I reproduce the press statement released at the MCLM press conference this morning.
__________________________________________
On 16th February, 2011, MCLM announced the formation of a strategic alliance with the Sarawak National Party (SNAP), the objective being to lay the foundation of a concerted effort to, firstly, end the plight of the marginalized Sarawakians by ending Barisan Nasional and Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s 30-year reign of pillage in Sarawak in the soon-to be held state elections and, secondly, to establish a pro-rakyat federal government post the 13th General Election and begin the process of restoring the nation to the rakyat.
In late February, during a meeting with the SNAP leadership in Kuching, MCLM had, in keeping with its drive to improve the quality of candidates offered to oppose BN candidates in the state elections, as well as to empower citizens to be effective agents of change and reform, offered to assist SNAP in screening the prospective candidates of SNAP as well as organising polling agent/counting agent training for its members.
Whilst the SNAP leaders had, then, enthusiastically accepted this offer of help, leading us to arrange for the training to take place in Miri on 19th March, 2011, developments over the last two weeks have led us to the irresistible conclusion that there was little sincerity, if any, on the part of the SNAP leaders in ever wanting to achieve the stated objectives of the alliance as aforesaid.
Towards the end of the second week of March, without proffering any reasons, we were informed by SNAP that the training was cancelled until further notice.
Then, on 15th March, 2011, we received information that SNAP would, on the following day, be announcing the names of 16 candidates to contest in the state elections even though, until then, we had not been given the full details of any of those candidates to be screened.
On 16th March, 2011, SNAP did indeed announce the details of 16 candidates, none of whom, as far as we know, had been screened to ensure capability and integrity.
Intelligence reports from our operatives in Sarawak have confirmed our worst fears: many of the 16 candidates are regarded as high-risk, integrity-wise.
Over the last few days, we also received reports that the SNAP candidates and some of their ‘privileged’ leaders had suddenly come into significant funds that were being made available by operatives from Kuala Lumpur acting under the directions of BN.
On 22nd March, 2011, SNAP announced the names of another 11 candidates.
Again, information we have received of these latest candidates is not favourable.
It must be stressed here that the action by SNAP to renege on an arrangement to screen all potential candidates, and to now announce candidates of questionable integrity, without more, makes the continuation of the alliance quite untenable, as we have at all times made clear our insistence that only candidates of unquestionable integrity are to be offered to serve the rakyat in the state assemblies and Parliament.
On 23rd March, 2011, reports in the news portals Sarawak Report and Free Malaysia today confirmed the information that we had received last weekend that SNAP was receiving funding from Barisan Nasional and had entered into an alliance with BN to keep the latter in power in Sarawak.
We have since sought from the leaders of SNAP some cogent and convincing reasons for their actions, and a rebuttal of the most serious allegation that they are now working in concert with BN to undermine efforts to bring about a regime change in Sarawak but, regrettably, none has been forthcoming.
For these reasons, we are, with immediate, effect, severing our alliance with SNAP.
We also call on the people of Sarawak to exercise their vote wisely in the coming state elections and to reject the overtures of BN and its allies, both open and concealed.
HARIS IBRAHIM
PRESIDENT
MALAYSIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES MOVEMENT
The People's Parliament 
temenggong
March 25, 2011
It is too late to do any screening of candidates, hence the training was cancelled. Regarding a pact with BN, it is hearsay and the SNAP sec-gen has categorically denied it. I think you are jumping the gun. SNAP is not in the BN state government.
KickBNout!
March 25, 2011
Ya kah? Then prove your sincerity. Anywhere, it is too late and I hope SNAP together with all BN component parties will be buried for good come 16/04.
temenggong
March 25, 2011
Dear Blur, it is PKR (and Pakatan) that will be buried in Sarawak. there is no DAP-PKR electoral pact.
ong
March 25, 2011
MCLM acts, and temenggong complains that MCLM is jumping the gun. His reason? Because SNAP sec-gen has categorically denied allegations of impropriety. As if he or any politician is ever going to admit to allegations of impropriety! On the other hand, if MCLM does not act fast and early enough, temenggong will later complain that MCLM was too slow, ineffective and useless.
It may be too late for temenggong to do any screening of candidates. But who’s temenggong to decide or judge that it is also too late for MCLM to do screening of candidates? Don’t you know that different people and different organisations possess different levels capabilities in getting things done?
It’s simply impossible to please people like temenggong. His life is all about complaining and bitching about everyone and everything. As the saying goes, with such friends, who needs enemies?
temenggong
March 25, 2011
And you formed your opinion based on what someone wrote? That is quite an astute analysis! Don’t you think it is audacious for anyone to screen a party’s candidates? Do you think this MCLM action will have any impact on the ground among the Ibans? Are you such a joker? Hello, nobody in Sarawak knows that MCLM even exists! SNAP has been around since the 60s and they don’t need Johnny-come-lately gatekeepers! The audacity of some people.
Anak Tanjong
March 26, 2011
I have always has a bad feeling concerning SNAP. I have never trusted them.
Fat Zorro
March 25, 2011
Its never too late to screen integrity. Obviously winning is more important to SNAP than supporting supporting genuine candidattes who wants to change the lives of Sarawakians.
noobie
March 25, 2011
Hi Temenggong, I think u got it wrong, the training was for polling / counting agent.
I also agree it may be too late to screen, but like previous replies, we cannot be sure about this. Who knows what resources does MCLM have? Even if there is not enough time, I’m sure there is no harm in trying… wouldnt it be better screening half of the candidates instead of not screening at all?
I agree with you, that this could be call jumping the gun, but like all things, u dont want to wait for it to happen, u anticipate it. SNAP actions thus far have been questionable to say the least, and it takes more than just a simple rebuttal for it to be clear – even say if they are not in cohorts with BN, MCLM cannot do their job because SNAP ‘declined’ their offer, so whats wrong with severing ties?
Having said that, on another note, I also opine that Anwar has to clear his name with the current video scandal. I also believe action speaks louder than words, and this must show in our politicians.
ong
March 26, 2011
So you claim that: “SNAP has been around since the 60s and they don’t need Johnny-come-lately gatekeepers!”
And how long has UMNO, MCA & MIC been around? They too don’t need gatekeepers?
And what makes you think that MCLM or anyone or any organisation needs you as a gatekeeper?
By the way, are you the same “temenggong” who has been going all over the www claiming that you can move Malay votes anyway you want to? If so, when are you going to stand for election and move the Malay votes your way? “YB temenggong” sounds so much better than a bag-of-wind nonentity “temenggong”!
temenggong
March 27, 2011
You must be the same ONG strutting around in Mkini offering judgments on commentators rather than the article per se. You have comprehension problems therefore I did not engage you. I did not say I will contest; you arrived at that conclusion yourself. I said I ‘know how’ to move the Malay masses back to BN ‘if it is so required’, when GE arrives. This is because the performance of Pakatan falls far short of expectations. To me Pakatan is BN 2 so far.
This post is about SNAP. SNAP does not need education candidate assessment. More than that, SNAP is not BN. *That* was my point to Haris, so as to remain focused on the enemy.
ong
March 28, 2011
bag-of-wind temenggong,
When you claim that you know how to move the Malay masses away from PR back to BN, are you implying that in the first place you actually moved the Malay masses away from BN to PR in 2008? Sorry for calling you a bag-of-wind. You are a BIG, BIG bag-of-wind.
Once again, I implore you to demonstrate your divine powers by standing for election yourself at the very next opportunity in a Malay constituency. Better still get 111 others, your friends and family, to stand as candidates for the next general elections, move the Malay masses towards your 112 candidates, and you become the YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia.
temenggong
March 28, 2011
Loser, cease your beggarly imploring. I have only contempt for such.
I will make the electoral choices, if so required, as I see fit.
Now be on your way!
Shamsul Yunos
March 25, 2011
Hari, whether you like it or not, people see you as an extension of PKR
when Azmin buat taik dengan SNAP they lump everyone associateed with PKR in teh same boat and MLCM is in that boat
Sarawak is not ready to accept a peninsular party, be they BN PKR PAS, only DAP gets a few more seats than the others but that is purely on CHinese support
can’t you see the game being played here? malaysian politics is still divided along racial lines and if you think DAP is multiracial and ready to fight for everyone…well….
ong
March 25, 2011
You wrote: “Sarawak is not ready to accept a peninsular party, be they BN PKR PAS, only DAP gets a few more seats than the others but that is purely on CHinese support”
Are you saying that Chinese support does not count? That Chinese support is equivalent to no support?
Hypothetical question for you.
Supposing PAS manages to win some seats, are you then going to say: “but that is purely on Muslim support”, as if such support does not count?
Your statement regarding DAP being multi-racial or non multi-racial is very vague, and yet sounded very cynical. I refer in particular to this statement: “you think DAP is multiracial and ready to fight for everyone…well….”
In case you don’t believe DAP to be multi-racial I would like you to tell me why. Like which part of the party constitution makes it not multi-racial or which pronouncements by the party leaders, past and present, makes it not multi-racial.
Just don’t give me the crap about the party’s lack of Malay members and Malay leaders because the lack of Malays in DAP is due to the simple-minded Malay mind being indoctrinated since young into believing that DAP is anti-Malay and anti-Muslim.
Whenever I ask Malay friends, including well educated ones, this same question, they respond with a blank look. Some told me that that’s what they have been taught (although indoctrinated is the appropriate word) since young.
By the way, I don’t see Haris as an extension of PKR.
H S Ho
March 25, 2011
Hi, I agreed with what you said, for everyone information, DAP used to have a Malay (either a DUN or a MP in Penang, I can’t remember) his name is Ahmad Nor and he is not a nobody, he was, I think, an ex-union leader
Mutalib Rahman
March 25, 2011
Its unfortunate event that SNAP still want to work with BN. Hope the persistence effort to educate voters will deliver favourable result.
Bob
March 25, 2011
Get the SNAP leaders to go to their Churches and confess in front of the congregation and God that they are not colluding with BN. But will remain independent.
Gmen
March 25, 2011
BON, YOU SAID THE RIGHT WORDS. GET ALL THE SNAP FROM, TOP TO THE BOTTOM TO CONFESS THAT THEY ARE NO COLLUDING WITH THE SATAN BiN.
bigjoe
March 25, 2011
Sarawak Report has a track record of doing their investigative work well. BUT more importantly is the list of candidates by SNAP sucks. Not only must MCLM sever ties, it must tell SNAP to stop their nonsense of trying to be leaders when they are crappy at it. They are NOT leaders and just fall in line with someone who are qualified to be like MCLM people..
hostage88@gmail.com
March 25, 2011
One thing is clear. Their VP who is a close friend has told me since the announcement that they are going for 28 seats the following….
“No Likely we will remain in Pakatan and we will pull out on the 11th hour”.
RAV
March 25, 2011
MCLM credibility in selection and venting of political packs is at stake! Snap’s a first dog on heat!
RAV
March 25, 2011
Sarawkian, please do not let the burden of blame of failing future of your Lands rest upon you because of the spoiler snap, a brainchild of umno intended monopoly and unrepairable destruction.
Kick them out, let DAP lead Pakatan transform your state to the levels of Singapore in 20yrs time.
unplug
March 25, 2011
you guys were screwed, in and out, left and right.
Ting
March 25, 2011
How can Snap suddenly contest 40 seats. Do they simply put up anybody who want to contest to contest even if that person has no capability. And where did they get all the funding. Sarawak Report and MCLM are more credible because they are not a political party. They surely have information about them and not just jump the gun. Some people said they don’t accept Peninsular Malaysia party, but if Snap jump ship to BN after winning the seat, what then. It will still be Peninsular Malaysia who have the last word. Snap will only kowtau to BN. Did Snap care about the Bible and Allah issue.
Clarity
March 25, 2011
SNAP is practically saying its not BN State but BN Federal. Think the BN means Barisan NAJIB!!
Lets not vote for them. They are all crooks. All they want is Money and They say PKR sponsorship of 30k is not enough for anything.
Lets keep a distance and vote them out!
bongc
March 25, 2011
can we dig out the background of these candidates and publish for public scrutiny?
tan, tanjung bungah
March 25, 2011
Hi everyone,
Sarawakians and PR must be wary of the possibility that once nominations close, SNAP candidates would announce their withdrawal and hence, ensuring the BN candidates walkover victors in supposedly straight fights between SNAP and BN!
People should ask as to how SNAP, a dying party, is suddenly so flushed with funds for the upcoming state elections?
John Sakang
March 25, 2011
sever ke tak sever ke, yg penting bahasa diatas kamik tak faham. Long Lewan mana bacak. tolong lah translate betoi betoi ke local language.
sarawakian
March 25, 2011
GOOD MOVE BY MCLM. SNAP SHOULD BE OUT. WITHOUT THE OPPOSITION SUPPORT, SNAP WILL BURY ITSELF. BN PLAYS SHREWD. TAIB’S TEAM IS GOING TO LOSE. MOGGIE, THE USELESS GUY, EARNING A FAT SALARY FROM A GLC IS ONE OF THE MAN BEHIND ALL THIS.
DESPISE SNAP. SNAP WILL NEVER WIN. PKR AND DAP GO AND TAKE SNAP AND BN. WE ASSURE YOU – YOU WILL WIN.
THE PEOPLE WANT A CHANGE.
CONGRATULATIONS MCLM FOR LETTING US KNOW.
Malaysian Care
March 25, 2011
Can all SNAP leaders and candidates put in writing and on video that they would not betray Sarawak people and they would not join BN? It is not difficult to do that right? Are they prepared to do that to clear the doubts and suspicious?
James
March 25, 2011
If we look at the history you’ll learned that SNAP was under BN for so many years. So, why would these old dogs want to join MCLM? Just like PKR. These are old dogs from UMNO. Fortunately, semenjung folks are well informed so we can keep an eye on PKR; thus, they don’t do anything that might attract our attention.
shar101
March 25, 2011
Money and power, the two key elements that probably swayed SNAP towards BN in recent weeks.
But money alone wasn’t enough to get the job done. After all, how many times has it been said “Take the money from BN but vote opposition.
It was the impending demise of Taib Mahmud’s tenure as CM that made SNAP salivate at the prospects of usurping PBB as the lead party to govern Sarawak.
Thus, you can’t ignore the probability of BN dangling this ‘carrot’ in front of SNAP.
Hey, the Brits did the same thing ’57 – If change is inevitable, might as well get some friendly natives on your side to protect your vested interests.
temenggong
March 27, 2011
Haris, I was personally told by Sarawak leaders one year ago in March 2010, that Dayak nationalism is on the move and SNAP is being revived. So all this has nothing to do with BN. If this happened to have the backing of BN, then it is at the cost of PBB. My feel as of now is that SNAP and DAP together may win a majority of the seats.
joe
March 29, 2011
I suggest SNAP should handle and care about Bible and Allah issue as well in term of interfaith dialogue.
Why is that no religious council between Islam and Christian to find a better solution to Allah and Bible issue in Malaysia.What is the void that cannot be filled. This is infect the greatest issue that faced our nation our spiritual life and should be handled not only by religious council but all of us be it Christians or Muslims. I pray that God will bring righteous people who fear Himm to lead our nation into the future.I pray That God almighty will guide all those who will vote on the 16/4/11 will have a sense of discernment and sound judgement and in turn bring discerning leaders into office.
This I sincerely ask in Jesus name. Amen.