Posted on by Kit

Rashid knows when is next general election – why Chua Soi Lek so angry as to call him a “liar”

Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahmat has made many Barisan Nasional leaders hot under the collar with his claim in Malacca on Thursday that he knew when the general election would be held — but he would not tell.

Even Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO Deputy President, Datuk Seri Najib Razak says he is clueless, though he would like to know.

However, nobody could be as incensed as the MCA Ministers and leaders as it must be a tremendous loss of face for them to be caught on the wrong footing, unable to answer what must be asked them umpteenth times everyday by their supporters as to when is the next general election when a lowly government functionary like the Election Commission Chairman is fully privy to.

Such manifest ignorance could not be more embarrassing at this time as it drives home what all MCA Ministers are most sensitive about — their continued irrelevance, impotence and marginalization in government!

This explains the Cabinet rage (like road-rage of Mat Rempits) of the Health Minister and MCA National Vice President, Datuk Chua Soi Lek who as good as called Rashid a “liar” (China Press) in making such a “preposterous claim”.

Does Rashid really know when is the next general election or was he simply lying or just posturing omniscience?

Rashid had told reporters after the launch of the state-level Election Commission briefing and course for returning officers and assistant returning officers in Malacca two days ago that the next general election will be conducted after the end of the state-level series of Election Commission courses which concludes on January 29.

If Rashid knows when is the next general election, then only one person could have told him — the Prime Minister himself.

Abdullah should speak up whether he had told Rashid when the general election would be held to end the anger building up among the MCA Ministers and leaders.

Instead of creating a furore among Barisan Nasional leaders with his tease that he knew more than them about the date for the next general election, Rashid would have done a greater service to the nation and greater justice to his job as Election Commission Chairman to put in place an electoral system which is clean, free and fair, covering all aspects of elections — including clean and comprehensive electoral roll, level playing field for election campaign by all contestants including strict check on money politics and fair media coverage, and eradication of electoral abuses like massive phantom and postal voting.

After all, this was precisely why 40,000 Malaysians had gathered in the unprecedented massive but peaceful rally on Nov. 10 to present a petition to the Yang di Pertuan Agong for electoral reforms to ensure clean, free and fair elections in Malaysia.

77 Replies to “Rashid knows when is next general election – why Chua Soi Lek so angry as to call him a “liar””

  3. Why is Chua Soi Lek so surprised or ‘boh bin’ to find out that Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahmat knew when the general election will be held? Even Najib Razak did not know. Soi Lek should just continue to be happy under his coconut shell.

    In Malaysia, there are people who know more than others. Some of them are even insignificant lightweight civil servants who know more than their masters.

    According to Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia-Today, the guy with the long title of Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja (actually a fanciful title equivalent to an overpaid butler or chambermaid in the istana; employed by the Prime Minister’s Department to be a spy in the Istana) knew more than his boss in the Istana and issued a statement of behalf of YDP Agong that “Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has expressed regret over claims that he and the Palace approved and supported Saturday’s illegal rally in the city.”

    Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja must be as good as David Blaine in reading people’s mind and in this case YDP Agong’s mind.

  5. “…//…Does Rashid really know when is the next general election or was he simply lying or just posturing omniscience?…//…” – YB Kit

    Now why would Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahmat claim that he knew when the general election would be held (implying the PM already intimated to him) if he actually didn’t know? I can’t think of a reason! Just to make UMNO ministers envy or MCA ministers incensed by his ‘posturing omniscience’? I don’t think so.

    That he would be the privileged one to know in advance when election is imminent should not surprise, least of all BN’s ministers considering: –

    1. by convention, the Prime Minister is entitled to prerogative to alone choose the most propitious date he adjudges timely to request for dissolution of parliament for general election – not because that is the date serving the best interest of the country – but more of that being the time most beneficial for the PM, his party and coalition that he leads in terms of maximization of electoral success.

    2. Although it is self evident that the Election Commission (like position of Judiciary) is expected to be a politically neutral referee ensuring free and fair elections in its preparation of the Electoral Rolls and the delineation of constituencies, yet the fact is there is nothing explicit in our Federal Constitution that refers and mandates the Election Commission as being a body (constitutionally) independent from influence by the government, and there is accumulated, over the years of GE experience, considerable disquiet at least on the Opposition’s side that the Election Commission has not really discharged its duties in strict non partisan and neutral manner : hence the Bersih memorandum demaning electoral changes!

    3. If one holds 1. and 2. as true and are believed, then it would be consistent with the two propositions for Election Commission Chairman to be let known in advance the timing of dissolution so that he could have more lead time to perform his duties in a more efficient way that best maximizes the electoral chances of the PM, his party and coalition that he leads within what is permissible by election law and constitution.

    Some examples of his duties: –

    · One of the duties of EC Chairman in preparation for election is to identify, make and enter into arrangements and comitments including legal to secure locations for polling stations most acessible for the conveience of voters inclined to support the BN;

    · Another of EC Chairman’s duties is to revise the electoral roll of registered voters, and regulate the manner in which elections are conducted. Knowing the date of the election in advance would permit targeted updates of the national register of electors, done in close consultation with PM (with the need for fewer revisions during electoral period to correct miscalculations); and so on……….

    More lead time means the EC Chairman can do a better job out of facilitating objective in 1. above.

    So there is really nothing surprising at all why the EC Chairman from the practical operational standpoint should not be privy to advance knowledge of when is general election to be called.

    BN ministers should view his advance knowledge with comfort and assurance – since his work likely favour their chances of re-election – than go into a rage calling him a liar when he requires more lead time to serve their political interests. How ungrateful !

    If those on the other side of the fence do not think the EC Chairman is politically neutral enough, they can always include a supplemental request for his replacement in the Bersih’s Memorandum presented to the Yang di Pertuan Agong who has discretion under article 40 of the Federal Constitution to appoint or replace EC Chairman.

    Whether YDPA would entertain it is of course another matter. It does look likely since his Majesty disapproves of the Bersih’s illegal assembly in the first instance.

  6. Here is the link of the discussion on Al-Jazeera on Bersih.

    Please forward it to as many friends and relatives as possible.

    Please provide this link to as many blogs as possible.

    There will come a time when the media claims freedom from the powers to be and reporters are bold enough to express what the people feel. In this interview, Nazri and Khairy mentioned that the 4000 people — which is actually 40,000-60,000 people were not the majority.

    There will come a time when bold Malaysians come forward to express that they stand for what is right and have intentions to make right what is wrong currently.

    This will happen when Malaysians know how wrong is the system we have currently. When they are disgusted by the stench and puke at such ugly sights of how corrupt and selfish certain parties, people groups are —- they will rise up to ensure BERSIH cleans the system to honour fairness, goodness and an honest days of work and affirmative action to help those deserving help in a transparent manner.

    Lets clean up Malaysia. Do your part 15 minutes a day by sharing important information to different emails and blogs around the world.

    http://sagaladoola.blogspot.com/2007/11/bersih-malik-khairy-nazri-in-aljazeera.html

  7. As the next GE is imminent, we should encourage more people to view this Al-Jazeera interview of the brilliant lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, the insolent law minister Nazri Aziz, and the smart-alecky Son-in-Law:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJXOVrziDlY
    101 East- Malaysia protest- 15 Nov 07- Part 1

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpGBTBkBcPc
    101 East- Malaysia protest- 15 Nov 07- Part 2

    If possible, make VCD of this interview (with BM, Chinese, and Tamil transcripts) and distribute it nationwide to people in the heartland and new villages.

  8. A dedicated political party shall be ready at any time to face general election.

    DAP main service is talking only at the highest level like LKS unlike MCA is active at the grassroot level to serve rakyat.

    If in a level playing field contest, my vote will go to MCA.

    My vote always go to any opposition is to check overwhelming victory by BN, not because I believe DAP can provide better service than MCA.

  11. Malaysiatoday.com said:

    “DAP main service is talking only at the highest level like LKS unlike MCA is active at the grassroot level to serve rakyat.

    If in a level playing field contest, my vote will go to MCA.”

    What are you trying to say ? MCA serving the rakyat ? As running dogs to UMNO as in the PKFTZ scandal ?

    In your opinion, is there a level playing field contest ? If not, who would you vote for ?

    Ong Ka Ting can’t hold a candle close to Kit, and I say this because I know both men. One is spineless and has been for the past 30 years as a MCA member, while Kit has stood up for his principles for close to 40 years.

    In today’s STAR, there was a picture of Lee Chong Meng with a bunch of purportedly traders from Bukit Bintang protesting last Saturday’s Bersih rally. This is Chinese hypocrisy at its worst – money comes before the future of the country. Money matters above everything else. Lee Chong Meng and those guys pictured in the STAR today should look at themselves in the mirror every morning, and ask if their children and their children’s children have a future under this corrupt regime.

    I am ashamed of MCA and those bloodsuckers whose anthem is none other than the ABBA song “Money Money Money”.

  12. I know MCA grassroot leaders in my kampong are doing much better jobs than DAP people. MCA folks at the grassroot level have done a lot of good services to local Chinese community is a hard fact.

    While for top level leadership, MCA is co-hort with UMNO to sweep away rakyat money is also a fact.

    Most laymen are more concerned on living stuff surronding them, that is why BN can win the heart of Johoreans years after years.

  13. MCA needs the umno local authorities to continue their abuse of Chinese petty traders and new villagers so as to appear relevant with their petty services at their grassroot level.

    Bandaids distributing service bureau. On the flip-side the MCA mafioso may intrude into your life unexpectedly and indirectly anytime, especially if you’re not a member and screw you up in favour of members.

  14. Now you are at it, I am having the opinion that when posed with rakyat’s problems Ipoh DAP guys are good at taking down cell numbers, no action and follow thru after that. That’s the last you’ll hear of them. YB you need to tick them off, seriously!

  16. I don’t believe Najib Razak does not know the date of election. Why Najib was saying his clueless? In my opinion, Najib was trying to portray the SPR as an independent entity.

    If Najib does not know, then Election Commission Chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman is reporting to whom? Pak Helah also cannot make big decision. So who is the next powerful guy inside UMNO could instruct Abdul Rashid to set a date? Khairi is a big possibility but i dont think he is that powerful enough to fix a date without consultation of others.

  17. When you are dealing with people with no or abnormal principles and you have no choice not to deal with them, be realistic or practical is more useful than just hold bare to your principles. Of course high respect must accorded to the principled man, but in the context of Bolehland we should exercise utmost degree of self-restraint before we spit on the face of the practical/realistic man.

    Before we drop any stinking name on MCA, waste a minute or two to ask few questions:

    Q1.Would current situation be improved with MCA refuses be UMNO unequal or more demoralising-subservient partner?.

    Q2.Is current predicament is due to MCA is a partner of UMNO?

    Q3. Presumably miracle happens BA(Keadilan+Pas+DAP+…+..) won the election and form a coalition government, will DAP be an equal partner? BA coalition embraces the multiracial, multiculture, religion…. policy? I only dare to dream.

    I am an admirer of LKS since I was a teenager, now I am a middle age woman, his multiracial manifesto ” Malaysian Malaysia” has long been engraved in my head, instead of getting closer to this ideal end, we are drifting farther and farther, now our friend is shouting loudly “ketuanan Melayu”, corruption from bad to worse, judiciary too in the deep shit. Sometimes I feel his political struggle doesn’t bear any juicy fruit, apart as a highly respectable principled man.

  20. There are bunch of Malaysians know nothing except name calling, personal attack, etc against their “enemies”.

    I doubt opposition behavior can be better than BN camp if these people are in the opposition camp.

  22. Jong Says:

    November 17th, 2007 at 19: 44.36
    Now you are at it, I am having the opinion that when posed with rakyat’s problems Ipoh DAP guys are good at taking down cell numbers, no action and follow thru after that. That’s the last you’ll hear of them. YB you need to tick them off, seriously!

    ====

    LKS is holding power in DAP for decades, I count him out for his political will in instituting any drastic changes in his party. In another word, DAP is LKS, LKS is DAP.

  23. SO Man. Utd is ALex Ferguson and ALex Ferguson is MU?

    DOnt gv stupid logic. WHen one is good at what he does he shld be given the primary role. If gvn 20 years for AAB to sit in as UMNO and BN head, the whole country would hv been conquered by SIngapore within 5 years!

    Bkt Bintang traders are definitely living within the confort zone. Could they be bothered if the rest of the community eat shit? Yes that’s also the chinese mentality. But i dont see them so gung-ho in claiming from TNB during the major blackouts and what not that jeopardised their income. All bunch of MCA crap using The Star as their media of propaganda. To these ppl I say “good for u if u lose evn more money”. If they cant sacrifice a bit for the good of the country and her future, what good are they? They are worse than those illegal immigrants.

  24. I agree with the rest, it does seem that MCA has a stronger grassroots campaign. DAP will do well to improve it’s delivery when it comes to this matter. Winning votes based on viewpoints and credibility is one thing – bringing the swing votes over in crucial areas (especially where DAP is incumbent) will depend on how well the people in the area have been taken care of as well.

    On the topic at hand, I simply fail to understand why Rashid is saying this – did something fail between the top echelon of BN and the EC? He seems to be trying to cause mass confusion amongst the BN leaders…

  26. What is happening is what happens when you have a weak leader in charge. Those under him are apparently seizing at the opportunity to go their separate ways, claiming to be acting according to what the ‘leader’ says and wants, and flexing their muscles so to speak as they go along.

  28. I think both MCA and DAP did serve the people, but in a defferent way. Like what malaysiatoday said, MCA at grassroot and DAP at higher level. I don’t think DAP have the resources to serve at the grassroot level but we need DAP to be our “watcher” on the government. That’s why DAP manage to win more parliamentary seats in penang than the state seats in penang.
    We need to keep a good balance between the opposition and the government. But at the the moment it seems the government is very much in the comfort zone……..

  30. LKS is holding power in DAP for decades, I count him out for his political will in instituting any drastic changes in his party. In another word, DAP is LKS, LKS is DAP.

    ———————————————- Do you expect elected MP to sweep and clear cloged drains , when we have more important issues surfacing.

  31. Malaysia Today mentality is the same level as a self centred simpleton that thinks wakil rakyat job is only to clean longkang tersumbat. To me, there are far greater paramount issues to be dealt with. So if u wanna pick someone who cleans drain and cut the grass, yes please pangkah MCA. But if you want someone to to go beyond that to fight for the name of truth, look no further. DAP is the party.

  32. Chua is not only a disgrace to the medical community but it appears also to his Chinese brethren….where do they pick these guys from…….they come in out of nowhere almost illiterate, cause maximum damage and worse still try to hold on for the rest of their lives….arent there any brave Chinese leaders from KL for a change……or are all these guys too smart to be in politics and rather stick to buisness……Nomore Tan Cheng Lok, Tan Siew Sin, etc ???…..

  34. Well let’s analyse the fact and see if one can arrive at a conclusion.

    EC given its reputation especially under Rashid, is well known to be corrupted and bias towards UMNO. Now here is the scenario, assuming that Rashid does not know the election date, but if he still chose to reveal it that he knows but he would not tell, what does that mean? To me, it means he is under someone’s else power, to make the Prime Minister looks bad. You can almost already sense it someone is trying to further makes AAB looks bad. I would look at it in the interest’s point of view. Who has got the most to gain from Rashid’s statement? I am sure intelligent people like you guys can guess right?

    The 2nd perspective here is, suppose the Prime Minister did tell Rashid and he accidentally spilled it or not, then it would be clear cut case of EC manipulation that can be directly proven that the Prime Minister is pulling the puppet string of the EC so well that even, Deputy Najis does not know. So much so that Najis would be swimming for his life and kept in the dark as he himself is aiming for the Prime Minister seat.

    Given this 2 scenarios, which one do you think is the most likely it will happen? For me, it does not matter, whatever the date is, the people of Malaysia must be the winner and kick whoever in BN/UMNO out of the picture because time and again they have proven to all of us that they are totally irrelevant to Malaysia. They cannot safe guard the interest and the future of the country. Hence they are not fit to rule.

  36. # malaysiatoday.com Says:

    A dedicated political party shall be ready at any time to face general election.

    DAP main service is talking only at the highest level like LKS unlike MCA is active at the grassroot level to serve rakyat.

    If in a level playing field contest, my vote will go to MCA.

    My vote always go to any opposition is to check overwhelming victory by BN, not because I believe DAP can provide better service than MCA.

    =========================

    Helo brother, wake up please! Why is MCA serving well in the grassroots level? Please use your brain and think about it! When you file a police report, who will the police (the protector of Ah Long) listen to? MCA or DAP? When you bring a case to court, who will the judge listen to? MCA or DAP? When you make a press conference, who get the widest coverage in our local newspapers and TV news? MCA or DAP?

    Police ?? = UMNO punya
    ACA/BPR ?? = UMNO punya
    Juridical ?? = juga UMNO punya
    ISA?? = lol, kalau bukan UMNO punya, siapa pulak?

    So can DAP survive?

    And best of all, where do MCA get all their money to run their centers? PKFZ scandal, Ah Long, business men like Lee Chong Meng and many more. You think running these service centers is cheep or free? Dream on man. Government sponsor? Please don’t make me laugh. Only UMNO centers is sponsor by government money, OUR HARD EARN MONEY!!

    So tell me, can DAP perform well when it was an one sided game from the beginning?? If they CAN’T even get FAIR feedbacks of your complaints from the authorities like municipals, government department or the police, you tell me how are they going to serve us at the grassroots level!!! You said that the MCA at your kampung in Johor is doing well. I want to ask 1 question, are you still living in Johor?

    Johor has the HIGHEST CRIME RATE in Malaysia with robbery and stealing happen so often everyday. Why? Thanks to all the ‘Ah Long’ you guys voted and you still want to indulge in your own world thinking MCA is serving you well. By ‘cuci-ing’ your longkang, picking up your garbage or organizing some donation parties, you have been play dumb by them! Johor, the strong hold of BN = THE HIGHTEST CRIME RATE STATE in Malaysia.

    To all others as well, wake up dude. One small portion of sweets is enough to make you vote blindly. If you think about your next generation, you better start to think properly before you place your vote!! Election is coming soon and more sweets will be thrown by to government to lure your votes. Think of what they have done in this pass 3 years and don’t ever forget the ‘Kerismuddin’ event in the UMNO’s 2006 GM.

  37. No wonder at all why our universities ranking is plunging all the way. We are always bickering about issues which to others are non issues but to us are big issues.

    Few articles appeared in Sin Chew Daily, cracking cynic joke out of the ironic election situation between Malaysia & America. In America the date of presidency election has been known & fixed, but the Whitehouse tenant for the next 4 years is 50-50, back here the occupier of Sri Perdana is confirmed, but the election date is arousing great suspend & excitement & ferocious oral battles as well. What a great nation?

  38. Malaysiatoday.com says:

    “I doubt opposition behavior can be better than BN camp if these people are in the opposition camp.”

    I think what you are trying to say is that opposition behavior cannot be better than the current BN behavior if the Opposition is in the shoes of the BN.

    If so, what is the basis of this statement ? The Opposition will definitely lie, cheat and steal like the BN ? The Opposition will practise discrimination, practise cronyism ? Use government funds to bailout bad (or even illegal) decisions ?

    We are talking about real issues here – issues of no meritocracy in education, hijacking of NEP to enrich a small coterie of UMNOputras, no accountability of failed projects, theft of public funds, abuse of power, concerted efforts to mislead the public through the mainstream press, the list goes on.

    The Opposition can do no worse than BN, so it’s time to give them a chance before the country is stolen blind.

  39. YB Lim, I hope you take this a point to consider.

    Malayiatoday.com has a valid point. I mix easily with MCA guys and in a lot of cases, I share with their views. They set funds for schools, Old Folks Home etc and now going from town to town teaching people about Financial Management. They still speak ferventally about education.

    The problem with MCA today is that it had lost focus simply because of the excesses of their former leaders. The present leaders, if you remember correctly, are placed there are a form of “compromise” between two factions. Due to that the leadership is too weak to clean up the dirt in the party.

    YB Lim, honestly I don’t like to comment on the performances of political parties. I voted “blindly” for the opposition but in all these years, but I’ve never found DAP members that approachable. If voting is solely based on this fact, my vote would be for MCA anytime.

  40. oknyua,

    My friend too joined MCA to get business contacts and lubang2. To him, MCA is his source of income. BUt how long will this last once the well dries up?

    Are we not the same as fishermen who sapu everything that come their way in the coean and sooner or later they will send the entire sea population into extinction? What happens then? Eat dung ah?

    Yes, if we are more concerned for clogged drains, then do vote for MCA. BUt hey, hv u not forgotten why the drains are constantly clogged? It is becos of mismanagement of govt funds and also corruption that happens at every level in the local councils.

    So where is the source of your problem(s)? DAP not having sufficient grassroot workers or you have too many scums eating into our hardearned money?

  41. Most PM’s themselves don’t know exactly when they want to hold elections; they will want inspiration from feedback on the ground, economic conditions, even feng shui. so how Rashid knows is puzzling unless Pak Lah has already decided which is unlikely as election date is a moving target to most PMs.

  42. Guys,

    I wasn’t referring to “clogged drains”. That, I can easily handle.

    It’s about one ordinary citizen’s name being hijacked and used as phantom voter in another state. I had thought DAP would have a keen interest in since GE is just around the corner.

    Someone I know, a Ms Wong informed me that her name was used and registered with SPR/EC since 1990 without her knowledge!

    I tried to help by contacting 3 Perak DAP guys – 2 elected rep and one party official. Two responded and did the usual – collected the “victim’s” cellphone number which I gladly gave. That was the last I heard from them, no one contacted Ms Wong till today.

    Ms Wong has never been registered with SPR/EC thus never voted before. She’s Perak born, has never lived or worked in Johore. She found out her name was used as phantom voter when tried ‘testing’ SPR’s online voters check, playfully keyed in her nric. To her shock she found out her name was registered to vote at JB. That was the start of panic!

    Anyway BERSIH heard about it and through a friend wrote to me and the rest is history.

    What I was trying to say is that the people/rakyat needs to be assured that they can rely on their elected rep and their party members, that these people care esp when help and guidance is urgently needed in form of advice etc.

  43. Btw Ms Wong was asked by SPR/EC to make a police report before they want to accept her ‘new’ registration! Ridiculous, and through no fault of hers? Don’t SPR/EC need to make a police report too?

  44. naked taliban Says:

    Do you expect elected MP to sweep and clear cloged drains , when we have more important issues surfacing.

    ==

    Under a democratic system, you better listen to majority if you want to be elected as MP.

    What is wrong if the majority of laymen see longkang issue is more important to them?

  45. MCA can not defend Chinese community right; it has to do the second class services like see the “lokang’; type petirion letter etc to cover it weaknesses; thus in the BN it has already become 2nd class party and if we Chinese follow its philosophy; we will bwcome 2nd class citizen.
    We want to be equal class citizen. Vote for opposition

  46. Mr Smeagroo, I apologise if you can’t get my point. I am on friendly term with MCA, UMNO and PAS members, but I found DAP not easily approachable. It was a comment from both experience and for YB Lim to consider, respectfully.

    I shifted from Malaysia Today to YB Lim’s blog because I like reading the like of Dawsheng, Undergrad2, Godfather, Jeffrey, Filibuster. They abstained from profanities and they write a lot of sensible things.

    Coming back to Malaysiatoday.com, he raised a valid point. It’s nothing to do with blocked drain. Do you know how difficult was it for MCA to set up University TAR? If you look at the list of lecturers in TAR, there are people that “returned” from overseas, sacrificing better income and life there. I salute them… why not? TAR is miles away from blocked “longkang” issues.

    I will vote for DAP and that has nothing to do with blocked “longkang.” MCA has lost its focus. In many ways it has lost its credibility too. Looking at the issue at hand, the reaction of Dr. Chua is a reflection of how UMNO treats MCA.

  47. I tried to help by contacting 3 Perak DAP guys – 2 elected rep and one party official. Two responded and did the usual – collected the “victim’s” cellphone number which I gladly gave. That was the last I heard from them, no one contacted Ms Wong till today.

    The dead and underaged will be voting in next GE as per SPR name list in IJOK buy election.

  48. I just arrived here, so my response is a bit late.

    tsn said:
    “Before we drop any stinking name on MCA, waste a minute or two to ask few questions:

    Q1.Would current situation be improved with MCA refuses be UMNO unequal or more demoralising-subservient partner?.

    Q2.Is current predicament is due to MCA is a partner of UMNO?”
    —————–
    I have always believed that the plights of the Chinese would not be so bad if MCA has not been so subservient to UMNO since the 70’s. The problems of the Chinese are due to MCA. MCA essentially betrayed the Chinese. RPK is right about his characterisations of the Chinese. In my opinion, MCA people have basically followed the saying “If you can’t beat them, join them”. So, they are also a bunch of crooks.
    MCA also plays the May 13 card; always reminding the Chinese community about May 13 to keep them in line.
    The Chinese don’t see the looming threats to their basic rights because their thinking is always short-term. Concepts of basic human rights do not mean anything to most Chinese. They always think that they are resilient and can play the system, until maybe the day comes when their descesdants have to lose their Chinese names like in Indonesia or Thailand. That is when reality hits home. MCA and Gerakan should not have blindly voted for constitutional amendments that affect the non-Malays. They should be like in the US, where politicians cross party lines on certain issues when they don’t agree.

  49. “Do you know how difficult was it for MCA to set up University TAR? If you look at the list of lecturers in TAR, there are people that “returned” from overseas, sacrificing better income and life there. I salute them… why not? TAR is miles away from blocked “longkang” issues.” — oknyua.
    —————————–
    We always have problem of perceptions. You must remember that sometimes, everything is not what it seems on the surface. You should ask these lecturers to publish their resumes and publications on UTAR website. Do you ever wonder why they don’t? Don’t talk about them sacrificing better income and life overseas.

  50. Further to what I said previously, from some accounts, MCA was lackadaisical in safeguarding the rights of the Chinese during the Merdeka negotiations. They depended more on gentleman’s words instead of putting down in writing and spelling out more clearly the rights of the Chinese. The British would not have given independence if MCA was not a party to the agreement.

  52. //”The British would not have given independence if MCA was not a party to the agreement.//

    The British would not have agreed to grant independence to a government run by political parties without Chinese representation.

  54. Let me make one thing very clear. The extent to which UMNO depends on the coalition parties like MCA. Gerakan, and MIC is much much greater than you will ever know. It is just that UMNO has control of the mainsteam media, plus control of the enforcement agencies which it uses from time to time to keep recalcitrant coalition parties in line.

    I have little doubt that if tomorrow, MCA and Gerakan both break away from BN and join the opposition alliance, UMNO will implode. Under that scenario, UMNO will still have enough seats to form the federal government, but they will lose states like Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Penang, and possibly Melaka – enough to bring a dose of reality to the UMNO thieves, and the next generation of UMNO leaders will have no choice but to be more accomodating.

    Of course this scenario is highly unlikely because the moment the MCA leadership threatens to break away, UMNO has enough financial power to induce a change of mind. All they need to do is to throw more crumbs from the main table, and soon all will be forgotten. UMNO knows that money talks and bullsh!t walks when it comes to the Chinese.

    This is the precise reason why I have never voted for BN in my life – a bunch of opportunistic politicians with no backbone or principle, and who are glued together by the common goal of self-enrichment.

  56. I am surprised some bloggers yardstick of a good YB is to give daily service like a messenger boy before they can be regarded as good wakil raykat. Please dont treat our YB as your errand boys doing work for you .We must realise that opposition M.Ps do not have any clout with local councils as compared with MCA who are in the BN. Therefore you cannot expect them to do better than MCA in doing such petty errants.What we want our opposition MPs to do is to articulate our grievances in Parliament and to act as a check and balance to the govt..So please bloggers, dont expect our opposition to be your messenger boy before you regard them as doing their work. Get off your back and do these petty errants yourself.

  57. When the Lingam videoclip was first exposed, where was MCA ? They were totally mute, as usual. When the 3-member panel was constituted, we complained that it wasn’t enough, but there was no even a squeak from MCA. Now that AAB has announced that the government will set up a Royal Commission, the shameless OKT finally crawled out of his shell and proudly proclaimed that the RCI was the right thing to do.

    We don’t vote for people like OKT who have by their words and deeds become totally subservient to UMNO. They can clean longkangs for all I care. Their principles, or lack thereof, will never be able to right the injustice faced by the people that they purport to lead.

  59. GODFATHER: “I have little doubt that if tomorrow, MCA and Gerakan both break away from BN and join the opposition alliance, UMNO will implode. Under that scenario, UMNO will still have enough seats to form the federal government, but they will lose states like Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Penang, and possibly Melaka..”

    This analysis meets the 3s – Sharp, short and swift! To add to that, some UMNO candidates stand to lose their pants. With their pants at their ankles, they can no longer hide their shame!

  60. UMNO may need MCA and Gerakan now. But many MCA and Gerakan are elected on the back of UMNO support. Also, wait until UMNO is done with the redistricting of the constituencies, then MCA and Gerakan in parliament would just be for show.

  61. Honestly? I really doubt that a breakaway will happen – not because it’s not feasible for the two parties or anything – it has a lot to do with the roles some of these people have with the Government. Hate to say it but if even 60% of what is said of MCA (and Gerakan) leaders benefitting from the Government in a variety of deals (i.e. corruption) is true, then they definitely won’t risk a breakaway. With such a powerful judiciary tool, UMNO is more than able to wield it upon them, and cause many to end up behind bars without their wealth. Do they want that? (Also, as powerless as they come they do hold ministerial posts, no?)

    There is also the threatening of another May 13, as you would have no doubt heard if you watched the UMNO Youth leader brandishing his keris and issuing rallying calls – even less reasons to breakaway!

    May be argued that due to self preservation, these people won’t do such a thing. Perhaps they will only have second thoughts about staying when they are severely weakened to the extent of becoming a PPP, though no offense to PPP at all meant in any way.

  63. “…DAP main service is talking only at the highest level like LKS unlike MCA is active at the grassroot level to serve rakyat.If in a level playing field contest, my vote will go to MCA…”Malaysiatoday.com
    ________________________________
    You are absolutely right in saying unlike all the mute representatives from MCA(Mute Chinese Association) in Parliament and State Legislatures DAP main service is talking at the highest level
    Past opposition leaders like the late Dr. Tan Chee Khoon and DR Senivasagam are held in high regard because they dare to stand up for justice in Parliament and State Legislatures.

    Nelson Mandela struggled against apartheid by speaking out wherever and whenever he had an opportunity. If he had been spending time doing petty errants for the poor, today the blacks in South Africa would still be living under an apartheid government. Sad to say that because of people like Malaysiatoday.com apartheid is very much alive and thriving in Malaysia.

  64. If the struggle between MCA and the DAP could be reduced to a struggle between politics of pragmatism and the politics of ideology, given the more ideology oriented leaders within the DAP leadership, the balance could tilt in DAP’s favour within the life of the present generation.

    Just my 2-cents.

  65. Traveller: It is rather convenient to blame others for your predicament, the bottom line is problems remain problems and worse still they are looming. Instead of waiting others to fight for your right do it yourself.

    To loose Chinese name is still bearable but to be a convenient target in any social disorder is even more worrisome. Without hindrance of religion Thai Chinese is integrated(assimilated) well in Thai society, they had been spared from the brutal experience of May 1998 Jakarta riot. Some may with the opinion Thai Chinense have lost thiers’ root, here we mainly mean mother tongue-Chinese language, but the tide is swinging fast, with China ever rising economics power, more & more people(including Thai Chinese) are readily boarding onto the ship of Chinese language. Here in Malaysia, eventhough we are 50 years independent from English colonial master, we are crying foul about our declining English standrard, not due to colonial past but because English is a trade & knowledge language, just like oxygen we need it to survive.

    When UMNO leaders decided to shoo Singapore to fly solo, our political structure is cemented with communal politics. History shows that people go to deadly war to defend their claimed(some even highly arguable) borders, how on earth UMNO leaders willingly receded their legitimate southern border. Without Singapore Malays are the majority and have final say in all spheres in Malaysia. Anyway, a democratic politics is a politics of majority.

    Some of the bloggers here have overweighting the weight of Chinese and therefore MCA significance in Malaysia political craft. If by leaving UMNO, Chinese, nation current predicament could be improved, then we should all gang up to have hunger strike in front of Wisma MCA, demand MCA to divorce from this ‘crook, den of thieves’ partnership.

    Many say Chinese only have one common objective ie $$$, do not forget Malays too have one common goal ie Islam. Once Malays perceive NoN-Malays are challenging theirs status quo, no one dare to guarantee PAS & Umno will not join hand to defend the stauts quo, annihilate the external common enemy, then only resume as enemy.

    At the meantime, DAP presumes the noble upmarket tasks-Malaysian Malaysia, equal partner of BA,…… Whereas MCA with its errants: school building fund for termites eating building, UTAR & TARC for students can afford even a local private institutions.

  67. The biggest threat to the country is BN’s gross lack of leadership in good governance in a globalised and competitive world.

    It has lost its plot and is in constant denial. More of the same will do enormous permanent and long term damage to the country.

  68. tsn: “To loose Chinese name is still bearable..”
    “..If by leaving UMNO, Chinese, nation current predicament could be improved, then we should all gang up to have hunger strike in front of Wisma MCA, demand MCA to divorce from this ‘crook, den of thieves’ partnership.”
    ————-
    I am so shocked to hear that. Is that what Malaysian Chinese would do? That you are willing even to give up Chinese name?
    No wonder Chinese is in such a big mess.
    You really think MCA cares about your hunger strike?
    I agree with what Filibuster said that MCA is already too deep in the s**t to get out. Maybe you should ask around to see whether MCA ADUNs and MPs get rich on being elected.
    MCA is still useful to UMNO because of DAP. If there is no threat of the DAP taking the Chinese votes, MCA would not be relevant any more to UMNO.

  69. No need to argue when is the GE(General Election)??

    Common sense WILL tell you it is in December/January
    before school starts!! We know very well only after the
    General Election, all PRICES of any items can hike with-
    out affecting the Vote-Count??!!

    First item Will price-hike is Petrol!! So the government
    Cannot wait too long for this…!!

  71. tsn, taking on Christian name is not losing your Chinese name.
    Losing your Chinese name is like going from Ah Kow to Abdullah.
    If you have seen Indonesian name, you would not be able to tell whether he is Chinese or not. You cannot even tell his family heritage or Chinese clan because the connection is lost.

  72. Interesting where this discussion veers.

    It starts of with MCA’s Datuk Chua Soi Lek disputing Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahmat’s claim ie he knows when PM would call for dissolution of Parliament for general election and calling Rashid to do his work.

    YB Kit says MCA Ministers and leaders exemplified by Chua must be in rage for their “marginalized” position within BN Coalition for not knowing when is next general election “when a lowly government functionary like the Election Commission Chairman is fully privy to”.

    Of course, there is this silent rage of being called “marginalized” but what hurts is that it is the truth.

    That notwithstanding, the “rage” of telling Rashid off is not because MCA Ministers and leaders are not privy to knowing when precisely is the date – because I also doubt whether the non marginalized but privileged UMNO ministers and leaders necessarily know when is the date beyond the general knowledge of its imminence – it is more that Chua wants to counteract this negative perception of MCA minister being marginalised by showing he could tell off Election Commission Chairman who is an UMNO man to just do his work quietly and not talk of things that people other than the PM are not expected to know!

    And I don’t think the Election Commission Chairman is that “lowly government functionary” – his responsibility is quite important and he like judges has security of tenure per the constitution like judges….

    On MCA doing their part or selling out its community (with descriptions ranging from knowing “more about erection than election” or “ eunuchs in the Empress’ Chamber”, :) hey it takes all kinds, and in every community including Chinese there are those who really care for principles and live by them, there are those who only talk of principles but care more of get business contacts and cari lubang2 as smeagroo said, with some even prepared to convert their religion and name to make money…One can call them “thieves” but they think its ok if they are stealing for their children and family, to give them a better life with material support to relocate to another country if the present one sinks like Titanic – in no little part thanks to their significant acquiescence if not active contribution to the current deplorable state of affairs….

    There are always pragmatic people in any community, more so within the Chinese community that tsn said “only have one common objective ie $$$”. Now that comment on this trait of pragmatism appears to be a comon perception by Chinese and non Chinese alike, taking the broad view of the behaviour of many within the entire Chinese diaspora (outside China) past and present or is this not so?

    For this trait, Filibuster is persuasive to say that “I really doubt that a breakaway (MCA from BN) will happen”.

    For those hoping for ruling coalition to lose power by implosion from a MCA/Gerakan breakaway then, maybe it is more hopeful and “sooner” to look at the possibility of an implosion of big brother UMNO first before the bigger coalition that it leads caves in or unravels.

    Re-look at this posting November 17th, 2007 at 23: 29.21 above by DarkHorse has spoken (and given the cue) : “What is happening is what happens when you have a weak leader in charge. Those under him are apparently seizing at the opportunity to go their separate ways, claiming to be acting according to what the ‘leader’ says and wants, and flexing their muscles so to speak as they go along”…

  73. I’ll go along anytime with the Filibuster’s contention that MCA/Gerakan breakaway from the coalition is not likely because of vested interest and vested interest is certainly a powerful reason to stay put.More likely to hope for is Jeffrey’s argument about the possibility of UMNO imploding premised upon what Darkhorse has remarked on.
    Certainly Sleepy Head is a very weak leader who has absolutely no control over his cabinet.What’s worse he is away fortnightly as well.Press statements can be made by anyone like the recent one given by the Malacca chief minister.It is evident there are contending camps amongst the UMNOPuTRAs.This can explode and if it happens the implosion of UMNO can also follow.

  74. “..some even prepared to convert their religion and name to make money..”
    ————–
    Really disappointing and sad to hear that.
    Never expect to hear that at this DAP site.
    I expect that to expect to happen, given Chinese mentality, but never expect it so early in my lifetime.
    YB Lim must be disappointed as well. All the struggle for Chinese rights appears to come to naught.

  75. “For this trait, Filibuster is persuasive to say that “I really doubt that a breakaway (MCA from BN) will happen”. Jeffrey

    Expecting MCA to leave the marriage of convenience and then expecting it to ask for alimony and child support is like failing to realize the union, consummated or otherwise, is an illegal one.

    Huh?

  76. The day AAB announced Malaysia to be an ISLAMIC nation marked the end for all non-Islamic political parties in Malaysia. What is MCA and the rest of the non-Islamic political parties doing in an ISLAMIC government of an ISLAMIC nation????

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