Rant & Raves

This post is about my view on the current situation in Malaysia, politically, at least. I am not a political-blogger, so to speak, and I don’t like to get my blog involved. But at this moment, I do feel the need to give out my 2 cents worth of thoughts on these issues.

After the March 8 General Election, there were a lot of political tension between the governing body (Barisan National) and the opposition (PKR). There were lots of talk (mamak talk, forum, etc) and hype about the come back of Anwar Ibrahim, the de factor leader of PKR, September 16 (If you are curious about the date, Google it with keyword “Malaysia” as I am too lazy to write about it).

I will be honest here; I don’t like Anwar Ibrahim, and that has been the case since many years back, even before he was jailed for sodomy charges. But I am tired of the current administration; the corruption, the abuse of power, the indecisiveness, and many more. So I don’t mind a change, but I will keep a close eyes on Anwar Ibrahim if he ever takes over the government and become the next Prime Minister.

Anwar has publicly announced that he has enough defector MPs (Member of Parliament) in his sleeve to form a simple majority government to take the reign from Barisan National (or BN) for the first time in 51 years of Malaysia history since the Merdeka Day (Independence Day). But now the bitch fight between Anwar and Badawi (the current Prime Minister) is the school-girl’s I-want-to-see-you-but-I-don’t-want-to-see-you.

Can someone slap some sense into these two and ask them to grow up? Anwar demanded a meeting with Badawi, and Badawi said that Anwar doesn’t have the name list so it is a waste of his time to meet with Anwar. But Anwar doesn’t want to reveal the names of the cross-over MPs due to safety issue.

I do understand where do Anwar come from, but revealing the list is a better deal, at least I think, because if anything were to happen to these individuals who are crossing over, how would the Barisan National party, especially the Prime Minister Badawi, and his deputy Najib, can explain? The people are not stupid, and we will definitely link the stories together to ensure that the current governing party is plain dirty and we, the people, will do something about it.

So I strongly encourage you to reveal the list, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, instead of hiding this and that. I understand that you are afraid that the government will impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) on you and the cross-over MPs (like the poor people lately that has been arrested, for their so-called safety, but somehow they forgot that Ahmad Ismail is the one causing the problem so he should be arrested under ISA), but sometimes you need to take the risk to be a hero.

Or maybe these MPs, like the rest, have dirt on their hands and they are worried that some agencies, like Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) will get their hands on them, or some other agencies with fancy names.

Another possibility is that if the opposition is taking over the government by force, it has far more implications than safety but national security. The army and police arm forces are under the regime of the current political party. So if you can just spend that few moments to imagine it, the result could be dire.

I am more incline to believe that Anwar has the MPs on his side. The reason is very simple; Anwar is a seasoned politician, and if he is bluffing this time, it is him that is committing suicide on his political career. He’ll be done, unforgiven by the people on this country for giving false hope, for the deception, and many more. He will be doomed to no end, and since it is such a big risk, I don’t think (or at least I hope not) he is stupid enough to take this kind of risk. Remember, if Badawi calls his bluff, he’s done and gone, and he will never be able to come back anymore.

And Badawi, what do you have to loose but that 15 minutes of your precious time to meet with Anwar Ibrahim? Are you that afraid of him? Are you worry that he will really come up with a list? If you are not sure, then why call his bluff in public? If you are sure, why not just meet him and expose him? Please take some responsibilities and stop standing on the other end of the shore and shout names. We are all adult here, so deal with it with more maturity instead of blasting people off in the media but not wanting to confront the situation. You can say all you want about Anwar being a bluff or whatever that you want to call, but not facing the situation is not much of bravery.

On a side note, the arrest of Raja Petra, Theresa Kok and the poor journo from Sin Chew, Ms. Tan, are unjust and ridicule. If they have done something wrong, bring them to court and implicate them to our justice system. The “excuse” given for taking Ms. Tan into custody under the ISA is plain stupid; for her own safety because of threats on her life? Oh come on! And if she was really in danger, why only keep her for 18 hours? So you guys need 18 hours to solve the threat? Then why not release information on how you guys solve the threat on Ms. Tan, and bring those people to jail? Why can’t you solve the threat (in that 18 hours) without bring her into custody under ISA?

Because she reported the truth in a Chinese newspaper, then you bring her in. How about Ahmad Ismail, who is only suspended and stripped from his post for 3 years? (source here) His remark was racist and he was the one who caused the uproar of other ethnicity in the country, yet he refused to make public apologies to the Chinese community, and yet he is free to roam the country. Ahmad Ismail should be detained under the ISA and charged in court.

I am not here to say Chinese, Indian or Malay. Why do we need to differentiate ourselves like that? In our educational system, we were taught that we are ONE NATION, and we are all MALAYSIANS, but yet, our leaders are pledging something else different, using race as their play cards all the time, making sarcastic and racist remarks. So how the fuck are we going to unite as a nation, to call ourselves Malaysians?

So can ya’ll please stop playing the race card and act like you mean it when you teach “One Malaysia, One Malaysian”?

The following is the full press statement by Anwar Ibrahim, courtesy of Malaysiakini.

Sept 16 press statement in full
Sep 16, 08 3:40pm

The following is the statement given by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at a 2pm press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.
MCPX

Today, Malaysians celebrate Malaysia Day - the day our country became whole and our people become united. This day has a new meaning. After years of struggle, after fighting against a system that is corrupt and unjust - we affirm that victory is finally at hand. Our vision of rebuilding this country and bringing its people together, as the founding fathers envisioned, is within reach.

The economy is in turmoil with runaway inflation and joblessness creating widespread discontent. Racial tensions have been rising, exacerbated by the propaganda spread in the government owned mainstream media. The administration has offered no vision to steer the nation out of this quagmire and there is manifest erosion in confidence in the current government.

We in Pakatan Rakyat believe we can save Malaysia from economic ruin and the dangerous politics of racism. We will do so prudently, legally and in doing so we will not jeopardise the security and stability of the country and the safety of its people.

We have received firm commitments from members of parliament in excess of the number required to form a new government, and our government will reflect the diverse make-up of Malaysian society.

It has been our concern to ensure a peaceful transition of power. We do not wish to see a repeat of what transpired in the Selangor and Perak state governments, where following the victory of Pakatan Rakyat on March 8, documents were shredded and removed by the outgoing administration.

We furthermore advise radical elements within BN against the abuse of state power to unlawfully harass and detain our supporters.

The immediate investigation by the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) of Yong Teck Lee after the announcement by SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) of its intention to move a motion of no-confidence against Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is another example of the tactics we reject.

The use of the ISA, as has happened to MP Teresa Kok, would be an unlawful impediment to the transition process.

In light these serious concerns, yesterday leaders of Pakatan Rakyat sent a letter to the prime minister at 2.30pm requesting a meeting to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership and to seek his assurance on the following important matters:

1) That the BN shall not hinder or prevent their BN MPs from acting in accordance with their conscience, constitutional rights and independent judgment;

2) That the BN government shall not invoke the Internal Security Act to detain any of the MPs who will join Pakatan Rakyat, or any of the present 82 Pakatan Rakyat MPs;

3) That the BN government shall not invoke emergency or police powers, or suspend the constitution, or dissolve parliament in response to our intention to form a new government;

4) That the Barisan Nasional government shall not impose roadblocks and impede the MPs from gaining access to the House of Parliament and the institutions of government.

We believe the prime minister will share Pakatan Rakyat’s concerns for the welfare of the people and security of the nation. We are confident he will ensure the BN will act constitutionally and democratically to ensure that the transition will be peaceful, and there will be no actions taken to sabotage the wishes of the people or play on racial tensions in the country.

We appeal to all quarters in Malaysian society to understand our intentions are for the betterment of Malaysian society. The mainstream media, in particular, should accept the reality of these historic times and report fairly, accurately and without bias. The irresponsible tact that is used by the media to obfuscate issues, attack opposition supporters and instigate racial tensions must end immediately.

Following our meeting with the prime minister, we intend to proceed within the framework established by the federal constitution in the formation of a new government, with the assent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Opposition Leader
De facto PKR leader

PS: With the current situation, I am not sure if I will be detained under ISA as well. Let’s wish me luck.