That is the only conclusion UMNO and BN can honestly take from the just concluded Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections.
And that people power has found a firm footing, has rooted well, and will not be easily blown away.
Read it any other way and UMNO and BN will pay dearly at the next GE, the Sarawak state elections and every other by-election that comes our way.
And by reform, I do not mean of the cosmetic kind.
Like giving us the MACC or the JAC!
Or freeing 13 ISA detainees just before polling day!
That’s an insult to the intelligence and common sense of the average Malaysian which, as may surprise many in UMNO and BN, ought not to be underestimated.
Can BN reform?
Yes, but not under its present leadership.
Najib and the current crop of UMNO leaders are too integral to the very problem that plagues BN.
As are the top leaders of all the component parties.
Samy, Tsu Khoon, the Ongs, Taib Mahmud.
They’re all the same.
Self-serving politicians, interested in holding on to power only to serve their own ends.
If ever BN had the interest of the people as their first and only port of call, that ceased a long time ago after Dr M took the helm.
The rot set in swiftly thereafter.
Dr M’s close brush with defeat in the 1986 UMNO elections brought out the worst in him, and it was that side of him that stayed with us for the rest of his tenure.
His ‘retain power at all costs’ philosophy cost us dearly.
Henceforth, to avoid another challenge to his authority, he promoted to high office those who were seen to be subservient and docile.
And more often than not, incompetent.
His own belated admission about his mistake in appointing Pak Lah as his successor bears testimony to this.
He crippled the judiciary, then appointed to high judicial office men and women who were pliant.
And in his time, he encouraged a culture that would create a pool of super-rich Malays, whose wealth was not generated from honest, hard work, but by the shuffling of papers and paper transactions.
The ‘get-rich-quick Malay’, the ‘I want money for nothing’ generation of Malays owes its birth and growth to Dr M.
Dr M allowed corruption to flourish.
Both in UMNO and the government.
This was his most powerful control tool.
This is Mahathirism.
And the current crop of UMNO and BN leaders have had Mahathirism for too long flowing through their veins to begin any process of internal reform necessary to render BN relevant to the needs and aspirations of the people.
Can BN reform?
Yes, but only if UMNO first reforms.
Can UMNO reform?
If UMNO and BN are to reform, the Najibs, the Samys, the Ongs and the Ksu Khoons must be driven from the seat of party power.
That reform can only happen if, from the rank and file of these parties emerge a new generation, untainted by the corruption of the echelon and mid-level leadership and who are in politics not to serve their own ends but the best interest of the rakyat, and have the gumption to challenge the status quo.
Sadly, there does not appear to be such quality within the rank and file of UMNO.
eaglewings
April 8, 2009
Haris,
Firstly, a big thank you for the wonderful job that your’ll have done tirelessly at each by election without fail. It is people like yourself that is creating a connection and realization of what we want for this country. More and more are getting involved unlike before whereby election was just another day to put an ‘X’ on the weighing scales and by elections, God knows, what’s that all about.
Secondly, Can UMNO reform? I think its a big late. They still choose to live in denial. Being in denial would mean that they can go about doing what they have been so customed to doing. A lot of talk but now real reforms. Now, the time has come to get the young voters registered and prepared to give UMNO/BN a red carpet farewell.
Pratamad
April 8, 2009
Very well said, bro! When they even had to bring out the suratkhabar lama on Monday and treated it like a gem, it says much about the lack of idea and appreciation of reality on the ground. In fact, the suratkhabar lama has so epitomised BN that when BN and its component parties can indeed reform, that is the day they draw a clear line with him.
For us the rakyat, we must make sure the momentum continues and get more young Malaysians onboard to care about our democracy and governance. That’s the focus of the South here with ABM-S.
Lyon
April 8, 2009
Dear Haris,
Thank you and the team, for your sacrifices in ensuring the 2 ‘hills’ remain in the hands of the rakyat’s nominees. Despite the recent bereavment, you unselfishly put the rakyat above yourself.
Rest assured of my continued support in your endeavours.
Cheers mate
Dollah
April 8, 2009
UMNO can reform if Najib can dump all his excess baggage begining with Rosmah.
Hamba
April 8, 2009
I’m afraid not….Reform means that the whole lot of UMNO leaders ( branch and divisions including ajks) will have to purged. This means a new bunch of members who are basically free from UMNO money politics taking over the leadership. By saying this I am however had the realization that no such member exist in UMNO. The rot has set in to deep. It’s like cutting down ‘lalang’ or burning it( ops lalang we can term it),lo and behold a few days later the lalang still crop up…There’s no end to it…The seed ( corruption) is seen as part and parcel of UMNO. The only way is to replace the lalang with new crop so that the lalang don’t have room to grow…That is the sad state of UMNO today. UMNO doesn’t need reform, it needs to be put out of its misery or better yet exterminated and replace with new hope…
m
April 8, 2009
Reform, or face extinction – Bangsa Malaysia rather BN and co. don’t reform and just die off … a total waste of space and time just to make them think of reform !!!
PR prepare for the next GE NOW… the Bangsa Malaysia will show BN who is the boss …
sunwayopal
April 8, 2009
There is only one way for such reform to happen.
UMNO and Barisan Najis has to lose power. Only when they have been dethroned and stripped bare completely and utterly can the reform process begin with their party.
Having said that, there is great risks also WHEN the day comes when UMNO loses power completely. A deranged animal that has never tasted total defeat for 50 years is still a dangerous animal.
IbnAbdHalim
April 8, 2009
Very true indeed but UMNO/BN are slow learners or rather they don’t even learn at all.
IncidentalTourist
April 8, 2009
The only way UMNO can realistically reform themselves will be when they are no longer the ruling party.
The way things are looking, that is becoming more and more certain for GE13.
Once they lose the next general election, my hope is that UMNO/BN throw away all their poisonous racial rhetoric and concentrate on being an effective opposition party.
Whoever is in power, it is vital that we restore all the checks and balances in order to attain a genuine democracy.
SamYap
April 8, 2009
First a big thank you for your effort and contribution in the recent by-elections. It was a victory for Malaysia.
As mentioned by you, UMNO is lacking in quality people BUT I am worried that Pakatan also, seems to suffer the same problem. PKR and DAP in particular. They need to clean up their act some more before attempting to takeover at the federal level.
doinkers
April 8, 2009
EXTINCT!!! Let them join the dinosaurs at the museum.
Bernard
April 8, 2009
Reform Challenges for Najib
Do away with communal politics – dissolve the communal parties and get the members to come under BN
Get the best talents with high integrity from BN to hold positions of power irrespective of their race, religion or color
Wipe out corruption – It is easier to wipe out corruption if the PM is not dependent on his race only for support
Ensure the power of four pillars – (Sultan, Judiciary, Legislative and the Executive) is separated. Maintain their roles in the constitution.
Abolish ISA and NEP
Rope in the talents of the opposition and the community to assist in the development of the nation
Appeal to the Malaysian talents from overseas to return to their homeland
Constantly improving the quality of Malaysians through education and human capital development with the objective of creating a first class nation
Focus on bridging the gap between the poor and the rich
Practice the one Malaysian concept – Race and religion are deleted from personal documents
barry
April 8, 2009
So now what have a new name (and an apt one, too) for Mahathir : Suratkhabarlama (SKL, for short?). LGE said it succintly, when he said a big thank you to Mahathir for the PR wins, by his showing up in Kedah & Perak.
Can UMNO reform itself? Only when hell freezes over, with the current crop of the dirty corrupted leaders. Its leadership has been tainted with innocent Chinese blood from way back in May 1969, and trust me, God is not blind. Justice shall prevail!
Paul Warren
April 8, 2009
For my gratitude to you and the Special Bunch I shall contribute that one last single that I got standing on my shelf. Just tell me when…but not this Friday la!!
As for your points raised above I think they far better represent the reasons for BN’s loss. The size of the margins favouring PR, to me, is not significant enough to suggest that it is a PR win. I am of course relating your points to the ones raised in Malaysiakini in “Najib dealt a blow in by-elections” where political analyst Shaharuddin Badaruddin is quoted saying “It is definitely a bruising for Najib.”
The increased margin of victory was not significant enough to hang Najib with the loss for BN. Furthermore he has not been really tested as a PM as yet and cleverly he did not say much or for that matter issue the over used warnings UMNO’s leaders tend to issue to voters before any elections.
To even suggest that Najib’s baggage has caused this loss would be presumptive as once again I think the greater influence has been the spirit that moved voters at GE 2008 once again working its magic here.
It would be unfair to suggest that Najib has been bloodied by this by-election. However, it might be truer to suggest that Mahathir has no more magic left to work the people. His last minute re-entry into UMNO and his day long campaigning in the two Bukits no doubt attracted a wide audience. But I’d like to think they came to see the show put on by the court jester! No one takes the jester seriously!
Over all good showing by the PR considering all the set backs, the police and FRU intimidation the suspected phantoms and whatever else that was put on to impede the PR machinery.
romerz
April 8, 2009
Some say that even if UMNO/BN really initiates true reforms today, it will take at least 2 to 3 generations of Malaysians before we can return to the true path of a democracy.
Francis Ngu
April 8, 2009
Let us do an HG WELLS on UMNO and travel in cosmic time.
We may dream of UMNO, standing for United Malaysian
National Organisation; all other BN mosquito parties would have progressed into blissful extinction.
For nostalgia it may actually be called 1Malaysia UMNO, whereby an eligible Dayak from Sarawak or Kadazan from Sabah stands even chance of being elected as President of this futuristc UMNO.
Yes, change UMNO can, per HG Wells; then pass me an application form to join them too!
Francis Ngu
Member, Parti Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Sarawak.
Mr. Bad
April 8, 2009
Some of you say that BN will never reform, and some say they might. We’ll have to wait and see.
But while we wait and speak confidently of GE13, we must make sure that PR doesn’t fall in the same drain. PR must also start weeding out their lallang. PR must also start putting in people who are just and with integrity. PR must start screening and filtering to ensure that OUR reps are least likely to be tempted by corruption. Otherwise we end up with the same thing.
So as I rememmber that People’s Parliment initiated the “Meet your MP” campaign before GE12. Maybe we should start this again now so as to remind our MPs and ADUNs of what we want (a good, clean and fair govt), and to remind them who we are (the anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia who employ them to speak for us and represent us).
pra
April 8, 2009
Now Haris,
Why do you have to give them pointers and clues on how to improve when they are becoming irrelevant???
We shall believe that BN will become past nightmare and shall be put to sleep forever. To achieve that educate everyone on the importance of being a eligible voters. by the time GE13 comes there will be more unregistered eligible voters/numbers in our country. Everyone of them is crucial to nail these @#^&$$$$$$$*&*)( for good.
BTW–> good job on the election at the 2B’s and job well done SB. cheers. 🙂
Khan
April 8, 2009
Haris
Well said. reforms in BN will never happen as long as BN is headed by NajisC4 & Co.
Thank you for working tirelessly in making Pakatan Rakyat win in the two Bukits
Ravi Alexander
April 8, 2009
The people of Perak and Kedah have spoken aloud no more BN-UMNO. May they rest in peace. Hooray to Pakatan.
K L Wee
April 8, 2009
Pak Harris,
Thank you for a job well done. We were following your coverage of the election.
Yes, the rakyat have spoken loud and clear. The rakyat will no longer be cheated. The rakyat will no longer be robbed. The rakyat will no longer be tortured or killed. The rakyat will speak again in 2 years time. And the voice will be LOUDER!!!
Shabas Pak Harris.
Eyes Wide Open
April 8, 2009
UMNO/BN can never self-reform. There are not enough right-minded people there. And the right-minded people who do speak out are aither ignored or ridiculed.
They need to be taught a lesson in humility. Completely wipe them out in the next GE. Thereafter, the PR needs to do some serious purging or else all their efforts will be sabotaged by UMNO/BN loyalists.
By the time PR comes into powrr, civil society needs to be strong so that there is a 3rd force to keep govt in check.
i posted a short treatise on why i think UMNO/BN will definitely be wiped out soon.
http://notsleepinganymore.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-bn-lost-2-bukits-will-lose-country.html
ShiokGuy
April 8, 2009
Dear Haris,
Reform? I don;t think BN can reform unless the objective of the parties is to SERVED.
PR will never have any change in Batang Ai, so PR win 2 Bukits and lost 1 Batang. Sound like a good deal to me, right?
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2009/04/lost-1-batang-and-win-2-bukits.html
In order for PR to make an inroad into Sarawak and Sabah, the Indelible Ink has to be implemented and others form of rigging has to be stopped. I am not a sour grape or bad loser in Sarawak, I am a Sarawakian and work as boatman to ferry voters around. So I have seen it happens before.
Yahoo to the Rakyat!
Shiok Guy
ML
April 8, 2009
Reform? One of the 1st thing is that MACC must start doing its job – starting with our ex-Selangor MB. If this is not done it will be a blight on Najib’s premiership and will come back to haunt him and BN in the next GE. Don’t believe me- just wait and see. Now most Malaysian (except those bag-carriers who went on the trips with him & his family) are very upset over this Disneygate issue!
Peter
April 8, 2009
You put it well. And MahaFiruan asked what is wrong with Mahathirism 😦
mickey
April 8, 2009
We’ll see how the new cabinet line up will be, as first indication.
Otherwise, if there is another by-election in a BN stronghold, not surprised if PR wins..
Then Najib will probably have the same fate as Dolah Badawi.
Stech49
April 8, 2009
My son is 20. This is what he said. “I have one year to go than I’ll be able to vote.” “Enough of all those corrupted MPs!!” Yes, go for all those young voters. Let them know the corruption of these bloody MPs!! Time to get rid of them.
BANGKALIPOEYLUKIAKA
April 8, 2009
Brother Haris, well said.
Frankly, with that kind of tainted leaders around in this most corrupt party in Bolehland, and especially with someone like Mamak Kutty rejoining, it will be even more difficult for the top brass to initiate reforms from within.
Clean leaders like Pak Lah is being forced out by the crooks, what more can we expect from these so-called power-crazy leaders?
With Mamak Kutty dictating the present leaders (directly or indirectly), it is even more pathetic for this corrupt party and its members.
It is a formidable task because as I can see, none of them sitting up there is clean.
Everyone up there is carrying a heavy baggage and nobody will believe that they are clean (Of course they will always refer to MACC which has cleared their names like K Toyo).
How are they going to tell the grass roots to reform if they themselves can’t even make a first move such as declaring their assets and so forth.
How can the Rakyat trust them if they keep on using the draconian laws to harass the people?
The next generation will definitely flush them out because they are a totally different crop altogether.
Who will want to let their children to continue paying numerous highway toll fees for the next 40 years?
Who will want to let their children suffer and being humiliated with that kind of “korek,korek korek judges” and “immoral” police top brass who are willing to tell lies if instructed by their political masters?
Who will believe that the agency is not serving their political masters and being truly independent?
Can the people and their next generation change their perceptions on the police,EC and MACC?
Let’s vote for a New Malaysia for all the Rakyat, not One Malaysia for One person and one party only.
Kenny
April 8, 2009
“Dr M’s close brush with defeat in the 1986 UMNO elections brought out the worst in him, and it was that side of him that stayed with us for the rest of his tenure.
His ‘retain power at all costs’ philosophy cost us dearly.” – Haris Ibrahim
Haris,
This is a mirror of Zimbabwe’s Mugabe whose close brush with defeat brought out the worse in him to retain power at any cost, even if the country went to ruins (which it did).
Kenny
April 8, 2009
BN has not only lost the non-Malay vote, it has also lost the vote of young educated voters which transcend all races.
To win back the non-Malay vote requires real socio-economic reforms to ameliorate or roll back the myriad of government policies which discriminate against the non-Malays.
To win back support from young voters require the repair and rejuvenation of all the damaged democratic institutions which have been abused by the ruling party.
“Can BN do it?” The short answer is “No”. The first would be fiercely resisted by the ultra-nationalists in Umno while the second would threaten Umno’s hold on power
As Umno is unable to implement the necessary changes, Malaysia now enters a dangerous political phase where the ruling party is fearful of losing power, yet cannot reform to save itself.
Expect increasing repression and oppression of democratic space as the ruling regime tries to maintain its hold on power in the face of decreasing political support.
anna brella
April 8, 2009
Spot on Haris!
Straight as an arrow and to the point.
Smile.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
mauryaII
April 8, 2009
Dear Haris,
Thank you and the Special Bunch for sacrificing a lot of your precious time and resources to be at the bye-elections to inspire the rakyat to vote for CHANGE and to show the UMNO/BN goons that they have had ENOUGH of the rape of the democratic system of governance in Malaysia.
UMNO/BN is still in denial mode and what is more irritating and disgusting is the unholy haste in acquiescing to the dictates of the person who had corrupted and destroyed all the institutions of democracy for his meglomanic ego.
These UMNO/BN jerks even thought that this dinasaur in its twilight of extinction is going to revive their fortunes in the two bukit bye-elections.
The UMNOputras who became filthy rich through no effort of their own except by being obedient, subservient slaves to the whims and fancies of that old goat may still think of him as a great leader but not the educated younger generation.
UMNO/BN had fooled the village and rural folks with money politics and handouts at each and every general election to stay on in power for the last 5 decades.
Now even those folks have become wiser. Handouts and infrastructure upgrades and the promise of building schools and hospitals do not carry weight anymore. Gone are those days of empty promises.
UMNO/BN lost its strangle hold on the urban population some time ago. It has even lost the rural voter support as shown during the 12 GE. That loss of faith in UMNO/BN was confirmed in Permatang Pauh, Kuala Trengganu and now at Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau.
Even Mahathir s/o Mohamad Kutty could not stem the tide against UMNO/BN. Hopefully this would be Kutty’s last and final campaign to test his waning popularity. His dream to revive his dynasty through Mukhriz would not happen during his time. His time is fast running out. It is time for him to repent, admit his mistakes for taking the country down the road to become another Zimbabwe before he meets his maker. Doubt he would be man enough to do that. It is not in his blood.
As Hamba pointed out UMNO as the ‘lalang’ has to be completely uprooted and replaced with a different type of plant to deprive it the room to grow again. For that to happen a complete revamp and overhaul needs to be done. Is UMNO/BN capable of such a radical change?
The answer is a resounding NO. The cancer in UMNO/BN is at its terminal stage. Nobody can help it. The next General Election may help to euthanize it and put an END to its miserable existance.
So my fervent wish is for the bloggers here and those in Sabah/Sarawak to relentlessly continue in their endeavour to expose the filth that is UMNO/BN and make the rakyat better informed to vote wisely for a CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
A BETTER MALAYSIA for all Anak Bangsa Malaysia is only possible without UMNO/BN in power.
TomCat
April 8, 2009
One thing is very certain…there is no way that UMNO can or will reform for precisely the reasons you have said. The only solution will be when they get kicked out of power,but then they would rather destroy the country first….
aca
April 8, 2009
haris,
i cannot agree with you more.
the rot started under Mahatir. He literally poisoned the country with his ultra malay policies and cronyism. how his family benefited, yet he has the temerity to finger at others for corruption. How did one of his sons, in a short period of time rose to be one of the richest man here? hard work only?
mahatir, a dictator like you will never wrong, not even at your death bed.and i am glad our past glorious leaders, hussein onn and tuanku never join your corrupt party.
ktteokt
April 8, 2009
BN reform? UMNO reform? MCA reform? Gerakan reform? MIC reform? Rubbish! I think it is easier to hope for the sun to rise in the West!
godisuno
April 8, 2009
I always wonder, what would happen to the Malay if in the next GE, PR wins. Would they be treated like the Malay in Singapore or the Malay in Thailand. What would happen to the Moslems? would Islam be taken out as official religion? Or would Malaysia be like USA or Australia where the original people there like the Aborigines and the red Indians become insignificant factors in determining the future of their countries? call me the unbeliever, but so many examples can be seen through out the world. The one which is so clear to be seen is between Israel and Palestine… The owner of the land has become mere slaves. Could anyone in the rank of the PR leaders give concrete and believable answer? Is there any leader in PR who has not lied even once so that i could trust his/her/their answers? If worse comes to worse i pray to Allah that my sons and I would die as martyrs.
Kenny
April 8, 2009
Haris,
It’s time for PR to adopt a common political logo to formalize the coalition. I suggest the venerable rain tree as a symbol of strength, durability and protection. It’s always there to shelter and protect the rakyat even when royalty do not.
Hope you can convey this to the PR higher ups, Haris.
cruzeiro
April 8, 2009
What can I say man ….
Great job!
Thanks for all the hard work – it paid off handsomely.
You guys are the best!
LAT
April 8, 2009
Haris,
Appreciate your effort and admire your fighting spirit against the evil one-BN !
TJ
April 8, 2009
Which means, to put it simply – there is NO HOPE for UMNO/BN. To be honest, I would want to give UMNO/BN a chance if only it shows even a flicker of repentance and desire for reform.
But we all look hard and long.
In vain. Absolutely in vain.
UMNO/BN must be put to rest.
Malaysia has to start with something new. For all its faults and weaknesses, PR is that something new.
The Simple man
April 8, 2009
Honestly why would i want them to reform and why would anyone want them to reform. Umno and their cronies are such selfish bsss****ds and rob us of our fundamental rights, sucking the blood of the rakyat and basically they rob us of everything that it makes one sick just to think about it. All of them should just rot away like an old rust. Why bother thinking about them, they are just not worth it. Opportunist partners of theirs should just rot away with them too. Self serving egos of theirs. They are just not worth it!! Period!!!
People may say give them a second chance or whatever but the way i look at it we have given them chances 12 times and they still betray us.So whats the point?!!!
I agree too with SamYap, PKR, DAP and even PAS look for good, capable and sincere reps to serve. Don’t rest on your laurels or the rakyat will get you too.
Bro Haris and gang keep up the great work. Cheers!!!
Pok Soh Deraman
April 8, 2009
Thank you Haris, Thank you all you good Malaysians for helping to create a better future. As Karpal Singh once said the Good Foundations our forefathers built after achieving Merdeka has been singlehandedly destroyed by one big culprit. You know who
malaysianfirst
April 8, 2009
Haris,
You are being too kind in your words and seem to suggest some hope that UMNO/BN can reform.
Frankly Haris, they cannot. Period.
The system and values of the current UMNO/BN are similar to the gangster groups that have been around all this while. To them its not about ethics or any sort of high moral values or ideals for the betterment of the rakyat. Their values is about being self serving and where they only take care of number 1 that is themselves. There is no honour among thieves that is why you see and will continue to see more and more infighting among UMNO and the BN members and factions.
To ask UMNO/BN to stop money politics, corruption, concealment of truth etc and support human rights, freedom of expression, transparency, fair competition etc is against the their DNA and values. If they even have young members who can become their leaders, this can only happen if these young members become a bigger gangster and samseng than the rest. So there is no hope for any young leader to come in and transform UMNO/BN because the other members will be against them. Case in point Zaid Ibrahim. Just like gangsters the other members of the group will laugh at any potential member/leader who tries to suggest that they should now NOT steal, rape, pillage, murder, peddle drugs etc. Then whats the point of being gangsters and join the gang, the other gangsters will shout back.
Its the same with UMNO/BN, they will say if we cannot get un-negotiated contracts, carve out monopolies, get APs, C4 anyone and get away with it, control what is being spoken, printed or said and also scare the public to abide by our rules etc then whats the point of joining UMNO/BN.
And like the gangsters, they obviously won’t do it openly. They will pretend to be good guys but in the dark and behind the scenes, they are up to their gangster tricks. They have been at it for decades and as we all know they became bolder during Mahathir’s tenure.
So like the others have commented and I agree, the only way for UMNO/BN to change is for them to loose the Federal government and be in the opposition for a while. If they ever come back to power, I can definitely say they would have been reformed to the satisfaction of the rakyat.In fact by being in the opposition for a while, there will be no more mono race parties left in BN I predict. The BN that returns transformed will be a truly multi racial BN under 1 party and not like now. We then have a true dual party system which is what we all want.
Meng
April 8, 2009
BANGKALIPOEYLUKIAK “Clean leaders like Pak Lah is being forced out by the crooks”
Are you sure he is clean.??
johnny soo
April 9, 2009
Well done Haris!! How can umno change, where there are so many issues yet to answer to rakyat. umno better don’t change and wait until rakyat change them. We are waiting this moment to happen.
Hidup Rakyat!!
pl
April 9, 2009
Beautiful article, Haris.. sometimes you really can strike out an art piece with your writing, you know?
foodforthought
April 9, 2009
Do not forget the arrogant hishamuddins and the racist hamidis.
mat t
April 9, 2009
As long as he lives he will torment us Malaysians as he knows he will never be forgiven this keralian beast of a man.
navinda
April 9, 2009
HI Haris,
Isn’t asking UMNO to reform is like the dog baying for the moon? Current PM Najib’s inaugural speech is a point to reflect on. He spoke of 1Malaysia and more important the need to weed out corruption. At the same time his colleagues and subordinates were handing out cash, rice and bicycles in Bukit Gantang to ‘buy’ votes, and all their ‘ceramahs’ in predominantly Malay areas were to create a divide amongst the races.
If Najib had been serious about his sloganeering of 1Malaysia, the talk should have been walked from day one. The delays in releasing the ISA detainees and the conditions imposed on them does belie his seriousness in wanting to reform.
Past experience with Abdullah Badawai, now Tun, shows that manifestos and slogans are for promotion exercises to provide “feel good”. Implementations are surely lacking. Thus expecting UMNO to reform, especially with the goofy bunch elected into their supreme council is tonic for despair, disappointment and frustration for the rakyat.
Its time to forget UMNO as a party to lead the nation. Its time for Pakatan Rakyat to rise to the occasion. We await the 13th GE.
Warrior 231
April 9, 2009
Sir
Since the party you support, PR, is the epitome of perfection and can never do wrong in the eyes of its fawning faithful, I am perplexed as to why you are so worried about the fate of UMNO which you so revile. Wouldnt it be normal for you to laud its demise rather than hope for its “resurrection”?
Correct me if I am wrong sir, but isnt your crocodilian empathy a tad too nauseous as apparent in your wistfully contemplative tone here:
“Sadly, there does not appear ………….”
Pray, why sadness should suffuse your soul sir, when happiness should reign given the fact that, as you put it,you are about to witness the demise and extinction of a loathed nemesis. Surely, you would applaud the emergence of total domination with PR’s ascension, a domination that will allow you to run roughshod over dissent and contrarian views to your “liberal, secular, egalitarian” idyllic vision of Bangsa Malaysia. You should be delighted nay cock -a-hoop over such a turn of events rather than affect being sombre and gloomy over the inevitable expiration of an ertswhile enemy.
Or is all this concern due to a nagging feeling that the results in BG and BS + in KT indicate a significant proportion of the local polity are not buying the your medicinal potions? And that this proportion is demarcated by the fault lines of race as any cogent and objective analysis of all 3 results will indicate.
And given this fact, your dream of rainbow coalition is nothing more than that, an ethereally beautiful yet ephemereally transient being trapped in the twilight zone of light and water, that will be either washed away into sinkhole of Nature by the raindrops of reality or vaporised into oblivion by the sunlight of truth.
Come to think of it, I would rather be entertained by your whoops of triumphal and ululations of joy than be titillated by your schmaltzy condescending dirges. What say you, O Oracle of the Hills and Caves?
P/s: By and large, I dare say your fawning fan base do not seem to share your mawkish sentiments…
Warrior 231
Vince
April 9, 2009
It is the bitter pill that BN-UMNO must take in order to reform. There are some in BN components and UMNO that are good eg. Zaid Ibrahim but unfortunately the power on top are too strong and power made that before anything can be done, the good ones are banish or kick “out” and left to hang dry…..
Littlebird
April 9, 2009
Please BN don’t change. Maintain the status quo. Be traditional. Keris is your symbol of power and you got alright to display that. After all didn’t you elect a Prime minister who said something like soaking something with blood? So keep up with the good work. You have brought tremendous success to malaysia
before mid 70s, my family got no colour TV, no streamyx, no Asstro, no cellphone ,only government hospital (but thank god nobody died of negligence). So BN and especially the Mahathir gave all these to Malaysia. Wait a minute..without Mahathir we wont be having these things? Mmm..must ask how korea managed to have all these and better life than us even though Mahathir and BN didn’t rule their country. Must be a great mystery.
Anyway, back to my family, they were just ordinary folks but had houses with compound five to time times of mine. Could change cars, good ones, like volvo, vauhvall, peugeot, mini cooper, volkwagon, hillman, fiat,even a brand new toyota corrola which is something like today’s saga only caused RM9800 cash or about 8 times their average montly income.
Now people who is still doing the same thing can only afford Kancil or waja (9 years intallment), stay in 18 x 65 link house carry 3 or 4 credit cards. But they can watch Asstro, have streamy, 3G phones and buy fake cigarretes and fake beer.
Thank you BN.
pinsysu
April 9, 2009
to reform these ppl need head transplant lah … PR sure got better heads ya.
Leithaisor
April 9, 2009
If Dr M, Najib and the whole basket (basket-case?) of UMNO, MCA, Gerakan, MIC and assorted BN component parties are truly berjiwa rakyat and patriots, they will wtthout delay go and commit political hara-kiri en-mass.
Instead of spouting rubbish like “it worked well in my time, so what’s wrong with it?” as Dr M did when asked about the return of Mahathirism. Proved the critics of Mahathirism right categorically with his own words.
UMNO, as will as MCA and MIC, even PPP, played sterling roles during the fight for independence and the early years of building the nation. Their heritage and the honour they are due should not be forgotten or deminished.
But their current crop of leaders are not fit to hold the reins.
There are surely still a number of good leaders in their ranks. I hope they are given a chance to rise and lead their respective parties back towards their once-glorious selves. That is the only way true reform will take place.
But will the requisite mass hara-kiri take place?
eaglewings
April 9, 2009
Today Najib is going to name his cabinet. one without baggage, it seems. Give me a break……he has the heaviest baggage and he is on the look out for one without baggage. How to change, Haris? They are all so stupid and trying to make the people look stupider then them.
alice
April 9, 2009
The truth nothing but the truth. Well said Haris. How are you by the way? 🙂
Admiral Tojo
April 9, 2009
UMNO Baru is beyond reform. Period. Go ask Surat Kabar Lama and he will tell you.
Warrior 231, you took the red pill didn’t you. You should have taken the blue one instead.
Shalom
lida diyet zayıflama r10seoogle
April 9, 2009
PR sure got better heads ya.
Perwira 231
April 9, 2009
Warrior 231:
You waste far too many pixels to express your points.
Let me deliver you the answer that you pine for, with concision:
1. For democracy and justice to prevail, no less than a two-party political system is required in a given political space.
2. UMNO (or UMNO Baru), if it is to belong and function effectively in such a system, must reform.
3. Fact: Corruption and political patronage is pervasive in UMNO and has spread alarmingly to what should in effect be a neutral civil service. Remedy: UMNO has to (i) enact internal reforms, completely, and then (ii) go against its own tide and tendencies to aggressively root out corruption and patron-client/rent-seeking systems in all spheres of the government, judiciary, police and armed forces.
4. Caveats: If UMNO is unable to perform action (ii), it should submit itself to the opposition benches to externally induce reforms. If it cannot perform action (i), its dissolution should be considered.
5. Given that UMNO is a current fixture in the political system and that a two-party system is an imperative, the author of this blog asserts, with force, the need for UMNO to reform, reform immediately and thoroughly and identifies the key leverage point and intervention for undertaking this goal: the eradication of the presence and influence of current and previous leaders who are tainted by corruption and political patronage, regardless of their their net contributions in the past, at all hierarchical levels of this organisation.
Warrior 231
April 9, 2009
Admiral Tojo
Scum like you are a dime a dozen in these parts and are not worth engaging. Have a nice day in your asylum.
Perwira: i dont think you understand the import of my letter which sarcastically addressed the blogmaster for his sudden effusion of sympathy for a wounded foe.Nevertheless, i will address a few points you raised though any such response would at best superficial in a nature given the limitations of this fora.
A two-party system an imperative, says who? A two-party system is only workable within a political system that does not have clods as its electorate, charlatans as its leaders and clowns as its checks and balances. A two-party system cannot operate effectively if the political environment cannot accomodate contrarian views let alone dissent.A two-party system cannot exist if the parameters for its existence are pre-defined by individual or group proclivities.
My simple question is why should BN change its race based, power sharing structure just because PR brags it has one which isnt. Why must such a system be so inimical to a two-party system? Why must the party in opposition be a duplicate of the party in power? In a democracy, shouldn’t the prospective consumer be the judge of the viability and sustainability of such systems? If that is the case, why must the future of any party be mapped based on a template dictated by an individual or a group? How can the marketplace of ideas and ideologies thrive and be evaluated if you have consumers like Admiral Tojo making such assessments?How reliable would such evaluations be if such people happen to be in the majority in a hypothetical future?
In an ideal world,(3)would be an abominable abberation that would be naturally rooted out. But in a real politik world, the existence of such systems are tolerated as long as they do not overwhelm the system.., in other words when they breach a certain tipping point, a point well expounded by Schneider (but i digress). Even mature democracies like the US are susceptible to these realities. Ever heard the power lobbyists wield in the corridors of power in Washington? What about the pork-barrel politics of the LDP, the KMT and other political entities in East Asia? Even the Westminster model is not spared from such shenanigans.
Many moons ago, I did write that democracy is essentially a self aborting system layered as it is by many internal contradictions (a point attested to by Arrow).And this truism is never more apparent in countries where the polity is: generally uninformed, susceptible to sinister yet subtle forms of persuasion, lacking the mental faculties to critically evaluate diverse sources of information which often comes in torrents, prone to vote according to racial, religious, linguistic or cultural proclivities + numerous other subjective factors that cannot be enumerated as it would consume too many pixels. Add to that the vast and pervasive inequalities in terms of income and socio-economic status and you have a whole gamut of factors that by themselves may nullify the validity of any choice made by any electorate.. yes..even in the West.
To ameliorate these factors, it has become an accepted notion amongst the rabble that the kinks inherent in the system will be tolerated as long as socio-economic advancement prevails, as in the case of Malaysia. However, now we are confronted with a new reality apparent after post-March 2006 and affirmed by BG and BS,the fracture of an admittedly once fragile polity along clear and discernible racial fault lines.What this portends for the forseeable future is anyone’s guess but no amount of whitewashing will make this fact dissappear.
Given the role some played in the conceptialisation and delivery of this new paradigm, it would be churlish for the self same parties to call for a particular entity to reform itself.Or is this call motivated by the realisation that the genie is out off the bottle, that pandora’s box when once opend can never ever be closed again?Or even more pertinent, is it motivated by the realisation that an “extreme” faction of the PR troika is gaining traction and there is a need to shore up UMNO as a potential balance in any future horsetrading in those smokefilled backrooms?
mokumanamana
April 10, 2009
haris,
of course its madey’s doing.
why? isn’t umno baru his party? 0001? whose number is that?
changes in umno baru?
how can..?
its his party he’ll cry if he wants to, cry if he wants to, you would cry too if if it happened to you…
romerz
April 10, 2009
Well replied Perwira 231 to Warrior 231!
I may not be able to write in fine English and use bombastic words as Warrior 231, but at least I’m able to understand where Haris is coming from.
Whether the PR is the perfect alternative to replace BN, I’m not so sure yet but at least they offer ordinary Malaysians that there is hope for a better future where there is none with the present UMNO/BN.
If this is being considered a fawning fan then so be it. I would rather walk into a dark tunnel with the hope of light at the end of it than sit still where I am, deep in shit up to my nostrils!!!
Warrior 231
April 10, 2009
correction
But in a real politik world, the existence of such political entities are tolerated as long as they do not overwhelm the system.
Warrior 231
AnakBangsaMalaysia
April 10, 2009
My sentiments exact Haris. Mahathirism has retarded our country and curbed it’s leadership capabilities. It is time for a positive paradigm shift. I am looking forward to the day we can read quality history books, be updated by independent news in our main stream media, participate in honest discussion about current issues, and maximize our abundant resource efficiently.
vsp
April 10, 2009
In order for UMNO to reform, it is imperative that they be booted out of power for at least 3 terms, i.e. for 15–20 years. Only through this means can UMNO be truly reformed.
There is is a cancerous spectre that has been bedevilling Malaysia for decades and this disease known as Mahatiritis has made a comeback.
We need a strong and effective vaccine like Pakatan to restore the body Malaysia to health.
hamdan11
April 10, 2009
hi all
Phua Kai Lit
April 10, 2009
Hi Encik Haris
Typo in my earlier e-mail.
Please post this corrected one instead:
Dear Fellow Progressive Malaysians
Warrior 231 is a racist and a fascist.
read his comments (written in Malay) on Rocky Bru.
Very ugly comments on fellow citizens of Chinese and Indian ancestry from an educated (miseducated) person. Sad!
I’m sure the vast majority of us reject the view of people like Warrior 231. Malaysia, the Rainbow Nation!
Perwira 231
April 10, 2009
i mean yea, maintain ‘status quo’. keep approveed post… dellete all yet-to-be approved ones.. hic!…cheers, boy!..
ktteokt
April 10, 2009
It’s as good as telling a leopard to shed its spots and a tiger to remove its stripes!
Admiral Tojo
April 10, 2009
Wow warrior 231,
that confirms it, you took the red pill.
Shalom
Warrior 231
April 10, 2009
“Warrior 231 is a racist and a fascist.
read his comments (written in Malay) on Rocky Bru”.
I suggest you read whatever you read within its situational context and the extenuating circumstances surrounding it. If a belligerent and passionate defense of Malay rights and dignity in face of an unwarranted onslaught is deemed “racist and fascist” then so be it, I am proud to clothe my honour in those sobriquets even if I appear repugnant to the consecrated infallibles.
But it is troubling nonetheless that so-called anak bangsa malaysias can indulge in vitriolic and asinine attacks on Malay religion, race, culture, language and institutions with impunity and not to be called to account by other members of the rainbow coalition. However, once a Malay/muslim responds in kind, racist and fascist epithets are promptly heaped on him/her without further ado. In fact, he is set upon by a pack of wolves and torn to pieces by their fangs of hypocrisy. But then double standards are always the order of the day for Latter day saints, i suppose since they have attained perfection, the Nirvana from the Malaysian Samsara.
Beatified and sanctified by mutual praise and adulation, this congregation of the righteous then self arrogates itself to a position of supremacy and starts pouring scorn and excreting expletives from presumably enlightened intellects onto a hapless and “guiltified” majority who are suddenly cast as villains in the tableux of life. Some of us respond by sacrificing honour and dgnity on the altar of apologias while others refuse to disrobe our honour by responding with equal vehemence. If the road to martyrdom is paved with the barbs of scorn, the thorns of opprobrium, the spikelets of hate and the prickle of scorn, verily will I stride forth bearing the pennants of pride, dignity and honour of my religion and race so the good that may spring forth in the future is not swallowed by the cowardice of the present:
“the thorns went right into her flesh, and her blood flowed in large drops, but the thornbush shot forth fresh green leaves, and there came flowers on it in the cold winter night, the heart of the afflicted mother was so warm; and the thorn-bush told her the way she should go”.
source : http://andersen.thefreelibrary.com/Andersens-Fairy-Tales/1-12#thorn
PKL, sorry ..no colorful rainbows doeth i espie yonder the horizon…only a red-hued sky and wait…..a blood red rainbow….
Warrior 231
menatwork
April 10, 2009
My Prognosis:-
1. Demographically Chinese voters are concentrated
in Klang Valley, Penang & Perak. DAP claimed
these 3 areas as their stronghold.
2. Malay fractions existed in Kelantan & Kedah
3. Therefore, in the last GE, BN lost these 5
states.
4. The new BN leadership are pulling resources in
the next 3 yrs with focus emphasize to regain its
footing in a strategic manner.
5. Personally, I would not mind PAS holding its fort
in both Kelantan & Kedah. The Govt of the need
check & balance
6. The urban Malays need to be convinced of BN Govt.
Right emphasis must be given to regain BN trusts
amongs these urbanite Malays. Not possible !
7. Anak Bangsa M’sia ? No No !! We had S’pore as a
case in point. Malay should learnt their lessaon
well. I am optnistic that DSAI is just riding of
the “Heat of the Day” Given the power it may not
materialize.
8. For those who clamours equal justice for all
races, S’pore should be their Port Of Call.
Chinese may be able to take control of both
Politically & Ecomically.
Not Malaysia, No Way Jose !
Sam Sambal
April 10, 2009
Way to go Perwira 231! Warrior 231, just give it up.
Haris, unbelievable that we let this Mahadoink rat to slip back in such a backdoor way.
PIty this country getting screwed over and over again by this fella………
Commonsense
April 10, 2009
Pra is right. It is now time to focus on the weaknesses of PR and build it into a party that is relevant to the rakyat. No point talking about the failures of umno as it does PR no good. But PR must ensure that the same rotten qualities in umno are non-existent in their own party. Now is the time to build, start focussing on solutions to existing problems and show the rest of the nation that PR’s aim is for the interest of the rakyat.
anna brella
April 10, 2009
aca says here the rot started under Mahathir.
Sorry, I disgaree.
The rot started under Abdul Razak’s primeminstership after that coup d’etat of 1969. Mahathir was just the best of the lot in UMNO from then on at that devastating destruction of a democratically-modelled national structure and turning it into a destructive, fascist dictatorship-model.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
storm62
April 10, 2009
reform ? cannooooootttt
extinct ? yessssssssssss.
afterall we cannot teach an old and dying dog new tricks, right?
msian
April 11, 2009
im with you bro! don’t worry!
sampalee
April 11, 2009
Every phenomenons in the entire universe,have its birth,youth,old age and ends with death.Democracy too will die its natural death.Only the IMMUTABLE[not subject to reform] Truth which is unborn will not face death.This Truth is outside the doctrines of man and only pointed out in the holy kithabs of ALL religions.Only this Truth can save mankind from self destruction.Learn from the mistakes of Nabi Adam and guided by the scriptures,we can all return to the Garden of Eden.
Sembah Chedet
April 11, 2009
Umno reform? Or revert?
Cousin Hisham as Home Minister? Shiver me timmberrs…
And what qualifies Mukky as Miti deputy minister?
Since the family can’t get enough (dulu, sekarang dan selama-lamanya) Heck, let’s bring in Maddy’s grandkids as well.
Dingo
April 11, 2009
Could all of you people with the religious tone shut the damn up? Keep your religions and holy kitabs to yourself or go yak at Mahaguru69’s website about all this crap. We are talking about how a country should be run here, ni bukak cerita kitab datuk nenek lah, Nabi lah, as if everything that happens in life semuanya pasal Nabi la kitab lah Garden of Eden lah. Fed up betul with these incorrigible religious bumheads
shar101
April 11, 2009
Admiral Tojo,
Warrior 231 overdosed on red pills.
Hence, his barfling(*) schizophrenic tendencies.
(*barf & baffling)
Pegasus
April 12, 2009
Right on bro!.You put it well in writing of the current situation we are in due to years of iron fisted control by the Mamak Kutty…but time has change..we are in the era of high tech..the Internet world has change our outlook about the BN regime..the SMS helps..the rakyat are more alert and more knowledgeable now..BN days of cheating and lies are over and they can’t go on hoodwinking the rakyat…we are way above that now…the by-elections after March 2008 in Peninsular Malaysia are anything but victory for the people’s power. Its time to get rid of BN regime and get the country back on its track which has been misled ,mismanage and has been off the track for the last 30 years..The BN politicians , be it UMNO,MIC,MCA have kept the people divided in order to stay in power by harping on race and religious issues.The Rakyat on the ground are basically united its the racialist politicians and Umno leaders who start fire and pour petrol over it to get wildfire to catch on..We have enough of this…the country is rich and wealthy enough with resources to provide FREE education ,medical services and highways without tolls…but all this have been abused and used by the BN regime to enrich themselves and the Rakyat are burdened with various taxes,fees, licence,bills…you name it and all these you’ll find the end receiver will be an Umno cronies…
I salute the work done by you Bro.Haris and all others who have contributed one way or another to educate the public and create well awareness among the people to fight for their rights and tell the truth as it is to the world.. bravo..! Keep up the good work …my vote is for Pakatan and for a new government !!!!
Bujang
April 12, 2009
UMNO has rotted to the core after MM took over.
MM is like a drug pusher and openly tells the public not to take drug.
Sadly, many still believe in this fake.
The country will progress only when we all know the difference and decide ourselves instead of listening to pliticians’s preaching like those from this fake.
novice101
April 13, 2009
The Malaysian Insider says Muhyddin and Mahathir wonder why the Chinese and Indians have disdain for the BN. What are MCA, Gerakan and MIC doing? Can’t they do a correct analysis and provide an answer or is UMNO ignoring them totally?
There is no hope for peace in Malaysia when the people ruling the nation are ‘confused, perplexed and puzzled’ why part of the populace show disdain towards it. They think tossing millions of ringgit to build Chinese lanaguage schools should do the trick for them. This as what they did and it worked for them in past. The Chinese now realise they have been taken for a ride but it looks like BN is still ‘FantasyLand’.
Chiinese language schools are just that, schools! They are lifeless structures but here we are talking about human beings, emotional issues concerning the Chinese should be properly addressed.
I think Muhyddin is faking ignorance because in his very next breath, he issues a veiled threat by asking if the Chinese and the Indians are beginning to think they are now the kingmakers. With this type of arrogance how can you win the hearts of the non-Malays.
suarataqwa
April 13, 2009
Simple Question,
Can your proof that all the opposition leaders are not self-serving politicians?
Can you guarantee that all non-Malay political parties don’t have their own hidden agenda(s)?
Thank you.
My2cen
April 13, 2009
Crooked bridge is coming back, coming back, coming back,
Crooked bridge is coming back, what can we do??
How will the govt build it up,
Build it up, Build it up?
How will the govt build it up,
My good people?
Build it up with silver and gold,
Silver and gold, Silver and gold.
Build it up with silver and gold,
My good people.
Gold and silver we have none,
We have none, we have none.
Gold and silver we have none,
My good people.
Build it up with wood and clay,
Wood and clay, Wood and clay.
Build it up with wood and clay,
My good people.
Wood and clay will wash away,
Wash away, Wash away.
Wood and clay will wash away,
My good people.
Build it up with stone so strong,
Stone so strong, Stone so strong.
Build it up with stone so strong,
My good people.
Stone so strong will last so long,
Last so long, Last so long.
Stone so strong will last so long,
My good people.
disgusted
April 13, 2009
The way we see it, it is very hard to reform already IN uMNO. It has kaput coz umno is diseased terminally and could only be treated but not cured to normal health as long as that Father of Corruption,Cronyism,Nepotism,Dictatorim is still ALIVE!!.The new Najip-Tun M cabinet is a rebirth of Mahatirm legacy.(Tun M quoted “what is wrong with Mahatirism? He is SO PROUD with it after amassed and enriched themselves and main breeder of corruptors).OMG OMG.Save this country. Does he mean he is asking the new cabinet to condone to his style of running the country & people, with more corruption,croniysm,ISA,nep,corect,colek,collect, racial disparity,kaput education systm etc?.Why Najip did not appoint Khairy in the new cabinet, when Khairy won the majority for the Youth chief post?Is it under the instruction of Tun M to ridicule him and soon to boot him out of Umno for good as Khairy is seen as a threat to Tun M just like before Anwar was seen as a threat to Tun M so Tun M “sodomized” him out of Umno and “crushed” him to jail just like now Tun M “crushed” Badawi to nobody only to be an “Ahmad” (driver to his wife now) so that his people, Najip could take over.Why is Tun M afraid of Khairy in the cabinet??.Bec. Khairy would dig out all their “misdoings” & hold them ransom.Too much dirt inside to be displayed and those dirt still under the carpet and afraid Khairy would sweeep up all those dirts to spring clean.They are still covering up, so had to put his son in to ensure what is going on.We expected Khairy at least be a Deputy if not a Minister of Education just like his predecessor.It is no use being the Umno Youth chief if you are not a Minister.How to gain respect from his voters.Soon his voters switch camp.So now there are 2camps,2Malaysia,2vision in Umno.The fight goes on & on until next GE.Maybe Tun M would lobby Najip step down (say no guts or whatever at his whims & fancy) and put Muyiddin, if still cannot,put his son up and Mahathir legacy lives.He wants to see his legacy lives before he R.I.P.We are in the opinion that Khairy should be in the cabinet and shud be the Minister of Education as he is more relevant to us as long as he is pro-justice than that MuKris who is a puppet to his father.Tun M is dictating now.The faces are change but it is still the same rule of the jungle & Umno rules all!! Since Tun M retired, he is still our busy body PM in action (he announced to the world he would not be in politics after retired but he was LAGI HEBAT in politik after he retired).Its Malaysian HISTORY. The real change can only happen in Umno/Barisan after Tun M R.I.P.but this man who has no moral shame & moral fear still wants to hang on to dear life until he sees his son MuKris be the next PM and his legacy lives forever & ever (he is so proud of it although he was running Malaysia for 23 yrs in DISGUISE), then only he can R.I.P.Long live Umno+Tun M.In favour of PR.Winds of change blowing slowly but steadily to this beloved land of truly Asia.
mickey
April 13, 2009
Guess what? PR need reform too… ha ha ha…
LIm KIt Siang is the oldest party leader in Malaysia
Nik Aziz shoul retire too and give a new blood to PAS, which is struggling between the the ulama factions and the erdogans
Anwar? Karpal wants him out of PR for causing too much trouble,,, enough said
kangaroojoe
April 14, 2009
Dear all writers including Haris,
I just can’t understand why you all take so much trouble to analyse/plead/suggest/recommend/pray/hope and what have you, for UMNO / BN to reform & change. Why dont you all expand your energies/ideas/brainpower and offer suggestions to Pakatan Raayat on how to perform better and avoid pitfalls???
If UMNO/BN were to take up on all your criticisms and recommendations, its going to be a tough job for PR to defeat them and come up with a two-party form of democracy for this country!!!!
frust
April 16, 2009
Dear Bro, The way we see it, Umno/BN could not change anymore (incurable)as long as those old irrelevant farts (Tun Mamak’s gang) are still in power.There are so many capable ones for them to choose from but they did not,only to choose from the same old gang and put them in different positions, same old faces whose old habits die hard. Tun Mamak has hinted before the new Najib-Tun M alliance cabinet is formed that they should condone to Mahaterism (apa salahnya Mahatherism?, as quoted by him).Today, the new cabinet is using this ideology to jump start Umno again with Rais already hinting that stern actions be taken.Sterns actions should be applied to their Umno cave people first before imposing and intimidating others.Maybe, 50 years back, Mahaterism iron fist -rule may work for Umno but it would not work in our new generation now in the cyber literate era.Umno is still in denial.Those old farts should give way to a new idealogy of power by rule of law not by rule of the jungle (rule of jungle is rule of Tun Mamak, obselete and tak bolih pakai lagi).When Badawi was seriously wanting to reform judiciary by appointing that Mr Judiciary (what his name, Zaid is it, the one who resign bec. couldn’t push through his reform righteously in the unrighteous camp of Umno as all boycott his reform bec they still want to be what they are and refused to move to the light.They only like people who move to darkness and black society tai koh style.Umno is stagnant now with the new cabinet.A wrong choice of people choosen by Najib,if Najib is sincere in pushing reform, he should invite that Mr. Judiciary Zaid into the cabinet but instead took in the loser Tun Mamak Junior into Rafidah’s territory (whom Tun Mamak criticized most about her abuse of APs, now his son is in charge, it’s all plan out by this Tun).Now we see Tun very quiet when his son already got into the Umno cave.That was the sole reason he lobbied for Badawi to step down so that he could influenced Najib to put his son into the Umno cave by back door.Even the victory Umno Head Khairy got no chance.Khairy should have been appointed at least a Youth & sports Minister if not Education Minister rather than that sleepy eyed sleepy head bloated to the face minister.It is no longer majority rules, it is favoritism & Tun M rules again.It is time the old Umno farts should give way to a more ethical, professional, calibre, responsible,just, caring, unselfish, selfless people to rule, to bring back confidence in this country.Also find it so sick that some media glorified them.Birds of same feathers flock together or what to do? got to kiss their butts to survive.Any comments?
Who 1st?
April 16, 2009
This Mujahydin is carrying his 1st job in the new Najif -Mamaktun alliance cabinet agenda, by 1stly, propagating hatred amongst races in a multi-racial country and 2ndly, spreading the racial tension and 3rdly, restoring “Ketuanan Melayu”(Malays is the Boss, others are Immigrants) & “Keris”ma-nism Hang Tuah (autocratic rule). Malaysia is sucking into the BLACK HOLE & will be BURNED & DISINTEGRATE before a NEW MALAYSIA BIG BANG can evolve….Malaysia 2009 Law of Evolution.
BrightEyes
April 16, 2009
Easier said than done Haris. I doubt UMNO will successfully reform in time for the next GE. By successful reformation; it means real change in its whole system, not just catchy slogans that even the public are cynical about.
My take… it can’t. Badawi failed. Najib doesn’t have it to turn the party around.
On a sidenote, warrior231 is also known as Syamil, and he has his blog here:
http://syamil-revert.blogspot.com/
This connexxion was unwittingly exposed by his own-self on Rocky’s site… when he made the mistake of signing off with his pen-name, while his ‘GoogleID’ was selected & signed in.
Anyway, as long as he doesn’t bring in his coprolalia into here, he should be allowed to stay around & debate.
OMG
April 16, 2009
ICT is now known as “International Cultural Technology” since it is now under the purview of Ministry of Culture ,Art & Heritage under Rice Yatim. Is it because they do not know what the heck is ICT. It must be a big mistake & oversight by them or this old generation is too old to know what it is. Aiyo, what a shame to the international standard and a laughing stock to the world!Got tallest building in the world but ICT is bumped into cultural ministry.Soon got cultural dance dondang sayang P. Ramlee in ICT.
Btw, who is the real PM now?? Najip or Mamaktun??Mamaktun crushed Badawie to pieces so Mamaktoon shines again.Today, Mamaktun shows his face on front page media like he is still in charge? Looks like our Najip is anak angkat PM Mamaktun. Mamaktun also crush Khairy out of cabinet so Mamaktun Junior could be in the cabinet. So, now we are regressing another 23 years! Bloggers beware, another operasi blogger akan datang!OMG.
focussed08
April 16, 2009
Hi Haris,
FYI
Extracted from MT:
Federal Court judgment in favour of Election Commission is flawed and must be reversed.
By Kim Quek
The Federal Court appeared to have erred when it ruled on April 9 that the Election Commission (EC) could overrule the Speaker’s acceptance of resignations in the Perak State Assembly.
The Court’s decision was in response to an urgent application by three assemblymen who wanted a declaration whether it was the EC or the Speaker who had the final say over their disputed resignations. The Speaker had earlier accepted their resignations based on their pre-signed letters to this effect, but they – Jamaluddin Radzi, Osman Jailu and Hee Yit Foong – claimed that their resignations were invalid.
The court’s error appears to have sprung from a misinterpretation of the Perak State Constitution, Article XXXVI, Clause (5), which states:
“A casual vacancy shall be filled within sixty days from the date on which it is established by the Election Commission that there is a vacancy.”
The main purpose of this clause is actually to stipulate that a) a vacancy must be filled when it arises and b) it must be filled within 60 days. The words “from the date on which it is established by the Election Commission that there is a vacancy” is actually intended more for the purpose of defining the period of 60 days rather than for empowering the EC to be the final arbiter as to whether a resignation in the legislature is valid or invalid. If it is the latter, it would have been so stated in unambiguous language.
When the court says “The Election Commission is the rightful entity to establish if there was a casual vacancy in the Perak state legislature”, it does not really address the issue. The crux is not whether the EC establishes a vacancy – for that is obvious as without a vacancy you can’t have a by-election – but how it establishes a vacancy.
A vacancy is established when there is a resignation. But who receives the resignation? Surely, it is the Speaker. If there is an argument over a resignation, which authority should deal with it? Surely, it is also the Speaker, failing which, it is the Assembly. Can the EC poke its nose into the mechanism through which such matters are resolved in the legislature? Surely not, for that would amount to an intrusion into the autonomy of the legislature and a violation of the fundamental constitutional principle of separation of power. Such privileges of the legislature are clearly guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, Article 71, clause 1, which states:
“The validity of any proceeding in the Legislative Assembly of any State shall not be questioned in any court.”
If even the judiciary cannot meddle into the affairs of the legislature, can the Election Commission do that?
So, when the Speaker, who acts on behalf of the Assembly, notifies the EC that an assemblyman has resigned, the job of EC is pure and simple – declare that a vacancy exists and arrange for a by-election within 60 days. It is the height of absurdity for the EC to brush the Speaker’s such notification aside, just because the assemblyman concerned sends in a letter disputing the validity of his resignation, as happened in the case of Jamuluddin Radzi and Osman Jailu when EC declared their respective seats as not vacant on 4th Feb 2009.
The present Federal Court ruling allowing the EC to over-ride the state legislature has not only undermined the autonomy and independence of all state assemblies, but will also open a dangerous gateway for EC to encroach into the sacrosanct preserve of the nation’s supreme body – Parliament. This judgment being from the nation’s highest court, it will stand as precedent to guide future judgments in all courts on this issue and it therefore amounts to a distortion to our constitutions.
The immediate impact of this judgment on the current political impasse in Perak is serious, as it will unjustly and unconstitutionally alter the balance of power in favour of Barisan Nasional once the Assembly is convened, which is expected to be imminent.
It is therefore imperative that an urgent application be made for a judicial review now to rectify this constitutional distortion to avert imminent injustice in the Perak Assembly as well as to protect all legislatures including parliament from undue interference from the EC in the future.
shakuntala
April 17, 2009
Haris, have only just read you….thanks for all the feedback and the atmosphere of sheer joy created by your reportage of the by-elections in the two Bukits.You and your team need a standing ovation…
REFORM OR FACE EXTINCTION..Your Post..so bravely and constantly spoken for your native land, Malaysia.
My wish is simple…I would want persons of your calibre of leadership to be in the cabinet of the future, which we hope and pray will become a reality. Hope and pray too that we do not have to wait too long.
I for one want a Justice Minister who will bring to book all who have stained and made a laughing stock of the people of this country… the anak2 bangsa Malaysia.
God bless your tireless efforts.
By the way, I have stopped reading the main media,especuially the NST, which has become stale by loudly trumpeting in its precious pages the activities of the chosen few.
Jangan buat Ra’ayat Malaysia bodoh.
Peter
April 18, 2009
It is time to storm the Bastille
Any plans? I will support.
PARPUKARI
April 19, 2009
oh some of you stupid fool sayinh here that you remove TDM and the coutry can progress eh! MUahhahahaha
For god sake please even a small kid also knows that Tun Dr M is the one who developed this country to what itis today! Are you u stupid fool?
Akai ada ka?
Gan
April 19, 2009
Hi Haris,
Didn’t see any new posting, hope all’s well with you.
Misben
April 20, 2009
Where are thou?
Hope you have NOT BEEN reformed and facing Extinction.
So where are thou?
vestel beko siemens arçelik bosch servisi ebys
June 20, 2009
Owww 😉 vry vry 😉