The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said that Pakatan Rakyat must not set terms or conditions if it wants to talk about the co-operation to resolve the Perak political crisis.
As I said in my speech at the public forum “From May 13 to 1Malaysia – The Future of Malaysian Nation Building” at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre last night, Pakatan Rakyat leaders will meet today and this subject will be top on the agenda.
On Saturday, while travelling between Kangar and Alor Star, I received news that the remaining three Hindraf leaders, DAP Selangor State Assemblyman Kota Alam Shah, P. Uthayakumar and K. Vasanthakumar, had been sent off from Kamunting Detention Centre for release under the Internal Security Act.
In a media conference in Alor Setar at about 4.30 pm, I said that the time had come for Najib to have a summit meeting with Pakatan Rakyat leaders to resolve the protracted Perak constitutional crisis and political stalemate.
I said that the release of the Hindraf leaders by themselves were not adequate measures to restore public confidence in key national institutions in the country, especially when the Perak constitutional crisis had become a Malaysian political crisis undermining national confidence in the key national institutions and impairing Malaysia’s international image and competitiveness.
On the Perak crisis two days after the May 7 Day of Infamy in the Perak State Assembly, where the legitimate and lawful Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar was physically dragged out of the Assembly, I made three specific proposals:
- Firstly, the Cabinet must discuss the Perak crisis as it has become a national problem;
- Secondly, all Umno, MCA, Gerakan and MIC leaders, whether national or Perak, must assume individual and collective responsibility for the Perak constitutional and political impasse, as it has brought shame and infamy not only to Perak but also to Malaysia undermining our international competitiveness to face the world economic crisis.
- Thirdly, Najib should hold a summit meeting with Pakatan Rakyat leaders to find a solution to the Perak crisis.
I note that the Cabinet at its meeting yesterday had discussed the Perak crisis, which it should have done very much earlier, in view of its national and international repercussions for the country.
The Perak crisis has seriously damaged national and international confidence in key national institutions whether the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Election Commission, the civil service, the judiciary or the monarchy.
For this reason, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and all Barisan Nasional leaders whether Umno, MCA, Gerakan or MIC cannot evade responsibility by “passing the buck” claiming that it is only a state problem.
I see no need for anyone to impose any conditions for talks by political leaders to resolve the Perak constitutional crisis and political stalemate – as the condition is to uphold national interest to resolve it immediately in accordance with recognized democratic principles without further impairing national and international confidence in Malaysia and its key national institutions
Most important of all, Malaysia must send out a clear and unmistakable message that we are not degenerating and deteriorating into a failed state like Zimbabwe where the vital doctrine of separation of powers to ensure democracy is a total farce.
The Perak crisis will be top on the agenda of the meeting of Pakatan Rakyat leaders today, which will be held at the PAS Hqrs in Kuala Lumpur at 2 pm.
What is there to resolve ? The most Najib will offer is joint governance until the next GE in 2013. Why add legitimacy to what is already an illegitimate grab of power ?
Fresh elections are out of the question for Najib because he knows that PR will be returned with an even bigger mandate, and he will have lost credibility within his own party. The money that he has spent on Hee Hee Hee would have gone down the drain since she is now completely unelectable, but she doesn’t care because she can retire in much comfort.
If there’s a scapegoat within UMNO that Najib can use to deflect attention to himself, then maybe he could consent to fresh elections, but there is none, and hence all the blame will be on him if he loses the state by an even wider margin.
Kit,
Get the Perak crisis resolved as soon as possible before it further tarnishes Malaysia’s international image. If Malaysia cannot solve its domestic problem, how can the country convince the world community that Malaysia can solve international problems and contribute to world peace? Malaysia must not lose it self-respect.
A blogger said his friend in France is following the development in Perak closely!
Test on PM – People First
PM said “People First”. I really hope he meant it and not Party First. Majority of Malaysians want the Perak’s crisis to be resolved soonest as this is becoming a national problem and is causing further social-economic instability. They want the Perakians to determine their own state goverment via a state general re-election and not by brute force, court cases or other improper means.
Dear PM, hope you are not deaf or dumb or blind. Please walk the talk. Thus you cannot say that the Perak’s situation is up to Zambry (illegitimate MB?) to decide. You are the PM of Malaysia and the President of BN. PR wants the State Assembly to be dissolved and if BN agree then we do not see why the Sultan will refuse such dissolution.
Thus please do not put the Sultan on the spot by saying that it is his prerogative. Do you PM really support the majority of people wanting a state election?
Yeah. Godfather is right. Wot is there to talk? Never talk to people who resort to illegal acts. No. Its more than illegal acts. Its Unconstitutional acts. The only solution is fresh state election. Umno does not dare to face voters in peninsular malaysia. That is the core issue which umno cannot surmount. That is why they now want to talk. Its useless talking. 50 yrs of talking and nothing materialises and nothing changes. The only changes we can see are all changes for the worse; from crime rate to university rating to our competitive edge in world economy.
Talk? Well if they insist, then attend and tell them:
1) zambry is unlawful – get him out;
2) ganesan is unlawful – get him out;
3) set up commission to investigate altantuya’s murder;
4) set up commission to investigate commission payout to baginda’s company;
5) set up commission to investigate the Port Klang fiasco;
6) pass laws to police the police force;
7) for appearance of impartiality sake zaki’s term somehow must be discontinued;
8) give freedom to the media;
9) replace the umnoputra-centric nep with poor-people-centric nep;
10) stop using the umnoputra-centric term “bumiputra” to deceive common malays.
Of course, this list is not conclusive.
Since it is a hung assembly, how about making them to come to terms and agree with the undated resignation letters of the three assemblyfrogs to pave the way for three by-elections?
I am sure PR will win these by-elections comfortably and BN knows that they will lose, but at least Najib can save face as well as the Sultan; for they dont have to call for a fresh election which Najib is afraid of.
It’s a win-win situation for blth sides. How’s about it uncle Kit?
sorry typo – last sentence:
“exhaustive” not “conclusive”
Jelapang is the big winner, no matter there is a fresh election or not. Just a simple leap, big money is inside pocket without any hard toil!!! What a disgusting witch!
This is making a mountain out of a mole hill. The Perak issue has made a joke out of the whole system. FACT. But its not a national crisis … look at Ipoh today, go there for yourself. Business as usual. The Perakians were not even keen to come out and make their stand. Even Anwar did not go la.
Just follow the judicial system and see where it leads. Even if PM plays dirty, the GE13 will kill BN in Perak for sure. They will regret what they did in Perak. But if this does not happen in GE13 then it shows the Perakians have spoken, not bothered about Nizar’s loss.
All this meeting meeting is just a show. It gets nowhere. I wish Mr LKS would ask Anwar if Anwar still believes that defecting is a right thing to court. LKS should make a stand on this and then see what he has to say about PAS who is currently courting a BN ADUN.
Malaysian politics has gone to the dogs, both sides are involved. BN is of course the greater evil having a superb lead over anyone else but what are the rest doing?
MCA, Gerakan will bark to keep some PR up but dare not issue an ultimatum to UMNO.
DAP/PKR/PAS only can complain complain. When will our saviour come? A person who is truly keen to SERVE the Rakyat and not trying to fight for the control of Malaysia. Serve well and the nation will be under that person, its automatic.
We curse Zambry for using Nelson Mandela and Gandhi’s names, I agree, he should be cursed but do we have any politician who attempts to emulate what Mandela and Gandhi did? They both wanted to serve the nation to make it greater. They wanted better things for the people.
Anwar has shown it clearly, he wants to govern Malaysia! This is a joke. We are all so screwed.
I am from Perak, and i am not worried investment is not coming into Perak. What i want is justice. I dont understand what is there to talk about. As Godfather rightly pointed it out, why add legitimacy to the coup d’etat? Either Najib agree to a state election in Perak or continue with the illegal power grab. There should be no compromise with Umno/BN!
While PM Najib cannot afford the “guilty” verdict by the Perakians for his orchestra of a unethical, unconstituitional power grab in Perak, I wonder where is the infamous RM 7 Billion mini budget passed last year in Parliament and also another infamous RM 10 Billion passed subsequently in the name of economic stimulus package?
Could a large proportion of the RM 17 Billion budget being spent in the Perak “coup”? While crime rate continue to climb but the police force has been surprisingly effective and efficient in Perak?
Malaysia is now two steps away from becoming Myanmar & Zimbabwe, with the mass jailing of opposition figures and also the suspension of parliament/ state assemblies…then Malaysia (with all the right ingredients now) = Myanmar / Zimbabwe
Unless there is a people oriented and constituitional acceptable solution to resolve the Perak crisis (through State-Wide Fresh Election), PM Najib will turned into a Leader of Tyranny in the face of Malaysians and the world…
The Perak crisis has spiralled out of control, Parliament and State Assemblies of various states are suspending oppositions figures with brute majority in disguise of democracy.
Even Tun Dr. Mahathir is staying away from the BN’s Perak coup…all ingredients is right.
PM Najib ignorance and arrogance in avoiding the “guilty” verdict of Perakians by all means and the infamous RM 17 billion “economy stimulus package”‘s whereabout is highly suspicious with the on going Perak crisis.
There is no good ending to the Perak Crisis until there is an state-wide election in Perak.
Yeap I agree with you guys that there’s nothing fruitful to talk with Umno/Bn particularly the PM NR.Firstly Umno/Bn grabbed with greedy intention the power from PR.This snatch is officially declared as illegal by the high court including the MB Dr.Zambry.So what’s there to talk about Mr.prime minister ? As pm, NR should be mindful of the people’s interest and act accordingly to the vast majority wishes .Presently most of his actions are adversely targetting the people’s interest.I find it profoundly hurting the people and could not believe that a prime minister of a country could do such things. Let’s pray and hope he will come to his senses to do the appropriate things for people,for democracy and country.
Best is let the people decide and then the results will show the reality of the situation … let BN be trounced la … lose by a huge landslide. That is the best solution.
Mamaktir is now admitting that umno would be trashed in any new elections in Perak. This is the reason why umno dare not contest in Penanti. Will the 13th General Elections also be postponed indefinitely because bn fears its defeat at the hands of the rakyat?
“I see no need for anyone to impose any conditions for talks by political leaders to resolve the Perak constitutional crisis and political stalemate – as the condition is to uphold national interest to resolve it immediately in accordance with recognized democratic principles without further impairing national and international confidence in Malaysia and its key national institutions” – YB Kit. Yes neither side sets preconditions/terms for negotiations but which direction should negotiations proceed???.
The dissolution of Perak State Legislative Assembly for state wide elections over 59 seats will be disadvantageous to BN as PR will win with an ever greater overwhelming majority over BN. SO BN – and Tun Dr Mahathir – will not agree to this kind of solution.
The other side of the coin is that it would also strain PR’s finances by another RM30 million, given (say) a minimum of RM500,000 campaign expenses per constituency for all 59 of them. Better save this money for Sarawak state elections.
Barring somekind of power sharing formula to rule Perak state Government, the other compromise may be a return to status quo (in terms of numbers of PR vs BN state seats) just before the defections to BN and its power grab.
How to do this? The deal would be for BN will prevail over the defectors and kataks to resign their seats to pave way for by elections over their seats. (This is not easy as these kataks will be barred from contesting for 5 years). Work out a deal with them. That’s BN’s problem.
Chances are that all these seats will, in a by election, be won by PR but at least the margin of majority of PR over BN is still slim and not increased as would otherwise be the case if State wide elections held. (At best BN has a chance to a gamble and bid for an unlikely chance to win at least one of the by elections to better the status quo immediately preceding the power grab.)
The problem remains with MB status of Zambry (already appointed by Ruler) that High Court has ruled as a nullity now pending appeal to Court of Appeal. Defer the Court of Appeal hearing.
If PR wins the by-elections of Kataks’ seats to have majority as before in Perak State Assembly, then BN withdraws the appeal, and High Court decision stands with finality – not appealed against – to vitiate and nullify Zambry’s appointment as MB.
In the very unlikely event of PR losing the by-elections of Kataks’ seats to become minority in Perak Legislative Assembly, then PR/Nizar will withdraw his contest of Zambry’s appeal to the Court of Appeal, and facilitate at assembly level the vote of confdence for Zambry as MB and Ganesan as Speaker.
Deal?
Why would Najib deliberately set out to lose the state elections if he can win it through illegal means ? Better still, if he can win it through questionable means deemed legal by the courts ?
Najib now says its up to the Sultan to dissolve the state assembly. Either he is playing tai chi or he is trying to set the rakyat up against the royalty. He is hoping to create more havocs so that he can rule by declaring a state of emergency. What kind of a Prime Minister is this???????
If he is sincere & serious about solving the mess that he himself has created in the first place, he should request his ‘fake’ MB Zambri to go with the ‘real’ MB Nizar to seek an audience with the sultan to ask for the dissolution of the state assembly and let the rakyat of Perak freedom to choose a new state government.
TDM is someone who does things his ways, and never takes into consideration the reality. For instance, he wants to build the crooked bridge and disregards the opposing view expressed by our neighbour. Time and again, our leaders, including PM Najib, says it’s important to take into consideration how the rakyat feel.
TDM, the PR are no longer just the Opposition Party at federal level, but are the ruling party in several states. How is the BN going to sling mud at PR governments when people in Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan can feel for themselves the advantages of being under PR rule?
The one and only solution to the Perak imbroglio is the ultimate dissolution of the State Assembly leading to fresh state elections where Perakians will be given the mandate again to decide who they want as their state government.
But alas, PM Najib had decided against the dissolution of the Perak State Assembly. Why is he setting conditions in wanting to meet Pakatan leaders to solve the stalemate? There must be sincerity and commitment on the part of UMNO and BN. It is so glaring and obvious that if fresh state elections are called (confirmed by former PM Tun M also), UMNO and BN would lose big and heavy. Pakatan Rakyat will then be returned to power with a much bigger majority to govern and administer the Silver State!
Perhaps EC also amend the RULES for General election to held every 25 years.
“Barring somekind of power sharing formula to rule Perak state Government, the other compromise may be a return to status quo (in terms of numbers of PR vs BN state seats) just before the defections to BN and its power grab.” (Jeffrey)
Jeffrey,
I think you are overoptimistic when you list the above option as a possible choice of solution.
By looking at the present circumstances of Dr. Mahathir’s strong disagreement with any choice of state-wide election or by-election, I find that it is not likely that Najib will ask the three political frogs to tender resignation to the Assembly Speaker in order to lay path for the by-elections in Perak. Najib is just the puppet of Dr. Mahathir. I am not keeping any hope for Najib to call for any by-election in Perak in the near future because Najib still has to listen to Dr. Mahathir in something related to important political decision.
In fact, if you have to see things from Dr. Mahathir’s perspective, then you will find two possible ways to resolve the Perak crisis:
1) To appoint Paul Augustine as one of the Judge of the Court of Appeal. Then get another Pro-BN judge to decide on the deferment on dropping judgement from the Court of Appeal in order to buy time for Zambry and Ganesan to call for another sitting of Perak State Assembly. Nizar will be removed from the post of the Menteri Besar by tabling and passing a motion of no confidence against Nizar with majority of the State Assembly. Then the Sultan of Perak will be requested to reinstate Zambry as the Menteri Besar through another swearing in ceremony.
2) In case Najib finds that it is imperative for him to have a lawful and legitimate Menteri Besar in order to stabilize the confidence of the Perakian people, then Najib may just get the Court of Appeal judges to reverse the decision of Kuala Lumpur High Court with respect to Nizar Vs. Zambry case. The Court of Appeal can simply rule that a statutory declaration signed by the majority of the State Legislative Assembly in the presence of the Sultan will be sufficient and good proof of the passing of the motion of no confidence against Nizar. Therefore Nizar’s status of Menteri Besar has been terminated with immediate effect at the point of time when such a statutory declaration has been signed by a simple majority of the State Legislative Assembly. No doubt, such a court ruling will cause astonishment to many legal experts since it will set a new lagal case precedence which has never been done in the past. Anyway, this ruling will be acceptable by the royal family as well as by the interested group of BN which has good connection with the royal family. And Dr. Mahathir will also be able to accept this ruling since it never permits giving up the Executive Power to the Sultan without checks-and-balances by the majority of the State Legislative Assembly.
There is only a slim chance for Nizar to gain back his post of Menteri Besar in the near future. Pakatan Rakyat leaders should be ready to accept the defeat again because BN is not going to give up the ruling power in view of the excessively expensive cost BN has spent on buying the three political frogs. I think it is much better for PR leaders to let the nature take its own course from now on and be ready to spend more time for preparation of Sarawak State-wide Election, which is near at hand. There is no point wasting much time again in Perak since the May 7 video is already a good harvest for PR in order to bring forth a political downfall to BN in the 13th General Election.
At this juncture of the Perak impasse, the only people who are legally in the position to make the final decision are the PERAKIANS!!
The sultan and polticians bear in mind…we the rakyat, pay your salaries…return Power to the People.
We should leave the Federal government and Sultan to decide what to do with the crisis of Perak. BN is the ruling party and BN should have power to talk to Sultan and decide what is best for the people of Perak. Fresh election will only waste money when it is crystal clear that People in Perak has switched their support to BN. We should not blow the matter to international level because this is a domestic affair of Malaysia and is none of the business of other countries. I reiterate that fresh election is a stupid move which will only waste money when it is clear that the majority in Perak State Assembly is formed by BN. People of Perak should respect the decision of the individual State Assemblyman and should have confidence in them that they are doing for the greatest benefits for the people.
uncle Kit,
careful what u said to meet Najib , they may want u out like what PAS did to Hadi … but then of couse u are not like Hadi
KJ ( kamaruddin jaafar ) already there…
I find it so funny when our Tun Mahathir said that he is sure Pakatan will win in a snap election but he is not for a snap election.
It means he does not believe it is the right of the people to decide. It is for him to decide! Is this the UMNO logic or Mahathir logic or Najib logic? So, it is not for the people to decide? This is abuse of power of the highest degree?
In reference to Onlooker Politics comments Today at 15: 30.31 (1 hour ago), when Tun Dr Mahathir said that there was “no need for fresh polls due to the cost and that people are “sick” of elections” per Malaysiakini report by Andrew Ong | May 14, 09 12:54pm, it is more a reference to state wide elections than 3 by elections.
According to Malaysiakini’s report, “Mahathir refused to comment when asked if holding by-elections in the three constituencies held by the defectors was a possible solution.”
Anyway no matter how influential Mahathir is or otherwise, why should we read too much in what he has said about Perak Problem when what he said has not any underlying consistency or offer any solution?
For examples, Mahathir also said: “the right process now is for the state assembly to sit and move a motion of no-confidence against Nizar.”
Is there anything to talk (to resolve) in a table talk if the BN wants everything in its favour eg motion of no-confidence against Nizar, which it is sure to get if all defectors are allowed to vote???
Don’t forget the Tun earlier opined Perak ruler could not (constitutionally) dismiss Nizar and just transfer power to Zambry as MB.
What is the inexorable inference of what he said?
It means Nizar is still the valid MB, otherwise why the need now to move a motion of no-confidence against Nizar, as Mahathir recommends?
However if Nizar were still a valid MB now, it also means (as logical extension of Mahathir’s logic of argument) the Ruler then should have earlier listened to Nizar’s request to dissolve the Legislative assembly and not appoint Zambry as MB.
Also it means that if the same request is made by Nizar presently, the Ruler should even now dissolve legislative assemby.
What was constitutional then (but which was not done) could be ratified and done now. If Tun were consistent he should proceed to this conclusion but he does not. Instead he recommends “the right process now is for the state assembly to sit and move a motion of no-confidence against Nizar.”
As it is not easy to follow the coherence or depth of Tun’s logic, so lets not use what the Tun says as guidance as to where the solution lies. I also assume the PM does not necessarily listen everything to what the Tun says.
If the logic that elections is a waste of money, then if following this logic, we should have a dictatorship, no elections ever.
The people rather be poorer and have a say in their government rather than have a government they don’t want. If it is a corrupt government, the people will be even poorer.
Tun Mahathir could of course argue that he never said the Perak Ruler should (earlier) accede to PM Nizar’s request to dissolve the Perak Assembly. He would say that what he meant was that BN should have (immediately at time of defections) procure a motion of no confidence to be passed in Perak assembly against Nizar and armed with such a motion passed, then only approach the Ruler to appoint Zambry as MB. And even now BN could do the same (what he didn’t do then) with majority numbers : pass a motion of no confidence.
I don’t agree for 2 reasons:
Firstly, the fact is the BN has not covered itself with a prior motion of no confidence passed against Nizar. What we have on record is an earlier request by Nizar for the dissolution of Legislative Assembly. If the request for dissolution was made earlier than a vote of no confidence passed, the earlier request must be entertained by the Ruler.
The other question is what happens if vote of confidence is passed earlier than Nizar’s request. According to Mahathir’s argument, the Nizar’s request cannot be further entertained. I don’t need to address this point because at all times Nizar’s request for dissolution of legislative assembly is earlier.
My personal view is that even if there were a vote of no confidence passed in Perak legislative assembly earlier than Nizar’s request to Ruler, it ought not to make a difference to the necessary result that his request for the legislative assembly to be dissolved for state wide elections should be allowed by Ruler.
The right to request and get a dissolution of Legislative Assembly to enable fresh state elections is precisely a constitutional privilege that an incumbent MB can exercise – and has to be granted by the Ruler – if and when it is established by majority vote of no confidence that he ceases commanding majority support of legislative assembly, whether due to defections or otherwise.
According to Mahathir, if an incumbent suffers an earlier vote of no confidence passed against him, he forfeits this right to request – and be entertained – for dissolution of legislative assembly.
I cannot accept this argument. It does not make sense to me : what is the point of Perak constitution giving the incumbent MB an avenue to request Ruler to dissolve the legislative assembly? When does an MB exercise it? When he commands majority in Assembly? Surely not – why would any MB wants to do this?
It is definitely an avenue available precisely when and because he has lost majority control. However the Tun Mahathir is arguing the opposite – that if he has lost majority control, he has no more this avenue to request the Ruler for dissolution and if he does so, he should not be entertained.
I respectfully disagree with this view.
Let us be practical…
A joint government is really a win win situation for the politicians while at the same time it will benefit the citizens of Perak. One strict condition should be adhered to:
[1]The joint government must AGREE to put aside party politics and ALWAYS act in the best interest of the people.
[2]The frogs should not be allowed to hold any significant position oin the joint government.
Anymore ideas??? ;)
In the event of a successful vote of no confidence against the sitting MB, the MB would go to the monarch and request for dissolution of the assembly so fresh elections could be held. That is provided for in the constitution. The monarch has a discretion to go along with the request or to withhold his consent. If he withholds his consent it would have to be reasonable. If he withholds then it would leave no choice but for the party to appoint his deputy as leader and MB.
But the situation here is quite different from the above. It is not provided for by the constitution. With the cross-overs it gives the opposition the number of seats needed to form the government. So where is the need for a special sitting and then to pass a vote of no confidence against one of your own for the purpose of holding fresh elections? A vote of no confidence means just that. Here it is just a ploy.
Old man Mahathir likes to push the envelope. He is a politician. Not a constitutional lawyer.
The loss of seats to BN/Independents mean the MB is deemed to have lost the leadership of the assembly and hence the confidence. There is no need to convene a special sitting just for the purpose of passing a vote of ‘no confidence’ against ones’s own when no confidence has been lost just so you could trigger the mechanism as you see it and provided for by the constitution.
He has been given a reason to see the sultan and ask for dissolution and guess what? The sultan has already exercised his discretion to let BN form the new government.
Najib is a cornered rat. What else can he do? Do you realize even UMNO Ministers are avoiding the Perak Crisis like hell. How many of them are supporting Najib?
He is giving in but at the same time wants some pride. He is trying to show the people that he too is for the people. Damage control.
Kasim Amat says:
People of Perak should respect the decision of the individual State Assemblyman and should have confidence in them that they are doing for the greatest benefits for the people.
Can’t agree with you lah. Don’t you see the damage that has been done. assemblymen are voted to serve and not put their interest above the people.
BN has stolen power from Pakatan and it is not willing to let go. BN will not want to end the crisis there through by-elections or anything to do with voters. BN will propose a power-sharing arrangement with BN taking 31/59 percent of the remaining term, and it wants to continue with Zambry as MB. At the end of its portion of time, it is either emergency rule or a fresh election.
Would pakatan take it?
It looks like a compromise would lead to a lame duck administration. Neither has the power to make decisions on their own. Perak state will be in a campaign state until the next general elections years from today.
The people of Perak couldn’t decide between the two opposing camps and now will have to suffer for it.
Najib: Let’s talk, but no conditions
Anwar: Let’s talk, but the only way is to hold elections
Najib: I said no conditions !
Anwar: Why are you so afraid of elections?
Najib: I am not afraid of elections.
Anwar: So let’s have elections.
Najib: Elections are a waste of money.
Anwar: Waste of money ? What about the RM 12 billion PKFZ deal ?
Najib: Ask Ong Ta Kut
Anwar: Let’s hold elections
Najib: No elections, Tun M also said no elections
Anwar: Tun M also said you will lose big.
Najib: Who says I will lose big ? I am not afraid of elections, but my answer is “NO ELECTIONS”.
Everybody – just go home.
There is only 2 outcomes to the whole Perak crisis that i would happily agree to.
1) Let BN take over Perak. Let them keep the 3 kataks, 2 of whom are charged with corruption.
2) State assembly is dissolved and we have statewide elections.
Any other outcome would be a disaster for PR. Any form of compromise or cooperation with BN would only end in despair for PR. For UMNO are experts at subterfuge and backstabbing and no deal with them will be good. Ask PAS what happened to them. See where Gerakan is today.
UMNO is now trying to pressure PR into ‘cooperation’ to resolve the Perak crisis without having by-elections. They will claim that it is to save the taxpayers money and all in the interest of the rakyat. Of course we know that is BS… but unfortunately there are many gullible Malaysians out there who believe everything they read in the MSM.
If PR does not cooperate, expect the MSM to start splashing headlines about PR, hungry for power, arrogant, does not care about serving the people, only interested in position etc..
The people of Perak couldn’t decide between the two opposing camps and now will have to suffer for it. TomThumb @ undergrad2
The people couldn’t decide? Hello, where does this come from?
I say PR should not hold any talk. It is pointless, read my lips.
limkamput , it’s not the Perakian’s fault for this fiasco. don’t blame us on it. We voted for a change and was robbed.
However, I strongly agree with you in the sense that talking to BN will be a waste of time and energy.
“According to Mahathir, if an incumbent suffers an earlier vote of no confidence passed against him, he forfeits this right to request – and be entertained – for dissolution of legislative assembly.
I cannot accept this argument. It does not make sense to me : what is the point of Perak constitution giving the incumbent MB an avenue to request Ruler to dissolve the legislative assembly? When does an MB exercise it? When he commands majority in Assembly? Surely not – why would any MB wants to do this?” (Jeffrey)
Jeffrey,
During Dr. Mahathir’s tenure as the Prime Minister, the Parliament and State Assemblies never lasted until the end of the fifth year before Dr. Mahathir and his Menteris Besar or Chief Ministers proceeded to make a request to the rulers for dissolving the legislatures. Since Dr. Mahathir liked to call for an early general election after serving a term of about 4 years, many fortune tellers predicted that Dr. Mahathir did so because he superstitiously believed that the number “4” was deemed to be Dr. Mahathir’s lucky number.
Therefore, Dr. Mahathir and his MBs and CMs did get the rulers to dissolve the legislatures when they still commanded majority of the legislatures! Pak Lah also did get the Parliament and State Assemblies dissolved in early 2008 when he and his MBs and CMs still commanded the majority of the legislatures.
As for current Perak fiasco, Dr. Mahathir will advise Najib not to dissolve the Perak State Assembly too early before the time is matured for Najib to call for a fresh election. Dr. Mahathir is a result-oriented person. He will not simply risk Umno and BN in the fresh election if he has no confidence to win in the election! Pragmatism by hook or by crook is also part and parcel of Mahathirism.
[an excerpt from theStarOnline –
Friday May 15, 2009
PM: BN does not fear fresh polls
The Barisan Nasional does not fear fresh elections in Perak and will face the rakyat (people) when the time comes, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He, however, said the decision was not Barisan’s to make as the state constitution was clear that only the Sultan of Perak had the power to call for fresh elections should there be a need for one.]
Since Najib is telling the people that BN is not fear for fresh election – he must prove it! The reason/argument given by Zambry in the Court of Appeal (to overtake all other cases in the queue of the court of Appeal)to grant a stay of execution of the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s order -was to prevent Nizar from getting the consent of Sultan for DUN dissolution -has proved otherwise!
If BN is not fear for freh Perak DUN election and willing to ‘prove beyond reasonable doubts’ that they have the BLESSINGS OF THE MAJORITY OF PERAK PEOPLE, then the only way is holding a fresh election.
If both the PAKATAN RAKYAT and BARISAN NASIONAL recommend DUN dissolution, WILL THE SULTAN -‘the king who cares the welfare of the people’ not listen to the voice of the people?
Barisan should not use or hide behind this ‘convenient excuse’ not to hold freash election.
A cheaper alternative is to hold by-elections in the 3 state ADUN not represented by FROGS –the people do not want ‘frogs’ to represent them- and the FROGS have effectively RESIGNED AS ADUN with their letter of resignation which was received accordingly by DUN speaker-Sivakumar
To me peace talks would have been possible if they had not held that disaster of the state assembly sitting that had poor Sivakumar dragged out with such ignominy.
It was the culmination of corrupted power for all to witness. Now it is too late to talk unless BN wants to revert to status quo before the power grab in Perak.
Let PR rule without hindrance untill the next GE.
Looking at the latest court decision, it seems that the stench from Perak has spread there too.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2009/05/malaysiakini-and-shocking-court.html
The incident involving siva the speaker was no accident. Neither was it the result of impetus driven by uncontrolled moments of tension and conflict. I suspect it was pre-arranged and pre-planned carefully and thoroughly by umno, najib and the idiot who call himself gandhi and etc. The pepper spray. They police support. The pistol in the assembly. The alternative bogus speaker. The illegal act by the most hated woman in perak (and now throughout malaysia) in grabbing the microphone. The state secretary’s supportive role. The original media-presence restriction. And many many more. All of these are carefully cheoreographed (and probably rehearsed too in full garb). They all add on to weight of the illegality in the whole fiasco.
how come sivakumar not invited to speak??
Najib said, as report in the Star, “I want to be the people’s Prime Minister. I am with the people and I will always be with them.”
So, will he allow the people of Perak to have their say, rather than just pushing his BN/UMNO government on them?
What about MCA and MIC? Do you believe what has happened in Perak is right. Say yes or No. Don’t be Ong Ta Kut or Samy Malu?
None of your business who speaks or who is not speaking TomThumb.
After all….you are here to judge everyone.
So many…why ask for more?
Real sick of BN …no manners buggers.