At RSPO RT14 in Bangkok, there are likely 800 participants. Key stakeholder representatives are familiar friendly faces. Very glad to be here in 2016 for palm sustainability that I first started to attend seven years ago.
#RSPO #RT14
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Malaysia by-elections on 18 June (update 5): Post by-elections changes - Cabinet reshuffle, Lim Guan Eng charged, Dr M reminds on hajj bribes
30 June 2016: Post by-elections changes - Cabinet reshuffle, Lim Guan Eng charged, Dr M reminds on hajj bribes
Cabinet reshuffled with eye on coming polls, analysts say BY KAMLES KUMAR June 28, 2016 -- ..... “It is clear that Najib is gunning to regain Selangor in the next election,” Ibrahim said. Yesterday's reshuffle came after Umno sacked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir who had been openly attacking the prime minister over 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and related issues. Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal was also suspended from the party and Umno leaders from his Semporna division yesterday quit en masse in protest. With the three leaders as well as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad no longer in Umno, Najib's position as party president — and, by extension, prime minister — is now virtually unassailable from within............Sarawak overwhelmingly returned BN to power during a state election in May, and is considered a key state for keeping the coalition in Putrajaya. “It is quite surprising to note that no Sarawakian minister was appointed even to replace Douglas,” Ibrahim added..... Najib was banking on Mah and Gerakan to help foment the return of the Chinese vote to BN, after the community that abandoned the coalition in Election 2013 began showing signs of reconsidering its previous hostility. “When Mah was given a full ministership, it was Najib trying to help restore Gerakan's influence. He is trying to shore up the Chinese votes ahead of the GE,” Khoo explained. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/cabinet-reshuffled-with-eye-on-coming-polls-analysts-say#sthash.m8xWDxEC.dpuf
Lim Guan Eng pleads not guilty on two corruption charges Astro Awani | Published on June 30, 2016 -- Lim was charged under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 for 'Offence of using office or position for gratification'. If convicted, he could be jailed a maximum 20 years and fined an amount of no less than five times the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Azmi granted Lim bail of RM1 million in one surety on the two corruption charges. He also allowed the DAP secretary-general to hold on to his passport, under the condition that if Lim wanted to travel overseas, he needed to inform the court and the Attorney-General two days before departure. The court then set Sept 22 for case management. Meanwhile, businesswoman Phang Li Khoon also claimed trial to the charge of abetting Lim in the purchases of a plot of land and the bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn..... http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/lim-guan-eng-pleads-not-guilty-two-corruption-charges-109663
Dr M: Using bribes to go for hajj doesn’t make it okay to be corrupt June 27, 2016 -- ..... “The truth is that money that is stolen or received as bribes remains haram. Charity or worship performed does not make haram money halal,” he wrote. “Many who are prepared to receive money to perform the hajj and umrah do not ask where the money comes from. We are not forced by the religion to perform the hajj if we cannot afford it. We are not forced to steal and rob and commit corruption in order to perform the hajj.” He said those who sought to make corruption acceptable were doing so with political motives, such as to hide their abuse of power and oppression of the people. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dr-m-using-bribes-to-go-for-hajj-doesnt-make-it-okay-to-be-corrupt#sthash.4wjgjHjf.dpuf
27 June 2016: Rafizi concern on voters motivated by racial/religious and goodies, a review of by-elections, "duit raya" for Felda settlers excludes 13,589 not selling oil palm fruit its mills
Calling a spade a spade, Rafizi responds to critics by Rafizi Ramli Published 23 Jun 2016, MP SPEAKS I am aware that my initial response to the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections results have been reported as me blaming the voters for BN's win.....My conclusion was the racial/religious sentiments as well as the goodies and cash handouts splurged during the campaigning were the two most important factors. I reiterated my view previously that unless and until voters (and our society) can move beyond these two tools deployed by the BN, it is unlikely there will ever be a change.... One minister called me a dictator, the other one said that I was the disease, and another one said I never fought for rakyat. While it is understandable that Umno behaves this way, I find it ridiculous that other non-traditional media (often considered more independent) also behaved the same way....No one in fact had disputed with facts and evidence (the scholarly way and objectively) that my diagnosis of the root causes was wrong.... What I was frustrated was the tendency of the public, civil society leaders, analysts and commentators not to call a spade a spade. Even worse, while the lack of unified opposition forces was a key issue that needs to be addressed, the simplicity of the thinking that puts all the blame on the opposition bickering to the point of ignoring the flagrant abuse of money/rewards; the race/religion sentiments and a plethora of other electoral abuses by the BN is counter productive. It is ironic that while the public seems to appreciate the extent of corruption in the country, it seems oblivious to the massive corruption in the form of electoral bribery practised by BN that I get the feeling as if the public expects Harapan to win in spite of this electoral bribery. Instead of focusing on the immorality of using taxpayers money to win votes by bribing the voters with a list of promised projects, many analysts and some civil society leaders seem to consider this (electoral bribery through promised projects) as a matter of campaign strategy i.e local issue versus national issue.....The percentage of Malay support for Umno is status quo with no substantial increase (59 percent in Kuala Kangsar and 60 percent in Sungai Besar)....There was a notable increase of support for Harapan in both Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar among Malay middle class and young voters... Considering these seats are semi-rural, the swing can be expected to be higher in semi urban/urban seats..... PAS bagged circa 26.6 percent Malay support for Kuala Kangsar and 30.6 percent in Sungai Besar at the time when their campaign massively benefited from Umno/BN.....(PAS) they are definitely retreating and sliding towards the pre-2008 position....The Chinese voters’ turnout was lower by 21 to 28 percent. However even if we take into account a normalised turnout, we still see a swing of five to seven percent to Umno/BN though I think this is very much localised because of the promises and goodies given by BN.... Therefore, while the defeat was a wake-up call to concentrate on one-to-one contest with PAS, it is also a confirmation that it was not a rout nor has the public abandoned Harapan. If Chinese turnout normalises during the general election plus early preparations and good machinery, as well as BN having less firepower (cash, goodies, projects) during a general election – my guess is we may still make a strongshowing..... https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/346391
How can the opposition create another Ijok? by Ong Kian Ming Published Today 8:59 am
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/346730
Najib announces ‘duit raya’ of RM49.52m for Felda settlers Bernama 22 Jun 2016 https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/346242
PAS cries foul as over 13,000 Felda settlers denied 'duit raya' 23 Jun 2016 -- PAS has criticised the government for denying Hari Raya incentives to 13,589 Felda settlers. This was after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday announced RM49.52 million "duit raya" to 99,046 Felda settlers. The remaining settlers did not qualify for the payout as they sell their produce to third parties instead of Felda. PAS Felda affairs chief Naraza Muda said the government should not be punishing Felda settlers who choose to be independent.... https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/346401
Malaysia Paddy Fields Are Najib’s Battlefield to Woo Voters by Shamim Adam June 20, 2016 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-19/malaysia-paddy-fields-become-battlefield-for-najib-to-woo-voters
Meeting K Kangsar folk’s needs is Mastura’s priority Bernama 23 Jun 2016 -- The mother of four is the widow of the previous Kuala Kangsar MP, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Annuar Wan Ahmad who died in a helicopter crash with five others in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5. Mastura has a list of things on her agenda, including visiting the site for the building of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) training centre, which had been promised by her late husband who was the MPOB chairperson. On her status of still being in the ‘edah’ period, Mastura said she had asked for views and guidelines from Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria in carrying out her tasks. “According to the mufti, If I am required to serve (the people), I am allowed to go out but certain things like celebrating the win is not permitted,” she said.... https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/346328
20 June 2016: About the extraordinary regime resilience in Malaysia (and Singapore)
Editor's note: Blending some comments by Prof Weiss, "A key part of what sustains electoral authoritarianism over the long term is genuine popular support.... While disproportional access to electoral resources and curbs on civil and political rights clearly matter to the persistence of electoral-authoritarian regimes, long-term acculturation to political
norms and modes of governance on the ground further complicate these
regimes’ transformation. Singapore and Malaysia, the world’s most
durable examples of electoral authoritarianism, exemplify this pattern."
Going to the Ground (or Astroturf): A Grassroots View of Regime Resilience by Meredith L. Weissa. https://www.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/event/20160628-en/
Abstract: While disproportional access to electoral resources and curbs on civil
and political rights clearly matter to the persistence of electoral-authoritarian regimes, long-term acculturation to political norms and modes of governance on the ground further complicate these regimes’ transformation. Singapore and Malaysia, the world’s most durable examples of electoral authoritarianism, exemplify this pattern. A combination of what amounts to classic machine politics with the structural “assist” of sub-par elections renders electoral
authoritarianism increasingly resilient over time, not just because it is hard or unlikely for voters to vote in new leaders, but also because the aspiring or elected opposition may end up reproducing rather than subverting key attributes of that regime. Clientelist political praxis may be highly responsive, offer direct accountability, and align with voters’ rational self-interest, at least in the short term. However, its persistence impedes pursuit of new ideological or programmatic objectives, perpetuates piecemeal and inefficient allocation of
resources, assumes that most voters should expect little from state policies, and discourages attention to proactive legislation, in favor of more localized, reactive politics. A machine-oriented political regime, then, is not only exceptionally hard to shake, but suboptimal in the long term.
Payoffs, Parties, or Policies: “Money Politics” and Electoral Authoritarian Resilience by Meredith L. Weissa* ABSTRACT. A key part of what sustains electoral authoritarianism over the long term is genuine popular support. Dominant parties, particularly in a developmental context (the primary setting for such regimes), and especially where elections are more than minimally meaningful, curry performance legitimacy and loyalty not just through skewed rules and coercion, but through material incentives: “money politics.” If challengers can find a way to de-emphasize support based on material inducements, they stand a chance of securing gains via elections, rather than relying on economic downturns to shrink patronage coffers. Drawing on extensive original ethnographic and survey data from electoral-authoritarian Malaysia, I explore campaign finance and distributions on both sides in the latest, most regime-threatening general election, which was held on May 5, 2013. Evidence suggests that it was by disentangling clientelist networks from the patronage they so often serve to disseminate, allowing a focus on more programmatic than particularistic appeals, that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance so nearly bested the long-dominant Barisan Nasional regime. Persona – being known and seen among the electorate – still matters as much as before, but relies less consistently than in the past on targeted patronage as a premise for loyalty. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14672715.2015.1126139?journalCode=rcra20
norms and modes of governance on the ground further complicate these
regimes’ transformation. Singapore and Malaysia, the world’s most
durable examples of electoral authoritarianism, exemplify this pattern."
Going to the Ground (or Astroturf): A Grassroots View of Regime Resilience by Meredith L. Weissa. https://www.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/event/20160628-en/
Abstract: While disproportional access to electoral resources and curbs on civil
and political rights clearly matter to the persistence of electoral-authoritarian regimes, long-term acculturation to political norms and modes of governance on the ground further complicate these regimes’ transformation. Singapore and Malaysia, the world’s most durable examples of electoral authoritarianism, exemplify this pattern. A combination of what amounts to classic machine politics with the structural “assist” of sub-par elections renders electoral
authoritarianism increasingly resilient over time, not just because it is hard or unlikely for voters to vote in new leaders, but also because the aspiring or elected opposition may end up reproducing rather than subverting key attributes of that regime. Clientelist political praxis may be highly responsive, offer direct accountability, and align with voters’ rational self-interest, at least in the short term. However, its persistence impedes pursuit of new ideological or programmatic objectives, perpetuates piecemeal and inefficient allocation of
resources, assumes that most voters should expect little from state policies, and discourages attention to proactive legislation, in favor of more localized, reactive politics. A machine-oriented political regime, then, is not only exceptionally hard to shake, but suboptimal in the long term.
Payoffs, Parties, or Policies: “Money Politics” and Electoral Authoritarian Resilience by Meredith L. Weissa* ABSTRACT. A key part of what sustains electoral authoritarianism over the long term is genuine popular support. Dominant parties, particularly in a developmental context (the primary setting for such regimes), and especially where elections are more than minimally meaningful, curry performance legitimacy and loyalty not just through skewed rules and coercion, but through material incentives: “money politics.” If challengers can find a way to de-emphasize support based on material inducements, they stand a chance of securing gains via elections, rather than relying on economic downturns to shrink patronage coffers. Drawing on extensive original ethnographic and survey data from electoral-authoritarian Malaysia, I explore campaign finance and distributions on both sides in the latest, most regime-threatening general election, which was held on May 5, 2013. Evidence suggests that it was by disentangling clientelist networks from the patronage they so often serve to disseminate, allowing a focus on more programmatic than particularistic appeals, that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance so nearly bested the long-dominant Barisan Nasional regime. Persona – being known and seen among the electorate – still matters as much as before, but relies less consistently than in the past on targeted patronage as a premise for loyalty. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14672715.2015.1126139?journalCode=rcra20
20 June 2016: Post mortem of significant BN gains in by-elections, trumping 1MDB and other worries, BN comments dwell on Mahathir failed slander of Najib
Source: http://www.spr.gov.my/, accessed 20 June 2016
Note: Turnout was around 70%
Note: Turnout was around 70%
Source: http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/najib-hails-landslide-election-wins-108585
Analisa Awal Pilihanraya Kecil Kuala Kangsar dan Sungai Besar June 19, 2016 bujangsenang
http://www.bujangsenang.my/analisa-awal-pilihanraya-kecil-kuala-kangsar-dan-sungai-besar/ --
Estimates that BN gained 54-58% of Malay votes and 46-50% of Chinese votes and youth vote for BN was about 50%. Note: this is regarded as UMNO Youth source. Will check on others too.
Editor's notes:
- I was talking to a professor of politics who said that the "nusantaran / archipelago" attitude may allow things that continental (Muslim) countries may not allow. What do Malaysia voters care for and what drives their big vote swings?
- First, a quick look at the ethnic Chinese vote - a swing in the by-elections came on unexpectedly strong. Some say that Chinese voters may not stand much on principle but practicality (a swing the the opposition may be a big protest vote and the opposition's report card has been seen wanting, post 2013). Its important to note the recent major vote swings in this neigbourhood. Singapore's last GE saw an extraordinary 10%-age national vote swing, in its anniversary year and after the death of its founding patriarch and a reportedly extraordinary effort to appease voters disgruntled by population change. The Malaysia ethnic Chinese vote has also swung, by-elections swing reported at over 15%-age and of course in national GEs (the opposing swings of the Malay-Chinese votes after the Asian Financial Crisis and Anwar Ibrahim ouster and after 2008). These big swings appear to be more abnormal in the Western context?
- Certainly the big gain for BN in Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar means that Chinese voters in these by-elections had a change of heart on the opposition (greatly fractured and lacking leadership). Some comments from social media relating to the ethnic Chinese voter include: "The Chinese are pragmatic people. Western people are more idealistic." "The Opposition has no one to blame but themselves. They let the country down. Honestly I am quite disgusted." "I think the oppositions need to get the house in order and get PAS out of the way once and for all. Then perhaps they will see better result. Now it is beginning to look no different to BN."
- I'll turn to Malay voter-think and trend in a forthcoming posting - but a quick note that the Amanah share of the ethnic Malay vote was not seen as strong, and some put it down to being a new party, yet to develop a strong voice and message.
- Looking ahead, there's speculation of whether the GE may come in May 2017 to coincide with 60th anniversary of Merdeka and 71st founding of UMNO? In the business news, there's talk of a 1%-age drop in the GST rate, since oil prices are doing better. Also, lots of news on Bandar Malaysia and high-speed rail and strong investment and links with China; clearly to get into these sector businesses, linkages via BN cannot but help. Reform is unlikely as BN can remain in power.
The economy will determine if BN wins in GE14 FMT Reporters | May 26, 2016
A Bloomberg report says the real threat to the BN is how the economy fares, not the fallout from the 1MDB scandal or the Opposition; .... Although Najib has denied wrongdoing in connection with the 1MDB scandal, and although Umno divisional chiefs have publicly backed him, some Umno members feel uneasy.
“The continued support for the current leadership is there and it’s strong — there’s no doubt about that,” said Suhaimi Ibrahim, an Umno Lipis division committee member. “I must admit that it is not 100 per cent as some members are unhappy about some things.” While Suhaimi didn’t elaborate, some party officials alluded to undercurrents in Umno over eroded trust in Najib, asking not to be identified given the risk of repercussions, the report said. “Umno is still united, but not like before, and to some extent it has lost its fire,” the report quoted an unnamed official at Umno’s Kuala Lumpur headquarters as saying. “Great damage has been done.”... “Umno has a feudal political culture that may keep the party behind Najib even as the scandals make his leadership appear ‘untenable’,” said Universiti Sains Malaysia political science professor Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid. The party structure also limits any push for real change, he said. “Umno politics is the politics of patronage, and as long as they have connections with levers of power, they will not reform,” he said. “Najib’s government is a weak government — in parliament or by popular vote — and they still haven’t reformed. They don’t have to because they can remain in power.”..... http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/05/26/the-economy-will-determine-if-bn-wins-in-ge14/
About the ethnic votes
Malaysia Paddy Fields Become Battlefield for Najib to Woo Voters by Shamim Adam June 20, 2016 — 6:00 AM SGT; Standing near paddy fields that stretched to the horizon, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak had one message for voters of the rural district of Sungai Besar: My government will take care of you. Fairuzita Mohamad Amir, who was in the crowd Najib addressed earlier this month in the state of Selangor, voted on Saturday in a by-election that saw his United Malays National Organisation crush the competition. The 51-year-old widow grows rice on 2.5 acres of land with the help of subsidies plus access to fertilizers and pesticides, for which she credits UMNO. "I learned to say UMNO along with my ABCs," Fairuzita said. "Over the years, they have helped me a lot. I need their support and they have mine."... Malaysian farmers have been hit by falling commodity prices, rising living costs and a stock investment that hasn’t always delivered what was promised. Najib has responded by pledging bigger subsidies for rubber planters and rice farmers in the 2016 budget. He announced monetary handouts this month for rubber farmers totaling 194 million ringgit ($47.5 million).... "Farmers and fishermen are from the mainstream Malay heartlands and those heartlands are key to Barisan Nasional regardless of any issue, whether it’s about GST or 1MDB," said Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, dean of the college of law, government and international studies at Universiti Utara Malaysia. "If the prime minister continues to provide support to these groups, they will continue to support him in the future."... "No one thinks about the Malays except UMNO, we must remember that," Felda Global chairman Mohd Isa Abdul Samad said last month. "Our successes are not because of our own cleverness. Many Malays forget. It’s all because of UMNO."... http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-19/malaysia-paddy-fields-become-battlefield-for-najib-to-woo-voters
Wong Chen Yesterday at 9:13am · Well, somewhat disappointing and humbling results last night in Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar. My office math guy has started analysing the numbers. For proper perspective, turnout was below GE13 by some 10% to 15% and these two seats were won by UMNO during GE13. So a 3 corner fight would in fact guarantee BN victory. The results were therefore a given.... What really mattered for analysis was support level of Amanah, the new party. Conclusion is they did OK and their numbers can improve as it's political branding grows. PKR went through similar teething experiences, when we were written off as a tiny party in our early days. So, I think it is just simply a matter of time for Amanah to grow. The paradox is, emotions are high and many voters feel that we don't have much time. Amanah trouncing PAS in Sungai Besar and putting up a credible showing in Kuala Kangsar were good results, in the circumstances..... Without doubt PAS was the biggest loser. But does numbers and math matter to Hadi? This is a radical leader that we cannot apply game theory on. His political decisions are not necessarily logical despite his more reasonable deputy Tuan Man..... The really unexpected story was Chinese voter swing. This is incomprehensible in the backdrop of 1MDB, hudud and GST issues. Even after factoring shrewd pro development vote, the swing was too significant. So the lesson is Chinese votes cannot be taken for granted. There is obviously a dip in support for the Opposition. Chinese voters are generally results oriented. They vote based on administrative capabilities. It has to be earned. Therefore, the lesson is our state administrations must earn these votes. We must govern with efficiency, be fair to all races and always be free of corruption.... https://www.facebook.com/wongchenpkr/?fref=nf
20-Jun-16 Current Affairs (08:35 AM) Sungai Besar & Kuala Kangsar: Twin Wins Takeaway - Ibrahim Suffian, Director, Merdeka Center -- Barisan Nasional saw landslide wins in both the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections. Ibrahim Suffian, director of the independent pollster Merdeka Center, shares his main takeaways from the results and examines the issues which affected voter sentiment, including reports of a Chinese voter swing back to BN and a lack of "The Mahathir Effect". http://www.bfm.my/current-affairs-sungai-besar-and-kuala-kangsat-twin-wins-takeaway.html
.......................
Ministers: Twin polls victory good GE14 omen, opposition leaders must quit 19 Jun 2016 -- Umno supreme council member Idris Jusoh said BN's wins clearly proved the people were still supporting the government via giving the wins with bigger majorities. "What is more important is that the successes show the people, especially voters in the two areas, can evaluate for themselves and are not easily influenced by the rhetorics of the opposition, especially (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad)," he said... Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man (photo) regards the BN wins at the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar parliamentary by-elections announced last night, as extraordinary. He said they were extraordinary because the Umno leadership from the top to the bottom were incessantly attacked since 2015. "These wins have thwarted all accusations hurled against Umno and its leadership by the opposition. "The people of Malaysia, and voters specifically, are more matured and can differentiate between truths and lies, and wild accusations and facts," he added.....".. Some say the majorities are high because of the break-ups involving PAS and Amanah, that is only part of it. "Even if Amanah and PAS break up, and Umno, too, breaks up, we will not get that much majorities," he told reporters when commenting on the BN triumphs at the two by-elections.
Ahmad, who is also Umno Information Technology Bureau chief, said the commitment of the Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Yunus, despite not being picked, also helped the by-election machinery this time.....ural and Regional Development Minister and Umno supreme council member, Ismail Sabri Yaakob.... He said the wins also showed the people rejected the politics of hatred, slander and lies which were championed by the opposition all along. "The opposition, prior to this said the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections would become the people's referendum to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, namely, if the people rejected the BN candidates, it means the people rejected his leadership..... https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/345878
Kuala Kangsar by-election: DAP blames PAS for failure to wrestle seat by Nazialita Geynna Maharan, Astro Awani | June 19, 2016 http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/kuala-kangsar-election-dap-blames-pas-failure-wrestle-seat-108586
What by-elections show: Amanah no replacement for PAS, and PAS can’t continue on its own BY AIZYL AZLEE AND YAP TZU GING June 19, 2016 - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/what-by-elections-show-amanah-no-replacement-for-pas-and-pas-cant-continue#sthash.tuIaribm.dpuf
The Opposition’s crushing defeat in the twin by-elections proves that PAS cannot hold its own with just Malay support while Amanah cannot only rely on non-Malay votes, said observers. Political analysts noted that if the Opposition continues to move forward in its fragmented state, only bad news awaits them in the 14th general election (GE14).“Nobody cares about who comes in second or third place. It just means that all the resources spent amounted to nothing for either parties on election day,” Ibrahim Suffian of independent pollster Merdeka Center told Malay Mail Online..... PAS had come in second, ahead of Amanah in Kuala Kangsar by 801 votes, while in Sungai Besar, it was Amanah ahead of PAS by 707 votes. BN won both seats with a 6,969 and 9,191 majority respectively.... “PAS cannot move forward on its on. What the results show is that without working together, the Opposition have no way to go against BN. “If they are serious about politics, they must figure out how to sit down together,” Ibrahim added..... Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) chief executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan noted that should PAS continue on its own, it would only create a hard time for the rest of the Opposition parties. “If PAS continues as a spoiler, then it means the Opposition will have a most hard time. PAS’ presence is a boon to Umno and bad news for Pakatan,” he told Malay Mail Online. “This is why I believe Datuk Seri Azmin Ali’s earlier effort to mediate between PAS and Amanah was crucial. Pakatan needs more people who share Azmin’s aspiration to mediate and negotiate between differing parties in the Opposition bloc. Otherwise they will have a very difficult time.” He added that moving forward, if Pakatan Harapan and PAS remained at odds, he expects PAS to aim its attacks at Amanah as they know they cannot challenge Umno. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/what-by-elections-show-amanah-no-replacement-for-pas-and-pas-cant-continue#sthash.tuIaribm.dpuf
18 June 2016: News and view from those on the ground in Sungai Besar and KK
- Ceramahs there are relatively small affairs. The Pakatan Harapan grand finale was about 2500 at KK.
- Issues discussed include GST (rise in cost of living), rubber price, 1MDB and the Najib-Rosmah jet-and-bags questions.
- The Kuala Kangsar UMNO candidate has an issue not being a local (born in Negeri Sembilan) and perceived as Rosmah-associated (chosen ahead of local UMNO KK leaders, both women and men); the local machinery is said to demoralised and the crew for this campaign is mostly from out of state. Notably, the PAS and Amanah candidates are locals (for SB and KK).
- Hudud is not a topic (except for Chinese politicians to fellow ethnic voters).
- The Azmin-Mahathir team showed up to a dismal crowd of 300 at SB finale (pro PH teams were at KK not SB); notably in Selangor itself.
A senior political analyst says: Sungai Besar looks fairly secure for BN. If the opposition were to create an upset, it will be in KK. If not for the Pakatan Rakyat breakfup, we can bet on BN losing KK. Strange, who gets more votes between PAS and Amanah seems to be as important as BN versus Pakatan Harapan.
News links:
Rosmah jet video expose by Rafizi
- Rafizi reveals video in latest jet exposé, expects lawsuit 10 Jun 2016 -- K KANGSAR POLLS For the third consecutive day, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli continued his expose on Rosmah Mansor using a private jet for a trip to Istanbul. He revealed a two-minute video that purportedly shows Rosmah boarding the plane owned by Emirates Airline (Emirates), while her officers are carrying bags into the aircraft. Speaking to reporters in Kuala Kangsar, Rafizi questioned the number of officers who accompanied Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife on the trip and on the contents of the bags. Claiming that he had "lost count" of the number of bags, the Pandan lawmaker asked why the bags were not placed in the designated luggage area....
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/344795; video link: https://youtu.be/XutPEn7QlLU - Why must Rosmah waste taxpayers’ money on private jet junket? Yoursay Published 13 Jun 2016 https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/345029
Support for rubber smallholders
- Rubber Smallholders Must Be More Proactive In Generating Income - Najib PEKAN, June 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Saturday said rubber smallholders in the country must proactively think of ways to diversify their source of income in the uncertain global economy. Najib said they should not depend solely on income from tapping rubber in the light of the dropping price of the commodity currently. "Don't just depend on rubber, we must have income from several sources, it will be tough if we have only one source especially when the price of rubber drops. "The government itself has channelled RM29 million for a programme to boost the income of smallholders, so endeavour to find additional sources of income to meet family needs," he said. He said this at a ceremony to hand over the 2016 Risda dividend and the launching of the smallholders death benefits scheme at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Convention Hall here. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/sp/newssports.php?id=1254649
- Najib in Kuala Kangsar to present aid to rubber smallholders BY M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN - 10 JUNE 2016 -- http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/06/150880/najib-kuala-kangsar-present-aid-rubber-smallholders
- Najib: Sarawak rubber smallholders to each receive RM500 aid March 30, 2015 -- http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/najib-sarawak-rubber-smallholders-to-each-receive-rm500-aid#sthash.42ztMb6S.dpuf
17 June 2016: Some major shifts to note - tilt to China and Sarawak pressure on KL, but likely of little import to rural Peninsula?
Editor's note: KL chat is abuzz with the significant national and geopolitical shifts that are linked to the clean-up of 1MDB and the country's constrained fiscal-debt situation. These are constraints the Najib Administration is labouring under, and are points of pressure against which stakeholders may emerge to gain leverage. Kuching chat includes worries about racial and religious commotions, plus corruption in the Peninsula. The tangle of contradictions is growing, but rural Peninsula should stay on-message in a period of political navel gazing while the Najib Administration moves Malaysia for major change.
Adds notes on the heli crash during the Sarawak state election campaign period.
Sarawak pressures KL on Petronas, budget angst and more
Sarawak seeks to regulate Petronas activities within state BY SULOK TAWIE June 15, 2016 http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sarawak-seeks-to-regulate-petronas-activities-within-state#sthash.DjzxLOl4.FBxfcMTJ.dpuf
‘Why funds for Pan Borneo Highway minus from budget’ http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/06/16/why-funds-for-pan-borneo-highway-minus-from-budget/
Zahid: RM12m raised by kin given to Filipino Islamic body 16 Jun 2016; Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the RM12 million raised by the families of hostages recently freed by the Abu Sayyaf was given to an Islamic body in the Philippines. However, he stressed that the payment was not ransom to secure the four Sarawakian hostages’ release. “The government decided not to pay ransom, and police adhered to this order. “The money raised was from public donation and assets sales (by the hostages’ families), and I can confirm that it was channelled not as ransom, but to a body in the Philippines which assists in an Islamic struggle. https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/345535
Malaysia tilt to China?
Source: The Edge Financial Daily June 17, 2016
Malaysia capitulation to China? http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/1mdb-behind-malaysia-asean-capitulation-to-china/
The Way of Amicable Consultations - Enlightenment from both China's and Malaysia's Approach to South China Sea Disputes （From Chinese Embassy in Malaysia） 2016/06/13 http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zwjg_665342/zwbd_665378/t1371566.shtml
KL-Singapore high-speed rail project – China on board BY PATRICK LEE 13 June 2016 | MYT 9:51 AM http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/06/13/kl-singapore-high-speed-rail-project-china-on-board/
Chinese envoy praises Najib’s leadership 22 March 2016 http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/03/22/chinese-envoy-praises-najibs-leadership/
About the Sarawak campaign period heli crash
Editor's note: Since the heli crash that happened during the Sarawak state election campaign period, the Malaysia Ministry of Primary Industries and Commodities (MPIC) has not had a Minister of Deputy Minister (former MP for Sungai Besar). The Minister stepped down and has become one of three Deputy Chief Ministers of Sarawak. The Deputy Minister was in the crash, which also took the lives of the BN legislator (former MP for Kuala Kangsar) appointed as head of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and the Chief Secretary (top civil servant) of the the MPIC. At this point, questions to the MPIC are answered by the Prime Minister's Office and a cabinet reshuffle is pending. The heli was not alone (a second heli is known to have also been carrying others working on the plantation industry) in visiting at Betong, the constituency seat of the Uggah Embas, the former Minister.
Preliminary report: No disclosure yet on cause of Sarawak heli crash BY BEATRICE NITA JAY - 16 JUNE 2016
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/06/152357/preliminary-report-no-disclosure-yet-cause-sarawak-heli-crash
Heli crash: Body of pilot found May 9, 2016 http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/05/09/heli-crash-body-of-pilot-found/#ixzz4BnTM11Tu
Copter crash: Tragedy strikes fear among campaigners BY STEPHEN THEN 6 May 2016 http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/05/06/copter-crash-tragedy-strikes-fear-among-campaigners/
16 June 2016: Malaysia by-elections on 18 June - Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar (additions underlined)
Editor's note: The overwhelming view is that Barisan Nasional / BN should win both. The battle is over second place - PAS (pushing Hudud Bill, which has been received strong Najib Administration support on being accelerated ahead of government work in Parliament recently) or PAS-splinter of its progressives that is Amanah. A total loss is expected for non-BN parties - they have a relatively weak presence in rural Malaysia, although PAS has its geographic stronghold in the north-east, notably Kelantan and PAS been a major contestant for rural favour. PAS's past history of being part of BN gave it some institutional access, and Felda experts note that there have been repercussions ever since in certain Felda areas - impacting Felda settler acceptance of outsourcing management, replanting and more decades later (especially in more heterogeneous areas).
Under Malaysia's statist development model, the long-time ruling coalition (in control since Independence) has deep and strong policy and administrative roots in all aspects of rural life, including important economic factors e.g. farmer access to loans for replanting and entrepreneur grants and more. These two areas have little to no Felda presence so this shouldn't be a major factor. However, FELCRA and RISDA are among the key rural state agencies who may matter.
UMNO-BN internal issues include factors such as the Kuala Kangsar candidate (widow of the MP killed in the helicopter crash in the run up to the Sarawak state polls, alongside the Deputy Minister also killed in the same accident - the former MP for Sungai Besar) being absent from the campaign, and how the sympathy votes may play out. Also, whether ex-PM Mahathir has any impact on diluting BN's vote bank (PKR's Selangor Chief Minister has joined in his campaign of complaints PM Najib). Overall, the 1MDB crisis is an issue of high finance that seems to confuse voters and may be regarded as lacking relevance to "rice bowl" considerations in rural Malaysia. Also, "Malay unity" may be driven by fears relating to certain non-ethnic Malay voices in high politics (that voters are often warned are linked to some Christian agenda).
In the race for #2, voter turnout is important, as is mobilization of ethnic Chinese voters. But, some analysts say that the hurdle is 30% Malay votes to have a role in rural Malay politics. The urban-centric opposition parties like PKR have had a problem penetrating UMNO's rural fortress (Felda and also non-Felda). Some say that Amanah's campaign in Kuala Kangsar seems to be going smoother and more organised than Sungai Besar, so far. Some analysts are hard pushed to predict on PAS vs Amanah. Some reckon say that the PAS machinery and candidates are better.
source: http://www.politweet.org/site/politician_dash.php, accessed 16 June 2016
News collection on Rompin by-election here: http://khoryuleng.blogspot.sg/2015/05/rompin-by-election-spotlights-felda.html and research work on Felda political economy: http://khoryuleng.blogspot.sg/2014/11/the-political-tussle-over-felda-land.html
On the recent Sarawak elections
Elections in Test of Najib After Sarawak Win by Pooi Koon Chong May 13, 2016 -- Malaysia will hold by-elections next month after two lawmakers were killed in a helicopter crash, a fresh chance to assess Prime Minister Najib Razak’s popularity after a recent win for his ruling party in the Sarawak state election... Polls in Sungai Besar in Selangor state and for Kuala Kangsar in the northern Perak region will be held on June 18, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-13/malaysia-to-hold-by-elections-in-test-of-najib-after-sarawak-win
Victory and insecurity: Sarawak results and trajectories BY BRIDGET WELSH, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR – 13 MAY 2016 http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/05/13/victory-and-insecurity-sarawak-results-and-trajectories/
Monday, June 27, 2016
Opposition coalition (update 23): Pahang Mufti criticised for 'explosive' remarks, silence in high politics worrying to readers
27 June 2016: Pahang Mufti criticised for 'explosive' remarks, silence in high politics worrying to readers
Editor's note: Obviously much the talk in KL circles and questions on sedition and inciting hatred. The recent by-elections stats point to opposition losing seats in the next GE as PAS votes have gone. Much speculation on a snap GE, as BN is riding strong on electoral results - http://khoryuleng.blogspot.my/2016/06/malaysia-by-elections-on-18-june-sungai.html. As high politics disappoints them, will voters just fail to show up and even just hunker down to rice bowl / business issues at the next GE?Pahang Mufti criticised for 'explosive' remarks - Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman says the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party is "kafir harbi", or non-Muslims who have waged war against Islam and for whom the death penalty is justified. Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman says the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party is "kafir harbi", or non-Muslims who have waged war against Islam and for whom the death penalty is justified.PHOTO: YOUTUBE/ASTRO AWANI NEWS JUN 26, 2016 His claim that those who oppose hudud can be killed is condemned by Muslims, non-Muslims PETALING JAYA • A Malaysian state mufti has said that parties like the Democratic Action Party (DAP) are "kafir harbi" - non-believers who can be slain - as they are against Islamic laws. The remarks by Pahang Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman have raised temperatures in Malaysia's tense political landscape. Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman told the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia daily on Friday that the Chinese-based DAP belonged to that particular group of non-believers as it "clearly opposes hudud and the Bill on the Syariah Court on punishments".... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/pahang-mufti-criticised-for-explosive-remarks
For 'kafir harbi', silence on both sides of fence disheartening Yoursay Published Today 8:54 am YOURSAY | 'The real culprits are the Malays in Pakatan Harapan, who sit and do nothing. 'No minister will speak out against Pahang mufti, muses Kit Siang https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/346729
For Tunku Aziz, Chinese have no right to win elections Yoursay Published Today 7:24 am https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/346716
18 October 2015: UMNO luminaries joining PKR, PAS-Perkasa cooperation, Pakatan Harapan torn with a PKR faction ties with PAS
UMNO luminaries joining PKR - Saifuddin Abdullah, Mat Taib, Kamaruddin Jaafar
Saifuddin Abdullah just opposition’s flavour of the month, analysts say By Mayuri Mei Lin Sunday October 18, 2015 - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/saifuddin-abdullah-just-oppositions-flavour-of-the-month-analysts-say#sthash.baQMEnja.dpuf
Saifuddin Abdullah joins PKR by Hilal Azmi, Astro Awani | Translated by: Suganthi Suparmaniam Published on October 15, 2015 14:06 MYT http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/saifuddin-abdullah-joins-pkr-76499
No Johor UMNO leader expected to join PKR - Khaled Nordin Bernama | Published on October 17, 2015 18:37 MYT http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/no-johor-umno-leader-expected-join-pkr-khaled-nordin-76715
'I'm disappointed Saifuddin did not join DAP' - Lokman Astro Awani | Translated by: Suganthi Suparmaniam Published on October 15, 2015 17:55 MYT http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/im-disappointed-saifuddin-did-not-join-dap-lokman-76523
PAS-Perkasa cooperation and PKR faction close to PAS
PAS-Perkasa cooperation on issues nothing strange, says youth wing Published: 17 October 2015 10:43 AM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pas-perkasa-cooperation-on-issues-nothing-strange-says-youth-wing#sthash.1LZtcqVJ.dpuf
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/no-loss-for-us-state-perkasa-says-after-selangor-pas-snub#sthash.lasHvfrk.dpuf
See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/no-formal-cooperation-with-perkasa-pas-clarifies#sthash.SXpAnmbn.dpuf
PKR Azmin continually in headlines on PAS
- No Azmin at Kelantan rally, PAS sec-gen says BY KAMLES KUMAR Saturday October 17, 2015 - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/no-azmin-at-kelantan-rally-pas-sec-gen-says#sthash.zatkUzex.dpuf
- Delay in new Pakatan urged as PKR in bed with PAS Published 16 Oct 2015, 3:45 pm Updated 16 Oct 2015, 6:46 pm Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/315978#ixzz3osXXFz7t
- Azmin confident PKR will continue to receive cooperation from PAS Bernama | Published on October 11, 2015 08:16 MYT http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/azmin-confident-pkr-will-continue-receive-cooperation-pas-76039
29 September 2015: New coalition "Pakatan Harapan," PAS splinter Amanah splits families, PKR torn by inclusion of PAS (actually not interested)?
Editor's note: Lot of machinations and shifts.
Hadi, PAS leaders’ families split over Amanah BY MOHD FARHAN DARWIS Published: 29 September 2015 7:00 AM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hadi-pas-leaders-families-split-over-amanah#sthash.GhiBKIxA.dpuf
Opposition parties form ‘Pakatan Harapan’, opens door to PAS By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal Tuesday September 22, 2015 - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/opposition-parties-form-pakatan-harapan-opens-door-to-pas#sthash.tJDOCt7t.dpuf
PAS repeats stand it will not cooperate with DAP, Amanah Monday September 21, 2015 - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pas-repeats-stand-it-will-not-cooperate-with-dap-amanah#sthash.teXxf7SU.dpuf
Let PAS join new Pakatan, Azmin says Monday September 7, 2015 - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/let-pas-join-new-pakatan-azmin-says#sthash.xfdEud1l.dpuf
23 June 2015: What next for Malaysia opposition - DAP expansion, Nazir's NGO, PasMa? What about the rural vote?
DAP declared Pakatan Rakyat coalition under a changed PAS that has the two at logger heads. At a time when UMNO-BN is wracked by dissension over money deals (1MDB, Tabung Haji, FGV, MARA) and Prime Minister Najib faces daily jibes by former strong man Prime Minister Mahathir, the opposition coalition was in disintegration. Probably a lot of causal links there. Going forward there needs to be focus on Malay rural vote as the urban vote swung decisively against UMNO-BN in GE13. Large Chinese party political urban domination may be problematic - the GE13 Malay vote push back was obvious. How will the new political entities behave? Look at what they do, rather than what they say. If they behave in a way that is set to divide the urban vote, their motivations should be questioned as any bickering over urban seats, would be a boon to UMNO-BN come GE14. A renewed opposition coalition might present candidates to suit the plural urban electorate (while avoiding an anachronistic Chinese political ambition), avoid multi-cornered fights and instead look at a concerted push for rural vote getting.
PasMa will join G18 in setting up new party, says president BY ZULKIFLI SULONG Published: 23 June 2015 3:44 PM PasMa will work together with PAS's G18 group and other Muslim non-governmental organisations in forming a new party to replace PAS in Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
Its president, Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi, said that only one party would be set up to form a new alliance after PAS severed ties with DAP at its recent muktamar. "We will join the G18 and other Islamic NGOs to form a new party to replace PAS and to form a new alliance," Phahrolrazi told The Malaysian Insider. G18 refers to the 18 PAS leaders, dubbed the progressives, who were ousted in the party elections recently. Phahrolrazi explained that the new party would not only be working with DAP, as reported by the media, but also with PKR. "We have had several meetings with G18 to discuss the matter. God willing, we will make an announcement after Hari Raya," he added. The G18 has formed an action committee to develop a new platform based on political Islam that was truly inclusive and engaging following the failure of PAS to do so. The group is discussing its options with many NGOs and individual leaders to join them in their struggle for a more inclusive movement for Malaysians. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pasma-will-join-g18-in-setting-up-new-party-says-president#sthash.uhWCqCGr.dpbs
Nazir Razak's NGO idea brewing for more than a year by Shannon Teoh, Monday, Jun 22, 2015 News that prominent banker Nazir Razak was setting up a non-governmental organisation (NGO) set Malaysia abuzz about his political intentions last week, but it was not a bolt from the blue. The Sunday Times has learnt that Datuk Seri Nazir and "like-minded friends" have been meeting for more than a year now on ways to change the direction the country is headed.For Mr Nazir, who has spoken out increasingly about growing racial and religious intolerance and the mismanagement of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), this merely represents a shift in gears and is in part driven by a desire to preserve his father's legacy. - See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/nazir-razaks-ngo-idea-brewing-more-year#sthash.1rEO440X.dpuf
Pakatan is over, says DAP Published: 16 June 2015 12:44 PM DAP's top leadership has moved ahead to declare that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has ceased to exist, and said it would only work with PKR and "other forces" to end Barisan Nasional's hold on federal power. Its secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng, said the party's central executive committee, its highest decision-making body, last night resolved at a meeting to accept the motion by PAS at its muktamar or annual congress recently to sever ties with DAP. "Effectively… Pakatan Rakyat ceases to exist," Lim said in a statement today. DAP's decision comes as PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also opposition leader, is still holding out hope that the crumbling pact can be revived. Yesterday, she said there was an urgent need to review the working relationship between PAS, DAP and PKR to save PR from its demise. She called for continuous discussions and solidarity in political cooperation. But Lim today said that since PR was founded based on consensus among the three parties, and was bound by the common policy framework, the PAS's muktamar motion had effectively killed off the pact. "The DAP will work with PKR and all other forces who aspire to see the end of Umno-Barisan Nasional’s one-party rule to reshape and realign Malaysian politics with the aim of winning Putrajaya for the people," he said. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pakatan-is-over-says-dap#sthash.gYIEmB3h.dpbs
7 June 2015: PAS shifts with landslide win for ulamaa / conservatives in internal polls; "Other Malays can fill PAS posts in Penang" - Guan Eng
Last Rites for Malaysia Opposition Bloc as God Trumps Politics by Shamim Adamand Niluksi Koswanage June 7, 2015 — 5:00 PM BST Malaysia’s opposition alliance is at risk of collapse as one leader predicts “funeral rites” for the bloc after months of bickering between two of its three members. Disunity within the seven-year-old Pakatan Rakyat alliance could benefit Prime Minister Najib Razak as he fends off calls to resign from former premier Mahathir Mohamad over his handling of a troubled state-run investment fund. Pakatan Rakyat has already been tested in the past year over disagreements on governance in opposition-held Selangor state, and by the jailing of former leader Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy. The disparate alliance is largely held together by the goal of unseating a party that’s been in power since independence in 1957. Parti Islam se-Malaysia, whose conservative faction defeated moderates in party polls this month, is pushing to cut ties with the mostly ethnic-Chinese Democratic Action Party, even as it plans to stay in Pakatan Rakyat. PAS’ efforts to implement Islamic criminal law in opposition-run Kelantan state led the DAP to call it unconstitutional in secular Malaysia. “Najib has his own set of problems within UMNO and they are very serious ones,” said Ibrahim Suffian, an analyst at the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research in Kuala Lumpur, referring to the ruling United Malays National Organisation. “The PAS election results are a welcome respite for him. The fact that the opposition will not be able to function as effectively puts him at a stronger position.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-07/last-rites-for-malaysia-opposition-bloc-as-god-trumps-politics
Other Malays can fill PAS posts in Penang, says Guan Eng BY LOOI SUE-CHERN Published: 7 June 2015 1:30 PM - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/let-other-malays-fill-pas-posts-in-penang-says-guan-eng#sthash.ZJJWnbdC.dpuf
29 May 2015: Umno manipulating PAS over hudud, says Ahmad Awang - Malaysian Insider
Umno manipulating PAS over hudud, says Ahmad Awang BY ZULKIFLI SULONG, FEATURES AND ANALYSIS EDITOR Published: 29 May 2015 9:00 AM Ahmad Awang, the PAS presidential challenger to Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, says if Umno is sincere in its support for hudud, one of its parliamentarians should propose the matter in the Dewan Rakyat. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 29, 2015.PAS presidential candidate Ahmad Awang has questioned Umno’s sincerity in supporting Kelantan's plan to implement hudud, saying it now appears to be part of the Malay ruling party's political game. The veteran politician believes the absence of the private member’s bill from the parliamentary order paper over the past week proves that Umno has been playing with the Islamist party over the issue. "At the last parliamentary sitting, they said the proposal will be discussed at the current sitting, but until now, nothing. I am sure, Umno has successfully manipulated us," Ahmad told The Malaysian Insider. googletag.cmd.push(function; Previously, he said, the reason given was that there were too many bills that needed to be debated and that the private member's bill on hudud, submitted by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, had to be set aside for the time being. "This time, the excuse is the presentation of the 11th Malaysia Plan. As of today, it is not even in the order paper. "There is also talk that the prime minister has issued a directive not to discuss the private member's bill just yet." This, he added, could be related to leaders in Sabah and Sarawak who were unhappy with Kelantan's move and who came out strongly against the implementation of hudud. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/umno-manipulating-pas-over-hudud-says-ahmad-awang#sthash.KqmcqrKr.dpuf
16 May 2015: Malaysiakini - Mat Sabu on the ulama faction in PAS
Mat Sabu on the ulama faction in PAS By Alyaa Azhar 9:48AM May 16, 2015; INTERVIEW In comparing PAS ulama from several decades ago to the ones today, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu says the ulama from olden days were respected for their character instead of educational background. “Why was the late (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz (Nik Mat) respected? It was because of his character. "When he was Kelantan menteri besar, he lived modestly and declined the privileges given to him," said Mohamad in an interview with Malaysiakini earlier this week. "He walks the talk, that’s why people respected him even the non-Muslims." Mohamad - better known as Mat Sabu - added the same could be said for the late (former PAS president) Fadzil Noor, who till his death, fought to uphold the truth and human rights. "This is the kind of people we want. Whoever wants to be an ulama must have such a character. "Just because one studied religion, must he or she be automatically regarded as an ulama?" he asked. He went on to elaborate that he had cited as examples those who have passed away be use some ulama in PAS who had initially fought against Umno in the end embraced their bitter rivals and turned against their own party. Mat Sabu's remark is seen as a subtle jibe against supporters of the ulama faction in PAS who are seen to be amicable with Umno... http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/298532?google_editors_picks=true
7 May 2015: PKR retains Permatang Pauh, majority c. 8,800, maintaining 57% vote share, some Malay swing to PKR and some Chinese swing to BN?; a view on hudud and a pro-ulama hudud scuffle in a kampong
Looks like anti-GST anti-BN swing happening in Permatang Pauh, as it did yesterday at Rompin? Unofficial 10,000+ majority turns on official result of about 8.800.
Wan Azizah wins Permatang Pauh BY LOOI SUE-CHERN AND ISTA KYRA SHARMUGAM Published: 7 May 2015 7:15 PM PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail wins Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat after incumbent Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was disqualified due to his sodomy conviction. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 7, 2015.PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was announced winner of the Permatang Pauh by-election at 10.20pm tonight, sealing her return to the parliamentary seat for the fourth time. She garnered 30,316 votes, a majority of 8,841 ballots ahead of Barisan Nasional newcomer Suhaimi Sabudin, who got 21,475 votes. Independent candidate Salleh Ishak won 367 votes and Parti Rakyat Malaysia candidate Azman Shah 101 votes. There were 843 spoilt votes. .... A total of 71,890 people are eligible to vote in the parliamentary seat, but voter turnout was 53,198 or 74%, according to the Election Commission (EC). In the 13th general election two years ago, voter turnout for this seat was 88.3%. PKR is ahead in all three state seats in the parliamentary constituency, including PAS stronghold Permatang Pasir. The other two state seats are Seberang Jaya and Penanti. In the 2013 general election, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim retained the seat with 37,090 or 58.56% of the total 63,332 votes cast, by 11,721 votes.....Dr Wan Azizah was always the heavyweight in the campaign to retain the seat. This time, Pakatan Rakyat wins with a lower majority due to a lower voter turnout of 74%, compared to the turnout of 88.3% in the 2013 national polls. With a lower turnout, PKR essentially maintains its vote share, at about 57% of all votes cast this time. The opposition pact had been hoping for a bigger majority in this by-election to send a message to Putrajaya that people are rejecting the goods and services tax. – May 7, 2015. - See more at:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pkr-leads-with-3555-majority-in-permatang-pauh-as-counting-under-way#sthash.sMUtN5Ts.dpuf
Slight increase in Malay support for PKR in Permatang Pauh, says Wan Azizah BY LOOI SUE-CHERN and ISTA KYRA SHARMUGAM Published: 7 May 2015 11:19 PM Permatang Pauh MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says there is an increase of Malay youth voters in this by-election. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 7, 2015.PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said tonight that the results of the Permatang Pauh by-election showed an increase of between 4% and 5% of Malay votes, especially the youths. She also attributed the turnout, 73.71%, to the fact that there was no element of sabotage from PAS election machinery and that voters wanted a stronger Pakatan Rakyat leadership. "This is not just a win for PKR but also the people who oppose Barisan Nasional's treatment towards Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim....It is clear the politically-motivated jailing of Anwar by BN has attracted much sympathy and proof that he is till relevant to the people "The results of this by-election also shows that people are disappointed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his lavish lifestyle and scandals; especially 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and the latest use of funds from Tabung Haji," she said after the announcement of her victory in Permatang Pauh. She said the mainstream media had also failed in their attempt to slander her, Anwar and the opposition coalition leaders. "They tried their best to paint my performance in Kajang in a bad light and break up the unity in PR, but it didn't work.” - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/slight-increase-in-malay-support-for-pkr-in-permatang-pauh-says-wan-azizah#sthash.D56pg6wQ.dpuf
Official: PKR retains Pmtg Pauh, smaller majority, Malaysiakini 7:11PM May 7, 2015
10.18pm: OFFICIAL RESULTS FROM ELECTION COMMISSION
PKR - 30,316 (57.1 percent of the popular vote)
BN - 21,475 (40.44 percent of the popular vote, up by 0.38 percent)
Ind - 367
PRM - 101
Majoriti: 8,841
Spoilt vote: 843
9.31pm: Latest unofficial results with more or less all votes counted.
PKR - 30,504
BN - 20,586
Ind - 359
PRM - 98
Majority - 9,918
.....8.15pm: Quick analysis: Although BN made marginal gains of between one to three percent in several polling districts where PKR won, it lost Kampung Belah Dua to PKR this time round.
BN won 51.6 percent of votes in Kampung Belah Dua in the general election last year, but only managed to garner 49.3 percent of the votes this time. It was one of only six polling districts it won in Permatang Pauh in 2013. There are a total of 28 polling districts in the parliamentary constituency**.
......7.50pm: Quick analysis: swing to BN or PKR is between 0.1% and 3% at various district polling centres. Though BN may have a slight edge. It appears that the main factor affecting the final majority will be the turnout as the swings are marginal.......7.35pm: Quick analysis of four voting districts:
- Mengkuang (91.8% Malay) = +0.1% swing to PKR
- Sungai Semambu (71% Malay, 21% Chinese) = +0.04% swing to PKR
- Sungai Lembu (98.7% Chinese) = +13.8% swing to BN
- Telok Wang (58.1% Malay, 26.7% Chinese) = +3.3% swing to BN
Note: BN only won 16 percent of the votes in Sungai Lembu in 2013. However, BN won 30.4 percent this time round and this is cause for MCA and Gerakan to celebrate.http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/297557
**Wong Chen: Victory for Kak Wan! Majority now has crossed 9,000 and heading up!
My office team was stationed at Kampung Belah Dua for the elections, an outpost of BN. BN took 54% in 2013, we overturned it with a 5% swing to take 51% of Kampung Belah Dua.
We worked with Yahya Shari and the Kuala Langat gang. Congrats to all my crew and associates. We brought powerpoint presentations to the kampung. This is a sweet victory for all who worked the door to door and ceramah kelompoks.
https://www.facebook.com/wongchenpkr/posts/808822635854795?notif_t=notify_me
Festive mood at packed Pakatan finale ceramah By Susan Loone & Alyaa Azhar 10:33PM May 6, 2015; PMTG PAUH Permatang Pauh is in a celebratory mood as several ceramah venues in the Pakatan Rakyat camp is crowded with supporters. At the Tapak Ekspo in Seberang Jaya - where ceramahs are frequently held - hundreds turn up to hear Pakatan leaders speak in a grand finale ceramah. A night market sets up as the crowd sit on the floor listening attentively to the speeches.
Cars triple park on the roadside as the crowd swells to an unexpected size, given the dismal turnout on prior days. The total turnout at Pakatan ceramah at Kubang Semang, Bukit Mertajam and Kubang Semang was around 10,000 people. Cars are bumper to bumper on the road leading to the ceramah spot. A convoy of motorbikes carrying PKR's flags adds to the festive mood..... In Taman Ciku, Bukit Mertajam, about 1,000 turned up near DAP's service centre..... In Seberang Jaya, PAS deputy chief Mohamed Sabu predicts a 16,000 majority for Wan Azizah, saying the number should be more than BN's majority in Rompin, Pahang. "If the majority is lesser than BN in Rompin, I would be ashamed of you, Permatang Pauh voters!" he said. "Because you are a more develop constituency compared to Rompin. You have wi-fi, you can read the silly remarks made by the BN ministers," he added.
"So if you still let BN, I will be so ashamed!" he said to loud laughter... On her part, Wan Azizah urged voters to remember why her husband and incumbent Permatang Pauh MP Anwar Ibrahim was convicted of sodomy and is now serving a five-year jail sentence. "I committed no offence by being a grandmother. So please vote this grandmother tomorrow," she said. "For the rakyat!".... Wan Azizah faces Umno's Suhaimi Sabudin, PRM's Azman Shah Othman and Salleh Isahak, the independent candidate. http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/297465
Hudud, a cause for hubris and hypocrisy COMMENTARY BY JAHABAR SADIQ, EDITOR Published: 23 March 2015 12:25 PM PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang says it is the party’s democratic right to table a private members’ bill to enable the implementation of hudud in Kelantan. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 23, 2015.Justice or hubris, democracy or hypocrisy, these are the questions cropping up as hudud laws make their regular appearance in the Malaysian political and legal landscape. If you read or listen to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, and even self-confessed PAS progressives such as Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, you get the impression that hudud has a place in Malaysian society. Fact is, even Umno politicians, with the exception of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will find it hard to disagree with their political opponents in PAS..... And Muslims themselves have to confront the fact that the Quran does speak of such criminal laws and punishments. Hadi told Malay daily Berita Harian that it was PAS's democratic right to push through such laws and a private members' bill to enable it. Meanwhile, in his column in The Malaysian Insider today, Dzulkefly wrote, “To answer specifically on our position on hudud, I once again say, without fear or favour, that hudud has its own unique place in the larger corpus of Islamic legal prescription or jurisprudence, ie. in Islamic law. “We nonetheless do not think that it is the most important imperative of the shariah, given the many other competing priorities. Never should a Muslim be accused, however, of rejecting shariah if he/she believes in its transcendental (revealed) origin, but prioritises other more important shariah imperatives as taking precedent over its penal code.” To be fair, almost everyone – and this includes politicians in parties other than PAS, PKR or Umno – believes that hudud is eventually possible in Malaysia. The answer, though, is no..... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hudud-a-cause-for-hubris-and-hypocrisy#sthash.3vtDSxBB.dpuf
Villagers drive out PAS demonstrators By Zulaikha Zulkifli 10:23PM May 6, 2015; A scuffle marked the last day of Permatang Pauh by-election campaign when a group claiming to be 'pro-ulama' PAS members squared off with residents of Kampung Kubang Semang in the Penang parliamentary constituency. The group of 10 led by Bagan PAS information chief Azmi Jaafar gathered at a junction near the Kampung Kubang Semang petrol station at about 5 pm today. They held up placards which read "Hudud hukum Allah" (Hudud is Allah's law) and "Pemuda bersama kepimpinan ulama" (Youths support ulama leadership). But within a minute of their arrival, two men sitting at a food stall across the street approached them and told them to leave. One of the men yelled: "Don't create a scene at our village. You are not even voters here." This was followed by shoving between them when the man tried to snatch the group's placards. The situation became more tense when a group of villagers who were at the food stall stated surrounding the pro-ulama group to chase them out. One of them grabbed a loud hailer from Azmi and smashed it on the road, prompting Azmi to instruct his group to go elsewhere. They left 10 minutes after that. Former Permatang Pauh PAS secretary Abdul Razak Abdullah, who was also at the scene, told reporters that they drove the "pro-Ulama" group away to avoid an incident. .........The same group had gathered in front of Majid Batu, Kampung Pertama to urge PKR to apologise over its statement regarding the hudud. PKR said it will not support PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts Act, so that the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code II 1993 (Amendment 2015) which includes hudud can be implemented....
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/297463?google_editors_picks=true
PAS and PKR men in brawl over hudud outside mosque Updated: Thursday May 7, 2015 MYT 8:00:58 AM; BUKIT MERTAJAM: Groups of PAS members and PKR supporters brawled outside a mosque near here after a heated argument over hudud. Bagan PAS youth chief Azmi Jaafar and his group were holding a demonstration outside the mosque in Kubang Semang here when they were interrupted by PKR supporters. Members from both groups started to push and hurl insults at each other before a police team broke up the fight. Some of those involved were armed with iron rods but no one was injured in the fracas. Azmi said the demonstration was held to tell voters in Permatang Pauh not to vote for those who are against hudud.... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/05/07/PAS-and-PKR-men-in-brawl-over-hudud-outside-mosque/
19 March 2015: Opposition coalition splits on unanimous Kelantan hudud vote
DAP youth to cease cooperation with PAS counterpart by tan yi liang Updated: Thursday March 19, 2015 MYT 10:46:40 PM; PETALING JAYA: DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) will no longer be working with Pas Youth, said its chief Teo Kok Seong. “Today, the Dapsy executive council has decided by consensus to stop all forms of cooperation with PAS Youth at the state level throughout Malaysia and at the central level,” said the Rasah MP in a statement on Thursday. Teo added that the decision was made following the passing of amendments to the Syariah Criminal Code II 1993 at the the Kelantan state assembly on Thursday. “This has set aside the joint agreement of Pakatan Rakyat,” he said. Teo’s statement follows on the heels of other voices of opposition within Pakatan Rakyat.
The amendments to Kelantan’s Syariah Criminal Code 1993 were passed by the state legislative assembly on Thursday. The vote was passed unanimously by 44 assemblymen comprising 31 from PAS, 12 from Umno and one from PKR....... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/19/Dapsy-to-cease-working-with-PAS/
15 March 2015: Survey finds more opinions for Anwar and other veteran opposition leaders to step down; The Star (BN-MCA linked newspaper) publishes a tough opinion piece on the PKR Anwar family leadership
Malaysians want veteran politicians to step down, survey shows BY ANISAH SHUKRY Published: 12 March 2015 9:00 AM
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysians-want-veteran-politicians-to-step-down-survey-shows?google_editors_picks=true#sthash.mstcujMb.dpuf
The Star (a BN-MCA linked newspaper) publishes a tough opinion piece on the PKR Anwar family leadership:
Political vacuum at the top by joceline tan Updated: Sunday March 15, 2015 MYT 7:45:15 AM
IT was supposed to be Nurul Izzah Anwar’s big moment in Parliament. She was Pakatan Rakyat’s choice to speak on behalf of her Opposition leader father. There had been all that political hype over Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the run-up to the Parliament sitting and the Pakatan Rakyat side thought this would be the golden opportunity for her to win hearts and minds as well as showcase what she is about..... The Lembah Pantai MP has a strong yet feminine voice and MPs and the media had been expecting something extraordinary. But the speech, somehow, did not quite measure up to expectations. It was rather underwhelming and largely a repetition of the things that PKR leaders had been saying since the guilty verdict..... Although her mother, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, is the party president, she is seen as the one taking charge of a number of political events. She has been on the streets addressing the young group protesting Anwar’s verdict, making the ceramah rounds and calling up people for help and support..... She has made no bones about the fact that she sees herself as the torch-bearer of her father’s legacy..... The Rafizi factor... Some think the Anwar family is being used by secretary-general Rafizi Ramli to strengthen his standing in PKR..... Nurul Izzah has also claimed a leading role in the coming Permatang Pauh by-election. She and former secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution are co-chairmen for the party’s election committee. Party insiders said Saifuddin expressed interest in taking charge of the by-election. But Nurul Izzah wanted it and she got it..... The buzz over her sister Nurul Nuha has fizzled.There was a great deal of excitement when the family pushed Nurul Nuha centrestage. People were curious for a glimpse of her and to hear her speak..... Nurul Izzah is the only natural politician among her siblings and even she is seen as still having a long way to go. She has the charisma but still lacks depth and breadth when it comes to issues..... In fact, Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said almost stole the thunder from Nurul Izzah’s “Opposition leader speech” one day later. Azalina was at her most aggressive but her fierce, calculated and off-the-cuff response showed the younger woman what experience, a background in law and the ability to think on one’s feet added up to.... The political mood this time around has been a stark contrast to Anwar’s first imprisonment – no white hot anger or emotional eruption. The #KitaLawan rally last weekend drew a respectable crowd but it was nowhere close to the spontaneous tide of people pouring out into the streets in 1998. That is what happens when the PAS crowd stays at home.... To quote Zaid, who has become the “unconventional statesman” of Malaysia, it is time they show there is more to their struggle than Anwar Ibrahim.... •The views expressed are entirely the writer's own http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Columnists/Analysis/Profile/Articles/2015/03/15/Political-vacuum-at-the-top-The-campaign-to-free-Datuk-Seri-Anwar-Ibrahim-is-lacking-the-passion-and/
12 March 2015: Hadi Awang set for party president showdown with "Hawaii Five-O" gang while Haron becomes PAS spiritual leader for the next five years
Haron is new PAS spiritual adviser by sira habibu Updated: Thursday March 12, 2015 MYT 7:13:36 AM; PETALING JAYA: The appointment of Datuk Dr Haron Din as the new Mursyidul Am has apparently foiled the so-called “Hawaii Five-O” gang’s plan to convince the grassroots to “elevate” Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to spiritual leader. The Hawaii Five-O gang would have preferred Hadi to “move on” to head the Syura Council and leave the party president’s post for others to contest. Hawaii Five-O is the name given to a WhatsApp chat group involved in an alleged attempt to topple Hadi. Pro-ulama netizens welcomed the Syura Council’s decision to appoint Dr Haron while signalling to the ground that Hadi would defend his presidency in the upcoming party elections.
PAS assistant secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the Syura Council met on March 8 and unanimously decided to appoint Dr Haron who had served as the deputy. “Dr Haron is the new Mursyidul Am and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yacob is the deputy,” said Takiyuddin. According to the PAS constitution, the Mursyidul Am appointment is made every five years.... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/12/Haron-is-new-PAS-spiritual-adviser-Appointment-foils-Hawaii-FiveO-gangs-plan-to-elevate-Hadi/
9 March 2015: PR opposition splits on Sarawak as DAP claims 30 seats - takes a dig at PKR and others who have not done their groundwork
Sarawak Pakatan tested further as DAP eyes 30 seats BY DESMOND DAVIDSON Published: 9 March 2015 6:37 PM DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen says the party is justified in its declaration to contest 30 seats in the upcoming state election without consulting PKR or PAS. – The Malaysian Insider pic, March 9, 2015.Sarawak DAP pushed the uneasy opposition alliance in the state over the edge yesterday with a declaration to contest 30 seats in the upcoming state election without consulting its Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners – PKR and PAS. The number of seats suggested doubled the ones DAP had contested in the 2011 state polls. Its state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said, after the party's state committee meeting in Kuching, that the numbers were justified because the party had done its constituency work in areas it intended to contest..... “For the moment, we will concentrate on the groundwork in 30 areas that we have identified. “For DAP, it has always been a policy that we will contest in areas that we have worked on to lay our foundation and (which) we are confident of delivering,” Chong said. Brushing aside seat allocation negotiation, Chong said there is no point saying “I want to contest in this area, I want to contest in that area” without doing the groundwork, a subtle reference to PKR getting a lion share of seats but was whipped in both state and parliamentary elections. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/uneasy-opposition-alliance-tested-further-with-sarawak-dap-to-contest-30-se#sthash.9fl3eyoq.dpuf
9 March 2015: Attacks against PAS senior members Dr Dzul and Dr Hatta and continued leadership silence on violent incidents amid PAS internal strife; PKR's KitaLawan rally gets surprise 10,000 turnout; attendees note limited support from PAS at rally (its red brigade not present) and key DAP Penang leaders could not attend PKR rally as they had to stay back to work / hand out RM100 to the elderly (Lim Guan Eng denies telling them to stay away from rally, and says some did travel to and fro..)
PAS leader questions silence of leaders after violent attacks against members BY ZULKIFLI SULONG, Analysis and Features Editor Published: 7 March 2015 4:36 PM ...Two days after PAS research director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was assaulted by unknown assailants outside his home in Shah Alam, the party’s elections director, who was also a victim of a violent crime, urged the party's leadership not to remain silent and allow such acts to perpetuate. Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli, whose car was torched last month, said he was concerned that when there was silence over the matter, the culprits would get the impression that their acts were condoned. "If there is continued silence, they will climb on our heads, especially when there is no signal from the top leadership.... "Silence means, please continue, so leaders need to be firm," said Dr Hatta, who is believed to be directing his comments to the leadership, especially president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who has yet to comment on the incidents happening within the party.... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pas-leader-questions-silence-of-top-leadership-after-violent-attacks-agains#sthash.U326YPcS.dpuf
Despite political fatigue, #KitaLawan’s 10k turnout commendable, say analysts BY EILEEN NG Published: 7 March 2015 8:06 PM; Pakatan Rakyat's ability to pull in a 10,000 crowd to its #KitaLawan rally today is commendable, say analysts, despite the opposition pact’s dented image due to incessant spats among its allies, lack of endorsement from the PAS leadership, and with Malaysians weary of politics and preoccupied with the rising cost of living. Although this number is far from the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets during the 1998 Reformasi demonstrations to protest against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sacking from the federal government and in Bersih’s 2012 rally calling for free and fair elections, observers said today's turnout was telling as it managed to attract younger Malaysians to take part. The youth form an important voting bloc, especially since about 450,000 Malaysians turn 21 each year and some 70% of the estimated 4.2 unregistered voters are between the ages of 21 and 40. ... y's protest was in support of the jailed Opposition leader and to call for resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.... http://www.
#KitaLawan protest attracts the angry, the creative and the nonchalant BY ANISAH SHUKRY Published: 7 March 2015 8:51 PM; Amid the chants of 'Reformasi' and 'Undur Najib' at today's #KitaLawan rally outside Sogo in Kuala Lumpur, one tiny, elderly woman could be seen shuffling among the crowd, angrily smacking the banners held up within her reach. "Stop it!" she cried in Malay, her dark, wrinkled face pulled into a scowl, as she tried to grab a nearby protester. "You're being a menace!"....With the exception of the woman, the mood among the thousands who turned up today was largely festive, and their spirits remained unperturbed even as the evening wore on and it began raining intermittently. The creativity of Malaysians was on full display today as an effigy of Najib could be spotted among the crowd, as well as large cardboard puppets depicting a variety of animals.... http://www.
Guan Eng denies telling Penang Pakatan reps to stay away from #KitaLawan rally By Opalyn Mok Published: March 7, 2015 02:11 PM...GEORGE TOWN, March 7 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has denied warning Pakatan Rakyat (PR) elected representatives against taking part in the Kita Lawan rally today. He explained that some of the PR assemblyman, including himself, could not attend the rally in Kuala Lumpur today because they had to be in Penang for a state-organised senior citizens’ appreciation programme. “Yesterday, I did say some of them would be travelling to and fro like Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, but this was not reported,” he claimed, and blamed media controlled by the Barisan Nasional coalition for allegedly “twisting” his words... http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/guan-eng-denies-telling-penang-pakatan-reps-to-stay-away-from-kitalawan-ral#sthash.JAerSY7w.dpuf
24 Feb 2015: PAS Sec-Gen says Wan Azizah has chance to be opposition leader, PAS conservatives vs progressives tussle
Wan Azizah has chance to be opposition leader, says PAS BY ZULKIFLI SULONG, FEATURES AND ANALYSIS EDITOR Published: 24 February 2015 6:59 AM; Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will have to contest the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in Penang which fell vacant when her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was convicted of sodomy if she is to be appointed opposition leader. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 24, 2015.Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will have to contest the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in Penang which fell vacant when her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was convicted of sodomy if she is to be appointed opposition leader. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 24, 2015.PAS's rejection of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as Selangor menteri besar is not going to affect her chances of being picked as the new parliamentary opposition leader, said PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/wan-azizah-has-chance-to-be-opposition-leader-says-pas?google_editors_picks=true
Audio proof of Mat Sabu plotting to unseat Hadi being circulated BY ZULKIFLI SULONG, FEATURES AND ANALYSIS EDITOR Published: 23 February 2015 4:00 PM The simmering war between PAS conservatives and progressives went up a notch today with the circulation of an audio clip purportedly of PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu planning to unseat party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. The revelation comes after another expose of party election strategist Hatta Ramli also allegedly planning the same through the WhatsApp chat app. The recording was uploaded onto the Facebook page of Tuc Tok Usin Ceroi, who attacked Mohamad for being a "traitor". Tuc Tok Usin Ceroi is an account popular among the pro-Ulama group in PAS. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/audio-proof-circulated-of-mat-sabu-plotting-to-unseat-hadi?google_editors_picks=true#sthash.xnlHVzUZ.dpuf
22 February 2015: Nurul Nuha Anwar seeking justice for her father
Nurul Nuha Anwar committed to free father, driven by injustice against him BY ELIZABETH ZACHARIAH Published: 22 February 2015 7:00 AM Slightly more than 16 years ago, when her famous father was first incarcerated, Nurul Nuha Anwar, then only 15, was confused and heartbroken. Fast-forward to 2015, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is bundled off to jail again, but this time Nuha the adult is seething with rage as she seeks justice for him. In an interview with The Malaysian Insider recently, the 31-year-old mother of two cut a spirited figure, in contrast to the grief-stricken person she was on February 10 when the Federal Court decided to uphold her father's conviction and five-year jail sentence for sodomy. "Back in 1999, I was only 15 and very confused, wondering why this was happening to my family. My sisters were really young at that time," she said, referring to when Anwar was convicted for corruption, following his sacking from his position as deputy prime minister the previous year.... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/nurul-nuha-anwar-committed-to-free-father-driven-by-injustice-against-him#sthash.J6D1aiRk.dpuf
16 February 2015: Tussle for PR opposition leader post to come? Utusan complains that "Anwar not only has a sexual criminal offence but also inviting the meddling of foreign powers, an offence which is far bigger..."
PKR wants to hold on to post by wani muthiah Updated: Monday February 16, 2015 MYT 7:52:44 AM, KLANG: While some in the DAP want the party to take over the Opposition Leader’s post, PKR leaders are not that happy to let go of it.... PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh said the party had a special role to play in Pakatan Rakyat and deserved to keep the job. “We play a unifying role in Pakatan,” said Fuziah, who is the Kuantan MP. She said PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, being the party’s most senior leader in Parliament, should assume the post.... Azmin said the need to appoint a new Opposition Leader had not arisen yet, as jailed PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was still holding the post..... Anwar’s Permatang Pauh seat will be declared vacant by the Election Commission soon, as the Federal Court rejected his appeal against his sodomy conviction..... Meanwhile, there is speculation that the DAP is also gunning for the post. According to sources, although the party’s veteran MPs are not adamant over the post going to the DAP, some of its younger elected representatives feel otherwise. They feel that since the DAP holds the most number of seats among Pakatan in Parliament, the post should go to it. The DAP holds 37 seats in Parliament compared to PKR’s 28 and PAS’ 21......
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/02/16/PKR-wants-to-hold-on-to-post-We-deserve-to-keep-Opposition-Leaders-job-says-party-vicepresident/
Utusan likens US criticism of Anwar case to sodomy - Several countries, including the US, Australia and Canada, have expressed concern and disappointment over Anwar’s trial; KUALA LUMPUR — The United States is continuing to meddle in Malaysia’s domestic politics with its views on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, the Utusan Malaysia said in an editorial piece yesterday, which compared America’s action to “sodomising” the country’s legal and judiciary systems.
In a Sunday column by its editors, the Malay-language newspaper owned by the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party also tore into Anwar, pronouncing him guilty not only of sodomy but also of inviting the interference of foreign powers..... “Big powers such as the US wants to now ‘sodomise’ our legal and judiciary systems although the majority of Malaysians agreed with the court’s decision,” said Awang Selamat, the pseudonym used by Utusan editors.... “For Awang, Anwar not only has a sexual criminal offence but also inviting the meddling of foreign powers, an offence which is far bigger. Our sovereignty cannot be substituted.”.... http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/utusan-likens-us-criticism-anwar-case-sodomy?singlepage=true
14 February 2015: PAS leader's car torched amidst accusations of factions conspiring to topple party president Hadi Awang and ulama leadership?
Senior PAS leader’s 4WD torched Updated: Saturday February 14, 2015 MYT 4:19:10 PM
PETALING JAYA: A senior PAS leader recently accused of conspiring against the party president found his four-wheel drive vehicle in flames outside his residence in Hulu Klang on Saturday morning.... Hatta, who is also a PAS central committee member, has been at the centre of controversy after being accused by certain quarters in the party of conspiring to topple party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.... Last Sunday, a group of Hadi’s supporters protested outside the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut calling ahead of the central working committee meeting.... They submitted a memorandum calling for Hatta’s resignation, and naming several other PAS leaders said to be in cahoots to topple the president and the ulama leadership.... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/02/14/pas-car-torched/
Ibrahim Ali incurs netizens' wrath over remarks on Nik Aziz by akil yunus AND victoria brown Updated: Friday February 13, 2015 MYT 9:14:17 PM; PETALING JAYA: Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali (pic) angered netizens on Friday after he appeared to criticise late PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.... In a statement on Friday offering his condolences to Nik Aziz’s family, Ibrahim accused the former Kelantan Mentri Besar of failing to develop the state and falling short in his bid to implement hudud in the state... The original posting has since been removed, but not before social media users tore into Ibrahim for being insensitive....
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/02/13/Ibrahim-Ali-Nik-Aziz/
13 February 2015: Niz Aziz - “He passed away on Thursday night. Hope Allah will bless his soul
and he will be among the pious in Heaven ” PAS said. Malaysia opposition loses Nik Aziz, a strong advocate of an opposition alliance who said he would "spit in the face" of any PAS leader forming an alliance with UMNO
Death of Nik Aziz deals fresh blow to Malaysian opposition - Effect on opposition uncertain with one less figure to hold PAS, PR together, says analyst Published: 4:13 AM, February 13, 2015; KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s political opposition, already suffering from the jailing of leader Anwar Ibrahim, received another blow when veteran party spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat died yesterday. He was 84.... Mr Nik Aziz, who led the Islamist opposition Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) and was former Kelantan chief minister, died at his home in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru last night, PAS officials said.... “He passed away on Thursday night. Hope Allah will bless his soul and he will be among the pious in Heaven,” the party said in a statement on its Facebook page.... While it is too early to tell what its effect will be on the political alliance, analysts previously said there would be an impact on both PAS and PR.... “His distrust of UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) decided the course of Malaysian politics to a very large extent, along with his reputation for being a clean-living, humble and principled person,” Dr Ooi Kee Beng, deputy director of Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, said in an earlier interview. UMNO is the largest party in Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional (BN) ruling coalition.... Mr Nik Aziz had been the strongest advocate of the PR alliance since its formation in 2008, and also rejected all possibility of PAS cooperating with UMNO.... He had once warned he would spit in the face of any PAS leader who wished to form an alliance with the ruling Malay party, having personally experienced the bitterness of leading PAS after UMNO ejected it from the ruling BN coalition.... http://www.todayonline.com/world/death-nik-aziz-deals-fresh-blow-malaysian-opposition?singlepage=true
Analysts have been and continue to watch for signs of policy and opinion trend lines between PAS and UMNO, especially since the Selangor Menteri Besar tussle. One of the key things to look out for is the redelienation exercise. BN/UMNO is strong in the semi-urban and rural sector, able to secure a good majority despite losing the popular vote to the opposition coalition (and lost most of its seats in the urban sector). Despite this success in the May 2013 General Election, the Pakatan Rakyat / opposition coalition has ben rendered asunder (inter party and intra-party) since with no leaders meeting in over six months, until the eve of Anwar Ibrahim's 5 year jail sentence for sodomy.
No objection from Sarawak PAS as deadline on redelineation passes BY DESMOND DAVIDSON Published: 4 February 2015 6:25 PM; Sarawak PAS is the only opposition party to have missed the deadline to file any objection against the Election Commission's proposed redelineation of the state's electoral map.... The party met last Saturday, a mere five days to the 4.30pm deadline of submission today, to scrutinise the EC's proposal and piece together their objections. PAS state commissioner Adam Ahid, when contacted today, said that they had planned to file an objection on how the electoral boundary to the Sadong Jaya state seat was drawn but could not find the 100 voters needed to validify the objection. ... The support of 100 voters in the constituency is a mandatory requirement.... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/no-objection-from-sarawak-pas-as-deadline-on-redelineation-passes#sthash.Q2fx9xDx.dpuf
A legal specialist contact (from outside Malaysia) said much the same to me the other night - that the legal . He felt the legal points were made and the key issue is in the evidence from the police..... that the hands (of the 5 judges) were tied, and it was the facts not the law that did Anwar in, but some lawyers point out the judges ignored key evidence and credibility issues.
Shafee throws down the gauntlet to Anwar’s supporters By Farrah Naz Karim and Hidir Reduan - 13 February 2015 @ 1:00 PM; KUALA LUMPUR: THE man who on Tuesday secured Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction for sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, threw down the gauntlet to those questioning the merits of the win, and to argue their case with him, purely on facts.... Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, the lead prosecutor in the sodomy case, singled out several parties he said had taken been taking potshots from the periphery of the case to cast aspersions over the Federal Court’s decision to uphold the Court of Appeal’s decision to sentence conviction Anwar to of and the five years’ jail term for Anwar.... http://www.nst.com.my/node/72823
Senior Aussie lawyer says judges in Anwar trial ignored evidence Published: 14 February 2015 3:43 PM; A senior Australian advocate who attended the recent Federal Court proceeding of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy appeal has criticised the guilty verdict, saying the judges ignored key evidence and credibility issues surrounding the complainant. "In reaching these conclusions the court rejected or ignored the evidence that raised serious doubts about the reliability of so-called independence evidence and the credibility of the complainant," said Queen's Council, Mark Trowell. Trowell, who wrote a book on the case, observed the trial on behalf of Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union, LAWASIA and the Law Council of Australia..... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/senior-aussie-lawyer-says-judges-in-anwar-trial-ignored-evidence#sthash.GPJ7LZy8.dpuf
11 February 2015: Losing Anwar a blow, but can opposition reorient around principles instead of personalities and tame Islamic extremists? Bloomberg editorial.
Conclusion and suggestion: Losing the charismatic Anwar will be at least a temporary blow to his fractious coalition. But if party leaders can reorient themselves around principles instead of personalities -- and tame the Islamic extremists in their own camp -- they will greatly strengthen their appeal as a viable alternative to the ruling coalition. Whatever their politics, Malaysians would benefit from a genuine contest of ideas....
Malaysia's Politics of Intolerance By The Editors Feb 10, 2015 6:45 PM EST; The five-year jail sentence imposed today on Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim effectively ends his political career. The greater loss, however, will be to Malaysia's politics and economy if Prime Minister Najib Razak's intolerance continues.... Najib's government has greatly increased its use of the Malaysian courts for essentially political ends; according to Amnesty International, since 2013 at least 44 people have been investigated, charged or convicted under the colonial-era Sedition Act, which Najib once promised to repeal. (Anwar's conviction was for sodomy, though the case was highly politicized.) The prime minister has given Malaysians all too much reason to doubt the credibility of their judiciary.... Najib's broader efforts to shore up his political position are dragging the country backward. Buffeted by criticism from former Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad for his stewardship of 1MDB -- a government investment fund with murky finances -- he has sought to placate hard-liners within the ruling party with retrograde policies. He's redoubled support for racial preferences for Malay citizens and businesses and urged government-linked companies to give more contracts to ethnic Malays "on merit." He hasn't decisively confronted a rising tide of Islamism, nor rebuked one of his ministers who called for a boycott of Chinese-owned businesses.... As commodity prices plunge around the world, the country desperately needs to move further into downstream production in everything from energy to palm oil. It needs to spur entrepreneurship to invigorate its services sector..... Now, with Anwar deposed and new elections not due until 2018, Najib may feel he has more to fear from his own hard-liners than from the opposition.... Losing the charismatic Anwar will be at least a temporary blow to his fractious coalition. But if party leaders can reorient themselves around principles instead of personalities -- and tame the Islamic extremists in their own camp -- they will greatly strengthen their appeal as a viable alternative to the ruling coalition. Whatever their politics, Malaysians would benefit from a genuine contest of ideas.... http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-02-10/malaysian-opposition-needs-to-regroup-to-fight-najib
Penang Umno: We’re ready for Permatang Pauh by-election Published: February 10, 2015 08:45 PM : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/penang-umno-were-ready-for-permatang-pauh-by-election#sthash.o02dwTbJ.dpuf
10 February 2015: Anwar convicted for 5 years in "sodomy II" after losing final appeal, who will be new Pakatan Rakyat / opposition coalition leader?
Sodomy II: Pakatan Rakyat to meet tonight; Updated: Tuesday February 10, 2015 MYT 3:40:00 PM
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat leaders are expected to deliberate the future of the alliance following Federal Court's conviction to sentence Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim five years behind bars for sodomy.... DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said the emergency meeting would be held after a fundraising dinner for flood victims organised by PAS at MBPJ Civic Centre tonight.
"However, the question on who is taking over (the opposition leader position) can only be decided at a Pakatan leadership council meeting," said the Seremban MP when contacted.... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/02/10/Sodomy-2-Pakatan-Rakyat-to-decide/
8 February 2015: Anwar's last PR Leadership Council (first in about 6 months); facing sodomy final appeal ruling on 10 Feb
Will this be Anwar's last PR Leadership Council meeting? by Astro Awani | Updated: February 08, 2015; Mustafa when met by reporters, said the meeting is expected to discuss various issues including hudud implementation in Kelantan and local council elections in Penang. KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council today began with all top leaders of the pact attending the much awaited meeting. The meeting was among others, attended by DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Gobind Singh Deo and PAS leaders Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Datuk Mustafa Ali.... Mustafa when met by reporters, said the meeting is expected to discuss various issues including hudud implementation in Kelantan and local council elections in Penang. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who arrived at 1.57pm at the PAS headquarters for the meeting, will know his fate on his sodomy case on Tuesday. The Federal Court will announce the much-awaited verdict on Anwar's final appeal against his conviction and five-year jail sentence for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, seven years ago.... http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/will-be-anwars-last-pr-leadership-council-meeting-53563?cp
6 February 2015: DAP continues to push for local council polls suspended 50 years ago, expects majority of local councilors would be Malay - DAP eyes 10% of local councils (based on its analysis of majority non-Malay units)?
Political parties with big war chests and political ground troops would also be better able to contest. This would help push the ante on political parties gathering more funds - which is widely perceived to be linked to land development projects, whether for property, agro-forestry etc. The question of political party funding is therefore quite linked to the idea of having more elections that will surely cost more.
Impossible for Malays to lose political power in local council polls, forum told BY SHERIDAN MAHAVERA Published: 6 February 2015 8:55 AM; It would be impossible for Malays to lose political power if elections for local authorities were to be reinstated as they form the majority in 90% of all city, municipal and district councils in the country, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang told a forum in Kuala Lumpur last night. He said if local government elections were brought back after being suspended 50 years ago, it is estimated that an overwhelming majority of local councillors would be Malay. This feature of the country’s demographics, which was revealed at the forum titled, “Will local government elections erode Malay rights”, negates the argument put forth by Umno, Malay supremacists and some PAS leaders that local government elections would worsen ethnic divisions..... Lim said that of the 150 local governments in the country, only three or 2% had Chinese-majority populations. "About 13 local authorities had plural populations where no race formed a clear majority," said Lim, who is also Gelang Patah MP...... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/impossible-for-malays-to-lose-political-power-in-local-council-polls-forum#sthash.ETDUo5OS.dpuf
5 February 2015: Dr Mahathir fears annual flooding unless deforestation is halted, says Malaysia needs reduce illegal felling and also reduce legal logging - a Kelantan flood disaster critique
Note: The recent flood may be one of the large impacts of the policy for small-scale logging / agro-forestry projects. Specialists note that the small sizes mean that EIA / environmental impact analysis is not required.
Dr Mahathir: Malaysia can do without logging by neville spykerman Updated: Thursday February 5, 2015 MYT 7:58:18 AM; KEPONG: Authorities should not only look to reducing the illegal felling of trees but logging in general if they want to avoid devastating floods, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.... He feared the floods would be an annual occurrence if nothing was done to stop deforestation.... “We have many sources of wealth in the country which do not cause environmental degradation and if we reduce even legal logging we will stand to benefit more,” he said when unveiling the National Heritage plaque at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).... Dr Mahathir said that deforestation was a main cause of the devastating east coast floods recently. “Of course there are other factors (that cause the floods) but this is one of them,” he said..... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/02/05/Dr-Mahathir-Malaysia-can-do-without-logging/
1 February 2015: Selangor controversial Kidex project not in MBPJ council plan (but obviously must have been supported by key politicians??); Anwar appeals for Pakatan Rakyat unity (council has not met in over 6 months).
Council did not scrap Kidex, state has final say, says PJ councillor BY MELATI A. JALIL Published: 1 February 2015 4:09 PM The greenlight for the Kidex Highway lies with the Selangor state government despite facing strong opposition from residents in the affected areas. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 1, 2015.The final decision on the controversial Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) lies with the Selangor state government, said Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Lee Suet Sen, as the deadline approaches for the highway developer to meet the three conditions set by the state. Lee said MBPJ only decided not to include the project in the draft plan for the city, following an analysis by an independent consultant on the matter. “The decision of the full council meeting in February last year stays... MBPJ has rejected Kidex to be included in the local plan then,” he said, adding that there is no indication to insert the project into the draft plan. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/council-did-not-scrap-kidex-state-has-final-say-says-pj-councillor#sthash.aqSyJUVa.dpuf
Anwar appeals for Pakatan unity ahead of sodomy verdict on February 10 BY JAMILAH KAMARUDIN Published: 1 February 2015 11:33 AM PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says all Pakatan Rakyat parties must come together for a discussion before February 10, when the Federal Court is due to deliver its verdict on his sodomy appeal. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, February 1, 2015.With uncertainty over the Federal Court's verdict on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's second sodomy case, the opposition leader today appealed to DAP and PAS to stop their public bickering over issues and find solutions. The PKR de facto leader said all Pakatan Rakyat parties must come together for a discussion before February 10, when the apex court is due to deliver its verdict on his sodomy appeal. "I appeal to them, be patient and bring all disputes to the discussion table. We ought to meet before February 10.... "Unfortunately, we still don't have an agreement on the date," he said after speaking at an international youth conference in Kuala Lumpur today. Allies DAP and PAS have been in a media war over first, implementation of hudud or Islamic penal code, and lately, over restoring local council elections. The PR leadership council also has not met in more than six months. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anwar-appeals-for-pakatan-unity-ahead-of-sodomy-verdict-on-february-10#sthash.35YxV9Xt.dpuf
19 January 2015: Malaysia flood 2014 - deforestation question examined
On the front page of The Sun today (image of Gua Musang area, Kelantan):
Youtube on deforestation seen in Google Maps for Kelantan: http://youtu.be/lvT64KtUEcM; Published on Dec 29, 2014... Kemusnahan hutan di Kelantan untuk tujuan Pembalakan atau Pertanian adalah dalam skala yang begitu dahsyat sekali. Kemusnahan kawasan tadahan semulajadi ini tidak dapat kita nafikan merupakan salah satu punca kepada banjir. Video ini saya rakam dari google earth menyusuri dari sungai kelantan di kota bharu naik ke hulu sehingga ke Lojing bersempadan dengan Perak.
12 January 2015: PAS reminds DAP it needs Malay and rural vote for wider electoral success
DAP will not succeed without us, says PAS by Malaysiakini 12:17PM Jan 12, 2015
As an emboldened DAP appears ready to burn bridges with PAS over various disagreements including hudud, the Islamic party today reminded DAP that it cannot win the federal government alone..... http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/286058
5 January 2015: Kuala Krai badly hit, volunteer points to lack of central crisis coordination
In KL, we heard from a friend whose company's business had to shut about 10 branchhes during the floods - Gua Musang and Kuala Krai were worse, with the Kuala Krai branch flooded to the ceiling (look at the flood water line in the picture in the Malaysian Insider piece below). Also, a relative with business near Gua Musang received on-the-ground reports of flood waters rising 3 feet per hour at one stage.
Not just another monsoon: where is the leadership? BY JULES ONG, SPECIAL TO THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER Published: 5 January 2015........On the stretch from Gua Musang to Kuala Krai, the disaster got increasingly worse from Manek Urai onwards. About 30km into Kuala Krai town, the extent of the damaged revealed itself in greater severity on either side of the road. Houses swept away with only foundations and their cement stairs left. Further down, mounds of debris of what used to be homes. Trees uprooted, palm oil plantations destroyed. River banks that was inundated left dead and decaying trees all covered in silt. Everything was the yellow ocher colour of silt... She said in Kuala Krai, the current was so strong, their boats to bring aid in had capsized. That corresponded with what we saw after the water subsided – the extent of the damage caused by forceful moving mass of water. If it had come from the sea, it would have been called a tsunami. What I saw with my own eyes reminded me of post-tsunami in Aceh.... Kuala Krai town looked bombed out. It was covered in silt, and stank in some stretches. No water, no electricity. Shops were damaged, goods destroyed by water and silt. Mounts of debris and discarded items piled on the roadside. People were not sure whether to clean up or to wait for the next wave of floods. Again, there was no information of what to expect and how to respond. Elected representatives appeared to be more interested in showing themselves holding babies, delivering sacks of rice with their faces on them, rather than providing much-needed central coordination and useful information. In such a situation, a normal, functioning government would create a central crisis coordination centre that would provide (or attempt to provide as best it can)... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/not-just-another-monsoon-where-is-the-leadership#sthash.ana2Vmvu.dpuf
4 January 2015: Flood disaster aid distribution questions. Land deals impacts for Geography 101 analysis of the flood? Hudud angst roils opposition with an open war of words.
The flood has been tragic and exacted a great toll on key parts of the east coast states of the Peninsula. It is possible that studies of land deals (and the key land brokers), satellite imagery of land conversion impacts, infrastructure (including drainage systems and siltation thereof) will emerge over time - studies of the human contribution to the flood severity. It is a fact that Malaysian state revenues are quite dependent on land deals / development projects. Land matters are entirely in the hands of state authorities.
As in many human disaster situations, the war of words starts early on. This has the added twists of racial-religious politics. A PAS leader has said the flooding tragedy in his state is a message from above to push for hudud (strict penalties in an Islamic criminal justice system). This was supposed to go to a special state legislature vote on 29 December 2014 - but it was prevented by the flood situation. (Some say this may also be considered a message from above NOT to proceed with the hudud vote...; "PAS's Pakatan Rakyat ally DAP has warned that ties with the Islamist party will further deteriorate if it was adamant about convening the state assembly sitting, with veteran opposition leader Lim Kit Siang saying he did not see any reason to attend future meetings of the coalition. PKR, on the other hand, said it had yet to decide whether to support the amendment, and preferred to first see the draft...." - refer to newslink below). Others question stewardship and governing ability in the flood disaster.
Donation info:
We also added some essential items donated at our local shopping mall collection for flood victim relief help.
Here's some more info from news website....
Malaysians respond to flood relief call Updated: Sunday December 28, 2014 MYT 7:32:46 AM;
The collection is from 9.30am to 5.30pm daily at Menara Star at Phileo Damansara 2, Jalan 16/11 here.... Other collection centres are at the Firefly Biz Lounge in Skypark Subang Terminal and Firefly airport ticketing centres at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Baru and the Penang International Airport.... The victims urgently need mats, blankets, towels, diapers, sanitary pads, cooking oil, bottled water, milk powder, sugar, rice and canned food. Donors are advised to label the boxes or bags of the items in the boxes that they drop off at the collection centres.... Cheques and bank drafts should be addressed to “Malaysian Red Crescent Society” and marked “The Star-MRCS-Firefly Relief Fund” on the back or bank transfers to Malaysian Red Crescent Society Maybank account 5144-2210-7228.... For updates on The Star’s collection centre and the relief fund, log on to www.thestar.com.my; http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/12/28/Malaysians-respond-to-flood-relief-call/
News links:
In Temerloh, villagers ‘not on the list’ appeal to NGOs for supplies as village chiefs cherry pick recipients BY MELISSA CHI Published: January 3, 2015 04:02 PM; While authorities handling the rescue and aid distribution operations in Temerloh said they have enough resources to send supplies to evacuees as well as those trapped in their houses, hiccups at the village level are preventing some families from receiving them.... Housewife Hashimah Abdul Halim from Kampung Lubuk Kawah said ample supplies had been given to the village chief to be distributed but her family as well as many others did not receive any as their names were “not on the list”. “Thank god we have enough supplies as aid was sent in about three times since the flooding began. “But most of the time they were from NGOs. The government only sent once and they only gave us one kilo of rice,” she told Malay Mail Online outside her home yesterday.... Abdul Razak Hassan from Kampung Baru Bintang said yesterday was the second day of cleaning the house and his four children, including a 14-month-old baby, wife and mother who is in her 70s will finally get to sleep there after being away for six days. The 39-year-old said his family had barely enough to eat on the first day at the evacuation centre but supplies began to flow steadily after that. He even got some supplies to take home with him when he left yesterday. He noted though that the clean-up process would be challenging as all the ATM machines in Temerloh are still underwater and the nearest petrol station had run out of gas. “I have to get a ride to Jengka or Kuantan to get supplies,” he said.... http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/in-temerloh-villagers-not-on-the-list-appeal-to-ngos-for-supplies-as-villag#sthash.zTGcctHP.dpuf
source: screenshot of Malay Mail website page, http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/kelantan-government-postpones-hudud-sitting-as-flood-crisis-worsens
Kelantan postpones hudud sitting as floods worsen Published: 27 December 2014 Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob says a new date for the special sitting will be announced later. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, December 27, 2014.Worsening floods have prompted the Kelantan government to postpone the state legislative assembly's special sitting on Monday to pave the way for the enforcement of hudud in the state, The Star reported. Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob made the announcement today, and said all assemblymen were busy assisting their constituents affected by the floods in their respective areas, the daily reported. He said a new date for the sitting would be announced later.... Monday's sitting was planned to amend Kelantan's Shariah Criminal Code Enactment II, part of a move to pave the way for a private member's bill in Parliament in order to enforce the Islamic penal code in the east coast state.....PAS's Pakatan Rakyat ally DAP has warned that ties with the Islamist party will further deteriorate if it was adamant about convening the state assembly sitting, with veteran opposition leader Lim Kit Siang saying he did not see any reason to attend future meetings of the coalition. PKR, on the other hand, said it had yet to decide whether to support the amendment, and preferred to first see the draft.... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/kelantan-postpones-hudud-sitting-as-floods-worsen#sthash.DFkQhz7M.dpuf
A note to self-righteous politicians – Hannah Yeoh; Published: 2 January 2015;... Recently, when an MP claimed that the east coast floods were intended to remind the people about the necessity to impose hudud, my heart cannot be more stirred. No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived the plans of God for Malaysia.... How can anyone say with absolute certainty that disasters (whether man-made or otherwise) are God’s wrath to punish mankind? What if it is just a case of bad stewardship? As though it is not enough when leaders use racial politics to conceal corruption, it is more appalling when God is used as an excuse to justify leaders’ inability to govern..... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/a-note-to-self-righteous-politicians-hannah-yeoh#sthash.a8E4IwEk.dpuf
MetMalaysia: Monsoon surge to hit Malaysia next week Published: January 3, 2015 08:47 PM
This aerial view shows houses and plantations submerged in floodwaters in Pengkalan Chepa, near Kota Baru, Kelantan, on December 28, 2014..... KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) anticipates monsoon surge to begin on January 7 or 8, with possible continuous heavy rainfall up to three days over certain states, especially Johor, Sabah and Sarawak....
3 January 2015: In aftermath of floods some urge PAS-UMNO unity
Curb ethnic Chinese power with PAS-Umno unity government in Kelantan, says ex-CJ Published: January 3, 2015 11:52 AM; KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 — The heavy floods in Kelantan should spur the state government, led by PAS to unite with its Malay brethren in Umno to curb the alleged rise of Chinese political power, according to former Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad. In a letter penned to Utusan Malaysia, Abdul Hamid said PAS should emulate Acheh’s move to co-operate with Jakarta after the northern Sumatran province — which was fighting for an independent Islamic state — was hit by a tsunami in 2006, resulting in the death of close to one million people...... Abdul Hamid said the PAS-Umno rivalry split the Malays and gave minorities, especially the Chinese, the chance to exploit the situation. “In essence, because of Malay division, the non-Malays, especially the Chinese, are consolidating their political power”. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/curb-ethnic-chinese-power-with-pas-umno-unity-government-in-kelantan-says-e#sthash.hM2Vy6J5.dpuf
Ku Li, enough of talk, be part of the solution Malaysiakini (subscription) - 4 hours ago
YOURSAY ‘Make 2015 an exemplary year of at least one good BN leader.’ Telestai!: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Ku Li) is one of the very few Umno politicians willing to face the truth. The country is indeed going backwards because Umno is desperately clinging on to power by resorting to the 3R politics (race, religion and royalty)..... http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/285208
3 January 2015: Malay Unity and the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition problem - 2015 outlook
Since 2008, DAP has seen successful expansionism and electoral gains. In contrast, political analysts widely report that there is a ground feeling within PAS of dissatisfaction: it has not gained enough while being part of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition coalition. Some feel it has subjugated its Islamic principles and policies for a lacklustre national electoral performance. PAS won 23 parliamentary seats in 2008 and in 2013 they had 21; DAP had 28 seats in 2008 and it moved aggressively up to get 38 seats in the 2013 national polls. PKR had 31 in 2008 and dipped to 30 in 2013. The success of DAP has significantly outpaced that of its partners. This has indirectly raised concerns. Such numbers matter. This has allowed PAS hard-liners to argue a return to more Islamic thinking. However, if this happens, there is concern that they could end up with its pre-2008 national political outcomes. Could it return itself to a purely single northern state party? PAS had 8 parliamentary seats in 2004. The challenge for PR is how PKR and PAS can gain seats. In the touchy multi-ethnic plural society of Malaysia, having a more equal balance of power within the PR opposition matters a lot.
Malay Unity talk is out there. Analysts also reckon there is a risk that the electoral boundary redelineation may attract individual parties to try to expand their seat numbers via this method. One of the anticipated risky moves mooted is PAS seeking more rural seats in a deal by voting in Parliament with Barisan Nasional (BN)/UMNO to increase total Parliamentary seats. Currently BN can count on 134 seats but needs 147 seats (the minimum required 2/3rd majority in a 222 Parliament) to amend the Federal Constitution to increase Parliamentary seats. However, analyst thinking is that this move may earn PAS a token handful of new rural seats, but PAS would then be at risk to the loss of its urban seats from urban voters backlash (i.e. a net loss). Bottom-line: the cost-benefit of any opposition party, especially PAS, making such a move may be negative for itself in particular, and the PR opposition coalition in general.
Furthermore, once BN / UMNO has gained what it needs out of the redelineation, it is likely to recalculate its partnerships. Key question: can BN component parties accept PAS as a formal/informal partner? Would Malay Unity (UMNO + PAS) over the upcoming redelineation be just an ephemeral convenience (for gain of BN/UMNO)? The feelings of the Sabah and Sarawak BN component parties (MCA regarded as irrelevant) will be of concern in this form of Malay Unity.
2015 will likely be a challenging year for the PR opposition coalition, already reeling from the Selangor Menteri Besar episode in late 2014 (read about it here: http://khoryuleng.blogspot.com/2014/07/malaysia-opposition-in-crisis.html). The irony of all this, is that a tough looking economic outlook for Malaysia in 2015: a) GST from April and lower bank credit growth (in 5-10% range from 15-20% in recent years; on a high level of household debt) is expected to challenge consumers and b) lower commodity prices impacts. All PR needs to do in 2015 is to run their states well / better and sit passively together to gain from potential economic headwinds and apparent Najib political woes within UMNO (in a "race, religion, royalty" mode?). However, politicians don't often make decisions that analysts expect. Let's see!
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