In ‘What change do we seek?’, SV Singam suggests a displacement of BN by a Barisan Alternatif (BA) in the next elections.
Instead of BA, why not a Barisan Rakyat?
On 4th February, civil society launched 2 documents : The People’s Voice and The People’s Declaration.
On 6th February, on behalf of all Malaysians, I had sent copies of both documents to all BN component parties and to DAP, PAS, PKR and PSM with the the expressed hope that these parties would adopt the aspirations declared by the rakyat in these documents as the way forward for our nation.
By Saturday, 16th February, PKR, DAP, PAS, PSM, MDP and PASOK had confirmed their endorsement of The People’s Declaration.
On behalf of the rakyat, let me take this opportunity to thank the leadership of these parties for their swift response and their willingness to heed The People’s Voice.
I understand these endorsements to mean that these 6 parties have each agreed to work for and serve the rakyat to achieve those aspirations detailed in these two documents. If so, this represents a huge achievement both by civil society and these 6 parties in having arrived at this consensus.
Add to this the report in Malaysia Today that seat divisions between PKR and DAP in Peninsula Malaysia have been resolved so as to avert 3-corner contests, and one begins to hope that perhaps we are beginning to see some light at the end of the BN tunnel.
What we ask now is that these party leaders demonstrate equal wisdom in the choice of candidates who are expected to give effect to our aspirations after the next elections.
We go to the polls on 8th March. This is our elections to enable us to decide to whom we will entrust management of our nation and our people for another term.
We have seen the evil that BN is. Let us rid ourselves of these blood-sucking parasites.
We now have 6 parties who have responded positively to our call to work with us to manage this nation founded on The People’s Declaration.
Why should we not embrace all these parties as our Barisan Rakyat by which we begin to bring about the change that we want in our country?
And who is to say, if a PBS or a Gerakan should come-a-calling, why not?
People, we have an opportunity to try and re-shape the politics of our land.
We must seize the moment now.
The People's Parliament 
koolgeek
February 18, 2008
Barisan Rakyat? Where is the logo?
Mob1900, you are needed
fenway
February 18, 2008
I am just wondering…what are you guys going to do for Sarawak? She has 31 parliamentary seats ready for BN. Is there any Sarawak party in the list above?
I am also wondering what kind of deals Pak Lah made with Taib to ensure these seats in this election.
Sarawak is a totally different ball game.Urban areas like Kuching, Sibu, no worries…the Chinese can give DAP that majority. What about rural areas…since independence, PBB, SNAP had been promising the moon, sky and sun to the rural constituents…still the rural people suffer with high costs of living, inadequate public amenities, etc etc.
Politics in Sarawak is different. They have somewhat kind of ‘kamikaze’ game. You go against the Taib dynasty, you ‘die’, so to speak. It is not BN there..it is the Taib dynasty that is ruling the state.
And is this Bangsa Malaysia applicable to the Ibans, Bidayuh, Kelabits, Kayans, etc and especially the Penans there? Who is fighting for their rights?
fenway,
Bangsa Malaysia, as I undertsand and practise it, is all-inclusive, without exception or distinction
Paul Warren
February 18, 2008
Yes, these parties have endorsed teh People’s Declaration. But are they screaming and shouting and rejoicing about it? I would like to see them say so in their published manifesto referring to their acceptance of the People’s Declaration and giving the web site address as to where one can go see it.
This is also the time the opposition parties can reach out to the people and direct them to web sites that carry alternative messages. If they can only do that in all their printed material, they will get people to read more than just campaign propaganda.
SV Singam
February 18, 2008
I think Barisan Rakyat is a splendid suggestion.
Go for it!
yh
February 18, 2008
we were having our drinks at our usual place. the mood of the group is that we would be astronauts this coming election. it will either be the moon, half moon or the rocket.
mind you, amongst us were previously strong BN supporters and of course the usual diehard rocket fellas. consensus, BN is too corrupt to be supported.
Sharing
February 19, 2008
Congratulation with the settle of a Direction to head!
1. Shouldn’t getting more than 1/2 Parliament seats be emphasized?
To emphasize unless the Constitution be changed to 3 independent Legislation, Execution, Monitoring and the skip of Authority and Public Servant Protection Acts,
for better liability and accountability of Government
Taking over the Parliament Seats will remain a matching without forwarding!
And, it will only be another Power re-distribution!!
2. The coalition should head to clean up the EC before any GE!
Or else the Coalition is only on paper and leading voters into a “MISTY GE”!!
And Bersih can lead no more!!
SV Singam
February 19, 2008
I read on another Blog a comment from a reader that the word Barisan left a sour taste in his mouth. Maybe so. But I think it is important that the Rakyat hijack the word Barisan and make it their own. It is a powerful word that can reach into the soul and evoke deep emotions.
I also read a comment about the lukewarm acceptance of the People’s Declaration by the political parties in question. It’s almost as if they are doing it to “mark attendance” but are not really committed to the principles contained within. That comment strikes a chord with me.
If the political parties that have “accepted” the Declaration can make it their own and shout the message forward, then their acceptance has more meaning and will have more effect.
That will bring us one step closer towards forging the Barisan Rakyat, which will bring us to a new future.
Hidup Barisan Rakyat!
shar101
February 19, 2008
Hidup Barisan Rakyat!
The People’s Voice and Declaration (PVD) were conceived with the rakyat in mind, not political parties. It’s a civil society driven blueprint for the NOW and the future to create a better Malaysia through better governance.
Whether it’s a reduction in BN’s 2/3 majority or an almost equal representation in Parliament as Sharing would like, the rakyat must take back the authority for delegated governance when elected representatives are wont in their proscribed duties. The PVD provides for this eventuality because the process of healing must begin on the outset.
As it is, ALL the political parties have failed in one form or the other. And since it’s such, are we, the Rakyat, going to just sit back and let future generations curse us in our graves for not doing enough or anything at all.
We’re on the verge to ‘renew the social agreement’ with politicians on 8th March ’08. Don’t let them tell you what’s good for you coz you’re in the driver’s seat, not them.
The driving manual is in your hands so let’s vote for hardworking, sincere reluctant politicians and put them into Parliament.
Bring forth the goodness that lie within the Barisan of Malaysians waiting for change. Barisan Rakyat. Is there any other?
Hidup Barisan Rakyat!
P.S. Sour taste? Yeah right. Take yer medicine. It’s good fer yer. Goes down well with lukewarm liquids. Whoever you are.
farida
February 19, 2008
Sorry, but I’m a bit worried about the use of ‘barisan’. What if BN slyly informs the non-discerning that Barisan Rakyat is a new wing of Barisan Nasional? This is too close for comfort.
Let’s stay as far away from that word as possible.
What about one of the following:
Angkatan Rakyat
Pasukan Rakyat
Kekuasaan Rakyat?
John Tan
February 19, 2008
En Haris, Can you please help initiate a signature campaign to bring YB Fong Po Kuan back in the Parliament. If she has differences within the party then run as an Independent. I am sure she will garner the same support. Another seat won from the BN is another victory for the rakyat. Time is running out.Thanks.
John,
We don’t quite know the reason for her decision, except what is reported in the media.
I think she should not be pressured. If she is quite clear that she does not want to stand again, I think this decision should be respected.
Sharing
February 19, 2008
Worry with Priority
======================
Don’t worry about the name!
Worry if BN change their components to take in Individuals and other mini-parties to become majority again!
Worry about having Red Herrings as Candidates!
Any new name can change their Policy if we do not have representatives with Hearts and Souls around a Principle and Direction known well to ALL so People can monitor even after GE!
Worry if BA not having even half the Parliament to change all related Constitutions and Laws to provide power for BA to work and People to monitor!
Worry if BA cannot demand more responsibility and liability from officers if Authority and Public Servant Protection Act is still monopolizing!
Nevertheless, a core Party or Parties is still essential for administration to go!!
Good Parties should be promoted when they Walk the Talk along the People’s declaration!!
Promoting too much individuals will also cause some other problems later on!
ALL WORRIES CAN ONLY HAVE THE CHANCE OF RECTIFY IF WE HAVE A CLEAN & FAIR ELECTION!!
The Challenge and Compel EC to do so, last resort only via Court Order!!
If Court not working, prepare for MM2H for another direction!!
The Engine is beyond repair and so the Engineers or Sailors in the Boat!!
Kohila
February 19, 2008
Plse be reminded that the word Barisan was first used by Barisan Sosialis who got fantastic support from the people and won a lot of seats in 1959 and 1964 elections. At that time Perikatan ( now BN) was scared of them that they used the Indonesia confrontation and other reason to catch all the Barisan Sosialis MPs under ISA. After the 1969 elections, where the 2/3 majority was as stake for perikatan and emergency was declared this perikatan came with a new face that is barisan NAsional. So the word Barisan was first used by Barisan Sosialis, which means it belongs to teh people and parties that worked for the betterment of the people. So BArisan does not belong to the corrupt BN: it belongs to the BArisan Sosialis that was athreat to the govt of the day then.
rakyatbiasa
February 19, 2008
live scoreboard:
bn: 221,085 votes
others: 0 vote
ivansim
February 19, 2008
Last Warning To DAP/PKR
Just read in Malysiakini that DAP and PKR going for 3 cornered fight with BN in Sarawak (hope it’s not true) but this is our last warning – if true kiss your chances goodbye – I will stay away or just spoil my vote and I’m sure a lot of true Malaysians voters will also do so. Do not be so egotistic and arrogant – we do not want to replace the devil with an even bigger one.
Hidup Rakyaat
sharleen
February 19, 2008
YES …’BARISAN RAKYAT’…bersatu la mereka demi RAKYAT..
fenway
February 19, 2008
Wansim, I read it too. I am with you on this one. I don’t know how to write in good analysis as some commentors too.
That’s why in an earlier topic, I voiced out that I am on the fence and am sceptic about who I am going to vote as an alternative even though I too despise BN. I want to know who is this candidate that I am going to support.
And my above comments too about Sarawak, my home state.
See, with this latest news about PKR + DAP, they can’t even reach a common consensus in Sarawak to win some of those 31 seats with the objective to deny BN 2/3 majority or at the very least, to deny them a huge win. Or even As I feel right now, there is no sincerity at all.
We will see….
Sharing
February 20, 2008
Voting with Priority
=====================
After fixing Principle & Direction, it should come with selection of Party and the Candidates.
All depends if Voter knows what to choose and then who to choose.
Factors of Party and the understanding of each Candidates will come in.
Unless the Candidates are well introduced, Party will be a priority over Candidates, especially when “PARACHUTING” of candidates are promoted and popular which is NOT HEALTHY.
The cuss on the problems should fall on the short period of between nomination and election dates as well as the unequal exposure or introduction of the Candidates!
Otherwise, a 3-corned fight should be a fair for Voter to choose!
THE PUSH TO TAKE OPPOSITION DISREGARDING The Right Party and Right Candidates is NOT HEALTHY!!
Hope the introduction of Candidates will also be put in if further comments are to be sought!
Otherwise, to choose Party, personally, I will take DAP and not PKR!
——————————————–
fenway & winsam
Do you have details of the Candidates?
Or, “ah mao ah gou” could be left to choose!!
Or, some opposition party will be hijacking the situation!!
Therefore, insisting a Clean and Fair Election is the MOST PRIORITY before GE!!
Promoting what to choose and then who to choose is important for Voter to make a Right Vote rationally!
SV Singam
February 20, 2008
Sharing, I am confused.
On the one hand, you insist that breaking the 2/3 majority stranglehold is not enough. That we should go for taking a clean simple majority and replacing the BN government. I am not saying this is a wrong goal. I only wish it were realistic.
On the other hand you are saying we should not simply vote opposition. So you reckon if the opposition candidate is bad, we should choose the BN candidate? Or that we should withhold our vote from ANY candidate?
You cannot ignore the fact that the Elections Commission will do anything and everything to ensure a BN win. Stacked against that, we cannot afford to be idealistic. Any donkey that can deprive the BN of a seat should be good enough… for now.
Don’t you think so?
It will be nice if the parties that have been opposition all these decades start behaving like credible government material. I will be the first to jump for joy. But I don’t expect that to happen in the short time that we have.
It will be good if people can hold their personal ambitions in check for these critical few days and just help kick some BN butt. Break the 2/3 stranglehold. Establish a relevant presence in parliament.
Then will come the time for the rebuilding. For your information, capturing a simple majority will not empower us to repair any of the damage done to the constitution. For that we will need a 2/3 majority.
I don’t want the Barisan Rakyat to get a 2/3 majority simply because absolute power will corrupt absolutely. What we should aim for is to kill the current 2/3 majority and create an impasse. And then, we have to work towards the day when all MPs are free to vote with their conscience on key issues such as constitutional amendments. Only then can we begin the repair process.
What do you (and others) think?
Sharing
February 20, 2008
SV Singamm,
Thanks your query!
1. Priority of Party – of course, Opposition over BN!!
(which I have missed emphasizing in my last post
but see my input in https://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2007/05/03/just-wondering/ ).
2. But, should a Clean & Fair Election before GE be the Most Prior?
If this is not done, all the rest are useless as People are still manipulated by the EC!
And, this GE can further be manipulated when
a) the recounting only valid when there is more than 4% different instead of 2%
b) no serial number which in one way also make counter-checking by voter a problem!!
3. Bersih promote a Clean & Fair Election but eventually it leads to voting of Opposition which is correct towards getting as many seat as possible for the Opposition. But, then it may also lead Voter not to select Right Party and Right Candidate within Opposition!!
Frankly speaking, I am worried that PKR is hijacking the situation!!
After the “deal” in Penang between PKR & DAP, I believe DAP is awake and so come the situation for Sarawak!
If People are aware who has been most active behind the Bersih and Hindraf (unconsciously taken), I believe my worry sustains!
Any Party and Candidates should have proven record to support and not guided because of movement, which is very dangerous when the Phenomenon of Red Herring is very very popular in Malaysia!!
4. Stopping BN to have 2/3 is stopping them to go further. However, if Opposition cannot get more than 1/2 in the Parliament, Opposition also cannot move any inch ahead!! So, the LATTER MUST BE EMPHASIZED!!
Having 2/3 could solve many problems and only possible if a Clean and Fair GE be provided. Otherwise, even 1/2 could be manipulated and not achievable!!
FIX THE PROBLEM OF EC BEFORE THE GE!!
Please refer to 2nd post of Sharing in
http://rockybru.blogspot.com/2008/02/pm-to-us-we-subsidized-u.html
TRY TO PUT UP THE WHOLE PICTURE FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT AND LET PEOPLE BE GUIDED MORE RATIONALLY THAN EMOTIONALLY, OR, PEOPLE WILL BE MIS-DIRECTED, INTENTIONALLY AS WELL AS UNINTENTIONALLY.
REFORM HAVE TO CONTINUE AFTER GE AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE ARE INDISPENSABLE!!
When mutual understanding is not taken during the normal course of the days, when anything come up, problems will come out. This is what is happening in DAP for Fong’s case!
Sharing
February 20, 2008
SV Singamm,
Please read also my post in
SV Singam
February 20, 2008
Sharing, you are absolutely right. EC should be fixed before GE. I don’t think the GE can be postponed. So we have 17 days left. What should be done? What are our priorities?
The Bersih initiative should continue to pound on the EC and, if necessary, tie them up in lawsuits or whatever it takes. Softly, softly is not going to make any kind of difference for this GE. Hit them as hard as possible as soon as possible.
Potential candidates (party and individual) for Barisan Rakyat have to clean up their act. We can ask them nicely, but they are all politicians first. Politics has become a dirty-tricks game. We cannot allow any single group to hijack the Rakyat initiative. Watchdog committees have to monitor their actions.
But the most important actionable item for now is to get the message across to people in ALL WALKS of life, including the makcik and pakcik in the kampung. The readership of these online forums is a tiny fraction of the population so this message has to go out…
VOTE OPPOSITION. DON’T CARE WHAT PARTY OR WHAT CANDIDATE. VOTE OPPOSITION.
Time is running out. If this message doesn’t go out, we will have a tough time getting even 25% of the seats, let alone 34% or 51%.
How can we get people to vote opposition when there is still so much fear? PAS will bring Islam… DAP is Chinese chauvinist… PKR is Anwar… if we within ourselves keep bringing up these issues, the BN and the MSM don’t have to do anything.
So let us identify a few simple, critical, actionable goals and then get on with it.
Pound on the EC and the electoral process to minimise abuse.
Pound on the opposition parties to bring some semblance of cohesion to the initiative.
Take the message out to the Rakayat, far and wide.
Let’s get going!
Hidup Barisan Rakyat.
Sharing
February 20, 2008
SV Singam
Thanks your understanding!
1. Take EC Chief to Court as first Post of Sharing in
http://rockybru.blogspot.com/2008/02/pm-to-us-we-subsidized-u.html
GE cannot proceed when EC and EC Chief is in doubt in the court. The court has to sort it out within 60days after dissolve of Parliament or postpone until matter settled and can drag until 2009. Then, we have more than to sort out the matter and promote what should be proper for Parties, Candidates and Voters!
Let Anwar come in and fight with all the presentation he can make!
IF THIS CANNOT BE DONE, BERSIH CAN ACT NO MORE EVEN IN ANY COMING EVENT!!
PURSUING THE MATTER AFTER GE WILL ONLY MEAN ANOTHER JOKE AS THE LINGAM CASE!
Without a fair EC, 1/2 can be manipulated and not be achievable, even in reality, 2/3 should go to Opposition if Voters are RATIONAL to choose what should be!!
TRY TO LEAD THE SITUATION INSTEAD OF FALLING INTO THE TRAP TO TAKE A DOUBTFUL GE PROVOKED EMOTIONALLY THAN RATIONALLY.
Please read carefully what had been analyzed by ChinHua
GE 2004 had been mislead emotionally into a situation of “ANYONE BUT NOT MAHATHIR!”
And, the present situation falls into “ANY OPPOSITION BUT NOT BN”!!”
ACT BEFORE THE GE OR ANY EFFORTS ARE INTO THE DRAIN BEFORE GOING INTO GE!!
2. Even Oppositions are preferred, Priority should be given to DAP, PAS and last only to PKR!
to be based on the performance of each!
Your Voicing of
“VOTE OPPOSITION. DON’T CARE WHAT PARTY OR WHAT CANDIDATE. VOTE OPPOSITION.”
will only bring Voters into emotional than rational!
Be careful!!
The present situation is very much like Subang Ria Park for their Objection hearing in 15/7/2007
http://www.usj.com.my/bulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=17992&page=1&pp=15&highlight=ria+park
STOP EC UNTIL CLEAN AND FAIR READY FOR GE!!!!!!!!!!
farida
February 20, 2008
Hi, Can’t we take all the facts of army shifting, people being assigned to vote in constituencies they were not born in nor had lived in to our Agong to show his Majesty how biased EC is?
VJ
February 20, 2008
We have much hope for Barisan Rakyat . It need to work hard to ensure the lay people dun fail them . So with such hard task ahead dun they fail themselves by fighting internally for seat allocations . Do they know that they get more publicity from local media when they fight among themselves than when they are united ??
TV2 said “Mereka Berkompromasi” , ya right in order to defeat the Bodoh Nasional .
SV Singam
February 21, 2008
Sharing,
If the EC can be tied up and the GE postponed, then your Plan A is fine. But if not, do we have a Plan B?
The opposition parties are already coming out with separate manifestos. There may be 3-cornered fights in many places. So what do we do? Live up to the slogan “One Opposition or No Opposition” and either vote BN or spoil the vote?
I am surprised that you haven’t mentioned one more threat (maybe you have but I missed it) that I’m sure you have already thought of. What happens after the elections. The BN war chest is rich and funds will surely be set aside for post-elections campaigning. Donkey candidates will be easily bought over. How do we cope with that?
Bearing that scenario in mind, how many seats will the BR have to capture?
Sharing
February 21, 2008
According to the Media, Agong are having Vacation abroad!!
He only managed to accept the dissolve of Parliament before he left!