Recently, Opposition Leader apologized to his audience during one of the ceramah. It is very rare to hear Anwar apologise to his supporters or the Malaysian Public. He never apologized for his Sept 16 Opera, which destablised the country for months. He also never apologized for all his conflicting statements and also his corrupt past when he was in BN.
Now all of a sudden he apologises for something petty such as selecting the wrong candidates for the past general elections. His hard core supporters will definitely forgive him, as Malaysians ‘mudah lupa’.
I think Dr Mahathir is the one who should apologise. He did the country no favours when he first invited Anwar to UMNO and as a result, the country political situation has always been unstable ever since Anwar was sacked in 1998.
No opposition leader has inflicted such damage to the country’s image as Anwar did. He criss-crossed the globe saying nothing nice about the country and its leaders. Never mind that he himself got elected by very same undemocratic election system. Never mind that for 16 years, he did nothing to reform the government’s various institutions, never mind that for the same number of years, he controlled the press and helped to build a ‘racist’ newspaper.
Never mind that using the same patronage system, he, his family and friends became rich. Never mind that he defended malay rights to the hilt, BTN, all the repressive laws and the NEP. Has he ever apologized, never. He just reformed himself overnight, just because he was sacked and could not achieve his ambition to become the Prime Minister. He would have never changed anything that was favorable to him if he eventually became the Prime Minister.
The weak opposition then took advantage to befriend him, knowing well Anwar has got substantial grassroots Malay support. Never mind that the first person to accuse Anwar of sodomy and abuse of power is none other than Anwar’s lead counsel for the current trial, Karpal ‘the lion’ Singh. For political power, anything goes. Malaysians ‘mudah lupa’, so Malaysian politicians can change their colours, minds and parties whenever they want.
Apart from Mahathir, the voters who blindly voted for PKR candidates should apologise. You deserve the candidates you voted for. Why ask him/her to step down now. Why no one demanded that the Bota assemblyman to quit when he first crossed over to PKR. Such hypocrisy in Pakatan Rakyat. Elected representative shall remain just that. If people vote for the party, then we don’t need candidates, just vote for the party symbol and let the political party place any representative and have options to change them as and when they like. With this, even by elections will become unnecessary and we can save loads of money.
Malaysia deserves a better opposition leader. There are many within Pakatan Rakyat but I think many talented leaders simply can’t talk and act dramatically like Anwar, hence they are sidelined. Some of them are doing impressive work in their constituency but as they say, in politics, perception matters, not facts. If one were to compile all the facts and track record, rather than rhetoric, Anwar’s achievement as Opposition leader is nothing but a disappointment.
He would probably get some Oscars or Anugerah Seri Angkasa for his stage play, dialogue and (mis)direction, but records show he has not done much since he became the opposition leader. Every state that is governed by Pakatan Rakyat has nothing significant to show eg The same system of political patronage is in place, local councils are filled by mostly local party leaders and race based.
Like Karpal Singh said (telling the truth, emotionally) Anwar should just step down and make way for others. Pakatan Leaders always ask government officials to quit even when they are just being investigated for something. Perhaps, they should ask Anwar to step down until his trial is over. Lim Kit Siang would have done a better job, of course if he avoids calling for Royal Commission of Inquiry for almost everything that goes wrong, everyday and if he can brush up his verbal communication skills.
Or rather, Pakatan Rakyat should emulate BN, where their leaders are replaced (except for Samy Velu) and more importantly, inclusion of young leaders. Except for Guan Eng, we are tired, forced to see and hear from the same old faces in Pakatan Rakyat.
In summary, Anwar need not apologise, Malaysians ‘mudah lupa’ voters should!, Pakatan Rakyat leaders should apologise, for accepting and supporting him all these years, knowing well his track record in BN and current performance and failures in Sept 16 project and losing Perak state government.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Anwar started it all
Finally we have a closure on the Perak Crisis. It was a legally, constitutionally right but morally wrong judgment.
While Pakatan Rakyat leaders threw phrases like 'the end of democracy', 'start of absolute monarchy' etc, the fact remains that they started it all with Anwar's ambition to become Prime Minister and the real crisis or rather circus started when Bota Assemblyman crossed over to PKR in Jan 2009.
Anwar, Lim Kit Siang, MB Nizar and Lim Guan Eng were jubilant when this happened. Only Karpal was silent. When Anwar start counting number of MPs that he claims are crossing over right after the 2008 general elections, no one from Pakatan Rakyat said that the move and strategy was morally wrong.
I can imagine what would have happened if the reverse would have happened in Perak i.e BN retains Perak in 2008 general elections, 3 BN Aduns cross over Pakatan Rakyat. MB Tajol Rosli fails to dissolve the state Assembly, Sultan of Perak asks Tajol Rosli to resign where he refuses, later Nizar is sworn In as new MB from Pakatan. Later BN files case and at the end, MB Nizar is declared the rightful MB.
What would have been the reaction of Pakatan Rakyat leaders? They would have reacted the same way they did when the Bota Assemblyman defected to PKR, they would have shouted 'Gelombang Baru', 'Harapan Baru' etc. They would have criss-crossed the whole of Perak holding thousands of 'ceramah' during the impasse to win over public support for the cross overs.
They would claims that BN is corrupt, racist etc to justifiy their support for cross-over. They would have informally legitimised cross overs in the eyes of public. The would have justified their wins in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang as proof of public support.
In summary, Pakatan Rakyat Leaders would have been certainly singing a different tune if the roles were reversed. Lim Kit Siang should request for formation of Royal Commission of Inquiry to find out the root cause of the fall of Pakatan Rakyat state Government Of Perak. Before he can even start, let me tell him that all fingers are pointed at their great leader, Anwar ' Sivaji the Boss' Ibrahim.
While Pakatan Rakyat leaders threw phrases like 'the end of democracy', 'start of absolute monarchy' etc, the fact remains that they started it all with Anwar's ambition to become Prime Minister and the real crisis or rather circus started when Bota Assemblyman crossed over to PKR in Jan 2009.
Anwar, Lim Kit Siang, MB Nizar and Lim Guan Eng were jubilant when this happened. Only Karpal was silent. When Anwar start counting number of MPs that he claims are crossing over right after the 2008 general elections, no one from Pakatan Rakyat said that the move and strategy was morally wrong.
I can imagine what would have happened if the reverse would have happened in Perak i.e BN retains Perak in 2008 general elections, 3 BN Aduns cross over Pakatan Rakyat. MB Tajol Rosli fails to dissolve the state Assembly, Sultan of Perak asks Tajol Rosli to resign where he refuses, later Nizar is sworn In as new MB from Pakatan. Later BN files case and at the end, MB Nizar is declared the rightful MB.
What would have been the reaction of Pakatan Rakyat leaders? They would have reacted the same way they did when the Bota Assemblyman defected to PKR, they would have shouted 'Gelombang Baru', 'Harapan Baru' etc. They would have criss-crossed the whole of Perak holding thousands of 'ceramah' during the impasse to win over public support for the cross overs.
They would claims that BN is corrupt, racist etc to justifiy their support for cross-over. They would have informally legitimised cross overs in the eyes of public. The would have justified their wins in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang as proof of public support.
In summary, Pakatan Rakyat Leaders would have been certainly singing a different tune if the roles were reversed. Lim Kit Siang should request for formation of Royal Commission of Inquiry to find out the root cause of the fall of Pakatan Rakyat state Government Of Perak. Before he can even start, let me tell him that all fingers are pointed at their great leader, Anwar ' Sivaji the Boss' Ibrahim.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Indian Stupidity- Part 2
Stop the unruly acts during Thaipusam
The Star- 3rd February (letters)
BATU Caves is one of the more popular tourist spots in our country. It is also a holy place for thousands of Hindus who flock there during the Thaipusam festival to fulfil their vows.
I was at Batu Caves during Thaipusam this year, and was saddened by the many unsavoury incidents I witnessed.
First of all, the behaviour of some teenagers in the crowd who did not even care about pregnant women, babies and small children irked me. Where have their values gone?
Another sad thing was the consumption of alcohol which caused great discomfort to others who could not concentrate on their prayers.
I think people who visit the Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam without any intention to pray should not enter the holy site.
UTHAYAKUMAR TECHINAMOORTHY,
Kuala Lumpur.
END -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above lament by one devotee is not a new phenomenon. I wrote about this in 2002 and not much has changed, which also means the Indian Malaysian public manners and attitude never changed much over the decades.
This year, I have seen things which are even worse. For example there was a group who was carrying the ‘kavadi’ for fun, parading it around until the compound with no intention to complete the prayers. They made lots of noises to attract attention. It was already chaotic, but the public, the bystanders, were more interested to view the antics of these stupid Indians, who have no respect and regards for the religion. In a way, instead of condemning them, the public were in fact encouraging such act, as a form of entertainment.
As for the Temple authorities, they were more interested to make money, who cares if the so-called devotees are adhering to the religious norms. No representative from the two rival Hindu Councils and Hindu Sangam ( why two! Indians what - Have to be divided) were making any statements or reminders asking devotees to behave or adhere to religious norms. What we see at Thaipusam in Malaysia differs from those of in India, hence most of the so-called religious practices are man-made, here by creative Malaysian Indians.
While the above writer mentioned about behavior of teenagers, the adults are no different. It’s their own despicable attitude that encourages the young to emulate them in the first place. Most of the rituals and practices presented for world view that day are never forced upon by the religion. It was on their own will and creativity. Last year there were kavadi’s with Liverpool and Manchester United. So much for Indian creativity. I can only wish that the Indians channel their creativity towards other meaningful endeavors, like their children education.
Some spend thousands on kavadi that is never compulsory. Imagine how much funds that can be accumulated and channeled towards more meaningful causes from just one day.
As for the temple authorities at Batu Caves, they were more interested in reaping profit from the biggest show in Malaysia. They allow stalls to be put up almost ¾ of the temple compound, leaving little space for people to walk about. They also put up a huge fun-fair to add some light hearted entertainment following to some serious religious undertakings by the devotees.
Who is listening? No one, because nobody likes change and nobody wants to change. What about it leaders, even they, including the higher educated ones, don’t want Indians to change. Because as long as Indians remain stupid, these equally stupid politicians can continue to fool them and take advantage to advance their narrow agenda. The religious leaders on the other hand, does not want to make enemies with politicians, who controls most of the temples in the country, hence they tend to keep quiet.
The Star- 3rd February (letters)
BATU Caves is one of the more popular tourist spots in our country. It is also a holy place for thousands of Hindus who flock there during the Thaipusam festival to fulfil their vows.
I was at Batu Caves during Thaipusam this year, and was saddened by the many unsavoury incidents I witnessed.
First of all, the behaviour of some teenagers in the crowd who did not even care about pregnant women, babies and small children irked me. Where have their values gone?
Another sad thing was the consumption of alcohol which caused great discomfort to others who could not concentrate on their prayers.
I think people who visit the Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam without any intention to pray should not enter the holy site.
UTHAYAKUMAR TECHINAMOORTHY,
Kuala Lumpur.
END -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above lament by one devotee is not a new phenomenon. I wrote about this in 2002 and not much has changed, which also means the Indian Malaysian public manners and attitude never changed much over the decades.
This year, I have seen things which are even worse. For example there was a group who was carrying the ‘kavadi’ for fun, parading it around until the compound with no intention to complete the prayers. They made lots of noises to attract attention. It was already chaotic, but the public, the bystanders, were more interested to view the antics of these stupid Indians, who have no respect and regards for the religion. In a way, instead of condemning them, the public were in fact encouraging such act, as a form of entertainment.
As for the Temple authorities, they were more interested to make money, who cares if the so-called devotees are adhering to the religious norms. No representative from the two rival Hindu Councils and Hindu Sangam ( why two! Indians what - Have to be divided) were making any statements or reminders asking devotees to behave or adhere to religious norms. What we see at Thaipusam in Malaysia differs from those of in India, hence most of the so-called religious practices are man-made, here by creative Malaysian Indians.
While the above writer mentioned about behavior of teenagers, the adults are no different. It’s their own despicable attitude that encourages the young to emulate them in the first place. Most of the rituals and practices presented for world view that day are never forced upon by the religion. It was on their own will and creativity. Last year there were kavadi’s with Liverpool and Manchester United. So much for Indian creativity. I can only wish that the Indians channel their creativity towards other meaningful endeavors, like their children education.
Some spend thousands on kavadi that is never compulsory. Imagine how much funds that can be accumulated and channeled towards more meaningful causes from just one day.
As for the temple authorities at Batu Caves, they were more interested in reaping profit from the biggest show in Malaysia. They allow stalls to be put up almost ¾ of the temple compound, leaving little space for people to walk about. They also put up a huge fun-fair to add some light hearted entertainment following to some serious religious undertakings by the devotees.
Who is listening? No one, because nobody likes change and nobody wants to change. What about it leaders, even they, including the higher educated ones, don’t want Indians to change. Because as long as Indians remain stupid, these equally stupid politicians can continue to fool them and take advantage to advance their narrow agenda. The religious leaders on the other hand, does not want to make enemies with politicians, who controls most of the temples in the country, hence they tend to keep quiet.
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