The last few days we have been shocked....well not really shocked but maybe slightly surprised to hear Mr Ezam Mohd Nor rejoined UMNO after was initially sacked by Tun Mahathir couple of years ago during the height of 'Reformasi'. He was known to be the right-hand man of Anwar Ibrahim and he followed his leader's footstep from being jailed to the formation of People's Justice Party (PKR). However last year, an internal conflict between him and Azmin Ali (currently Vice President of PKR) resulted in Ezam quitting PKR and formed GERAK (Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption). What exactly the quarrel was all about I have no idea. Last week he and 6 other former PKR members presumably his loyal supporters rejoined UMNO without condition after meeting with Pak Lah. The reason or one of the reason he gave was that Pak Lah has started to 'reform' the current government by reviewing the judiciary and anti-corruption agency and due to this he wanted to support and to be a part of this 'reformation'. Now this what really boggles and truthfully bugs me.
First of all as we all know he was quite influential during the formation and early days of PKR. He was one of the few people who were brave enough to criticise the government which lead to his detention in Kajang. He contested in 1999 election and although he lost he managed to reduce the majority from 40000 to 1000! He did not contest in 2004 as he had a court case on him at that time and again not in 2008 as he already quit PKR and although was asked to contest he refused. What I cannot understand the reason he quit PKR. Is it only due to an internal squabble? Being a politician isn't that a daily routine thing to deal with? Is it really that serious or was he just a cry-baby? To be honest he doesn't have to justify the reason for joining UMNO or forming GERAK but just explain in more detail of why he left PKR. I saw this article in this blog http://disertasi.blogspot.com/2008/06/pengakuan-ezam-mohd-nor.html and in this article Ezam explained about the rumours of him having a deal with UMNO for him to join UMNO. For me I accept the explanation and I never for a second ever thought that he would go low enough to have a deal to join UMNO being a charismatic leader of GERAK! That was really far from my mind. But I think the more logical thing to do is to explain why he left PKR. That is more important in my opinion to explain because if he never left PKR there will be no GERAK and there won't be any news of him rejoining UMNO! There is no need for him to explain why he joins UMNO as anybody can create a noble reason or an excuse to join UMNO. And to be honest if not because of the Opposition pressure and victory on the last election Pak Lah might not even strive for this 'reformation'. We will see how long can Pak Lah continue this good effort though...yes I'm not condoning it and in fact I welcome it but it doesn't mean I need to 'jump wagon' straight away! Well that is if Pak Lah still continue to be at the helm of our government...
I am quite disappointed with Ezam's action more because he is a charismatic leader and can be influential but again politicians are politicians. One minute you can predict their action and the next second they do exactly the opposite of what you think they might do....I wish him all the best though...I really hope despite being in UMNO he continues with his principles and not becoming a mule to certain people....Wallahu'alam..
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Monday, June 02, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
UMNO 'Loyal' Supporters
Assalamualaikum
For my second post I will touch the topic of politics. Malaysian politics has been quite colourful over the last 10 years or so. I would say since the arrest of Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 the political awareness in Malaysia has increased quite dramatically. Not only locals but in overseas too. My friends in Ireland used to tease me whenever I came back from my visits to Malaysia, " How's your prime minister ha...what's his name?..Mahathir? He is a very intelligent man eh?". Well they were quite aware of what was happening in Malaysia. They knew about the recession crisis in 1998. And they also knew what happened to Anwar. "Sodomy? Is that an offence? Deputy Prime Minister charged with sodomy? Is it true? Tell me it's not true". I hope by this time we have enough sense in ourselves to know the answer. I would be really, really sad if you still have to ask the person next to you what would be the answer.
So since then like I said Malaysian politics are far from dull. Just look at the recent election result. Nobody would predict such result. It is not such good outcome for the ruling coalition I must say. Would things turn from bad to worse for them? Or just a bump in their road? Who knows but only the Mighty One. Some say that the result could be much worse for the ruling coalition as they are alleged 'ghost' voters. The Election Commission also seemed to be unfair. Well what done is done and the result was surely far from disappointing for the Oppositions.
Anyway one thing we can agree the coalition parties of the big 3 (UMNO, MCA and MIC) are losing their popularities. MIC was the worse. Both UMNO and MCA had their fair share of losses. However overall they still manage to win albeit only by simple majority in Parliment and managed to keep all states except 5. Wow that doesn't sound like winning for a coalition of BN stature. Analysis after analysis were made and if you haven't heard BN won mostly in 'kampung' or 'pendalaman' while the Oppositions rule the major cities. If you take WP Kuala Lumpur BN only won 1 seat! If not for WP Labuan and Putrajaya I don't know how Zulhasnan kept his face as Minister of Federal Territories! Even with that I still would feel ashamed. Can you understand the logic of appointing the head from the minority group? 3 vs 9?10? I can't remember but you know what I'm trying to point at. Why the difference in bandar (cities) or kampung votes? Media of course. Blog for one. Who in rural areas can afford to have laptops, HSDPA-enabled phones, Streamyx Broadband etc...Maybe wakil rakyat which more than likely pro-BN anyway. I agree due to the nature of blogging, many articles are mostly based on personal feelings and not many on actual facts. Some facts maybe changed, some fabricated but look at the reason why people blog. Daily newspapers are biased. TV stations 'modify' their news. Can you blame the people if they want to blog?
Recently I came across an article about a letter allegedly written by Tun Mahathir to Israel then Prime Minister, Ehud Barak. Well I think the letter was fabricated but that is not what I want to discuss about. I saw some comment from someone who was he claimed as pro-BN leftist. From what he wrote I gather that he is a loyal BN supporter but thinks like an opposition. He wanted to change BN from 'inside' as he still loves BN. He acknowledged that some of BN leaders are 'dirty' and needed to be changed.
This person should be applauded for his effort. But I think it is a bit too late for that. I don't mean the change but the way he wanted to change it. Change from 'inside'? I've met or know few people who said that. One of them said this I think almost 10 years back or more. I think if I'm not mistaken he said even before Anwar's famous case. This means the rot in BN particularly UMNO has been there for such a long time. Well if you read Anwar's case the reason he got arrested was because he was trying to stop the rot from getting worse. Or maybe he was trying to make it public. But anyhow he was doing it to stop the rot nonetheless. So how long does one need to take to change UMNO from 'inside'? Until all of our resources been sucked dry by the 'big' upper echelons of the government? Until the kids of our kids start blaming us "Why my great, great grandfather chose these leaders?".
I think for these people now is the time to change. Not to change UMNO but to a change in government. We have given 50 odd years to UMNO to govern Malaysia and yes I will never deny the good things that had been done to my ancestors, to me and to all Malaysians but I think we can be much much better than this. I know there are worse government than what we have so far but why opt for mediocrity? Why can't we opt for greatness? Opt for something that you know your kids and the kids and your kids will thank you in the future. Is it something big we ask? We ask for an honest and just government. Put aside all other complicated stuff. Just try to be honest and just to us, people of Malaysia. I can't remember when BN tried to be that. Once you being honest and just complicated things will correct itself. People trying to put religious and racial matters are not helping the situation. Instead I think they are making it worse. Ask any religion and race I don't think any of them preach against honesty and just.
Yes it is not wrong to try to change UMNO from 'inside'. But I think this is not the time for that anymore. Maybe once UMNO has become 'opposition' then maybe things will correct by itself. To hope for a change now in UMNO? Maybe a miracle can make it happen. Can't see any of UMNO leaders do that. All of them are trying to 'guard their rice cooker'! (Menjaga periuk nasi masing2! - famous Malay expression). So they will do anything as long as they can continue living their lavish lifestyle.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) compared to BN is like comparing a cat and a tiger. We cannot deny that BN is not build overnight and has a unique history. But things have changed. Maybe the tiger can kill a cat in a jungle but once it enters the city the tiger can be shot! PR has won 5 states. They managed to deny 2/3 majority in Parliment. This is their chance to prove that they can govern the country. Even with all the tribulations which will make their case stronger in the future. So don't despair if BN uses dirty tricks to make life hard for PR governments. If they can govern as good as the previous government that is already better. BN had their chance for over 50 years now. BN had their chance to change what needs to be changed for 50 years now. We don't live on history. We live and use history as guide. Don't listen to people saying "You have forgotten what BN did to you/your family since Independence. You ungrateful b*****d!". What good BN did before we thank you but it is not an excuse to be corrupted, to be unjust and to do things as you see fit not what the people wants.
Just my 2 cents.
aBe.
For my second post I will touch the topic of politics. Malaysian politics has been quite colourful over the last 10 years or so. I would say since the arrest of Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 the political awareness in Malaysia has increased quite dramatically. Not only locals but in overseas too. My friends in Ireland used to tease me whenever I came back from my visits to Malaysia, " How's your prime minister ha...what's his name?..Mahathir? He is a very intelligent man eh?". Well they were quite aware of what was happening in Malaysia. They knew about the recession crisis in 1998. And they also knew what happened to Anwar. "Sodomy? Is that an offence? Deputy Prime Minister charged with sodomy? Is it true? Tell me it's not true". I hope by this time we have enough sense in ourselves to know the answer. I would be really, really sad if you still have to ask the person next to you what would be the answer.
So since then like I said Malaysian politics are far from dull. Just look at the recent election result. Nobody would predict such result. It is not such good outcome for the ruling coalition I must say. Would things turn from bad to worse for them? Or just a bump in their road? Who knows but only the Mighty One. Some say that the result could be much worse for the ruling coalition as they are alleged 'ghost' voters. The Election Commission also seemed to be unfair. Well what done is done and the result was surely far from disappointing for the Oppositions.
Anyway one thing we can agree the coalition parties of the big 3 (UMNO, MCA and MIC) are losing their popularities. MIC was the worse. Both UMNO and MCA had their fair share of losses. However overall they still manage to win albeit only by simple majority in Parliment and managed to keep all states except 5. Wow that doesn't sound like winning for a coalition of BN stature. Analysis after analysis were made and if you haven't heard BN won mostly in 'kampung' or 'pendalaman' while the Oppositions rule the major cities. If you take WP Kuala Lumpur BN only won 1 seat! If not for WP Labuan and Putrajaya I don't know how Zulhasnan kept his face as Minister of Federal Territories! Even with that I still would feel ashamed. Can you understand the logic of appointing the head from the minority group? 3 vs 9?10? I can't remember but you know what I'm trying to point at. Why the difference in bandar (cities) or kampung votes? Media of course. Blog for one. Who in rural areas can afford to have laptops, HSDPA-enabled phones, Streamyx Broadband etc...Maybe wakil rakyat which more than likely pro-BN anyway. I agree due to the nature of blogging, many articles are mostly based on personal feelings and not many on actual facts. Some facts maybe changed, some fabricated but look at the reason why people blog. Daily newspapers are biased. TV stations 'modify' their news. Can you blame the people if they want to blog?
Recently I came across an article about a letter allegedly written by Tun Mahathir to Israel then Prime Minister, Ehud Barak. Well I think the letter was fabricated but that is not what I want to discuss about. I saw some comment from someone who was he claimed as pro-BN leftist. From what he wrote I gather that he is a loyal BN supporter but thinks like an opposition. He wanted to change BN from 'inside' as he still loves BN. He acknowledged that some of BN leaders are 'dirty' and needed to be changed.
This person should be applauded for his effort. But I think it is a bit too late for that. I don't mean the change but the way he wanted to change it. Change from 'inside'? I've met or know few people who said that. One of them said this I think almost 10 years back or more. I think if I'm not mistaken he said even before Anwar's famous case. This means the rot in BN particularly UMNO has been there for such a long time. Well if you read Anwar's case the reason he got arrested was because he was trying to stop the rot from getting worse. Or maybe he was trying to make it public. But anyhow he was doing it to stop the rot nonetheless. So how long does one need to take to change UMNO from 'inside'? Until all of our resources been sucked dry by the 'big' upper echelons of the government? Until the kids of our kids start blaming us "Why my great, great grandfather chose these leaders?".
I think for these people now is the time to change. Not to change UMNO but to a change in government. We have given 50 odd years to UMNO to govern Malaysia and yes I will never deny the good things that had been done to my ancestors, to me and to all Malaysians but I think we can be much much better than this. I know there are worse government than what we have so far but why opt for mediocrity? Why can't we opt for greatness? Opt for something that you know your kids and the kids and your kids will thank you in the future. Is it something big we ask? We ask for an honest and just government. Put aside all other complicated stuff. Just try to be honest and just to us, people of Malaysia. I can't remember when BN tried to be that. Once you being honest and just complicated things will correct itself. People trying to put religious and racial matters are not helping the situation. Instead I think they are making it worse. Ask any religion and race I don't think any of them preach against honesty and just.
Yes it is not wrong to try to change UMNO from 'inside'. But I think this is not the time for that anymore. Maybe once UMNO has become 'opposition' then maybe things will correct by itself. To hope for a change now in UMNO? Maybe a miracle can make it happen. Can't see any of UMNO leaders do that. All of them are trying to 'guard their rice cooker'! (Menjaga periuk nasi masing2! - famous Malay expression). So they will do anything as long as they can continue living their lavish lifestyle.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) compared to BN is like comparing a cat and a tiger. We cannot deny that BN is not build overnight and has a unique history. But things have changed. Maybe the tiger can kill a cat in a jungle but once it enters the city the tiger can be shot! PR has won 5 states. They managed to deny 2/3 majority in Parliment. This is their chance to prove that they can govern the country. Even with all the tribulations which will make their case stronger in the future. So don't despair if BN uses dirty tricks to make life hard for PR governments. If they can govern as good as the previous government that is already better. BN had their chance for over 50 years now. BN had their chance to change what needs to be changed for 50 years now. We don't live on history. We live and use history as guide. Don't listen to people saying "You have forgotten what BN did to you/your family since Independence. You ungrateful b*****d!". What good BN did before we thank you but it is not an excuse to be corrupted, to be unjust and to do things as you see fit not what the people wants.
Just my 2 cents.
aBe.
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