Will There Be A New Government Soon?

It seems Anwar had said something important during his maiden speech after being officially back in politics. Black 14 has turned into White 14 on 14-04-2008. Will we witness an important moment in time for Malaysian history? Check out The Malaysian Insider for more information.

1) Video in Youtube: Black 14 2008 di Kelab Sultan Sulaiman Kg Baru KL
2) Pictures by TV Smith: Sightings Update

I place the most important emphasis in seeing the official registered formation of Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance). It is really high time for a two-party system in Malaysia. It has been 50 years, half a century.

DAP, PKR, PAS, please do your job. As a Malaysian, I am looking forward to it. I wish to emphasise again that the official formation must be done immediately.... An opportunity like this is scarce. I do not want to wait for another 50 years (provided I am still alive by then).

Meanwhile, I would like to praise PAS for choosing the tolerant nature in Islam, approaching Catholics in churches and respecting Hindus. DAP Lim Guan Eng should be complimented for his stance in practising transparency in Penang. If there are land scams, corruptions and misuse of public funds, please expose all of them. People in places other than Penang want to know about it as well. Malaysia Today publishes "Findings will be made public, says Guan Eng" .

In the meantime, Malaysiakini reports PKR leaders get early morning police visits on the 20,000 person Black 14 rally held in Kampung Baru last night.

Of Dust and Million Ringgit Libel Suit on RPK, PKR Sites

2008 Dust Still Lingers
It is a messy day for me after reading a number of news and blog entries on Malaysian politics in Malaysiakini and various news spots . It seems like the 2008 election dust has not settled down.

There is nothing really profound to read upon, only a massive messy state of affairs. Most of the state governments have been installed but as for the plans and mechanisms on respective states, everything is still in a blur, except for Penang and Kelantan.

As for UMNO, the main event being discussed is the internal polling. The latest official date reported is December. Unofficial sources rumoured April. Whatever that is, we shall see a big showdown on Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and changes to the party itself. It was also rumoured that all party posts could be contestable.

Million Ringgit Libel Suit
Meanwhile, as a blogger, I feel a certain amount of distraught and displeasure over a case of a million ringgit suit against Raja Petra Kamarudin, the web owner of Malaysia Today and Suara Keadilan. According to the post, Online writer, opposition paper slam libel verdict , University Utara Malaysia and its vice-chancellor Nordin Kardi had filed a lawsuit against Raja Petra Kamarudin, who runs the popular Malaysia Today website, and Suara Keadilan, the newspaper of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), over a piece that alleged Mr Nordin had plagiarised an article. The High Court in Kedah ruled on Wednesday that Raja Petra must pay RM4 million (S$1.8 million) for publishing the defamatory article on his website in 2006. The court also ordered the PKR newspaper to pay RM3 million for reprinting the same article.

There is a lengthy and detailed explanation from the blog Muhtar Suhaili As-Sarawaki. The current stand of Raja Petra and PKR on this matter is "civil disobedience".

Opinion on the suit
Let's take a look at the meaning of Libel according to Wiktionary.

libel (plural libels)
1) A written (notably as handbill) or pictorial statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
2) (uncountable) The act or crime of displaying such a statement publicly.

It shall be made clear the common reason for the initiation of a libel suit by a prosecuting person is to protect his/her reputation or any associated parties. Most of the time, if the libel has become widespread, famous and obviously talked about in many places by many people until it gives an impression that the libel may be real and only then the person affected will consider making a case out of it.

Honestly, I did not know who is Dr. Nordin Kardi before this. Neither do I know he is associated with UUM or the existence of such alleged libel. I mean, for God's sake the article was in 2006. Today is 2008. It's been years. I have been surfing Malaysia Today for many years, never stopped since 2004 and I can't even remember such article even after the suit is being filed.

Personally, I think this libel suit is certainly "interesting" because it made me pay attention on Dr. Nordin Kardi, UUM and the article mentioned. Ironic, isn't it?

I could not recall the so-called libel before this libel suit. Now everybody knows. Do you feel it is a much talked about affair in blogs today (after the libel) rather than in the past? Ironic, isn't it? Smells strange, doesn't it?

I leave it for the readers of this blog to think about 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.

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 : Syed Shahir, The Voice for The "Working People"

As everybody knows, The Big Day of Election 2008 is 8th March 2008. Much has been going around the net. Some sites placed in pictures of nominations (that includes me). Some publishes videos of ceramah campaigns.

Main internet news-sites Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today are active with commenters expressing their hopes and aspirations for the "new" government. I am saying this intentionally as a joke. I don't place my hopes too high but one's got to start from somewhere. It is good having some hope and working towards it rather than having none at all. Results get better with effort. Decades of continuous work will probably yield something useful one day.

That aside, despite repeated denials of Ministers (from BN) on the importance of blogs and bloggers, this election witnessed a big number of these people nominated as candidates in various areas. This is definitely a good sign. Bloggers started out as concerned common citizens writing for their community. Net surfers can comment on Members of Parliament or criticise racist, sexist remarks or any form of wrongdoing. Politics has returned to the grassroots.

One of the bloggers that I am vouching for is Syed Shahir . He is running under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat banner. The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president functions as an activist for the working class for many years already.

He has been blogging since 2005 : http://syedshahir.blogsome.com/

If I recalled correctly, Syed told the crowd during Nat Tan's Candlelight Vigil that he was locked up before. I would presume it was because of protests to assert rights of Malaysian workers. I came to such assumption because I have read of an organised protest last year by MTUC to demand a minimum wage for all workers .

The minimum wage was RM900. In my opinion, it is only a small amount of money. I wonder whether our Barisan Nasional government had agreed to this? My confidence is low on the BN government.

I remember reading another article elsewhere where the press asked him whether he is concerned on the racial demographics that he is contesting will affect his chances of being chosen as an Member of Parliament. He replied that it does not matter to him because he is fighting for people regardless of race.

Accordingly, we need a voice like him in the parliament. One that represents workers without biasness in terms of race and religion.

People, please vote for Barisan Rakyat - PKR, DAP, PAS !

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.