It’s a nightmare, isn’t it?
Especially in Sabah, where Pakatan component parties are, with the exception of Sandakan, Kalabakan and Semporna, set to cross swords with local opposition parties, SAPP and STAR, together with BN.
Remember the last by-election fiasco in Batu Sapi?
Are we going to see a repeat in the 22 other parliamentary seats in Sabah?
If so, we can kiss Putrajaya goodbye.
Anwar, Guan Eng, Hadi, Teck Lee, Jeffrey, please show us that you are truly leaders of the people and not just your own parties.
Please resolve this nightmare before the mud-slinging starts between your respective candidates once the campaigning gets into full swing , after which the situation might become iredeemable.
Closer to home, PKR and PAS are set to face each other in 7 seats, one parliamentary and six state seats.
Labuan, I am done speaking to PAS. I will fly there to speak to the voters.
Even closer to home, is PJ Selatan and the state seat of Bukit Gasing.
I vote here.
PJ Selatan is relatively straightforward for me.
Hee Loy Sian will get my vote again.
I will tell you why in another post.
I want to turn to, and try to resolve, the problem that I and many voters have in the state seat of Bukit Gasing.
Forget the Gerakan candidate.
We have a DAP candidate, Rajiv, and two other independent candidates, Mak and Simon Lee.
I know Mak, I know of Simon, but I do not think I know Rajiv.
Many of you Bukit Gasing voters possibly are in the same situation I am in.
So who, from amongst these 3, do we vote into office, and how do we ensure that these 3 do not split the votes such that Gerakan sneaks in through the back door?
ABU, together with Facebook group P105 Parlimen PJ Selatan 105 – Petaling Jaya Selatan voters will co-host a friendly debate between Rajiv, Mak and Simon this Saturday, 27th April, 2013, tentatively at 2pm at a venue to be confirmed later.
I am pleased to inform you that I have communicated with all three candidates by phone today.
Both Mak and Simon have confirmed that they will participate whilst Rajiv has promised to revert to me later today.
Attendance will be confined to those registered to vote in N34 Bukit Gasing.
The People's Parliament 
hurricanemax
April 21, 2013
for whatever the reasons, many in Subang Jaya would have preferred Hannah to be ‘promoted’ for P104 Kelana Jaya post and Rajiv for Hannah’s previous N31… Rajiv had served us well in Subang Jaya, as MPSJ Councillor and Hannah’s special Asst. He is humble, simple and approachable. More importantly, he is from the same cut as Hannah. Hardworking, honest and committed to a just cause.
We don’t know who is Wong Chen too…But we will give him the benefit of the doubt. I mean what or who can be worst than ‘whatever creature’ bn can spew forth?
ghkok
April 21, 2013
My wife and I met Wong Chen last Mon. in a “twitter event” in USJ Taipan organised by a friend. Hannah was there and so was Gobind. We came away quite impressed with Wong. Communicates well .. simple, straightforward yet effective manner .. no buzzwords, no hype. Born in PJ, few years in Kelantan, studied in Spore and law degree from UK. Background is in corporate law. Currently works with the policy-making team in PKR .. works closely with Rafizi. He says he focuses a lot on crafting policies related to crime, education, affordable housing, excise duty on cars, etc. His website is http://www.wongchen.com and facebook https://www.facebook.com/wong.chen.14 He comes across as someone with great conviction. That’s just my opinion. Anyway, gasing is not about him ..
ghkok
April 21, 2013
I’m from Subang Jaya USJ4. About 3 years ago, we formed a residents committee to set up a G&G to fence up our area and employ guards in view of the horrendous crime rate. I was part of that committee. We received a lot of support from Rajiv. He has been a MPSJ Councillor for about 4 years now, I think. In my opinion, he is very well exposed to engaging with residents’ groups and local councils on a wide range of local issues.
Voter Wan Abdullah
April 21, 2013
Guess if PR dun sort out these Fcuking mess, the war cry of Ini ‘Kali Lah’ will be ‘Lain Kali Lah’ & this Lain Kali Lah will become ‘Habis Lah PR’. Now BN will be laughting all the way to 13th Parliment with 2/3 rd majority.
Fcuk…I migrate to Australia then.come 6th May 2013.
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
April 21, 2013
Voter Wan Abdullah,
As Haris has said elsewhere, we should not just depend on the politicians to sort out the mess they have created due to their own greed for power.
I, for one, am just going to quietly undermine BN candidates around my kampung while pushing for a higher voter turnout.
It’s ABU those BN suckers first, then we’ll deal with Pakatan after GE13.
You got it right, buddy!
Teck
April 21, 2013
That is right. ABU now and deal with Pakatan later.
WILLIAM
April 21, 2013
Haris,Are you going to give speech during this period of election campaign for the opposition?when will you be in areas of PJ and KL? We just can’t wait listen to your speech.
May we know the date of yuor comings?
I will make known where I am speaking here, on twitter and on my facebook
Malayan Boey
April 21, 2013
I helped put in Hee & Edward in with my two votes in 2008. I am doing it elsewhere in 2013. However, my family members will vote in P105 & N34. They would be keen on a single choice for N34.
Even if Rajiv is good, he has been working the wrong area. Must we have someone walking to the starting block come 06 May or another already on a running start?
Having to revert with a reply, appears as one, who is not his own man but needing to refer upwards before agreeing to meet his constituents.
Finally, what of Mark and Simon Lee? What are they able to offer Bukit Gasing, besides the hill?
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
April 21, 2013
Haris.
I’ve just had a look at the list of nominees.
http://resultpru13.spr.gov.my/module/penamaan/laporan/laporan_6/laporan_6.php
Sabah and Sarawak do look a bit worrying. 😦
BN might just hold onto power with the voter base being as fragmented as it is.
As far as Labuan is concerned, PAS is simply in denial mode and, yes, you are better off speaking direct to the voters now.
Re PJ Selatan and it’s state seats, I have to say that constituents in those seats are so damn lucky to have someone like you to organise debates amongst the candidates 🙂
Those meetings could become models of how future election campaigns should be runned 🙂
In my own kampung, there will be little choice for me as the state and federal seats will virtually be straight fights between an UMNO/BN candidate and a Pakatan candidate.
Very easy and no need for any debates there 🙂
Unfortunately, I am still not entirely comfortable as those state and federal seats have been in Alliance/BN hands for 55 years and UMNO/BN will be no pushover.
Another major concern is overconfidence on the part of Pakatan supporters.
I’ll be back in my kampung tomorrow evening for the next 4 weeks so I will do what I can to promote the ABU message there until polling day.
I’m hoping that others in constituencies similarly cirsumstanced like N34 will pick up this idea and run with it
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
April 21, 2013
Haris,
Readers in this blog who are from Sabah and Sarawak might like to take up this debating idea from N34.
The number of candidates for each seat in Sabah and Sarawak, federal or state, would certainly make for a good debate.
Heheheheh!!! It’ll make those politicians earn their keep. 🙂
ablogsmith
April 21, 2013
hurricanemax, ghkok, hope you will attend the debate and put in a good word for Rajiv. Otherwise at the debate, hope Haris or moderator can mention the good work that he had done in Subang Jaya.
Bro,
We’ll leave it to the candidates to present their respective case to the voters present
looes74
April 21, 2013
Haris Ibrahim,
Rajiv’s link……..Please talk to Hannah Yeoh about him. Frankly, I strongly felt that for DAP, we should vote for the party…….For PKR & PAS, different story
http://www.rajiv4malaysia.com/
ghkok
April 21, 2013
I’m puzzled – what’s the logic of voting for DAP and not voting for PKR & PAS (if that’s what you mean) ??
Sam
April 22, 2013
Guys, in GE13, it must be a one-to-one fight against UmnoBN. Hope Haris & Team can somehow determine (even if by a coin-toss) which ONE candidate we should vote for in multi-cornered places. Politicians will always be politicians lah. It’s the voter who decide. Let’s not go the who-is-better route at this late juncture. Let’s just give UmnoBN a straight fight, never losing sight of Putrajaya. We should be willing to vote any anti-UmnoBN winnable guy/gal, so long as it’s not a crook, a frog, a mole or a Trojan horse.
We should be willing to tolerate dirty drains, traffic jams and flash floods for another 5 years, if we want to see UmnoBN in the opposition benches for once. Massive people power will take of the rest in time.
bigjoe99
April 21, 2013
Sir, a true Hero you are, earning each and every stripe..
The truth is Sabah is the main problem and the main problem is Sabah local politicians. Its quite clear the bulk of them, their main interest is not reform and Sabah but their own selfish interest cloaked in being a champion..SAPP, STAR and even PKR warlords – what they really want is to own a bigger pie of the BN system not change it…
Voter Wan Abdullah
April 21, 2013
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia…I concurred with you…just like Haris said before ‘ If we can bring down BN this GE 13…surely we can also bring down PR & with ease too in GE 14 ‘.
So let bring down this EVIL beast BN this GE 13 by getting more voters to vote for PR & also to melekat ABU stickers everywhere.
Bigger Picture
April 21, 2013
My wife and me are voters for Bukit Gasing (and PJ Selatan) – we do not need these “debate”, friendly they may be. To us, Simon and Mark should not have nominated themselves to stand. To us, they represent those who think too highly of themselves and who cannot put the nation before self. We will vote for the PAKATAN/DAP. Its the only way to go for this nation. Forget the independents! And oh, Rajiv we don’t think you need to participate in the “friendly debate”. And oh, Mark and Simon – please consider putting the nation before yourselves!
naa
April 21, 2013
If you look at the DUN seats list in Selangor half of them can be won by BN due to multi cornered fights. Some independents with local following are strategically placed by BN in vulnerable areas with weak Pakatan candidates. BN’s pool of voters are usually stable but Pakatan’s not so and also they are split up. BN may be able to win Selangor after all. This use of independents to win by BN was mentioned by some umno people in blogs some time ago.
JAmY
April 21, 2013
I vote in Subang Jaya and can vouch for Rajiv’s commitment to serve SJ/USJ constituents’ needs and queries as MPSJ Councilor and part of Hannah’s team. Have personally approached him on G&G matters and been part of a closed community SJ Residents Association e-group where he has stood firm and resolute on principle even in face of unreasonable demands from various “ugly” residents, yet remaining humble and responsible. I would give my vote to this young hardworking team player.
genesispassion
April 22, 2013
Rajiv, who is he? never heard off and never seen before. dap think whatever rubbish they throw to us we will blindly take that. our family and relatives will vote Mak Khuin Weng
bystander
April 22, 2013
If u haven’t heard of him, then you are the one who’s blind. I’m a PJS and Bukit Gasing voter and I know of Rajiv’s efforts in nearby Subang DUN. Mak and Simon are nice guys, but ultimately would not help in the bigger picture.
Sheila Santharamohana
April 22, 2013
That’s harsh! I think we need to give everyone a chance. Hear the man out and let his past involvement with Subang be the yardstick. Your quick dismissal of Rajiv may not work to Bkt. Gasing’s advantage nor does it say much about engagement in the election process. I’m sure much has been said in this forum about voter responsibility – find out about your representatives. Anyway, come to the forum and let’s see.
Johndevan
April 23, 2013
Dear “genesispassion”. I can assure you Rajiv is no “rubbish”. I know him personally. I have talked to him. He is very approachable and a very sincere person. He is very focussed on anything he is entrusted to get accomplished. He is trustworthy and hardworking to get things done.As YB Hannah Yeoh’s special assistant and MPSJ councillor, i have heard him address people’s concerns with sincerity. I would trust him anytime than even the best winnable BN candidate whom i would call stinky-rubbish!
Kenny
April 22, 2013
Bro, I mean no offence, but am surprised by just the title of this article.
I fail to see why we should be spending time with this type of local level debates at this very juncture, less so if it involves Independents against Pakatan. We must stick to the fact that our present dire political situation demands that the only credible contests are only between Pakatan Rakyat and BN as far as possible. This kind of local debate between Pakatan and Independents better suits our future local council elections.
The only sensible and credible debate one should arrange at this point of time is between Anwar and Najib. But then it would be like asking Najib to admit that he knew Altantuya.
It would be wiser had this debate against Independents, especially in Selangor, not been initiated at all when Najib is using all resources, legal or otherwise, to retake Malaysia’s crown jewel. Let’s not be distracted.
Haris, you mentioned that you don’t know Rajiv. I vote in Subang and had the privilege to say ‘hello’ and talked to you for the 1st time during Hannah Yeoh’s 1st ceramah in Subang back in Feb 2008. To help you recap, that not-worth-mentioning Helen Ang was there too. Well, I think neither of us knew who Hannah was at that time either. Most of us in Subang voted for Hannah in 308 without knowing her. Likewise, I think this applied to Edward Lee and his voters in Bukit Gasing as well.
Now, in comparison, many in Subang can now vouch that Rajiv performed well, both as Hannah’s assistant and as a local councillor. Just as important, if not more, the incorruptible Hannah wouldn’t have taken anyone with a tinge of corruption under her wings. For all we know, it could be Hannah who proposed or seconded Rajiv’s candidacy.
I’ve also read that Hannah with some of her assistants have been helping with the servicing of Bukit Gasing since Edward Lee’s unfortunate accident and subsequent passing.
Bro, please, I don’t think it would be a bad suggestion to forget about any Independents for now. Let’s get back into this most important fight between Pakatan and Umno. You would agree this could be our only chance.
Sincerely, please call off this debate, get a referral from Hannah(she wouldn’t lie to you) and make time to say a few kind words for Rajiv in his ceramah. Be the good man that you are. 🙂
Kenny
April 22, 2013
Correction: 3rd line —- MORE so
Kenny
April 22, 2013
Let’s get things straight here.
I’m all for the challenge of discussions and debates under normal circumstances, either for the exchange of ideas or just to see who the better debaters are.
I wouldn’t be opposing in this manner if the debate is between Pakatan and BN, even if it’s just at state level.
The fact of the matter in this case is: Whether Rajiv or the Independents turn out to be good or bad debaters is NOT the issue. The issue is we shouldn’t be giving undue and unnecessary prominence to the Independents to split votes.
I suggest ABU explains to the Facebook group to call off the debate.
Sheila Santharamohana
April 22, 2013
I agree that a debate is not necessary but I would still like to meet the candidates, especially Rajiv, and it’s a chance to see how they would deal with issues. Who knows? maybe those independents might stand on BN or PR tickets in 5 years.
Sam
April 22, 2013
Sheila, the whole electoral process has been manipulated over the years, to ensure UmnoBN continues to rule and ruin this nation. The only way you can ever “see how they would deal with issues.” is by FIRST voting in Pakatan Rakyat into Putrajaya. For that, we need to come out collectively to vote against UmnoBN in OVERWHELMING numbers on May 5th. This is the only way we can offset the gerrymandering and the padded electoral rolls. Arguing over a candidate at this momentous point in time is akin to polishing your alloy wheels when your car is on fire. GE12 has clearly proven that it has to be a one-on-one fight or nothing.
Politicians will be politicians. But we the voters MUST stay focussed the BIG picture.
tas
April 22, 2013
If we earnestly want to change the federal govt. we should then vote for whoever the PR candidate is. There’s no guarantee that an independant candedate will want to ABU. Rakyat can deal with the PR candidate later if he or she is not up to the Rakyat’s expectation. Surely PR would have had done some homework before putting up the candidate this time around. I am sure there can not be 100 percent satisfaction to everyone’s preference as far as the candidate is concerned. We all should ignore all independent candidates. I don’t think this debate is necessary.
ghkok
April 22, 2013
I totally agree with Kenny. I assume almost everyone here agrees that 55 years of Federal monopoly of power has to come to an end. If that’s not the case, then let’s forget it and go back to sleep. Seriously. Ok, if we agree on that, there’s only 13 DAYS LEFT. In my opinion, the best way to do it is to channel ALL the support to the group that carries the best chance of winning and forming the next Federal Govt. – that’s Pakatan Rakyat. As it is, it is already the strongest opposition front ever assembled in the history of our country, and it took us 55 yrs to get to this stage. I don’t know about you guys but I don’t have another 55 yrs. There’s really ONLY 13 DAYS. Therefore, time and energy need to be focused in the most efficient and effective way. I’m sorry but providing platform for independents is not one of the ways (especially when Pakatan is already putting up very decent candidates). That’s just my opinion.
Bigger Picture
April 22, 2013
Our nation is at a critical fork-road and the direction we take depends on whether we continue to support BN with its race-based politics or we create change by voting PAKATAN where being a Malaysian is first. The fight for the nation’s future and soul is between BN and PAKATAN. Independent candidates do not feature in this equation at this critical time of the nation’s destiny. Vote for the PARTY! Vote PAKATAN/DAP.
ablogsmith
April 22, 2013
Haris, read all the comments that spoke favourably for Rajiv who represents Pakatan and how badly they want to ABU the nation. I have read about Simon Lee, I believe he is the late Edward Lee’s son. I don’t know Mak. With all due respect to Simon and Mak, at this point of time I think they are doing a disfavour for the nation when the full might of the damned UMNO/BN and their cronies are thrown against Pakatan. I was invited to attend the BN do sponsored by Tan Sri Ta (I believe RPK has written about his ties with the underworld?) and I saw the huge numbers of school and tourist buses used to bus the participants to the event (my objective was to see how they do events like this and gather any evidences of bribery). I have seen the large numbers of the youths who turned up to listen to their favourite Taiwanese and Hong Kong singers. Pakatan has a very very tough fight this GE13, much beyond the cheating that I anticipated just after the 08 tsunami. Haris, please try to concentrate your resources to help the side that has the best bet against the mighty (and corrupt) UMNO/BN which I and many other commentators feel is Pakatan Rakyat at this juncture of time of which we don’t have much.
Daniel
April 22, 2013
hi Haris
I am really looking forward to your post about Hee Loy Sian.
I am also a voter there, and I have been away for a few years. The feedback I got from my family members and the traders in PJ Selatan is not something positive.
But no matter what, you know where my vote goes, ABU!!!
But at the same time I would also like to have something to convince my parents and their trader friends that Hee Loy Sian is the choice.
Thank you.
Grey Knight
April 22, 2013
Haris,
Waiting eagerly to hear your report card on Hee Loy Sian. As a resident of Bukit Gasing (who voted for Hee), I’ve got to say that the fella is a dud. He’s useless. In fact, i recall u saying the same in your blog recently when u asked PKR to nominate someone else. I was so hoping PKR would heed your call. Might as well vote in a donkey but I guess that’s better than voting BN right?
bigjoe99
April 23, 2013
Honestly, the Irene Ong incident is reverberating throughout not just the community but even beyond..You could put a three stump in Bukit Gasing for DAP and they would win at this point. The residents are THAT angry..
lizziewong
April 23, 2013
I volunteer to be a polling agent for GE13, but EC has changed the rules. Now from the onset, a volunteer has to apply to be a counting agent or just polling agent. Previously, a polling agent can also be counting agent and for resource-strapped PR, this system would be more helpful. Dont mean to be suspicious, but the mind does wonder.. We want a 2 party system, so no independents. Independents will be more likely to play frog, after all, a RM20 million price tag is very tempting. While Edward was the incumbent, Bkt Gasing is not an inheritance to pass off to a son. Think big picture.