny ministers and MP
Such as hilarious Work Minister Mr.Samy
Before Hindraf he represents Indian community
The longest serving minister that heads MIC
In press conference he got agitated quite easily
When Umno conference was held on Deepavali
He said no "open house" as sign of hostility
He twisted the decision maybe after talking to Indrani
This MIC leaders share similar trait and personality
The latest one was Cameron Highland MP Mr. Devamani
He has broken ranks with fellow BN MP
When he accused government not doing enough for Indian community
After meeting with BN Whip, he regretted and say sorry

Let me continue my story
Well, you probably have heard it already
About the biggest anti-government rally
Not exactly same scale as 98 Reformasi
On Nov 10 more than 40,000 flooded the city
To protest unfair election practice against EC
Dirty ruling party tactics are legendary
Short-notice on Election Day is customary
Just a day before Pak Lah was basking in glory
In annual affair of UMNO general assembly
Full of hypocrisy and puji-memuji

Pak Lah shouted it loud "don't challenge me"
Despite threats and warning from Pak Lah and Khairy
People are defiant and take no heed from Badawi
They chanted God is Great, Daulat Tuanku and Reformasi
November is a month of illegal assembly
School holidays thus parents are quite free


The rally was given wide publicity
The rally was headlined in AlJazeera and BBC
Foreign media questioned our brand of democracy
Water cannon and tear gas were fired indiscriminately

Umno leaders are in denial state naturally
Such as Zam who head the Info Minsitry
Zam was trembling uncharacteristically
In an interview that becoming laughing stock in the country
Scrambling for words and chew out frantically
He can't censor it as we are in digital technology
You can just Google or YouTube easily

Well that is one example of political absurdity
What do you expect from half past six menteri
Some are in complete ignorance and dreary
Some will resort to unthinkable publicity
Giving broom as reward never in history
Some will slaughter cows in parliament for kenduri
To celebrate the matrimony of our own Sleeping Beauty
Another stupid joke by backbencher MPs


You can't find this in your country
A journalist like Michael Backman will agree
So many things to write for your Daily
No wonder he keeps coming here for juicy story
Malay tabloids prefer to write about ghost and celebrity

That's saleable among ordinary
Maybe they got sick of constant spat by political party
They prefers to idolize people like Siti or Mawi
Do you think they care who is their MP

- Anon

Credit to original writer

Ethnic Indians to gift roses to PM

Source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200801071756.htm

Kuala Lumpur (PTI): Ethnic Indians protesting alleged marginalisation in Malaysia now plan to resort to 'Gandhigiri', presenting 10,000 Valentine's Day roses to the country's premier to highlight their demand for justice.

The "Valentine Roses Campaign" will be the first public event organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) since a massive protest demonstration here on November 25, which saw police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse some 20,000 ethnic Indians.

Hindraf Chairman P Waytha Moorthy, now in London, said a minimum of 10,000 Malaysian Indians would assemble outside Parliament on February 16 to gift red and yellow roses to premier Abdullah Badawi in conjunction with Valentine's Day.

"Red Roses would signify Hindraf's love and peaceful struggle while yellow roses would signify the demand for justice for the five Hindraf leaders held under the draconian laws and for the rights of the minority Indian community who have been neglected for the last 50 years since Independence by the government," he said in a statement.

Five Hindraf leaders have been detained by the authorities under the controversial Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite imprisonment without trial.

Moorthy said Hindraf "wishes to assert that this is purely a peaceful gathering with the view to present our beloved Prime Minister with roses to enlighten him on the predicament and cry for justice" of the Indian community.

"It is hoped by accepting the roses the Prime Minister would be compassionate and understand the needs of the Indian community," he said, requesting Badawi to personally accept the gift or make a representative available. Hindraf said it can change the venue if the premier wishes.

Hindraf launches signature campaign

.. “The Hindu Rights Action Force on Thursday launched “a one-million signature campaign” for the release of five of its detained leaders and for the “equal rights” of the ethnic Indian minority in Malaysia. “
Source : http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/28/stories/2007122854001300.htm

All Malaysian Indian Must must support this campaign.

Prime Minister - The Real King In Malaysia

A Prime Minister controls every single system like such as Police, Court, Finance, other Ministries. He is more like President in a communist country. When a malaysian ask about their right, there would be several laws is being used against them.

Among f these law are sedition Act , ISA, etc.

When our previous prime minister Dr. M was in power, we would not likely to see such a bad decision is taken againt a group of Malaysian, expect during 1998 when Anwar Ibrahim was sacked.

Compared to Dr M, our new prime minister seem to be a low profile person where everyone else will be making their own decision and he has no control over it.

For example, when Kampung Jawa temple was demolished, Samy Vellu could not do anything. The only thing he said is he will bring the matter to Prime Minister.

Guess what would be our great PM response over the matter. He left comment of main page of each newspaper…. the Headline looks something like this ” WE MUST RESPECT OTHER RELIGIONS NEED”…

Thats all.. after that he went to sleep again…..

What did Hindraf did.. they voice each Malaysian Indians voice on the matter, bank loans only given to Malays, places in university is only given to Malay, there are thousand of loans available to Malay without any guarantor, business license is given only if there is a malay sleeping partner…. yeah… they get 7% discount on houses…

But malay politician enjoy better privileges, they enjoy government contract, commission on contract which will be sold to other chinese company with lower cost.

…

Why all these thing are happening. When some is in control when too long they would be able to missuse their power and influence for their own agenda.

What a normal Malaysian could do.. register as voter..and make sure there is at least they don’t win big. Oppossition should be at least 40 - 45% in the parliment.

A minister elected by people is a representative of people and he is responsible for making sure our right and welfare is taken care of.

But in Malaysia, politician think they are the King. No one should ask any question against them, other wise they would be in the Jail, this is the current culture in Malaysia.

Be wise and show that we have right to question government. Show your right.

- ANON

M’sia’s Indian protest movement ‘a losing battle’: leader

Latest Interview by Wathya Moorthy’s , Chairman Of Hindraf…

Source : Strait Times of Singapore, 2 Jan 2008

LONDON - MINORITY ethnic Indians are fighting a ‘losing battle’ for equal rights in Malaysia, and their fledgling protest movement against the Muslim-dominated government is likely to die soon, a protest leader told reporters.

Ultimately, only the government - not the people - can bring about real change by giving concessions to ethnic Indians, said P. Waytha Moorthy, the chairman of the Hindu Rights Action Force group that is leading the Indian movement.

‘We are fighting a losing battle, we know. We try our level best but if we don’t succeed, we have to call it a day, isn’t it?’ Mr Moorthy said in the interview this week in the London suburb of Hounslow, where he is living with friends in self-imposed exile.

‘We have to close the chapter. There may be a new chapter, but we may not be part of the next chapter,’ a tired-looking Mr Moorthy said during the chat at a McDonald’s restaurant.

‘I know, eventually we will also fail.’

Source of woes
Ethnic Indians form about 8 per cent of Malaysia’s 27 million people, and complain that the government denies them opportunities in jobs, education and business.

They say that years of systematic repression have kept them at the bottom of the society.

The government denies this and says all Malaysians have benefited from the spectacular progress of the export-driven economy since independence in 1957.

‘We want the minority Indians to be given their basic rights If they can give us two or three (real concessions), we are willing to keep our mouth shut I don’t look at myself as a sacrificer,’ Mr Moorthy said.

‘That’s what I don’t understand why isn’t the government conceding? We are not asking for super rights, we are asking for basic rights.’

Ethnic Indians, most of them descendants of 19th century plantation workers from southern India, also accuse the government of turning a blind eye to the destruction by local civic authorities of Hindu temples.

Mr Moorthy’s statements are the most honest and frank assessment of the reality faced by the minority community who have little economic or political clout.

Malaysia’s majority Malay Muslims, who are 60 per cent of the population, control the government, while the ethnic Chinese - who are a quarter of the population - dominate business.

The Indian frustrations took public shape for the first time when Hindraf organised a massive rally on Nov 25 of about 30,000 people in defiance of a government ban.

Mr Moorthy fled the country fearing arrest but five other Hindraf leaders were subsequently detained under the Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite jail without trial.

They were accused of being a threat to national security but no charges have been filed.

Mr Moorthy said public support for Hindraf has increased after the arrests, but the movement was ’stagnant’ now.

‘What we can, we will still do. But if the whole struggle is going to die, what can we do?’ he said.

‘As it stands now I don’t think we can accelerate.’

He said he doesn’t regret starting the movement.

‘I will never regret but I feel sorry’ for those detained and ‘frustrated with the system, the government.’

‘I’ll keep pushing it, but again, to what extent? Funds are limited. Once we have exhausted all our funds, that’s it. It’s sad but there is nothing I can do after that. Let somebody else continue.’

Hindraf’s worry
He said his biggest worry is that when Hindraf fails, the poor and uneducated Indians will come to hate the government even more, and may resort to violence.

He added he does not condone or support violence in any form.

‘So by stopping us today, they are actually planting the seeds of further hatred. After a certain limit, (the people) will react on their own and then nobody will have control over them. That is my biggest fear,’ Mr Moorthy said.

He said he plans to stay in London for now and continue lobbying internationally with Hindraf donations.

‘I would prefer to keep pushing, keep the people’s spirit high The safest thing to do is to conduct prayers.’ — AP