Jeswan Kaur | November 1, 2012
Free Malaysia Today
Just why does BN/Umno find delight in playing the racism card when the issues beleaguering the rakyat are one too many?
COMMENT
The Barisan Nasional government is doing its worst to prevent the opposition alliance of Pakatan Rakyat from setting foot in Putrajaya and calling the shots.
Much castigation and accusations have been thrown upon Pakatan and its leaders by Umno, BN’s patronising arm.
Still, the rakyat seem eager to give Pakatan a chance to administer the nation, having had enough of ruling government BN’s domineering and rhetorics post-1957.
If BN is not puzzled as to why the rakyat are all thumbs-up for Pakatan, the former is either daydreaming or plain cocky.
To the people of this nation in particular the non-Malays, they have had it with the antics of BN’s top guns like Muhyiddin Yassin, the deputy prime minister.
Two years ago Muhyiddin stunned Malaysians when he claimed that he was a Malay first and then Malaysian.
Why should the people be in favour of BN as the ruling government when its leaders are doing all they can to perpetuate an agenda that only serves to discriminate and segregate Malaysians of different faiths?
BN keeps claiming that Pakatan’s ally DAP is racist. But then has BN not the slightest decency to acknowledge the fact that it is Umno which takes the cake when it comes to raising racial tensions.
The racist remarks made during the annual Umno general assembly is a classic example of the miscreant nature of this ‘all Malay’ party. What is unbearable is the fact that the racist remarks made via the Umno general assembly platform have always the backing of top leadership.
And it is even more painful to have a prime minister who cares a hoot about having a racist deputy.
In July last year, Najib when asked by a student at the Malaysian Student Leaders Summit to comment about Muhyiddin’s ‘Malay first, Malaysian second’ remark gave the most ridiculous of replies when he said:
“I don’t want to respond in any way that will divide me from my deputy. 1Malaysia is our guiding philosophy. It does not matter what you say, just as long as you follow (the 1Malaysia concept).”
Going by Najib’s tacky reply, do we need any more reasons to show BN the door in the coming 13th general election?
Issues are endless
Just why does BN/Umno find delight in playing the racism card when the issues beleaguering the rakyat are one too many? Does BN not care about the well-being of the people or is the agenda of political survival more crucial?
The ongoing issue of a 29-storey condominium taking shape next to the limestone temple in Batu Caves has not interested both BN’s president Najib and Muhyiddin. The duo have been silent on this issue, perhaps at a loss for words on how to convince the rakyat that the condominium project is a ‘good’ thing.
Alternatively, the Najib-Muhyiddin pair cannot care less just how environmentally unsafe the condominium project is.
One wonders whether ‘enlightened’ leaders in other parts of the world would react the same way too – keeping mum and ignoring the issue altogether.
Then there is the issue of our students leaving school as ‘illiterates’, as revealed when some of the National Service trainees were unable to read and write.
But to Muhyiddin who is also the Education Minister, Malay supremacy is a more pressing issue, so much so that he decided to ignore all calls and pleas by reversing the teaching of Mathematics and Science from English to Bahasa Malaysia from this year on.
Deaths under police watch, corrupted politicians and ministers, the tainted electoral system and the never ending nepotism and cronyism are among the issues that far from interest both Najib and Muhyiddin.
Instead, both the PM and DPM are working hard to ensure their Putrajaya seat in no way falls into the hands of Pakatan.
Rakyat knows the truth
When words are ineffective, it is time to indulge in artifice or splash loads of money – at least this is how BN best works, looking at the various alms it started handing out to the rakyat, starting with the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) which was given a ‘special’ place in the 2012 Budget.
Such help aside, BN cannot make the folly of ignoring the fact that the rakyat is today savvy and knows the truth.
Using money to buy the people’s votes and loyalty will not work and neither will Najib’s promises of making life a ‘bed of roses’ for the masses win BN the votes it desperately needs to edge out its rival Pakatan.
The truth as the people know it is that the damage has been done. For the non-Malays, they are forced to accept the bitter reality that only Malays will seat in the chair of the prime minister and his deputy.
Is BN willing to change with the time and allow a non-Malay to become a prime minister or a deputy premier or a menteri besar or a chief minister for that matter?
If the answer is ‘no’, then is it futile to allow BN to savour victory in the coming general election if the people are averse to any kind of political segregation and discrimination.
Jeswan Kaur is a freelance writer and a FMT columnist.
Why? The simple short answer – the NEP. They are SPOILT ROTTEN – as far as administration is concern that what it really is. UMNO/BN is a political party of MEDIOCRITY..It very core competency is MAKING EXCUSES…In fact – that is its ideology..Call it Malay Agenda, call it affirmative action (its not. It entitlement). It COMES DOWN TO MAKING EXCUSES…
Mahathir himself possessed some leadership skills and he used it maliciously..He ripped apart chances of real talent and abilities rising to replace him and hence all he got in the end was just a pile of mediocrity..Those who are truly talented wants NOTHING to do with him…
So what you are left is an organisation of mediocrity with unparallel, incomparable advantages whose best and advantageous skill is MAKING EXCUSES..
Daydreaming or plain cocky?
Neither, really.
Busy orgying.
That’s more like it.
///Just why does BN/Umno find delight in playing the racism card when the issues beleaguering the rakyat are one too many?/// Jeswan Kaur.
Cos’ according to its perception (true or otherwise), the flashing of the racism card still represents the most effective way of garnering support from its respective vote bank/traditional constituencies whose perceived race based insecurities/anxieties are still so compelling and overarching that assuaging and to be seen representing these alone is and will be quite sufficient to override and overcome whatever other reservations or misgivings there may be in respect of shortcomings in or failure of governance; that getting this political support is crucial to legitimize maintenance of the political system from which they could leverage from vantage point of political affiliation, the patronage, special privileges and unfair gain over others for personal enrichment, drawn from the abundant national resources that the country offers, and, at same time, protecting whatever wrong doings and vested interests from accountability. Daydreaming or plain cocky? Not exactly considering such communal based political formula has proven having worked to maintain a party/coalition govt. for more than ½ century.
In Malaysia we have a Parliamentary system – you vote for the party. What it takes to win elections is basically moderation, multi-racial, clean govt. The problem in Malaysia is that after winning election, its governed by The Party agenda – in the case of UMNO/BN – racist, discriminatory, over-entitled (or arrogant), corrupt.. because The Party can rid of those in power ANYTIME compared to the general citizens of this country..
WE VOTE FOR THE AGENDA OF THE PARTY..Even for a feudal party like UMNO – its Agenda of the party that matters not what the top leader says especially just in public. Its what he does behind close doors and where the money and power goes to that matters.
UMNO is racist, corrupt and mediocre. PR is united by common enemy although not ideologically, cleaner not disease free, but much more talented.. The choice is pretty simple…
Malay Supremacy does not exist.
Only Crony Supremacy does.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. That’s why there is continued defiance by Shareezat on the National Feed-a-Lot scandal, and arrogant remarks by Nazri regarding his son’s association with Michael Chia Tien Foh.
We need to wipe off the smirks from these clowns’ faces…..
The man with the best job in the country is the DPM. All he has to do is get up every morning and ask, “How is the Prime Minister?”
Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice doggie” until you can find a rock.
Endless accusations. Endless defensing. No actions…but words words words only.
Dead made alive.
Even a pro BN blog already dead is alive again. Every vote counts…for BN.
Without race and religion politics…Umno B is dead.
Puppets are polishing shoes and dance to Umno B’s tunes to get rich.
BN parties are all blood suckers.
Najib’s long delay for 13th GE exposed rouges are running wild…to find places to hide.
Meanwhile…few rouges are making noises to divert attentions…like heroes for a lost cause.
No matter how much noises Umno B and his puppets are making…Malaysians are sick of the arrogant…boastful tongue twisters…who keep stealing with no shame..to live like Kings and Queens..when they are nothing but civil servants …suddenly all become multi millionaires.
Corruptions is so great and without that too…Umno B is dead.
Presuming ALL are not true….just rumors…then it is time to vote for a change.
However…all are true..as you can see Umno B dare not sue anyone as rouges and thieves.
Suing means all facts will be recorded and exposed legally….where MACC cannot afford not to take actions.
Since we are talking of the subject of cocky. I find it UNBELIEVABLE that the opposition has NOT made a bigger stink out of Shafie Apdal proven wrong in denying that Orang Asli were slapped for not reciting Islamic prayer. HE DESERVES NOTHING LESS THAN TO GET FIRED FROM HIS JOB..
Not only is Shafie Apdal the Rural & Development Minister, he is also from Sabah where the issue is PARAMOUNT. On top of even that – HE IS FAVOURED BY NAJIB supposed to even replace Musa Aman in Sabah, supposedly even certain to be one of three vice president of UMNO.
Its NOT an error or a cover up. ITS ABOUT BEING IRRELEVANT TO THE TIMES & FUTURE.. Shafie Apdal is but a list of people like Ali Rustam, Zahid Hamidi, Isa Samad, that Najib has put in position of power that shows UMNO/BN is NOT EVEN GOING TO CHANGE ANYTIME SOON..
It seems that they are still pirates around this nation so that the two submarines are purchased! I just woner what can they do in the shallow water of the strait of Malacca. It is obvious either the Naval Chief is ignorant of the water dept in the Strait of Malacca or he is selling it to the kids! Using them to defend Malacca from a repeat of the Portuguese invasion of 1511? This appears in the international news and it also inform our ” Enemies” if indeed they are lurking some where around to conclude the quality of the thinking of our TOP-Brass! He could have given more rational reason for the purchase. One can certainly conclude such remark is made without engaging the grey matter!
This country just NO HOPE, if let BN continue !
It is neither, it is just plain STUPIDITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!