Nakhaie buries Najib’s 1 Malaysia!

–
P. Ramakrishnan

The Malaysian Insider

Jun 02, 2011

JUNE 2 — If an ignorant man talks nonsense we can easily forgive him for you don’t expect any spectacular wisdom from an ignoramus. But when a person who is perceived as educated and scholarly speaks rubbish, you are rightly outraged.

This is exactly what happened when Mohd Nakhaie Ahmad, the former president of the Islamic Da’wah Foundation Malaysia (Yadim) and one-time lawmaker-turned-traitor to the voters who elected him, came out with statements which are clearly scandalous, seditious and atrocious regarding the non-Malays in this country.

Nakhaie questioned the loyalty of non-Muslims in the country, declaring that the community’s rights must be re-evaluated — obviously forgetting his own shameful past when he showed no loyalty to the party that sponsored him as a candidate and those who elected him. He had displayed a total absence of integrity without any qualms when he became a frog and leaped over to the Barisan Nasional. He is not in the least qualified to talk about loyalty.

According to him, the treatment of non-Muslims must be based on the agreed social contract; he pointed out that the government had been too gracious to the community. Nakhaie absolutely doesn’t understand that the social contract agreed upon is reflected in the Federal Constitution. The Federal Constitution is the outcome of that social contract. The rights and responsibilities of all Malaysians are laid out in this framework and guaranteed.

He is, of course, talking nonsense when he says: “Civil rights given to them include the right to vote, participation in politics, hold office, involvement in the military and so forth but we cannot just willingly give them everything.”

For the information of Nakhaie, these are unquestionable citizenship rights. For a one-time lawmaker to be totally ignorant of this fact indicates that he is hardly an enlightened leader and scholar. He shames himself by his ignorance and intolerance.

He declared: “If the agreement is broken then action must be taken against them. If they break our agreement then they are our enemy and must be expelled from the country. We must not compromise with them. We must be stern with them when it comes to the social contract agreed.” The social contract is only broken when narrow-minded and intolerant bigots like him preach hatred and spread lies to inflame a certain strata of our citizens to view the non-Malays as enemies. He should be charged for stirring up inter-ethnic passions which could be dangerous for our multi-ethnic Malaysia.

He proclaimed that it is important that high-level government positions not be awarded to non-Muslims for national security. “We cannot give them important government positions as it is not allowed for non-Muslims to become ministers in an Islamic state. Head of military must also not be given to non-Muslims.”

Nakhaie is totally ignorant of the Federal Constitution which laid the foundation for this nation to exist. He doesn’t understand the concept of “equality before the law” and that the Federal Constitution does not discriminate against its citizens. The rights of Malaysians are guaranteed under the concept of equality before the law.

It is unfortunate that in all his utterances and ramblings there is no notion of justice or understanding of our history. He is blind to the fact that all citizens irrespective of race have an equal stake in this land of ours with unequivocal and inalienable rights as conferred by the Federal Constitution under Article 8. For the information of Nakhaie, the government doesn’t confer these rights.

These citizenship rights and the responsibilities that go with it were put beyond the pale of discussion following our return to parliamentary democracy in1971 after the worst racial riots in our history in 1969. It is a criminal offence to question or challenge the citizenship of non-Malays.

Constitutional amendments in February 1971 had entrenched the citizenship rights of non-Malays. Nakhaie and others of his ilk have no right to question or challenge this citizenship. By doing so with impunity they only expose how selective our system of justice is. The wrath of the law is only applicable to those posing a threat to the BN, so it seems.

In light of this historical fact, the atrocious statements by Nakhaie and the rest who indulge in similar seditious statements call for immediate action on the part of the authorities. Action must be taken as a matter of urgency to preserve our peace and harmony and protect our unity. The long arm of the law must deal with them severely without fear or favour. Failure to act will only encourage the racists and the bigots to go on a rampage.

We are flabbergasted that Nakhaie is not able to comprehend a simple political logic of our country. Not all non-Muslims are against the BN. Many have slavishly supported and continue to support the BN. It is also a fact that not all Malays support the BN — a good number of them support PAS and PKR. In fact urban Malays are uneasy about the posturing of Nakhaie, Perkasa and Pembela. Umno lost many Malay majority constituencies to PAS and PKR in the last election. These are the realities of Malaysian politics.

There are also many decent and pious Malays in the rural areas who know what is right and wrong. They won’t be deceived by these conceited and misconceived bigots preaching lies and hatred.

To portray the non-Malays as a threat to the Malays is a foolish attempt to project oneself as the hero of the Malays. The Malays are not that naïve. They can see through this diabolical scheme to bring chaos to this land of ours.

While Nakhaie was raving and ranting against the non-Malays, not a single word was mentioned by him to upbraid the corrupt or condemn abuse of power. Nothing was said about the sad state of our judiciary or the selective prosecution of those seen as a threat to the BN. No concern was expressed over the loss of our freedom of expression or the right to assemble peacefully.

He has made a mockery of the PM’s 1 Malaysia catch-phrase, which was presented as all-embracing and inclusive, promising equal treatment and opportunity for all Malaysians. It is strange that even the PM has failed to protect his own slogan by not reprimanding Nakhaie for undermining his efforts in fostering unity. It seems, Nakhaie has a free hand to bury Najib’s 1 Malaysia!

* P. Ramakrishnan is president of Aliran.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 5:53 am and is filed under
1Malaysia
,
Najib Razak
,
nation building
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


PAS vows to defend Pakatan states

By
Aidila Razak
 | Jun 3, 11

Malaysiakini

PAS today vowed to use “every ounce of their energy” to defend the four Pakatan Rakyat states from returning to the BN in the next general election.

“Let us all vow to defend Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor and Penang which we have governed together, with every once of our energy; let our sweat soak the earth, with high spirits and through God’s will, we will defend our victory,” said its president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Speaking to about 1,000 people at the opening ceremony of PAS’ muktamar (annual assembly) in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Abdul Hadi said the battle drums for the 13th general election can already be heard.

“We don’t know when it will be but I am hereby instructing the entire PAS machinery to be prepared to face general elections the very minute the muktamar concludes, by opening operation rooms and preparing for strategic activities that will be detailed out by the central election department,” he said.

Abdul Hadi also instructed all divisions to ensure that they have completed at least 70 percent of their programmes and to meet with as many voters as possible.

“All machinery must approach voters with patience…meet personally with them, as our message at ceramahs sometimes only reach our members,” he said.

The seasoned politician also urged the audience not to be disheartened by PAS’ string of defeats in by-elections and the recent Sarawak polls.

“The results did not favour us, but we had succeeded in expanding our reach and have opened more PAS branches.

“Realise that we are victorious even if only one person voted for us, even if we lose our deposit,” he said, quoting a hadith which states that showing one person to Allah’s path is worth more than the most expensive vehicle.

In an earlier speech, PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali said the fact that party polls went on as scheduled despite word of snap polls reflects maturity.

“PAS did not delay our party polls because we were confident that the members are mature enough that there will not be any negative implications feared by other parties,” he said.

He said that, to date, no complaints have been made to the secretariat of infringement in party election rules.

“I am confident this will be the case until the end of the process,” he said.

The youth and women wings held their selection yesterday, while central posts will be decided today.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 1:09 pm and is filed under
Pakatan Rakyat
,
PAS
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Perkasa, you have done enough

–
Dr Kamal Amzan

The Malaysian Insider

Jun 02, 2011

JUNE 2 — As a man of science, I am a sceptic and don’t believe in many things.

But I believe in the spirit of being a true blue, white and red Malaysian, not differentiated by skin colour or religion.

I believe that Malaysians should only be recognised by their citizenship and contribution to the country and not where our forefathers hail from, who’s equal rights are protected and upheld in the constitution.

I believe that this country is blessed and rich enough to be shared by all Malaysians who are mature enough to live together, without being antagonized by politicians every day. Today, politicians appear as a group of selfish, hypocrite Malaysians who lives like a king amongst paupers, burning racial sentiments that brings no benefit to the masses or the nation.

A group that never seems to learn who are the masters and who are the servants in a democratic society.

A group that is proving to be more and more irrelevant every day.

And last but never least, I believe in the power of the pen. A power that can bring out the best in people and break even the toughest of walls. Remember March 2008?

Many politicians have apparently forgotten that the power to change is with the rakyat.

To uphold those beliefs, tough pills and surgery must be prescribed to all.

Firstly, I call for the banning of all racially based NGOs and political parties. They have no business in this country. Perkasa comes to mind along with similar NGOs amongst the Chinese and Indian community.

The leaders and followers who refuse to call it a day should be punished and accorded the same treatment as criminals, traitors who incite hatred and social discord.

Newspapers and media who publish their views should be reprimanded, and, if necessary, their licence revoked.

If jail time is not warranted, they should be confined to inhabited islands where they can interact only with their own kind and of course the apes, should the monkeys be kind enough to befriend them.

They should be made to serve as a deterrent to others who have similar agenda and ideas.

Similarly I call for a single education system that forges the spirit of unity, tolerance and brotherhood amongst school children. Our cultures and languages should be taught in all schools and not selected ones. Boarding schools and universities must be open to all and no special treatments should be awarded except to those who excel academically.

Scholarships must be made available to the less fortunate. The government has no right to deny students with good results financial assistance if it continues to spend money on new palaces, space explorations, submarines, etc. Since our education system has deteriorated, it may be good to up the standards which will translate into awarding lesser A’s to students.

The poor must be accorded help regardless of race and religion. A Malaysian is a Malaysian no matter the skin colour and ancestral origin, no matter how you see it.

Any objections to such suggestions are a threat to our progress as a nation, and to our developing society as a whole.

Tough to swallow? Too bad. No time to mince words anymore.

I have said this before, but let me say it again.

I want my countrymen to be my brothers and sisters, living in an environment that promotes respect, tolerance, and celebration of each other’s differences, and not one that antagonise, suspect and oppress one another. This should be the country where we stand equally tall, speak equally loud and strive equally hard to realise each and every one of our dreams.

Wake up people, surgery is not over yet. I offer no apology for saying this and more.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 6:13 am and is filed under
1Malaysia
,
Najib Razak
,
nation building
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Polls to decide PAS’ future and Pakatan’s fate

Bridget Welsh
| Jun 2, 11

Malaysiakini

COMMENT

 Islamic party PAS is at a critical juncture in its history. The decisions at the party polls of the 57th Muktamar will – at least in the short term – resolve some of the conflicts that have been brewing within the party over its political direction and engagement.

The party delegates have a clear choice – to either transform PAS’ identity and embrace a bolder vision within multiethnic Malaysia or continue the current trajectory of limited dynamism and a conflicted direction.

It is likely that when the results are tallied in typical PAS fashion, some sort of compromise will be reached to accommodate the different groups.

Yet, what will be interesting to see is whether PAS’ rank-and-file gives the party greater clarity, that allows for the party to play a more prominent and dynamic national role, or whether they make a conservative turn that would be a serious blow to the future of Pakatan Rakyat, and arguably, PAS itself.

Returning to parochial politics?

Since 2008, PAS has been searching for how to play its role within Pakatan. It has boldly moved toward cooperation within the multiparty coalition (often unfairly labeled as playing second fiddle to other partners), embraced non-Muslim membership and more prominent roles for women and broadened its engagement on governance issues, essentially moving out of its exclusive focus on religious and moral issues.

Often PAS (when compared to Umno) has come off as the more liberal Malay party, engaging issues of social justice and intervening in statesmanlike fashion after sensitive and emotive racial issues flared, such as the 2010 church bombings.

PAS has not adopted the dangerous game of racial politics, and continued to build national bonds across communities. It has taken these measures, often without the full support of some of its members, and importantly, without the full understanding of many of its members that it has become a national party.

Yet over the last year, especially the last six months, the party has lacked clarity on policy, reverting to the old mode of advocating moral supremacy and over issues such as Valentine’s Day.

The move toward more conservatism and a return to the cocoon of kampong parochial politics with a narrow religious agenda in areas such as gambling and dress codes for non-Muslim journalists (issues that harp back to the narrow articulation of the Islamic state of 2004) reflects the loss of direction.

The compounding of losses in by-elections (most of which were not ‘winnable’ in the first place) has reinforced a sense of defeatism, and raised real concerns about PAS’ ability to win over its Malay base, especially in the rural areas.

Perceived gains by Prime Minister Najib Razak and Umno in the Malay heartlands have had their effect, pushing PAS to reassess its national engagement and electoral strategies. Many in PAS have been returning to the familiar strategies of old, forgetting that these strategies have also failed – in fact quite miserably.

The party polls this week thus come at an important time. The elected leaders from the youth and women’s wings to the central committee members will set the future direction of the party; they will determine how PAS plays its role in Pakatan and whether the party will become more dynamic and adopt policies that bridge, rather than divide, communities.

They will determine whether PAS will return to the old outdated moral supremacy policies or embrace a new and bold direction.

PAS’ future is closely intertwined in the various contests – the deputy presidency, the vice-presidents, the central committee and women’s leadership.

A narrow discussion of internal party dynamics contends the conservatives (traditionally labeled ulama) against the progressives – previously known as the professionals or more recently, Erdogans.

With the transformative changes in the Middle East, the label Erdogans has become less relevant and a closer look at the undercurrents suggests that the battle lines are more cross-cutting. There is much more going on than a simple divide as PAS is struggling to find itself.

Ulama remain dominant

A major issue that has dominated campaigning – at least for the top leadership posts – is whether the party should be led by the ulama (religious scholars). This issue came to the fore in 2010 with the release of a book by Mujahid Yusof, entitled ‘Menuju PAS Baru: Krisis, Peluang dan Dinamisme’.

It called for a re-evalution of the role of the ulama and received an outpouring of reactions, including two books challenging his arguments. The role of PAS as a national player post-March 2008 has brought this issue forward. Real questions have been being raised whether nationally, the Malaysian electorate will support an ulama prime minister.

The demands of governing – policy inputs and technocratic expertise – also have shown that PAS needs other types of leaders to get things done. In this election, the nature of PAS governance is being tested. Is PAS ready for a new model of national governance or is the resistance to change and interests involved too strong?

Given the intensity of the reaction toward any mention of transforming the role of ulama leadership, the party appears not quite ready for a new mold. Indeed, the ulama have fought back and pushed away challenges to their positions, as seen in the nomination process.

This is most obvious in the pressure to discourage competition at the youth level, assuring an ulama leader to remain at the helm. It is also shaping the contest for the deputy presidency, as some are questioning whether non-ulama Mat Sabu should hold that key post. He has clearly stated he is only interested in the deputy position in a move to offset reactions to the ulama leadership issue.

The nomination of the personable Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man reflects the momentum of ulama leaders ensuring that they continue to lead, as there is a sense that the incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa has lost the support of earlier years.

While some believe Nasharudin may win in the three-corner fight, it is a much more of an uphill battle for the incumbent this round.

Leadership transition on the way

The intensity of the campaign for the deputy presidency points to a growing sense of the need for a party leadership transition and to think beyond the Abdul Hadi Awang presidency. While Abdul Hadi is not likely to leave anytime soon, it now on the cards as the party is setting its direction on the matter.

One thing that distinguishes PAS from other parties in Malaysia is the role that its rank-and-file play in party leadership transitions. As issues surrounding what type of person should lead the party are being openly discussed, the members are acknowledging the need to put in place a new slate of leaders.

PAS chooses from those who have built their grassroots base and respect of the membership, and given the more democratic climate in the party, the selection process is not top-down as it is in Umno.

As such, this is why the party members are looking carefully at the slate of VPs. The competition is fierce for the three positions.

Concerns are being raised about who has ideas for governing, who has the ability to win national support and who can promote the party on the national stage. More so, who is the charismatic PAS leader that can lead the country?

These concerns also extend to the deputy presidency and all of the top positions. These are increasingly salient as Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim came under more attacks, raising the ante for Pakatan to bring to the fore alternative Malay leadership.

At the VP level, Salahuddin Ayub is deemed the top favourite due to his number of nominations, but is it anyone’s game now as a more reflective mood has set in due to the fact that the intense debate over ulama leadership has intertwined the deputy and VPs contests, with many delegates thinking about the slate of leaders elected rather than individuals.

Need to re-energise party

Another element that has received considerable attention has been the appreciation of the need to fight to deepen the struggle for PAS.

Ironically, as the party defeats at the polls have demoralised some, for others it has reinforced the need to ratchet up the response from the party to take on Umno more directly. As Najib has fought harder to hold onto power, it has touched a similar cord among PAS members.

Events in the Middle East have served to inspire many in PAS, especially in Tunisia and Egypt, where a willingness to go the streets to stand up to power has been etched in recent memory.

It is in this vein that Mat Sabu appeals to many. He represents the spirit of the streets of Cairo, putting himself in the frontline in the calls for justice. His ability to communicate effectively with the grassroots is unmatched among the contenders, while he simultaneously is able to connect to those outside of the party.

The prioritisation to re-energise the party is gaining ground among many in the party, especially the youth, and interestingly the women, who make up a much larger share of the voters in the party election than they have in the past.

In fact in the women’s leadership contest, activism and commitment to party work are also taking center stage, consolidating support around the team of Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof and Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud.

Many want leaders who can inspire, to build the base of the party, and thus commitment and charisma are underscoring another current that cross-cuts the intensification of the ulama leadership debate.

Personality and place crucial

Further complicating the campaign are long-standing personality struggles and regional competition. Some candidates are viewed as aloof and arrogant, while others are seen as personable, humble and accessible.

Tuan Ibrahim has won considerable support on the force of his personality alone, for example. All of the leaders however have done due diligence in the party hierarchy and are known commodities.

This hasn’t however prevented the rumour mill from bringing in issues of wealth and religious backgrounds, in what are increasingly personal character assassinations, albeit more measured than those leveled nationally against the opposition or in heated Umno contests.

What is interesting to watch is the different forms the discussions of personality are taking, moving beyond traditional quiet discourse at the mosque and over tea to Facebook, email and SMS.

The most important cliques are regional. Terengganu is facing off against Kelantan openly, as each of the states is lobbying actively. It is not uncommon for different states to seek representation and leadership. But what distinguishes the regional contestation this round is its close ties with other cleavages in the campaign.

Terengganu is seen to be allied with the more conservative groups, while Kelantan is seen to encourage more diversity and progressive views. A closer look suggests that even within these states, there are divisions.

In fact, in the three traditional core PAS states – Terengannu, Kelantan and Kedah – there are sharp divisions, thus empowering the western and southern states to decide the party’s fate, especially Selangor, Perak and Negeri Sembilan.

Whether these states will opt for a more conservative tack or a bold step toward more reform and openness will be crucial in determining the results.

Compromise or conservative turn

Since 2008 there has been a growing tension between different outlooks in PAS, between the more parochial Malay heartland worldview and a more national outlook that includes non-Muslims and appreciates differences among Malays in religious practice.

Most of the elected members of parliament in PAS are nationally oriented. Many in the party hierarchy are more parochial, viewing the party’s future from the shelter of the familiar. The revitalisation of the party in the western and southern states of Malaysia are bringing in new voices into the party.

The party election results in this 57th Muktamar will not be just about PAS’ governance, but its vision as a national party. While its commitment to Pakatan remains solid, for now, the election of leaders with more parochial outlooks will create pressure within Pakatan and raise real questions about the viability of the opposition coalition.

Differences within Pakatan will undermine their momentum for the next general elections, which arguably will be the most competitive in Malaysia’s history. In order for PAS to make political gains and hold onto its current seats (many of which come from mixed constituencies), a more inclusive, less rigid national outlook will be essential.

Parochialism will assure that the party will maintain its base, but limit its national role in the future. Interestingly, the states where PAS has been less strong traditionally will be decisive in shaping whether the party continues moving toward a larger national role.

PAS continues to abhor washing its divisions in public. Yet this election has been one of deep introspection, and many within the rank-and-file are cognisant of their importance.

It is likely that a compromise position will happen where ulama and progressives both gain, with personalities that can cooperate rather than compete against one another. Yet, personality, interests and parochialism remain strong forces buttressing a conservative turn for the party. This will split the party and would spell serious trouble for Pakatan.

PAS delegates have the power not only to shape their party’s future tomorrow, but to shape the future options for all Malaysians at the next general election.

DR BRIDGET WELSH is associate professor of political science at Singapore Management University. She will be at the PAS muktamar as an observer. Welsh can be reached at
[email protected]
.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 6:50 am and is filed under
PAS
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


RM450m Tambatuon dam controversy – Why MP Kota Belud never visited kampong? (3)

Twitter sequel Part 3

Part 1
 &
Part 2

limkitsiang Jun 02, 6:07pm

YB where is yr blog 2champion RM450m Tambatuon dam? >24 hrs oredi. Cld not even convince yrself after reading it in cold print? @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 8:27pm

My rebuttal of @limkitsiang >>> http://mpkotabelud.blogspot.com/2011/06/to-dam-or-to-be-damned-question-to-lim.html

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 8:31pm

Read http://bit.ly/k1akKq RT @limkitsiang: where is yr blog 2champion RM450m Tambatuon dam?

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 9:33pm

RT @ismawi: @mpkotabelud good argument, great article YB … YB Lim please read it Sir ….

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 9:34pm

RT @mrakunman: @mpkotabelud @limkitsiang awaiting 4 LKS response

limkitsiang Jun 02, 9:50pm

TQ 4yr blog piece @mpkotabelud by deft omission YB has virtually admitted: (1) u have not visited Kg Tambatuon even once since elected MP KB

limkitsiang Jun 02, 9:56pm

(2)YB had x visited KgT 4dialogue abt proposed RM450mil T dam which wld completely flood KgT/forced uprooting of 3 other kgs @mpkotabelud

limkitsiang Jun 02, 10:08pm

(3)YB remiss as MP x consulting KgT ppl who face destruction of traditional village by T dam.Q – r u MP KgT/KB or dam interests @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:15pm

@limkitsiang Answer my points in my blog lah YB. Don’t beat arnd the bush! R u concern abt the security of the nation? U r not 1st term MP

limkitsiang Jun 02, 10:17pm

(4) Y YB refused 2enter KgT even once in 3 yrs 2win over KgT ppl? Y SingkuiTinggi sacked as KgT Ketua Kg 4protesting agnst dam? @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:18pm

RT @limkitsiang: @mpkotabelud by deft omission YB has virtually admitted: (1) u have not visited Kg Tambatuon even once since elected MP KB

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:20pm

Singkui was replaced because he was convicted in native court. Not becoz of dam. See all ur facts wrong! Aiyoyo! RT @limkitsiang

limkitsiang Jun 02, 10:22pm

(5) I can arrange meeting in KgT 4YB 2dialogue w KgT ppl re T dam before Parliament meeting 13June. Is YB prepared 2meet them? @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:23pm

Kedah case is diff. Our KB needs the dam. I wish it aint so. RT @imokman: @mpkotabelud well written piece, YB, but pray tell, did Kedah become the rice bowl of Msia because of dams?

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:24pm

@limkitsiang obviously u were more concern on how many times I visited the kg (whch I hv by the way) than the plight of my poor ppl. Shame!

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:26pm

Sekinchan is one of a kind. Other areas can’t beat them. RT @imokman

limkitsiang Jun 02, 10:27pm

(6) YB raised in blog macro issue of food security. Many pts open 2debate. But pertinent Q is T dam 2flood KgT/relocate 3 kgs @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:28pm

First step. RT @imokman: @mpkotabelud 4 tons per acre

limkitsiang Jun 02, 10:31pm

(7) Have x exhausted rebuttals to YB’s case 4micro question of RM450 mil T dam.Let these b thrashed out in YB’s dialogue in KgT @mpkotabelud

dredwinbosi Jun 02, 10:34pm

@mpkotabelud r u sure the pop in Tambatuon is 550? Pl check. Its all about poor planning. People first or what?

limkitsiang Jun 02, 10:37pm

(8)Finally don’t look 4excuses as blame DAP as “instigators” 2oppose T dam 4two yrs. I visited KgT on 28/5 Sun 4fact-finding @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:37pm

Make substantive rebuttals pls. I don’t want to deal wt DAP cybertropper standard. Sorry. RT @dredwinbosi

__earth Jun 02, 10:38pm

@mpkotabelud @imokman why 4 tons though? some kind of benchmark obtained from somewhere?

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:41pm

@limkitsiang I am dissapopinted YB. U don’t address major points in my rebuttal. Tak apa saya faham. U need rest.

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:41pm

Starting point. RT @__earth: @mpkotabelud @imokman why 4 tons though? some kind of benchmark obtained from somewhere?

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 10:44pm

Off to Singapore now. Hope weather is fine there.

limkitsiang Jun 02, 10:45pm

How can YB agree 2destruction of KgT in yr constituency w/o visiting it? Ever visited Kg Ratau, Kg Bundu Paka, Kg Lingkubang? @mpkotabelud

limkitsiang Jun 03, 12:41am

Come! Come! Who believe u? How many times @mpkotabelud visited KgT last 3yrs? Date venue witnesses? MPs “save” their kgs but u destroy them

mpkotabelud Jun 03, 12:54am

@limkitsiang Thnk God u r not my PM. U don’t knw economics &u wud sell Msia to the highest bidder. I hv proven in my blog whc u cant refute.

mpkotabelud Jun 03, 12:55am

@limkitsiang I proved in my blog tht u don’t care abt the poor farmers in kbelud. Why? just becoz they are diff from u?

limkitsiang Jun 03, 1:08am

B humble @mpkotabelud admit gross negligence – nvr visited KgT 3yrs despite being in centre of RM450m T dam maelstrom 2dialogue w villagers

limkitsiang Jun 03, 1:15am

Satisfy KgT re T dam 1st as macro issue of nation’s food security cannot b justification 2make KgT ppl victims of development @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 03, 1:28am

@limkitsiang I am in Spore. Perhaps I shud ask KuanYew what makes u tick. Will he know? I mean u guys r practically kamcing brothers! No?

mpkotabelud Jun 03, 1:37am

Ok good point. But how 2hndle rice crisis whc will come sonner thn later? Gv us options RT@limkitsiang can’t make KgT ppl victims of dvlpmnt

mpkotabelud Jun 03, 1:39am

@limkitsiang If u can’t gv us alternatives, u r condemning my ppl to poverty forever &put the nation in grave danger at the same time. How?

limkitsiang Jun 03, 7:49am

KgT ppl prepared any day for next 9 days to dialogue with u on T dam issue. Wil u visit them for 1st time? RT @mpkotabelud: I am in Spore.

limkitsiang Jun 03, 8:02am

YB hv been giving shifty n shitty claims hving visited KgT. Specify them. Tell me, wats ur feeling on ur 1st visit to KgT? @mpkotabelud

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 10:03 am and is filed under
environment
,
Sabah
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


The 100 apologies that immortalised Blu Inc

By
Nathaniel Tan

June 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 3 — Malaysia makes the big news: “Social activist forced to tweet apology to corporation 100 times.”

I think that’s up there with the other international coverage we get — churches burned down, detaining parliamentarians without trial and banning yoga.

What actually happened

So this all began with a tweet by Fahmi Fadzil dated January 25: “My friend’s wife, who works at Female magazine, has tendered her resignation because they’re giving her so much shit because she’s pregnant.”

Female magazine is owned by Blu Inc Media and Magazines, who apparently got their knickers all in a twist upon learning of this tweet.

It sounds like some pressure was applied to all the parties involved, resulting in a follow-up tweet from Fahmi that very same day: “I would like to formally & unequivocally apologise to Blu Inc and Female mag for my tweets earlier today. All inconveniences are regretted.”

That’s quite a retraction — the likes of which you’d never see someone in, say, government making.

Was it convincing? Do we think that Blu Inc really mistreats its pregnant employees? Did Fahmi make a mistake, or was there overwhelming pressure on the various people involved to silence the controversy?

To be perfectly honest, I don’t know. I’m not in a position to comment about whether or not Blu Inc is a bad employer. I won’t pretend, however, not to be a bit suspicious, given the circumstances.

I can say that as dorky coincidence would have it, I have known Fahmi longer than most. He was a year my junior in high school, and as the incoming head prefect, I remember ceremoniously handing over my tie to him the day I took my last SPM paper (I was an emo 17-year -old). I have known him to be a man of integrity and, more importantly, a man of good intentions.

So, that’s how things stood at the end of January 25. So how did it end up with Fahmi having to tweet an apology 100 times?

Apparently Blu Inc threatened to take Fahmi to court and bring against him a defamation suit. The 100 tweets were apparently a compromise settlement.

Textbook PR disaster

As I and others have tweeted, this is clearly turning out to be a PR nightmare for Blu Inc — I would imagine the worst it has ever faced.

They have gone from a company most of us have probably never heard of, to the company credited with replacing “Mind Your Language’s” Indian “1,000 apologies sir” with a uniquely Malaysian “#100 apologies!”

Do they deserve all this bad press? I don’t know for sure, but being something of a practitioner in this industry as well, I can tell you — it doesn’t matter.

I don’t mean this in moral terms, but in practical ones — as in, justly or unjustly, they have pretty much been crucified in public opinion, and there may not be a whole lot they can do about it.

Remember that “cross” on Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s head-dress? You’d be amazed what people will believe.

The Internet, for better or for worse (probably the latter), has this tendency to sometimes exaggerate the worst excess of mob mentality. I say this while admitting fully to being guilty of having fanned some flames myself.

The case of the 100-storey megatower is the other classic example — once the great ball of hate and resentment starts rolling, things like facts and figures start to wield only the smallest influence, if that.

Indignation spreads like fire, and is amplified in ways and at speeds almost impossible prior to the invention of platforms such as Twitter.

The sad truth is, once it reaches a certain point, a negative image is anywhere from difficult to impossible to undo. After all, you don’t see any government officials trying to sell us on what a good idea the 100-storey megatower is, do you?

This very visible buzz soon finds its way to the press — print, broadcast, international — and it is soon on everyone’s lips.

Once again, I’m not really making any normative value judgments here — only making an observation about the way public perception works online.

This affair may not bring down Blu Inc (imagine, what must advertisers be thinking right now?), but I can’t say I would be 100 per cent surprised if the company is affected. Hard to sell magazines and advertising space with this kind of reputation.

Perhaps they’ll be best remembered as a cautionary tale in PR textbooks: “Chapter 3: How not to engage with social media.”

Conspiracy theorists even suggest that Fahmi and/or his avid tweeter lawyer Syahredzan Johan may have concocted this settlement with this end game in mind (I am reminded of Admiral Ackbar’s infamous “It’s a trap!”) but I for one certainly have no proof of that.

Take-home lessons

So what’s the takeaway lesson here? Twitter user though I may be, I shall shy away from excessive grandstanding and chest thumping along the lines of “Don’t mess with us, mofos!”

I think politicians, corporations and other entities that rely on good public relations should however take heed, and take some time to think through the consequences of their actions.

If social media is not something one understands, it’s perhaps best to consult with people a little more familiar with the landscape (mercenaries like me are always happy to help for a fee).

In Blu Inc’s case, in forcing Fahmi down this path, they’ve succeeded in portraying themselves as the Mercedes that ran over the kapchai motorbike. No matter whose fault the accident was, let’s just say it’s not looking so hot for the Mercedes.

What they can do now is come up with a full accounting of the case involving the pregnant employee, so that we can at least hear their version (it would be nice to hear from said employee and her husband as well, but that’s their choice I guess), and — unless they truly are gluttons for punishment — cease this bizarre insistence on the mimicry of Bart Simpson’s famous opening credits blackboard scribbling.

The court of public opinion is a truly fickle, dangerous thing — if you want to survive it, plan ahead and navigate it with great care.

As for Fahmi? At time of writing, it’s 18/100 and counting.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 12:30 pm and is filed under
IT
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


The clueless person’s guide to Sarawak

By
Erna Mahyuni

March 30, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

MARCH 30 — Hello, West Malaysians! Most of you have not visited the lovely state of Sarawak though you at least know that it’s not in the peninsula.

If you don’t know that, I am afraid there is no help for you so stop reading.

For the rest of you, you first need to know the following fact. Remember it. Commit it to memory.

Kota Kinabalu is not in Sarawak. No. It is the capital of Sabah so please get your geography straight. There is no faster way to alienate an East Malaysian than by mixing up Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu is in Sabah; Kuching is in Sarawak.

If you still find that hard to remember, imagine a big smiling fat cat in the chief minister’s office when you think of Sarawak. Geography teachers, feel free to thank me.

On to other essential facts for you West Malaysians to know so the natives will dislike you less.

1. Sarawak is the biggest state in Malaysia. 125,206 sq km. Sabah and Sarawak together form about 60 per cent of Malaysia’s total land mass. We like to believe that the concentration of idiots is more on your side, though. Perhaps we will send you over some orang utans to raise the collective IQ that has been brought down by all your politicians.

Also, do not call that Kinabatangan rep an ape. The apes will sue.

2. There is no “Bahasa Sarawak”. If you ask a native if they can speak Sarawak, they will look at you funny. There is, however, a funny colloquial kind of Malay some Sarawakians speak that is a funny mix of Brunei Malay. The natives will understand your Malay just fine.

A few words of the Sarawak Malay vocabulary:

Au: Yes (also used in Brunei)

Sik: No

Manok: Chicken

Kenak: Why

Kedakya: Like that

Bulak: Lie/falsehood/bull

Fun phrases to know: “Kenaknya kedakya?”, which means “Why is he/she like that?”, and “bulak kau” meaning “you’re making that up.”

3. Dayak is a collective term for more than one race. There are the land Dayaks or Bidayuh and the sea Dayaks, comprising the Iban. So please don’t assume everyone in Sarawak is a Dayak. There are also the Melanaus who may either be Muslim or non-Muslim, so do not make assumptions. On that note…

4. Leave all your assumptions about race and appearance at the immigration counter. That tanned Sarawakian could be non-Muslim so don’t stare at him when he has char siew in Kuching. That fair-looking person could be Sarawakian Malay so please do not be shocked if she greets you with the traditional Muslim salam.

5. Don’t get a Dayak started on land rights. Unless you understand how native land rights work, be cautious when entering into a discussion with a local. The local paranoia about losing native land is so ingrained and, unfortunately, justified.

Sarawak is very much like a foreign country for most West Malaysians. The food is different, the landscape is different and you will find that besides the clean modernity of Kuching, the rest of Sarawak looks like a backwater

But despite the lack of development, do yourself a favour and do not talk down to the locals. I have worked with people who assume that East Malaysians are country hicks and “stupid.” Sarawakians are proud of their state, love their local food and are generally intolerant of idiots who treat them like idiots.

Like you would anywhere else in the world, in Sarawak be polite, don’t assume and try not to act like an imbecile. This writer will not be held responsible if you ignore this advice and find yourself in a ditch somewhere in what is left of Sarawak’s timber reserves.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 9:04 am and is filed under
1Malaysia
,
Articles
,
Sarawak
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


There should be a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Sarbaini’s death at MACC

The authorities concerned should learn from the unsatisfactory outcome in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest and have a Royal Commission of Inquiry straightaway into senior Customs officer Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamad’s death – second fatal fall-from-height incident at MACC premises in the short history of MACC.

The conduct of the MACC, the police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Cabinet have been most unsatisfactory to date – taking two long months for the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to recommend that an inquest be held.

Clearly, the inquest proposal is strongly opposed by the MACC, which had right from the beginning disclaimed any responsibility for Sarbaini’s death – just as it had disclaimed responsibility for Teoh Beng Hock’s mysterious death falling from 14th floor of MACC hqrs at Shah Alam on July 16, 2009 – even suggesting that Sarbaini had committed suicide, just like in Teoh Beng Hock’s case: that Beng Hock committed suicide, or “honour suicide” and even making the outrageous suggestion  that DAP had murdered Beng Hock at the MACC hqrs!

MACC investigations director Datuk Mustafar Ali had  said Ahmad Sarbaini returned to the MACC building at 8.26am on April 6 without an appointment and had requested to meet the investigation officer without stating why.

The 56-year-old was found dead on the rooftop of the MACC building’s badminton court on the first floor on April 6 at about 10.20am, barely two hours after walking into the MACC office on Jalan Cochrane here.

Sarbaini’s family and friends have claimed it was impossible that he had committed suicide over the MACC investigations.

Ahmad Sarbaini’s family have expressed dissatisfaction with police investigations and claim his death is being covered up. They have also threatened to sue the MACC if police investigations into his death do not favour the family.

The very fact that the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers are proposing an inquest into Sarbaini’s death is another public slap-in-the-face for MACC and the latest development causing unchecked plunge in loss of public confidence in the efficiency, independence, integrity and professionalism of MACC in its two-and-a-half-year history.

As illustrated by the proceedings  of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh Beng Hock’s death, an RCI into Sarbaini’s is clearly not the best or most satisfactory solution – but definitely a better option than an inquest.

The Cabinet next Wednesday should take the bold decision to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Sarbaini’s death, all aspects of MACC investigation methods and procedures, instead of dilly-dallying with an even more unsatisfactory inquest solution.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 6:36 pm and is filed under
Corruption
,
Human Rights
,
Teoh Beng Hock
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Will we vote for Ibrahim Ali?

–
Lucius Goon

The Malaysian Insider

Jun 02, 2011

JUNE 2 — This is a serious question. Will we vote for Ibrahim Ali?

I believe this is a relevant question for Malaysians to ponder because with each passing day this Perkasa mouthpiece seems to have pushed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other Cabinet ministers from the mainstage of decision-making and politics.

After watching the local political scene for a few months, we can conclude a few things: Ibrahim is Umno and Umno loves Ibrahim.

Najib is scared of upsetting Ibrahim and Perkasa, probably out of some fear that the right-wing group can influence the outcome of how Malays vote and/or concern that not bowing to Ibrahim’s wishes will upset Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, supporter and patron of Perkasa.

Ibrahim has an inordinate influence in government, not proportionate to his intelligence or his standing as a so-called “independent” MP.

In recent weeks, Perkasa has forced Najib to change the pre-qualification criteria for the MRT contract and allow untested and probably politically-connected contractors to be able to bid for the lucrative contracts. Just imagine, this is like the office peon telling the company CEO who should be allowed to bid for a project.

And now Ibrahim is warning Najib against allowing UDA to go ahead and develop the former Pudu Jail land.

This is coming in the wake of Ibrahim threatening a crusade against Christians for a non-existent plot to take over the country. (Incidentally, are the police still investigating the case or have they decided to give Utusan Malaysia/Perkasa/Umno bloggers a free pass).

Then there was the threat by Ibrahim to hammer MCA for speaking out on the scholarship fiasco.

In every one of the episodes listed, Ibrahim either has been supported by Umno openly or has been allowed to molest the constitution and the decency of Malaysians by the inaction of Najib.

So in the final analysis I have to surmise that Ibrahim represents Umno and the party’s worldview.

So by extention, a vote for Ibrahim is a vote for Umno and a vote for Umno is a vote for Ibrahim.

Will you vote for Ibrahim Ali?

                This entry was posted on Friday, 3 June 2011, 6:21 am and is filed under
1Malaysia
,
Mahathir
,
Najib Razak
,
nation building
,
Perkasa
,
UMNO
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Consideration for the Construction of Dam in Kota Belud

By
Iskandar Basha Abdul Kadir

4 June 2011

Dear Yb Rahman,

Thank you for writing about the Jelapang Padi Initiative in your blog.

The key objective and the Complimentary/Spin-Off objectives that you have stated in your blog are as follows:

Key Objective

To become self sufficient in rice production for national security. This includes price control and distribution within Malaysia.

Complimentary/Spin-off Objectives

Flood control n mitigation, hydro power, clean water for consumption, tourism, multiplier effects, jobs, etc

For the sake of all Malaysians, you want the above objectives to be successful.

Yes, some need to be called upon to make sacrifices for the larger good.

In this case, the affected families at Kampung Tambatuon may be the sacrificial lamb if the studies support it.

To partially alleviate their pain, compensation will be offered for their losses (even though some are priceless).

Is building a RM500mil Dam – the best approach?

To answer the above question, as they say, the devil is in the details. So, lets look into the details as given/referenced by you.

The
key objective
is to reach self sufficiency of rice production.

We are already producing about 65% of our need now. Thus the requirement is how to get the remaining 35% without being dependent on external parties (other countries).

We can then safely say, the whole Jelapang Padi Initiative is to tackle the 35% shortage.

You have referenced this information: http://christopherteh.com/blog/2010/07/18/will-malaysia-achieve-100-self-sufficiency-in-rice-by-2015/

Based on the above report, Yield (ton/hectare) for Australia is 8.7, Japan 6.4, China 6.3, Vietnam 4.7 and Indonesia 4.6. For Malaysia it is 3.3 only. The report also indicates that for our self sufficiency, our yield needs to be improved to 5.0.

So, is there another way to meet the
key objective
? The answer is a resounding YES.

All we need to do to our
existing acreage
is to improve the Yield factor from 3.3 to 5.0 tons per hectare. If Australia, Japan and China can do it, so can we. Even Vietnam and Indonesia is closer to 5.0. Further, it is reported that some areas in Malaysia can even get up to 10ton per hectare!

The next piece of information that you have provided is about the existing 25,000 acre of Jelapang in Kota Belud. You said that this acreage is low yielding between 1.0 to 1.8. You further said that the government had already invested
RM150million
in Kota Belud jelapang. What is the result of this investment? How much has the yield improved?

Conclusion

The key objective can be met by simply improving the yield factor by 51.4% from 3.3 to 5.0. This alone will more than cover the 35% shortfall. To meet the Complimentary/Spin-Off objectives, other more appealing measure should be taken to meet the rakyat’s welfare.

The justification for considering a Dam is not supported by the information you have provided.

ISKANDAR

——————————————————————————————————–

To Dam or To Be Damned? A question to Lim Kit Siang

By Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan

MP for Kota Belud

2 June 2011

The proposed construction of a dam in Kota Belud has drawn so many responses. The latest is from DAP parliamentary leader, YB Lim Kit Siang who visited Kota Belud for a few hours to celebrate Kaamatan festival several days ago.

As usual, without wasting any time, Lim Kit Siang launched into a political tirade, delivering  vicious broadside on the BN government and tongue lashing the local YBs including yours truly ( I am the MP for Kota Belud). He took great pains to convince the public of the purported cruelty and heartlessness of the wicked BN government. He accused the government of trying to obliterate Kampung Tambatuon from the map of Sabah for no apparent reason at all.

While I like to consider myself as a person who could handle barrage of criticism, I find myself feeling disgusted at Lim Kit Siang’s sheer ignorance and lack of understanding of the issue.

To understand why the government mooted the idea of having a dam in Kota Belud, one needs to revisit agriculture Malaysia circa the 60s and 70s and the recent food crisis experience of year 2007/2008.

In the 60s and 70s Malaysia had been able to produce up to 90% of its rice requirement. The world prices and supply of rice were relatively stable. There were no major food crisis which resembled panic buying and depleting stockpiles except for a one or two brief occasions.

But by the 80s onwards, Malaysia (and the rest of the world for that matter) had been developing quite rapidly. The economy was booming, factories were humming and people by and large were more healthier and wealthier. Without doubt, industrialization of the nation was in full swing.

By the turn of the millineum, demand for food including rice started to rise exponentially in conjuction with increasing population and wealthier citizens. At the same time, more and more lands which could have been used to plant rice, were alienated to be industrial areas (which provide jobs) and housing estates. Infact, more lands were opened for palm oil and rubber plantation than for rice cultivation.

In 2007 and 2008, Malaysia and the world had experienced critical food shortage phenomenon, coupled with steep hikes in rice prices. There were several reasons for this. Rice exporting countries to Malaysia like Thailand and Vietnam suddenly curtailed their rice exports to ensure local demands in those countries were met. Severe weather related flooding and dry spells also resulted in massive crop failure and crop infestation problem in world’s populous countries like China and Bangladesh. This in turn forced them to procure more rice from the international market and thus putting more upward pressure on rice prices.

Observing this phenomenon closely (and nervously), many countries inadvertently exarcebated the acute supply of rice worldwide when they decided to increase the quantity of their rice stockpile (Malaysia raised its national rice stockpile from 92,000 tons to 292,000 tons). This extraordinary demand pushed world’s rice price to ever more dizzying heights.

Rice prices nearly tripled from USD362 a tonne in December 2007 to almost USD1,000 in April 2008 as stocks fell to 30-year lows amid surging global demand (according to International Rice Research Institute). There was a 30% jump in prices in Bangkok in a single day, and rice riots in Ho Chi Minh over a weekend. Egypt, the Philiphines, Haiti, Camerron and a host of other countries were struggling in handling the rice crisis. Almost suddenly, the world food crisis was a real threat to national security!

Although by 2009 the international prices of rice had somewhat stabilized (eventhough they were still higher compared to pre-crisis time), the trauma of the food crisis had left its mark in the psyche of Malaysians. Will Malaysia have another round of food supply crisis? Will there be panic buying and hoarding? Will the prices of rice skyrocketed so severly? Will Malaysia be again placed at the mercy of rice exporting foreign countries? Will Malaysians run out of rice if the crisis resurfaces in the future?

The government moved in quickly to allay fears of Malaysians. It initiated  immediate plans to increase the national capacity to produce rice. This target was made into a firm commitment by the government in 10th Malaysia Plan when it said in the document, ” Food security will be strategically addressed!”. More funds were made available to the rice production sector as well as indentifying more lands to be cultivated with rice.

When the government was looking for more lands to plant paddy, it naturally turned to Sabah and Sarawak which still have ample lands. All eyes were on Kota Belud’s vast but unproductive 25,000 acres of paddy fields.  Kota Belud was chosen as one of the areas to be further developed to help Sabah (30% self sufficiency) and the nation (70% self-sufficiency) avert future rice supply crisis.

The government had then ordered massive infrastructure undertaking to transform Kota Belud into the nation’s newest ricebowl (jelapang padi). The government wanted the 25,000 acres ( approximately 10,000 hectares) of fertile lands in Kota Belud to produce up to 4 tons of rice per acre (currently about 1 to 1.8 tons per acre).

In order to achieve such ambitious plan, the government wanted to quickly upgrade Kota Belud’s irrigation, management, technology and machinery. In the first year of implementation (2009/2010), the government spent approximately RM150 million. But that was just the beginning and it was not enough. For the plan to succeed, there must be new and adequate sources of water supply to irrigate those 25,000 acres of lands. Hence, the idea of the dam was mooted.

Without this dam, there is no other way to adequately irrigate the massive area of paddy fields. Some NGOS claim the irrigation can be done without building any dams. As of today, I am yet to see any proofs to back up their claim. But one thing for sure the volume of river flows in time of draught is not sufficient to cater for the water needs of 25,000 acres. A dam is needed to store up huge volume of water to be released in time of dryspells.

One of the most important objectives when the jelapang padi and the dam become reality, is that the thousands of Kota Belud poor paddy farmers will now be able to produce 4 tons of paddy per acre or 200,000 tons in two seasons every year. If the rice price maintains around RM1,000 per ton, this means every year the Kota Belud’s rice bowl will be able to contribute RM200 million into the local gross income! Some of this money will end up in the hands of local traders, further reinvigorating the local economy with multiplier effect, providing more jobs and bright future for the younger generation. Soon such huge annual income will eventually shed Kota Belud’s unflattering title as “One of the poorest districts in Malaysia”.

Apart from ensuring enough water to be diverted to the paddy fields, the dam will also have several other benefits. Firstly, it will be able to prevent perennial problems of floodings in greater area of Kota Belud by controlling the water flow of the river during rainy season. The recurring flood problem has done untold damages to properties and crops in Kota Belud every year. Secondly, since independence, Kota Belud has been experiencing electricity power shortages due to development and sprouting new housing areas. This dam could be used to generate hydro power in the future. Thirdly, with the anticipated huge amount of water in the dam’s reservoir, part of it can be used to provide treated water supply for human consumption. And fourthly, the dam will become a tourist attraction, giving boost to Kota Belud’s tourism. The man made lake will attract sightseers and activities like fishing and camping.

When the plan to turn Kota Belud into a productive Jelapang Padi was mooted by the government, the District Office, the relevant agencies and the local YBs including myself, discussed the plan extensively in many meetings. We called the consultant to give us a briefing especially on the government’s proposal to build the dam. (Infact, I remember seeing the Ketua Kampung Tambatuon and the Chairman of the JKKK attending the meetings as well).

The consultant showed us an aerial map of several potential and suitable locations for the dam. Actually there were a few of them. Each one of the locations was discussed at great length with the intention to single out the one that had the least negative impact to the environment and the affected villagers. The consultant told us some of the other locations would involve flooding even bigger area and affecting several kampungs. Some spots required construction of higher dam walls which would be costly and structurally unstable.

After extensive discussions, the consultant zeroed in on Kampung Tambatuon as the spot with least destructive to nature and man. Even as the consultant based his findings on his technical observations, the YBs expressed concern about the well being of the affected villagers and the environmental impact. We asked for indepth studies to be conducted to determine whether Kampung Tambatuon was really suitable or not. This exercise would require the consultant to go on field trips to Kampung Tambatuon.

This is where the whole thing has ground to a halt at the moment. The villagers, despite  assurances that the government will only proceed if the environmental and the societal study are positives, have refused to even allow the consultants to set foot in the kampung to do the studies!

The government has repeatedly said that the project is still in its infancy and that Kampung Tambatuon will only be chosen if the Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) and societal survey prove positively. The villagers have jumped the gun too early. Click here

I am amuse reading statements coming from oppostion leaders and Suhakam over this issue. All of them demand the government to look into how the dam may affect the lives of the villagers and to do EIA study before proceeding with the dam (click here). I am absolutely in agreement with their call. But how do we do it? Doesnt this require the consultants to go to the ground and do test and survey both on the land and the community? On one hand they ask studies to be done, and on another hand they instigate the villagers to block the consultants from coming to the village. I am utterly baffled.

Lim Kit Siang incessantly questioned why no discussions were held with the villagers themselves. All local YBs have met the “Jawatankuasa Bertindak” which was formed specifically by the villagers themselves to represent their interest. Infact, the Ketua Kampung and  JKKK Chairman have all been briefed by district office. There is no doubt that the concerns of the villagers have been heard loud and clear. I believe the memorandum that was given by the Jawatankuasa Bertindak to all YBs as well as to the Chief Minister have essentially captured the gist, essence and substance of their objections.

Given the fact that it is now become highly politicised issue (thanks to opposition political rhetorics), we feel it is better to wait for the EIA report and the government proposed compensation terms before meeting the villagers. At least with the EIA and compensation terms made known, the villagers can consider them and all parties can use that as the basis to have productive meeting. Without the EIA and compensation terms, very likely any meeting with the villagers will only be repeating what has been  said by the village leaders and the Jawatankuasa Bertindak in the numerous meetings previously.

No YB worth his salt likes to see a village in his constituency destroyed or his constituents being resettled. But resettlement of communities have been done before. From preventing communist influence in pre-independence Malaysia (new villages) to current day building of highways and MRTs in urban areas, people affected by the government’s projects have to move and resettle elsewhere. This is not the first time and certainly wont be last. I dare DAP  to put in their election manifesto that if they form the government, no person will be resettled whatsoever to make way for development and construction of crucial public infrastructures. Not even for national security!

For the life of me, I cant understand why Lim Kit Siang refuses to acknowledge the necessity to have food security for the country. Does he want Malaysians to go through the rice crisis panic which happened in 2008 when supplies of rice to Malaysia were badly affected due to export restrictions? Does he want Malaysians to go through another crisis where the national rice stockpile could only lasted for two weeks? Does he even care whether Malaysians have rice for food or not in the future? Will he  take full responsibility if Malaysians are faced with acute shortage of rice supply and high prices? These are hard questions that need to be answered by “leaders” not “politicians”. Sadly Lim Kit Siang is more the later than the former.

I like to reiterate once more that no kampung has been identified as the final location of the dam. More studies must be done before any location is chosen including Kampung Tambatuon. But I believe the people as a whole understand that there is no progress or eradication of poverty if there is no development, which at times require migration, resetllement and restructuring of communities. Of course as responsible YBs, we will ensure the government gives adequate and fair compensation the the villagers and that their welfare is not sidelined. Government must recognise that this people will be sacrificing their village for the greater good of the nation. Perhaps the villagers affected can demand for better houses and systematic infrastructure and amenities. Maybe villagers can insist new school, shoplots, balai polis and klinik desa  to be part of the deal. All I am saying is talk to the government. Afterall, if they wait for normal progress of development, they may need to wait for years before the government can bring this development to them. Whatever it is, on that note, the local YBs will ensure that the affected villagers are not sacrificing their land for pittance.

In short, the objectives of the jelapang padi and the construction of the dam can be summed up this way. In one fell swoop, the government hopes the construction of the dam and the success of the jelapang padi will help eradicate Kota Belud’s poverty, bring development and wealth, solve water supply to the people of Kota Belud, solve elctricity shortages, solve the country’s food security threat and generate employment for the locals. Nothing sinister at all (as claimed by Lim Kit Siang) about the government’s motive.

Unfortunately Lim Kit Siang has no qualms to forever condemn the rural people of Kota Belud to perpetual poverty. He refuses to see the benefits of the dam and the Jelapang Padi. He will always play politics even at the expense of the poor people and the security of the nation. I remember how he always pride himself as being “Malaysian First”. But now everyone can see he is actually “Politician First, Malaysian A Distant Second”.

Lim Kit Siang rightly pointed the need for YBs to fight for the interest of the people he represent above everything else.  But in this case any YB will find himself sandwiched between the interest of the villagers ( about 550 of them ) and the greater interest of tens of thousands of poor farmers in Kota Belud as well as millions of Malaysians. How do you balance this delicate moral question? Do you compromise the welfare of the few (while ensuring they are adequately and fairly compensated) for the benefit of the larger population and the future of the nation or do you play politics and thus putting the nation at risk? I dont blame Lim Kit Siang if he is unable to answer this moral question. Afterall, he is always been an urban YB and never hold any government positions which at times requires him to make tough decisions such as this.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 4 June 2011, 10:01 am and is filed under
environment
,
Sabah
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Hadi calls for unity as PAS gears up for snap polls

By
Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

June 04, 201 | The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang told PAS to be united and gear up for the coming general election after his Islamist party experienced its most hotly-contested polls in recent history.

The party president also congratulated the delegates and candidates for showing maturity in accepting the election results gracefully.

“We lead as a collective and not individuals.

“It is the delegates who make changes in the party and not the leaders. The party’s policy won’t change but the strategy will,” he told delegates today.

Mohamad Sabu won the party deputy presidency today with 420 votes, leading a group of progressive leaders to counter conservatives who prefer to link up with Umno.

The Penang-born Mohamad defeated incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa, who received only 224 votes, and vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who came second with 399 votes. A total of 1,100 delegates voted in this year’s party elections.

In the vice-presidential race, incumbent Salahuddin Ayub took top spot with 753 votes, Datuk Husam Musa was second with 660 votes while another incumbent Datuk Mahfuz Omar kept his post with 616 votes.

The party poll was billed as a contest between the party’s conservative ulama faction and the professionals (dubbed the Erdogans in a reference to progressive Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan).

Hadi (picture) stressed that his new cabinet is an election cabinet and reiterated the party’s loyalty to Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

“PAS is the most experienced and oldest party in Pakatan Rakyat. We have been the government at the federal and state level. We have been through many political tests and they have given us their trust.

“They continue to trust us and has given three states (Kedah, Kelantan and Perak) for PAS to govern,” he said.

Yesterday, Hadi put an end to any question of the party leaving PR for Umno despite whispers of unity talks between the Malay parties emerging early this year.

Hadi said PAS must end Umno’s culture of dirty politics as the party did not stand for Islam or the Malay community because it only wanted to retain power at any cost.

Political analysts are speculating that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is likely to delay snap polls until the end of this year or early 2012.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 4 June 2011, 6:10 pm and is filed under
General
,
Pakatan Rakyat
,
PAS
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


‘Lucky’ Mat Sabu aims to take PAS to wider audience

By
Kow Gah Chie & Salhan K Ahmad

Jun 4, 11 | MalaysiaKini

Newly-elected PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said that he will take the mandate to place the Islamic party in the national mainstream by appealing to non-Malays and non-Muslims.

This, he said, is especially important in light of the upcoming general election.

“You can’t win elections just on the back of Malay support. I will endeavour to garner more support from non-Muslims using the Pakatan Rakyat platform,” said the popular grassroots leader.

Considering himself “lucky to have garnered grassroots support” in the three-way fight, the Penangite believes that he can strengthen the Islamic party’s relationship with Pakatan Rakyat.

Responding to claims that professionals have ousted the ulama from leadership, Mat Sabu insisted that PAS is still under the direction of the ulama who provide guidance through the syura council.

Kelantan senior exco member Husam Musa (left), who was elected vice-president today, said that the results show that the delegates understand the current political climate.

“The rakyat want politics which is reasonable and fair to a multicultural society so we need to convince both Malays and non-Malays that if there is a power shift, PAS is stable and inclusive,” he said.

Like Mat Sabu, Husam brushed off the ulama-professional dichotomy, saying that there was never any intention to sideline the ulama.

“I am not exactly a professional myself and (returned vice-presidents) Salahuddin (Ayub) and Mahfuz (Omar) and I were raised in ulama teachings,” he said.

For ousted deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa (left), the results show that there is still room for ulama in the party.

“There is quite a mixture in the line-up, although the number of ulama is getting smaller. If (the delegates) reject ulama there will be no representation but there are still a few names (in the central working committee),” he told reporters.

He added that the voice of the ulama is still strong in PAS because of the influential Syura Council, of which he is part.

Respecting the decision of the delegation, Nasharudin also said that the fact that the Ulama Council leaders were uncontested in the wing’s polls showed the stability among the ulama ranks.

Meanwhile, information chief Idris Ahmad, who missed out on the vice-president spot by about 100 votes, denied that the victors are ‘Anwarites’ who showed their ardent support of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“No, this is just what the media says. The media also said the contest was heated, but I didn’t feel it. I accept (the defeat) with an open heart. I still have a lot of work to do in PAS,” he said.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 4 June 2011, 6:07 pm and is filed under
Pakatan Rakyat
,
PAS
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Mengalu-alukan kenyataan Presiden PAS tentang Negara Islam

By
Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

June 04, 2011

4 JUN — Selamat bermuktamar kepada PAS dan tahniah kepada yang diberikan amanah. PAS adalah tonggak politik negara. PAS adalah nafas umat Islam dalam berpolitik di negara ini.

Saya mengalu-alukan kenyataan YB Presiden PAS DS Abdul Hadi Awang semalam yang menyebut: “Apa yang penting adalah pelaksanaan. Kalau letak jenama saja tak laksana tak ada faedah. Kita mulakan dengan pelaksanaan negara berkebajikan, itu ada dalam Al-Quran, Dia tak sebut negara Islam, Dia sebut negara berkebajikan”.

Bagi saya ini adalah satu kemajuan yang memberangsangkan dalam PAS. Dalam masa yang sama bererti PAS terus bersama dengan gerakan Islam lain di dunia ini yang mula keluar dari rethoric negara Islam kepada realiti kenegaraan yang sebenar yang diperlukan oleh manusia.

Ya, tiada dalam Islam istilah negara Islam atau daulah Islamiyyah atau islamic state seperti yang disangka oleh sesetengah pihak. Ia satu istilah yang muncul ketika kebangkitan umat Islam menghalau penjajah (decolonization). Sebelum itu, kitab-kitab fekah Islam hanya menyebut Darul Islam atau wilayah Islam yang merujuk kepada wilayah yang dikuasai oleh umat Islam ketika itu.

Apabila perkataan ‘daulah Islamiyyah’ atau Islamic state muncul, kemudian diikuti dengan kebangkitan Revolusi Syiah di Iran, maka perkataan daulah islamiyyah atau Islamic state ini mula dipopular oleh para pejuang politik islami di seluruh dunia. Disebabkan istilah ini juga mereka berbalah bahkan menuduh pihak lain kurang islam disebabkan tidak bersama dalam perjuangan menegakkan daulah islamiyyah atau negara Islam itu. Walaupun kadang-kala pertentangan ada asasnya, namun sebahagiannya hanya disebabkan perbezaan istilah yang dipakai.

Cuma, sekian lama ramai gerakan Islam yang memperjuangkan istilah ini, mereka masih gagal menetapkan satu takrifan yang jelas dan realistik.

Gambaran yang terlalu ideal tentang kenegaraan menjadikan ‘negara Islam’ itu bagaikan satu khayalan yang tidak berpijak di bumi nyata.

Kita boleh lihat khayalan Hizbul Tahrir yang cuba berkembang di negara kita pada hari ini. Ia bolehlah dikatakan utopia state yang hanya wujud diminda, tidak mungkin pada realitinya.

Alhamdulillah, apabila gerakan Islam — sebahagian mereka- benar-benar terlibat sendiri secara langsung dengan politik kenegaraan, maka mereka mula sedar tentang realiti sebenar sesebuah pemerintahan.

Kembali mereka merujuk kepada al-Quran dan hadis, juga amalan para khalifah Islam yang mendapat petunjuk (al-Khulafa al-Rasyidin), maka mereka akhir jelas mengapa perkataan ‘negara islam’ atau daulah islamiyyah itu tidak wujud atau tidak disebut.

Politik kenegaraan dan seninya sentiasa berubah mengikut keperluan suasana. Namun, prinsipnya kekal. Ini kerana Islam satu agama realistik. Perjuangan politik dalam Islam, bukanlah perjuangan menegakkan jenama negara, tetapi menegak tanggungjawab dan prinsip-prinsip keadilan yang dikehendaki oleh Allah dan rasulNya.

Bukan penting pada jenama, tetapi pada isinya. Islam agama yang menjamin keadilan, keamanan, memelihara rakyat dari munkar dan menegakkan kebaikan, menyebarkan kebajikan dan seterusnya. Itulah negara yang dikehendaki oleh Islam.

Soal mekanisme hukum –sama ada hudud atau tidak- dibincangkan setelah ditegakkan prinsip dan tanggungjawab utama, diwujudkan suasana yang condusive yang memungkin keadilan dan keindahan hukum itu berfungsi.

Bukan masanya lagi. Tangguhkan dahulu isu-isu makanisme, tumpukan kepada tanggungjawab dan prinsip utama kenegaraan.

Sekian lama istilah negara Islam memisahkan PAS atau menyukarkan parti itu bergerak lebih kehadapan, namun hari ini- dengan kenyataan YB Presiden akan memberikan nafas baru yang lebih luas dan fleksibel kepada PAS.

Cumanya, saya sedang meneliti apakah maksud ‘negara kebajikan’ yang hendak diwujudkan. Saya percaya Presiden PAS ada kerangka yang jelas.

Ahli-ahli hendaklah difahamkan terlebih dahulu sebelum membicarakannya secara meluas. Ini kerana welfare state mempunyai pelbagai gambaran.

Secara umum, dunia memahami welfare state adalah negara-negara yang memakai nordic model seperti Norway, Denmark, Sweden dan lain-lain.

Mungkin PAS ada model yang tersendiri. Apapun saya merasakan PAS akan dapat melangkah dengan lebih jauh dengan kenyataan tersebut.

* Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin adalah pensyarah di Universiti Sains Malaysia dan bekas Mufti Perlis.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 4 June 2011, 7:10 pm and is filed under
Islam
,
Islamic state
,
PAS
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Meniarap (planking) membantah kenaikan kadar elektrik

By
Roketkini

4 June 2011

MUAR, 4 JUN – Marah dengan kenaikan kadar elektrik? Geram kerana harga barang juga akan turut  naik? Bengang tapi tak pasti apa nak buat?

Apa kata tindakan kerajaan Barisan Nasional itu dibantah dengan mengambil gambar aksi “planking” atau meniarap di kawasan umum (asalkan bukan di tengah jalan raya yang sesak atau di litar perlumbaan Sepang sewaktu motosikal atau kereta sedang laju bersaing) dan dihantar ke laman sosial maya Facebook?

Juga pastikan apabila mengambil gambar aksi planking itu, ia  tidak menghalang lalu lintas atau mengganggu ketenteraman awam. Planking yang merupakan aksi meniarap dengan merapatkan kedua-dua tangan dan lengan di sisi badan di tempat awam adalah fenomena bantahan biasa di seluruh dunia sejak sedekad lalu.

Ahli Parlimen Bakri
Er Teck Hua
dari DAP Johor telah memulakan kempen planking beliau dengan cara yang tersendiri untuk disebarkan melalui internet.

Selain mengadakan tunjuk perasaan, menghantar memorandum kepada kerajaan dan mengkritik tindakan menaikkan kadar elektrik itu melalui laman-laman web, Er menggalakkan warga siber supaya menyertai kempen bergambar planking.

Gambar-gambar itu boleh diambil di depan mana-mana pejabat cawangan Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) atau di mana adanya logo TNB sebagai latar. Gambar-gambar itu boleh dihantar ke halaman ria yang disediakan oleh Er di:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Plank-for-unreasonable-tariff-hike/206179569419312

Er yang juga Pengarah Pendidikan Politik DAP Johor menjelaskan bantahan terhadap kenaikan kadar elektrik itu perlu dibuat kerana ia dilaksanakan secara tidak adil dan membebankan rakyat yang sudah tertekan dengan kegawatan ekonomi semasa.

Katanya, kenaikan itu tidak adil dan tidak telus kerana rakyat tidak didedahkan kepada butir-butir perjanjian pembelian tenaga di antara TNB dan syarikat-syarikat penjana tenaga bebas (IPP) .

“Kerajaan perlu mendedahkan butir-butir perjanjian itu untuk memastikan kenaikan kadar elektrik bukan untuk memberi keuntungan kepada IPP,” katanya, menegaskan rakyat tidak patut dibebankan oleh masalah yang dicipta sendiri oleh kerajaan. – Roketkini.com

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 4 June 2011, 6:52 pm and is filed under
DAP
,
Economics
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Some lessons from PAS muktamar

By
The Malaysian Insider

June 04, 2011

JUNE 4 — Beyond the headlines in the past few days, some interesting facts and storylines have been thrown up by the PAS elections. These include:

Lesson Number 1: For all the stereotyping of PAS as a party of backward religious types, these elections have shown that the Islamic political party is committed to democratic principles.

In the months before the polls, it was clear that this was going to be a tough and possibly acrimonious polls between the religious class and the progressives. Some argued that the PAS leadership should have postponed the bruising elections in view of coming general elections.

No way.

PAS went ahead with the party elections, believing that electing leaders is a crucial part of democracy. Unlike Umno who has postponed its party elections for fear of infighting. Unlike the MCA which has also postponed its party election.

Sure, the PAS leadership may have their work cut out in bridging gap between the ulamas and the progressives but would you prefer politicians who delay tackling an issue or those who confront issues headlong?

Lesson Number 2: Calling all future election candidates: if you want to win a contest, engineer it so that Utusan Malaysia and the mainstream media will campaign for your opponent.

In the run up to the PAS elections, Utusan Malaysia campaigned for Nasharuddin Mat Isa and others in the ulama class, believing that this group was more amenable to working with Umno.

Not a day went by without Utusan Malaysia talking up the need for PAS to be run by the ulamas (a curious happening given that the paper’s owner ridicules PAS’s brand of Islam).

So what happens? Nasharuddin the incumbent number 2 is soundly beaten by Mat Sabu, a PAS veteran who enjoys close ties with Lim Guan Eng and Anwar Ibrahim. Also, Husam Musa — a favourite target of Utusan Malaysia — got in as one of the three vice-presidents.

Perhaps this is another sign of the waning influence of Utusan, a paper read and believed only by Umno members. This fact should worry Umno because its mouthpiece is losing the ability to shape opinion outside hardcore party supporters.

Lesson Number 3: You didn’t hear Ustaz Hadi Awang speaking about Malay rights, about apportioning contracts to Malay business, about banning the Bible, about crushing Christians.

What you heard during the presidential address was some idea about a welfare state which PAS wants to introduce if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power; on how Umno had corrupted and made Malays unthinking,etc.

Basically, you did not have table thumping and fire and brimstone speeches and threatening gestures you find at the Umno assembly.

Point is that the PAS leaders may not come across as urbane or sophisticated but they seem to dislike playing the race card. That is refreshing in this racially polarised country.

And reflects what Islam is all about. Or for that matter, the PAS that wants to govern Malaysia.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 4 June 2011, 6:17 pm and is filed under
Pakatan Rakyat
,
PAS
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.


Victory of the ‘Erdogans’ bodes well for Pakatan

By
Bridget Welsh

Jun 4, 11 | MalaysiaKini

COMMENT There was a sense of excitement in the air in Gombak this morning as the results of the PAS party polls were announced. It is a truly historic day for PAS and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Stalwart Mohamed Sabu (right) defeated his two contenders for the deputy position (by 21 votes), three non-ulama leaders – Salahudin Ayub, Mahfuz Omar and Husam Musa – were elected vice-presidents, and non-ulama leaders secured two-thirds (12 out of 18) of the slots in the party’s central committee.

The progressive forces in PAS has secured a major victory, overturning the Terengganu dominance of the party. This is the first non-ulama leadership team – except for Abdul Hadi Awang of course – since the 1982 coup against nationalist PAS president Mohamad Asri Muda, where it was stated that there should never be non-ulama leaders occupying the top posts.

The progressive forces have defeated parochial tendencies and offered a more dynamic Malay leadership for the increasingly sophisticated electorate. While the ulama still play a key role and it remains dominant in the Youth wing, the rank-and-file in the party have decisively embraced the ‘spirit of Cairo’ – the desire to stand up to power and embrace change.

The PAS party election results are historic in that they signal a transformation of the Islamist party with the progressives – many of whom hold elected positions – now capturing crucial positions in the party hierarchy.

At the deputy president level, the victory is ironic, in that it reverses the pattern in the last election where the three-corner fight led to Nasharudin Mat Isa holding on to the post.

This time round, his adamant refusal to withdraw and the support of Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia has backfired for the conservative-backed candidate and created the opening for the progressive forces, which had already campaigned hard to win the vice-presidency posts on the expectation that the deputy post would go to Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The implications of these results are important as they bring an ‘Arab spring’ in PAS that potentially has the promise to spill over for the Pakatan opposition. They include:

a) Spirit of activism – The PAS rank-and-file have shown that they want a more active and strengthened political party to face off against Umno. They have elected leaders who are known activists and organisers, and who aim to re-energise the party.

b) Spirit of cooperation – The new leaders are categorically anti-Umno and pro-Pakatan. These leaders are known for being able to build bridges to reach other parties.

c) Spirit of inclusion – These leaders, coming from Kedah, Kelantan and Johor, are more nationalist in orientation, seeing a role for non-Muslims and women.

d) Spirit of expertise/professionalism – These leaders represent more skilled professionals, who offer stronger alternatives of Malay leaders for the electorate and more knowledge of governance, thus strengthening the electability of the party nationally.

e) Spirit of youthfulness – The relative youthfulness of the leadership slate also promises stronger engagement with the youth, especially younger Malays in the urban and semi-rural areas.

What is especially important is that the team as whole is not deeply fragmented, so that the party in this mandate has sent a clear direction toward a more outwardly focused leadership that engages the electorate and reaches out to new potential support.

A break from the past

To understand this break from the past, one has to appreciate the context of the campaigning in the party and the timing of the results. First of all, the conservative ulama group miscalculated strategically.

The ulama group remains a powerful force, but was divided and distracted in its focus on the deputy post. Rather than engage across the party and offer new ideas, they came off as power hungry, seeking position for the sake of position, without offering plausible reasons for holding office. This single-minded focus on power left a bad taste.

Yet, it is important to appreciate that not all the ulama in PAS are the same. What distinguished Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is his broad appeal across groups and with the grassroots.

He remains a powerful leader in the party. He leaves this contest as a bridge builder between the various groups, rather than as a die-hard representative of the conservatives.

His contest for deputy was done with dignity and he did not actively campaign for the post. By contesting, he allowed the party to change. This reinforces the need to acknowledge the variation among ulama and progressive groups, as camps evolve over time. With this pendulum swing toward the progressives, Tuan Ibrahim stands tall and will continue to be a major player in the leadership, especially as his own ideas for the party are more clearly expressed.

In understanding these results, many delegates highlighted the critical need to deliver. This added to the appeal of the progressives. There is a real sense of urgency with the upcoming general election that reinforced a push toward bringing in a more activist spirit. They want results at the polls, and a party that is more prominent and vocal nationally.

The timing here is very important in that it extends beyond the general election. As Umno has pushed the racial card, fuelling insecurity among all the ethnic communities, it has inavertedly raised the issue of a strengthening of Malay leadership. PAS has shown in these party polls that you do not need to be from an elite family to gain ground politically, and that there are talented and capable Malay leaders offering to lead from all walks of life and backgrounds.

All of these new leaders come from poor families, who through hard work and commitment have risen through the ranks, showing by example that there are alternative paths to power.

The quiet force pushing for this rupture with the past are the women, who, ever practical, have pushed for a slate that can work together, that can go beyond the perceived stagnation and defeatism. The symbolic victory of the progressive team in the Muslimat set the example for the final slate – bringing two women into the final tally of the CC – and ironically, the conservative imbalance in the Youth wing has provoked a counter-reaction.

This was reinforced by delegates from the more cosmopolitan states in the vote for change. The backdrop of profound transformation in the Muslim world surrounded these polls, as PAS’ own mini-revolution gained ground.

Many of the newly-elected CC members are from states where PAS hopes to gain ground, such as Dr Mahfodz Mohamed from Johor. Umno is very much in the sights of a more dynamic PAS.

Reality checks for the victors

These results however are not without their challenges. There is an intense pressure for the progressive camp to deliver in the next general election. This is not easy given the need to revitalise the party and the effectiveness of the current Umno two-prong strategy of promoting Malay insecurity and heavily using financial incentives to win votes.

While the new PAS team has an advantage in the appeal to urban voters, the challenge of expanding rural support remains. It is interesting to note that that highest votes in the new CC went to Mazlan Aliman who is tied to greater PAS activism in Felda schemes.

Delivery now is not just about promises, but about governance in the PAS states, and it is not a coincidence that many of the winners are key players in Pakatan-held state governments, notably Husam Musa (left) in Kelantan, Azizan Abdul Razak and Amiruddin Hamzah in Kedah and Khalid Samad and Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud in Selangor. The pressure for these leaders – and the state governments they are connected to – to perform is now higher than ever.

There is no question that the results will smart for those who lost positions. For the displaced Terengganu leaders, the challenge will now be to move beyond the focus on national power to winning the seats in that state.

For the conservative ulama, the question will be how much they will sabotage the mandate or they will wait and give the progressives a chance to perform. As positions get appointed, the issue of accommodation of those left out will be important, so as to assure a working relationship with all groups nationally. After all, the final result was very close for the deputy post.

In accommodating political divisions, the main challenge is how to engage the communities in such a way that wins support. The transformation of PAS needs a revitalised substantive strategy of engagement, one that reflects the ideas and ideals of the new leadership team. This is never easy, especially in a context where politics of race muddy the political terrain.

The combined focus on race and scandal, sex video galore, has left behind the serious issues of better governance, welfare and justice. The progressives now have to show how progressive they really are. It is not enough to be labelled as such – the strategies and engagement should aim to mirror the ideals. This is no easy task indeed.

Some thorny problems

While the progressive victory as a whole bodes well for opposition cooperation, there are some thorny problems that remain on the table.

First, how does PAS deal with a less vibrant PKR and respond to the attacks on Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim. This issue is a minefield within PAS that the progressives will have to navigate carefully.

Second, how does PAS showcase itself as an equal partner in DAP dominant states to dispel the image that it is kowtowing to a non-Muslim party. That is also not easy.

From the challenges of delivery and division to the adoption of new strategies of engagement and cooperation, the victory of the progressive is not without obstacles. The delegates have opted for action and a more dynamic leadership – at least for the next three years.

PAS is entering a new era. There is indeed a new spirit in the air that embodies change and reminiscences of an Arab spring.

DR BRIDGET WELSH is associate professor of political science at Singapore Management University. She attended the PAS muktamar as an observer. Welsh can be reached at
[email protected]
.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 4 June 2011, 6:14 pm and is filed under
Pakatan Rakyat
,
PAS
. You can follow any responses to this entry through
RSS 2.0
.