Discussing 'Apa Lagi Cina Mahu'?

This blogger had a fun time last night chatting with some friends on the aftermath of PRU13 as well as the new Cabinet formation. One of the first exchanges when I arrived (the others had already gotten going for about half an hour) resulted in the best response I have heard to date to the...

... Question: Apa Lagi Cina Mahu?

Answer: Apa Lagi Lu Ada?

My response was more or less... Hahahahahahaha! It was all in good humour and the discussion lasted for a further 4 hours last night, covering the gamut of why the Chinese voted the way they did away from BN through to understanding the Gen Y's at a level that was quite enriching for this blogger. One of us even got serious enough to 'make plans'! 

But seriously, this sort of open conversation that was conducted with comfort among friends of different races (2 Chinese and 4 Malays at varying times) need to continue for our citizens to begin to understand the choices each other made at PRU13. These sort of conversations lie as a bastion against extremist attitudes towards what happened; i.e. the mass abandonment of BN by the Chinese despite the many promises and deeds of  DS Najib.

In the end, we agreed that greater understanding was needed between each other, with a couple of the guys taking note of the need to read San Kuo and the Water Margin as insights to Chinese mentality, and a certain TIMES article on Gen Y being of interest to all. And all also agreed that we really, really hate Corruption and Crime, and wish the cabinet post given to a certain Icon of Corruption proves to be a poison chalice!

Making Matters Worse After The Death Of 1Malaysia

Winston Churchill once said that a week is a long time in politics. And so with this in mind, and following a need to rest and re-focus after 10+ days of campaigning (I took a break in middle of first week after nomination day), I left it till today to put down my commentary. Ironically, as I lay these words down, matters, at least at the face of it seems to have gotten worse for DS Najib Tun Razak since the night 1Malaysia 'died'.

Observe the photo below:

This is an image taken from 'election night', when a rather sombre DS Najib thanked all those who have voted such as to allow BN to continue to govern another term. DS Najib appeared exhausted and his face at the beginning reflected much disappointment. Only on his second round at the mike on the podium did he have a more jubilant smile. I doubt he would smile as wide if he realised be hind him stood 2 individuals initimately linked to his 'loss'.

No one can deny that BN won, albeit by a majority smaller that in 2008. BN won, but DS Najib's mood reflected clearly that he felt he had personally lost! He pretty much admitted to this when in his initial speech that night, I could not recall him saying '1Malaysia', though my mother said he did mention it once, and instead, he very clearly admitted that in large part, the Chinese voters had rejected BN.

In hindsight, this is to me, no surprise. It is no surprise that the Chinese rejected BN and embraced Pakatan Rakyat. Why? It is because:

BN Promised 1Malaysia - which the Chinese Community DID NOT NEED!

Pakatan Rakyat Promised the end of Corruption and Crime - which the Chinese Community has repeatedly demanded!

I choose to judge here at face value and purposely discard all notions of conspiracy which is no less racist than some of the racism exhibited by Chinese politicians during the elections. In the end, even if there were racist leaders driving the Chinese votes in a certain direction, they had to be driven by good intentions, and Corruption and Crime remain as issues still unaddressed by DS Najib's government.

The Chinese Don't Need 1Malaysia

Don't get me wrong, the rhetoric around 1Malaysia is beautiful! Unity, delivery of what the people need by a high performing government, everyone judged by needs and means, not race, religions, creed, all very nice stuff. The problem is that since the arrival of '1Malaysia' products, 1Malaysia has transformed from being the values espoused to material things of value given out to people, be it BR1M, KR1M, the 1Malaysia Clinics, meals, vouchers, etc, etc!

Unfortunately, whilst some Chinese may have bought into 1Malaysia in spirit and indeed DS Najib has grown in popularity as a person and an individual leader to the community, the problem is, teh Chinese for the most part do not need 1Malaysia products! What they have been asking for is an end in high level corruption and a reduction in crime SINCE BEFORE PRU12!

The Chinese Want To See An End To Major Corruption!

However, the BN campaign, full of fluff and feelgood factor and riding on the popularity of 1Malaysia and DS Najib personally never really got serious about addressing corruption in particular. Many Chinese are angry still of specific cases, such as the PKFZ scandal, which saw a raft of Chinese leaders including the former MCA President brought to court BUT NOT A SINGLE MALAY ACCOMPLICE CHARGED! So much for 1Malaysia!

Then, as if it was bad enough that only the Chinese get punished for big scandals like PKFZ supposedly, the Chinese and Malaysian Hero that caused the PKFZ scandal to be brought to trial, Datuk Ong Tee Keat, another former MCA President, was dropped from his winnable Parliamentarian seat of Pandan! Pakatan Rakyat was smart enough then to offer the voters of Pandan another anti-corruption hero to vote in as their MP, Rafizi Ramli of NFC fame!

As the problem of Corruption is seen by the Chinese nationwide, then of course, the Chinese chose to vote against Corruption, against BN, NATIONWIDE! Observe how DW Ali Rustam, so called hero and moderniser of the state of Melaka was defeated by a strong swing of votes against him especially by the Chinese in Bukit Katil. This was because his being an Icon of Corruption, by allowing his state agencies to part fund his child's wedding was corrupt!

How DS Najib Could Make Things Worse?

There are 2 creatures on stage during the BN Victory 'celebration', very visible behind DS Najib - they are seen clearly in the photo above. The 2 creatures are the Icons of Corruption, Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ) and DS Shahrizat Jalil of NFC infamy. DS Shahrizat has no Parliamentary seat and I believe can no longer be a Senator, so best that she retire. The real problem is with KJ, who's lust for power sees him lobbying for a cabinet post in the press - TAK MALU BETUI!

The Chinese rejection of BN was able to mask also the rejection of BN by the young urban youth, in particular young urban Malay youths. They hate BN as the face of BN Youth is KJ. Whilst some may admire him at the outset of knowing him, many are then corrected by their elders by the retelling of KJ's corruption, such was his negative influence on Pak Lah's administration. DS Najib risks losing the support of ALL Malaysians by PRU14 if he chooses KJ!

Instead, DS Najib should give a clear signal to all by NOT selecting KJ. Give the signal such that UMNO picks up on this signal and also rejects KJ and the like. Let DS Najib's non-selection of KJ be the beginning of the re-birth of BN and UMNO! In PRU14, DS Anwar Ibrahim should no longer be a factor, but lets not have KJ as the new spectre to haunt UMNO and BN, driving it to oblivion.

And maybe hence when we are really cleaner for Corruption, we can begin to really cleanse the country of Crime, and the Chinese will return their votes to BN without need of any new rhetoric such as 1Malaysia...

PKR Attempts To Prove Indelible Ink Can Be Removed Using Postal Voter

Earlier today, an attempt was made by PKR leaders Tian Chua and Nurul Izzah Anwar to prove that the indelible ink used by SPR can be removed. To do this, they attempted to remove the ink off the finger of an army personnel that had just performed a postal vote.

THE ATTEMPT FAILED! Whilst ink was partially removed, only 30-40% of the ink actually came off. THE REST OF THE INK ACTUALLY REMAINED ON THE FINGER, with the stain easily discernible by anyone examining whether a voter has voted at the polling centre. And this with considerable time and effort spent on removing the stain!

Of course, despite their failure, we expect PKR and their Pakatan chums will likely sensationalize and spin the whole matter. Note the pics here would of course show their 'heroes' and their attempt, however, the more important image is that of the finger STILL MARKED BY INK DESPITE THEIR EFFORTS!

More importantly for me are questions that their attempt leave unanswered such as:

1 - Why do they spend so much effort on discrediting the internationally acknowledged indelible ink method to ensure the sanctity of our votes when they should be focussing on getting votes, especially as both Tian Chua and Nurul Izzah are losing?

2 - Is this yet another symptom of their realising Pakatan is about to lose PRU13 and their preparing the excuse for their supporters and international backers?

3 - Uhmmm... How do we know the guy they did the test on really was a postal voter? And wouldn't SPR use a different colour come polling day?

Aiya, even these questions give me doubt whether these 2 Pakatan candidates deserve a vote! Focus on getting votes la, focus on what voters want! Not focus on excuses on why they might lose before ballots are even cast!

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Desperation Mounts For Some As Election Nears

It appears desperation has set in for Pakatan and some of its fanatical followers. Just this morning as I dropped my kids off at school, I saw the following banner being defaced by what I assume is a Pakatan supporter who was driving a Blue Suzuki Swift with K (for Kedah) plates. He was doing this by pasting 'ABU' or 'Asal Bukan UMNO' stickers across the part of the banner saying BN.

This appeared to me to be a desperate move in large part as I did not think it was done with much thought, as:

1 - The act is of course illegal just as any act to sabotage legitimate campaign activities. Wanna compete, do it legally lah brader!

2 - The campaign Asal Bukan UMNO is a little irrelevant seeing as UMNO is not competing in this election, BN is! Perhaps they are frustrated now that all that ABU campaign materials they have prepared are wasted being redundant!

3 - The BN candidate is Segambut where this poster was defaced isn't even from UMNO! Jayanthi, the BN candidate for Segambut is from Gerakan? Is the saboteur even from Segambut or an outside influence?

Signs of desperation also abound with personal attacks by DS Anwar Ibrahim on Tun Dr M in Segamat a few days ago. I suppose if Lim Kit Siang could be booed out of a coffee shop including by Chinese voters during his walkabout in Gelang Patah, Pakatan have reason to panic, but that is no excuse for bad behaviour!

Voters will not support ill mannered leaders who cannot control the behaviour of their fanatical supporters!

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Politics Of 'Buang Yang Jernih, Ambil Yang Keruh'

In corporate life, we are always looking for 'Best Practices' as a sort of easy and low cost way to improve business. By the same token, it is the best of our people that a corporation cherishes and nurtures as it is difficult to develop such a star and expensive to bring in one from outside.

One would expect the same practices in other organisations also apply. One sees this in football, how stars nurtured in house are cherished even as they age, such as Ryan Giggs at Man U, Steven Gerrard in Liverpool, Lothar Mathauess at Bayern, with their departure seen as a tragedy, such as when
Raul left Real Madrid.

On the other hand, it is only natural for bad practices and inferior people are ejected from an organisation. This is necessary also to make space and free up funds to buy in stars from the outside - like the Robin Van Persies - to strengthen the team. The Malay saying for this is 'Buang Yang Keruh, Ambil Yang Jernih' or 'Throwing Away the Murky, Taking the Clear'.

So it is with great shock when I see political parties in Malaysia behaving in the opposite way.

OK, we do know that the 'Buang Yang Jernih' strategy has always been rampant in DAP, mainly to ensure the continued domination of Lim Kit Siang's family and cronies. It got worse recently with not just strong alternative leaders like Kerk Kim Hock and Wee Choo Keong cast aside, but an entire section of DAP delegates being left out of an AGM! However, DAP can hardly be accused of 'Ambil Yang Keruh practice.

However, in PAS, we now see a complete counter-evolution to an organisation with the full 'Buang Yang Jernih, Ambil Yang Keruh' approach! For not only did they get rid of proven, quality leaders such as Hassan Ali from their fold, they have now at last replaced their strongman in Selangor with ex-UMNO 'dirt', Icon of Corruption, TS Mat Taib, of 'I don't understand English fame' of all people!

And all this during the run-up to PRU13?!?! What, PAS thought that having active songstresses and actresses among their lineup, even as election candidates, candidates previous PAS leaderships would not touch with a bargepole is not good enough? They have chosen to recruit leaders UMNO would be happy to be rid off as well?!

I have a lot of sympathy for TS Mat Taib actually, at the end of his career and with age catching up to him, maybe he thinks it would not hurt to try to escape hell and get to heaven by trying the PAS route! But why would PAS accept him willingly? Would it not put off their supporters?

Or maybe this whole PAS 'Buang Yang Jernih, Ambil Yang Keruh' strategy isn't really PAS' originally but part of the corruption brought by their association with DS Anwar Ibrahim aka Darth Juburius! After all, Mat Taib was an ally of Anwar's in UMNO before... DS Anwar & TS Mat Taib are 'kawan seperdosaan'!

Question hence is not whether PAS is more attractive now with Mat Taib in their ranks, but rather whether PAS supporters will stay loyal with the rising stink among its leadership that continues to 'Buang Yang Jernih, Ambil Yang Keruh'!

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The Lost Viable PMs Of Pakatan Rakyat: PAS

As DAP and its fallen candidate for PM digs itself deeper into the indignity of its failure to conduct an AGM(!), our attention shifts to PAS, the oldest party in the Pakatan line-up and once seen as a fertile breeding ground for an alternative Malay PM for Malaysia to rise from grassroots OPPOSITION politics. This differs from the many PKR hopefuls who tend to be tainted by having begun their politics in BN, or in the case of Rafizi, in an NGO supported by Tun Daim.

The line-up of PAS leadership as potential candidates of PM are flawed, looking at the top 3:

1. "Mursyidul Am": TG Nik Aziz Nik Mat - Too Old!


2. President: TG Hadi Awang - A failure in administration in Terengganu, such that he failed to get his government re-elected after 1 term.


3. Deputy President: Muhammad Sabu... Mat Sabu?!?!... MAT SABU AS PM?!?!?!?!... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Are there other candidates in the lower echelons? Perhaps? A fan favourite in the past that has had his lustre fade as problems keep popping up in Kelantan and his close association with DS Anwar Ibrahim is revealed, is Husam Musa. However, Husam has never been able to capture the imagination of the PAS grassroots as a candidate for leadership beyond his home state, and after all, the PM is for all Malaysians, not just for Kelantanese.

The irony is, the problem PAS is facing now is of their own doing! There was one rather impressive individual which in this blogger and many others' view would have been a viable PM candidate for PAS, former Deputy President Nasharuddin Mat Isa! The 2 term Parliamentarian is urbane, moderate and so open minded over collaboration, he was even willing to consider friendship with UMNO!

2 events personally define Nasharuddin Mat Isa to this blogger. The first was when I bumped into him having breakfast at the Meridien KL's 6th floor coffee house just prior to Parliament. He openly welcomed me to join him for a brief chat, sort of a polite introduction to each other short of a GTKY, and his urbanity and intelligence shone through.

The second was when this blogger attended Hassan Ali's invitation to bloggers to clear the air over his expulsion from the Selangor Exco. Nasharuddin was the only senior PAS leader to loyally make an appearance that night and he was unapologetic about it! Here was a man who knew that loyalty is the only true currency in politics and holding on to the truth no matter what is the only true mark of a moral leader.

Unfortunately, for 'Nasha', he resisted the influences of DS Anwar... resulting in his now being in limbo! And he is thrown into limbo, and so PAS loses its one viable candidate for PM for this PRU13! One wonders really if this is in PAS' interest or the interest of DS Anwar Ibrahim...

In the meantime, Nasha proves himself to be indeed a lost PM candidate, remaining relevant in the Islamic NGO scene, projecting himself slowly in the global stage and continuing to be a credit to Malaysia...

Compare this to what I said of Mat Sabu earlier... preferred choice of Darth Juburius!!!

The Lost Viable PMs Of Pakatan Rakyat: DAP

PRU13 may well be turning into more than just a battle between potential winnable candidates offered by each party, but a battle of winnable Prime Ministers that will likely lead the government should either side win. As candidates become less appealing or indeed if they remain annonymous to the electorate, the more a party relies on the candidate on offer for Prime Minister.

For the longest time, the battle has been expected to be one between DS Najib Tun Razak as the BN candidate for Prime Minister against DS Anwar Ibrahim as the Pakatan candidate. However, DS Anwar Ibrahim has always lacked appeal to a significant section of the electorate, being an ex-con - having been convicted for abuse of power, being party to much of the suspected corruption in UMNO and BN when he was Finance Minister, even seen as incompetent by some.

And of course there is the 'sex thing' with DS Anwar that seems undignified.

Perhaps this is why DS Anwar's partners in Pakatan Rakyat seem to be pushing agendas of their own, with DAP leader Karpal Singh clearly stating his aim to have a non-Malay Prime Minister chosen, probably referring to Lim Guan Eng, the Penang CM as their likeliest candidate. Of course, Guan Eng's capacity to administer is now put in question as he seems quite incapable of even organising a legal AGM and party elections for the DAP...

Nonwithstanding Guan Eng's apparent popularity as CM in Penang, which is not really a mark of genius considering his predecessor was the supremely unpopular, over-educated yet 'bean-like' and suspected racist TS Koh Tsu Koon, Guan Eng's failure to manage the recent DAP elections is monumental. His management of the aftermath of the Registrar of Societies (RoS) non-recognition of the election results has actually made matters worse!

The idea of having DAP candidates contest under the PAS banner in Peninsular Malaysia and PKR banner in East Malaysia was not just unneccessary (DAP is not de-listed yet, there is time even after PRU13 to recover with an EGM or re-do of an AGM), it undermined DAP's candidates with PAS gleefully claiming that they welcome DAP's support of 'Hudud' laws. PKR of course is a highly unpopular party in East Malaysia, seen as a 'Peninsular' party.

And so at the eve of PRU13, the DAP has lost its only viable candidate for PM and must rely on the DS Anwar Ibrahim offering... surely Karpal is fuming...

A Battle For Power And The Soul Of PAS Rages As PRU13 Unfolds

Consider the following:

With the rise of Mat Sabu and the so far demise of Nasharuddin Mat Isa following Hassan Ali's expulsion from PAS' leadership line, the so called 'Erdogan' or pro-Anwar Ibrahim group has never been so close to seizing power in PAS. So, sure enough, despite the importance of PRU13 to DS Anwar Ibrahim personally and in fact to all the Rakyat... personally also(!), party politics are being played out in PAS(!), with...

1. The attack on the personal character of Mustapha Ali through the revelation of a (likely fake) sex video, that Pakatan insiders have indicated are likely not by UMNO or any other Barisan Nasional component! An attack on Mustapha Ali is an attack on PAS President TG Hadi Awang himself, who besides the politically less effective Harun Din, is the last remaining bastion against Erdogan control of PAS. Mustapha is Hadi's 'enforcer' or rather 'consiglieri' in the party.


2. Looking back, this follows year-long attacks on another TG Hadi ally and anti-Erdogan stalwart, Kedah MB Syed Azizan. The main contenders against Azizan are Erdogan leaning at least.


3. PKR candidates competing against PAS candidates in what would otherwise have been safe  or at worse grey seats for PAS in Terengganu. Similar tussles such as in Pantai Acheh are just thrown in to confuse the real purpose - a sabotaging of PAS' albeit slim chances of winning Terengganu! This is to ensure TG Hadi Awang has no chance of regaining the powerful position of Menteri Besar of the state that would make him unassailable.


4. TG Hadi Awang himself suddenly attacking PKR visciously in the state, probably realising that these moves by PKR are part of a strategy towards ousting TG Hadi Awang himself, perhaps through a forced retirement, to allow Mat Sabu to be acting President of PAS (!) or even to open the door for the more credible Salahuddin Ayubb or an Erdogan Ulama to topple TG Hadi.

That this madness is happening in PAS during PRU13 is further evidence of the insanity that surrounds DS Anwar Ibrahim. Perhaps like the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, DS Anwar is so imbued in the Dark Side that everything around him, including his allies, are just naturally corrupted! May he not succeed in his grasp for power unlike Sidous who eventually became Emperor in that famous space opera!

DARTH JUBURIUS GLOATING OVER HIS 'DEATH STAR'

PS what does that make Mat Sabu? Anakin Skywalker?!?! Naaaaah.... more like Jar Jar Binks! So easily duped!

My Calon Is Najib! ... BN's Answer To Unwinnable Candidates?

This blogger had an interesting phone conversation with an UMNO stalwart from Langkawi recently where I thought the discussion would invariably lead to a detailed discourse on who was his preferred or 'winnable' candidate. However, to my surprise, the discussion on this was kept brief when he declared:

Calon saya Najib! Yang sini ni tak kisah la. Yang saya tau, saya undi Najib!

 

I was struck by how such a simple statement had such great import and in one stroke encapsulates how the value of DS Najib's personal 'brand-building' to becoming quite a popular PM can actually be translated to votes in the ballot box! Basically, such a mindset at the polls may, at least in part, address the issue of BN having an unpopular or 'unwinnable' candidates or even sway those who like DS Najib but dislike BN or UMNO to still vote BN!

Suddenly, the very personalised campaigns such as I (heart) PM and his very strong association with 1Malaysia, including the inventiveness of having a Chinese name (Ah Jib Gor) becomes relevant. For of course, in a Parliamentary democracy, who the likely candidate for PM of a party would be is typically subsidiary to the popularity of the candidate for the contested Parliamentary seat. This is why despite DS Najib's popularity, there is much anticipation over the final candidates list for PRU13.

In the 2008 election, the removal of a majority of the local UMNO leaders from the ballot even led to sabotage voting by otherwise loyal party members. Certainly, Pak Lah's own lack of popularity further contributed to the demise of his replacement candidates. However, in the case of DS Najib, the opposite may be true. I have heard too often these days of people appreciating Najib whilst disliking their local BN leaders, so maybe this time it is the PM's popularity that will carry the ballot for BN!

Well, if the mantra Calon Saya Najib! Saya Undi Najib! or its like captures the imagination and 'goes viral', assuming Najib retains or indeed enhances his popularity during the campaign period, we may see BN within more than touching distance from the coveted  2/3 majority in Parliament. As of course, a vote for a BN MP is a vote for DS Najib as PM! And certainly Pakatan is in to shape to mount an equivalent challenge with their 'icon' being 'Papagomoed'!

I am of course talking about the votes for Parliament. The votes for the state governments would be another matter. Perhaps one state can pull it off though... Kedah... if BN uses Calon Saya Mukhriz! Saya Undi Mukhriz! as well!

Anwar Ibrahim And The Papagomo Phenomenon

I didn't really have much time for Papagomo in the past. Whilst the guy is clearly pro-BN and pro-UMNO, he reflects the worst of what a Blogger could be from either part of the divide; crass, populist, always aiming at the highest hits, to attract the most friends or fans or followers and quite unscrupulous over the morality of what or how he writes or projects in his postings. Nevertheless, he has now turned into a fascinating symbol in this election.

What is Papagomo a symbol of? Papagomo and his harassment of DS Anwar Ibrahim by threatening to contest against the opposition leader in Permatang Pauh (and presumably anywhere else Anwar chooses to contest) has become the symbol of how lowly and pathetic Anwar has become! It is one thing for Anwar to be challenged by former PAS leader Nasharuddin Mat Isa, since refuted by 'Nasha' - there is dignity in  being challenged by a man of stature. But to be challenged by Papagomo?

Wait, am I being elitist here? Doesn't Papagomo have the right or dignity of any other individual to challenge Anwar? And doesn't DS Anwar Ibrahim as a 'man of the Rakyat' then have the right to welcome a challenge from any citizen in the country? It is not that I am being elitist here. Anwar can indeed be challenged by anyone and Papagomo can choose to participate in this election in any way he likes. That is not the problem. The problem is...

PAPAGOMO HAS NOW TURNED ANWAR IBRAHIM'S ROLE IN THE ELECTION TO NOTHING MORE THAN A GYMIC TO INCREASE HITS ON HIS BLOG!

 

Imagine that... the great DS Anwar Ibrahim being a target for blog hits, with Papagomo simply doing what Namewee was doing when he abused the Negaraku, lampooned TNB and other institutions as a tool for his brand of populism! In a sense, Papagomo is the rather nasty pro-BN ultra-Malay antithesis of Namewee, so the shoe does fit. And Papagomo is attacking Anwar the symbol, not the man!

But will this just be another sideshow for this election? Will it in fact then backfire? As whilst Papagomo is supposedly backed by an NGO, he is so blatantly anti-Anwar that it would be hard put for any BN or UMNO leader to deny his political leanings. Nevertheless, Papagomo does present an interesting challenge to the electorate considering DS Anwar is supposedly Pakatan's prefered candidate for PM still... will DS Anwar still be viable as a PM after indignities like this!

Then again... Anwar is already infamous for many past indignities...

Will The 'BN Is Bad' And 'UMNO Is Corrupt' Messages Work Again?

I have always maintained the view that Barisan Nasional especially UMNO as the leading component party has only had itself to blame for the loses of PRU12 and the political set-backs of the last decade or so since Tun Dr M 'retired'. The 'Shamsidar' rally some months ago demonstrated the sum strength of a DS Anwar Ibrahim led Pakatan Rakyat... it was pathetic as a supposed 'challenger' to BN.

Nevertheless, the fear of losing the election had persisted across the last 2 years in particular, when it should not have, with BN regaining its confidence at by-elections and Pakatan's failings becoming more apperent. One cannot recall a single substantial period of sustained strengthening of BN's position, with too much reliance of the PM's own industry and apparent sheer force of will, assisted only by his loyal Deputy and sightings of his mentor, Tun Dr M.

In hindsight, that DS Najib chose to wait till the end of the term to call PRU13 was strategically the right decision as an earlier election would certainly have provided Pakatan with too delicious a choice of postponing the elections for the State Assemblies they control. Nonetheless, the popular belief as to why the delay occured was BN's fear of losing linked to a variety of so called 'incidents'.

With the significant dates of PRU13 now announced, a similar pattern will emerge as it did some 5 years ago. Pakatan Rakyat, with its continued lack of credibility beyond a scattering of local successes in Penang and Selangor, will return to its tried and tested weapon of discreditting BN with accusations of 'corruption'. The question now is, will BN fall into the trap of making it too easy for this message to be taken as the principle issue by the electorate?

This blogger's father-in-law in fact made a pointed argument just yesterday when he asked,"Is Corruption Enough?" He asked this question referring to this continued focus by Pakatan Rakyat on the matter. And as we mulled over it, certainly it would be enough if BN makes the mistake of presenting 'Icons of Corruption', be they local or national, as candidates for this election. Whilst putting forward 'winnable candidates' in a local context, DS Najib and his team must take not to encorse 'Icons of Corruption' at the national level.

In one case at least, an Icon of Corruption has taken herself out of contention, but then makes herself more dangerous to BN! The self-withdrawal of DS Shahrizat Jalil from being a candidate is certainly welcome news, tempered by the knowldege that she didn't have a seat to contest anyway (with DS Raja Nong Chik taking over the candidacy of Pantai Dalam and her not having any other option). However, her idea of then spending the time campaigining around the country could spell disaster for BN!

Imagine what would happen if DS Shahrizat campaigns for at least every Wanita candidate. Wherever she makes an appearance, she would remind voters of the NFC scandal. No matter whether there is guilt on her part or her husband, in the court of public opinion, DS Shahrizat is an Icon of Corruption. So, when she stands with the BN candidate in front of voters, will voters be impressed or put-off from voting the Wanita BN candidate who is apparently supported by Shahrizat the Icon of Corruption?

And so in this manner, BN finds its so called 'leaders' simply helping Pakatan Rakyat spread its message of fear and loathing towards BN's apparent corruption! Such a scene would be reminiscent of KJ's convoy of Black Harriers in PRU12 that wreaked such havoc across the BN lines. I recall one BN candidate in Kelantan saying he was actually swinging the votes towards him until KJ's convoy arroved and KJ declared his 'interest' in the candidate winning! The candidate never recovered from KJ's 'contribution' then...

A few days ago, I saw the news that even KJ, THE Icon of Corruption, is planning not to contest. The cynics among us of course believe this is just him 'playing politics' as there is a likelihood he is to be dropped from the list due to his 'Iconic' status. However, even then, I had my concerns over whether he would cause more damage if he did not contest... the way he did before, and the way DS Shahrizat will likely do if she hits the campaign trail.

Pakatan's campaign will focus on FEAR. Fear of Corruption encroaching further into Malaysia's government and its works, damaging our future prospects and turning us into a society that dispises itself. Fear is infectious and deadly, and this weapon could well turn deadly for BN in PRU13 if it allows its corrupt leaders to spread it. Interestingly, the best counter to Fear among the young is Hope. Hope gives courage to young to counter fear.

It is leaders that can carry that message of Hope that BN needs, both as its candidates and among its campaigners as champions against the Fear-mongering of Pakatan Rakyat this PRU13. Certainly the Icons of Corruption in BN are the WRONG people to talk of BN's manifesto of Hope! If the BN leadership allow these characters to do so, it would be tantamount to helping Pakatan Rakyat again, with the lessons of PRU12 remaining unlearned.

BN Delivered On One Key Thing: BN Removed Pak Lah From PM Post!

There are many reasons to vote and not vote BN. For me and my family, the personal toll from recent years have been heavy, with the disruption of our lives from MRT Co's continued irresponsibility continuing. However, there is one thing that BN and UMNO did in response to the Rakyat's protest vote in PRU12 that at least signals that they do listen to the electorate and may be worth given a better result in PRU13:

BN AND UMNO GOT RID OF PAK LAH FROM THE PM POST AFTER PRU 12!

It may have taken about a year for them to do so, but this was an achievement by BN and UMNO which, coupled with the dismantling of some things Pak Lah did which we clearly disliked, really helped. E.g. Islam Hadhari as a concept for one was a concept that lost BN a lot of votes across the nation. Fortunately, DS Najib's cabinet has ditched Islam Hadhari, allowing for them to better and more properly manage the 'Kalimah Allah' issue.

Some would then say that the removal of Pak Lah is 'no big deal' and that his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin or 'KJ', staill haunts UMNO and BN. In response to this, I'd just ignore KJ and remind everyone that PAKATAN RAKYAT ACTUALLY WANTED PAK LAH TO STAY AS PM! This despite the Rakyat clearly indicating their disappointment of Pak Lah's regime by causing BN to lose 5 states in PRU12, a mere 4 years after Pak Lah's landslide victory in PRU11!

These were Haji Hadi Awang's words in January 2009, throwing his and at least PAS', if not the whole of Pakatan Rakyat's support behind Pak Lah:

"Saya meminta Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi terus kekal sebagai Perdana Menteri dan meneruskan reformasi yang diperlukan seperti dalam bidang pilihan raya dan beberapa bidang lain," -- Pas president Abdul Hadi Awang, Jan 2009.

So, the fact that BN and UMNO listened to the people and compelled Pak Lah to retire, in a nevertheless decent, respectful manner in 2009, is itself proof positive that the Rakyat's views do matter to them. So whilst I am still at odd with MRT Co, I will still vote BN, as in my view, Pakatan Rakyat is worse! Pakatan Rakyat even wanted Pak Lah to stay as PM! Of course, they once hated Anwar Ibrahim, but he is their 'de facto' leader now?

...Pakatan is so unelectable! 

KEDAH STATE GOVERNMENT BANKRUPT? Or Just Run Out Of Logging Money?

A friend of mine who has become a rather prominent NGO activist in Kedah over the last few years (winnable candidate! Hahaha!), Shaharol Niza Omar, posted something troubling and a pathetically funny on his Facebook page yesterday. The original post is quoted below:

LUCU, SEDIH atau TAK MASUK AKAL???


Baru hubungi sebuah agensi kerajaan Negeri Kedah utk site visit. Jwpnnya "kami tak dpt keluar kerana minyak kenderaan telah dibekukan seluruh negeri sehingga diberitahu kelak".

Tahukah kerajaan negeri dgn membekukan minyak kenderaan telah membantutkan urusan dan blh akibatkan kerugian masa dan wang ringgit serta pembangunan???

Zulkifli Yahaya tlg siasat perkara ini. Ini bkn fitnah tp saya sendiri yg hubungi jabatan terbabit.

Much to his surprise, Zulkifli Yahaya, who is part of PAS Kedah's Information team and is the so called Chief PAS Blogger for the state (got such thing meh? chief blogger?), replied rather honestly, but then proceeded to try to cover for his earlier 'slip-up' as captured below:

Of course there is much covering up and counter-spinning going on now. It is indeed as Shahrarol noted, tough to decide on whether this is funny, sad or does not make sense! For a state government agency to have its fuel budget frozen early in the year? IS THE STATE OF KEDAH NEARING FINANCIAL BANKRUPTCY? Or has it just run out of logging money.

I then read the following report in the NST, where Kedah MB, DS Azizan Abdul Razak is said to be "ADAMANT (!!) on RM100m to spare trees" - the RM100 Million being from the BN led Federal Government of course. He seems intent on topping his Chief Blogger in intimately linking state finances to logging! He is quoted as saying: 

Stop all the noise. I am asking the Federal Government RM100 million every year to spare the forest. Pay us and we stop the land clearing work.

and...

The forests belong to the state. There are quarters who were worried that water supply in Penang would be affected when we log timber here. So, we can't cut trees because of Penang and at the same they are getting water free from our rivers.

So, he can link the logging to the threat of cutting water supplies to Penang. He can even make mention of how the water is going to Penang for free. HELLO?! Go and ask Penang la to pay Kedah RM100 Million a year for not cutting trees and continuing to supply Kedah water to fuel its Semi-Conductor and other industries!

 

Kata partners in Pakatan Rakyat. If partners, Pakat-Pakat la for the good of your economies. Neighbours what! Why la like this. How to run a state if the only way you know to fund your state coffers is by selling balak or threatening the Federal government! If Kedah goes bankrupt because of the PAS government is this incompetent... malulah!

Does Suing MRT Co Make Us Pinggir Za'aba, TTDI Residents Elite?

I'll begin first by thanking my good friend and occassional mentor, Ahiruddin "Rocky" Attan, for highlighting Pinggir Za'aba's suit against MRT Co. This suit is very much a private matter to the plaintiffs, my wife being one of them. I also thank those who have commented for and against the suit in Rocky's blog and hope they continue their interest here.

For those who have misunderstood Rocky's definition of Elite, please have a look at the images of the houses of most of the plaintiffs on Pinggir Za'aba that I have attached below. Pinggir Za'aba is a long road, just as TTDI is a large housing area. The part of TTDI directly effected by the MRT has neither bungalows nor semi-D's and whilst we are not the poorest of citizens, we are not among the most affluent either. We are Elite though, in that we are nearly all tertiary educated, most are or were professionals, managers in corporations or civil servants.



Having heard the views of many, allow me to present my reason for supporting my wife's decision to join the civil suit against MRT Co. Metaphorically and in brief, I can say that the reason for my support of the suit is from my reading of Clausewitz's On War, where the great Prussian military philosopher describes War as simply the continuation of Politics or Policy by other means. Hence, this suit, is simply the continuation of Pinggir Za'aba's engagement of MRT Co by more aggressive means.

To elaborate on the why, ever since residents of Pinggir Za'aba were informed our homes would be impacted by the MRT's construction by notices put up on trees along our road by SPAD some 2+ years ago, we have been trying our best to engage various government agencies. Understanding that the MRT is a nation-building project of some importance, we have never asked for it to be scrapped, but rather preferred re-alignment or an underground route for it, and failing that, that were at least hoping to be given due compensation either for damages to or for having to abandon our homes.

The PR and engagement from SPAD and Prasarana was to me actually quite poor, though I would put more blame on SPAD for this - Prasarana seemed in these engagements as being victims of circumstance. SPAD's position was often inconsistent, its approach to engagement shoddy (beginning with notices put up on trees remember!), but at least there were no empty promises. Where they could not deliver on our suggestions of hopes, we received non-commitals and silence, which sounds bad, and may even sound strange for those who went to the PR 'roadshows', but worse was to come.

The worse that was to come was from the empty promises of the CEO of MRT Co himself, who in return to our peaceful and quiet discussion with his team, assured us that he had the mandate to ENSURE the government would treat us residents of Pinggir Za'aba fairly. This promise was made some 2 years ago, at a time when we still had options to sell, rent, temporarily move or at least plan for the coming of the MRT. Unfortunately, Datuk Azhar of MRT Co was not able to deliver, and a couple of months ago, his PR Director, Amir Mahmood, even closed all avenues of engagement with us. 

Details of this will come out in court soon we hope, but in the end, the plaintiffs are suing MRT Co as they have no other choice. As the agency charged solely on this matter, MRT Co has curtailed all avenues of engagement and even the Media has had to tip-toe around this issue. Some wondered why I used my father's Tan Sri title in the press release - it  is to clearly showcase that the suit is being brought by BN supporters against a BN project. It is not political - the plaintiffs are not politicians. They are aggrieved citizens that have a case. They need the government to listen.

Weekend For Kids As MRT Corp Keeps Getting Whacked

Whilst the Great Wall of Jalan Sultan caught a lot of news on Friday, with more news coming from Pinggir Za'aba in a few of days' time, thought I'd focus on the family obsession of Chess again.

Started escorting kids to National Age Group (NAG) 2013 from Friday, a start of a 3 day event organised by Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) at University Technology Petronas (UTP) near Seri Iskandar, Perak.

The first photo is an image on the first match on Friday. The second being the 7th and second last game today. My kids aren't doing so well at this stage, but this is their first year and both have another year in their age groups... Yes, I only took two of my sons this year.In

Their sis decided to join a Tunas Puteri public speaking contest instead. Good call on her part, she got second place, the last image! Life presents choices and as long as my kids make WISE choices, the wisest always being to experience new and more enriching things, like my daughter had, rewards would follow!

The jokers in MRT Corp could learn quite a bit from my kids about choices and decision making I reckon!

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Founders Of United Kingdom Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC)

I met Fez, the current Chairman of UKEC a few weeks ago and as with previous chairmen and leaders of the organisation before him in its current incarnation, there was much curiosity over how and why it was founded at an AGM in Leicester University on the spring of 1995.

Actually, UKEC was conceptualised much earlier, being the brainchild of 3 individuals from the London School of Economics (LSE), Hirmiadi Don Rahim and Omar Siddiq Amin Noer Rashid who were also founders of Malaysia Club at the LSE and Abdul Rahman Redza, one of the two founders of Project Kalsom (more of this much later).

An abortive attempt at forming UKEC happened in the spring of 1994. However, despite attracting 17 representatives from some 10 universities, the attempt faltered and the 3 decided to re-formulate the founding membership to improve UKEC's chance of success. Rahman withdrew to focus on Kalsom, and Adlan Benan Omar from Cambridge, Munir Majid from Oxford and myself, Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi of Imperial College, were recruited to the cause in the summer of 1994.

We five were then more generally known as the five founders of UKEC. Our notable successes during the time was securing the then politically retired Tun Daim Zainuddin as Patron, expanding the pro-tem committee across the many Universities of the UK, gaining the trust and support of the Malaysian Students' Department who was then led by Dato' (then Encik) Abdul Rahman Kasbon. A couple of unsung heroes of UKEC's founding were actually (the late) En Aris and En Hamid of MSD who helped us figure out what UKEC was meant to be.

However, it would be too selfish of us to not also acknowledge a few others as founders of UKEC. Badlisyah Ghani and Flora Romeo joined the team in the winter at the end of 1994. Badlisyah was a fierce critic of UKEC at first, but once he understood and bought into our cause became a key contributor, as he and Flora drafted UKEC's constitution based on their reading the UN Charter (both were law students). The two of them also brought UKEC into the sphere of Universities grouped under the Northern Consortium (NCUK), with Badlisyah being from Leeds University and Flora from University of Middlesex.

Lim Chong Han also joined the cause at about the same time via an earlier friendship with Ben. Chong Han brought us a more legitimate Malaysian feel to the whole endeavour, being our first non-Malay founding member, and also a strong enough relationship with the administration of the University of Leicester to offer up its facilities to host our inaugural AGM in the spring of 1995.

There are 3 other notable players whom cannot be missed, Mohd Irman 'Bun' Nawawi who by the time of the AGM was Kalsom's principle driver, Nazrin Hassan, who rose from being Ben's close confidant to later building the cadre system that recruited future UKEC executive committee leaders and eventually becoming a trustee of UKEC's Capital Fund, and Eqhwan Mokhzanee, who played the odd yet challenging role as the youngest member of the committee, all mentioned here were born in 1973 except for him(!), as well as being the incoming first Chairman of UKEC.

There were of course many others who contributed in their own way to UKEC's founding, but those mentioned here are the only ones I and each of us would probably acknowledge unequivocally as founders of UKEC. Our contributions did not end at UKEC's founding though. Ben, Don, Nazrin and I for instance, whilst we walked away from UKEC, battered but satisfied with our work being left in the good hands of Eqhwan, Badlisyah, Flora and Chong Han as the lynchpin of the first committee, could not help but return to assist as part of UKEC's second exco. In fact, the name change from UK Executive Council to UK Eire Council was suggested by Badlisyah just a few years ago!

But the journey to UKEC's foundation has a sweetness to it all of its own. We began the journey as undergraduates in our very early twenties and walked away with lessons of a lifetime. And we can now stand tall and proud to see UKEC continuing to find relevance for Malaysian Students of the current generation.

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Ill Logic Of MRT Co Plans Becoming Self Evident

It is a shame that damage caused by mistakes or poor planning of projects can typically only be addressed by the courts once evidence presents itself. Nevertheless, such a state of things does not excuse the authorities or parties involved in projects from themselves taking steps to mitigate from such damage occurring.

In the case of the MRT construction along Pinggir Za'aba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, evidence is mounting that damage to property and quality of life will be suffered by the neighbourhood is mounting:

1 -  A request by residents to ensure no personnel involved in the construction be allowed on Pinggir Za'aba, agreed to by the CEO Datuk Azhar, which seemed impractical even as promised, had long proven farcical. Even the pathetic offer to set up a hut to assist in managing residents' grouses has not materialised.

2 - Vibration from construction works object the median of Jalan Damansara resulted in automatic gates going faulty at houses about 30 meters away! MRT Co agreed to a vibration study to verify this, then refused to share the results nor compensate those affected.

3 - The photos above show of tree cutting along Pinggir Za'aba. These photos demonstrates how even for the simple act of tree clearing, the project team has obstructed half the street! In fact, the workers set up cones barely a meter or so away from the 6 meter limit which would have forced the government to legally compensate the residents affected or even perform compulsory acquisition!

4 - The traffic community along Jalan Damansara have of course been witness to countless safety near-misses along the MRT construction areas (final image above), with personnel seemingly part of a pathological safety culture; a necessity perhaps following bullish promises by the CEO of MRT Co? (A Pathological Safety Culture is a technical term by the way, denoting the lowest rung of the Safety Culture Ladder)

This blog will continue to collect and as best possible record and share evidence of wrong-doing by MRT Co which we believe will escalate, in part due to the project NOT BEING ON TRACK FOR COMPLETION as claimed by the CEO in recent media reports. Well, at least along Pinggir Za'aba it isn't. The tree felling pictured? They planned that MONTHS ago!

We certainly hope someone in power wakes up to the reality of MRT Co's incompetence soon. We the affected residents have our interest of course, but I am sure the BN government wants to ensure the MRT remains a vote winner and not morph into an election loser!

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MRT Co Continues Legacy Of Poor & Irresponsible Communications By SPAD

A few days ago, contractors appointed by MRT Co encroached upon Pinggir Za'aba, in direct contravention to the promise of the MRT Co CEO to the residents of the street that no such personnel was to ever set foot on it!

This of course is just the newest addition (actually, not even that new, but this group of workers actually did something to the road!) to the long litany of broken promises and deceptions perpetrated by MRT Co towards residents of Pinggir Za'aba... & I am sure others too.

Residents of Pinggir Za'aba was informed of the impending work, but the promise of an engagement months ago where all risks and mitigation efforts would be shared, promised then by MRT Co's Strategic Comms Director have also been broken, due to lame excuses. Lame excuses indeed considering not engaging the neighbourhood contravenes with the DEIA & is just plain indecent!

Of course, MRT Co may just be trying to keep up with a strong legacy of awfulness begun by SPAD... which began by putting up notices to us residents on trees!!!

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Pinggir Za'aba Protest Against MRT Co Management On Tuesday 20 November 2012

Just over one year ago or so, the residents of Pinggir Za'aba were on the verge of picketing against the MRT's construction so close to our residences. We were curtailed by promises by the then new MRT Co CEO, Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid. Promises that proved to be empty, misleading even. And so now things have turned full circle it seems, as the neighbourhood plans its peaceful picket as per below...

Event : PZ Peaceful Protest against MRT Line which is affecting our living environment.

Date/time : 20.11.2012, Tuesday @ 9.45am

Participants : All Pinggir Za'aba residents

 

Residents involved in the picket are gathering PZ house No. 97, Pinggir Za'aba for the picket. They will then walk together to the current MRT construction site next to Pinggir Za'aba that has already begun to disturb the peace.

All media and of course other friendly parties are welcome!

MRT Co Not In Control Of Its Contractors? Then Who Are?

Following on from the incidences of last week, when residents of Pinggir Za'aba were given a good sampling of how noisy and distrubing life would be for many months over the next 2 years of MRT construction, we were treated to freshly recycled promises from MRT's Director of Strategic Communications and PR, Amir Mahmood Razak. These were his and hence his organisation's, re-assurances to this blogger's good neighbours:

Date: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 11:14 AM

Dear Xxxxxxx, Xxx and Xxxxx,

I believe works has stopped in the area. My commitment remains that we will re-start works after we complete the engagement we promised.

Again, my email and my number (017 6xxx 5xxx) remains accessible to all of you for contact.

Thank you again for the patience displayed.

Warm regards,
AMR

Such assurances are said to have followed earlier excuses that MRT Co had supposedly not allowed for these works near Pinggir Za'aba to begin in the first place. I mention this as a note or 'aid memoir' for the events that follow as whilst I have this coming from several sources along the neighbourhood, I find it highly unbelievable that MRT Co could be so incompetent as to have allowed a contractor to begin its works without their express knowledge!

Please also note that the 'commitment' Amir Mahmood mentions about an engagement with Pinggir Za'aba residents was promised to us on an earlier engagement on 3 September 2012. Amir Mahmood and a raft of nodding reps from MRT Co's contractors declared that they would invite us back for a follow up engagement 2 weeks from that date as they could not at the time address our concerns. Amir Mahmood and co are now some 2 months late, based on whatever Calendar, Gregorian, Lunar, Muslim, etc... known to this man.

What follows is however most unfortunate, and is probably best reflected by the following e-mail from a neighbour to Amir Mahmood Razak which he had copied all of us on the street:

On 15 November 2012 20:03, Xxxxx wrote:

Dear Amir Mahmood,

Last week I complained to you about sudden start of construction work, the excessive noise and the late hour that the construction work was being carried out by your contractors. You told me that you would take immediate action, and on November 8, 2012, 11:14:15 AM had given us, the residence of PZ the assurance via e-mail, Quote " I believe works has stopped in the area. My commitment remains that we will re-start works after we complete the engagement we promised." (Meaning a dialogue between the residents of PZ and MRTCo was to be held before any construction was to begin )

Yesterday to our utter horror we received a written notice telling us that work will resume on Friday,16 November 2012 with work hours 7.00am to 12.00 midnight (Monday to Saturday) My phone had since been ringing non stop by calls from furious residents demanding to know just what is going on. We consider this a serious breach of promise and cannot accept this latest turn of events. Can you please explain your self.

Regards
Xxxxx

The plot then thickens when we then received the following e-mail from another neighbour that further showcases just how 'Strategic' communications regarding this MRT has become!

Sent: Thursday, 15 November 2012, 22:23

Dear All,

On Monday night (12/11), i received an sms from Bhavani from MMC-Gamuda informing me they are scheduling a follow-up engagement session with PZ residents on Friday (16/11) at TTDI Info Centre and will be sending out invitation letters to residents and email to me by 14/11 morning.

This afternoon, Bhavani send me another sms stating that the engagement has been postponed to a later date.

Regards,
Xxxxx (A different one from above)

Perhaps Amir Mahmood has not been communicative due to the public holidays. The problem he has is that this hardly looks like there is barely any Communication let alone Strategically being Directed on this MRT, which is his job. Well, perhaps if he was not so busy trying to cover up for his boss Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid's broken promises to neighbourhoods affected by the MRT, like Pinggir Za'aba, he would have more credibility and even time to perform what should be his real job!

One of course hopes MRT Co is not now descending to the depths of communications incompetence of its governing body SPAD, led by the somewhat more epicly incompetent TS Syed Hamid Albar, which started communicating to residents affected by the MRT with notices stuck onto trees... in a country where it rains daily... 

In the meantime, the residents of Pinggir Za'aba remains steadfast in waiting for the promises MRT Co has been making to be fulfilled - with some suspense as well now thrown in due to recent events. We are ever ready to share with anyone, especially past, present and future, even potential, victims of the MRT our experiences thus far.