This coming election Malaysians are voting to TURN MALAYSIA into a progressive nation. Cutting down national debts, to creat a favorable investment atmosphere for foreign investment, to fight inflation, and to improve basic amenity for a better living for all rakyat Malaysia.
This must start with curbing of corruption at top level to prevent misapproriating public fund.
Next is to restructure our educational system and policy, to retain the cream of our intellectual population for national growth---- cutting down brain drain.
Appointment of the right man to the right job in all government departments.
Looking into modernise agricultural practices---- raising the status and income of our agricultural sectors.
PKR must make sure to place the right man of the right calibre for this coming election. People who know their responsibility of creating a Better Malaysia. Joining in not for personal gain but for national building---- building up Malaysia. Malaysians wanted to stand tall and be proud of our nation. NOT to be a laughing -stock of the world.
People of Malaysia must take this coming election seriously, lest our nation may enter into a era of NO-RETURN..... going down the drain. Presently we are still in time to SAVE Malaysia.
Let us show the world we can do it peacefully, just by way of the ballot and many would have to pack and go home.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
BN Component Parties Must Make A Stand
ALL BN component parties must make a stand whether they really agreed to what UMNO is doing to the nation at large? Speak out NOW or nobody will speak out for YOU when you are hurt!
It is Malaysia's future that we are concern, we are NOT CONCERN for UMNO or BN'f win or lose.
People of Malaysia must make a change this time---- to save Malaysia from going into a bankrupt state. We need to review all racist policies introduced by UMNO so that we can bring back the glory of Malaysia, and attract foreign investments, and allow the people to enjoy the prosperity of Malaysia.
Do not play into the hand of UMNO but be brave to tell the truth. Turn the table over and you can still stand tall and walk with pride. Enough is enough----- Malaysians are no fools. Malaysians know what is going on.
Living in debts and living on credit is not right. If national revenue is returned to the Rakyat, many of us can live with ease. Millions from UMNOputras must be returned to national treasury.
People of Malaysia, stand up, including our BN component parties. Save Malaysia is our top priority.
It is Malaysia's future that we are concern, we are NOT CONCERN for UMNO or BN'f win or lose.
People of Malaysia must make a change this time---- to save Malaysia from going into a bankrupt state. We need to review all racist policies introduced by UMNO so that we can bring back the glory of Malaysia, and attract foreign investments, and allow the people to enjoy the prosperity of Malaysia.
Do not play into the hand of UMNO but be brave to tell the truth. Turn the table over and you can still stand tall and walk with pride. Enough is enough----- Malaysians are no fools. Malaysians know what is going on.
Living in debts and living on credit is not right. If national revenue is returned to the Rakyat, many of us can live with ease. Millions from UMNOputras must be returned to national treasury.
People of Malaysia, stand up, including our BN component parties. Save Malaysia is our top priority.
Who is rude to the Sultans? Read for yourself
After what he did to the Rulers, Dr M has the least right to rebuke Aziz Bari
Written by Melissa Lee
In what many political pundits termed as one of the greatest ironies and an act of great hypocrisy, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has condemed law lecturer Aziz Bari as being 'kurang ajar' or rude for questioning the recent decision by the Selangor Sultan over an alleged apostasy and church raid incident.
"It is hypocritical of Mahathir to now defend the Sultans. Who could have been ruder than him and Umno," opposition MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
Aziz, an outspoken and well-respectecd professor at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, had reportedly said that Sultans could be questioned. There had been much unhappiness over the Selangor Ruler's decision which was deemed unfair by Christian groups.
“In Malay, we call it ‘kurang ajar’. Whether it is against the law or not, I do not know, but morally, it is rude,” Mahathir told reporters on Sunday.
The former PM was seen to be 'politicking'. It is a favorite ploy of the ruling Umno-BN coalition to accuse the Pakatan Rakyat, led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, of wanting to dismantle the Constitutional Monarchy system in Malaysia and turn the country into a Republic. The Pakatan has denied this and pointed out that its manifesto promises to protect the sanctity of the Rulers.
Selangor Sultan's controversial ruling
Indeed, although Sultan decreed that no action should be taken against anyone for alleged apostasy, it was because of a lack of 'legal evidence'. He was also seen to have sided the Umno-linked Selangor Islamic Religious Department or Jais in the decision, where Jais had on August 3 raided a dinner event at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church centre on suspicion Christians were trying to proselytize 12 of the Muslim guests presents.
While clearly indicating, he believed there was such a proselytization attempt but could not gather legal evidence to punish, the Sultan disregarded the fact that Jais dod not have a search warrant. This was why his ruling was criticised by many Malaysians, including Muslims. The entire episode is viewed as a bid by Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno party to discredit the Pakatan Rakyat state government and rally Muslim support behind Umno leaders.
As if on cue, a coalition of Muslim NGOs called Himpun was immediately set up to defend the Islamic faith. It now plans to ride on the back of the Sultan's statement and organise a One Million Muslims gathering on October 22.
"They are also trying to challenge PAS for the Malay-Muslim vote, but I don't any support for them apart from their own members," Hatta Ramli, the Kuala Krai MP, told Malaysia Chronicle.
What Mahathir did to the Rulers in the 80s
But above all, the most nonsensical touch in the entire affair must surely be Mahathir's latest comments against Aziz because the former premier was the man who had whittled away the Rulers' powers during his tenure as PM from 1981 to 2003. Never trust Umno when they start talking about the Monarchy in Malaysia, is the actual clarion cry of political watchers in the country.
In 1983, Umno under Mahathir's leadership took on the royalty, launching the first of many maneuvers. Mahathir, then also the Umno president, stepped forward to introduce amendments to the constitution to limit the Agong’s or King's authority over Parliament. The Agong would have to assent to a bill within 15 days of being passed by Parliament and most importantly the amendments would remove the royal power to declare a state of emergency - shifting it from the Agong and to the Prime Minister.
At first, the Agong refused to bend to Mahathir’s will and His Majesty was supported by the Sultans, conservative UMNO politicians, a large number in the Malay community and an even larger number from the Chinese community.
But Mahathir had the media on his side and took to the streets, organising mass rallies to show public support was behind him. Ironic that none of these street rallies were illegal nor were they deemed a threat to national security or damaging to the country’s economy.
After five months, the two sides reached a compromise with the power to declare Emergency still in the Agong’s hands but if a bill was not assented to by the Agong, the bill would be returned to Parliament to be endorsed, which meant that Parliament could over-ride the Agong’s veto.
In the 90s
In his second decade in office, Mahathir again found himself battling Malaysia's royalty. In 1992, the late Sultan Iskandar's son, a hockey player was suspended from competition for five years for assaulting an opponent. Sultan Iskandar retaliated by pulling all Johor hockey teams out of national competitions. When his decision was criticised by a local coach, Sultan Iskandar ordered him to his Palace and promptly had the coach beaten up.
The federal Parliament unanimously censured Sultan Iskandar, and Mahathir leapt at the opportunity to remove the constitutional protection of the Sultans from civil and criminal suits.
The mainstream media, as usual, backed Mahathir and in an unprecedented development started airing allegations of misconduct by members of Malaysia's royal families. As the press revealed 'examples' of the Rulers' extravagant wealth, Mahathir resolved to cut financial support to royal households.
Faced with a hostile press and federal government, the Sultans capitulated to the government's proposals. Their powers to deny assent to bills were further limited by other constitutional amendments passed in 1994.
So it was that after several fell swoops, Mahathir became the country's 'uncrowned King'. And along with that, UMNO effectively gained control over the royals - imposing its grip over the authority of the Agong.
Written by Melissa Lee
In what many political pundits termed as one of the greatest ironies and an act of great hypocrisy, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has condemed law lecturer Aziz Bari as being 'kurang ajar' or rude for questioning the recent decision by the Selangor Sultan over an alleged apostasy and church raid incident.
"It is hypocritical of Mahathir to now defend the Sultans. Who could have been ruder than him and Umno," opposition MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
Aziz, an outspoken and well-respectecd professor at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, had reportedly said that Sultans could be questioned. There had been much unhappiness over the Selangor Ruler's decision which was deemed unfair by Christian groups.
“In Malay, we call it ‘kurang ajar’. Whether it is against the law or not, I do not know, but morally, it is rude,” Mahathir told reporters on Sunday.
The former PM was seen to be 'politicking'. It is a favorite ploy of the ruling Umno-BN coalition to accuse the Pakatan Rakyat, led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, of wanting to dismantle the Constitutional Monarchy system in Malaysia and turn the country into a Republic. The Pakatan has denied this and pointed out that its manifesto promises to protect the sanctity of the Rulers.
Selangor Sultan's controversial ruling
Indeed, although Sultan decreed that no action should be taken against anyone for alleged apostasy, it was because of a lack of 'legal evidence'. He was also seen to have sided the Umno-linked Selangor Islamic Religious Department or Jais in the decision, where Jais had on August 3 raided a dinner event at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church centre on suspicion Christians were trying to proselytize 12 of the Muslim guests presents.
While clearly indicating, he believed there was such a proselytization attempt but could not gather legal evidence to punish, the Sultan disregarded the fact that Jais dod not have a search warrant. This was why his ruling was criticised by many Malaysians, including Muslims. The entire episode is viewed as a bid by Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno party to discredit the Pakatan Rakyat state government and rally Muslim support behind Umno leaders.
As if on cue, a coalition of Muslim NGOs called Himpun was immediately set up to defend the Islamic faith. It now plans to ride on the back of the Sultan's statement and organise a One Million Muslims gathering on October 22.
"They are also trying to challenge PAS for the Malay-Muslim vote, but I don't any support for them apart from their own members," Hatta Ramli, the Kuala Krai MP, told Malaysia Chronicle.
What Mahathir did to the Rulers in the 80s
But above all, the most nonsensical touch in the entire affair must surely be Mahathir's latest comments against Aziz because the former premier was the man who had whittled away the Rulers' powers during his tenure as PM from 1981 to 2003. Never trust Umno when they start talking about the Monarchy in Malaysia, is the actual clarion cry of political watchers in the country.
In 1983, Umno under Mahathir's leadership took on the royalty, launching the first of many maneuvers. Mahathir, then also the Umno president, stepped forward to introduce amendments to the constitution to limit the Agong’s or King's authority over Parliament. The Agong would have to assent to a bill within 15 days of being passed by Parliament and most importantly the amendments would remove the royal power to declare a state of emergency - shifting it from the Agong and to the Prime Minister.
At first, the Agong refused to bend to Mahathir’s will and His Majesty was supported by the Sultans, conservative UMNO politicians, a large number in the Malay community and an even larger number from the Chinese community.
But Mahathir had the media on his side and took to the streets, organising mass rallies to show public support was behind him. Ironic that none of these street rallies were illegal nor were they deemed a threat to national security or damaging to the country’s economy.
After five months, the two sides reached a compromise with the power to declare Emergency still in the Agong’s hands but if a bill was not assented to by the Agong, the bill would be returned to Parliament to be endorsed, which meant that Parliament could over-ride the Agong’s veto.
In the 90s
In his second decade in office, Mahathir again found himself battling Malaysia's royalty. In 1992, the late Sultan Iskandar's son, a hockey player was suspended from competition for five years for assaulting an opponent. Sultan Iskandar retaliated by pulling all Johor hockey teams out of national competitions. When his decision was criticised by a local coach, Sultan Iskandar ordered him to his Palace and promptly had the coach beaten up.
The federal Parliament unanimously censured Sultan Iskandar, and Mahathir leapt at the opportunity to remove the constitutional protection of the Sultans from civil and criminal suits.
The mainstream media, as usual, backed Mahathir and in an unprecedented development started airing allegations of misconduct by members of Malaysia's royal families. As the press revealed 'examples' of the Rulers' extravagant wealth, Mahathir resolved to cut financial support to royal households.
Faced with a hostile press and federal government, the Sultans capitulated to the government's proposals. Their powers to deny assent to bills were further limited by other constitutional amendments passed in 1994.
So it was that after several fell swoops, Mahathir became the country's 'uncrowned King'. And along with that, UMNO effectively gained control over the royals - imposing its grip over the authority of the Agong.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Be Ready For General Election
Do not be taken ride by BN "topics"---wasting time.
Do not care about what BN is doing--- side track by their election tricks.
Do not get into any open arguement --- show signs of political maturity.
Do not creat any in-fighting among Pakatan member parties --- sign of unpreparedness for Putrajaya.
Instead, talk about Pakatan's vision for Malaysia Baru!
Share how Pakatan will share national revenue with the Rakyat and ensure that Rakyat enjoy the prosperity of Malaysian achievement.
Teach the rakyat how to vote to secure their own right.
Sound it out that Pakatan will make all Rakyat One people of Malaysia ---- giving special attention to the poor among all communities, and giving education aids to all slow learners, and bright opportunity for all the bright students of Malaysia.
Tell the Rakyat how Pakatan is going to draw foreign investors back to Malaysia---- a nation full of talented people and enough of skilled men and women to meet the technical requirement of modern industries.
Promise the nation that Pakatan will definitely improve public transportation facilities nationwide, so that people need not have to own a car! The people can move about cheaply in public transportation.
Let the nation know what Pakatan will do if the people place Pakatan into Putrajaya!
Do not care about what BN is doing--- side track by their election tricks.
Do not get into any open arguement --- show signs of political maturity.
Do not creat any in-fighting among Pakatan member parties --- sign of unpreparedness for Putrajaya.
Instead, talk about Pakatan's vision for Malaysia Baru!
Share how Pakatan will share national revenue with the Rakyat and ensure that Rakyat enjoy the prosperity of Malaysian achievement.
Teach the rakyat how to vote to secure their own right.
Sound it out that Pakatan will make all Rakyat One people of Malaysia ---- giving special attention to the poor among all communities, and giving education aids to all slow learners, and bright opportunity for all the bright students of Malaysia.
Tell the Rakyat how Pakatan is going to draw foreign investors back to Malaysia---- a nation full of talented people and enough of skilled men and women to meet the technical requirement of modern industries.
Promise the nation that Pakatan will definitely improve public transportation facilities nationwide, so that people need not have to own a car! The people can move about cheaply in public transportation.
Let the nation know what Pakatan will do if the people place Pakatan into Putrajaya!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
What BN Has Forgotten
Go to Google, Wikipedia, to get this fact confirmed. Please don't fail to read the extract from page 233 of the book mentioned in the last part of this message. Appended below is a piece of Historical fact which was EXTRACTED from the book written by Frank Swettenham!! The UMNO ultras as well as the likes of that so called History scholar by the name of KKK (an OCBC) tried to CONCEAL from all of us ! The Chinese are the ones who developed the Malay States to what it is today!
This is documented fact!
BRITISH MALAYA - An Account of the Origin and Progress of British Influence in Malaya " - by Sir Frank Swettenham, K.C.M.G. (1850-1946).Late Governor of the Straits Colony & High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States. LONDON: John Lane Page 231 ".......I have said that the protected Malay States depended mainly on the tin mines for their revenue, and it was first care of the Government to foster the industry by every legitimate means. As early as 1882 a French company began to mine tin in the Kinta district of Perak, and has extended its operations to the other States. Since then other Europeans have formed companies for the same purpose; but it was the Chinese who began the work, who have continued it ever since, and whose efforts have succeeded in producing more than half of the world's tin supply.
Page 232
Their energy and enterprise have made the Malay States what they are today, and it would be impossible to overstate the obligation which the Malay Government and the people are under to these hard-working, capable and law-abiding. They were already the miners and the traders, and more instances the planters and the fishermen, before the white man had found his way to the Peninsula . In all the early days it was Chinese energy and industry which supplied the fund to begin the construction of roads and public works, and to pay all the other costs of administration. Then they will and still they are, the pioneers of mining. They have driven their way into remote jungles, cleared the forests, run all the risks, and often made great gains. They have also paid penalty imposed by an often deadly climate. But the Chinese were not often miners, they were charcoal- burners in the days when they had to do their own smelting; they were wood-cutters, carpenters, and brickmakers; as contractors they constructed nearly all government buildings, most of the roads and bridges, railways and waterworks. They brought all the capital into the country when Europeans feared to take the risks; they were the traders and shopkeepers, and it was their steamers which first opened regular communications between the ports of the colony and the ports of Malay States. They introduced tens of thousands of their countrymen when the one great need was labour to develop the hidden riches of an almost unknown and jungle-covered country, and it is their work, the taxation of the luxuries of they consume and of the pleasures they enjoy, which has provided something like nine-tenths of the revenue. When it is possible to look back upon a successful experiment, it is always of interest to ascertain the determining factors, and how far each affected the result.
Page 233
The reader should understand at once what is due to Chinese labour and enterprise in the evolution of the Federated Malay States . The part played by the Malay has already been told: it was mainly negative; how far the Government officials, the European planters and the Indian immigrants contributed to the general development of the Country and the position it now occupies will be described in the subsequent chapter............."
This is documented fact!
BRITISH MALAYA - An Account of the Origin and Progress of British Influence in Malaya " - by Sir Frank Swettenham, K.C.M.G. (1850-1946).Late Governor of the Straits Colony & High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States. LONDON: John Lane Page 231 ".......I have said that the protected Malay States depended mainly on the tin mines for their revenue, and it was first care of the Government to foster the industry by every legitimate means. As early as 1882 a French company began to mine tin in the Kinta district of Perak, and has extended its operations to the other States. Since then other Europeans have formed companies for the same purpose; but it was the Chinese who began the work, who have continued it ever since, and whose efforts have succeeded in producing more than half of the world's tin supply.
Page 232
Their energy and enterprise have made the Malay States what they are today, and it would be impossible to overstate the obligation which the Malay Government and the people are under to these hard-working, capable and law-abiding. They were already the miners and the traders, and more instances the planters and the fishermen, before the white man had found his way to the Peninsula . In all the early days it was Chinese energy and industry which supplied the fund to begin the construction of roads and public works, and to pay all the other costs of administration. Then they will and still they are, the pioneers of mining. They have driven their way into remote jungles, cleared the forests, run all the risks, and often made great gains. They have also paid penalty imposed by an often deadly climate. But the Chinese were not often miners, they were charcoal- burners in the days when they had to do their own smelting; they were wood-cutters, carpenters, and brickmakers; as contractors they constructed nearly all government buildings, most of the roads and bridges, railways and waterworks. They brought all the capital into the country when Europeans feared to take the risks; they were the traders and shopkeepers, and it was their steamers which first opened regular communications between the ports of the colony and the ports of Malay States. They introduced tens of thousands of their countrymen when the one great need was labour to develop the hidden riches of an almost unknown and jungle-covered country, and it is their work, the taxation of the luxuries of they consume and of the pleasures they enjoy, which has provided something like nine-tenths of the revenue. When it is possible to look back upon a successful experiment, it is always of interest to ascertain the determining factors, and how far each affected the result.
Page 233
The reader should understand at once what is due to Chinese labour and enterprise in the evolution of the Federated Malay States . The part played by the Malay has already been told: it was mainly negative; how far the Government officials, the European planters and the Indian immigrants contributed to the general development of the Country and the position it now occupies will be described in the subsequent chapter............."
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Pakatan Without PAS
If Pakatan Rakyat is going to take over Putrajaya, Pakatan must make a stand against Islamic State from the very start. No fooling around.
PAS has not learnt from their past failure. As soon as they are gaining the people's support they are back to religious agneda. PAS should be a good Religious Advisor to Religious Affair Department, but NOT as a political party.
DAP and KeAdilan must make a stand and make it together with other same minded partners---- for a Better Malaysia, People's Malaysia.
Pakatan should not believe that PAS can win all seats they are going to stand in for in the next general election. Their lost will mean BN's walk over. So either KeAfilan or DAP must consider to send in a candidate where PAS may be standing in. This will ensure the way to Putrajaya.
People are with Pakatan for a change, but PAS has rocked the situation and causing must anxiety among the rakyat. So making a stand NOW will gain the support of the people. Go without PAS.
PAS has not learnt from their past failure. As soon as they are gaining the people's support they are back to religious agneda. PAS should be a good Religious Advisor to Religious Affair Department, but NOT as a political party.
DAP and KeAdilan must make a stand and make it together with other same minded partners---- for a Better Malaysia, People's Malaysia.
Pakatan should not believe that PAS can win all seats they are going to stand in for in the next general election. Their lost will mean BN's walk over. So either KeAfilan or DAP must consider to send in a candidate where PAS may be standing in. This will ensure the way to Putrajaya.
People are with Pakatan for a change, but PAS has rocked the situation and causing must anxiety among the rakyat. So making a stand NOW will gain the support of the people. Go without PAS.
Monday, September 12, 2011
We Must Be A Thinking People of Malaysia
By Mariam Mokhtar
A country that has won Merdeka, in name only, cannot be considered free or independent if its people are afraid to speak up to determine their future.
Isn’t it time we thought in terms of liberating our minds from the shackles of Umno? We need to be free from thinking that only Umno is our saviour. We need the liberty to appreciate freely that Malaysia is a product of all its peoples and not a success just because of the one race.
When the country was a colony, the vanguard of freedom fighters had a common objective – independence. Today, we seem to have lost our sense of direction. We are like a rudderless ship and with no skipper to steer us, we are aimlessly drifting with the tide.
On 31 August 1957, Malaya achieved its independence from its colonial masters. However, it appears that we have swopped one set of rulers, the British, for another, Umno.
Others will rubbish this claim and say that the real problem is because the current Umno has evolved into a hybrid monster of the old Umno. Maybe the truth lies somewhere in between.
Umno duped everyone, including their partners in the BN-coalition, the MCA and the MIC. These two component parties believed that they were representing the interests of the Chinese and the Indians of Malaysia. They took their cue from Umno, to create more fear and instability. Between them, they engineered ways and means to control the people.
First, the government used scare tactics on the people. Then, they started to demoralise those whom they had just frightened.
We have seen a steady increase in threats including death threats, unlawful arrests, detentions, fire-bombings and protests against law-abiding citizens. To spread the fear, so that the hidden threat reaches as many people as possible, the mainstream media helps Umno.
One shopkeeper said, “I dare not open my mouth to criticise because the police would catch me. That would be it for me and my family would never see me again.”
How can a country be considered independent if its own people are afraid to say and speak their mind, because they know their freedom will be curtailed?
Second is the silent majority, who is aware of what is going on but for one reason or another, refuses to voice its disapproval.
What is it that motivates them? Is it fear, apathy or their indebtedness to Umno? Why do they remain silent and give the rabble-rousers the courage to continue and destroy the harmony, previously enjoyed by Malaysians?
Those who do not benefit from Umno’s largesse are full of resentment. It is not just non-Malays against Malays, for within the Malay ranks, there is also great animosity.
Umno is aware that the ability to choose, depends on the freedom to make choices. However, when people are indebted to Umno, in one way or another, then the freedom to choose is no longer there.
Politicians who have no concept of governance and who are devoid of policies, have no qualms about using religion to divide and rule. For these people, their only hope for an increased following, is by instilling fear.
We have observed several downtrends in our educational policies and seen the nation become divided because of our educational system and the preferential treatment being given to the majority race.
Again, Umno is aware that with an educated and confident nation, it would be more difficult to rule.
Without the ability to free our minds of Umno’s brainwashing, many of us become impressed with the show of wealth and the line-up of mega-projects, that Umno displays.
If we liberated our minds and thought rationally, we would wonder why it is possible to find billions to build these monuments to Umno and its leaders, but very little money in comparison can be found to help the ordinary people?
For decades, Umno conned us with cheap slogans and we went along with them. Originally, the rakyat was complacent, but no more.
The turning point was reached in 2008, when it was shown that Umno was slacking. That is why any initiative on our part to strive for change has been challenged forcefully, by Umno. That is why we saw the EO-6 or PSM-6 being detained. That is why Umno have discovered so many perceived threats to Islam. That is why Bersih was seen as a danger to Umno’s leaders.
Many of us may have lost hope and may refuse to vote because we may feel it will not make a difference.
That would spell an even greater disaster for Malaysia. If the poor utilised their power to vote and went out to vote for people who would represent their interests, only then would there be, a true democratic revolution. The rakyat may find that finally, their needs and that of their community, will be met. Now that would be liberating.
A country that has won Merdeka, in name only, cannot be considered free or independent if its people are afraid to speak up to determine their future.
Isn’t it time we thought in terms of liberating our minds from the shackles of Umno? We need to be free from thinking that only Umno is our saviour. We need the liberty to appreciate freely that Malaysia is a product of all its peoples and not a success just because of the one race.
When the country was a colony, the vanguard of freedom fighters had a common objective – independence. Today, we seem to have lost our sense of direction. We are like a rudderless ship and with no skipper to steer us, we are aimlessly drifting with the tide.
On 31 August 1957, Malaya achieved its independence from its colonial masters. However, it appears that we have swopped one set of rulers, the British, for another, Umno.
Others will rubbish this claim and say that the real problem is because the current Umno has evolved into a hybrid monster of the old Umno. Maybe the truth lies somewhere in between.
Umno duped everyone, including their partners in the BN-coalition, the MCA and the MIC. These two component parties believed that they were representing the interests of the Chinese and the Indians of Malaysia. They took their cue from Umno, to create more fear and instability. Between them, they engineered ways and means to control the people.
First, the government used scare tactics on the people. Then, they started to demoralise those whom they had just frightened.
We have seen a steady increase in threats including death threats, unlawful arrests, detentions, fire-bombings and protests against law-abiding citizens. To spread the fear, so that the hidden threat reaches as many people as possible, the mainstream media helps Umno.
One shopkeeper said, “I dare not open my mouth to criticise because the police would catch me. That would be it for me and my family would never see me again.”
How can a country be considered independent if its own people are afraid to say and speak their mind, because they know their freedom will be curtailed?
Second is the silent majority, who is aware of what is going on but for one reason or another, refuses to voice its disapproval.
What is it that motivates them? Is it fear, apathy or their indebtedness to Umno? Why do they remain silent and give the rabble-rousers the courage to continue and destroy the harmony, previously enjoyed by Malaysians?
Those who do not benefit from Umno’s largesse are full of resentment. It is not just non-Malays against Malays, for within the Malay ranks, there is also great animosity.
Umno is aware that the ability to choose, depends on the freedom to make choices. However, when people are indebted to Umno, in one way or another, then the freedom to choose is no longer there.
Politicians who have no concept of governance and who are devoid of policies, have no qualms about using religion to divide and rule. For these people, their only hope for an increased following, is by instilling fear.
We have observed several downtrends in our educational policies and seen the nation become divided because of our educational system and the preferential treatment being given to the majority race.
Again, Umno is aware that with an educated and confident nation, it would be more difficult to rule.
Without the ability to free our minds of Umno’s brainwashing, many of us become impressed with the show of wealth and the line-up of mega-projects, that Umno displays.
If we liberated our minds and thought rationally, we would wonder why it is possible to find billions to build these monuments to Umno and its leaders, but very little money in comparison can be found to help the ordinary people?
For decades, Umno conned us with cheap slogans and we went along with them. Originally, the rakyat was complacent, but no more.
The turning point was reached in 2008, when it was shown that Umno was slacking. That is why any initiative on our part to strive for change has been challenged forcefully, by Umno. That is why we saw the EO-6 or PSM-6 being detained. That is why Umno have discovered so many perceived threats to Islam. That is why Bersih was seen as a danger to Umno’s leaders.
Many of us may have lost hope and may refuse to vote because we may feel it will not make a difference.
That would spell an even greater disaster for Malaysia. If the poor utilised their power to vote and went out to vote for people who would represent their interests, only then would there be, a true democratic revolution. The rakyat may find that finally, their needs and that of their community, will be met. Now that would be liberating.
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