My friend, Wong Chin Huat, shares his thoughts on how we might go about denying BN a 2/3 majority in Parliament.
“If you really want to deny BN its parliamentary two-thirds, you must know how the system works.
First thing first, an effective one-third means 75 seats (actually74 seats plus one, otherwise BN will still retain its exact two-third) because next parliament will have 222 seats in total.”
To read Chin Huat’s full take, please click HERE.
Posted in: Friends
The People's Parliament 
Patriotic1994
December 23, 2007
I have question. I am a voter and I think I am very inexperienced. I know I always vote non-BN every time, but no matter how, only BN win. I don’t know why.
My place is this, as seen in http://daftarj.spr.gov.my:
Lokaliti : 074 / 50 / 10 / 001 – KG CHINA L C AREA
Daerah Mengundi : 074 / 50 / 10 – KAMPONG CHINA SELATAN
DUN : 074 / 50 – SITIAWAN
Parlimen : 074 – LUMUT
Negeri : PERAK
Status Rekod : DATA INI UNTUK SEMAKAN DAFTAR PEMILIH
I remember everyone in my town vote DAP. But I am not sure how to interpret it. Did non-BN win in 2004? I don’t know either.
I think we should be more aware of what happen, don’t vote blindly. Is there any good place to read about it?
I keep thinking my voting place already have enough non-BN supporters, I am thinking to change my place to Puchong, because I have migrated to Puchong last year. But I am not sure should I change my place to come here to vote, or should I stay in my old place.
I hope you know what I mean my trouble is. I tried to read Chin Huat’s blog, but don’t really understand the “seat”. My other source of learning this is Malaysia Today, from RPK (but scattered around). A one-stop place to read this is important for everyone. Hmm, isn’t this supposed to be prepared by our Election Commission? What is their web site ah?
Thanks for all experts advice in advance.
Patriotic1994
December 23, 2007
OK, another question.
I am told that Lumut is a MCA place. For years, BN always win. Where do I find the figure to show the percentage MCA win in Lumut? If the figure is large, i.e. very difficult for Opposition to swing over, then I should change address to Puchong immediately.
If that is not possible now (no time), then what’s the next strategy? If I need to find X number of ex-MCA vote to change to Opposition in my place, then I will do that work.
So good advice is needed for all.
Thanks.
Patriotic 1994,
You can view the 2004 election results for Lumut at http://www.pilihanraya.com.my/english/parliamentNominees.asp?parliamentId=117
MCA’s Kong Cho Ha secured 61.34 % of the totalled votes polled.
I think it would be too dicey to change constituency now.
Are you prepared to take an active role in a ‘Lumut, get a new MP’ initiative if I announce one on this blog?
Sharing
December 24, 2007
Some analysis on the 2004 results, give
1. District where Spoilt> Maj (Winner Difference) P13-Sik/UNMO, P29-Machang/UNMO, P37-Marang/UNMO, P138-Kota Melaka/MCA,
2. 17 districts are having only one nominee.
3. As posted earlier, the motivate of those not registered last to vote is important. Post 4
Other possibilities
—
1. Preparation of election advice on how to be a HR conscious Voter. The factors for electing the right candidate. What had not been delivered in that district (with info or district forum on the site).
2. Some booklet of the above to be made for sensitive area that prefer distribution by post. A SMS or phone recording service can be set-up.
3. The list of MP not objecting the EC Chief bill is a good reminder.
4. Same as for PJ, a e-group to be started by each district concerned for individual strategy but with copy to the centre with limited access for privacy.
5. Voters checking their registration with report of fraud to a centre should be encouraged.
Hope this helps!
Kean
December 24, 2007
What is the use of winning 75 seats compare to what is happening to us now? Still remember 11/12 event when BN pass the amendment of article 114 to extend Rashid’s contract? How many BN MPs turn up? FULL HOUSE!
222 – 75 and BN still have 147 seats!
They can amend what ever crap they want with a FULL HOUSE turn up! What we want now is not only deny BN 2/3 majority power, WE WANT TO SEE BN OUT! Yes, win more then 112 seats and kick BN OUT!
Impossible, nonsense, bullshit, history said it won’t happen?? Is that what you want to said? This is why we Malaysian cannot move forward! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, it is up to us to make it POSSIBLE.
The main factor to win this election is not on the system, is the PEOPLE! Why? In 1999, we saw street demonstration in the name of REFORMASI which terrify most of the Chinese. They see this as a violent act and not good for the economy after what happen in the 1997/1998 downfall. At the same time, we too saw what happen in Indonesia during their 1998 riot period. Many Chinese people were killed and many Chinese girls were raped yet people who did those crimes walk freely!! Will that happen in Malaysia as well? That is the question most of the Chinese asked that time!
However, the major factor is not the Reformasi event, is Lim Kit Siang HIMSELF! The declaration of making pact with PAS during the 1999 election send the BIGGEST SHOCK WAVE to the Chinese, especially those from the rural area. After a long period of brain washing by the government control MSM (Main Stream Media), seeing PAS is like seeing Al-Qaedah, a party that will do what ever it takes to turn our country into an Islamic State. Even now, lots of old aged Chinese people still see it that way and one of them is my mom.
So what do the Chinese did on the 1999 general election? I think you know it more then I do. The Chinese not only strongly throw their support to MCA, they even kick Lim Kit Siang OUT, as a warning to him. Did you ever see him making any media statement about the pact with PAS again? Lol, he don’t even dare to said a word about it during the 2004 general election.
If Lim Kit Siang did not make that silly move, I can confirm the outcome of the 1999 general election will be totally different. One silly mistake from him is enough to change the course of that election.
People factor is STILL the main influence in the coming General Election. No matter how many phantom voters, postal voting or gerrymandering made by our corrupted government, as long as ALL VOTERS decide to KICK BN OUT, BN will definitely LOSE! What is the use of understanding the system if no one want to support you??
Rather then focusing time and effort on the seats that they confirm or have high chance in winning like the one suggested by Chin Huat, I would rather have the opposition parties focus on winning our heart and have a big sweep in the up coming election. The rakyat had send a signal that they want changes, will the opposition parties take this opportunity and answer our call??
Sharing
December 24, 2007
Kean: “I would rather have the opposition parties focus on winning our heart”
——————
People have 2 hearts – emotional & rational!
Which to which should the opposition win?
And, which opposition people trust??
Parties and People are in cross road
as both have not stand on the same ground to trust!
Heart is the factor for both People & MP/Party
The EC bill passed when heart of most MP stuck
GE had not fixed the direction for MP & the Government!
My post in response to Malik’s question of Opposition & the Psychology of the People
(pending moderator approval after Point 23 http://malikimtiaz.blogspot.com/2007/12/race-and-poverty-gap.html
================
Summary of my understanding to what was posted by Malik
(http://malikimtiaz.blogspot.com/2007/12/lost-in-transition.html)
———–
In brief, a change or even a rebirth is ideally needed. But,the questions are if the Opposition are ready, if they cannot even have a COMMON GROUND to stay or head or an action to join or co-operate, nor, they have declared their POLICY or way of doing it to convince the People of improvement to come are justified with either the GUARANTEE of STABILITY in EMPLOYMENT and SECURITY or CHANGES ARE WORTH DOING SO! And, Opposition must be able to take up a Significiant representation in the Parliament to counter the concentration of absolute power (a cause of corruption) and to improve accountability.
My comments
===========
Before us, the Parties (the drivers), the Government (the car with the right specifications) and the People (the Passenger) are the three Components to be educated, motivated and to exercise the Respective Rights and Obligations – the Constitution, the Laws or the Acts and those Rules & Regulations so derived.
GE is only to change the Drivers with the understanding and co-operation of the rest and cannot be a guarantee to the Rest if the Rest do not understand and work in the same direction.
A. Direction/Policy
———
Should be to run an Efficiency and Transparent Government with well specified Rights and Obligations among the parties concerned for accountability and credibility, disregard of race, religion and party. (HR again is the starting point.)
B. Guarantee
———
Those along the line be guaranteed with employment and security. Otherwise, be condemned, abandoned or even punished. – The Rewards & Penalties System.
The Guarantee of those loyal to corruption, race, religion or party with bleach of professional ethics and duty of service is in fact the source of the rots of BN Government and the society. Should Guarantee to these be extended? Then, the guarantee to those honest and law binding ones will be lost!!
Guarantee should go for the Former and NOT the Latter! To encourage ENTHUSIASM!!
Suggesting the Guarantee for both will lead to SELFISHNESS instead of FAIRNESS!!
Suggesting the Guarantee for the Latter will lead to the look for GREEDINESS!!
C. Improvement to Seek
————-
To seek Priority for Improvement of Efficiency and Transparent so as to guarantee the Stability of those fit to the jobs with creation or cut of posts with justified income according to ability, performance and loyalty to the Rights and Obligations of the partners concerned in the job!
D. Representation of Significant
———–
Regrouping after the Coming GE is unavoidable, I guess. Therefore, “Opposition” could be for all parties.
Regrouping should not be a sacrifice of the Direction or the Policy but on the difference of ways of approach. If those are elected with the understanding of the direction to go by those voting with same understanding. The following regrouping can come out
1. Grouping to form Majority – more than 2/3, but this is not recommended with the history so far. Unless the Malaysian culture change so that the Parliament on proposal or decision making will start on basis on the merits of the proposal and not governed by numbers or Powers!!
2. Grouping to form a strong Opposition to safe guard the constitutional Rights of the general public.
E. KEY ISSUE AMONG PARTIES & MP
———-
The importancy of the above will be cut, if all MPs take Fairness and the Rights of the People as Priority over a Party! This should be practiced in the Party as their final support should come from the People and not the MPs!!
F. CONCLUSION
—-
1. It is not a promise by the Opposition but if ALL agrees to the direction and way to be achieved!
2. The existing Opposition has to start declaring if they agree to the Direction or Policy for the possible support of the rest and to be practiced in time to come!!
3. The obstructions in reality, are the break of the fetish of Race, Religion and parties. Or, how confident they can stand against fairness to come when those have been provided with privilege of inequalities on these factors!
4. The best for the incoming change is to provide allowance period or rehabilitation assistance for those who are willing to cope with the change. And, not to allow those to stand in the wave of unavoidable and necessary changes to come!
5. For Voters they must also declare they vote for the said Policy to come!
I hope the above give points for further elaboration of those learned!!
===============
Melvin
December 24, 2007
Actually, going more than 112 seats is somewhat a feat that is not likely to be achieved, or shall I say over-realistic. What the opposition should do is to just deny the 67 percent majority that BN needs.
If we say we will have 222 seats next election, they should win 75 Parliament seats and above.
Next is to go for seats where we have pathetic MPs making their comments. Maybe try to win seats at Padang Renggas, Jasin, Kinabatangan, Sri Gading, Merbok, etc..
Paul Warren
December 24, 2007
I want to see BN denied of its sacred two-thirds. Now that is wrong. I should say, I want to see UMNO denied of its two-thirds. After all everyone should remember, all the other BN parties HAVE TO dance according to UMNO’s tune. So, it is as good as UMNO holding all the BN votes to do as it pleases.
My only concern though is, what if in the next GE Civil Society becomes so effective that UMNO on its own secures just under 50% and PAS secures just enough to give just the two of them together the two-thirds should UMNO and PAS form a coalition? UMNO will sell out anyone and anything for the two-thirds. I can see the scenario when UMNO would find it easy to dispense with all the remaining members of the BN. PAS would do just about anything to get its Islamic State. A trade such as that will sit well with both parties.
In this effort by Civil Society can we put this question to PAS and secure from them a promise and a covenant that under no circumstances will they combine with UMNO just to be able to form the Islamic State that they are all pledged to work towards?
Paul,
You are not the first to voice these concerns.
As you suggest, we can ask for public undertakings.
Additionally, as the opposition starts to firm up in the division of seats, do a quick calculation of the sum total of PAS contested seats in combination with that UMNO is expected to contest. Tailor our support so that it would not allow any unholy combination of these 2 a 2/3 majority.
Sharing
December 24, 2007
Hope Policy & Direction first, Party next.
–
Or even GE gone to Opposition, HR will not last!
Or even to BN, HR will turn the of path of non-UNMO at least.
If and only if people understand UNMO practices racial and religious for the Powers around and not Malaysia as large.
The average Malay is not enjoy more than average!!
Is Malay having more races than China, India, USA, Europe or even Canada or Australia?
Or more religions?
Privilege towards bullies will bring only instability!
Sugar Poison, discriminations and fears!
Endless days if HR cannot stand!
Will PAS give priority to HR?
Same for DAP?
Coalition by HR!!
Direct People to HR!
Kean
December 25, 2007
Have you guys follow the general election held in Thailand? The pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP), a party form by ex Thai Rak Thai (Thaksin’s ex party) members won the election but not with an absolute majority in parliament. They are now seeking to form a coalition government. How could that possible even after a coup by the military and mass anti-Thaksin rallies held by the urban dwellers?
Well this is what we call the People Factor. Thaksin main supporters are not from the urban dwellers but from the rural masses who are mainly farmers. They are the majority of Thailand’s 64 million population and they remember Thaksin’s efforts to boost the rural economy during his five-year rule. However, do they care what Thaksin had done to their country with his corrupted government? Well, the result of the general election is enough to prove their mind set.
See any similarity in our country?? Do some homework and you can see those who hated the UMNO/BN government are from the urban area while the rural people give them a big support. Malaysian especially those in the rural area are very SIMPLE MINDED. As long as their ‘periuk nasi’ and their ‘kebajikan’ are well taken care, they will vote you. Their ‘kampung’ always come first, not the country. Here is one good example which I read in Malaysia-Today.net :
http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/242/32/
It doesn’t matter if our heart is divided into emotional & rational, all this facts won’t work on simple minded people. Key issues, sophisticated management system or amendment of the constitution laws is not a big deal to these people. They do care about them but it wasn’t their main priority.
On my previous comment I stated this :
“What is the use of understanding the system if no one want to support you??”
Thailand is a good example of this fact! Their election system is monitored even by the military who couped Thaksin. The Democrat Party, prefer by the military and urban citizen fail to deliver the finishing blow, they only win 166 seats out of 480 seats. PPP won 228 seats. The rural citizen is the king maker in this election.
Same with our country, the king maker is not those voters in the urban area, not the Indian, not the Chinese and NOT EVEN the Malay. It is the simple minded pakcik, makcik, nenek and datuk who live and vote in the rural area. Win their heart and you have high chance of sending BN out.
God had send us His biggest help, FLOOD! PAS is moving their machine very well in these flooded rural areas and even Keadilan is gaining the momentum. Where is DAP? If DAP still focus on the urban area, they will waste this opportunity created even by God. Go to Johor now and crack down MCA stronghold!
Pratamad
December 28, 2007
As a new comer here, I must applaud the efforts initiated here.
However, allow me to strike a reality tone here. I agree fully what Wong Chin Huat is advocating, that the goal now should be denying BN’s 2/3 majority and we should focus our resources rather than splitting it too thinly nationwide.
(For those who are unaware, because of the long held 2/3 majority in Parliament, the BN has practically “gang-raped” our Constitution with over 650 amendments in our short 50 years of nationhood. 2/3 majority is required to pass amendments on the Constitution. See http://www.malaysiakini.com/opinionsfeatures/75171 for more details.)
We should fix the foundational issue first, i.e. stop the rampant abuse of BN’s 2/3 majority against our Constitution. Then only can we can make other initiatives effective.
Be realistic. Shouting “kick BN out of government” is one thing (to address one’s emotional side?), but think twice what is really achievable now given the circumstances and stage of civil society movement.
ron
February 12, 2008
i’m registered to pj utara and will vote any candidate who is not bn. i’m glad i could possibly make a difference in 2008 🙂
ron,
Check out http://getanmp.blogspot.com. Join the guys who are running this blog. Its an effort to get a new MP for PJ Utara