The people of Perak have been cheated in broad day light. Majority of the Perakian feel that the royal household and the BN make their decision against the will of the people. Perakian would rather want their state assembly to be dissolved and a new state election held to elect a true people-endorsed government.
BN taking over of the state government from the Pakatan Rakyat has basically robbed the democratic privilege of the people in Perak. Clearly they have been short-changed.
From The MalaysianInsider
IPOH, FEB 12 — If the Barisan Nasional and the Perak royal household had any lingering doubts about negative public sentiment towards the change of the state government, here is a message: doubt no more.
A survey of registered voters in Perak on Feb 8 showed that:
• 74 per cent of the respondents feel that the state assembly should have been dissolved after the defection of the three Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers
• 76 per cent of the respondents felt that the "people, through elections, should decide on who forms the government"
• 62 per cent of the respondents felt that the "role of the palace in this decision" means it does not recognise the will of the people
• 66 per cent of the respondents do not accept state governments formed through the defection of state assemblymen
• 59 per cent of the respondents feel that the political crisis in Perak would decrease support for Barisan Nasional.
Taken together, the poll by the Merdeka Centre suggests that Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and the BN may occupy the seat of government but a significant number of Perakians may not accept their legitimacy to hold power.
The political crisis unfolded in Perak when three Pakatan Rakyat legislators became independents and said that they would back the BN.
This wiped away the three-seat majority which enabled Pakatan Rakyat to rule the state since March last year.
After interviewing the three and the 28 BN representatives, Sultan Azlan Shah decided that BN had the majority in the state assembly. This was a controversial decision given that Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin and Pakatan Rakyat felt that the correct decision should have been for the Ruler to allow for the state assembly to be dissolved for fresh elections.
There is a roiling debate even among lawyers on the Sultan's decision, with the majority saying that he should have either agreed to the dissolution of the House or held off making any decision until a vote of no confidence against Nizar was taken in the assembly.
The survey findings indicate that many Perak voters also feel that the Ruler may have erred.
Some 507 registered voters were interviewed by telephone and the sampling was done randomly. The margin of error was about 4.5 per cent.
Dr Koh Tsu Koon, the acting president of Gerakan is mulling about quitting the Barisan Nasional coalition caused by recent sentiments, among it the defiant Ahmad Ismail factor as well as losing confidence on BN leadership.
Many seen Gerakan's move as following the footsteps of UPKO from Sabah who is sending a strong signal to Barisan Nasional to quit the coalition as well as SAPP from Sabah who has already out of Barisan Nasional.
Meanwhile, leaders from other BN component party is treating Gerakan as parti perosak (party spoilers) or kudis (lice) and demand Gerakan to make it's stand. BN is right in wanting a stronger coalition and Gerakan is another prick in the butt. As for Gerakan itself, there is no great return if they just keeping saying it. Instead, they should prove something to BN and just quit the BN coalition. No want a fence sitter.
From TheStar
Dr Koh considering the possibility of party leaving Barisan Nasional
By LISA GOH
KUALA LUMPUR: Leaving the Barisan Nasional and joining Pakatan Rakyat is one of the three options being considered by Gerakan.
Party acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the two other options were to stay with the ruling coalition or leave and be independent.
“We are not ruling out any possibility (of leaving) at this moment. We have to assess but we are not closing the door.
“Neither are we saying we will definitely leave. It’s something we need to assess but we cannot do it based on sentiments alone,” he told reporters after launching the KL-Federal Territory (FT) state delegates conference here yesterday.
“If you go on sentiments alone, I would say more than 60% (want to leave) but we are taking a lot of factors into consideration. A decision cannot be based just on sentiments.”
He added that party leaders were examining how the political scenario in the country would continue to change and had been getting feedback from the grassroots.
“It’s a very trying time and there is need for a lot of rational, objective analysis. It cannot be a straightforward, simplistic decision,” he said.
In his opening speech, Dr Koh announced that he would be contesting for the party presidency in the October party elections.
“I am offering myself for the post, but I have also set a time-frame for myself, and it is unlikely that I will go beyond two terms.
“I would like to have younger and newer leaders to continue the process of political commitment,” he said.
Asked if he would name his deputy, he replied: “We will let the delegates decide.”
On some 20 FT Gerakan members defecting to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Dr Koh expressed surprise.
“It was only last week that (former Setiawangsa Gerakan chief) Li Tiam Chai was with me in a meeting and there were no signs that he was not happy.
“We were talking about how to strengthen the party.
“So, I am surprised but I will continue with the veterans,” he said.
On the Umno leadership transition, Dr Koh said he hoped it would be “smooth and peaceful.”
“Even though it is an internal party matter, we are also concerned because the Umno leader becomes the leader of Barisan and the Federal Government,” he said.
------------------------------
From TheStar
Gerakan mulls quitting Barisan, may join Pakatan
By LISA GOH
KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan is considering the option of leaving Barisan Nasional and joining the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this was among three options for the party - the other two being to either stay with the ruling coalition, or leave and become independent.
“We are not ruling out any possibility at this moment. We have to assess the situation, but we are not closing any doors.
“Neither are we saying we will definitely leave. It’s something we need to assess but we cannot do it based on sentiments alone,” he told reporters after launching the KL-Federal Territory (FT) state delegates conference here on Sunday.
Dr Koh said the party was examining how the political scenario in the country would continue to change, and had been getting feedback from the grassroots.
“If you go on sentiments alone, I would say more than 60% (want us to leave), but we are taking a lot of factors into consideration, and a decision cannot be based just on sentiments.
“It’s a very trying time, and there is need for a lot of rational, objective analysis. It cannot be a straightforward simplistic decision,” he said.
In his opening speech, Dr Koh also announced that he would be contesting for the president’s post in the October party elections.
“I am offering myself for the post, but I also set a timeframe for myself, and it is unlikely that I will go beyond two terms. I would like to have younger and newer leaders to continue the process of political commitment,” he said.
Asked if he would name his deputy, he replied: “We will let the delegates decide.”
He was also asked to comment on some 20 FT Gerakan members who had defected to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), including former FT Gerakan information bureau chief Gan Kok Keng and former Setiawangsa Gerakan chief Li Tiam Chai.
“I feel surprised because it was only last week when Li Tiam Chai was with me in a meeting and there were no signs that he was not happy.
“We were talking about how to strengthen the party. So I am surprised but I will continue with the veterans, and new members are committed,” he said.
Dr Koh also commented on the Umno leadership transition, which he hoped would be “smooth and peaceful.”
“Even though the change in Umno leadership is an internal party matter, but we are also concerned because the Umno leader also becomes the leader of Barisan and the Federal Government,” he said.
Earlier this month, Gerakan became embroiled in the controversy over former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s alleged racist remarks in which he purportedly described Malaysian Chinese as “squatters.”
Gerakan leaders had demanded an apology and for action to be taken against the Umno man, who in turn blamed Gerakan for Barisan’s poor showing in the March 8 general election, which saw the state of Penang fall to to the opposition.
The war of words even saw Ahmad’s supporters tearing down a picture of Dr Koh after a press conference.
The Umno Supreme Council subsequently suspended Ahmad from his party posts for three years, although he remains a member. No further action was taken against him.
-----------------------------
From TheStar
Barisan leaders to Gerakan chief: Make a stand!
By CHRISTINA CHIN and ANN TAN
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Barisan Nasional leaders want Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to make a stand on the party’s position in the coalition.
Penang Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah said the former chief minister must determine the direction of his party.
“As a leader, he must be responsible to the coalition. He needs to set the course for Gerakan and make his position clear. After all, a fish rots from the head down.
“I regret that we have parti perosak (party spoilers) within Barisan. These factions can leave if they want to,” he said.
On Sunday, Dr Koh said among the options being considered by the party was to join Pakatan Rakyat; to stay with the ruling coalition; or to leave Barisan and become independent.
He said based on party sentiment, more than 60% wanted to leave Barisan but the party was still assessing the situation.
State MCA deputy chief Datuk Lau Chiek Tuan said Dr Koh should disclose his personal stand.
“Don’t hide behind members’ opinions. Tell us what you want - you are the party’s acting president,” he said.
Penang Gerakan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong thinks the party should give Barisan “one or two years” before deciding.
Oh, who is gunning for the party’s number two post in the national Youth wing, said such an important decision cannot be made in a “hot political” climate.
“All Barisan component parties are going through trying times. Let’s wait for the Umno leadership transition to see if the relationship between coalition parties can improve.
“The next general election would probably be in 2012. We can always call for an emergency general meeting in one or two years time if we want to pull out of Barisan - it’s not too late,” he said, adding that party members should not be hasty.
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The following links denotes the latest and upcoming news leading to the September 16, 2008 (16/09/2008 or 916) which Anwar Ibrahim alleged that there will be mass defection of MPs from Barisan Nasional to his alliance Pakatan Rakyat.
September 16, 2008 - D-Day
* T-Minus Zero: It's a DUD
September 13, 2008
* Raja Petra Kamarudin, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng Detained Under ISA
September 10, 2008
* Ahmad suspended for 3 years. This was announced by the Umno president Abdullah after an emergency supreme council meeting which lasted three hours. Ahmad Ismail Unfazed And Remain Defiant
* Justice Komathy fixed Sept 24 for the parties to argue on the validity of an order signed by Attorney-General Abdul Gani to transfer the Anwar's sodomy case to the High Court.
September 08, 2008
* Pensiangan Parliamentary Seat Declared Vacant By KK Election Court
* PRS Demanding More From Barisan Nasional
* Several possible MPs defectors from Barisan Nasional are en route to Taiwan but PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali is adamant that there will be a change of government, just a day or two later than the original plan.
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By 09:00pm, Barisan Nasional has unofficially declared defeat in a Permatang Pauh by-election against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who will return to parliament after a decade-long absence.
The next few weeks will be extremely crucial and worrisome for the Barisan Nasional leaders as talks of defection of BN MP's are rife and loud. Najib, we know you are berduka kecewa now, but you can start to be pucat now.
Updated:
* Aug 27, 2008: TMNet instructed to blocked access to old MalaysiaToday site.
Related Post:
* MalaysiaKini: BN concedes defeat in by-election
* Permatang Pauh Election Result Aug 26 2008
Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, Barisan Nasional candidate for the Permatang Pauh by-election is denying giving out cash to buy voters. But he didn't denied that cash transferred hand and the money is for logistic expenses.
Bullshit. All Barisan Nasional supporters know the following kickback:
1). You get paid to walk among the supporters and BN candidate to the nomination station.
2). You get paid to cast your vote for the BN candidate.
3). You get paid to line up at the road-side to show support to the VIP motorcade.
Payment is between RM20 to RM50 per attendance. Of the campaign manager will tell the supporters that those are duit minyak.
This practice is very rampant in the rural areas and kampong.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TheStar
Money for logistics work, says Arif Shah
BUTTERWORTH: Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah denied talk that the party was giving out cash to buy over voters.
He said the coalition's election machinery gave between RM50 and RM500 to individuals to carry out logistics preparations.
“We gave them money to do logistics work for us. There is nothing more than that,” he told reporters here yesterday.
It has been alleged that the Barisan machinery personnel gave voters money in exchange for photocopies of their MyKad. “We did not want any abuse of funds by the election agents or middlemen. So, we insisted that they produce MyKad photocopies to receive payment,” he said.
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Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is unpleased with the opposition leaders and UMNO leaders. He is unpleased with Badawi for weakening UMNO and he is unpleased with leaders from Pakatan Rakyat for support Badawi.
To PR leaders, they have a good strategy by supporting Badawi because they know Badawi is weak and PR would like to maintain status quo so that it will be easier for them to topple Badawi and Barisan Nasional.
Dr. Mahathir see this threat. He know PR strategy of "supporting" Badawi is just an act. But unfortunately for the UMNO die-hard members, they are oblivious to PR play-acting and UMNO will play the price soon.
Extracts from Dr. Mahathir's blog:
"Apabila musuh menyokong ketua pasukan lawannya, kita boleh ramal ada sesuatu yang tidak kena berkenaan dengan ketua tersebut.
Inilah yang kita sedang lihat berkenaan dengan Presiden UMNO sekarang. Secara langsung dan tidak langsung kita lihat ketua-ketua parti lawan menyokong pengekalan Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi sebagai ketua atau Presiden UMNO dan Perdana Menteri.
Demikian Karpal Singh, musuh ketat UMNO menasihatkan saya supaya bersara dan tidak campurtangan dalam urusan kepimpinan Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi."
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Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, the president of United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation indicated that UPKO is frustrated with the federal government for neglecting Sabah and critical issue like the illegal immigrants has not be solved for decades.
So if UPKO to quit Barisan Nasional, it would have the blessing of the people and party grassroots. Thus changing alliance is a non-issue if federal government is not serious in solving Sabah problem.
In addition, frustration of Dompok is compounded by the fact that he is the president of a Barisan Nasional party component but is consigned to become a clerk (read: hold non-important post in the Cabinet) in the federal Cabinet. This clearly show that Badawi has not respect for Dompok and the people of Sabah.
Updates:
* Sep 27, 2008: UPKO to quit Barisan Nasional ?
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----------------------------
From TheStar
Crossovers a real threat, says Dompok
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Another president of a Sabah Barisan Nasional component party has sounded the alarm bell over the “very real” possibility of crossovers.
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the frustrations of Sabahans and their representatives in getting the Federal Government to solve their long list of problems are “extremely real” and talk about MPs crossing over to join the Opposition is symptomatic of this frustration.
He said the longstanding issues affecting Sabahans could no longer be “swept under the carpet” and MPs were under a lot of pressure to resolve the people’s problems.
Any decision for Upko to leave the Barisan fold will be made by the party and not by him, Dompok stressed to the press yesterday.
He said that while Upko’s three other MPs had not raised the subject of leaving the party “at the moment,” he admitted: “Their frustrations are real. I think no one can deny it”.
When asked if any of the Upko MPs, including himself, had been approached by the Opposition leaders, Dompok replied: “Not yet as far as I know.
“But if these people (from Pakatan Rakyat) want to talk to me in Parliament, there is no reason why I should not talk to them.”
He said there were still many issues, among them immigration and basic infrastructure, waiting to be resolved in Sabah.
“The people of Sabah have been taken for granted because we are a laidback, easy-going people. The state is thousands of kilometres away from the nation’s capital. As they say, out of sight, out of mind,” he said.
Dompok said constituents in Sabah have always been vocal but failed to grab the media’s attention until “recent changes in the political environment”.
To a question, he said that the majority of the grassroots wanted action and they would not mind if their MPs crossed over as long as their problems were ironed out.
“There are people who condemn crossovers, saying that it is immoral and such. But who are they and why are they taking the moral high ground, when in their previous lives, they too, have done it.
“But if you ask me, I don’t think the Opposition will make the numbers,” he said.
For once, Samy Vellu said the right thing. That ALL Barisan Nasional leaders are to be blamed for the rise of Opposition parties and almost caused BN to lose her majority.
Regarding the demolition of a hindu temple, Samy Vellu put a big blame on Selangor ex-Menteri Besar, Mohd Khir Toyo who approved the insulting act. Samy Vellu also revealed that he begged Prime Minister to stop Mohd Khir Toyo's instruction but to no avail.
Mohd Khir Toyo order the demolition despite PM attempt to stop the order. This come to an interesting observation whereby Samy has to beg when he is suppose to the leader of the Indian community and well-known with the title Tiger of Sg. Siput. My mischievous friend even called him as the Chief Gangster of Sg. Siput. So you can imagine the Chief Gangster of Sg. Siput having to beg.
Anyway, it all too late now.
Related post:
* Samy Vellu realized temple demolition is cowardice act
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Source: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/21/nation/21013375&sec=nation (Apr 21, 2008)
Samy: All Barisan leaders to blame
KUALA LUMPUR: All Barisan Nasional leaders should take the blame for the coalition’s poor performance in the general election and not just the Prime Minister, said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
“Every one of us has to take a slice of the blame,” he said.
Samy Vellu criticised former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for calling on Abdullah to hasten the transition of power to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, saying “he (Dr Khir) has to take a bigger slice of the blame for Barisan’s poor showing” in the general election.
“This is because just two days before Deepavali, he ordered the demolition of the (Hindu) temple in Padang Jawa (in Shah Alam) that enraged the Indian community,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Samy Vellu said that on the day the temple was demolished, he had rushed to meet Abdullah and Dr Khir. He said he begged Dr Khir not to demolish the temple.
However, according to Samy Vellu, Dr Khir refused to listen even despite Abdullah’s intervention.
Samy Vellu said since the people had voted in Barisan under the leadership of Abdullah, this decision must be respected.
Source: nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2219358/Article/index_html (Apr 21, 2008)
'Dr Khir to blame for Indian vote swing'
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has urged all Barisan Nasional leaders to accept blame for the coalition's poor performance in the last general election and not just the prime minister.
In reiterating the MIC's undivided support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to lead the country, he said: "Every one of us has to take a slice of the blame."
He criticised former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for calling on Abdullah to hasten handing over power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"Dr Khir has to take a bigger slice of the blame for Barisan Nasional's poor show in the general election.
"This is because just two days before Deepavali, he had ordered the demolition of the (Hindu) temple in Padang Jawa (in Shah Alam) that enraged the Hindu community throughout the country," he said yesterday.
Samy Vellu said on the day the temple was demolished, he had rushed to a hotel in Shah Alam to meet Abdullah and Dr Khir who were attending a function.
"I begged him (Dr Khir) not to demolish the temple but he refused, citing a court order. I told him that if the temple was demolished, it would mean demolishing the Barisan Nasional."
However, according to Samy Vellu, Dr Khir refused to listen despite Abdullah's intervention.
He said since the people voted in the Barisan Nasional to form the government under the leadership of Abdullah, their verdict must be respected.
"Let us stop blaming the prime minister for everything.
"We must all take the blame," he added.
