Anwar in Permatang Pauh, PAS Will Not Join BN, Ex-MCA People Leave BN

PAS and BN
Previously I had blogged with a question as the title : Will PAS Embrace Islam Hadhari or Join BN?

Thankfully, the answer from PAS is a "NO". It was said that PAS is greatful to both the Malay and non-Malay communities and if there is any future discussions, the party would try to include other components of Pakatan Rakyat. Maybe, common sense had finally caught on with the PAS faction that spoke with UMNO regarding the issue of "Malay Unity". PAS should realise that Malaysians voted for it to speak about "Malaysian Unity" which logically includes the interests of Malays under its theme.

I hope PAS will be cautious in making future decisions on discussions as such.

Ex-MCA People and BN
In the meantime, Malaysiakini had just posted a report titled Ex-MCA leader defects to PKR.

Accordingly ... (from Malaysiakini) ...

Former MCA Wanita deputy chief Dr Tan Yee Kew today crossed over with 1,700 others to PKR in Klang - the constituency which she once represented for 13 years. She was three-term Klang MP.

Now, this exodus should be a cause for concern within Barisan Nasional : A popular leader with a big crowd crossing over to Pakatan Rakyat.

Remember, remember, the "Crossover", 16th of September? Can anyone recall what Anwar Ibrahim had said about that date? It is only 6 weeks away. The clock is ticking.

Anwar and Permatang Pauh
Meanwhile, Wan Azizah had announced her resignation from the Permatang Pauh constituency to allow her husband Anwar Ibrahim to contest in a by-election.

Permatang Pauh is the stronghold for PKR and of course, Anwar, even he was in UMNO. The campaigning had started. YB Lim Kit Siang of DAP said, "Permatang Pauh by-election - turn it into a mini political tsunami".

Winning for Anwar should not be difficult under 'normal conditions' , looking at history. His party and himself is concerned that he would be arrested, and that could make things quite complex.

Will PAS Embrace Islam Hadhari or Join BN?

July is indeed a busy week. Therefore, time to blog is extremely scarce, with exams and office projects progressing at the same fast pace.

However, politics in Malaysia is at all times boring, slow and at its utmost unpleasant.

Will PAS Embrace Islam Hadhari?
1) I have been reading many articles about PAS having dialogue with UMNO over something called "Malay Unity". Perhaps, PAS has forgotten a few things, particularly of the events that transpired before the 12th General Election of 8th March 2008.

2) PAS has forgotten that it gained its biggest win in the Malaysian history resulting from the support through votes of Malaysians disregarding race and religion although PAS is typically a party leaned towards Islam. The proposed Welfare State (Negara Berkebajikan) is indeed more welcome to all rather than the concept of a purely theological State based on supposed interpretation of Islam and Hudud laws.

3) Since Malaysians have placed away many of their suspicion on the party, PAS should have discussed "Malaysian Unity" which by its own virtue include Malaysian Malay unity instead of concentrating on the latter, alone.

4) Ironically, PAS, a Pakatan Rakyat component is in talks with UMNO, the chief of Barisan Nasional on such matters. Why can't PAS speak with PKR, PSM or DAP on this matter and formulate plans to strengthen the unity of all races?

5) Why should it be UMNO? It is hard for a Malaysian not to view this negatively. After all, such talks arouse much suspicion, which brings us to the question : Will PAS eventually switch over to BN?

6) Even Sheih Kickdefella, a PAS supporter does not sound too happy in his post Baling Batu Tangan Sembunyi Dekat Belakang. I echo his words :

"I run to PAS not to be with Abdullah, ......."

and on top of that, I shall add, in my own volition, "and definitely not for it to be with Barisan Nasional".

7) If PAS switches over to BN, I shall personally conclude that PAS is no different than the UMNO it criticised pre-12th General Election. Any PAS leader, member of supporter should take note of this.

Barisan Rakyat Coming Into One Piece ?

Husam Musa wrote in his page Tiada rundingan dengan BN - Husam (No discussions with BN)

Excerpt (in Bahasa Melayu):
TIADA sebarang rundingan diadakan dengan Barisan Nasional (BN) untuk membentuk kerajaan campuran tegas Naib Presiden PAS, Dato' Husam Musa.

Beliau juga memberi amaran akan mengambil tindakan termasuk dipecat dari menjadi ahli PAS jika terdapat individu yang cuba untuk membawa PAS menyertai Umno.

Translation:
There is no discussion being held with Barisan Nasional (BN) to form a mixed government, Vice President of PAS, Dato' Husam Musa stated.

He gave a stern warning that actions will be taken, which may include membership cancellation should any individual is found trying to bring PAS into joining UMNO.
______________________________________

That is a good effort from Dato' Husam Musa. This is what I consider as leadership with clear direction. It is good that the Vice President can look ahead and see the bigger picture.

This is a good sign for Barisan Rakyat. PKR and DAP have to be cooperative as well.

MySinchew.com reported Malaysia: I Never Think Of Joining Other Parties, Says Anwar

Excerpt:
"Yes, there are parties asking their people came and lobbied me to join them. I met them with an open-manner. I am willing to exchange opinions with them. But I never think of joining other parties, UMNO or Barisan Nasional forever and ever," he told reporters in a press conference here, today.

"I never think of it and I never think of joining UMNO or Barisan Nasional (BN)," he said.
______________________________________

Anwar Ibrahim is the representative from PKR.

Meanwhile Malaysiakini reported that Ramasamy was sworn in as deputy Chief Minister in Penang . This is the first time an Indian has been awarded such a high post in Malaysia.

updated 3.27 p.m.
Read Nat Tan's jelas.info Have a little faith on the words of PAS on the Menteri Besar Perak items. It seems that there is no major disagreement yet between PAS and DAP . A praise for PAS on being gentleman and understanding (especially Dato' Husam Musa). This will encourage more trust from non-Muslims on PAS . Now, who said PAS is extreme? UMNO is extreme but not PAS. At least PAS doesn't wield keris and shout on the Perak MB issue.

updated 11.55 p.m.
Disagreements appeared. Lim Kit Siang posted No DAP CEC mandate for PAS Menteri Besar in Perak after Malaysiakini announced PAS' Nizar is new Perak MB . However, commenters in Lim Kit Siang's blog claimed they are willing to look at a greater picture and cause and able to accept the fact that the new MB of Perak would be from PAS. Bear in mind that the choice of PAS is made by the regent.

Pragmatism, Chinese, Barisan Rakyat Unity

Election 2008 : History And Voting Style
Election 2008 had just completed. Barisan Rakyat, in which the civil organisations and certain citizens term the PKR , DAP and PAS parties managed to deny Barisan Nasional two-third majority for the second time since 1969. The success is more pronounced with 5 states falling into the hands of Barisan Rakyat. Now, this is happening for the very first time in history. In 1969, only 2 states were taken by non-BN parties.

There must be some reasons that Barisan Nasional had lost so many seats. The main reason is, of course, as everybody knows, the "no confidence" in the Pak Lah Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Hadhari Administration. This guy here created two major historical moments in Malaysia within two terms of his leadership.

1) Biggest win for a single political coalition (BN) in Malaysian history : Election 2004.

2) Biggest loss for a single political coalition (BN) in Malaysian history : Election 2008.

Other than Pak Lah's poor performance, is there any other reason? I would say it has something to do with the citizens. In 1969, seats were cut out in the form of racial proportions. Malay areas would have PAS contesting as opposition. Non-Muslim areas will see Gerakan (opposition back in 1969) or any other non-Muslim parties contesting. Victory was easily assured because of such grouping in constituents.

After 1969, most constituents have a somehow balanced racial distribution due to government's plan execution of integrating the Malaysian community. However, this posed a problem for parties with ethno-centric outlook. Barisan Nasional looked better for having all parties representation with all sorts of ethnicity within its coalition. If there are three-cornered fights, it would be easy for Barisan Nasional to win. Such scenario was common. Yes, it was, until 2008.

Barisan Rakyat made sure each seat will only have one representative from the opposition party. People have woken up. They have discarded the divisive racial and religious mentality and collaboratively opted for the opposition parties during election. People have realised that they need to do something useful to save the nation.

Minussing PKR, which is a multiracial party in its outlook, 2008 witnessed non-Muslims voting for PAS and Malays voting for DAP. Previously, such an incident somehow looks taboo and unable to happen. Perhaps, I have underestimated fellow Malaysians. It is time for the Malays, Chinese and Indians to hold hands and work together. Blaming each other's religions and races will bring us nowhere. We have to sit down and talk and kick out anyone or any parties that seek to use divide-and-rule strategy on the people. Question the leadership.

Breaking Barisan Rakyat Unity Using PAS
Malaysiakini posted PAS wins big with gentler image: analysts . I would believe this as true. Some important excerpts to justify :

a) Hadi Awang said there would not be any dramatic changes for non-Muslims in the new PAS-ruled Kedah, unlike when it took over Kelantan in 1990, and it intended to respect minority rights.

b) "Whatever we (restrict), it will be in consultation with the various races living in these states," he said. "Whatever is allowed by their religion we will not interfere in but what is banned in Islam, we will forbid for Muslims."

c) "Being the party of Islamic scholars, PAS will now have to tread a much more moderate line in ensuring that they can form a coalition with the DAP," he (Husam Musa) said.

According to Malaysia Today, someone has started to spread rumours to break the newly-found Barisan Rakyat unity. I have heard from somewhere that certain mainstream media lapdogs machinery have started to function. Yet again, will Malaysians be divided?

In The aftermath of the 'bloodbath' , Raja Petra wrote this piece :

Now, with regards to the talk floating around that Tok Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang has announced that Kedah is going to introduce Hudud laws; this is not true. Tok Guru confirmed he never made such an announcement. The trouble is, many of you wear these 'boycott the mainstream media' T-shirts yet you still read and believe what the mainstream media spins. Would you become terrible offended if I shout 'Bodoh punya orang!'? I really don't know what else to shout under these circumstances.

Let me repeat what I have said many, many times in the past. PAS does not have 150 seats in Parliament. In fact, PAS, DAP and PKR combined do not have 150 seats in Parliament. Read my lips. “PAS NEEDS 150 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT TO CHANGE THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY OR OF THE STATES!”

Anyway, 150 seats or no 150 seats, PAS does not intend to introduce Islamic laws, PERIOD.

Pragmatic Should Be the Word
For those not in the know, PAS only contested in 60 parliamentary seats, of which, not all were won. That is not even half of the two-third majority (150 seats) needed to form a government.

I believe PAS understands that it has to work with other parties (DAP and PKR). PAS is pragmatic enough to adjust itself. Now, there is no Islamic State. Its Manifesto for 2008 is Welfare State (Negara Berkebajikan), which, in a way is feasible and fair to people not from the Muslim community as well.

Reading the statements above, PAS is practical enough to consult non-Muslim communities before implementing any form of law or making any final decision. It is only concerned with Muslims. Hadi Awang has said it. There is always DAP and PKR to rely on.

We should all understand PAS has survived all this while because there is still support from Muslims. They believe that this party can fight for their cause. It is similar to DAP. Although there are people who speak about its irrelevance, we have to know DAP exists until this very day because there is support from the public. We can't just simply "deny" PAS and DAP and think they would disappear into thin air. That is not really sensible. I think DAP may be willing to be pragmatic but the problem rests not with the party but its supporters.

The latest method from certain lapdogs is to break the understanding between PAS and non-Muslim supporters. The way of doing it is easy. Since the mainstream media is controlled by Somebody, Somebody would play all these classic 1980s (28 years ago) stuff, painting PAS in an extreme way to the non-Muslims. For the Muslims, certain Malay papers could be made to paint DAP as this chauvinistic chinese party who will demand for everything and suppress the Malays. Standard divide-and-rule approach. The idea may be old but who knows it may work?

Anything minor or potentially exploitable will be capitalised. For instance, the Menteri Besar of Perak decision. Actually, the truth is, PAS havs just nominated a candidate for Menteri Besar. Due to the nature that the Perak state majority can only be established through the combination of 3 opposition parties, each party would provide a candidate for the Sultan of Perak to choose and DAP only said they would discuss with PKR for decision on a related issue.

Somebody actually tried to make it look like PAS and DAP cannot agree on anything. The point is, the spin doctor failed to realise PAS proposing a candidate and DAP discussing with PKR on this issue doesn't mean they are disagreeing. It is not logic to paint it that way. Of course, this show is catered for the non-Muslim audience of which a portion may be stupid enough to think DAP does not want PAS candidate to become the MB of Perak therefore a decision has yet to be made.

The Chinese often said the community is pragmatic. From the way I see it, this may not be the case. If they are far-sighted enough, they would have seen through the trick easily. Indians are more open to PAS and Malays to DAP than Chinese with PAS. To change one's fate, one has to collaborate with others. Perhaps it is high time to write about the kiasi and short-sightedness of Malaysian Chinese. Should add one more term too : "Not Pragmatic".

To Be Fair To PAS, DAP, PKR : Divide and Rule Strategy

I found out part of my article PAS, Samy, Hindu Temple Demolition was published on Husam Musa's (of PAS) blog. Husam Musa made a copy of an original article from Anak Bapa blog : PAS dan Isu Kebebasan Beragama (PAS and the Issue of Religious Freedom)

Husam Musa's article : http://www.husammusa.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=365

Much has been promoted in the mainstream media on PAS being an intolerant party. PAS has been terribly tarnished by certain parties without much chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the public. Are those who tarnished PAS as a 100% intolerant Islamist group the same parties that tarnished DAP as a 100% intolerant chinese chauvinist group and PKR as a 100% party made only for Anwar? Who is the main power behind all these things gets the most advantage from doing all that? These are questions that we should ponder.

Teresa Kok just held a press conference slamming a mainstream press who twisted her words. Allegedly, the press tried to put this DAP candidate against PAS on ethics. Teresa Kok did not even utter any form of statements on PAS during her campaigning. According to her blog , she is considering legal action on this mainstream local press if an official apology is not given for putting words in her mouth.


On PAS
Somebody created the impression that PAS is very intolerant towards other religions. However, the biggest Buddha statue in South East Asia is in Kelantan, a state controlled by PAS. How can that be happening if PAS is intolerant? PAS could have actually demolished it 18 years back when it first assumed control. Besides that, PAS did not declare any fatwa to disallow any contruction of worship places of other religions. PAS even gave out permits. Even Hindraf leader, Uthayakumar, who is born in Kelantan said he does not bear any grudges with PAS because PAS does not tear down Hindu temples in gangster-like manners. PAS Chairman of national unity, Mujahid Yusof Rawa disagrees with violent treatment and proposes diplomacy on temple issues. Pork is still on sale in Kelantan for non-Muslims. Males and females swim in the same swimming pool. People regardless of gender queue up in the same line. PAS did not do any keris waving with questionable remarks on non-Muslims. In fact, PAS feel that it is not the right thing to do. So, how could PAS be considered as intolerant if all these are happening?


It is indeed strange that Chinese and Indians in Kelantan can speak better Bahasa Melayu than their counterparts in West Malaysia. In fact, Kelantanese are more engaged in muhibbah (racial harmony) than West Malaysia. Visit Kelantan and see it for yourself.


On DAP
As for DAP, Somebody painted them as chauvinistically chinese. However, everybody forgot that Lim Guan Eng went to jail for a case during the course of helping a Malay lady. If Saudara Lim is from DAP and DAP is only for chinese then how could that happen? Certain people abused NEP to enrich their cronies. Common poor and working class Malays are marginalised because of such abuse. If DAP is criticising NEP because of that, how can they be considered as chinese-chauvinist? DAP has been exposing issues on corruption for years. Corruption is destroying Malaysia. Majority Malays and Indians being the poorest in Malaysia will suffer if the economy goes down because of corruption. If that is the case, how can DAP be regarded as chauvinist and not patriotic? If DAP people wanted to make money, they could have joined the fray as a crony party of this Big National party but why didn't they do it?


On PKR
Somebody even painted that PKR is a party created specifically for Anwar Ibrahim. Before his release from jail, Somebody said PKR was maintained as part of the Free Anwar movement. After his release, Somebody said PKR is only for Anwar to further his ambitions and nothing else. I feel disgusted with such tagging by Somebody. It is of course not 100% the fault of Somebody. Malaysians are equally stupid to easily believe in such low IQ rethoric.

Now, why are Malaysians foolish? Consider this. PKR is not a small party. It has an NGO president in the form of MTUC president Syed Shahir. There are people who quit Barisan Nasional to join PKR. If the party is made specifically "just for Anwar", don't you think it will be impossible to get NGOs for working society to join in. The NGO could have chosen to join Barisan Nasional. Don't you think it is silly that people would quit a lucrative party to join a less lucrative party to further only the ambition of a person who is not even their relative.

The fact that certain Malaysians believe such a twisted branding by Somebody on PKR is certainly intriguing.

Conclusion
The main aim of such consistent painting of false impression on PAS , DAP and PKR is part of the divide-and-rule strategy.

It is a strategy to compartmentalise voting groups into race and religion. Non-Muslims are made to be suspicious on PAS. Muslims are made to be careful on DAP. Mapping Anwar as being the sole figure of PKR is an attempt to totally get both Muslims and non-Muslims to shy away from PKR.

Will the strategy work? It may work in mixed races areas if Malaysians choose to be foolish and believe in such silly rethorics.

Malaysians - Malays, Chinese and Indians should wake up and realise that their enemies are not themselves but Corruption, Mismanagement and People who Divide-and-Rule them.

Blaming race and religion will get us nowhere. Blaming Malays, Chinese, Indians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians will get us nowhere. Ask the leadership who is in control of the information and we may get an answer.
___________________________________________________

Meanwhile, another story apart from the above is published in Malaysiakini titled : BN lambasted for racial campaign in Klang .

Excerpt: MCA’s campaign of ‘Chinese vote for Chinese’ has angered DAP’s Charles Santiago who wants the race factor to be kept out of the polls.

Election 2008 : Kelab Maya Barisan Rakyat

The Big Day of Election 2008 is 1 week away. I was reading updates from Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today. I noticed an important comment on the Malaysia Today Trapped in a pickle of their own making :
________________________________________________________________________
written by shamadz72, February 29, 2008 13:48:02
Up until today, I have managed to print and distribute around 2,500 opposition flyers. Personally, I have distribute around 700 pamphlets and the rest was distributed by other netters who have personally emailed me to help me with the distribution. I would like to personally thank mr. Rajan who has volunteered to help distributing 400 pamphlets.

Anyway, I already started to have a back ache due to the task of preparing the pamphlets and today another bad news happened. My photocopy machine a Ricoh Alfio 200 started to run out of toner. So I will just have to depend on my faithful Canon LBP2900 mono laser jet printer to do the task until I can get my photocopy toner by next week.

Nevertheless, today I got another encouraging support while distributing the flyers at Giant Puchong. One Chinese chaps call me from behind. I thought surely someone is not happy considering that I am distributing it close to Gerakan Office and he probably want to warn me from distributing what he might consider as his turf. To my surprise with one hand holding my flyers, he give me a thumbs up with another hand. It is a small gesture but this kind of good gesture from other Malaysian really give me strength to carry on. As for those who want to volunteer distributing the pamphlets, please email me shamadz72@yahoo.com.my. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and for those who want to download and distribute themselves, please refer to http://www.bahankempen.com .

There are tons of fact on corruption, statistic figures on crime, petrol charges and tol charges. You can always use any editing software to edit the pamphlets to suit your target readers.

Ok guys. Let us keep up our good work and together we reclaimed back this country!
________________________________________________________________________

I opened up http://www.bahankempen.com/ and saw this statement :

"Daripada Kelab Maya Barisan Rakyat: Kebenaran yang terserlah…untuk menghantar bahan kempen, sila emailkan kepada bahankempen@yahoo.com "

Go to the bottom right side of the page. There are plenty of distributable items there, either by mail or in physical printed form.

Ladies and gentleman, it seems someone has taken the initiative to do something for the nation ! Syabas, Shamadz72 ! People, please help out with something as simple as this - View them before distributing.

Malays, Chinese, Indians Unite ! Barisan Rakyat - PKR , DAP , PAS !

Meanwhile, I found myself shortlisted by MyCen News ( http://www.mycen.com.my/malaysia/election2008.html ) in the "Socio-Political Blogs / Bloggers / Commentary" category. Check it out.

Nomination Day for Teresa Kok (Seputeh) in Sri Petaling

Nomination Day was on Sunday, 24th February 2008. I was cordially invited by my friends to record and support Democratic Action Party (DAP). DAP is part of the Barisan Rakyat group comprising a few political parties that endorsed the People's Declaration to serve the country and all its people.

The documents on the People's Declaration can be viewed here. Haris Ibrahim and the People's Parliament are behind this meaningful initiative:

1) The People's Voice and The People's Declaration (online version)
2) The People’s Voice (PDF version )
3) The People’s Declaration (PDF version)
4) Piagam Rakyat (PDF version)
5) The People’s Declaration (Mandarin) (PDF version)

Hidup Barisan Rakyat! On 23rd February 2008 (a day before normination), representatives from various political parties (PKR, DAP, PAS etc.) had agreed and accepted the document in the Blog House, Damansara. Malaysiakini made a video recording on the historical event as well.

These are the pictures taken from Bandar Baru Sri Petaling .....



People started to gather around 7 a.m. Flags, caps and banners were distributed to everyone.


Teresa Kok's banner. People were making sure everything is ready before moving. "Jom, Ubah!" is the slogan on the banner.


The leading car started to move. As you can see everyone was enjoying themselves. The crowd threaded the car.


The crowd walked towards the nomination center. Flags were raise and cars on the road honked in support while supporters exclaimed slogans on "Change!" and "Support DAP!".


The "cheerleader" of the day. He looked experienced.


The entourage reached the nomination Sri Petaling Community Hall which functioned temporarily as the nomination center. The 2 aunties were holding DAP's emblem for Election 2008. Nomination time started at 8.00 a.m.


Teresa Kok's representative for submission of nomination. She was being interviewed by the mainstream media. There was another man meeting the officer with this lady in turquoise shirt. He moved ahead already.


Supporters waited for the procedures to complete. Objection period was from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.


View from the other side. MCA is fielding its lady candidate, Carol Chew Chee Lin, 27.


The job was completed. The representatives returned. Now everything is set for the Big Day 8th March 2008. It is Woman vs Woman on International Women's Day ! I hope the ladies will ask Pak Lah why the election was arranged to coincide with the International Women's Day.


DAP T-shirt on Loving and Saving Malaysia.


The DAP emblem and motto for Election 2008.


Event Published in Malay Mail
Malay Mail reported Teresa and Carol run for Seputeh . According to the Malay Mail: “She (Teresa Kok) doesn’t care about the people in Seputeh. She’s not even here today,” remarked several supporters of the BN at the centre.

Now, why wasn't Teresa in Seputeh. That was because she had to present herself in Kinrara for the State Seat candidate nomination.

Teresa's performance in the Parliament was brilliant. She voiced out on many matters for the community such as the nude squat issue, the highway in Sri Petaling affecting the nearby houses, the muhibbah road signboard issue, land issues, etc. etc. There were aunties who told me she sometimes would visit markets in the morning, speak with the people and ask them if there are any community issues that need to be solved.

She did all that even though her schedule was packed. Alfred Ho, the Visually-Impaired but Famous Singer oficially joined Democratic Action Party because Teresa was the only one who took the initiative to meet him.

The Seputeh community would understand that the time and date of the nomination runs in parallel all over Malaysia. It does not matter if she is "here" for the nomination. The most important thing is, she is always "here" in the Seputeh area when the people needed her as exemplified by my writings above. The contributions are always more important.

Will MCA be "there" for the community when the keris is waved with sensitive remarks spoken? Wasn't MCA the one who said it was acceptable by the Malaysian community? The least of all PKR, DAP and even PAS were "there" to discourage it.

I call for people of Seputeh to give Teresa your votes based on her good performance in the constituency. I call for people of Kinrara to give a chance to Gobind Singh (DAP , Parliamentary - Puchong) and Teresa (DAP, State - Kinrara).

Cikgu Ahmad (PAS candidate, Seri Serdang) paid a visit to Gobind and Teresa during nomination. Best wishes to Cikgu Ahmad as well.

People, please vote for Barisan Rakyat in Election 2008 ( PKR , DAP , PAS ) . There will not be any three-cornered fights. There will only be an opposition against a BN candidate at each seat.

PAS, Samy, Hindu Temple Demolition

I had earlier chronicled the Kampung Rimba Jaya Temple Demolition in my post Deepavali and Bulan Syawal Destruction.

PAS on Temple Demolition
Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Chairman of national unity of PAS had written a letter to Malaysiakini condemning the demolition procedures of the Hindu temple in Kampung Rimba Jaya. In fact, the PAS representative had expressed deep regret over the violent manner the issue was handled.

Surprising isn't it? I mean, this is PAS, the Islamic Party of Malaysia. The temple was of the Hindu religion. It is supposed to be no concern of theirs. Perhaps, PAS is not 100% intolerant as certain parties painted it to be. Kelantan, the state in which PAS reigns, houses Wat Photivihan, biggest reclining Buddha statue in Malaysia. There were rumours circulating that PAS even allowed a Hindu temple to be built in one of their newly obtained constituency. The Hindus were asking for permission from a previous MP of another party for years but to no avail.

Maybe it is high time that people take a deeper look at what PAS has to offer for the people. Put aside some of the negative impression. That is provided that PAS has a complete and clear blueprint on governing the nation for the people to analyse.

Samy on Temple Demolition
In the meantime, Malaysiakini posted another interesting article titled MIC retracts ban on Deepavali events. Earlier, Samy Vellu, the President of the Indian representative party, MIC, with courage not commonly seen, called for a ban on open houses during the upcoming Deepavali celebration.

If Samy Vellu had proceed with such action for the sake of the community he is supposed to represent, in my personal opinion, the Hindu gods must have been compassionate enough to bestow some Light on the greatly marginalised Indian community of Malaysia after witnessing much sadness and grief that they had over the recent event.

And I thought the Hindu gods must have been so understanding that they shone some light on the minds on MIC leaders as well, awakening them so that they will do what they are supposed to do.

Happiness is a rare occasion and difficult to be obtained it seems, the ban was retracted so 3 hours after the initial announcement. There are reasons of course, as KTemoc writes in his article : "Deepavali Open House & MIC - Must I Cancel?" .

3 hours, phew.. that was quick.

Let me make some important extracts from KTemoc's blog:
_________________________________________________

Samy gave the excuse that there has been an 'overwhelming request' by the members of the community for the ban to be overturned - hmmm, 'overwhelming request' from the MIC community or the entire Indian community? Alas, he didn't bother to elaborate, but I need to ask the question - where's the MIC protest against the demolition of Hindu temples now?

But you know something?

Well, it seems that Mama is still in mourning for his late brother, who passed away early this year, therefore he won't be having an ‘open house’ anyway.

While I respect his piety for his late brother, I certainly don’t his grandstanding - hey, Mama, when you've already planned not to have an 'open house' in the first place, please don't act tough by saying you won't be holding an 'open house'.

It’s little wonder that the other MIC leaders were annoyed at the ban which wouldn't have affected Samy, but which would have denied them the opportunity to ... er ... showcase their ... er ... hospitality

hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
_________________________________________________

I certainly understand why KT ends his article with a very loud laugh. It is not hard to know why.

Good luck Malaysian Indians. Pray hard..... during Deepavali..... May God bless you.