Remember what the MSM was parroting days before the elections? "Ini bukan budaya kita" (this is not our culture) was the phrase of the day, referring to the recent highly publicized public rallies organized by BERSIH and HINDRAF.
Yet, just take a look at what happened today in Penang. Apparently, there's a new kid in town: MELINDRAF!
Anyway, this rally didn't get the support of the general populace. It was purely political. As such, I doubt the grassroots will be influenced by the childish display of "power".
So the latest is that Raja Nazrin has ordered the PDP (I just like this acronym! PKR-DAP-PAS) alliance to get their act together and pledge support to the PAS MB-to-be. This is the royalty exerting its rightful power!
Anyway, I've been thinking about this whole Perak fiasco, how it started with Kit openly asking for a boycott of the swearing in ceremony for the PAS MB, followed by his dramatic reversal and apology, followed by PKR's statement that they do not agree to the composition of the state exco and threatening to pull out from the government.
Then I read this blog, and realized that we, the Rakyat, have not been living in a real democracy under the previous administration. We were never privy to all these internal problems. Difficulties were overcome by a powerful top figure who dictated everything and disallowed other dissenting views. No open discussion ever made it to the media, as it was muzzled and never informed the public. Politicians of yesteryear thought that the populace was stupid and ignorant and uninterested in their affairs.
Now I realize that we are stepping into a real democracy. One that welcomes participation from the people. One that listens to the people. One that believes in the people.
By the way, Lim Kit Siang was merely communicating his views to the Rakyat. It worked. His blog entry at last count attracted >800 comments! And I believe he got instant feedback to this, and used it to counter the attacks coming from the federal establishment.
Meanwhile, the story that PKR is threatening to pull out from the state government really means just that. It does not mean that they are defecting to BN or not willing to stay in the alliance to support the government. It just means that they don't want to be part of the administration. Can you imagine if this were a problem with the other side? We probably wouldn't even hear of it. Possibly the largest party would have bulldozed through their agenda and the remaining parties would just play along, having no choice but to oblige.
The fact that we get to know about all these developments means that we, the Rakyat, really have a say in how our states are governed. It is a positive development in democracy, but I guess voter education has not ended. In fact, it is only just beginning. Makkal Sakti!
Updated 13/2/08 4.43pm:
Many spoke last night and this morning, claiming that LKS may have jumped the gun (myself included). However, perhaps he may have planned a superb political move that basically shut MCA up and reaffirmed the people's confidence in the Barisan Rakyat. Check out Oon's analysis here.
Now, the only obstacle is PKR's vehement objection to the composition of the state exco which heavily favours DAP.
Original:
So now LKS has apologized for his outburst yesterday (see here also).
The question that remains unanswered: was this a genuine miscalculation from LKS camp, or was this part of a greater agenda?
On hindsight, probably LKS was forced to make his statement in defense of non-stop attacks from the other side claiming that DAP has duped their supporters by collaborating with the Islamist party PAS. LKS had to do some damage control, but no matter which way he spins, he loses. If he supports the PAS nomination, he gets bashed by MCA. But if he does not support the PAS nomination, he gets bashed by the Rakyat. Either way, he loses.
But it's better to have one person take the downfall than to have the entire party (and the entire Barisan Rakyat) crumble due to allegations of shaky coalition and lack of unity and marriage of convenience.
So am I still disturbed? I feel that the supporters of Barisan Rakyat have matured beyond racial/religious politics. However, it's the other side that's manipulating the Rakyat via race cards. Therefore, I hope that BR will have in place mechanisms to counter such attacks from the other side and educate the populace (especially those who have no access to alternative media) about the noble objectives of BR. Hopefully this will spell the end of the old and the beginning of the new!
*Still skeptical but no longer disturbed*
Within 3 hours, this posting has attracted some 250 comments from readers all over the nation. 99% of them bring one message: WTF?!?!!?
Barisan Rakyat indeed. It looks like this is the beginning of the end :(
I can't help but wonder what exactly was his motive in making the announcement? Why didn't he consult internally with the partner parties in the coalition before plastering it in his blog? Why did DAP's candidate for MB in Perak publicly announce the party's acceptance for whomever was appointed by the Sultan if the DAP CEC did not ratify PAS' candidate?
Somebody give me answers! I am losing hope in the DAP leadership...
:( :( :(
Selangor, my home state, under the leadership of CEO turned MB Khalid Ibrahim.
Penang, elsf home state, under the leadership of ISA detainee turned CM Lim Guan Eng.
May good governance prevail. All we want sometimes is just a better quality of life.
So the Selangor State Government will be at the helm of the DAP-PKR alliance. My personal wish lists:
1) Local Council Elections
- let us elect MPSJ councilors from the grassroots who know the ins and outs of the constituency and will be able to serve without bowing to the political masters
2) Freedom Of Information Act
- let us have the access rights to government documentation (where applicable, if it does not harm national security), example toll agreements, council meeting minutes, etc.
3) Live Telecast / Recorded State Assembly Meetings
- let us see for ourselves what actually transpires in the state assembly meetings in order for us to make a good judgment of the performances of the assemblymen
4) Constant Engagement With The Rakyat
- let us meet our elected representatives regularly, get regular updates on their work, provide our honest feedback, in order for us to be a well informed society
Personal wish for Subang Jaya:
1) No more high rise developments! Just look at the stretch facing the Federal Highway, it is littered with so many high rise service apartments. Bring back the trees, grass and greenery!
2) No more highways! We don't want Subang Jaya to become one big major toll-free inter-highway interchange.
3) Improve public transportation! Subang Jayans have too many cars choking up the roads. We could introduce a tram system or improve the reliability of the feeder bus system to serve the needs of the residents here.
4) Keep our greens green! Please, please preserve Taman Subang Ria. It is the only green lung we have. Spruce it up, pay some professionals to maintain the beauty and cleanliness.
The DAP SJ team will be converting the SS14 operations center to a full-fledged service center. Let's give them some time. Meanwhile, I guess we can still contact Hannah via email?
Congratulations to the winners of this GE2008!
Hmm, all this while DAP has been saying "we have nothing to do with PAS"
But with the shocking and unprecedented win in 5 state seats (DAP-PKR-PAS combined tally), I believe this is the most pragmatic approach towards a truly unified alternative front.
With Kelantan firmly in PAS's hand, Kedah by PKR-PAS, Selangor sweep by DAP-PKR, Penang by DAP-PKR and now news that Perak has also fallen to DAP-PKR-PAS, 5 state seats will be governed by the Barisan Rakyat. While the remaining 8 state seats (Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak) will continue to be governed by BN.
Interesting to note is that almost all the parliament seats for WP Kuala Lumpur have been swept up by Barisan Rakyat, leaving a sole seat to BN.
With this amazing outcome, the people of Malaysia will be given a chance to witness 2 very different governments performing their jobs. This can be considered "orientation" period or "probation" period for the newly elected governments.
When PAS won the most seats in 1999, they were the parliamentary opposition leader.
When DAP won the most seats in 2004, they were the parliamentary opposition leader.
In this 2008 General Elections results, PKR has secured the most seats among the 3 main opposition parties (see below from SPR).
So does this mean a PKR parliamentarian will be the parliamentary opposition leader?
BN's specialty --> development, development, development
Selangor --> first developed state in Malaysia. So no need any more development.
Penang --> overdeveloped! No need any further development.
Err, can't say much for Perak, Kedah and Kelantan. Those were lost on different reasons.
I wake up today with a new hope, that our country is once again renewed and invigorated. Never before has the election results been so democratized. We are seeing a slow but sure transition to a true 2-party parliamentary system. No matter what happens from now on, things will only improve for the Rakyat. I thank BN's leaders for admitting defeat gracefully, and I hope that this will signal a change within their internal structure to improve themselves and possibly merge into one true party instead of the current loose coalition. I also hope that they will be able to catch up to the realities of the people on the ground. We are not saying that you will be bad forever. We also want you to improve. So listen to us.
Gosh... I only slept for 5 hours and I can't sleep already. It's a new beginning!
So I finished my station master duties in SK USJ12 today. The results were fantastic. 670 to the DAP vs 220 for the BN and only 2 spoilt votes (most likely from older citizens).
And now tuning in to NTV7, where panelist Honey Tan is giving a good commentary and I'm surprised NTV7 actually invited her!
Am also tuning in to Malaysiakini and USJ.com.my for instant updates!
See part 1 here.
This is part 2.
1) Cutting off the power supply during ballot counting period, especially when it's already dark or in rural areas. This will cause confusion in the counting room, and provide the opportunity for ballot stuffing or swapping.
2) Saboteurs in the polling room, who steal the notes and electoral roll of the opposition parties when they are left behind. There is simply no sense of fair play.
3) Deliberate or accidental mismatch of number of votes tallied and number of votes recorded in Borang 13. Either by mistake or by mischief, the vote counts could be switched between the parties contesting, given that the Borang 13 is a generic form with no mention of the political parties contesting. Therefore the sequence should match that of the ballot paper. But it could be switched around. A win could turn out to be a loss!
Friends... BN and SPR are not playing clean. For all you know, SPR has already been compromised. Therefore, every vote, every volunteer, every person is an asset to this campaign. Come forth and lend your hand, it's only for one day. For one day to change the next 5 years of this nation. Please, please, lend your hand.
The venue is Sekolah Kebangsaan USJ12 Subang Jaya. From 8am onwards, volunteers are needed to man the pondok panas and provide moral, physical and logistical support to the DAP. Come and offer your help please!
