By Kenny Gan
It was an intense hard fought by-election in a traditional Umno stronghold which many said was too close to call. BN’s Hulu Selangor campaign was as dirty and nasty as any other by-election and dirtier than most with the stakes seen as a referendum on Najib’s administration. BN fought mostly with character assassinations and money. Both sides also released strategically timed policies, land titles and grants although naturally PR could not match BN’s largess.
The campaign was fierce and furious with both sides throwing in their biggest guns with PR bringing in revered Tok Guru Nik Aziz to shore up Zaid’s Islamic credibility among the conservative Malays. The normally ignored Orang Asli were wooed by BN with parties, booze and cash and Felda settlers who were nursing grievances for decades suddenly found the sky raining with money and promises. Even Maika shareholders were buoyed by the strategically timed news that a buyout of their troubled investment is in the works.
In an uncharacteristic move for an incumbent prime minister which underscored how important this by-election is, Najib Razak himself joined the fray. The Election Commission also got into the act with a dubious transfer of 14,000 voters between polling stations, seen as a calculated move to cause confusion. Several hundred pro-opposition voters were also transferred outside the constituency and denied their right to vote.
When dust of battle had settled and the votes counted, it was BN which emerged victorious by a thin majority of 1725 votes in a voter turnout of slightly more than 48000. But if BN thinks that this by-election win means they have swept popular support away from PR, they are deluding themselves.
BN won only because of EC’s shenanigans and their win-at-any-cost tactics supported by wheelbarrows of money. Such questionable tactics would not be able to be repeated in a general election. Bribes are ineffective if there is a possibility of the bribe giver being kicked out of power.
Mid-term check in a BN stronghold
Hulu Selangor is a mixed parliamentary seat constituency with 54% Malay, 27% Chinese and 19% Indian voters and a traditional BN stronghold.
In 2008 BN won the three state seats under the Hulu Selangor parliament seat with convincing majorities. It lost the parliament seat by a whisker thin majority of 198 votes which is swamped by the 1466 spoilt votes. As this large number of spoilt votes can be seen as protest votes against an unpopular candidate by BN loyalists, this means that BN could have won in 2008 with a more popular candidate than G. Palanivel.
Hence it is fair to say that the 2008 tsunami did not upset the BN stronghold of Hulu Selangor. To defend this seat against BN is far harder than pro-opposition seats like Permatang Pauh or Penanti.
Hulu Selangor is an ideal mid-term check for PR. It is called a semi-rural constituency but is more rural than urban. The people are primarily concerned with bread and butter issues although they also have some grasp of national issues.
The mixed nature of this constituency is a good test of PR versus BN’s strength in mixed seats which will be the main battleground in the next general election. It is a test of whether Najib’s 1Malaysia has made any impact in mixed seats.
As the constituency is under Selangor it may be seen as a referendum on the performance of the PR state government for the past two years. It can also be seen as a referendum on Najib’s performance since taking the reins as prime minister.
However BN’s thin majority in their traditional stronghold despite fighting a no-holds-barred contest did not furnish the pointer that Najib wanted. If anything, it shows that support for PR is still strong. We must remember that BN goes into every election with tremendous advantages of money, machinery and media especially in a by-election where it can focus its resources. To think that only a mere 900 voters need change their votes to reverse the result is cold comfort although BN’s propaganda machine will go to town with this narrow victory.
A changed political landscape
It is worth noting that prior to 2008, BN could have won this mixed seat merely by putting up some posters. Mixed seats were considered safe seats for BN and recognizing this, the Election Commission created lots of mixed seats. The fact that BN had to fight tooth and nail with PR and used every dirty trick in the book with tons of money flowing shows how much the political landscape has changed since 2008.
BN’s narrow victory shows that the 2008 general election results was not a fluke brought about by temporary anger at BN. Just as a tsunami sweeps in and changes the landscape irreversibly what happened after the 2008 political tsunami is a sea change in mindset. This change in mindset is best exemplified by the loss in safe status of the mixed seats.
To maintain its hold on power in the face of blatant corruption and institutional abuse, Umno has traditionally depended on racial divide and rule tactics by playing on racial and religious fears. It was in the mixed seats that such tactics had been played to great advantage for BN. But the 12th general election has turned this on its head with voting across ethnic and religious lines for the first time and this trend is again affirmed in this by-election.
What this means is that voters now vote on democratic issues instead of fears of racial strife or unchecked Islamization. In the era of new politics they look at performance, policies, social justice, service delivery and whatever future hopes and expectations they have of the political parties. This is what a two party system is all about.
A coalition which represents all races is essential for success in mixed seats. Where previously only BN could claim to represent all races, the PR coalition comprising of PKR, DAP and PAS can lay an even stronger claim to multi-racialism. The rise of PKR as a true multi-racial party with a Malay spine is a nightmare come true for BN.
A rejection of 1Malaysia
It is clear that with the receding of racial and religious fears, BN has to find another strategy. This came in the form of Najib’s 1Malaysia promoted incessantly by the mass media as a catchy slogan.
But 1Malaysia is an intractable contradiction to the race based underpinning of Umno and the concept of Malay special privileges which has been used as the basis for corralling Malay support. To provide a counterbalance to 1Malaysia for the Malays, Umno nurtured the swift rise of Perkasa to outsource its racial posturing. Meanwhile the
non-Malays are expected to return to the BN fold on the shady and vague promises of 1Malaysia.
For a true 1Malaysia, the slogan must be match by the reforming of racial policies especially race based economic policies to provide fairer opportunities and treatment to all races. But it goes without saying that Najib’s 1Malaysia will never be fleshed out but remain a hope and a promise to pull in the non-Malays. With 1Malaysia and Perkasa, Umno hopes to have its cake and eat it too.
The Hulu Selangor by-election result shows that the astute Chinese have rejected Najib’s slick slogan which is nothing more than an attempt to pull the wool over the people’s eyes. The Indians have returned moderately to BN’s fold could mean that the Hindraf factor has largely dissipated. The Indians are mainly concerned with bread and butter issues and PR will have to do more work to convince them that it represents a better future for them than BN. They should also be educated that accepting BN’s gifts for votes is selling their future away.
The way forward: Can BN compete?
In a democratic competition with PR for the hearts and minds of the people there are certain areas where BN or specifically Umno can never reform despite loud proclamations to the contrary. Among them are corruption, abuse of public institutions and fair treatment of races.
As a party structured on the feudal system of patronage where largess are given for political loyalty, the use of public funds to fund the patronage will forever remain an essential feature of BN’s rule. The vehicle for siphoning of public funds may take the form of inflated negotiated contracts, anti-people sweetheart deals, crony privatization or allocation of national resources, licenses for rent seeking and unproductive projects and may be properly termed corruption.
To allow the corruption to continue public institutions such as the police, the MACC, the judiciary and the media must be co-opted and subjugated to serve interest of the ruling regime instead of the public.
An egalitarian society is not to BN’s interest as BN’s power depends on leveraging a racially polarized society. The race based parties whose raison d’etre depends on fighting for racial rights have no reason to exist in a racially egalitarian society. The use of a cheap slogan like 1Malaysia without any substance behind it does not convince the non-Malays.
BN is critically aware that its fate is tied to the economy. Rising cost of living against stagnated income does no favours for any ruling regime. However to lighten the people’s burden and boost the economy is yet another structural contradiction for BN.
Endemic corruption is ultimately passed to the man in the street and raises the cost of living. A profligate spending government has no choice but to reduce subsidies and increase taxes. Race based quotas and rent seeking activities impose inefficiencies on the economy and hamper its performance. They also lead to the flight of skilled human capital which further drags down the economy.
Hence we can conclude that BN is unable to compete with PR in the next couple years leading to the 13th general election. Time is not on the side of a decadent regime. As the years pass, more young voters join the ranks, the online media penetrates deeper, rural areas become more urbanized, the cost of living goes higher, corruption bites deeper, more scandals will be exposed and 1Malaysia rings hollower.
If PR can survive BN’s incessant attacks until the next general election it stands an excellent chance of wrestling Federal power from BN. Despite PR’s loss, the Hulu Selangor by-election result shows that PR is firmly on track to Putrajaya. – Harakahdaily
There is a little argument going around that PR failed because of the Indian votes and have to make a deal with Hindraf.
Again, let me say PR, PKR, Anwar etc did not do anything greatly wrong and they don’t owe this nation, anyone anything including Hindraf. WE the nation lost Hulu Selangor – to UMNO, Perkasa, cronies.
The answer does not lies in making a deal or reasonable improvement on PR, PKR, Anwar or Zaid. We do not have that right.
Seriously, the wife of the PM is interefing with national issues and no consequences is PR fault? Najib promising to write personal checks of RM3million and nothing happens is PR fault? Kamalanathan, the first thing he does is send big checks to Felda settlers but nothing to Indians is PR fault?
The fault is at each and everyone of us.
They resorted to character assassination to divert the people’s attention to the really big issues confronting this country, and to continue to sweep the big scandals under the carpet.
Where was PKFZ ? Where was the story of the missing jet engines or of the new investigation by the French police on the Scorpene deal ? Where was the explanation on the (mis)use of RM77 million to a Jewish public relations firm ? Where was the explanation on the multi-billion ringgit defence deal given on a platter to DRB Hicom to produce a prototype ? Haven’t we learnt anything from the billion ringgit marine contract given to Business Focus by Mamakthir ?
No, they don’t want to talk about such issues. They only want to talk about Zaid’s drinking habits. Well, we must all make these our national issues for the next GE. Open up the eyes of everyone, especially those in the kampungs.
The way forward: Can BN compete?
Yes, by banning all opposition parties and launching Operasi Memperkosakan. Suharto tried that in East Timur
” character assassination” is a cheap shot that is commonly used every political campaign internationally. For example, current Aussie PM, Kelvin Rudd, had been politically painted with his past visit to strip-show, just to follow and entertain friends with only one visit, in the New York city. The governing Liberal Government, headed by the chief racist John Howard, furiously attacked him national wide via TV, Radio & all media and inside the Parliament House question times repeatedly… Yet, he still secured the PMship!! Why? Because the voters are mature and decisive in voting right without bunch of blur promises and cash delivery as it exists in our Bolehland….
This is the price that PR has to pay having 3 component parties with 3 different agendas.
In the beginning, PAS did not agree with the choice of candidate. I just did not understand why would Datuk Seri Anwar chose Zaid over other capable leaders in the party.
Among the component party too, PKR is the least effective & efficient. However, DSAI’s decision to nominate Zaid was understandable. He possibly wanted to increase PKR’s credibility. His intention is simple-to make those who work close to him more successful.
What limits people is lack of character. Zaid being the candidate to me, is experiencing the greatest loss of all in terms of his morality. His reputation as a respected lawyer does not help him to win the by-election. Obviously, he is not a person-centered individual-not his fault though, but, he is just too content with his lifestyle to understand those locals. When the character of leaders is low, so are their standards.
Kamalanathan on the other hand, has many qualities which I think can be nurtured. He is new, and is easily influenced by others more senior from him. He has very good spirit, and is very person-oriented. He can be very empathic and we need this kind of leader to win people. But of course, he will have to learn along the way and stand up for what he believes in.
PR must get 85 % of the Chinese votes in order to win the Sibu by-election.First hurdle is to overcome 7000+ postal and Malays votes for BN.Others will wait for Vitamin RM bombs from BN to decide.
I think guys,the HS by election is over,PKR/Zaid/PR lost,it’s no use now crying over spilled milk.What’s important is to take it as a good lesson learnt. PR should re-double its effort to remain united to fight for another day. The real war is 13th GE. PR’s target is Putra Jaya. Its focus is how to capture it .It should gather all available resources ,be readied for the 13th GE mother of all battles.
MACC declares war on bribe givers (26 April 2010)
@@http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/61379-macc-declares-war-on-bribe-givers
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UMNO-controlled MACC is not sincere. They only talked about war on bribe givers after the Ulu Selangor by-election had ended.
If MACC really mean what they said, they should go after Najib immediately.
MACC should stop insulting the rakyat’s intelligence.
UmnoB n BN will always use dirty tactics n money politics 2 win votes, esp fr older voters
PR must start getting young ppl 2 register as voters; educate them n voters get voters
How’s Selangor or Penang performing as a state under PR?
Penang has a surplus of income over expenditures, despite all d obstacles fr d federal gomen
N d surplus is used 2 benefit all in the states
Spread n use this information 2 win voters – 2 get rid of mismanaging n self-enriching UmnoB/BNputras
Get PR supporters 2 educate voters – start now
PR-controlled states shld solve problems of residents (regardless of race) not solved by BN after 50 years of rule; ppl want 2 C real change, not just talk, ceramah
It’s an uphill battle against UmnoB/BN but not an impossible battle
PR must win in d next GE or b wiped out by d evil forces
The majority of Chinese will vote PR, whoever the candidate. Indians will vote BN if Indian is a candidate. Malays who believe that NEP should be there forever, or if they are mamaks will continue to vote BN. That is the situation in Peninsular Malaysia. The PR will have a chance to gain half the seats contested in Peninsular come GE 13, even if PKR do not compete with UMNO to fight for Malay rights, and PAS continue to tell Malays to be good Muslims, and be responsible for their actions.
The battle for PutraJaya lies in Sabah and Sarawak. In Sabah, the UMNO racist policies with the influx of NEWMalays over the decades especially after the Project M enable UMNO to control half the seats there. It is up to the non-Muslim natives and non-Malays to reclaim their political rights in the state. The oil in Sabah would be running dry soon, after all the oil resources have been utilised to enrich Mamakthir’s cronies. It is time that they change partner at the federal level.
Taib Mahmood has been properly rewarded for keeping UMNO out of Sarawak. It is not known how he could be encouraged to change federal partner. Would it be a greater share of the oil revenue, or a guarantee that MACC would not step foot on Kuching?
Najib has to make amend for the ills created by his late father. The least he could do is to end NEP that his father used as an excuse to justify the May riots. His father’s sin in readmitting Mamakthirs into UMNO can never be forgiven.
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.
Abraham Lincoln.
Being of democracy, justice and the truth?
In that case, it must have been a big surprise to have Kelantan MB Nik Aziz travel all the way to Hulu Selangor to lend Zaid a helping hand in the campaign.
Should we be surprised when DSAI, a victim of injustice, is drawn to Zaid’s strong sense of justice?
If that’s the case, Zaid should have lost badly in the by-election with Kamalanathan winning by a landslide, instead of him (Zaid) being still able to actually get almost 50% of the people’s votes.
Yes, that’s the image projected to Malaysians when they read about him or see him in the (Umno-BN linked) mainstream media. How he’ll turn out, only time will tell…
That’s right! …no use now crying over spilled milk…
Uncle LKS gives us opportunities to share opinions, discussions and debates collectively and democratically even though we lost. From discussions and debates, we know our mistakes or weakness, and from there we formulate and arm with better strategies to fight in our next election, the GE!
///There is a little argument going around that PR failed because of the Indian votes and have to make a deal with Hindraf. Again, let me say PR, PKR, Anwar etc did not do anything greatly wrong and they don’t owe this nation, anyone anything including Hindraf. WE the nation lost Hulu Selangor – to UMNO, Perkasa, cronies./// – #1 by Bigjoe.
The staement “PR, PKR, Anwar etc did not do anything greatly wrong and they don’t owe this nation, anyone anything including Hindraf” is generally true but the question lingers whether the BP issue in Penang could have been better handled…
The perception is PR would have won if HINDRAF&HRP supported wholeheartedly PR instead of leveraging on tyhe side over Indian issues!
With 1725 votes majority on BN’s side BN would have lost had there being a swing of 865 – 1000 Indian votes the other way for PR that HINDRAF/HRP would have garnered if they had campaigned in support of PR’s Zaid instead of being indifferent as an Indian pressure group. Is this disputed??
A good fight and it shows that PR’s strength is not a mere flash in the pan. BN stopped crowing about PKR’s impending collapse after the results of HS. For sure PR is on track to Putra Jaya! Just need to keep up the momentum.
For BN, what is clear is that their platform of racial bargaining has collapsed. They can only function as ‘1Malaysia’ under the dominant party. MCA, MIC, Gerakan: I just wonder what is in the mind of their leaders now …
Hindraf: they should abandon their racial politics and look at the bigger future if they care for the future of their children.
Jeffrey: We are talking about PR’s political ideology of Middle Malaysia. If Hindraf’s support means succumbing to the communal bargaining of Hindraf (I understand they asked for land for all Tamil Schools in Selangor) then it is not in line with PR’s platform of Rakyat first. Further, do you think Hindraf will stop at that? True that Indian’s welfare must be taken care of. Also equally true is the welfare of all Malaysians who needs help…
As long as PR is not in Putra Jaya, their capacity to satisfy all demands is limited and Hindraf should understand that instead of selfishly looking for instant cure. Someone said something: If a horse is not available, ride a mule instead. Slower but you will still get there!
PR forgot the realpolitik the majority interest
the Malays interest …Najib accepted by many as the true leader with potential . look at Anwar even before the result was announced he already fly to oslo for r & r…
chengho: Sir, you belong to the old school. You are not in touch with the changing times of the New Malaysia in a global village wherein: to survive we must think as a nation and not separate interest groups.
///If Hindraf’s support means succumbing to the communal bargaining of Hindraf (I understand they asked for land for all Tamil Schools in Selangor) then it is not in line with PR’s platform of Rakyat first. Further, do you think Hindraf will stop at that? True that Indian’s welfare must be taken care of. Also equally true is the welfare of all Malaysians who needs help…/// – #15 by lkt-56
I’d be the last to suggest that PR or rather DAP’s “Middle Malaysia” succumb to Hindraf’s incessant demands but the fact is, whether one likes it or not, some kind of accommodation has to be reached if PR were to approach the next general election with confidence.
HINDRAF’s Founding member V.K. Regu said before the Hulu Selangor by election that it decided against nominating/ supporting any side as both the main contesting parties have given assurances that the problems of the poor Indians would be addressed. “Also, we are quite happy with the government’s 1Malaysia affirmative action on creating
equal opportunities for all,” he said.“Besides, we feel the real battle is between BN and Pakatan and we do not want to get in the way, and split the votes.”
What kind of neutrality is this? If HINDRAF/HRP are not supporting/siding PR in particular it only means a substantial portion of Indian votes will go back to MIC and BN! BN is taking the opportunity to drive awedge and pandering to HINDRAF/HRP’s main players who right now priorotise Indian interest paramount to the Cause of Change for all Malaysians and therefore leverage against both BN and PR to see who give in to their demands more! Like it or not that’s the unpalatable situtaion!
Consider this: –
1. If HINDRAF did not organise the 25 November 2007 protests would there be a groundswell of momentum leading to the political tsunami on 8 March 2008?
2. Is it a fact or not a fact that after the fall out with HINDRAF over the B P issue in Penang and since the withdrawal of support by HINDRAF and now the Indian grassroots organisation like HRP, Pakatan Rakyat’s candidates have not fared well first in Bagan Pinang by election state seat in Negri Sembilan last October and now Hulu Selangor Parliamentary seat?
Unless one argues that HINDRAF and HRP have not much influence over Indian voters throughout the country OR one has the audacity to actually think that Indian votes do not count that much in PR’s electoral campaign for the next general Election – both of which I reject as unrealistic, untrue and not in the spirit of inclusive Middle Malaysia that PR espouses – could PR, and DAP in particular, afford not work some kind of arrangment/accomodation with HINDRAF/HRP in preparation for the next GE???
Not giving in to unreasonable demands is one thing, not finding a solution to plug this problem and allowing the relations unmended means relations can fester further to advantage of ruling coalition that has money/means to gratify whims and wishes.
In economic terms, HS was a really bad investment because the return was terribly small, minuscule in fact. But in political terms, a minuscule win was enough for jib and gang to gloat. Stupid though they may sound and look but gloat on they nevertheless would.
But HS is still in the hands of pakatan. I have faith in this fact. HS was previously a no-hope constituency for the opposition. The margin of support umno used to enjoy there has now been whittled down to a mere 850 voters (from 14,000 or so). The crowd in a street market on a sunday morning could exceed that number anytime.
HS win was not unexpected. Jib and gang needed the win for no better reason other than shiok sendiri – for self reassurance, actually. The entire umno election machinery (well almost) was there in HS. Tonnes of money and undeliverable election promises were of-loaded there by jib and gang. The HS by-election win was the result of aggressive manipulation and ridiculous and illegal efforts by umno, jib and gang.
We all know that umno has an advantage, well just one great advantage. And that is lopsidedness. Apart from this umno really has nothing to show – well you could say that umno still has a 50yr old record albeit one that is abysmal and rotten and therefore not really worth shouting about.
In a general election umno’s machinery would have to be spreaded across the country. This would present us with an entirely different scenario in HS. True. Pakatan’s resources too would likewise be stretched thin in a national election. The important point is the lopsidedness that is so favourable to umno would be reduced in general election. Then pakatan would be presented with a better prospect of taking on umno on merits in HS and for that matter, elsewhere.
The desire for change in the peninsular is still burning. Conquering sabah and sarawak would make the difference for pakatan come GE13. So stay focus.
Next stop. Sibu.
Thanks Jeffrey. I shall give you my opinion on this:
1. If HINDRAF did not organise the 25 November 2007 protests would there be a groundswell of momentum leading to the political tsunami on 8 March 2008? – Admittedly it played a large part in what happened as can be seen by the famous battle cry of “Makkal Sakti”.
2. Is it a fact or not a fact that after the fall out with HINDRAF over the B P issue in Penang and since the withdrawal of support by HINDRAF and now the Indian grassroots organisation like HRP, Pakatan Rakyat’s candidates have not fared well first in Bagan Pinang by election state seat in Negri Sembilan last October and now Hulu Selangor Parliamentary seat? – Debatable
HINDRAF/HRP’s main players who right now priorotise Indian interest paramount to the Cause of Change for all Malaysians and therefore leverage against both BN and PR to see who give in to their demands more! – The word is “leverage”. If what you say is correct of the Hindraf leadership, where is their principle? Selling their support to the highest bidder only indicates selfish intentions of the leaders to ride on the plight of their poor kins to gain personal glory. We should REJECT such people.
The key is “BELIEVE IN PR’S STRUGGLES AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR”
I do not know about you but I think the more than 50 years old racial bargaining does not work in modern Malaysia and more so in a modern world.
///If what you say (leverage) is correct of the Hindraf leadership, where is their principle? Selling their support to the highest bidder only indicates selfish intentions of the leaders to ride on the plight of their poor kins to gain personal glory.///
I will not argue on the point about “selfish intentions of the leaders” that i am inclined to agree with you. But the fact is, like it or not, the followers swing the other way, which is the problem that needs a solution. The question is what is PR’s leadership doing about it. Right now PKR itself appears in a disarray from, various defections that turned around and campaigned against PR candidate. That’s all I am highlighting. I say you have a major problem at hand – in the context of this thread subject “on track to putrajaya after Hulu Selangor”. Where on track if these problems are not satisfactorily resolved?
Is this some conclusion based on Umno-BN winning this by-election with a less than 52% majority of votes from a 76% voter turnout?
Yes, he leads by issuing ‘purchase orders’ for votes, and it’s apparent that many have accepted them.
Don’t worry. If he thinks of running away from his kangaroo ‘penetrationless’ sodomy 2 court case, he should be easier to track down than those RMAF jet fighter engines which were stolen when Najib was the defence minister.
Jeffrey,
If current Hindraf leadership is sincere in wanting to help their poor kinsmen, they will choose to ride the mule to Putra Jaya.
The solution is to work the ground to explain directly to the Indians PR’s struggles. Bargaining with opportunists will only derail the march towards Putra Jaya.
Let me repeat, no one in PR did any major wrong. They were imperfect BUT they did nothing truly wrong that warrant that they make a huge compromise in principle like making a devil’s deal with Hindraf. Most of PR supporters would desert them if they do. There no way PR can ever compete with BN in terms of quick rewards for the Indian community.
Other than being unwise, it is UNFAIR in the first place first to have to depend on the Indians, who are the most disadvantage, to be the final arbiter of our nation future. If we have to depend on them, I say give up. Its never going to work. If PR gets half their vote, its a job well done and nothing else is to be expected.
The final battle must be carried by the Chinese and/or the Malays – that is the fair game – because each have the most resources as a group.
It may not be enough granted. But if it has to fail, then let us fail for who we are, should be NOT what we pretend to be.
….. some kind of accommodation has to be reached if PR were to approach the next general election with confidence.//jeffrey
This is nonsense, Hindraf can go and die. Hindraf can also support BN if they want and we shall see what the Indians will get out of this. Stupid and moronic people deserve the government they get.
HINDRAF’s Founding member V.K. Regu said before the Hulu Selangor by election that it decided against nominating/ supporting any side as both the main contesting parties have given assurances that the problems of the poor Indians would be addressed. “Also, we are quite happy with the government’s 1Malaysia affirmative action on creatingequal opportunities for all,” he said.“Besides, we feel the real battle is between BN and Pakatan and we do not want to get in the way, and split the votes.”//Jeffrey
This is a typical opportunist talking. Hindraf, no body is good enough for you, you should use HRP (what a stupid name, it shows how simpleton you fellows are) and fight for votes. I challenge you to do it.
What kind of neutrality is this? If HINDRAF/HRP are not supporting/siding PR in particular it only means a substantial portion of Indian votes will go back to MIC and BN!//Jeffrey
Please Jeffery, there is no need to give this brunch of moronic suckers more credit than necessary. By next general election, this movement will go into oblivion, trust me. They are not freedom fighters. They are a brunch of opportunists capitalizing on the ignorance of Indians. It is time to ask them to account how much money they have solicited from the community and how the money are being spent. Stupid people deserve stupid government.
Why can’t PR get Indian votes directly? Why need to go through a ‘representative’ organization? Isn’t that going back to the old BN way of doing this? Having racially based organizations to garner votes from certain communities?
I’d rather PR lose without HINDRAF rather than PR win with HINDRAF. Because if PR can only win with an organization like HINDRAF then we have lost sight of what kind of reform we are fighting for.
We are fighting for a country where race is no longer played up. Where fellow Malaysians understand and help one another regardless of race. If only Hindraf can help the Indians, and PR is unable to reach the indian’s by themselves, then PR does not deserve to win.
Because we will merely replace BN with another BN-clone.
I’m not saying ignore Hindraf. But merely if Hindraf wants to work with PR, then it should work with PR on implementing non-racial centric policies instead of playing up indian specific grouses all the time.
lkt-56
let’s see sir if Dap will not follow the realpolitik by not putting the non chinese candidate for Sibu by election.
To katdog..
What is wrong if Hindraf is fighting for the welfare Indian if their action is not robbing you or me.
Do you believe America is totally free of racial policy? The intake of schools and universities in American is still based on race factor besides the meritocracy.
To Bigjoe,
When Malaysia politics go polarized with more racist policies from UMNO, Indian will be the king maker, whether you like it or not.
Ignore Indian is looking for peril in the current politics.
PR can choose to ignore and insult Hindraf, and I can tell you the winner will be UMNO and Perkasa.
I think this by-election is the bench-mark to gauge BN’s honesty! All the monetary promises made by none other than the PM himself prior to BN’s victory in the by-election have yet to materialize. Or would they ever materialize? This time around, if things did not work out as promised, then BN’s credibility would be washed down the drain for good.
Who would after this incident believe in what is uttered by BN either during General Elections or by-elections? The several Chinese schools in Hulu Selangor which have been promised funds amounting to millions should insist on the PM to keep his promise!!
In a way, we are reminiscent of the situation in Thailand where the “reds” are mostly from the rural areas and are farmers while the “yellows” are those in the cities and are non-farmers.
Thaksin was smart and gave goodies to the rural folks so that he is assured of their support. On the other hand the city folks are more politically savvy and knowledgeable and are more concerned with national issues.
Just like in Malaysia.
If PR is also smart, it will get the city folks to enlighten their kinsfolk in the rural areas that it is alright to keep the goodies offered by the government because they were bought with the taxpayers’ money but to give the BN the boot, just the same.
The earlier this is done the better the prospects of the PR in the next General Election because you would’ve attacked the strongest bastion of UMNO/BN!
The Malay votes!!
///HINDRAF’s Founding member V.K. Regu said before the Hulu Selangor by election that it decided against nominating/ supporting any side as both the main contesting parties have given assurances that the problems of the poor Indians would be addressed. “Also, we are quite happy with the government’s 1Malaysia affirmative action on creating
equal opportunities for all,” he said.“Besides, we feel the real battle is between BN and Pakatan and we do not want to get in the way, and split the votes.”///– Jeffrey
HINDRAF is waiting to be invited by BN as another Indian based party. Period.
It is better to lose Hulu Selangor than to accept HINDRAF in PR. Yes HINDRAF created waves before GE12. It is bargaining rewards for their past efforts. If HINDRAF ever believes that NEM means that race politics is over, then their leaders need to have their heads examined.
#26 katdog
I totally agree with you.Justice or equal right is for everyone in this universal regardless of race.The rest is up to the individual to strife for success.You reap what you sow!
Never in the history of any by-elections… where UMNO used so much money to buy votes and apply low class character assassinations…low class because UMNO is supposed to be so clean and high class government.
Yes..they predicted.. at least 6000 majority for them……with all the present and past corrupted crooks…chipped in to do their parts..that they must show to Malaysians…what the predicted must come true….to show how strong they are.
now.
These cunning and sly foxes knew Hulu Selangor was UMNO’s strong hold….all the time….except the 12th GE.
They planned and gambled…..knowing the odds are favoring them.
Close to 50,000 voted and the majority was 1725.
First…. their predictions did not materialised.
Secondly…throwing more than RM100 millions…got 1725 majority out of 50,000 votes…very successful?
Kenny Gan is right. PR is still on track to PutraJaya.
Bodohland still have plenty of bodoh voters…and Najib can keep on depending on them.
After all ..UMNO BARU mind control tactics have made so many Malaysians stupid and narrow minded……especially with their own race…yes..so stupid and narrow minded…it is the only way UMNO can survive.
Yes….it will be the voters…. that counts.
Are we smart or stupid voters?
I say…there are more stupid voters in Hulu Selangor than smart ones. This is facts.
Now we need to know…are Malaysians in total….as stupid as some from Hulu Selangor?
The answer is a big NO….as you can see from the result…after so much money given and their character assassination….dirty politics….what is the result?
Imagine a so call powerful and mighty government needs to apply all that in an election? How powerful is that?
Naturally you will get Mahathir to say…win by one majority vote is still a win.
Right now…he is happy Najib won…although if that was Pak Lah applying the same same tactic..just watch how mamak will jump and yell…”foul play! MACC must act!” Such are the crooks…brother in arms…gang of robbers and thieves will unite…even Pak Lah is now praising Najib too…right now…for they see great hopes …they are safe and past corrupted crooks are safe…..and all can safely continue to do as they did before…steal as much as you can…some for party…and some for personal…all OK.
Yip…UMNO BARU needs hundreds of billions …for the 13th GE…but meanwhile….lets see how Sibu goes.
Umno-BN’s realpolitik: Have $$$, will get votes…
Pakatan still on track to Putrajaya after Hulu Selangor
O no, plz don’t count your chickens before they are hatched
Plz don’t fool n mabuk yourselves with this sweet but not real opium
Still a lot 2 b done b4 PR can TKO UmnoB/BN
If Hindraf logic is that it stands a chance to extract more from BN at least in the short run, that idea is quickly going out the door. Najib spent hundreds of millions on Hulu Selangor, how much of that did the Indians get and Hindraf get? The fact of the matter is Najib is in trouble with his own party and need to blow tons of money, MCA also need money, Sarawak and Sabah also need money. What BN can give is pittance compared to the medium term benefits that PR can offer to Indians and Hindraf.
In addition, UMNO is interested in dividing the community and hence what little is available for Indians is going to be divided among at least a few people. If Hindraf think it can dislodge Samy Vellu and take his place – UMNO is never ever going to let that happen again – that is why they wanted Mugillan at Hulu Selangor and Kamalanathan – these are people they can control at a micro level. You can bet that they will have UMNO people controlling all decisions in MIC in the future.
The logic is just flawed. Its not even a matter of principle. The numbers don’t add up. Its all boils down to foolish pride and ambitions for Hindraf. Hindraf has become MIC but in a very short time and they failed even faster.
They are two strong crowds,
1. The lower educated, contented and money taking crowd. These group of people were extremely easy to be manipulated. With RM200 million on the table, any donkey can win this game.
2. The intelligent, wiser crowd. They realized their candidate talk sense and matured. So they had chosen Zaid Ibrahim.
This stupid odd ball is the morning after quarterback. Whole life talk his stupid c*ck.
Leave Hindraf alone – the movement should be treated like Zul Nordin, Zaraine etc, let them all die the natural death. The world would have more oxygen just like when this odd ball dies.
“Pakatan still on track to Putrajaya after Hulu Selangor”
I have no doubt about that, considering that Hulu Selangor is a traditional UMNO stronghold, with Pakatan winning it by only a razor-thin majority of 198 votes in 2008. Even though PR lost recently, the small margin must be giving Najib sleepless nights, after he had put his best foot forward and pumped in so much money. A 1,725-majority cannot be considered a stronghold. Without bribing the voters with more money to come, ONLY if BN wins, I am sure Ulu Selangor is now UMNO’s big hole.
BN’s campaign machinery was tip-top while that of PR has been said to be very badly coordinated. Seen from another angle, PR has still many cards in its hands to play, merely by improving its campaign machinery but BN is already almost perfect and there is not much more that they can do.
I hear about PKR’s arrogance and this loss in Ulu Selangor may well be a wakeup call for PKR that it is not as great as it would like to think and augurs for better cooperation in the next general election… in short, a big blessing in disguise!
Is PR ready for the Sibu by-election?
It’s rather foolish to go into a battle without understanding / assessing the real situation in the battle field.
If PR is not prepared, may I suggest that it just leave the battle to BN and independents (if any).
Focus on bringing the much needed changes in the current seats / states held by PR until the PRU13 would be a wise move, I believe, since that would be better than fiery speeches/ceramahs during campaigning slots.
Lim Suck Ass whole life is less than half of mine…yet he knows so much about my whole life. That’s how smart he is. Furthermore…..I have been commenting…less than 10 years.
Lim Suck Ass talk through his anus.
Is he not a real sickening good for nothing motherfaarker?
DAP will use Sibu to test the voting trends. As you can see…they are putting out a candidate that lost before.
I think DAP is very confident to win..even if they put Lim Suck Ass as the candidate…and if they looses…no big deal. It’s a by election..not a General Election.
As it stand…PR won 7 and UMNO won 3 by elections….and Hulu Selangor was not won. It was bought ….using tax payers funds…that included Muslims too…to bribe Muslims Felda settlers.
Imagine how sinful Najib is….using money….party contributed by Muslims.. to bribe Muslims. How low can a man go to win an election?