Last Saturday, after Spurs had nicked 3 points off Arsenal at the Emirates, I headed off to the Friends of Pakatan Rakyat (FoPF) talk in London on the role of our youth in Malaysian politics.
The speakers were Hannah, Nik Nadzmi and Ginie Lim.
Hannah and Nik, both first time state assemblypersons in Selangor, shared how they were eleventh hour choices to contest in the last general election.
I want to focus on Hannah’s story.
Hannah was identified as a candidate some two weeks before nomination day for the Adun seat of Subang, which, presumably, had already been allocated to DAP following negotiations between the DAP, PAS and PKR.
I checked with her a little while ago and she confirmed that she has been a member of DAP since January, 2007, joining Tony Pua’s branch.
She served on a committee and recalls that she may have been charged with looking into women’s affairs.
What you have here is a young party member who held no significant party position, whether at national, state level or divisional level, had no political pedigree or track record, who, presumably because of her strong academic qualification, strong religious convictions that guide her actions, her principled position on important national issues and her ability to articulate them well, was soon noticed by party leadership as excellent candidate material.
I cannot imagine that the party leaders would not have made discreet inquiries to assess her suitability before the decision was made to offer Hannah as a candidate in Subang.
Hannah’s entry into the mainstream of Malaysian political life as an elected assemblyperson of the residents of Subang, starting from a position as a political novice, is the very antithesis of all that the politics of patronage represents.
On hindsight, having the benefit now of measuring the performance of this young politician, the DAP leaders must be credited with the courage to go against the grain of party politics philosophy that, all things being equal, parliamentary and state seats would invariably go to party national, state and divisional leaders.
Did DAP leaders face a backlash from their grass root leaders and members owing to their choice of ‘lightweight’ Hannah as candidate?
I’ve just been told that this did not happen, but if it did, then this warrants a second feather in the cap of the DAP leadership for sticking to their guns and their decision to field Hannah.
DAP, though, did feel the backlash in Perak, when Jelapang Adun Hee Yit Foong, a three-term assemblyperson and a DAP member from the late 80s’, was apparently upset that she had been passed over in the selection of Perak exco members, losing out to younger Aduns.
Hee, it seems, felt that her years of loyalty to the party was being overlooked by the party leaders by her exclusion from the exco.
Never mind that she might not be the best for the job.
The politics of patronage relegates considerations of meritocracy, giving precedence to considerations of loyalty and utility to the party.
We all know what finally happened.
She, together with PKR’s Osman Jailu and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, quit their respective parties, and then announced themselves as BN-friendly assemblypersons, paving the way for the collapse of the Pakatan state government in Perak.
If Hannah’s suitability was discreetly investigated, was Hee’s, too?
And if not, was this because of her long-standing membership with the party, and probably holding some significant divisional and state leadership post?
Jamaluddin, apparently, had expected to be offered the MB’s post, before it went to Nizar, suggesting again that he probably held some high divisional or state leadership position within PKR.
Did PKR discreetly check on Jamaluddin’s suitability before he was offered as a candidate at the last election?
If not, why?
If Hannah was not the product of the politics of patronage, the same cannot be said of Hee, Jamaluddin and most other candidates at the last elections, from both sides of the political divide.
Remember Zakaria Deros from UMNO?
From a railway gatekeeper to state assemblyperson for Pelabuhan Klang in 2004.
Truly, Malaysia Boleh!
And when things got too hot to handle owing to Zakaria making the news once too often, he was dropped in the 2008 elections.
To be replaced by his daughter-in-law, Roselinda Abdul Jamil.
The politics of patronage.
You scratch my back, I scratch yours.
It is therefore heartening to read in Malaysiakini today PKR outgoing Deputy President Syed Husin Ali say that the party has its own process to screen potential candidates.
One hopes, though, that this was not the same screening process used to validate the candidacy of both Osman and Jamaluddin.
And Wee.
And Zul Noordin.
And Zahrain.
And…
The People's Parliament 
amd
November 24, 2010
Hope Nik Nazmi behaving and not giving the Anwar-best-in-the-world happening to you.
Toyolbuster
November 24, 2010
After years of keeping the seat warm for Anwar’s Golden delicious “blue-eyed” boy, surely this old gun must have been rewarded with a golden handshake. Would you have expected him to talk-sense knowing very well that he knows all those goodies are in-store for him at his sunset boulevard home base. For an old fox that he has become, I would say “touche” and good for him and have a happy retirement. Pray hard that his golden handshake would sufficiently see thru to all his medic bills. As for Anwar and his Lassie, you are both truly SCREWED well and proper, and so are we as far as GE13 is concerned.
pengtuck
November 24, 2010
Spot on man, Hannah does a great job in Subang Jaya. Where was the previous ADUN when you needed him/her? See even I can’t remember whether the ADUN before her was a male of female!
hurricaneMax
November 25, 2010
Hannah deserves all the accolades as she has proven to be exactly as how Bro Haris pens it.
If only PKR had done the same thing, then Subang jaya/kerlana Jayua would not be saddled with an incidental ‘rich kid’ non-BM speaking videoman MP.
Thumb down to PKR!
Sharing
December 1, 2010
The previous “long-term” Subang Jaya Adun LHB had been abusing the Rights of the Subang Jayans since his time in MPSJ (1990’s) and MPSJ (from 1996) until 2008! Much of his abuses had been exposed in 2007, especially when Subang Ria park was “opened” for objection in 2007. on 0308 2008, LHB should be considered as being abandoned by the people such that any opposition can easily take over from him in 2008.
Part of the Subang Town Park has been handed over to MPPJ in 1990 and LHB should have reminded MPSJ to maintain when he was transferred to MPPJ.
He can be found continuously abusing the Rights of the resdients with failure to comply with TCPA to notify the Residents for possible objections on housing projects. He used JPK (MPSJ appointed Representative) and Resident Association to say he had consulted the residnets.
Wangsa Baiduri is one of the typical examples that he had allowed the Club house to be “stolen” and become an hotel with half piece of a “stolen” land from Spring Villa, the MC for the project (since the time of the Townhouse) had never been formed to take over Common Property and Maintenance and so have to pay Management fee and Assessment on same job but not done. Townhouse has been promised with Recreation area since 1990 by MPPJ on every subsequent approvals until the whole piece of Wangsa Baiduri was over built with 1710 units in 2008/2009 instead of 1429 units and off-standard main road inside the area. Allowing Developer to be bully on the maintenance when more that more 1million of Management Fee per year without proper maintenance prior to 2003. ALL VOICE WERE BLOCKED except WANGSA BAIDURI RA with a few persons which has no legal Rights under Strata Title Act or NLC for ALL Wangsa Baiduri!! It is part of the Water Retention Pond misappropriated by the State to PKNS and then to EMKO.
Similar abuses for Subang Jaya Town Park especially in July 2007!!
======================================
I had great hope in Hannah since she is/was a lawyer so that she can take up her job with a better understanding and compliance with Laws, Rules & Regulations.
She had been briefed by writing and a meeting on the two matters – Wangsa Baiduri and Town Park in 2008 with some evidence of their status.
From what little background info and the Sequent of Events she had highlighted on her blog, such as http://hannahyeoh.blogspot.com/2010/11/taman-subang-ria.html
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP-61NfdJLw. I regret to say that she is working similarly as LHB by using SJRA (backed by Wangsa RA & the Chairman of two old condo who had been bullying the residnets), JPK and USJRA (who has no legal standing to represent USJ residents and ABSOLUTELY no Right in Subang Town Park which is for Subang Jaya!) skipping a great number of legal issues or understanding, such as:
1) “Town Park” has been on MPPj/MPSJ official plan since 1970’s up to now due to the basis requirement of 5% (of Subang Jaya) Water Surface as Water Retention Ponds for Subang. (Another 10% is for OPEN SPACE, which could be termed as recreational – playground, sport area, etc..).
2) The area is part of a Water Retention Pond which is a Reserved Land that SHOULD NOT carry a Title! And, the State cannot alienate, sell or change it!! Technicallnot for Building!!
3) The problem is due to SIME has not done what they should when they developped Subang (NOT Emko when they do Wangda Baiduri!)
Therefore, the title is void Technically and administratively resulted from misappropriation with Breach of Trust by the State Government. The Title was issued as a result of Corruption as “discovered” by Selangor CM in March 2010.
=======================
Therefore,
1) why should JPK, RA and Hannah emphasized that the State, MPSJ, RA and she can have a say on Sime’s Proposal?
2) Why should they emphasized that Sime has a Title?
3) why to Gazette a Town Park with the understanding that the State has to acquire (buy back)?
4) Why Hannah has to base on what JPK and RA said which is misleading and confusing? Or,
5) SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT ARE BASIS OR CORRECT FOR A TOWN PLANNING OR LAND LAWS?
6) Does she know Local Government, in fact, is similar to a Management Corporation, but of a Municipal, to manage Public Common properties or Faciliities? So, what are and where are they for Subang?
7) Why can’t Hannah present the matter in more legal way? And, provide the people the basis inforamtion of WHAT and WHERE SHOULD BE THE PUBLIC Land reserved for Subang?
8) Sime has to provide proposal to Khalid for EXCO consideration. Why didn’t Khalid provide her? Or, Hannah get it from Khalid?
9) Why didn’t JPK guy tell her that from that 29.39ha, one something acres had already been used by SJ MC in building a car pack in 2007 prior to the “Open Objection”? Lot of trees had been felled and pond area had been filled in 2007.
10) What could “Recreational” be for a Water Retention pond area?
There are a lot of irregularities in Land matters in Malaysia, (such as this one, a title to a land which should not be alienated or to have a title. the use of land is confusingly stated, etc…).
Comments to Hannah’s blog are very selective!!Why only a few are there on Subang Town Park Issue, if she can get 600 people to attend her call for Public hearing in Holiday Villa in April 2010.
Van Martinier
November 24, 2010
So much about Hannah.
How about Nik Nazmi?
In my opinion he is a politician of the Anwar Ibrahim/Azmin Ali mould.
Although perhaps competent as a state assemblyperson, he is nonetheless another Anwar worshipper who cannot be critical (even politely) about the man he idolises. He has nothing to say, for example, about Anwar’s lack of policy action and acumen as Selangor economic advisor. And Selangor is Nik Nazmi’s turf. Perhaps Nik Nazmi does not want to rock the boat and play safe so he can keep his job. A party with members like these will never evolve.
It is also sad that because of this blind worship to party and party “supreme leader” Nik Nazmi is unable to consider fair criticism. Instead of critically evaluating PKR’s political culture and weaknesses in the party’s internal elections, Nik Nazmi has been stinging in his comments about Zaid Ibrahim who raised these issues. Nik Nazmi does not seem concerned about the sham election’s low turnout and 160+ complaints of irregularities. Forget Zaid; even Chegubard had raised this matter and wanted the elections stopped and reviewed.
If this happened in a general election, such as in his constituency, would Nik Nazmi adopt the same turn-a-blind-eye attitude? If he does, Lord have mercy on us.
And hence, in my opinion, Nik Nazmi is another cute product of the politics patronage, perhaps a tad better than the Perak PKR frogs, perhaps a competent an assemblyperson, but there is precious little to say about progressive and reformist values.
Paul Warren
November 25, 2010
Hannah was a lucky strike!! But then again I reckon if there was a credible criteria in place and all intending candidates for Adun of Subang had pitched for selection, and been subject to the selection process that included making a presentation of themselves and what they stood for, I bet Hannah would have won hands down with the other competing candidates conceding to her as well. But DAP was lucky with her.
On the other hand, how did Nik Nadzmi get selected? Loyalty and crony to Anwar? How did Loh Gwo Burne get selected? Well, to be fair, no one else put up their hands then, and I think he was just a reluctant candidate never expecting to beat the formidable Lee Hwa Beng. But then again I remember saying then that any donkey would win anyway…but people just did not have the confidence.
But now every other political party member of PR parties imagines there is this vote bank which will vote for them. And they all want to party now. Because of the vote bank.
We need to know what the selection criteria is….and no more parachuting candidates.
temenggong
November 25, 2010
Haris, neither in DAP or PKR is there any kind of rigorous screening process. It is all party cronyism.
commit
November 25, 2010
Well cant say the same of PKR – tarnished PKR elections fill with irregularities, Azmin on ‘REVENGE MODE’. Now Malaysians need the 3rd force – regardless of what Syed Hussein says. Problems also brewing in PKR Johor. Attacks on Chua Jui Meng, allegedly practicing crony-ism, and Indian comunity in Johor not happy with Chua Jui Mengs’s selection of leaders for Johor. Are we expecting more PKR indians johor to leave PKR?? Chua Jui Meng, over to you.
Jong
November 25, 2010
” ..the party has its own process to screen potential candidates.”
LOL!!! Again, he should have shut up, steer clear and enjoy his retirement!
The man’s behaving more and more like a bumbling idiot! Either he has gone nyanyok or like Apanama Kutty, thinks he can get away with selective amnesia.
Bekas PKR
November 25, 2010
And Arumugam (ex-adun ran away)
And Loh Gwo Burne (ex-kameraman)
And Mohd Fairus (ex- deputy CM)
And Tan Tee Beng (MP)
And Salehuddin Hashim (ex-Secretary General maa)
And Wan Azizah (she quit as MP)
And….Ezam, Chandra Muzaffar, Zainur Zakaria, Mokhsin Fadzil, Neil Onn, Aminah, Saidatul, Marina Yusoff, Nalla, Bujang Ulis, Soraya, Anuar Shaari, Ruslan Kassim, Tan Wei Shu, Radzi Salleh, Mohd Zarip, Zaid Ibrahim, Anuar Tahir, Rahman Othman, Badrul Hisham, Halili Rahmat, Lokman Adam, Hamdan Taha, Sulaiman Abdullah
And…
dungu
November 25, 2010
And Syed Husin (already senile)
And…
dungu
November 25, 2010
And Mustapha Kamil (contesting under protest) LOL
And Chegu Bard (accusing Anwar on PKR election)
And Anwar Ibrahim (marching to Bulohjaya)
And……..
AgreeToDisagree
November 25, 2010
So what if young? No oligarchy/nepotism and TERM LIMITS (no more decades long MPs in 3rd Force) will prevent any dr.Evils or family blocs in the future. These are 3rd Force rules and more ex-MP members among party members will make for a stronger party culture as well to avoid gravitating towards cults of personality in what after all is public domain.
sampalee
November 25, 2010
Talking about patronage and the dictator behind it,why not take a peek at dap where we now feature the son of the Jade emperor.Who is this Jade emperor?So with pkr and dap down with terminal sickness,the third force just need to talk over with pas.RPK will tell you they are a reasonale lot[save some from btn umno]
wandererAUS
November 25, 2010
I was a DAP supporter from day one and still is. One very obvious thing I noticed, when as an Opposition party, it was not easy to attract good candidates of intellectual integrity. They joined UMNO and MAC for fast track successes financially and “professionally” It was only after the last GE tsunami, more interest were shown, sadly, we still are not engaging enough with young talents as potential candidates. Let us not be too harsh on established opposition parties…they went through tough times…lacking both, financially and middle and upper class support.
Nothing is perfect but, we all, can make it perfect…with patience and determination.
Mullah TTDI
November 25, 2010
Dear Harris
InsyaALLAH, BN will win the next GE and Sarawak State Election. InsyaALLAH…………..
salim
November 25, 2010
harris,
who is going to do the screening for the 3rd force candidates? what guarantees are there that these candidates cannot be “turned over” by generous offers from rich UMNO patrons? who can say for sure that they don’t have any hidden skeletons in their closet? who knows how they would respond if their lives or the lives of their family members are threatened? And what if they are framed and don’t have a strong defence?
salim,
Read my earlier post, ‘People, please guide your Barisan Rakyat’.
shakuntala
November 25, 2010
Hey guys and gals….time to turn on, tune in to RPK’s blog(Nov.24) in No Holds Barred, on “What maketh a Third Force.”
So well clarified for us…in which he also states that PKR cannot go it alone at GE13, but has to truly consider becoming a broader coalition.
That’s when fresh breezes will blow in to oust the old order of patronage politics and usher in fresh minded candidates of the calibre of praise worthy and praise deserving…Ms Hannah Yeoh.
She is seen and heard to work hard and honestly.
shakuntala
November 25, 2010
Sorry, sorry…..meant to say Pakatan Ra’ayat…
concern
November 25, 2010
aisey bro harris
saya setuju dengan pendapat anda tentang hannah,such a wonderful person she is.
but you terlalu bias dengan melayu la.susah nak puji melayu.kalau yang teruk you kondem saya pun setuju.kadang2 terlalu liberal membuatkan anda hilang pertimbangan sebagai muslimla bro.
nik azmi ok apa.cuma sebab dia pro azmin you senyap tentang dia.jangan bias sangat bro.
Mr. Bad
November 25, 2010
Well if the screen filter is not right, then even crap will seep through. Thank God they’re not directly running Indah Water.
samedi
November 25, 2010
The main benefits to Zakaria’s family comes from the posts in the Klang town council.
Sang Kancil Guru
November 25, 2010
Nik Nazmi is again engaging in his usual spin for Anwar and Azmin, being an Azmin guy. He is as guilty in perpetuating the culture of political patronage in PKR. Can’t stand hypocrites and cakap tak serupa bikin people like Nik Nazmi.
Paul Warren
November 25, 2010
People,
Screening was not exactly a part of the selection process that was used or even expected to be used until this was brought up on this blog. How were candidates previously picked? Fair enough, in 2008 PKR had difficulty getting good people to stand. So any one will do. Thus we have people like Loh Gwo Burne.
But it is not the same when it comes to the next GE. It is good that Haris has brought this up early so that PR will now put a lot more effort in candidate selection. It cannot be on the basis of who is loudest or most hardworking or even loyal for that matter. Ezam was loyal and so was Zulkifli Nordin. I am sure Wee Choo Keong would swear his loyalty too. So much for loyalty. But that aside, MPs and Aduns, should just like football players on the team know exactly what to do and how to do it. The rest of us who are not part of the team on the field can be managers, coaches, therapists, water wallas and fans. Football players on the field know who is boss. Unfortunately , as it would seem or politicians may not know who is boss and also forget their roles when on the field. This is what we cannot see happen. Maybe in the way footbal clubs are run we may just find a model that can be used for the Third Force.
kingkong
November 25, 2010
I concur with wandererAus and others about difficulties in getting people to stand for election. On top of that, they have to fund their campaigns.
In one instance shown in TV, a DAP guy – lorry driver shake hands with Mike Tyson as he withdraw his candidacy and then leave the stage- He mentioned they was asked by the party and he did not have much support – both material and manpower. Further, the area has been contested a few things and chances of winning by the opposition is remote.
So even getting a candidate is difficult. But Guo has his lucky stars because the area is middle class unlike the kampungs of Galas or Hulu Selangor. We need to change BN’s perception and BN needs to watch out at every fight and not simply a walk over.
Warga Malaysia
November 26, 2010
Anyone question Tunku Aziz choice of DAP as the political party to join? If only other Malays view DAP with with the same favorable tint.
james loh
November 27, 2010
In USA, Republican and Democrat have primary for picking candidates for individual seats by the party members. Maybe it’s time for us to let the local community to select their candidate. We should atleast have local election for seats that have strong opposition present.
Sharing
December 1, 2010
As mentioned earlier, the Management of the Country based on a large extense on the Management of Land. Therefore, the understanding of NLC, TCPA…etc, are basis to hold any important posts to serve the people.
I hope to draw the attention of voters to DAP MBPJ Councillor Mr KW Mak for his profound research and promotion of understanding in this respect, even he does not have academic background of a lawyer.
http://www.thenutgraph.com/leasehold-freehold/
http://www.thenutgraph.com/why-should-we-care-what-mbpj-does/
etc..
He is promoting the understanding and enforcement of Law and Accountabilities to both the Public and the Government with illustration and details.
Hope we can have more candidates having the same spirit and working attitude as he does.
From
http://www.thenutgraph.com/our-right-to-open-spaces/
It is a good peice to understanding what should 10% “Open Space” be which is set when the Development Plan was done. They are to qualify and justify the Local Government to get Assessment and taxes from the Residents.
However, I believe he is also confused by the policy set by National Council that seems to say Reserved Public Land has to be Gazetted before it can be so. Policy from “Top Authority” does not have the same legal power when they are conflicting with LAW which are set by the Parlianment!!This is merely the excuse for the State and Local Government to delay exercise their duty on Reserved (Public) Land when they violate NLC to allow subdivision of land (to issue Titles) without “surrender” of those Reserved Public Land to the State and to be passed to the Local Government.
IF PEOPLE DO NOT CARE TO UNDERSTAND THE LAW when the Government are trying to operate in the Dark with violations, the Rights of People are always being ABUSED!! Most sadly, when they are done by Representative they had chosen!!