'Much Ado About Something..?!!!.'

Hello -


8 weeks had passed PRU12th; yet the frenzy political bickering on the election aftermath still on high note.


The PRU 12th spinoff had been full of anticipations and surprises to most – the losers as well the winners. Never before in the history of Malaysian Post Elections, had I seen political divide amongst politician in their respective party and components auguring an unassumingly political polemic far beyond the election campaign. Backbiting, finger pointing; witch-hunting has been the order, of the whole month. Firstly most BN leaders and supporters seemed not to be able to cope with the coalition unexpected loss, only they are gentlemen enough for not ‘labeling the election as fraud, commonly used by loosing political parties worldwide. Secondly PKR,DAP as well PAS leaders ardently positioned themselves as power crazy lots: recklessly and relentlessly perplexing their muscles, trying to scrap policies put in place by the previous government. In doing so they sometime crossed sensitive boundaries.


The election aftermath affected the nation tremendously. Never had I saw people from all walks of life joined in the political frenzy whenever they congregated with each having a few political telltale to contribute.


Rumors fill the air, spreading from words of mouths spurred by irresponsible postings from alternative media i.e the internet, telephone SMSes and from (what I termed as) ‘mosquito’ tabloids. They spread like wild fires, divulging in maliciously revealing, vindictive, nasty and cruel accusations pinpointing on certain sensitive issues that are close to the people’s hearts. Those (so-called) rumor mongers played to their gallery well with their spiteful concoction of tales continuously feeding the hungry ears of their listeners.


To the man in the street, Malaysian Politics has brought about telltale flip-plop fictional dramatic underscores. Much ado about nothing’. They saw claimants or those aspiring young Turks, relentlessly trying to prove their worth by maliciously accentuate spiteful accusations on other aspirants, even within the same party. Some brave enough demanding their tested leaders to step down, all in the name of politics.


Are they the true upcoming leaders of the people, or merely a band of hopefuls looking for better pastures in the name of (Malaysian) politics. To me they are neither a maverick nor an opportunist…..some even having the essence or quintessence of a scoundrel.


So who the true leaders are?


I had bear witness to all the country’s PRU as a citizen and a Public Servant. I had indirectly or directly involved in most of them. Right from pre Merdeka periods Malayan Politics had underscored its roles for the nation’s democratic way of government. Our independent fathers had successfully charted the way to nationhood vigorously rejecting unfitting doctrines and other influences not fit for the nation. We look up upon these leaders as icons, nationalist, and mavericks. They were the freedom fighters and compatriots who relentlessly championed the country as a free nation We adored them for their patriotism and esprit de corps within diverse political parties and racial associations. Together they diversified their efforts uplifting the spirits of nationhood in their struggles for independence. They came from all walks of life from royalties to the ordinary peasants. They are the leaders of the people and for the people. Their opportunistic leadership style on nation building has always been for the benefit of all.


Fifty years of Merdeka, Malaysian on the whole has become an affluent society. The road to nationhood had brought about vast opportunities for improvements on all. The well structured social and economic developments of the country rightly positioned the nation as a developed developing country. Also, fifty years of Merdeka, Malaysia saw the growth of its young populations by leaps and bounds. They are well educated lots. Most are computer savvy and very knowledgeable on Information Technology. They are the citizen of borderless world of today.


Now back to post-election frenzy.


PRU 12 unprecedented results has created political overture countrywide. Never before after May 1969 PRU, Malaysian Politic being put on the stand for citizen’s review. Political pundits are having field days analyzing Malaysian political stature. They took the trail to find out, ‘where do we go wrong.’ At the end of the day, no affirmative result concluded, except for some of their wildcat calls that the country should embark on this and on that.


The most interesting was the resolution adopted on the formation of The Council Of Malay Solidarity at a special Congress on Malay Solidarity in Johore Bahru 1st week May 08, spearheaded by GAPENA and attended by about 200 Malay NGOs. Its main aim to further Malay interests against what they view as challenges to KEDAULATAN MELAYU or Malay Sovereignty. That Malaysia’s existence is founded on the principle of KEDAULATAN MELAYU in opposition to ideologies such as “Malaysian Malaysia’, multilingualism, multiculturalism and religious pluralism, they claimed had become more prominent since the 2004 election. I agree if it’s a wake up calls for the Malays and ordering them to buck up. And to achieve we the Malays must afford a sound national political agenda to substantiate them. Have we?


On this issue the onus is on you – anak MELAYU.

PRU 12 - The Unfortunate Fallout

It turn out to be an unfortunate fallout from PRU-12 resulting a polarized Dewan Rakyat with the 140 BN bench heavily Malay-Bumiputra dominated on one side and an evently mix race for the 82 seats of the OPPOSITION bench on the other.

The final tally of 14O for BARISAN comprising of UMNO,MCA,MIC, GERAKAN and Sabah and Sarawak Parties, with the OPPOSITION 82 seats comprising PKR, DAP and PAS. On the state level BARISAN NASIONAL garnered 307 seats, PKR 42 seats, DAP 71 seats, PAS 83 seats & Inde 2. BN lost control of 4 states and 1 Federal Territory to the OPPOSITION excluding Pas forever stronghold KELANTAN. Attempt by BN to wrestle Kelantan State Government, backfired.

According to political analysis BN won only 48.1% of popular vote in the peninsula, 51.2% if Sabah and Sarawak included. The Chinese support for the OPPOSITION estimated at 35% from 65%, representing 30% swing. The Indian was 47% down from 82% to 35% swing and for the Malays there was a 5% swing from 63% in 2004 election. This translate to a higher swing among the Chinese and Indian, and less among Malays.

PBU12 unexpected result reminded me of PBU 1969, which saw the ruling Alliance Party receiving major setback. It managed to retain simple Parliamentary Majority. It lost Penang to opposition The Gerakan Party, Kelantan to PMIP with Perak and Selangor on the brink of falling into the oppositions. 3 Alliance Ministers and 2 Parliamentary Secretaries lost. Shared of popularity (valid ) votes had dropped 9% since PBU 1964 to 49%. The Alliance faced the prospect of a vociferous opposition in the Parliament for the first time since Merdeka.

The unexpected swing of votes from the ruling BN party to the Opposition PKR,DAP & PAS on PBU12 stunned the nation. To justify this, the aftermath saw no exultant supporters of the PKR,DAP,PAS jubilant reactions, except a deep shock to the BN and its component parties ( especially in Semenanjung ).

Early reactions attributed to the fall outs, blamed compelecencies of BN political leaderships, political backbiting among BN component party members, and the replacing tested incumbent representatives with untested green horns ect. More so, MIC the 3rd largest BN component party was facing a back lashed from a newly Indian grouping The Hindref.

The scribe also believed that there is another unseen pertinent influence resulting on the unprecedented election result. One may say, that it was the ruling parties perceived might of the Mainstream Media and the onslaught of BN Campaign-Advertising Blitz on almost all major Print & The Electronic Communication Channels backfired. In retaliation the opposition powered the new emerging Alternative Media namely The Internet and other Telecommunication system.

The ruling party has been noted as having the upper hand on most in country mainstream media be it printed or electronics. Radio network was fully used to agitate people on Government Development Policies right from Pre Merdeka periods while film and the Television Media added sustainable realities to all. Come election time the ruling party ardently tighten their grip on most available print, broadcast and telecommunication system (public as well private) for sustainable future successes - not well received by most of the effluent and the intellectual groups. Rightly they advocated the freedom of speech. They argued that those mainstream medias as being controlled and serving the same master. Eventually it frustrate the rakyat at large.

The scribe is not a political pundit, neither a social analyst. The scribe is just an ordinary citizen, a keen observer on the country's state of affairs, especially its economic and social standings by regularly updating current knowledge through reading and follow the news regularly. We feel trilled to fathom the pulse of the nation through people mass reactions on issues -the feelings akin to solving word puzzles.

But to fathom mass human feelings is not just a game of solving crossword puzzle. We are dealing with human aptitude or mass media behavioral inclinations. For that, it is believed that authoritative reporting on matters pertaining to issues close to the masses rightly enhanced knowledge based society. Hence the pulse of the nation could immediately be gauged. And so, it is proper to acknowledge the forces of media for societal reforms. That's what we all believe in. But there is the other side of the media force. As the saying goes: mass media is a two-edged sword, with multi-pronged might. It builds as well destroys. On the other hand, 'Politics is the art of perception, real or imagined'. Wrong media slants would result to deceptions.

One can say, continuous positive reporting and promotional Media Blitz is a thumb up for the BN. Positive reportage for BN and 'bad press' for the opposing parties would garner bigger support for the ruling incumbents. But the opposition have done extremely well using the alternative media squashing all the 'bad press' and negative exposei of their leaders. They used Internet,Blogs and SMSes channels to reach the rakyat and to show they care. Ardently they proved that they can connect with the people at large and be a force to articulate their dissatisfaction. The alternative media works well with the younger generation, a large proportion of the voters. Its might spread like wild fire across the nation.

Political jibes (mostly informal and misleading) went well with the people during campaign process and right thought the election night and beyond - an escapism to the ardent followers hungry for revealing informations.

Believe you me, for the PRU12 political campaign, it was the revealings on mass perception of unreavel truths by the opositions that matters most.

"Wallahualam"

MALAYSIAN ELECTION - PRU 12 - 8th March 2008

Malayan Election to local councils was first held in 1952, and in 1955 another election was held for a new legislative council; opening the new era for democracy. As early as 1948, the British promised independence, with a proviso what they termed a “period of preparation.” High spirits filled the air as the need to self-rule our very own motherland after more than 500 years under the colonial powers. While the skeptics were pessimistic of the outcomes, the spirits of PILIHAN RAYA reverberate in towns and villages all over the Peninsular. Political campaign as well educating citizen of their rights to vote took the once tranquil society on the march to nationhood. Radio Malaya ceaselessly aired broadcast reminders of the auspicious day through especially composed tune MARI MENGUNDI sung by Zainal Alam a renowned broadcaster. We were all jolted by the punchy tune and the expressive and persuasive jingle:
“Undilah tuan dan puan,
Duapuluh Tujuh Haribulan,
Pilihanraya yang pertama,
Marilah, undilah bersama-sama.”
It was one of those enlightening tune easily sung by most, young and old…not forgetting kids like us. I was a young lad then, a student in a Government English School. Till this day ( five decades later) the tune reverberate in my mind when at 12.43 PM on the 13th February 2008, my daughter Hazleen SMS me from RTM News Room where she worked, on the (Embargoed News) that our beloved PM Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolving Parliament to pave way for the country’s 12th General Election to be held on the 8th.March 08.
Reminiscences of PILIHANRAYA UMUM (PBU) rejuvenates an old man’s memories way back to the period of the threshold of an independent nation that we should be all proud of.
The country was in turmoil since the landing of the invading Japanese Forces in 1941 followed by communist terrorist insurgence, causing instability to a weak nation. Under those circumstances, along the years life was hard for most, though the country was the world exporter of copra, rubber and tin. The upheavals resulting in unstable nation. The country had to strive to fend itself economically as well guaranteed security and stability to enhance social democracy. It was a hideous struggle for all – the government as well peace loving citizens. The Communist Ideologies opposed social realism advocated by our Independent Fathers as a far cry from the reality of social democracy in Malaya then. They demanded the right to rule by instigating the people to join their struggles. They had nationwide and outside influences. They were terrorist and sympathizers around us and in our midst. They create havoc and terrorized the nation.
A state of emergency was declared as of 1948. The British Government Administration alongside local vigilantes fought those terrorists’ untoward provocations. The country was dragged into a long civil war against terrorism.
The fight for self rules continued. We are lucky that our Independence Fathers choose the right ideological path, as we are now a democratic free nation of the world.
31st August 1957 was the historic date. 31st August 1957 was our Independence Day.
The post Merdeka era, saw massive social and economic developments to the country. We strived to be a fully-fledged nation. Federation Malaysia was formed in 1963. Together we built the country into a prosperous nation. We advocated peace and harmony among nations. After 50 years Merdeka the country progresses by leaps and bounds. Malaysia a model for under-developed and developing nations of the world for the continuous peace and progress it has achieved over the last 5 decades.
We are proud that Malaysian as a nation was built on high human values of truth, integrity, honesty, justice, equality and freedom. The nation survives because we respected each other truthfully. We are a nation of multicultural, multi religious and multi ethnic. Together we integrate as Malaysians. Together we built this nation, we enriched our national culture, we advocate perseverance for a just society and believed in God.
Elections meaning tracking and taking stock on societal political maturity as well enlivened democracy to the fullest. Democracy advocates the freedom of speech, choice and the right to a self government - ‘of the people by the people for the people.’ Democracy would be at well work, if and when all eligible citizens exercise their rights freely and fully without fear or favors.
Needless to say come the 12th PBU and after 50 years of self-ruled, the physical development the nation has achieved has completely blinded some immature political leadership. Elected representatives known to have more time pursuing their self esteem rather than servicing their electorate. As a result they lack empathy on people’s need as championed by their fore bearers. It affected the trust of the electorates. As a result citizen’s right of democratic freedom as a whole at stake. Greed breeds contempt. Some deliberately demanded for their right. Others deceitfully challenged the democratic process for their very own political agenda. The once self proclaimed town criers positioned themselves as self styled champions of the people. Their political campaigns ruthlessly fused with hatred. They confused the electorates with claims of the nonexistence of established democracy for a just society, breeding political divide amongst nation. Preposterous prepositions by some political leaders resulting on hardcore political aspirants resorting to unlawful tactics to garner supports. Rampant money politics breeds greedy hypocrite amongst bystanders. Money talks and empty promises, erroneous and unjust political manifestos could easily swayed weak electorates.
At the end of the day, for right or wrong, it’s the people’s choice. Democratic government prevails on citizen collective preferences. Democracy works well if and when all deserving citizens rightfully exercise their rights.
Will you?

Much Ado About Nothing?

The National Heritage List

On the 6th July 2007 The Minister Of Culture, Arts & Heritage Malaysia announced The National Heritage List consisting of BUILDINGS, OBJECTS & INTANGIBLE HERITAGE. According to the minister Dato’Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim the list of the first 50 items chosen based on each significant in line with the nation’s 50th year of independence on the 31st August this year.

The Parliament Building, The National Flag and National Anthems head the list. respectively. Others include Sejarah Melayu & Sejarah Hang Tuah manuscripts, Bangsawan, Dondang Sayang, Wayang Kulit, Joget Melayu, Carcosa Seri Negara, National Mosque, Mulu National Park and the Open House Concept which is unique to Malaysia. 50 items in all. According to NST report “any item on the list will be protected by law and efforts will be made to preserve it.” Meaning, buildings and other tangible item cannot be demolished. Neither can they be altered, changed or developed without the consent of the minister. Intangibles such as Sewang or Bangsawan, will continue to enjoy favored status.

Hoi …do I hear someone complaining the oversight on the significant of The Stadium Merdeka.

If - as announced - that items chosen ‘based on each significant in line with the Nation’s 50th Anniversary’ what significant has Batu Caves, Mulu National Park, Ngajat, Sumazau to do with Merdeka. Why omit Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang, or Dataran Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir Melaka (and other historical buildings and places).

We all remember that on February 20,1956 Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and his entourage were welcome by about 50,000 people from all over Persekutuan Tanah Melayu at Dataran Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir Melaka, on their return from England after successfully negotiating for independence from the British. According to the historical record Tunku and his Merdeka entourage touch down at Batu Berendam Airport, Melaka from Singapore. Escorted motorcade drove them to Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka where thousands of rakyat waited impationly.

We remember that it was at the Stadium Merdeka, our Bapa Kemerdekaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj read the proclamation on the morning of the 31st August 1957.

Every Malaysian of all ethnic remember these dates. Those events etched on everyone’s mind. For the past 49 years come August historical proclamation pictorial events among others are being repeatedly aired and printed by the local media in their original forms.

I say...I say...I say... Your best is still not good enough.

This year Merdeka Day Celebration is The Golden Anniversary. ‘Believe you me’ this year’s Golden Merdeka Celebration ia a long awaited occasion by all Malaysian. For the last 49 years, come 31 August, Malaysian from all walks of life had diligently renewed their pledged of allegiance towards their mother land. They fly the national flag at home, as well as at most public buildings. Their streets are adorned with buntings amidst multicolored lights. It’s their shared yearly occasion to rejoice. They turn out in full force to celebrate the event. The local National Media are also in arm to herald the day. The gatherings also held in most villages, town and cities resonate the uniquely harmonious multi-ethnic, multi cultural and multi religious nation that we are proud to be in and like to continuously advocate.

Hoii…. “Do I hear that they are going to re-enact the Proclamation Scene as it happened 50 years ago at the Stadium Merdeka? Will someone out there take note and say yes. Please do it for posterity sake.

No ‘tidak apa’ attitude or ‘kerja ibarat melepaskan batuk ditangga sahaja’ for this golden opportunity, please!! Do something that the ‘rakyat’ can relate themselves to, on Merdeka historical struggles and achievements .., otherwise. …..its Much Ado About Nothing.

The next big celebration would be the centennial, which is 50 years away. But by then most of us won’t be around anymore.