Posted on by Kit

Election debates – just do it!

BY Azly Rahman

During presidential elections in the United States, it has become customary for the main candidates (almost always the candidates of the two main parties, currently the Democratic Party and the Republican Party) to engage in a debate. The topics discussed in the debate are often the most controversial issues of the time, and some have said that elections can be won or lost based on these debates…. Presidential debates are held late in the election cycle, after the political parties have nominated their candidates. The candidates meet in a large hall, often at a university, before an audience of citizens. The formats of the debates have varied, with questions sometimes posed from one or more journalist moderators and in other cases members of the audience – from Wikipedia

Malaysia’s government has rejected an Islamic opposition party’s challenge to hold an American-style public debate between their leaders ahead of the March 8 general election, news reports said on Sunday. PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang recently dared Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to hold a televised debate similar to those held by US presidential candidates…But the Sunday Star newspaper quoted Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz as saying there was no place for such debates in Malaysia.. “We don’t follow the American system in our country. We (the country’s leaders) should be debating with villagers or town folks concerning local issues affecting them,” she said in the report. – from Malaysia Today, March 1, 2008

What is the problem of having televised debates? I do not see any. The politicians for the ruling party and the aspiring parties are intelligent enough to hold debates for the benefit of the people who are also getting more intelligent. We have been independent for 50 years. We are no longer colonised by the British “bloodsuckers” who wanted us to become merely tools of their Empire. We cannot say that we are still not ready.

Our politicians are mainly university graduates; some form Oxford, Cambridge, some form Harvard and Columbia, some from Monash and Australian National University, some from top universities in Asia such as University of Malaya. There is no reason why they cannot show the public that they can debate on critical issues facing the nation.

We are having an elections at the time when America is having hers too. We should take this opportunity to emulate what is good from the world’s most advanced liberal democracy. We must learn how they debate on election issues. It will be an exciting and education moment not only for the candidates but also for the nation.

Sensitive issues

I think the politicians and the people they want votes form are ready to listen to the pros and cons of arguments on the elections, I think we are even ready to talk about sensitive issues – on rights and responsibilities as citizens. Those who say we are not ready to debate are the ones not ready to debate. They are imposing their fear and ignorance on others.

In debates, not just charisma will be a plus, but wit, intelligence, and good arguments that appeal to the audience count as well. Candidates will be given the chance to be scrutinized on all these qualities. My view is that if a candidate is ready to be nominated, he/she is ready to make a stand on issues and articulate them to the constituents. Only then we will know how to differentiate between street politicians and budding statesmen.

In a debate, it is the appeal to reason, more than to emotions that will ultimately count. The outcome is how these candidates will best present the assets and liabilities of taking this or that stand.

Role of universities

I see Malaysian universities playing a role in hosting these debates. This will be a new dawn of world-classism as a standard to be achieved. I’d like to see all universities enriching the minds of the students with the “blue ocean” strategy of hosting events that will celebrate diverse political points of view.

Every day before voting day can be a time when each candidate for parliament and state seats be given the platform to debate on issues. It would be good to listen to candidates of Umno debating with those of PAS, DAP, PKR or even with an independent. We can then teach our children what it takes to be a Malaysian politician.

As an educator I have had the chance to train and groom debators. A number of them went on to Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Cambridge, Wharton School of Business, College de France and many top American and British universities. These are kampong kids trained in the rigour of public debates. They acquire the skills of argumentation through debates.

Political debates event should be made open to the public. Schoolchildren, government servants, businessmen and women, homemakers/housewives and househusbands can all come and be educated of the issues before they cast their votes. There is no need to give them money, kain pelikat, kain batik, sacks of rice, Gucci and Coach handbags, vacation trips, or even huge contracts to make them vote – all will be about respecting the mind of the voters by turning them into intelligent voters who use rational arguments to make rational choices.

Create debating culture

We need to broadcast, telecast, simulcast, and podcast these debates not only for Malaysians to see but for the world to enjoy as well. If we can send a man into space and groom our Mat Rempits to compete internationally or send them bungee-jumping or skydiving in the North Pole, we should be able to set up political debates.

Debates before election should become our culture. We have debating clubs in schools and in universities. We hear people debate on the streets, in warongs and coffee shops. We must elevate debates beyond these premises.

I see that we will evolve into an intelligent society if we encourage public debates before the nation votes. We will become Athenians. We may even produce our own Ciceros and Sukarnoes or even Barack Obamas. We must debate all sensitive issues and desensitize the nation into making intelligent choices at every election.

I suggest our universities host these televised and broadcast debates and show the public that our higher education institutions are not only world-class champions of diversity but also use the ‘blue ocean’ strategy to celebrate radical thinking in universities.

“Just do it”, as a Nike slogan goes.

71 Replies to “Election debates – just do it!”

  1. “What is the problem of having televised debates? I do not see any.” Azly Rahman

    I see a lot of problems.

    This is what I see. I see Ministers who cannot express themselves -unable to speak neither English nor Malay properly and who cannot make themselves understood. Ministers who do not know the facts nor their job description. Ministers who appear listless and cannot answer questions that are being asked of them.

    They will make a mockery not just of themselves but of our system of parliamentary democracy. Malaysians will be made to look like fools to the international community.

  2. I felt a bit uneasy after knowing that the persons who make good speeches are most attractive in any countries. Shouldn’t the politicians who can serve the country better be the most popular ones? I am sorry to say that the popular figures in DAP are also those who delivered good speeches. Certainly Obama is one of those

  4. We, the Non-Malays in Malaysia have been deprieved from the rights to excel and livinghood by UMNO and not the Malays themselves.
    Malays are made believer by UMNO that other races will take over this country unless UMNO put a stop to all these potential dangers.
    And the Malays trusted UMNO’s stories all along and dwell into their dream world.
    Since democracy is just a great painting done by UMNO with the help of MCA.MIC, PPP and those in E.Mal… they all earned a fairly good returns in monetary and business deals especially in land acquisition.
    This country have out-lived many attempts to ‘rape’ her and ‘dumped’ her.
    For the ELITE group, most of them are old and dying soon, they only trying to prepare their replacement to take over the ‘business’ like any other organization.
    Chinese saying, the max is only until the 3rd Generation…
    We are looking into the 3rd Generation handover now.
    All causes will take place eventually and in the right time.
    The older ELITE group will die in ‘pain’ and despairs ….
    The young ones will fight among themselves to keep their ego beliefs.
    We, the rakyat can only wait and watch their own self destruction and ‘killings’.
    This PRU 12 is highly described as ‘fixed’ and ‘bought’ by UMNO.

  5. Dear YB

    With the cancellation of the use of indelible ink, there will be greater changes in cheating by double voting.

    But this is noting compare with what we hear in the Lahad Datu area, they are going for direct cheating by bring in 1000+ illegal voters/illegal immigrant.According to the EC official there, they allow voters with only driving licence or police report lost IC.

    There are thousand of these fake driving licence and police report IC in Sabah. There so common that every illegal workers has one or the other.

    What the use of an election if we cannot stop this practise of not using only real IC and allow practice of cheating?

    Can someone enlighten us on this matter.

  7. Open debate should be between the party leaders. We are know well that UMNO politicians are bad in english or even bahasa. If we have this open debate, the UMNO will definately loose.

    today the papers published an ad with the big word “PROMISE” to make Malaysia a safe place. I thought that was the BN manisfesto 4 years ago! If Pak Lah go for this debate, it’s a big spat on his face! Therefore, Rafidah Aziz prefer “ceramah” compared to “debate” because no one can question them when they are speaking on the podium. If these people do, they will throw them out from the hall!

    Therefore, it’s wise for them to reject this offer from PAS. BN are real losers, we all know it!

  8. Dear leader Kit Siang,
    Congratulations ! You are the hope for the people of Klang ! Yesterday night, we saw a crowd of >10,000 people who are willing to stand for hours to hear your speech!I want to shake your hand and send my best wishes to you but I was blocked by the 1000 people who is also wanting to shake your hands! so i only can see you from the big screen. We love you our great leader!

  9. These few days, KL area is filled with big billboards saying that the BN has achieved this and that. Simply took a picture and make it big and put two or three words, then they could said BN is successful in the past term.

    Well, could I take a photo with a palace behind me and a few sports cars in the front and simply declare I’m rich and successful?

    Picture is beautiful and only those who BN-minded could naively believe what they said. BTW, where they got so much money to put up those big billboards?

    Rejecting the debates is as puting the shame on the BN itself. Why could a small party could challenge a so called successful BN with it’s charasmatic leaders, which butted off?

    I think Pak Lah might doze off when the debate goes live and could not follow what is going on. This might continue even after March 8, because Pak Lah still tidur.

    Besides, demoractic is just simply a nice word use to con the rakyat that this country pratice free to talk, with terms and condition. “You can talk as long as you talk the things that we (BN – UMNO) like to hear. Otherwise, ISA!”

    People from the modern world will laugh at us the way we practice democacy, well the bolehland style. You want to follow, you pay royalty!

    I think Malaysia is always and this time round the 12th mock general election. Nothing real, so don’t take it so hard.

    Whatever it is, “Tekadkan pilihan mu. X DAP or X Keadilan or X Pas whichever is applicable. Forget the dacing, it serves no more than a decoration. Wonder why people put it on that sheet of paper.

  11. Badawi is a one-answer person – simply because the first answer is one that is coached by the 4th floor boys. He can’t possibly answer any follow-up question or any off-the-cuff question because his answers will make him look like the clown (or the fool) that he is.

    No, the 4th floor boys won’t allow the risk of Badawi debating with LKS or Hadi or Anwar – that will simply show the shallowness of the UMNO president.

  12. None of us seriously think that Badawi could explain basic economic terms like per capita income, GDP, decoupling from the US economy, multiplier effect, stagflation, etc etc. How could the Finance Minister debate on such issues if he had failed his entrance exam on statistics ?

  15. First blow, BN in confusion and panic mode. Attempted all kind of desperate and dirty tactic.

    Second blow will be delivered tonight at Han Chiang Studium. Then BN will be in half dead mode. Dr Chandra Muzaffar you are welcome to attend, if you have the courage.

    Third will come no March the 8, BN in Penang will drop dead.

    Malaysian of all races, lets create history by using this opportunity to move forward for a united Malaysia from the platform of multi racial politic and denounces all form of race base politic.

  16. John F. Kennedy was elected President when he was 43 years old because his father used all his resources, contacts and money to get him elected. John F. Kennedy’s legislative career as a Congressman and Senatot was undistinguished. He defeated a much better qualified candidate, Richard M. Nixon.

    Does this remind you of some village idiot’s son-in-law?

  19. Dear Azly Rahman,
    It is not a question that they do not have capable people to debate. It is more of a question that they are having to much shit on them that they will not dare to sit near you for the debate because of their foul smell.
    If they only wants to debate with town folks and villagers, I am prepared to debate with them only on national issues and bad governance and not the nitty gritty things like pot holes, lamp posts, logkangs.etc. By default it is the duty of the local councils to handle all this are the ‘last mile’ problems and all paid for by the people. It is the good/bad governance that is critical for any nation as people’s life depends solely on this and it can make or break any nation. For info, I am just an ordinary citizen and not affiliated to any parties, but sorely angry at the level of corruption in this country and dark clouds of bad governance..

  20. Dr Azly, I beg to differ.

    A public debate would turn into a classic which would be played again and again to entertain ourselves. Here is one Ketua Kampung, mumbling incoherently. On the other side would be either Lim Kit Siang or Anwar Ibrahim. There is no match, but it would form an excellent entertainment. Some one has to register the rights to this debate first – the event would be a blockbuster.

    Of course the fat lady says it’s not our culture. Ask her what our culture is and she would probably quote APs, and RM50 screwdrivers. These are what she is familiar with.

  21. I don’t see why our Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz quoted that there was no place for “such” debates in Malaysia. And she further said that we are not following the Amercian System in our country. Leaders should debate with Villagers or town Folks!!

    Televised debates will surely brings and shows us voters the qualities of a Candidate. This will definately benifit Malaysia if all the Ministers are sincere and honest instead of having a nice face Minister with dirty money.

    I am from Sabah, I can not vote for Rafidah and those who can, PLEASE, DON’T vote for her!! Vote wisely, vote for those who dares to speak, vote for a change!! VOTE FOR DAP/PKR/PAS.

  23. Why aren’t these issues highlighted in the “FREE” press of the country?
    http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/3657/84/

    Annuar Musa is not going to be the Menteri Besar of Kelantan if Umno wins that state. Instead, Awang Adek will be that Menteri Besar. So Annuar Musa will do his best to ensure that Umno does not win Kelantan.

    Idris Jusoh has dropped several Terengganu warlords. These warlords would rather see PAS win Terengganu just for the satisfaction of ‘paying back’ Idris Jusoh for dropping them. Hundreds of supporters of these ‘retired’ warlords have held demonstrations in front of Idris Jusoh’s residence and the police had to be called in to break up these ‘illegal assemblies’ that, for this first time, were organised by Umno against Umno.

    Shahidan Kassim was dropped from the candidates’ list and thereby would have to retire as the Menteri Besar of Perlis as well. He stormed into Abdullah’s office in Putrajaya and only after the seventh attempt was he able to meet the Prime Minister. Under immense pressure and Shahidan’s threat of handing the state over to the opposition, Abdullah relented and reluctantly gave him back his seat. [deleted]

  24. DAP and PKR should leave issues like petrol prices out in your ceramah as prices of petrol are also affected by external factor which would be a tall order to make promises. Just touch on issues of corruptions would be the best weapon to make voters to agree upon. Issues on petrol prices would leave some doubts to a educated voter and that little doubt can make a difference in the votes.

  26. If anyone of you from Penang and in the industry sector should know, lots of factory lots in Penang are abandoned, either bankrupt or move away, no matter local or foreign investors why? Is our government rules set to the industries make them dont feel comfortable to stay in this country. Please think how many more billion we can spend to ‘save our malaysian employee’.

  28. Frankly speaking, I do not want to see DAP always be the opposition side,not only on the check & balance BUT also on the development of the state and country as a whole. Can DAP work hand in hand with other parties in DUN/Parliament if able to deny 2/3 majority seats?

    I am Penangite, I always hear people said DAP just play their role to fight in the Parliament/DUN only without providing much on services to the people. Any requests/ application by DAP to the local authority mostly being ignored or slow in processing by local authority. I do not know how true is it. That’s why until today, penangites prefer to vote for DAP just for Parliament seats only. Hope that DAP could look into this issue seriously and able to convince Penangites in tonight’s Grand Ceramah to have both vote to DAP for DUN & Parliament. I really sad if DAP not able to grab more seats for DUN.I have done my part to convince my friends and customers to vote for DAP irregardless of DUN/Parliament seats. Hope you all can help DAP too.

  30. Three days before polling day, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told voters that the country needs an opposition that can hold up a mirror to the government. “I believe in an opposition. I have always maintained that this country needs an opposition and they should be critical of the government without which we don’t have a mirror to look at our faces. We think that we are very beautiful but it is the opposition that keeps telling us (that may not be true).
    http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/legal/general_news/dr_m_tells_voters_we_need_an_opposition.html

  31. I fully agree to this.
    Ever since moving to Australia, I found that I was able to express myself a lot better and debate on issues with courage and compassion. I do not have the fear of repercussion of the law for critisicing nor while my voice be drowned out by those who fear me. This is democracy at its best. Malaysia is definately ready for it but is Malaysians ready to embrace it. For too long, Malaysians (be it Malay, Chinese, Indian dan lain-lain) have been silent and their talent suppressed by those who knows they do not have talent nor skills. It’s time for revolution and transformation. I don’t agree to reformasi as it means we are reforming to its old self but Malaysia needs to transform. Shape shift to what it should be – A Tiger of Asia once again!!!

  32. BN will never be able to debate on par with Opposition. Just look at Chew Mei Fun’s answers compared to Tony Pua’s.

    BN has too much shit to hide. An open debate will bring all these issues to the surface. Can you imagine BN members debating on corruption (Zakaria case, PKFZ,MAS/AirAsia), serious crimes (Mongolian case), non-independent judges, religious intolerance, education disparity etc.

    No wonder they want to debate with villagers!!! Thats the level they are at! Our country is going backwards simply because these BN people put themselves at that level. With their low IQ, they can’t debate with urbanites. They continue to hoodwink the poor with their lies and deceit and use them to secure votes. Thats also why poverty in Malaysia will NEVER be abolished, forget what the BN manifesto promises. They need the poor to continue in power.

  33. Mr Azly,
    Asking BN candidates to debate against opposition? Mati la dia pa!

    For a statr, let us llook at presidents of the parties.
    UMNO, Pak Lah ? Aiyo, pity him la. He simply needs his sleep. Now he will be spending sleepless hours. Dia tak boleh debat langsung. Pertama: Otak ‘eelek’. Kedua: Pronunciation macam katak. Ketiga: Tak cukup tidur. PITY HIM LA!!!
    MCA, we have ONg Ka Ting. Aiyo dia ni pun cukup teruk. First: Bo liao Secondly: What language used? English. Hoi jangan la guna Englissss! His pronunciation would even make a Courtney sailor blush. Bahasa Melaysia? Lisan Melayu SPM level pun susah dia mahu pass oo!! Mandarin????

    Samy Vellu? He doesnot know the meaning of debate. When he takes the mike hew ould behave like penjual ubat pasar malam.

    Koh Tsu Khoon: He cannot simply speak. He got to consult Pak Lahfirst.

    CONCLUSION: BN cannot debate for sure.

    VOTE DAP!!!

  34. I like that word ‘check & balance ‘. But so far i dont think we have enough DAP or opposition people inside parliament. Thats why we need to vote for opposition. When all opposition work together only they have the chance to fight with our government. Any changes must have transition period, once we can get through this, government become well balance and everything will be ok. Please Check this,

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBGQADED_Mw&feature=related
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iCgZohPSI8

    All this ‘duduk’, ‘bodoh’, ‘balik china’, ‘diam’, ‘mari gaduh’ can happened in our paliament, please imagine what kind of government we have here.

  36. jspt,
    I agree that this has been the voting pattern of Penangites.
    So for a start we should change.

    Voters in Penang are rather short sighted. They are easily satisfied with just a new market or promise of the government to pave the roads. These are all very small problems.

    Make them see a bigger picture. BN whether at state or Parliament level are the same in their practices. Corruption and abuse of power is rather rampant among them.

    Those corrupted guys are worst than robbers, don’t you know that.
    Robbers only only robbed a few families and the loss is confine to the affected few.
    But Corruption affects every one. If we allow them to continue in this way without a strong opposition, I can tell one thing for certain: WE ARE GOING INDON’S WAY! BY THEN IT IS TOO LATE!
    THE SCENARIO: MANY OF OUR YOUNG KIDS WOULD HAVE TO PLY THEIR TRADE IN THAILAND OR VOETNAM AS MAIDS OR LABOURERS.
    NOW WE CALL INDONESIAN MAIDS AS ‘INI POH”. VERY SOON, THE THAIS OR VIETS WILL CALL OUR MAIDS AS ‘MALAIPOH’

    THINK ABOUT IT.
    VOTE DAP!!!

  38. We see a big crowd at all OPPOSITION ceramah ,but sad to say most people who attent this ceramah are fence sitters.So let each of us who has made up our MINDS to vote OPPOSITION CONVINCE this FENCE SITTERS to VOTE for the opposition.

    The way the UMNO LED BN GOVERMENT is campaigning,is illegal ,
    (1) BN candidates are using goverment machinery .In most areas if not all,BN CANDIDATES are using PEJAPAT PERNERAGAN SOUND SYSTEM IN THEIR CERAMAH.

    (2) DPM is using goverment executive jet to go round the country campaigning .

    (3) PM handing out cash to farmers.(This is considered vote buying under the election rules )

    (4)Threatening the voters by saying that if you vote opposition ,The goverment will not service the area.

    All this wrong is happening right under the eyes of the police,EC and ACA.WHY NO ACTION IS TAKEN.

  39. Debates between candidates standing for election should be introduced. Face-to-face discussion between or among candidates on the issues, their qualifications and leadership abilities.These debates will be better if there are televised, can involve questions from journalists and average citizens, and will reach millions of Malaysian voters at one time. A candidate who performs poorly on these national telecasts can lose voter support as voters can rate the candidates’ presentations in the debates.

    Anyway, for this coming election whether there is debate or no debate, VOTE DAP and OPPOSITON candidates as they are the better candidates as we have seen in their speeches during ceramahs.

    No turning back…move forward…VOTE DAP …Jom Berubah for a better future.

  40. Budak said,”Threatening the voters by saying that if you vote opposition ,The goverment will not service the area”.

    Firstly even though we vote opposition, the town coulcils are dutibound to service our area. We pay assessment every year.

    Secondly, this lack of service is a small matter compared to bigger issue which are threatening us, poor people.
    Tempes being demolished. Chinese Schools and Tamil Schools are rare comodity when the community needs them most. Body of loved ones being snatched away in broad daylight with impunity.
    Judiciary is tainted beyond recognition. Contracts given to cronies at exhorbitant profit. With all these allowed to go uncheck, denying services in your area is nothing but a very small sacrifice.
    Look at the Hidraf detainees. If they are willing to suffer in detention camp so that Indians plight can be looked into, I belive it is not too much of a sacrifice if Indians vote opposition as advocated by them.

  42. Our UMNO BN led goverment must be the most stupid goverment in the world.They should apply to be stated in the Malaysian book of records.Why because they just renewed the contract of the EC chairman.For more then six months he has been saying that this will be the first election where INDELIBLE INK WILL BE USED.

    Now only, after four days before ELECTION he says that the law don,t permit the EC to use the ink.He even got a fatwa to say that it is halal to use the ink.If he don,t know the law regarding election he should just resign and campaign for BN.

    What was the A.G doing all this while.Both the AG and the chairman of EC should resign. But in MALAYSIA mana BOLEH.After the election don,t be surprise if the EC CHAIRMAN is given a fat bonus by THE UMNO LED BN GOVERMENT FOR DOING A GOOD JOB.

  43. I was just doing our Tax Return LHDN forms….. all the many many paperwork & bureaucratic length forms…

    & the many tax incentives & tax cuts for Zakat paid, deductions for Islamic Financing, Hadiah to all Govt museums etc etc,…..

    I suggest the Malaysian Voter fill-up the LHDN forms (due on 31 Mar) before going to vote. After filling up these forms, …. maybe there will be a big swing of votes to Opposition!!!

  45. It is so funny that Mr. “Taliban” Haji Hadi of PAS is willing to embrace election debate ala American style while the so-called proponent of Islam Hadhari or progressive “Islam” is not willing.

    Rafidah Aziz should shut up. She is afraid of debate because opposition parties will expose her AP corruption.

  46. I think the debate would not be a good idea. Unfair advantage for DAP,PAS and PKR. Have you even seen the way our Ministers and BN politicians read a speech or conduct interview? Seen Lim kheng Yaik, Syed Hamid, Najib or Badawi in action? Never mind a debate which requires quick thinking, strong language command and knowing how to convey a message across. THey know this. They not stupid. Somehow BN have got the best of all worlds – MCA Kiasuness, MIC stubborness and UMNOs inferiority complex.

    All BN politician do in Parliament is jeer, hiss, name calling, shout, clap and bang table. Look at Bung Mokhtar and his antics. You could just replace an orangutan in his seat, and a blind man would not know the difference.

    I only worry that an open televised debate would make current investors in Malaysia pull out their funds, no tourist, breed more idiots like them thinking if this is their idol, that is the way to behave and speak.

    THe worrying thing is they represent us internationally and tell the world… THis is Malaysia!

  49. Have you all thought about why useless people are Government ministers and supposedly cleverer people in opposition? Just a thought. May be the rakyat of Malaysia are not really enlightened yet and that is why useless people just have to ride on the corrupted system to become ministers, while good people seeing the evil of the system are trying hard to change it.
    I hope the present opposition when taken control of the government someday will institute change which should rightly include debates, especially between PM and shadow PM. It is not just in America. I think the system in Australia, NZ and UK are equally robust not just during the election period but also in their day to day administration. It is really a curse to see we have so much potential to be a vibrant, dynamic, cosmopolitan, and progressive nation being systematically destroyed by a group of cavemen. I pray to God that the opposition will NOT do the same to this nation.

  50. I think why DAP can’t do much for DUN is that they are not given the fund from the government to do so! Maybe in future, the people in DUN under DAP should practise a kind of ‘self-help’ to promote community welfare and fight against robbery. The real problem for the other side of story is that the BN statemen are given BIG sum to do VERY LITTLE thing! The LITTLE thing becomes the ‘sweet’ to the people if they do not realise that much has been wasted in the process. We still need to support DAP so that they will perform better in DUN as well as in parliament. Do remember that they do not have big ‘DATUK’ behind them!

  51. MCA’s main role these days is mainly to ‘turun padang’ and explain to the Chinese why being threatened by UMNO leaders with keris is OK; how Malaysia never having been a secular state doesn’t threaten their freedom of religion – even as the corpses of their dead fathers are abducted by the religious department; how the NEP actually benefits the Chinese by helping them avoid being driven into the sea by the UMNOputras
    http://sean-the-man.blogspot.com/2008/03/mca-i-not-free-fuck-you.html

  52. I agree to have debates between all the political parties. That way Malaysians will know who knows best and who knows nothing, who works and who do not. Before the debate, there should be some ground rules. Example there should be restraint at all times including restraint from the supporters in public areas. If Malaysia says she wants to be industralized, then she should be opened and follow the steps of the other open societies in the world. There should be a desensitization of the racial and religious issues. As long as we do not talk about it, we shall always remain sensitive. But if we are courageous and confront the issues in a manner that would not spark violence, slowly but surely we will learn to talk about those subjects in a more open manner. We cannot avoid the racial and religious issues because they are woven into the Malaysian society. Malaysia is now 50 years old but she is still immature minded.

  53. “Have you all thought about why useless people are Government ministers and supposedly cleverer people in opposition? Just a thought.” limkaput

    The clever people are in neither because they are too busy making money for themselves to bother. You are not one of them. So don’t try to be too clever by half!

  54. @r-ptr
    Unfortunately most people are interested in issues that really do affect them, like petrol prices, than corruptions. When there is enough food on the plate then you can talk about politics. You want people to be concerned about where the oil money from Malaysia has gone. To be honest in an ideal case I’d like peole to use less petrol as possible, so I’d not disagree too much about raising petrol prices. But transparency is needed to show where the extra proceeds has gone.

  55. Elections Debates, YES, JUST DO IT!

    We all know the advantages of such debates but it will be just our wishful thinking for many years to come…..UNLESS opposition won & become government.

    While I do not see any problem for most of us, I do see BIG problem for BN candidates. Just to add to what has been said by other friends above, ‘It is easy to tell lies & walk away, but it is not so when there is someone probing on the lies & you have to cover the lies with more lies’

    I can imagine the debate like a circus, with all our ministers as clown.

  56. Kickyourbutt,
    Have you heard of this story? Two men went haunting and they encountered a big bear. The first man took out his heavy boots and started to run. The second man told him, what for, the bear would still out run you. The first said, no, I am not trying to out run the bear. I am trying to out run you. See, I am the first man, and you are the pathetic second man. That is sufficient for me. I don’t have to be the cleverest. I just have to be cleverer than you.

    Are you implying that those in oppositions are not clever? That was what you said, clever people only in business and making money. Are you trying to insult people like Sdr Lim, Anwar, and LGE. See thinking process again.

  58. come2papi, you are just jealous so many are supporting me. As for you, you are supporting yourself, using different IDs of course. You are such a pathetic perverted dog even trying to make a pass on Jong and Jenny in a political blog. Celaka betul.

  59. I came back from DAP N52 Senai – Ong Kow Meng ceramah & also attended various ceramahs…. why can’t our DAP guys talk with more confident???

    Same like Badawi’s slow gentle talk just like old Mc.Cain. But DAP’s Dr.Boo Cheng Hau (N48 Skudai) is very good. Sounds like Anwar, Hillary & Obama – with all the aire of confidence.

  60. BN leaders cannot justify what they have been doing,so how can they debate with the opposition leaders?

    If BN leaders are ‘anak jantan’ just take up the challenges to debate on various policy issues instead of resorting to personal attacks.

  62. Folks, this is one of the many mails I received past one week. Please keep forwarding if you share the same inspiration.

    Vote the opposition doesn’t mean we are anti-government or we do not love this country!
    Because: We love this country, we NEED to stand up and ensure this country not to be run by these hypocrites and weak government FREELY with unlimited resources!

    Recently, MCA keep on saying , “Again, we managed to “fight” for another xx millions for xx Chinese schools ”
    SILLY!! What do they mean by “fight”? Don’t you think it should be their jobs???
    Why “fight”? Isn’t it should be their duty!!
    Do the Malays need to fight for their mosques and schools??
    Don’t you think they are just like dogs around the master’s table barking till their throats drop.. then they will get a bone tagged with a pcs of skin .
    And they “shout” to the whole world . They managed to “fight” for something ..!!! Pathetic! It is a disgrace to the Chinese community.
    Answer is :- they are too weak in BN!! They have to beg and fight..!!

    Voting for BN means voting for Umno!
    MCA and Gerakan are just their “running dogs”..they throw some bones out..so that these dogs can share the “good”news..!

    Yes, Shouldn’t blame the Malays ..!!

    We, Chinese and Indians are to be blamed as we “willingly” :-
    – surrender our rights to them
    – surrender our children’s education’s opportunities to them
    – surrender our dignities to them (even they have asked us to leave Malaysia for hundred times, still our MCA ppl keep quiet like dogs..)
    – surrender our 30% shares and much more with the NEP…for so many years..
    – surrender our future in this country….

    What do we care?
    Tomorrow still can eat pork or not? Can “yam seng” or not?
    Is that what we care only?
    What make us feel that if the BN can’t get the 2/3, then we don’t have pork to eat?
    WHO always “remind” us that if BN can’t get 2/3, there will be May13?

    You still want to be threaten??

    Still remember that I read an article from PAS:-

    UMNO, please don’t threaten our Chinese friends again with the oldtricks :- MAY13 issue.
    Listen, before you touch our Chinese friends, you have to walk pass our dead body 1st…
    We won’t let you harm them!!

    I’m touched!. I believe our poor Malay friends have seen the TRUE UGLY face from their leaders!!
    They know well ..30% or even 90% shares given to BUMI won’t benefit them at all…. except those in UMNOs .

    A lot of them have woke up, are you still asleep!??

    Can you still don’t bother???

    WAKE UP!!!!!

    Me too, love this country do u??

  63. Talking abt debates, BN will not do it, cos they know they will become butt of jokes, unless they do it in Bahasa, cos thier english is simply atrocious.,
    Just saw the RIz Khan programme on Al Jaazeerah, Buduhwhi, was a disgrace , he even showed his anger when someone asked him abt his son in law in the future cabinet., this is Malaysia , where MORONS and corrupt people are elected as our leaders, well only we can make the difference, vote these parasites out cos they are also draining our nation’s coffers , always using racial issues as a smokescreen to carry out thier looting.

  64. AAB have rises a racism statement to Penang people especially Chinese in The Star about MCA/Gerakan needed in Parliament in order to have Chinese welfare to be heard.
    Indirectly, he is telling Chinese that he will not be a fair PM if there are no Chinese (his preferred group) representing Chinese in Parliament.
    Is this the kind of leader we are voting to lead this country?
    We will not give up in believing and striving for Malaysian Malaysia.
    There will be no more racism issue or status concern as all Malaysian believe in unity.

  67. “I hope the present opposition when taken control of the government someday will institute change …. I pray to God that the opposition will NOT do the same to this nation.” Lebai Kamal bin Put

    For someone who speaks so vociferously for the opposition to the extent that he is prepared to trash the blog, this last statement shows the true worth of the man!

    What do they say about empty vessels making the most noise?

  68. Bugger me if I know why loving the country has to do with loving your government.Loving one’s country has no connection whatsoever as to whether you love your government or hate your government

    In fact in Malaysia’s case HATING YOUR GOVERNMENT SIMPLY MEANS LOVING YOUR COUNTRY.
    WHY? UMNOPUTRA the government is raping this country silly and if we love this country,just throw them out tomorrow!

  70. kickbutt Says:What do they say about empty vessels making the most noise?

    Looking for a one liner empty vessel and a pervert? Look no further, he is here – the name is kickbutt but may quickly change into come2papi, blackeye, darkhorse, ladygorilla etc. He is the epitome of personality disorder – finding faults, talking to himself, ridiculing others for no reason, and worst of all a pervert and a coward trying to talk sexy with Jong and Jenny in this blog. The moderator has deleted the whole posting of this pervert trying to talk sexy with Jenny. Celaka.

Leave a Reply