Late December, last year, a leader of an NGO approached me seeking my assistance in an initiative that was about to take off.
I said I would and asked if they would, in turn, assist ABU in the dissemination of a soon-to-be released ABU publication. More on that publication tomorrow.
Yesterday, we got in touch with that leader to arrange for a meeting this coming week to discuss the distribution of that publication.
The response was short and sweet.
“We are non-partisan and cannot work with ABU”.
Last night, at the Chin Woo stadium, I had a quick drink with a recent acquaintance.
He candidly shared with me that whilst he had since warmed up somewhat to the ABU initiative, having had the chance to get to know about the work we do and the rationale for the same from an earlier discussion with me, he too, previously, had some reservations about working with ABU.
I asked what it was that troubled him.
“ABU is very partisan, whereas we need to be fair to both sides”, was the reply.
“Both sides? You mean BN, on the one hand, and the opposition, on the other?”, I asked.
“Yes”, he replied.
“Isn’t there a third side, other than those two?”, I asked.
“Who?”, he asked.
“The rakyat”, I replied.
Yes, I am very partisan.
ABU, too, is very partisan.
We are very pro-rakyat.
bigjoe99
January 6, 2013
ABU is NOT partisan – Its only anti-one party – that is UMNO/BN – its anti the one party who is SIMPLY WRONG, – its not being partisan because its not a point of view, Its a matter of fact..
Sabah Arise!
January 6, 2013
Haris, if only all our leaders behave like you our country today would be the strongest in SEA and much respected worldwide. But very sadly, for these crafty greedy people, their interest come first, their cronies-families members-party loyalies come second, we commoner rakyat and the country come last. Nobody is willing or dare to help us except a few good last men standing like you do… YOU DESERVE THE RAKYAT’S GREATEST RESPECT and we wish your unselfish effort be recognised in our history.
Orun Paulinho
January 6, 2013
People please do not miss the forest for the trees! We are reading too much into ABU’s acronym. This shambolic democracy of ours lack a strong push-pull flavour to enable constitutional reforms. We need a strong opposition immaterial of ‘perceived’ structural weakness. So what if we bring the opposition to an even keel? Isn’t the goal for check and balance?; Two diametrically opposing forces will sort/cancel itself out to balance our needs; and we can’t have it if we are not objective on the purpose. UMNO’s monolithic phasad is the greatest impediment to the vibrant democratic process, the one with enough diabolic leverage to do irreversible damage to the Nation. Therefore, we should even the field before we have an equal chance to play judge, jury and executioner. For the moment let’s keep our goals on making UMNO the opposition…at least it would tame them, though I doubt it very much!
Paul Warren
January 6, 2013
I suppose those who want to be neutral will have a rational argument for supporting Bousted’s purchase of Deepak’s company as well as that payment of RM130 million to Ropiah for no good reason at all. They will want a court to decide for them instead of using their God given faculties to decide.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
January 6, 2013
Haris,
Count me in🙂
Knew I could
Yee Chut Ngeow
January 7, 2013
Dear Haris,
The political situation in Malaysia is rather confusing now. There are those who advocate a two parties system, and there are also a seizable number that still adheres to UMNO. Your position is more radical, it is more like a clarion call to get rid of a dictator, much like the people uprising to get rid of Ben Ali in Tunisia.
I believe that most people who supports the opposition parties share your sentiment. UMNO is simply corrupt beyond salvation. Once it is voted out of power it will simply self-destruct and the UMNO as we know it will no longer be.
The ABU message is correct, but getting the correct message through in a highly polarized situation as we are in now is not easy. Most people will equate ABU to support of the oppositions. Some may even shunt ABU as a far left radical movement.
It is unfortunate that you have to take ABU out of the people oriented and society building Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia movement. ABU can only be properly understood in the larger context of SABM. You may want to consider bringing these two back together again.
Bro,
The two were never together.
As I resigned from BERSIH 2.0 to spare it being impacted by my very partisan DNBN work, I took leave of absence from SABM for the same reason.
Siebel
January 7, 2013
Happy New Year, Haris. May 2013 bring success, happiness, health and wealth in abundance for you and your family!
I agree with you with on the article above. ABU is pro-rakyat, and that’s the way it should be!
Keep up the good work ABU has achieved, and will be achieving soon……..
shakuntala
January 7, 2013
ABU. I dare say, quests after the truth, for the sake of the Rakyat to give them a sense of direction and lead them to arrive at the right conclusion, in this sense it is leading them away from anything negative. ABU is a positive entity.
ABU is a loyal and trustworthy friend of the Rakyat, it does not profess any ideology, it has more a watch-dog function. To my mind, there is no persuasion, no hard-sell.
From Haris’s blog one can sense that ABU is more community/people-oriented, even so called cybertroopers are given a free ride to say what they wish to. They do enjoy the privilege!..
Bravo to Haris, for this benefit and for his incomparable loyalty to the cause he believes in, ie to lead us all in the right direction….cheers Haris!!!
i
Singa Terhormat
January 7, 2013
Haris, I remember being told that on one occasion when Anwar Ibrahim was asked by a member of the press what guarantees he could give that if Pakatan Rakyat came to power it will not commit wrongs similar to what Barisan Nasional does, Anwar pointed to you and said, ” He will not let us.”
That, to me, is good enough to show, and I am heartened that even Anwar recognises, that you are not pro-Opposition but pro-Rakyat and that you will keep Pakatan Rakyat on the ‘straight and narrow’.
UMNO/BN has miserably failed in its governance of this country and “Asalkan Bukan UMNO/Anything But UMNO (ABU)” is indeed appropriate for these times and to serve as the clarion call to all who seek truth and justice for the rakyat.
Those who mistakenly think you are partisan to any one political party or politician certainly do not know you nor your personal sacrifices, steadfastness and devotion to the cause of the rakyat.
Ellese
January 7, 2013
You lied twice and have no shame in propagating lies. Shame on you.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
January 7, 2013
Why hello, Ellese, you little troll, how are you? Did you sleep well?
I thought you had changed your nick or did one of your many personalities forget and used your old nick?
I wish the collective you, i.e. that which makes up Troll-Ellese, would make up your collective mind.
Your above comment is nothing like what you are capable of nor what you would normally post. You are usually more analytical and lucid.
Please do decide which nick you want to use and what you want to post. Personally, I prefer if you did not use “Ellese” as I don’t think it is fair on the real-life Ellese, the poor girl.😦
You do know that if you start posting under “forrrestcat” I will have problems deciding which nick to address you by? On the one hand, I know it is you BUT on the other hand, I am bound by etiquette to refer to you by your new nick.
Just trying to be helpful.
Ellese
January 7, 2013
AABM
You are seeing shadows which you create yourself. This is the last time I’m saying this. I write under ellese. Ellese 2 is not me. Nor forester. If you persist, I have no choice to conclude you’re purposely lowering my estimation and spreading lies. Stop and desist from this puerile speculation. Address the issue. The premise of civil servant article are bunch of lies. Have you googled it? Don’t run away from the issue.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
January 7, 2013
Haris,
Did Anwar Ibrahim say that?
Just curious.
Hehehehehe. Ask Anwar. Hehehehehehe
Taipan
January 7, 2013
Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices – just recognize them. What a curious phenomenon it is that you can get men to die for the liberty of the world who will not make the little sacrifice that is needed to free themselves from their own individual bondage.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I am not sure about the former. ~ Albert Einstein.
Malaysianatheart
January 7, 2013
Err …. when your principal aim is to have a particular political party replaced/ousted …. can you really say that you are just pro-rakyat? Aren’t you (and by extension, all of us who support you) in fact simply anti UMNO? Unless of course you are saying that anti UMNO = pro rakyat; which would then = partisan which = pro-rakyat which = anti UMNO which = PR supporter… which then makes all categorizations of ABU equally correct!!! But I suppose you might say – “some categorizations are more equal than others”?!!
Ellese
January 7, 2013
You are not pro rakyat. Pro pr yes. A number of issues are purely political. For example the civil service issue. Nothing pro rakyat. It’s based on a false premise. Then at the end pr also took a stand not to change the civil service. What is pro rakyat pun tak Tahu? Worse was censoring the truth so that the rakyat be misled. How can this be pro rakyat?
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
January 7, 2013
Ellese, you little troll,
To you and your puppet-masters, ABU is anti-BN and pro-PR.
Speaking for myself only, I support ABU because I am sick and tired of the incumbent Government, which is co-incidentally, BN.
Similarly, it just so happens that, PR is the fortunate beneficiary of my ABU stance. Think of it this way, if there was an alternative party called “Ellese’s Coalition of Little Trolls”, it would also benefit from my ABU stance. Would that make me pro-ECLT?🙂
Regardless of who wins Putrajaya, PR or ECLT, I feel that they should be held accountable for their performance come GE14. Believe me, I could well support a ABPR or ABECLT movement then.
Incidentally, are you going to start using your new nick? Or do you intend to have poor real-life Ellese continue to bear the brunt of your misdemeanours?
Ellese
January 7, 2013
Why do you like to persist in lying? I’ve used my name for years? What stupid reason would I change it. I don’t have a master. You lie again. My view is my view. Why are you chicken shit scared with googling the civil service false premise. Take me on rather than this puerile useless personal attack. If you want to attack do it with substance.
Ok. I repeat again. Tell me your numbers of uk And Singapore civil service population. I tell you whose lying.
Don’t divert. We see whose telling the truth.
Wave33
January 7, 2013
Ellese,
Back to your same trick again. When people brand you as UMNO cybertropper, you blew your top. If you do not like what people is saying about you. You have to set example by not doing the same. Why don’t you look at the mirror when start branding people as pro-PR or ABU supporter. If they want you to know they are pro-PR or ABU supporter, they will let you know up front, there is no need to hide about it, not like you, still denying.
Stop all these name calling and branding, let’s talk on issue that are effecting Malaysia.
I doubt it you are able to hold your fork tongue. Can you, Ellese?
Ellese
January 7, 2013
You’ve got caught by me many times in the past. You’ve not been consistent and apply selective reasoning. For example those supporting pr can use ad hominem but those not supporting pr can’t. How many times do I have to tell you right or wrong doesn’t depend on who you support. Similar action must have the same value.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
January 7, 2013
Hello, Ellese, you little troll,
Here we go again.
“…How many times do I have to tell you …”
It’s the world according to Ellese, the troll.
***Y A W N ***
Voter Wan Abdullah
January 7, 2013
F those bi partisan NGOs cos privately they can be partisan & help ABU. I am partisan..esp for those 50% marginalised Malaysians.
lluuung
January 7, 2013
In a sense , HARIS, ABU is also an NGO.
You are right,other than the 2 sides of Government n Opposition; the rest of Rakyat is the Third Side who is also the Third force n the BOSS !!
In the mind of this NGO leader,he thinks there are only 2 “sides”.
HARIS’s thinking has taken us further to a higher level,and bring in the Rakyat,Third Force as the THIRD SIDE, BRAVO HARIS,you are an INSPIRATION !!!
It is also wrong for anyone to assume “Anti Govt” = “Pro Opposition”.This is NOT true.
So far ,this present Government has failed to look after the Rakyat ,so at this juncture
“Anti Govt” IS “Pro Rakyat”
ABU is ProRakyat n that necessitates Anti Govt at this stage.
As for “being fair to both sides”,if one side has been doing wrong,should we not bother to correct it ? and call a Spade a Spade?or should we just pretend there is no wrong done?
To be fair means having to punish the wrong, n to reward the good;NOT just sit on d fence.
ABU is strongly ProRakyat, n thus necessitates being Anti umno/bn, for now .
ABU is the way forward.
LONG LIVE ABU !
ABU!! ABU!! ABU!!
BEST WISHES HARIS !!
Wave33
January 7, 2013
People can brand me anything, can brand me pro-PR or ABU supporters. Do I care about the branding? Do we care about the branding?
If you are concern about branding, you will not like it when you are called mamak but instead you want to be call Malay. The ex-dictator wanted to be called Malay, instead of mamak. Do I care a sen about it?
NO!
I more concern about being call Malaysian instead of “Pendatang”, perhaps better Anak Bangsa Malaysia. So comes to pro this and pro that, should I be concern?
NO!
I just want to whack the political party(ies) whom failed to govern for the people and by the people. It is not a secret that UMNO has failed on its duty. UMNO has brought destruction to my beloved Malaysia. UMNO has failed to help most middle class and below, Malays too. ONLY UMNO elite is filthy rich. UMNO elite, just want to continue to sodomise the Nation and Malay suckers whom are die hard supporters for their slave master. It is bad being Pro-UMNO comparatively with Pro-PR. Does it concern me being pro this and pro that? I just want to punish those whom has done wrong for destroying Malaysia. When you support the devil, you are yourself the devil by association.
Now, tell me what is wrong being an ABU supporter?
Amaranathan
January 7, 2013
Hey people, do check-out “Word Press” if you have the time. That’s Helen Ang’s blog – the parellel universe where most of the commentators there are under their happy little tempurung where they shiok sendiri hammering the opposition. Just for curiosity check it out and see what those trolls think.
wandererAUS
January 7, 2013
Ellese;
I was away from the country for thirty years and still sand firmly with the rakyat who desire change, am I pro-PR supporter. Yes in your narrow minded way of thinking, not mine.
Sorry to entertain a meat head like you, you do not see further to the tip of your crooked nose. Everything does not work out so simply as you think, either you support UMNO/BN as a cherry picker or you be classified, a traitor to the nation because you want change. I have nothing further to add except, to say this word loud and clear to to you, Nah!!
Ellese
January 7, 2013
Dear wanderer,
Your thirty years means nothing if you fight for falsehood. Look at the developed nation. Pieces like singa civil servant would be torn to shred for falsification of information. They have enough intelligence not to believe it unlike here.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
January 7, 2013
Ellese, you little troll!! You are back!!
What happened to “forrrestcat”????
Why are you comparing developed countries to Malaysia?
You have conveniently forgotten to mention that intelligence is not a quality BN would like the rakyat to possess – hence the low standard of education.
Offer constructive suggestions, Troll-Ellese, not your usual pap of “look how silly you are and how clever I am”. So much so for your pretense at high morals🙂