Will there be any “916” political transformation setting in motion the changes to bring about a Pakatan Rakyat federal government, ending Umno political hegemony and Barisan Nasional federal power?
This is the question uppermost in the minds of all Malaysians – and the reason for the farce of some 50 BN MPs forced to suffer daily media humiliation, Malaysian and Taiwan, in pursuing a “mong-cha-cha” (“blur, blur”) agricultural study trip to Taiwan just to foil the “916” political transformation.
However, whether the political transformation takes place in four days’ on 916, or 1016, 1116 or in an early 13th general election is a secondary question to the important fact that the Malaysian political mould has been completely recast and it is only a matter of time that a transition of federal power is effected.
What is most significant about “916” is not whether federal power will change hands from Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat in four days’ time, but in the sea-change in the political attitude of Malaysians as compared to six months ago before the March 8 general election.
If Malaysians were asked six months ago whether there was a possibility of change of federal government, and whether they wanted to see a new federal government in Putrajaya, I think more than 95% would answer in the negative for the former as they did not believe that it was possible for the Barisan Nasional government to be toppled while at most 10 to 15 per cent would say they wanted a change of federal government, largely because they did not think it was within the realm of practical possibility.
The situation is very different today, six months later after the March 8 “political tsunami”.
I believe that more than 70 to 80 per cent of Malaysians believe that it is possible to see a change of federal government while more than 50 to 60 per cent would want to see the change of federal government to be effected now.
This is because the past six months have seen a deterioration in the multiple crisis of confidence afflicting the country, whether political, economic, nation-building, good governance, maintenance of law-and-order or in almost every sphere of national management.
The Merdeka Centre of Opinion Research found from its poll in July that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s popularity plunged from a record high of 91 per cent in late 2004 – months after his landslide victory in the 2004 general election – to 61 per cent before the March 8, 2008 general election, plummeting further to 53 per cent in April and 42 per cent in July.
Abdullah’s popularity rating has been in a free fall in the last six months, accelerated by continuing misgovernance like the unconscionable oil price hikes triggering an inflationary spiral; worsening of the crime situation illustrated by the brutal killing on Tuesday of Raja Noriana Raja Ahmad, wife of a former police officer Mohd Yusof Abdul who said: “We do not feel safe any more even in our own house. What is this country coming to?”; the scandal of 22-year-old M. Rajeshvari, who was detained for 11 months at the Lenggeng Immigration depot where she gave birth to her son, all because she did not have her identity card with her and could not recall its number; the Ahmad Ismail “penumpang” furore; the Permatang Pauh by-election and Abdullah’s failure to honour his new pledges for judicial, police and anti-corruption reforms.
If an opinion poll is conducted now, Abdullah’s popularity rating would be struggling to keep above the 30 per cent level!
It is against this backdrop of an unchecked precipitous drop in public confidence in the Abdullah premiership that Umno Vice President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has publicly called on Abdullah to rethink his transition plan to step down by mid-2010 as the timeframe for Abdullah to hand over the post of Prime Minister and the Umno President to Datuk Seri Najib Razak was too long.
Abdullah was incensed by Muhyiddin’s call, expressing his surprise that “a member of my cabinet came up with that kind of statement, against what had been agreed by all of us” and declaring: “I am not staying on for the sake of pleasure of staying on”.
Muhyiddin’s call however highlights the new political reality in Malaysia after the two political tsunamis in six months – March 8 general election and August 26 Permatang Pauh by-election – that the Malaysian political mould has been completely recast and it is only a question of time that a change of transition of federal power is effected, whether on 916, 1016, 1116 or in an early 13th general election.
YB Lim Kit Siang,
Each time the figure 916 is mentioned, a cold wave runs down the spine of many people. Cold sweats covered their faces.
In another words, let Dato’ Anwar get down to the business of changing this gov’t and get on with it. And I think his intention of getting fresh election once in power is the right move. Right now, less said is better.
I agree that a transfer of power from BN to PR is necessary, inevitable and should preferably be imminent as well.
It takes the behemoth called Barisan Nasional so very close to losing power to apologise unreservedly for hurtful comments made against a minority race in this country, for the BN government to start TALKING about Judicial, Police and ACA reform, and for senior officials to make a public declaration of assets (which by the way are all still big zeroes by way of actual implementation).
BN is simply beyond redemption, with so much vested interest to be lost once PR takes over the Federal Government. Yet, they refuse to get their act together for their greater good or long term survival – and in the process of flip flopping, they drag the whole country down in every possible way – economically, culturally, socially and morally.
This must end. Every day of going in circle is another few weeks Malaysia loses out to international competition over money, brains, rewards and honour.
Most of the leaders in goverment bodies had bloodstained in their hands, runaway being fugitive is not an option. Its tolate to turn back to light and the show must go on…. Do or Die methods.
Today they fear for their lives regarding what theyve done, what goes around comes around. How you lock those innocent behind bars like animal will come to light somedays.
Its just matter of time, pretty shocking for this kinda government still being authority in this days. Trying use the Malay’s as a shield robbing the Nation for self gain and so on.
I think Pakatan Rakyat may change the government in a very suprising way. None of the people or media might have anticipated the way it is to be changed. PK is not that stupid to tell BN how to do it, so that BN is fully prepared to stop the change. Let’s wait and see.
I have the following comment on chedet.com. I think Mahathir should just forget about UMNO and BN.
Any great empire would eventually diminish in history because of long term ruling that eventually led to corruption and inefficiencies. The rulers placed self interest above the people’s interest. Your term as prime minister was excellent, but toward the end, many people wanted you out because of increased concerns over corruption of your administration. You have a whole list of corrupted ministers but you could not or did not remove or replace them. Your police and ACA could not function as expected, but functioned as directed.
Did you think people like Samy Vellu really took care of the Indian population? Did you think that Taib really cared about the people of Sarawak and not his family interest? I cannot blame Abdullah alone for the current situation because some of these problems originated from your administration that was carried over to him. When you were still having the power, most people tried to please you in order to keep their interest in hands. Do you believe in Rafidah any more, who cried and asked you not to step down? These were simply acts of performance. Do you think that those of your ministers really liked you? No, they immediately switched to the next boss who can give them what they wanted and they attacked you. None of them liked you, but liked the power and money that they got because of you.
You used ISA as you pleased and this destroyed the democracy of our country. We forever have a bad name because of your exercising of the ISA. The issues with the judiciary system, the case with Anwar, etc. You may not be directly involved, but they happened during your administration, so you should be responsible for that.
At one time, you tried to please the Chinese by saying that Chinese can be the prime minister (as opposing to what you have been writing in your blog about the social contract and Malay rights). At certain points, the Chinese have been fooled by the racial politics and MCA/SUPP. Chinese did not support the opposition as strongly before because we thought they were just the watchdogs and mosquitoes, making noise around. But now most Chinese woke up because suddenly we saw that the opposition can be the ruling government as it happened in several states now. We are certain that a change in the federal government is close. If there is another election now, we are certain that BN will be sinking to the bottom.
I think despite all that had happened, Anwar would still be grateful to you for bringing him into politics. The people are still grateful to you for bringing up Anwar such that we have a person, together with Lim Kit Siang and others, who can actually replace the corrupted government. If we do not have these people around, I afraid our country would have moved to the hell.
You still have many positive aspects. You allowed press freedom (although now the press are able to say more openly anything, not just about Abdullah). This sounded like an insult, but I am comparing it to China and Singapore. As I mentioned before, you would be grateful to yourself for not restricting press freedom such that you can voice out your opinion now.
I don’t see how UMNO and BN can be back to before. So please forget about reviving them. As a great leader, it would be best for you to promote democracy, the true democracy. What is needed now is a change in the government. The eroded and corrupted one should always be replaced. Only then we have a healthy democracy.
Yes, inevitable and imminent for a new Government. Should be sooner than later!
After PR take over federal government, declare it as caretaker government, get the house/country in order, priority being the election commission and judiciary. Then after 6 months or a year, call for snap election and get a ethically proper government voted in to silence the critics once and for all.
The rakyat will rally behind PR… Makkal Shakthi!
EP
The following is a very appropriately written comment by Kenny Gan, extracted from Malasiakini and it’s worth posting here;
ON EARLY ELECTIONS IF PAKATAN TAKES OVER
Kenny Gan: Pakatan Rakyat’s plan to hold early elections if it takes over the federal government is certainly laudable to dispel questions of morality and breach of democratic principles.
Such a move will return the mandate to the people to choose their representatives and also remove political debts arising from the defections of lawmakers.
Pakatan Rakyat has much work to do to level the playing field before calling for new elections. For a start, earnest efforts must be made to free up the media. No free and fair election is possible with a totally controlled media which becomes a propaganda machine for the ruling party come every election.
Other necessary acts include cleaning up the electoral rolls to remove phantom voters and streamlining postal votes to prevent abuse. All Malaysian citizens overseas should be able to take part in postal votes while unnecessary postal balloting within the country should be removed.
The Election Commission must be reformed to become an impartial body. In the Permatang Pauh by-election, the EC showed its partisan leaning by setting polling day on a working day, an act which it has never even bothered to justify.
Given Pakatan’s declared intention to call early election there is no more reason for anybody to take the moral high ground on defections. Every Malaysian should support Pakatan’s bid to take over the government for a better Malaysia while the window of opportunity remains open.
To wait until the next general election would mean sitting helplessly for another 4 years while untold damage is done to the country and there is no telling what tactics a desperate regime faced with the threat of losing power will employ. We must understand that this opportunity may never come again.
if Pakatan takes over do u think our population will decrease ?
what if all BN members fleed the country ? who will be there to remind us about the social contract ? who will tell us about the importance of DEB ? who will remind the chinese that they are squatters ? who will arrest Hindraf leaders under ISA ?
Pakatan, dont be selfish, you are denying our children a good part of our History :)
Dear YB, there is something in my mind since the controversial talk on the importance of 916. Shall we, namely the people from the 5 Pakatan Rakyat states, put up our national flag on 916 to show this is the true Malaysian Day? FYI, I live in Selangor and I see the significance of such action. We care about Sabah and Sarawak and we care about 916. My house put up the national flag during 831 Independence Day but seriously my family did not feel the true meaning of such celebration. Let’s do it!
After 51 years of independence, Malaysians in general are self confident, mature and form a psychologically liberated and secure society to accept any sudden change of goverment. In the past general elections, developmentalism and ethnic politics held sway and consolidated the grip on the Malaysian voters .
Given our past experience with the elected political leadership, Malaysians have witness many our democratic rights sacrificed on the altar of rapid economic growth to satisfy the cravings of a group of ruling party elites who continue to eat the fat off the land.
We have paid the price of believing in the rhetoric of this work-with -me government in combating corruption and promises of good governance. So for the voters who entrusted this administration with their lives, will we feel ‘jilted”if the crossover takes place?
Just cant imagine the day we see the parliamentary proceedings in YouTube – AAB and DSAI have swapped their seats! ;)
Create Healthy Democracy we need vice versa check and balance formula implementation.
Like U.S today Democrats vs Republic…
Why not Malaysia, they would starts to work for a real proposal to lure votes in placed of people’s interest. They wont have any chance to raise or discriminate once and for all.
Mamakthir’s return to UMNO is supposed to galvanise those who are spineless and who have no guts to tell Badawi what they really think. Unfortunately, Mamakthir’s 22 years of hitting out at everyone and everything have done irreparable damage, and no one has the b@lls to follow the mamak’s advice anymore. Just like when the mamak left UMNO and very few followed him then, the mamak’s return is just going to be a non-event. I agree with Nik Aziz that the mamak’s return is actually good for Pakatan.
Just how long is “early” ??
Within 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 36 months or 42 months?? Dont consider it early, if more than 42 months.
No governing system of divide and rule can survive forever. The issue really is how the transition is to take place. The way UMNO is going about it is like a spoilt child that refuses to learn and understand the reality. Its internal fight is no more like siblings quarreling over who is at fault for family problems. Eventually they have to learn that its all their fault and they all have to change.
Just that someone need to bash it into their heads.
The writing is on the wall but MCA, Gerakan, SUPP and MIC still refuse to repent. They are rotten beyond redemption. The day of the 13th GE is the day judgment for these stooges of UMNO. The rakyak will pass a death sentence on them.
Muhyiddin isn’t Anwar on the “other side”. Premier Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has every right to be incensed by his own cabinet minister calling his earlier retirement from the succession plan of 2010 agreed by all!
Talking about the Badawi’s waffling & flip flop leadership, it is bad only in sense that it does not help Malaysia to weather much less confront effectively the macro world wide economic maelstrom : such challenges require intelligent strong and effective leadership.
However it is precisely the weak leadership that is a plus point for exposing and bringing to light all the worms and vermins under the carpet of the present BN regime. Opposition should view him an unintended ally to facilitate the implosion!
Don’t blame everything on Badawi as if he were sole cause of everything wrong in this country : the rot set in when TDM took over. Don’t tell me there won’t be a Raja Noriana Raja Ahmad plight or M. Rajeshvari scandal or the rela corp member force photographing a former GRO forced to relieve herself in the truck??
Why are we forgetting to apportion greater blame to the warlords and incompetents now plotting to replace number 1 by a stronger authoritarian leader to preserve the moribund system protective of their incompetence?
Speaking of which YB, isn’t it a joke that Home Ministry has asked Sin Chew Daily to show cause on why action should not be taken against it for its recent reports on the racial slur controversy involving Umno division leader Ahmad Ismail ??? Se Malaysiakini’s report on Sep 12, 08 11:55am regarding “Three dailies issued show cause letters”.
If Ahmad Ismail were wrong for racial slur – as confirmed by UMNO Supreme Council – how is Sin Chew Daily also wrong for exposing Ahmad Ismail’s wrong? This baffles me – a person held to be wrong for exposing a wrong doer, without such exposure, no attention would be drawn to a wrong being committed! This is inverse application of what is right or wrong! (Just like the other “moon cha cha” trangression to Energy, Water and Communications jurisdiction to block MalaysiaToday only to be subsequently reversed).
So it looks like 916 cannot come truth? This is the 1st lesson to learn for not simply to set target or promise if the fulfilment is not within the realm of practical possibility. Otherwise it makes no difference between Opposition parties and BN, semua cakap saja!
Just because one could not get at MalaysiaToday because of the overarching importance of honoring the MSC Bill of Guarantee, theSun, Chinese daily Sin Chew Daily and Suara Keadilan (governed by Printing Presses Publication Act) are now asked to show cause to underscore the point that there is no freedom of press here just in case they get other ideas from MalaysiaToday being unblocked!
///If Ahmad Ismail were wrong for racial slur – as confirmed by UMNO Supreme Council – how is Sin Chew Daily also wrong for exposing Ahmad Ismail’s wrong?///—Jeffrey
It seems that the truth is no defence for offense under sedition act. The strange thing is that Ahmad Ismail had not been charged, and now they come after the newspaper. The paper has the responsibility to report what were seen and heard. They can be quilty of the job demand of their profession, then this ciountry is not going to the dog, this is governed by dog.
The public need to move on regarding the ‘Thing” AI issue. Recent write up from MT will illustrate the danger of the tactic used by these ppl.
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/12512/84/
It scares me when you read how our law being used to ‘solved’ this kind of issues. Im feeling a little ‘jittery’ here also about the safety in this blog. Sometimes, our comments are being ‘held-up?’ by moderator (Who is he-moderate?). No one can shed light here also.
DSAI has to work doubly fast, no joke here. God help the rakyat!!!
The MPs are on the way back from taiwan
916 is back ON people!!!!!!
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http://delcapo.wordpress.com/
Thank God for Contrast. Contrast is a good thing. Contrast is the dissimilarity or difference between things.
It is when we are faced with a situation we truly don’t want any longer that we seek to want so dearly, what is truly good for all of us, the rakyat.
Cheers, to the New Malaysia, cherished by all.
The rot that we see today set in during 22 years of Mamakthir’s rule as PM. He corrupted all the institutions of government for personal glory, wealth and the unmitigated promotion of his pet projects of nepotism, cronism, wanton disregard to transparency, accountablity and good governance.
What he said about “Melayu mudah lupa” is not only true but has a legitimate ring to it.
UMNO has forgotten the evil ways in which he single-handedly corrupted the judiciary, played an active role in the monetary disasters that took place during his time, the way he used the taxpayers money to rescue the companies of his cronies which were going into bankruptcy, the way he used the ISA to supress dissent and the Printing Presses Publication Act to curtail press and media freedom.
Now the same UMNO is being asked to readmit him as a member. He left UMNO on his own volition. Nobody asked him to leave. He left thinking others would follow him and that would bring the downfall of AAB.
When that move fizzled out, he is asking some of his supporters to make the move to readmit him into UMNO.
He could not make AAB to leave the government. So now he wants to sow the seeds of discord among UMNO members and ruin it for good.
Mamakthir has studied the psyche of the Malay. From the Malay Dilemma to Melayu Mudah Lupa, he knows how to twist UMNO with his little fingers.
It may yet turn out that he is not the champion of the Malays as he pretends to be but the man who actually destroyed UMNO.
Sin Chew merely reported the incident, and did not even blow it out of proportion, and they are being censured, but the unapologetic Ahmad Ismail plans to take his talk to all the umno branches nationwide and that is not being ticked off? Somethin g is not right here. Looks like umno leaders are lembik!
MauriyaII:
Zak the Mamakthir brown-noser is going to take issue with what you have written about his hero. He calls Mamakthir a “true visionary”. Wait till Mamakthir runs away to Zimbabwe and seeks political asylum when PR comes to power – we will still pursue the old fox for abuse of power and dereliction of duty.
Time is not a factor, timing is. Those who want to see a change of govt, need to be patient. The call for a fresh national elections is a move in the right direct. This will dispel doubts of a immoral tactic used to a dethrone the UMNO-BN govt. Most importantly, to confirm the rakyat’s desire for a change to a new administration. God willing, it will happen.
IF we all want and work towards the greater good of the country, it will happen. The collective consciousness of the nation will make it happen.
Lets wish for whats good and work in that direction.
//Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that show-cause letters had been issued to several newspapers for failing to adhere to the ministry’s media guidelines.// Malaysiakini
What he meant was those newspapers did not adhere to UMNO’s guidelines.
Desperate man resorts to desperate act during desperate time.
Thank you Syed Hamid Botak. You have just proven to the people that this corrupt and bankrupt BN government must be replaced.
YB
Looks like the powers-that-be take the threat of Sept 16 seriously.
Against the back drop of theSun, Chinese daily Sin Chew Daily and Suara Keadilan being taken to task, Raja Petra has just been detained under the Internal Security Act at 1.10pm.
Looks like the crack down has begun and may widen.
like DSAI has said, the earlier the better because :
1) if too late, no more reserves in bank negara but towards bodowi pocket especially since his time is also limited
2) to avoid being sent to jail for 20 years for a charge that was ‘dramaticed’ to look as real
3) to catch all ‘thieves and robbers’ within BN regime
4) to help us to see that we still have a bit to save in our banks or able to afford our needs—MOST IMPORTANT !!
so , go go go PK don’t delay the 916!!!! use a nuclear if has to make this new dawn comes true !!!
The botak has finally gone overboard. Detaining RPK under the ISA! What an act of desperation! If you have concrete evidence, charge him in a court of law. ISA is only invoked when you don’t have evidence that will stand up in a court of law. Looks like the BN don’t even have faith in the laws of the country.
Time has indeed come for a new government, but Pakatan will not be forming it. Those who think that Anwar the snake will be allowed to march to Putrajaya are very much mistaken.
Ahmad’s comments were unacceptable. I believe that DAP was crucial in raising the seriousness of the incident through various media. Despite Ahmad’s claim that his words were taken out of context, we did not give him the benefit of doubt because of the inciteful nature of his remarks, and rightly so.
Now we have an incident (or incidents) involving DAP MP Teresa Kok. I hope that DAP will give this story full coverage as well as Teresa’s own explanation so that we can judge her words and intent for ourselves.
Bodowi is stuck between a rock and a hard place; on one hand he can not antagonise the UMNO members whose support he relies on and on the other he needs to be seen to be doing the right thing. Now with Muhyuddin on his case to retire early, we may have a turnabout within BN sooner than people might think.
Pakatan on the other hand have sent 5 of their MP’s to Taiwan to learn about “agriculture” too :^)
Exhilarating days ahead.
sun2surf:
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12, 2008): The Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance has deferred plans to unseat the government by Sept 16, its leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said.
The announcement came in the form of a statement late Thursday after a leaders council meeting, and puts paid to his repeated assertions earlier that the deadline would be met as at least 30 Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament (MPs) were ready to crossover to the PR.
The statement said the PR was still confident of getting a sufficient number of MPs to oust the ruling coalition “soon”.
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Soon = next GE, lol.
BN using the 916 and twisting the deadline to their advantage. 916 is just a target, like any forecast. Its subject to changes and a new forecast set up in the light of new information.
The most important thing is that there will be change and the machinery to change will not stop. BN is already shitting bricks and stepping over each other like hysterical school children.
Abdullah said he did not stay on for pleasure but to complete reform. But I see the opposite of what he said is happening; for example, blogger RPK is arrested under ISA, 3 newspapers are being probed and prosecutors want to transfer Anwar’s Sodomy case to the high court. It looks as if Abdullah’s intention of staying on is to “dis-reform”.
The Frog Busters are in Taiwan
1. Fauziah Salleh
2. Tian Chua
3. Saiffudin Nasution
4. Low Chee Cheong
5. ELizabeth Wong
Look, I am getting quite sick of these fellas who supposedly are going to quit the BN and join the PR. In the first place, before Anwar mooted the idea to change the balance, they were for all intents and purposes, of the BN sort, given to divide and rule regime, standing of the racial system. We are seeing the full spectrum of their true colors, and I say it is not impressive.
I suggest that the PR main stay parties make preparation to unseat them in the next GE. It is better that we wait out for the next election and win instead of eyeing people who could reform. People now vote for a new style of governance, and whoso stand on thePR ticket, any place in Sabah and Sarawak, shall win hands down. It is not really them who hold the seats now.
I don’t see why they should not now simply stand forth and say they want to cross over for the sake of nation. What is holding them back from doing so? Want the red carpet? I won’t be surprised.
To me they are fools who cannot see the big picture. UMNO just made another blunder and it shall implode and a large number of MPs from there will walk over, and we don’t really need those who are basking in false granduer in Taiwan. Jual mahal.
Seing the way way AAB function, he will make the blunder of calling for a snap election.
I say prepare for a snap election and field your own candidates. To hell with these fellas who don’t have the guts to stand up front alone.
Godfather, you sound like a broken record. A boring one at that. You know very well that Mahathir will have a state funeral and you are welcome to join the procession and mourning as will millions of other Malaysians and non-Malaysians.