By-elections

Sometimes I just wish that it is my voting parliamentary constituency which is having its by-election now since it may bring a lot of meaning to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. IF Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh wins tonight, this can add to Datuk Seri Najib Razak's credentials as the next prime minister. On the other hand, if Mohd. Abdul Wahid Endut wins, this will drive the Pakatan Rakyat alliance closer to national power.

I am not cursing anyone to die or wanting the current MP to resign, but I just love it when you have the whole nation looking your way as if their fate is in your hands. Isn't it nice when everyone bows to your greatness....

Today is the Kuala Terengganu by-election. A once quiet place is now the centre of all flurry activities especially in the last 10 days. It has became the melting pot for all the country's political top-guns, be it from the Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, YB Lim Kit Siang, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tok Guru Nik Aziz and etc were all in Kuala Terengganu last week. I am confident if I was in Kuala Terengganu last week, roaming around the town especially the modest ChinaTown, I bet you I'd be able to meet at least one cheftain.

General elections are different. It covers the whole country. The political top-guns who have to do little campaigning in their respective constituencies since they are assured of winning already would be helping out to campaign for their hopeful counterparts which are many too. So there you have it, the chances of meeting them is few too. Besides that, nobody bows at you too except for the candidates in your constituency.

I know that Sarawak is due to have its state elections very soon- latest by 2011. Very soon, we will be the talk of the country and all eyes will be on us especially since PKR chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made a declaration of intent on taking power in the next Sarawak elections. Then we will see all the top-guns especially those from Pakatan Rakyat flying to Sarawak, trying to win our hearts. But the difference between the coming state election and this KT by-election is that the state election covers the whole state, whereby the KT by-election covers the constituency of Kuala Terengganu only. Thus, the chances of me meeting a top-gun would be lower as these West Malaysia Pakatan Rakyat top-guns would be moving around the state. Maybe I'd be able to hear YB Lim Kit Siang speak in life if I stay put at a DAP ceramah from the start of it till the end.

Okay, so call me an attention-whore.

Anyways, happy voting, voters of KT. Vote wisely, which I believe all of you would...

Buh-bye for now...

"Good value always triumphs over bad. Good guys always win against the bad."

In my humble opinion.....

In my humble opinion, the “history” on 8^th of March, 2008 was created because most Malaysians were frustrated with the way the previous government was managing the country that they vented their frustrations by voting the ones who they believed could bring a change and hopefully, “a new dawn for Malaysia”-adapted from PKR’s tagline. According to Chok Suat Ling of the New Straits Times on Sunday, 9^th March 2008 (pg. 6), the Chinese were unhappy about the rising cost of living, crime rate, racial and ethnic inequality, and other economic problem.

Malaysia is blessed with bountiful of natural resources including petroleum and a relatively peaceful nation. We should be one of the top destinations for foreign investment around the world, and we should be registering a higher economic growth rate, right? Unfortunately, our growth rate of 5.6% per annum is falling behind many countries including Philippines who registered an economic growth of 7% per annum. -Does this explain why some people think that Malaysia has economic problems???

Our government must sincerely work for the benefit of the people, regardless of race, religion and whether the people voted for it. If the government wants the people to give them a big mandate, they must firstly prove to us why they deserve it in the first place. A government that works ONLY for those who support them is a government that (I am sure) all of us cannot accept. If you want people to vote for you, do not use the “fear appeal” by threatening those who did not vote for you. Remember, you need to win their hearts, so don’t be mean to them. We want a competent government. In terms of competency, we want a government who not only has a vision for the country, but also concrete and practical plans for making this vision a reality. Remember STRATEGY, the plan of action that prescribes resource allocation and other activities for helping the organization achieve its goals???

I admitted in my previous post that all the political manifestos were compelling. However, the difference is that DAP; PAS; and PKR were quite concrete in identifying how they were going to address the problems confronting our nation. Both the DAP and PKR have proposed measures to reform the judiciary, promote whistle blowing, and create a business-friendly environment. (Eg: DAP proposed to set up a Research and Development International Action Team, an executive council of internationally renown academics from the scientific community to steer the R&D direction, innovation and entrepreneurship focus for Malaysia.) On the other hand, Barisan Nasional’s manifesto stressed on national unity, economic growth, fighting corruption and keeping the peace but it was a pity that they did not include HOW they were going to achieve their goals or implement their promises.

Some people said that the Oppositions would not be capable to run the country. I know some Opposition leaders do not have a track record but remember, they did not have a chance to prove their capabilities before. Anyway, education is one of the best proxies, as is success in the field these candidates have chosen. DAP's newly elected Member of Parliament for P106 Petaling Jaya Utara, YB Tony Pua, for instance, was a Raffles and Shaw Foundation scholarship holder and he has a Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree from Oxford University. He was a former CEO of a public-listed IT company and retired young because of his business prowess. PKR's MP for P107 Subang parliamentary constituency, YB Sivarasa Rasiah, was a Rhodes Scholar and PKR also fielded Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, a promising young leader with a King's College London degree, in the N32 Seri Setia state seat (YB Nik Nazmi, I mean since he's now the DUN member for Seri Setia). On the basis of these records alone, I think it is wrong to say that the Opposition is incompetent to govern. DAP and PKR have certainly fielded a new breed of well-educated and successful professionals as candidates. I am sure their erudition will help them administer the country well.

Personally speaking, I do not see the DAP, PKR and PAS coalition as a marriage of convenience. No doubt there were some misunderstandings at first...but like what Maverick SM said, "which international company set up within 2 weeks can be expected to form a team which could cooperate immediately without any hitch?". It requires the 4-stage processes of Forming, Norming, Storming and Performing to form a team and this is the same process that DAP-PAS-PKR is going through (wow, I still remember what what I learned during Managing Organizations last semester... My M.O lecturer is sure going to be proud of me if he ever reads this!!!).

Yeah, some people still stereotype PAS to be a radical party but in actual fact, PAS has adopted a more moderate leadership. They dropped their concept of an Islamic state from their agenda. Pork is sold freely in Kelantan, and non-Muslim houses of worship are tolerated, rather than being demolished (Remember the demolition of the Sri Maha Maraniam Temple in Shah Alam and Siva Bala Muniswarar Temple in Setapak which lead to the public protest by Hindraf??) .. Anyway, it was not PAS, but the BN government that declared that Malaysia is an Islamic state and it was the UMNO Youth Chief in 1987 who threatened to bathe the keris in Chinese blood.

Well, no matter what, BN still secured a majority in Parliament to be the next Federal government and they managed to reign supreme in 8 states (including Sarawak, earlier on in 2006). Congratulations for that…..Unfortunately, they saw the defeat of some of its “big guns”. Some of its margins shaved from the 11^th General Election in 2004. They failed to wrestle Kelantan back from PAS and loss Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Perak to the Barisan Rakyat coalition of DAP, PKR and PAS.

Though DAP, PKR and PAS had a better manifesto as compared to BN, will they “walk the talk” or are they just making empty promises??? From the way I see it, they are starting to “walk the talk” NOW but I know that it is still too early to comment. So to anyone who cannot accept the election results, just give them a chance and let them prove their worthiness. In a democratic country like Malaysia, if anyone of you is dissatisfied with their performance at the end of their 5-years tenure, you can always vote them out on the 13^th General Election.

Meanwhile, TOWARDS A BETTER TOMORROW…… MALAYSIA BOLEH….

Election is over.....

Greetings to all Malaysians,

Elections are over and we certainly saw a wind of change this round. Quoting John Teo of New Straits Times on 16^th November 2007, in a democratic country like Malaysia, “the governed deserves the governors they elect.” Congratulations if the candidate you voted for won. However, to those whose candidate they voted for lost, my heartfelt “condolences” to you. But you are not alone because I wasn't "election-lucky" this round since the candidate I voted for lost too.

To all the elected representatives who have been voted in this round; congratulations on your election as the MP or assemblyman for your respective parliamentary/state constituencies. You sailed through and emerge as victors of the hard-fought battle despite being discredited and “character” assassinated by your (worthy??) opponents. You withstood all the criticisms, defamation, and baseless allegations made by your opponents against you. To the MPs and assemblymen who returned unopposed on 24^th February 2008, my heartiest congratulations to you. Keep up your good work. However, I hope none of you would rest your laurels because after all, it was your voters who gave you the mandate. It is time for you to “walk the talk”. Remember to fulfill all the “sweet” promises you made to us in your election manifesto and PLEASE try to visit your constituents more often. Don’t just do it at the end of your 5^th year term of your political tenure. I am sure people want their elected representatives to visit them all-through the 5-year term their political career.

To all the DAP, PKR and PAS elected representatives, not forgetting the independent candidates who won, congratulations on your superb achievement. All of your voters have contributed to your success in denying BN of their 2/3rd majority (and the tsunami that hit Selangor, Penang, Perak, Kedah and Kelantan. Thank you for offering yourselves to be in the frontline for providing a check and balance to the government. All of you are symbols for democracy and justice. Your cause is noble. Hope all of you can work together and single-mindedly focus on one objective – to fight for ordinary Malaysian masses’ rights, regardless whether Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan-Dusun-Murut, Ibans and Sarawak indigenous people as well as orang asli in Peninsular Malaysia.

To all the aspiring “people’s representatives” who unfortunately loss in the David vs. Goliath battle, remember the success of a person is not measured by the number of times he/she falls but the number of times he/she stands up after the fall. Therefore, if it is really your wish to serve the people, don’t give up.
Note of caution, during your next election campaign; do not tell those attending your political “ceramah” that it is their fault for not voting you in last term. Some of them voted for you last election but it was unfortunate that majority did not. Why are you scolding them for something they did not do wrong? Is it their fault that you were unable to win the hearts of the rest of the voters???

What have I achieved in life???

I have just turned 23 years old (okay…I know that I’m OLD)

My good friend, Tze Ai, smsed me yesterday saying “……..a year older, a year wiser.”

Unfortunately, I am not convinced about myself getting any wiser. In fact, I think I am getting dumber!!!!! If I am a product, I would have reached the decline stage or if not, the maturity stage (no increase in terms of sales, demand remain constant) of the Product Life Cycle. I am disappointed in myself because I’m now 23 years old, and I am still stuck the same way that I am.

I have been living in the shadow of my sister ever since young. She has always been the smarter and more talented one in academic, sports, music, art, literary, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and all the other skills (You name it, she’s got it). She’s wiser, more mature and much better at handling all the dilemmas in life. As for me, I have not achieved anything significant so far.

Most people at this age would have graduated with their degrees and entered the corporate working world. and KJ is still pursuing her degree, wondering if she can even graduate with one. [In the pursuit of wanting to graduate earlier/ finish faster, I cleverly agreed with the 3 subjects that were allocated to me. Thus, this semester’s workload will be enough to kill me and it would be a miracle if I am still mentally sane by the end of this semester…..…maybe I should reserve a place at the 7^th Mile Hospital Sentosa first!!!!

In spite of me wanting to become a more successful person, I am still stuck in the same, bland mould. The erudition that I have gained from 3 years of kindergarten education, 6 years of primary education, 5 years of secondary education, 1 ¾ years of Form 6, and 2 ½ years of tertiary education was supposed to bring me to greater heights. Unfortunately, I am still the same person who lacks confidence ……..

So while I am still mentally sane since this is still the beginning of the semester, I will take this opportunity to cast my vote this Saturday (since I do not know whether I will still be eligible to vote during the next election because if I am not mistaken, those who are with unsound mind can’t vote.). All the political parties have extremely compelling manifestoes. The BN candidate for the Stampin constituency, Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, pledges to do his very best to bring more projects and development to the Stampin constituency, ensuring that the development brought by the BN government could reach every corner of the constituency (Borneo Post 2008, More Needs to be done for Stampin, says incumbent MP, 29^th February, p. 2). However, do those value-laden words carry hidden examined assumptions?? Will Datuk Yong as well as the other two opposition candidates carry out their mandate faithfully if voted in, and not just make sweet empty promises?????

Hmmm, who shall I vote for??

Vote for PKR's candidate: Mr See Chee How??

Or DAP's candidate: Mr Voon Lee Shan

Or BN's candidate: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng???

Happy Voting to all Malaysians....

Letter to Voters

Dear voters,

Though I have the locus standi to stand as an election candidate and to be a Member of Parliament since I have not lost my right to become one according to the law as stated in Article 48 of the Federal Constitution (With my basics in Financial Accounting 2, I am sure that I will not have any problem in submitting my Statement of Expenses for the election in which I am standing in as an election candidate within 33 days after the announcement of the election result. Praise God), it is with principle and honesty that I sincerely decline to stand as a candidate for P195 Bandar Kuching constituency or P196 Stampin constituency in this coming 12th General Elections and the other elections to come.

Firstly, I do not have any election manifesto unlike all my worthy opponents. I do not have the conscience to promise voter heaven and earth or promises I know that I am unable to fulfill.

If given the mandate by the people, I cannot promise that I will do my utmost best because to me, quality is a subjective issue. My best may not be good enough for some people. Besides that, if I do make any promises to the people during my election campaign, it is my strategy that I would not fulfill all my promises within the first 2 years of my term as a Member of Parliament because if I do so, people may forget my contributions by the next general election. Therefore, I would rather fulfill my promises within 5 years. But as age is catching up with me, I might forget my promises by the 4th year of my term as a Member of Parliament. Being an "I-who-do-no-wrong" person, I will not put the blame on my inefficiency or my irresponsibility for not being able to fulfill my promises. Instead, I will put the blame on our honourable Prime Minister for dissolving the Parliament so soon.

I know that I am unable to resolve the security issue because I am not as brave as Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah (1477-1488) of Malacca who posed as plain-clothed police to nabbed robbers. In addition, our worthy Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for P195 Bandar Kuching parliamentary seat for this 12th General Election, Mr Sim Yaw Yen, has mentioned that problems cannot be resolved by just speaking out in Parliament. It takes the conscientious efforts of a responsible Member of Parliament to work within the BN Government to make all these happen. As such, if what Mr Sim said is right, I will not be able to resolve all these problems since I am not standing on a BN ticket.

The fear of castigation has prevented me from speaking out the issues that are close to my heart. I am not that self-sacrificing. I am afraid to be detained under the Internal Security Act or Official Secrets Act. I am not willing to be suspended from Parliament without pay for speaking out against something deemed as offensive.

I am scared to loose due to the spirit of "kiasuism" that is inside me. I am afraid to be condemned for my weaknesses (and my monthly menstrual flow). I am afraid of being scorned and abused in the sanctum of the Legislative Hall.

I do not have a proven track record. Furthermore, I do not have the dedication, patience, tolerance and the heart to serve all the 53,216 voters in the Bandar Kuching constituency or the 57,257 voters in the Stampin constituency for the next five years or so.

Therefore, I humbly appeal for an opportunity not to serve Bandar Kuching or Stampin.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

KJ

(a registered voter in P196 Stampin constituency)

Want to LIVE LONGER, stay in SIBU....

Sarawak DAP chairman and Sarawak State Legislative Assemblyman for Bukit Assek, Yang Berhormat Wong Ho Leng, blogged on 19th February, 2008 that there are 326 voters over 100 years old in Sibu.

Hmmm..., maybe I should consider retiring in Sibu:

1.) Lower cost of living
2.) Long life

According to YB Wong, the oldest registered voter in Sibu on the electoral roll that would be used for the 12th General Election is 128 years old. Wow...., why didn't Malaysia enter his or her name into the Guinness Book of Records?? According to Wikipedia 2008, , The world's oldest man as declared by the Guinness Book of Records on 24th January, 2007, is Mr Tomoji Tanabe from Japan who was born in 1895 (113 years old) while the oldest person in the world since 13th August, 2007 is Ms Edna Parker from USA who was born on April 30, 1893 (114 years, 308 days as of 22 February, 2008). This qualifies our centenarian from Sibu to be the world's oldest person. So why didn't the relevant authorities in Malaysia apply to the Guinness Book of Records to have our 128 years old voter from Sibu declared as the world's oldest person??? After all, he or she does qualify. (If his name or her name is in the electoral roll, I presume that he or she should still be alive since the election commission has indicated that the Electoral Roll is clean). Where is the "Malaysia Boleh!" spirit??

Election Fever

My interest for politics was nurtured by my father who never failed to bring me to all those political party's "ceramah" ever since I was six years old. Back then, I did not understand what those speakers were saying or ranting about but I still enjoyed attending those speeches because to me, it meant "going out". I clearly remember those times when my father would bring me to the restaurant at Ban Hock Road, opposite the 7-storey KMC Flats to listen to those "ceramah"s. I began to understand the importance of exercising my rights as a voter at the age of 11, thanks to my father who was my interpreter. That is why I am currently suffering from the "pre-election fever".

Unfortunately, not many people I know share the same interest as me. A lot of my friends are not interested in the coming elections because to them, there is no point caring about the election since BN is definitely going to win. However, the core issue is not whether BN or the Opposition will win since we all know that BN will definitely be back in power again in most State Legislatures, and thus, will be our ruling coalition again. The few interesting issues to me are:

Will Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi score the same overwhelming victory like he did in the 2004 General Elections??

Can BN wrestle Kelantan from PAS after marginally loosing the state to PAS in the last GE?

Will DAP win Penang?

Will DAP's Tony Pua be able to capture the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary seat from MCA incumbent, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun?

Will Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail be able cling on to her Pematang Pauh seat?

Can DAP stalwart Lim KIt Siang retain his Ipoh Timor seat??

Where will DAP's Bukit Gelugor incumbent, Karpal Singh be fielded?? Bukit Gelugor or Bagan???

Will SUPP's Youth Chief, Alan Sim be able to wrestle back the Bandar Kuching parliamentary seat from DAP's incumbent Chong Chieng Jen, who beat SUPP's Wee Kok Tiong in a straight fight during the 2004 GE??

Meanwhile, before nomination day I am more interested in:

whether Jeff Ooi will be standing in Bukit Bendera or Jelutong?

whether BN will retain Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin as their candidiate for the Kinabatangan
constituency, where he won unopposed in the 11th GE??

whether Fong Po Kuan will change her mind and offer herself to be the DAP candidate for Batu Gajah??

Whether Dr Jeffrey Kitingan will take on his brother Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan (president of Parti Bersatu Sabah) in Keningau??

Whether the Chinese-majority areas in Sarawak namely Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sibu, Lanang, Miri, Bintulu and Sarikei will see a three-cornered fight between SUPP, DAP and PKR? (This looks inevitable since DAP has not shown any willingness to compromise with PKR)

Meanwhile, I will just wait and see....

May the best man wins....

PS: To those who are eligible to vote, Click here to check the electoral role to ascertain your polling centre and polling stream.
Let's exercise our rights as a Malaysian....

Are Sarawakians a bunch of law-abiding citizens??

According to the Sunday Star, 17 February 2008, p. N10, Polls fever yet to catch on in Sarawak since there are no election posters, no party flags, no crowds and no election fever despite the fact that Sarawak has the most parliamentary seats in Malaysia, 30 out of 222 seats. True enough, there are no election posters, no billboards and no party flags at the roads yet (except at the various political parties' headquarters or branches) but the reason for this is simple: Sarawak politicians are very law-abiding. They are simply adhering to the Election Commission ruling that parties contesting in the coming 12th General Election are only allowed to display their party flags and election banners from Nomination Day on 24th February, 2008 till Polling Day on 8th March, 2008.

While I consider Sarawak politicians to be law-abiding, I do not dare to say the same about Sarawakians in general. Everyday, there are robbery, theft, break-in and etc cases reported in the local newspapers. Just last week, my former school mate's metallic silver Perodua Kembara was stolen IN BROAD DAYLIGHT from the compound of Sibu Hospital while he was having classes. Thank goodness, it was found 5 days later in Bintangor. Nevertheless, let's support SUPP Youth's signature campaign drive to petition the police to have more police stations, more personnel and patrols, and most importantly, to be more proactive and efficient in carrying out their duties into combating crime.

Anyway, I think the reason why the election fever has not grip Sarawakians as hard as it has gripped our West Malaysian or Sabahan counterparts is because we Sarawakians are only electing our parliamenterians this round since our State Election, that was last held in May 2006, is not due until year 2010. Or is it only the State Election that fires us Sarawakians up to decide who to occupy our 71-seat State Legislative Assembly???

12th General Election is coming

12th February, 2008: PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, "Parliament will not be dissolved tomorrow"

13th February, 2008: 11th Parliament (Dewan Rakyat to be more precise) dissolved

14th February, 2008: Announcement of nomination and polling date

24th February, 2008: Nomination day

24/2/2008-7/3/2008: Campaigning period (Don't be surprise if you see all the candidates being extremely friendly to you, wanting/dying to shake your hands at the coffee shop/ mamak stall)

8th March, 2008: 12th General Election. The use of transparent ballot boxes and indelible ink for the first time.

KJ will be eligible to vote this round. However, I do not know who to vote for yet. I do not want the honourable elected representative that I voted for to make off-colour, controversial, provoking, racist, and sexist statements that will offend many people. I hope all the upcoming elected representative will not show their disregard for the parliamentary decorum in the Dewan Rakyat. I hope they will all be civilized and cultured people. I truly agree with what Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said, "BN candidates must be morally clean". In fact, all elected representatives should be credible and morally clean to be in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's efforts of establishing integrity, accountability, justice, and "say no to corruption" in his administration. As a matter of fact, I truly admire Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek for his honesty. Not many people are prepared to be accountable for their wrongdoings. Therefore, in my point of view, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua's actions to own up, admitting to the scandal, not dodging the question, and bowing out gracefully by giving up all his MCA posts and resigning as the Health Minister and Member of Parliament for Labis, has set an unprecedented precedent for other leaders to follow.

To the "Barisan Alternative" parties, I know all of you want to help us, the general public, fight for our rights in the parliament, but I hope all of you would be able to negotiate with each other and compromise. I do not wish to see a three-corner fight in the constituency where I will be voting because if it actually happens (which i hope not), your staunch supporters would be in a dilemma on which party to support.

Anyway, check the Election Commission's website to see if you are eligible to vote.