Pak Lah bersuara.....
Thursday, March 13, 2008
While I am honored to have been re-elected as prime minister of Malaysia and to have received a 63% majority of the 222 seats in Parliament in our just-completed general election, I am also disappointed that we fell a few seats short of the two-thirds majority we were hoping for.
For those who have in the past questioned the legitimacy of Malaysia's electoral process, the results of Saturday's election are proof positive that our country does indeed enjoy a free, fair and highly competitive democracy.
As there has been much speculation about the implications of our election results, I wish to offer clarity on three critically important points:
First, we have heard the voice of our citizens, and I will dedicate myself, in this second term, to healing the divisions which became evident during the campaign. That will mean developing new and concrete initiatives, not just rhetoric, that bring our people together and ensure that no one is left behind as Malaysia prospers, whether they are ethnic Malays, Chinese or Indians.
Second, we can achieve the above goal because our economy is indeed strong and stable, with a 7.3% GDP growth rate in the last quarter, nearly full employment, more than $100 billion in foreign exchange reserves, and a flood of foreign direct investment in manufacturing and services that last year reached a record $13.7 billion.
For the benefit of all of our citizens, I intend Malaysia to remain a business-friendly and free market economy with powerful attractions for international investors, who over the past 12 months have included General Electric of the United States, Britain's Virgin Group, and important groups from the Middle East and China.
Third, I intend to protect the stability and security of our nation. For all of our citizens to share in the prosperity and opportunities our economy is generating, we must also continue our work to eradicate crime and corruption. The people's desire for law and order is as important in Malaysia as it is everywhere. The same is true of the need to make additional progress in battling corruption, which is both immoral and distorts competition in free markets.
Although the size of our majority would be considered a landslide in most countries, the fact that it has significantly reduced and we have had setbacks in five of our 13 states indicates that we need to do more for those who feel disaffected. Although some quarters have called for me to step aside, my party has given me solid support to carry on our nation-building agenda, something for which I am grateful.
As with any election in any democratic country, there is debate, sometimes heated; there can be divisions, sometimes fierce; then people make their own choices and democratic politicians have to live with the outcome. What matters most is that governments listen as well as lead, and so I will work hard to create more of a national consensus following our national democratic conversation.
We are listening. I know there is discontent among some parts of our community. I accept it is our responsibility, as the newly reelected government of all Malaysians, to find practical solutions to ease that discontent, to listen to grievances and to seek to remedy them.
I have tried throughout my period in office to bring our country and our communities closer together. I have stood in firm opposition to those who have sought to divide us along racial, religious and ethnic lines. We are all Malaysians and we all must have a stake in building a progressive, united and cohesive country. This has always been my approach to government and politics. It is even more important now.
Some people took the opportunity when voting to voice a protest, as can happen in any democracy. We accept the result. That is what democracy is all about. The election results will not diminish for a moment our determination to grow the Malaysian economy, to continue our successful program of poverty eradication and to provide a level playing field for all.
After an election it is right to have a period of reflection; it is not a time for narrow introspection. Malaysia cannot afford a period of sitting back and risk stalling our progress and our economic growth.
We are in a changing global economy which itself is in increasingly challenging times. That is why, just as it is essential that we reflect internally on the lessons from these elections, it is vital that we look outward internationally to face and overcome the global challenges of economics, peace and international security.
Malaysia will continue to offer business-friendly policies and a welcoming environment for investors. I believe that Malaysia will continue its strong economic growth in 2008. Our vibrant economy and proven record of economic growth will help us prosper despite the economic slowdown and uncertainty in the U.S.
What we must now undertake is to move forward as one nation with a renewed sense of a bright future for all.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Tiffin Deli
330 am and I still cannot sleep. I slept at 7am yesterday and woke up at 1030am. I went shopping for hours and I'm supposed to be tired and sleeping macam batang kayu skang...I must say that I'm a bit annoyed. I doesnt matter how matter how many hours I sleep everyday, but I just cant sleep before 4am.
Anyway..
I went to the latest addition kat salisbury road yesterday, i.e. Tiffin Deli just out of curiosity. For no reason I had assumed that they only sell sweet2 stuff so x pnah masuk le before. So I got in, and they sell baguettes and other savoury stuff! I like this place already. More baguettes is exactly what Cathays needs.
The conversation I had with the tokey was interesting..
Me: Is the chicken halal?
He:Ye, yes, we do...The chicken that I buy has the arabic word on the box like the one that you see at front of other shops . It has the certificate issued by this imam. I'm not trying to fool you, its true. You know ham? I dont sell ham because its not halal. Many people asked me why I dont sell ham and told me that ham gives good money but I said cannot, I dont want to sell things that muslim customers cannot eat. Oh, and the things this side, I make them everyday using that oven over there. I buy the chicken from the shop next door (sheemal) so its halal.
I dont know ape bangsa this tokey, but he's not muslim. Terharu saya..
The shop has more than 10 different fillings! One beef and one prawn, the rest is every masakan chicken imaginable! I'm so happy! I'll probably go there again today. The baguettes at uni sucks, only has plain chicken, tuna/prawn mayo and veggie and Cafe 37 too lack variety.
An open letter to the DAP on Perak MB's appointment
Wednesday, March 12, 2008  |  |  |
| Posted by labisman | |
| Thursday, 13 March 2008 | |
| I am a Malaysian Chinese residing in Petaling Jaya and had voted for your party's candidates in the 12th GE. I had attended practically all your party's ceramahs in the PJU and nearby areas. In the ceramahs, your speakers had continuously stressed the importance of a multiracial government that takes care of its rakyat regardless of status, race and religion. It is therefore a great shock and disappointment to hear that the DAP is calling its Perak state assemblymen to boycott the swearing-in ceremony of the new Perak MB tomorrow just because the MB is from PAS. I feel very much let down by this decision. Firstly, your party calls for the establishment of a Malaysian Malaysia. Isn't PAS part of Malaysian Malaysia. Or are you telling us now that just because they are from PAS, they are not? Then in the first place, you should not have ask the voters, especially your supporters, to vote for the 'Bulan' knowing fully well it is referring to PAS. If you can ask voters, especially your supporters, to vote for PAS, then why can't your party now accept a PAS assemblyman to head the state government. I was led to believe that as long as a person is qualified, he will be supported. As many speakers said in your ceramahs, 'It doesn't matter whether it is a white cat or a black cat, as long as it is able to catch rat, it is a good cat.' Doesn't the same argument holds, whether the MB is from PAS, DAP or PKR, as long as he is able to look after the welfare of the rakyat, then he is a good MB. Secondly, if a candidate from PAS cannot be accepted by the DAP, then why in the first place you decide to set up a coalition government with them? The argument that you can cooperate with the six PAS assemblymen and yet can't accept a PAS member as the Perak MB does not hold water. Are you trying to fool us just like what the BN government had done over the last 50 years? Don't think that the public is stupid. How can we, the rakyat, trust you now when even before the state government is set up, you are already fighting among yourselves in the so-called 'Barisan Rakyat' coalition. Thirdly, your party's Perak state chairman Mr Ngeh Koo Ham had repeatedly said that DAP, PKR and PAS will abide by any decision made by the Sultan on the Perak MB. Now that a decision had been reached, you are going back on your words. As I recall from one of the speeches by Mr Gobind Singh Deo in SS2 on March 7 in which he said, "A politician must be responsible for what he said. After making a statement, he cannot then said that he is saying things in a sarcastic manner etc so as to deny his earlier statement." Mr Gobind Singh said this when commenting on Tun Mahathir's statement that when he said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was innocent, he was being sarcastic about it. The same standard should then be applied to all DAP party leaders and speakers. You must be responsible and accountable for what you say. When you said that you will accept the decision made by the Sultan, then you must stand by what you had said. Going back on your words now can only show that the BN is right and that your party leaders, especially Mr Lim Kit Siang, is only going after personal glory/power without any regard to the well-being of the rakyat and the party. DAP would then be just a party that is "cakap tak serupa bikin". Fourthly, your party has not come out with any reason for the rejection of the PAS assemblyman as the Perak MB. I, as a voter that voted for your party, demand to know the reason behind this decision. Your party had always stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in your election manifesto. Now, please 'walk the talk' by also being transparent and explain your decision to the public. Anything less would make you no better than the BN government which 50% of the peninsula rakyat had just rejected. Anything less would also guarantee that the rakyat would make their voices heard again in the next general election, voting against the DAP. There are many more reasons for my feeling of utter disgust and consternation for this decision made by your party's CEC. However, I will keep them to myself at this moment. On the morning of March 9, 2008, I truly believe that a new era has dawned on Malaysia as we are finally able to transcend race and religion in our efforts to make Malaysia the truly great country that she should be. A truly Malaysian Malaysia. Sadly, just three days later, that new era does not even have a chance to begin as the group of leaders that are supposed to lead us there are now fighting among themselves for whatever reasons best known to them. How can we move forward as a nation when we have leaders that are so selfish, egocentric and who don't practice what they preached? Is our country forever going to be mired in mediocrity amidst a culture of intolerance, suspicion, fear, corruption and cronyism? I sincerely thought that DAP is part of the future and a cure of our country's ills. However, this decision by your CEC had shown that DAP is a party of the past. It is already blinded by its election success and is no longer in touch with the aspirations of the rakyat to build a nation based on trust, integrity, tolerance, responsibility and accountability, regardless of status, race and religion. You had forgotten that the rakyat is the boss that voted for you and put you there to serve us. You had betrayed your voters and had rejected the rakyat's wish to move forward to form a Malaysian Malaysia. I rest my case. Teh Seng Hin |
Zakaria Deros dies of heart attack
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Former Port Klang State Assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros, 61, died of a heart attack at his “Istana Zakaria” early today.
A doctor who was called in to his palatial home pronounced him dead at 2.30am.
Zakaria last year hogged the headlines for the building of the 2 1/2-storey palatial mansion, which boasts 16 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms, built on 43,000 sq feet of land in Kampung Idaman.
Selangor Barisan Nasional dropped the controversial politician from the line-up for the general election. He was replaced by his daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil as the candidate for the seat, which she lost to Badrul Hisham Abdullah of PKR. - NST
KLSE suspended after 10% decline!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Because of the great uncertainties surrounding the Malaysian economy after the election upset, it's beginning to take toll on the stock market. Investors are now worried whether the current project/previously announced project will proceed under 'really much change' government. It is important for Pak Lah to announce his new cabinet in order to restore back the market confidence, and all the new opposition MBs will have to decide publicly whether there are going to continue the previous government initiatives.
Ustaz Azizan, the new Kedah MB already said in his press conference yesterday that under the new PAS-PKR alliance, they'll continue all the previous government projects, but they might consider back the expenditure of each project. This is a good sign and hopefully all other opposition states will follow the same path for the sake of the Nation. In addition, Bernama reported that Anwar Ibrahim told the new CM and MBs not to waste money and spend wisely. I think this is the right thing to do since recession just around the corner.
We have to be prepared before it hit us. Let's now pray for a unite opposition and a stronger government. InsyaAllah we'll survive through the rough ride.
Ustaz Azizan, the new Kedah MB already said in his press conference yesterday that under the new PAS-PKR alliance, they'll continue all the previous government projects, but they might consider back the expenditure of each project. This is a good sign and hopefully all other opposition states will follow the same path for the sake of the Nation. In addition, Bernama reported that Anwar Ibrahim told the new CM and MBs not to waste money and spend wisely. I think this is the right thing to do since recession just around the corner.
We have to be prepared before it hit us. Let's now pray for a unite opposition and a stronger government. InsyaAllah we'll survive through the rough ride.
The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Securities Commission and Bursa Malaysia have assured the public that market integrity remains intact, in spite of the activation of a market-wide circuit breaker, which was implemented for an hour, from 2.58pm after the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index fell 10%.
Trading on Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd and on the derivatives products on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Bhd was halted.
Bursa said the circuit breaker was activated because the KLCI had fallen 130.01 points, or 10% from the previous close of 1,296.33 points.
“The trading halt is a temporary measure designed to maintain market stability and provide an opportunity for market participants to assess new information before making investment decisions,” it said.
The circuit breaker was implemented by Bursa Malaysia in March 2002 to trigger automatically when the KLCI records a 10% decline from the previous day’s closing level.
“The activation of the circuit breaker has not impeded the resilience of the market. Clearing and settlement, and depository operations continue to work as normal, and all trades and due for delivery and payment today will be honoured,” it said.
The SC and Bursa Malaysia said they were continuing to monitor the situation closely.
Sila Penuhi Janji-janji Anda: Selangor
Sunday, March 09, 2008I heard that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (PKR secretary-general) will be the new Selangor MB. So, I just want to remind him of the new government (dulu opposition) manifesto.....the only relevant part is for Selangor since they did not conquer the nation...so, please keep ur promises...the first thing I want is "Bantuan kepada anak-anak muda untuk mendirikan rumahtangga."
Khalid promises radical changes as S'gor MB
Soon Li Tsin | Mar 9, 08 8:21pm
The establishment for state coalition government in Selangor will be a litmus test on whether the opposition will be able to show critics that they can indeed work together.
At a press conference today, PKR secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim said the opposition parties share a similar vision when it comes to developing the state.
"I think in terms of people's development, all three parties are of the same mindset [..] of course we have different political agenda but Selangor as a testing ground for a coalition parties.
"But on the whole we can work together it is a question of leadership to work together," he told reporters.
Khalid has been chosen to lead the coalition for the establishment of a new state government for Selangor.
The opposition won 36 out of 56 seats with PKR grabbing 15 seats followed by DAP (13 seats) and PAS (8)
According to him, the opposition party leaders will seek an audience with state Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah tomorrow at 2pm.
"We will also meet with the Selangor state secretary to ensure the transfer of governance of Selangor is executed in a smooth and orderly manner," he said.
Asked if Khalid will indeed be the next state chief minister with two deputies from DAP and PAS, he said this is all unconfirmed until he meets the sultan.
"The outcome depends on the sultan's acceptance in allowing such a coalition to run the state (but if successful) the sultan will be consulted on the list of names to form the state executive councilors," he said.
A new transparent government
The former CEO when probed as to what would be the first measure the new state government will take, he said “we would make the governance in Selangor more transparent”.
"I want to discuss with the state legal advisors whether we can pass a legislation that allows document to be exempted from the OSA (Official Secrets Act) for business conducted.
"From that I would ask to make laws to discuss in the state the freedom of information act," he said.
He also hoped that relations between the state and federal government would be less discriminatory when it comes to fund allocation.
"With a number of states are in the hands of non-government parties, I think the government now should be more people oriented in the allocation of resources rather than base on political allocation.
"The taxpayers should not be discriminated on the basis of political allocation," he said to applause from the newly elected state assembly persons from the three parties.
He added that the state government plans to hold press conferences every fortnight to keep the public informed on the projects and policies being implemented.
Nurul staying put in Lembah Pantai
In another press conference, the new Lembah Pantai parliamentarian Nurul Izzah Anwar thanked the voters and her supporters.
She said she will be arranging a few kenduri (dinners) for her constituents and get to work straightway especially over the housing problems faced by the lower income group.
Asked if she will be giving her seat up for her father - de facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim - she indicated that it might not happen.
"I have already begun working for the people in Lembah Pantai so that question does not arise," she said.
Considered a 'giant killer', Nurul Izzah defeated deputy Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil as the country's 12th general elections ended last night.
Khalid promises radical changes as S'gor MBSoon Li Tsin | Mar 9, 08 8:21pm
The establishment for state coalition government in Selangor will be a litmus test on whether the opposition will be able to show critics that they can indeed work together.
At a press conference today, PKR secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim said the opposition parties share a similar vision when it comes to developing the state.
"I think in terms of people's development, all three parties are of the same mindset [..] of course we have different political agenda but Selangor as a testing ground for a coalition parties.
"But on the whole we can work together it is a question of leadership to work together," he told reporters.
Khalid has been chosen to lead the coalition for the establishment of a new state government for Selangor.
The opposition won 36 out of 56 seats with PKR grabbing 15 seats followed by DAP (13 seats) and PAS (8)
According to him, the opposition party leaders will seek an audience with state Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah tomorrow at 2pm.
"We will also meet with the Selangor state secretary to ensure the transfer of governance of Selangor is executed in a smooth and orderly manner," he said.
Asked if Khalid will indeed be the next state chief minister with two deputies from DAP and PAS, he said this is all unconfirmed until he meets the sultan.
"The outcome depends on the sultan's acceptance in allowing such a coalition to run the state (but if successful) the sultan will be consulted on the list of names to form the state executive councilors," he said.
A new transparent government
The former CEO when probed as to what would be the first measure the new state government will take, he said “we would make the governance in Selangor more transparent”.
"I want to discuss with the state legal advisors whether we can pass a legislation that allows document to be exempted from the OSA (Official Secrets Act) for business conducted.
"From that I would ask to make laws to discuss in the state the freedom of information act," he said.
He also hoped that relations between the state and federal government would be less discriminatory when it comes to fund allocation.
"With a number of states are in the hands of non-government parties, I think the government now should be more people oriented in the allocation of resources rather than base on political allocation.
"The taxpayers should not be discriminated on the basis of political allocation," he said to applause from the newly elected state assembly persons from the three parties.
He added that the state government plans to hold press conferences every fortnight to keep the public informed on the projects and policies being implemented.
Nurul staying put in Lembah Pantai
In another press conference, the new Lembah Pantai parliamentarian Nurul Izzah Anwar thanked the voters and her supporters.
She said she will be arranging a few kenduri (dinners) for her constituents and get to work straightway especially over the housing problems faced by the lower income group.
Asked if she will be giving her seat up for her father - de facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim - she indicated that it might not happen.
"I have already begun working for the people in Lembah Pantai so that question does not arise," she said.
Considered a 'giant killer', Nurul Izzah defeated deputy Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil as the country's 12th general elections ended last night.
Keputusan Pilihanraya Umum Ke-12
Saturday, March 08, 2008Keputusan pada 9 Mac 2008 (5.30am waktu Malaysia)
PARLIMEN
DUN
Malaysians Set To Vote
Friday, March 07, 2008Source: Al Jazeera and agencies
Malaysians go the polls on Saturday in a general election that will be a key test of popularity for the country's prime minister amid rising ethnic tensions.
The ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional (BN), has ruled Malaysia since indepence 50 years ago and is certain to retain power again.
But opposition parties are hoping to deny the coalition a two-thirds majority that enables the government to make changes to the constitution without parliamentary debate.
In the last election in 2004, the BN won nearly 64 per cent of the popular vote and more than 90 per cent of the seats in all-important lower house of parliament.
But analysts say this time there may be no easy victory and a sharply reduced majority could threaten Abdullah Badawi's position as prime minister, leading to a shake-up of the coalition, its cabinet line-up and policy platform.
'Phantom voters'
The opposition says the BN is running scared and the country's Election Commission this week scrapped plans to use indelible ink to prevent vote fraud, citing legal and security fears.
The commission had widely advertised the planned use of the special ink – applied to a voter's fingernail after casting their ballot – as its response to long-standing allegations of vote-rigging.
But the decision to scrap the plan it drew a warning from the electoral reform group Bersih that "phantom" voting would be made easier and that these would be the "dirtiest elections ever".
Last November Bersih - a loosely aligned group of civil society organisations and political parties - led thousands of people on to the streets of Malaysia's largest city, Kuala Lumpur, in demonstration demanding electoral reforms.
That protest was put down by riot police with tear gas and chemical-laced water cannon.
Another rally two weeks later by thousands of ethnic Indians protesting against discrimination drew a similar police response.
Race and faith
The issues of race and faith also were becoming much more sensitive, commentator Karim Raslan explained to Al Jazeera.
"These now are becoming issues that non-Malays want to have their rights defended and prosecuted at all costs," he says.
"The situation where non-Malays were willing to live with whatever they've got has gone."
Last year the country's top civil court rejected an appeal by Lina Joy, an ethnic Malay woman's, to be recognised as a Christian, ruling that she must go to the Islamic court – where she could face prosecution – to formally recognise her conversion.
The Lina Joy case highlighted a string of others - with accusations of bodies taken from families for religious burials and children taken from converts – and sparked charges of religious persecution.
In a country where politics and power are organised along racial and religious lines, minority ethnic Indians and Chinese, who together make up about a third of the population, have been turning up in droves to night-time opposition rallies in the past two weeks of campaigning.
The two communities have shown clear signs of discontent with the coalition, which is dominated by the United Malays National Organisation - the biggest ethic Malay party - and the BN concedes that a protest vote by Chinese and Indians could cost them some seats.
But the coalition says it needs to retain a two-thirds majority in parliament to ensure stability in the country.
The last time it failed to win a two-thirds majority, in 1969, race riots broke out and a state of emergency was declared until 1971.
Update: Husam Press Conference
06032008
Malaysians go the polls on Saturday in a general election that will be a key test of popularity for the country's prime minister amid rising ethnic tensions.
The ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional (BN), has ruled Malaysia since indepence 50 years ago and is certain to retain power again.
But opposition parties are hoping to deny the coalition a two-thirds majority that enables the government to make changes to the constitution without parliamentary debate.
In the last election in 2004, the BN won nearly 64 per cent of the popular vote and more than 90 per cent of the seats in all-important lower house of parliament.
But analysts say this time there may be no easy victory and a sharply reduced majority could threaten Abdullah Badawi's position as prime minister, leading to a shake-up of the coalition, its cabinet line-up and policy platform.
'Phantom voters'
The opposition says the BN is running scared and the country's Election Commission this week scrapped plans to use indelible ink to prevent vote fraud, citing legal and security fears.
The commission had widely advertised the planned use of the special ink – applied to a voter's fingernail after casting their ballot – as its response to long-standing allegations of vote-rigging.
But the decision to scrap the plan it drew a warning from the electoral reform group Bersih that "phantom" voting would be made easier and that these would be the "dirtiest elections ever".
Last November Bersih - a loosely aligned group of civil society organisations and political parties - led thousands of people on to the streets of Malaysia's largest city, Kuala Lumpur, in demonstration demanding electoral reforms.
That protest was put down by riot police with tear gas and chemical-laced water cannon.
Another rally two weeks later by thousands of ethnic Indians protesting against discrimination drew a similar police response.
Race and faith
The issues of race and faith also were becoming much more sensitive, commentator Karim Raslan explained to Al Jazeera.
"These now are becoming issues that non-Malays want to have their rights defended and prosecuted at all costs," he says.
"The situation where non-Malays were willing to live with whatever they've got has gone."
Last year the country's top civil court rejected an appeal by Lina Joy, an ethnic Malay woman's, to be recognised as a Christian, ruling that she must go to the Islamic court – where she could face prosecution – to formally recognise her conversion.
The Lina Joy case highlighted a string of others - with accusations of bodies taken from families for religious burials and children taken from converts – and sparked charges of religious persecution.
In a country where politics and power are organised along racial and religious lines, minority ethnic Indians and Chinese, who together make up about a third of the population, have been turning up in droves to night-time opposition rallies in the past two weeks of campaigning.
The two communities have shown clear signs of discontent with the coalition, which is dominated by the United Malays National Organisation - the biggest ethic Malay party - and the BN concedes that a protest vote by Chinese and Indians could cost them some seats.
But the coalition says it needs to retain a two-thirds majority in parliament to ensure stability in the country.
The last time it failed to win a two-thirds majority, in 1969, race riots broke out and a state of emergency was declared until 1971.
Update: Husam Press Conference
06032008
An Election In Malaysia
Thursday, March 06, 2008
From the Economist Intelligence Unit ViewsWire
Malaysia's ruling coalition is likely to stay in power
Malaysians are likely to turn out in record numbers to vote in the general election on March 8th. Increased political awareness, coupled with a seemingly competent opposition, has energised the electorate and led to frenzied campaigning across the country. Given the dissatisfaction with the current government over a range of issues, the opposition should win more of the vote than it did the last time. Nevertheless, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN, the National Front) coalition should still be too strong for the opposition and should keep its two-thirds majority in parliament. The incumbent prime minister Abdullah Badawi, will also remain in power. In that sense, the election should usher in much-needed stability, following months of political uncertainty marked by street protests and a slew of scandals involving the government.
Why now?
Even though elections had not been due until April 2009, with economic clouds gathering in the US and the domestic political scene likely to become less favourable for the government, Mr Abdullah had an incentive to call an early election. By holding the polls now, Mr Abdullah has prevented Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister and the de facto leader of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR, People's Justice Party), from taking part. Mr Anwar is barred from running for public office until April 2008 owing to an earlier conviction for corruption. He could, however, still seek entry to parliament by contesting a by-election after that. In fact, several opposition politicians, including Mr Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah, have promised that if they are elected they will duly step down in April to allow Mr Anwar to contest their seat.
The strongest rationale for the government to call an early election is to secure another five-year term before economic conditions deteriorate. Exports account for around 110% of GDP, so the prospect of a sharp slowdown in the US—Malaysia's most important overseas market—means that the economy is likely to face more challenging conditions in 2008. In addition, civil-service and police pay rises are still fresh in the minds of more than 1m people, who received pay increases ranging from 7.5% to 35% last July. The government stuck to its pledge of not trimming the subsidy on fuel prices in 2007, but it will find this policy difficult to maintain with international oil prices remaining high. All of this means that voters would probably have had greater reason to be unhappy about their financial well-being the longer Mr Abdullah had waited to go to the polls.
Why the opposition is in a strong position…
Over the past few months, protests organised by Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) and Bersih (a coalition of human rights groups and opposition political parties pushing for electoral reform) have altered the political climate, revealing a level of dissent not seen since the Reformasi movement in 1998. There certainly seems to be a groundswell of discontent amongst the ethnic minority communities. The Hindraf protests have brought to the fore long-standing grievances about the country's institutionalised affirmative-action policies that give preference to the Muslim Malay majority—the so-called bumiputeras (sons of the soil). What's more, many segments of Malaysian society appear dissatisfied with the ruling coalition after years of perceived corruption and mismanagement. There is a feeling that while the bumiputera policies have enriched government officials and cronies, the programme has not helped ordinary Malays—in particular the lower-income group, the main purported beneficiaries—as much as it should have. The ruling coalition has also been hit by a series of scandals over the past few months.
While the BN has been beset by problems, the opposition parties appear to be more united this time around than at the last election. This is mostly due to the efforts of Mr Anwar, who has formed strategic alliances between unlikely bedfellows. The three main opposition parties are the PKR, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Parti Islam sa-Malaysia (PAS), an Islamic party that had, until quite recently, pushed for the setting up of an Islamic state in Malaysia. Given their ideological differences, the three parties have not formed an official alliance, which their respective supporters would not have been comfortable with. However, with a few exceptions, they have agreed not to contest the same seats, paving the way for more two-way fights with the BN.
The increased penetration of technology has also added a new dimension to these elections, as it has allowed the opposition to communicate with Malaysians in spite of the government's stranglehold on major media channels. The political blogosphere has exploded over the past few years. The opposition also successfully disseminates news of upcoming ceramahs (public speeches) via the Internet and SMS.
…but why the ruling coalition is still too strong
With all this unhappiness in the air, will Malaysians vote in a new government? That is unlikely. The majority of voters will continue to vote along ethnic and religious lines, and in those constituencies where Malays make up more than 80% of the voters they will vote the BN back in. While the recent protests may have increased political awareness among Chinese and Indian voters, they have probably strengthened the resolve of many Malays to vote for the BN so that the affirmative-action policy can continue.
The Chinese in the country—about 24% of the voters—have traditionally split their votes between the ruling coalition and the opposition, and are likely to do so again. While there is a growing uneasiness about their place in society, many Chinese have prospered financially in Malaysia, and they like the political and economic stability that has come with BN rule.
The big change will come in the Indian vote, in particular the 80% of Indians who are lower-income Tamils. Indians have traditionally supported the ruling coalition en masse. That is set to change. In the eyes of many, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), the Indian party in the ruling BN coalition, and its leader, Samy Vellu, have not done enough for the community. According to the Merdeka Centre, an NGO in Malaysia, Indian support for Mr Abdullah dropped from 79% in October last year to just 38% by the middle of December.
However, Indians only make up about 8% of the population; and in some constituencies the percentage of Indian voters is less than 5%. They are unlikely to make much of an electoral impact. According to Denison Jayasooriya, a political analyst who specialises in Indian affairs, Indian voters could make a difference in 62 of the 222 parliamentary seats being contested. However, even if the opposition won all of those, it could not deny the BN its two-thirds majority.
What is likely to happen
The Economist Intelligence Unit expects the ruling coalition to win, and to maintain a two-thirds or better majority in parliament. In 2004 the BN won 63.9% of the popular vote, and 90.4% of the seats (198 of 219) up for grabs. This time, we expect the opposition to win at most 50 seats, which would still leave the ruling coalition with 77% of the seats (172 of 222). The BN's share of the popular vote could fall to as low as 55%, which would be a clear indication of voter dissatisfaction. However, to put things in perspective, that would still be more than in the 1990 elections, when it won just 53.4% of the vote. Even with the reduced mandate, the then prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, was able to carry on with his economic agenda. Therefore, a drop in the BN's share of the vote in this election is unlikely to disrupt the present administration's social and economic programmes. However, the vote would be a signal to the BN's leaders that they have to pay closer attention to the concerns of Malaysians.
What if?
In the unlikely event that the BN fails to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament, or that the parliamentary make-up is not settled after the elections—say, if Mr Anwar appears to be plotting a return once his ban expires—then lingering political uncertainty could have an adverse effect on domestic demand and foreign-investor sentiment. Of particular worry is the fact that many of the opposition's candidates are greenhorns—young starlets with impressive resumes but precious little political experience (in part because the BN's dominance has kept them out of power). If too many of them assume office, Malaysia's government could be hampered by fractious political skirmishing. Still, voters who have long felt uneasy about the BN's political dominance would at least have something new to complain about.
Malaysians are likely to turn out in record numbers to vote in the general election on March 8th. Increased political awareness, coupled with a seemingly competent opposition, has energised the electorate and led to frenzied campaigning across the country. Given the dissatisfaction with the current government over a range of issues, the opposition should win more of the vote than it did the last time. Nevertheless, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN, the National Front) coalition should still be too strong for the opposition and should keep its two-thirds majority in parliament. The incumbent prime minister Abdullah Badawi, will also remain in power. In that sense, the election should usher in much-needed stability, following months of political uncertainty marked by street protests and a slew of scandals involving the government.
Why now?
Even though elections had not been due until April 2009, with economic clouds gathering in the US and the domestic political scene likely to become less favourable for the government, Mr Abdullah had an incentive to call an early election. By holding the polls now, Mr Abdullah has prevented Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister and the de facto leader of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR, People's Justice Party), from taking part. Mr Anwar is barred from running for public office until April 2008 owing to an earlier conviction for corruption. He could, however, still seek entry to parliament by contesting a by-election after that. In fact, several opposition politicians, including Mr Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah, have promised that if they are elected they will duly step down in April to allow Mr Anwar to contest their seat.
The strongest rationale for the government to call an early election is to secure another five-year term before economic conditions deteriorate. Exports account for around 110% of GDP, so the prospect of a sharp slowdown in the US—Malaysia's most important overseas market—means that the economy is likely to face more challenging conditions in 2008. In addition, civil-service and police pay rises are still fresh in the minds of more than 1m people, who received pay increases ranging from 7.5% to 35% last July. The government stuck to its pledge of not trimming the subsidy on fuel prices in 2007, but it will find this policy difficult to maintain with international oil prices remaining high. All of this means that voters would probably have had greater reason to be unhappy about their financial well-being the longer Mr Abdullah had waited to go to the polls.
Why the opposition is in a strong position…
Over the past few months, protests organised by Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) and Bersih (a coalition of human rights groups and opposition political parties pushing for electoral reform) have altered the political climate, revealing a level of dissent not seen since the Reformasi movement in 1998. There certainly seems to be a groundswell of discontent amongst the ethnic minority communities. The Hindraf protests have brought to the fore long-standing grievances about the country's institutionalised affirmative-action policies that give preference to the Muslim Malay majority—the so-called bumiputeras (sons of the soil). What's more, many segments of Malaysian society appear dissatisfied with the ruling coalition after years of perceived corruption and mismanagement. There is a feeling that while the bumiputera policies have enriched government officials and cronies, the programme has not helped ordinary Malays—in particular the lower-income group, the main purported beneficiaries—as much as it should have. The ruling coalition has also been hit by a series of scandals over the past few months.
While the BN has been beset by problems, the opposition parties appear to be more united this time around than at the last election. This is mostly due to the efforts of Mr Anwar, who has formed strategic alliances between unlikely bedfellows. The three main opposition parties are the PKR, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Parti Islam sa-Malaysia (PAS), an Islamic party that had, until quite recently, pushed for the setting up of an Islamic state in Malaysia. Given their ideological differences, the three parties have not formed an official alliance, which their respective supporters would not have been comfortable with. However, with a few exceptions, they have agreed not to contest the same seats, paving the way for more two-way fights with the BN.
The increased penetration of technology has also added a new dimension to these elections, as it has allowed the opposition to communicate with Malaysians in spite of the government's stranglehold on major media channels. The political blogosphere has exploded over the past few years. The opposition also successfully disseminates news of upcoming ceramahs (public speeches) via the Internet and SMS.
…but why the ruling coalition is still too strong
With all this unhappiness in the air, will Malaysians vote in a new government? That is unlikely. The majority of voters will continue to vote along ethnic and religious lines, and in those constituencies where Malays make up more than 80% of the voters they will vote the BN back in. While the recent protests may have increased political awareness among Chinese and Indian voters, they have probably strengthened the resolve of many Malays to vote for the BN so that the affirmative-action policy can continue.
The Chinese in the country—about 24% of the voters—have traditionally split their votes between the ruling coalition and the opposition, and are likely to do so again. While there is a growing uneasiness about their place in society, many Chinese have prospered financially in Malaysia, and they like the political and economic stability that has come with BN rule.
The big change will come in the Indian vote, in particular the 80% of Indians who are lower-income Tamils. Indians have traditionally supported the ruling coalition en masse. That is set to change. In the eyes of many, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), the Indian party in the ruling BN coalition, and its leader, Samy Vellu, have not done enough for the community. According to the Merdeka Centre, an NGO in Malaysia, Indian support for Mr Abdullah dropped from 79% in October last year to just 38% by the middle of December.
However, Indians only make up about 8% of the population; and in some constituencies the percentage of Indian voters is less than 5%. They are unlikely to make much of an electoral impact. According to Denison Jayasooriya, a political analyst who specialises in Indian affairs, Indian voters could make a difference in 62 of the 222 parliamentary seats being contested. However, even if the opposition won all of those, it could not deny the BN its two-thirds majority.
What is likely to happen
The Economist Intelligence Unit expects the ruling coalition to win, and to maintain a two-thirds or better majority in parliament. In 2004 the BN won 63.9% of the popular vote, and 90.4% of the seats (198 of 219) up for grabs. This time, we expect the opposition to win at most 50 seats, which would still leave the ruling coalition with 77% of the seats (172 of 222). The BN's share of the popular vote could fall to as low as 55%, which would be a clear indication of voter dissatisfaction. However, to put things in perspective, that would still be more than in the 1990 elections, when it won just 53.4% of the vote. Even with the reduced mandate, the then prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, was able to carry on with his economic agenda. Therefore, a drop in the BN's share of the vote in this election is unlikely to disrupt the present administration's social and economic programmes. However, the vote would be a signal to the BN's leaders that they have to pay closer attention to the concerns of Malaysians.
What if?
In the unlikely event that the BN fails to secure a two-thirds majority in parliament, or that the parliamentary make-up is not settled after the elections—say, if Mr Anwar appears to be plotting a return once his ban expires—then lingering political uncertainty could have an adverse effect on domestic demand and foreign-investor sentiment. Of particular worry is the fact that many of the opposition's candidates are greenhorns—young starlets with impressive resumes but precious little political experience (in part because the BN's dominance has kept them out of power). If too many of them assume office, Malaysia's government could be hampered by fractious political skirmishing. Still, voters who have long felt uneasy about the BN's political dominance would at least have something new to complain about.
Malaysia & Petroleum
Tuesday, March 04, 2008Crude Oil/Barrel price movement since 1970.......
Federal Government revenue from Petroleum (Direct + Indirect Taxes + PETRONAS Dividend + Royalty)
If you want to know ape maksud numbers kat the first graph to, pls go to -> EIA . Sape nak buat analisis eih???
Tunggakkan Kerajaan Negeri
This is what the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister/Vice President of UMNO said...
"03/03/2008 4:06pm
KOTA BHARU 3 Mac –Rakyat Kelantan khususnya penyokong Pas diminta menerima hakikat bahawa kerajaan Kelantan sekarang tiada kemampuan untuk menjalankan pentadbiran yang berkesan pada masa depan berikutan bebanan hutang serius yang kini tertunggak sebanyak RM1 bilion.
KOTA BHARU 3 Mac –Rakyat Kelantan khususnya penyokong Pas diminta menerima hakikat bahawa kerajaan Kelantan sekarang tiada kemampuan untuk menjalankan pentadbiran yang berkesan pada masa depan berikutan bebanan hutang serius yang kini tertunggak sebanyak RM1 bilion.
Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin berkata, kerajaan negeri kini berkeadaan muflis dan sudah pasti sukar untuk menyusun strategi pembangunan yang boleh menjamin masa depan rakyat dan generasi baru anak-anak Kelantan.
“Dalam masa lima tahun akan datang, tidak akan ada sebarang pembangunan jika Pas terus mentadbir Kelantan.
“Kemampuan untuk mentadbir negeri boleh dikatakan dalam keadaan ’zero’ dengan tiada sumber kewangan mencukupi bahkan tidak boleh membiayai hutang yang besar dan tidak akan ada pembangunan untuk negeri ini,” katanya.
Beliau ditemui pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis ramah mesra bersama petani-petani Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Kemubu (KADA) di Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan di Jaya Peringat KADA di sini hari ini. - Bernama"
This is what was reported in Laporan Ketua Audit Negara 2006 (latest one available)
So, where is this RM1billion (hutang tertunggak Kelantan) came from ya Tan Sri?? You made it up yourself ka??? Or you want to said it's the new 2007 figure?? If that's the case, it implies that Kelantan must pinjam&xbayar at least RM947.04million last year (RM1bill - RM50.26mill)..... and that is a very the merry "wOw" amount to me....would Pusat actually give that much to Kelantan??!!
Or is it you want to say Ketua Audit Negara made a mistake by that margin.....takkanlah Ketua Audit Negara buat salah smpi camtu kot...kalo x, apsal dia dipilih jadi leader kan....
Hey Tan Sri...where's your credibility huh??!!!
Melayu
Monday, March 03, 2008
by Allahyarham Dato' Usman Awang
Melayu itu orang yang bijaksana
Nakalnya bersulam jenaka
Budi bahasanya tidak terkira
Kurang ajarnya tetap santun
Jika menipu pun masih bersopan
Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan.
Melayu itu berani jika bersalah
Kecut takut kerana benar,
Janji simpan di perut
Selalu pecah di mulut,
Biar mati adat
Jangan mati anak.
Melayu di tanah Semenanjung luas maknanya:
Jawa itu Melayu, Bugis itu Melayu
Banjar juga disebut Melayu, Minangkabau memang Melayu,
Keturunan Acheh adalah Melayu,
Jakun dan Sakai asli Melayu,
Arab dan Pakistani, semua Melayu
Mamak dan Malbari serap ke Melayu
Malah mua'alaf bertakrif Melayu
(Setelah disunat anunya itu)
Dalam sejarahnya
Melayu itu pengembara lautan
Melorongkan jalur sejarah zaman
Begitu luas daerah sempadan
Sayangnya kini segala kehilangan
Melayu itu kaya falsafahnya
Kias kata bidal pusaka
Akar budi bersulamkan daya
Gedung akal laut bicara
Malangnya Melayu itu kuat bersorak
Terlalu ghairah pesta temasya
Sedangkan kampung telah tergadai
Sawah sejalur tinggal sejengkal
tanah sebidang mudah terjual
Meski telah memiliki telaga
Tangan masih memegang tali
Sedang orang mencapai timba.
Berbuahlah pisang tiga kali
Melayu itu masih bermimpi
Walaupun sudah mengenal universiti
Masih berdagang di rumah sendiri.
Berkelahi cara Melayu
Menikam dengan pantun
Menyanggah dengan senyum
Marahnya dengan diam
Merendah bukan menyembah
Meninggi bukan melonjak.
Watak Melayu menolak permusuhan
Setia dan sabar tiada sempadan
Tapi jika marah tak nampak telinga
Musuh dicari ke lubang cacing
Tak dapat tanduk telinga dijinjing
Maruah dan agama dihina jangan
Hebat amuknya tak kenal lawan
Berdamai cara Melayu indah sekali
Silaturrahim hati yang murni
Maaf diungkap senantiasa bersahut
Tangan diulur sentiasa bersambut
Luka pun tidak lagi berparut
Baiknya hati Melayu itu tak terbandingkan
Selaga yang ada sanggup diberikan
Sehingga tercipta sebuah kiasan:
"Dagang lalu nasi ditanakkan
Suami pulang lapar tak makan
Kera di hutan disusu-susukan
Anak di pangkuan mati kebuluran"
Bagaimanakah Melayu abad dua puluh satu
Masihkan tunduk tersipu-sipu?
Jangan takut melanggar pantang
Jika pantang menghalang kemajuan;
Jangan segan menentang larangan
Jika yakin kepada kebenaran;
Jangan malu mengucapkan keyakinan
Jika percaya kepada keadilan.
Jadilah bangsa yang bijaksana
Memegang tali memegang timba
Memiliki ekonomi mencipta budaya
Menjadi tuan di negara Merdeka
Nakalnya bersulam jenaka
Budi bahasanya tidak terkira
Kurang ajarnya tetap santun
Jika menipu pun masih bersopan
Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan.
Melayu itu berani jika bersalah
Kecut takut kerana benar,
Janji simpan di perut
Selalu pecah di mulut,
Biar mati adat
Jangan mati anak.
Melayu di tanah Semenanjung luas maknanya:
Jawa itu Melayu, Bugis itu Melayu
Banjar juga disebut Melayu, Minangkabau memang Melayu,
Keturunan Acheh adalah Melayu,
Jakun dan Sakai asli Melayu,
Arab dan Pakistani, semua Melayu
Mamak dan Malbari serap ke Melayu
Malah mua'alaf bertakrif Melayu
(Setelah disunat anunya itu)
Dalam sejarahnya
Melayu itu pengembara lautan
Melorongkan jalur sejarah zaman
Begitu luas daerah sempadan
Sayangnya kini segala kehilangan
Melayu itu kaya falsafahnya
Kias kata bidal pusaka
Akar budi bersulamkan daya
Gedung akal laut bicara
Malangnya Melayu itu kuat bersorak
Terlalu ghairah pesta temasya
Sedangkan kampung telah tergadai
Sawah sejalur tinggal sejengkal
tanah sebidang mudah terjual
Meski telah memiliki telaga
Tangan masih memegang tali
Sedang orang mencapai timba.
Berbuahlah pisang tiga kali
Melayu itu masih bermimpi
Walaupun sudah mengenal universiti
Masih berdagang di rumah sendiri.
Berkelahi cara Melayu
Menikam dengan pantun
Menyanggah dengan senyum
Marahnya dengan diam
Merendah bukan menyembah
Meninggi bukan melonjak.
Watak Melayu menolak permusuhan
Setia dan sabar tiada sempadan
Tapi jika marah tak nampak telinga
Musuh dicari ke lubang cacing
Tak dapat tanduk telinga dijinjing
Maruah dan agama dihina jangan
Hebat amuknya tak kenal lawan
Berdamai cara Melayu indah sekali
Silaturrahim hati yang murni
Maaf diungkap senantiasa bersahut
Tangan diulur sentiasa bersambut
Luka pun tidak lagi berparut
Baiknya hati Melayu itu tak terbandingkan
Selaga yang ada sanggup diberikan
Sehingga tercipta sebuah kiasan:
"Dagang lalu nasi ditanakkan
Suami pulang lapar tak makan
Kera di hutan disusu-susukan
Anak di pangkuan mati kebuluran"
Bagaimanakah Melayu abad dua puluh satu
Masihkan tunduk tersipu-sipu?
Jangan takut melanggar pantang
Jika pantang menghalang kemajuan;
Jangan segan menentang larangan
Jika yakin kepada kebenaran;
Jangan malu mengucapkan keyakinan
Jika percaya kepada keadilan.
Jadilah bangsa yang bijaksana
Memegang tali memegang timba
Memiliki ekonomi mencipta budaya
Menjadi tuan di negara Merdeka
I'm proud of FOD V
Sunday, March 02, 2008Khalis tgh dok busy berpolitik so I guess I'll just lighten things up and tulis pasal Msscf nyer recent success..Festival of Diversity V..
FOD V undoubtedly is the best M-Nite I've ever been to...and many people I spoke to setuju dengan ini statement. The production team tried to be experimental this time and did separa musical. It's less boring this way since many people dont like lengthy dialogue and the casts were less burdened nk hafal skrip panjang2..
The play ade good storyline, good script and very light and funny..I would have laughed hysterically if I didnt see the practice so many times already..
I also think that this is the first time in MSSCF history we got full house. So many ppl who wanted to buy the tickets last minute - hoping for our desperate last minute discount- had to go home with regret.
I am particularly proud of Malay and Chinese nyer dance, choreographed by our own professional choreographers. And tidak dilupakan Khalis and I nyer adek, Farah who acted and sang so well. She's extremely funny on and off stage. I suggest everyone pegi serbu rumah dia and make her your bestfriend. Trust me, your life will be full of colours.
So disini saya lampirkan beberape komen from beberape org.
One of our sponsors - "I didnt expect it to be this good"
Taufiq n Kak Shameem - "Top 5 M-nite kitorg pnah pegi since the 80's"
One of my housemates - "I have to buy the dvd, its so good I kne simpan the dvd"
President of YUVA - "I went to the one at Sherman 2 years ago and this one was even better. I was laughing like crazy"
One mat salleh - "I'm glad I didn't go to SUM 41's concert and come to this one instead"
Ms Tamsin,one our VIPS representing Cardiff's International Development Division actually cried when Mizan proposed to Pei.
Hayya Muniira
Husam Musa Press Conference
I have to be honest...i'm a big fan of this fella....he was with TG Nik Aziz since 1990....and he was responsible for Kelantan's economy....if you want to know more about him...visit his website: http://husammusa.com
Why do i like him so much? Bcos he's an economist, just like me....I admire what he did for Kelantan...and I like the way he talk...not just bullshitting on random rubbish...he talks with facts...most politicians only know how to blame...tp tak provide solution pon to the problem...and he's not like them...
Sadly, majority of Malaysians still think lowly of Kelantan...this is all the work of the govt propaganda....if you guys want to kutuk2 Kelantan...or think Kelantan tidak membangun...ask yourself first, have u been to Kelantan? Have u stayed there long enough to know what it feels like to live under PAS? Have u been to the rural area of the BN state and assess how membangun they are (and compare)?
If your answer is no...then just shut your mouth. And for all the Kelantanese youth out there, you guys need to rebrand yourself...bcos people already associate you with a lot of perangai2 buruk...shame on you...bcos of you Kelantan get a bad name....(this message is meant for budak2 klik kelantan yg berperangai buruk...although i'm fully aware bkn sume berperangai camnieh)...
Kah kah kah kah...sejak bile arh aku menjadi org Kelantan plak eih...totok pulak rasanye...dah2...jom tgk video...(usaha usaha menjadi totok kelantan ini adalah sebahagian rancangan utk mengambil hati awek saya...=p)
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Latest from Tun M
Interview Husam Musa...oleh Jed Yoong.
Taken from Jed Yoong's blog....
FULL TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW ON FEB 26, 2008 (TUES) AT THE PAS MEDIA CENTRE IN KOTA BAHRU WITH HUSAM MUSA, PAS VICE-PRESIDENT AND CALON FOR STATE SEAT, SALOR, KELANTAN.
NOTE: Husam (I keep calling him Musa cos keep thinking of IGP Musa Hassan) is quite sporting and funny. Not like some dead serious types in some dead serious parties. Or those overly emotional types in you-know-which party. Actually, in my humble opinion, the PAS fellas that I’ve met seem to be the most moderate and open-minded. Strange. I think it’s really largely a case of negative media stereotypes and not making the point to find out more about the reality. But then again, I still need to meet more people and see more of the REAL Malaysia. Don’t take my word for it. Take a trip to Kota Bahru and see for yourself.
Jed Yoong: So do you think PAS has changed from when it started about 50 years ago when it broke away from UMNO — it was mainly a Malay nationalist party that used Islam as a differentiation?
Husam Musa: PAS is not using Islam. PAS is based on Islam. We are not using Islam. Inspired by Islam.
So, I think, not much change.
For instance, take for example, take the incident of 69. Other than Kelantan, there were riots and bloodshed and clashes, racial clashes. But in Kelantan, there was no incident. Not just by coincidence. But the Chief Minister at that time from PAS called all religious heads and instructed them to make sure they can safeguard all the people regardless of their race. So not a single bloodshed happened in Kelantan.
So it means that Kelantan and PAS propagated harmonious living between all races based on Islamic teaching. Because Islamic teaching, one, on religious freedom. Islam never forces other people to convert to Islam; there is no coercion in religion. For the people, Islamic rulers must take care of them. We have a multi-racial approach and give a fair and just treatment to all races. So this never change.
JY: So Islam the perjuangan (struggle) is the same. This time according to Ustaz Nasharudin (Mat Isa, PAS deputy president), it has been repackaged. But it’s still the same?
HM: Never change because that is, I think, subscribed by PAS activists from Islamic teaching a long time ago. The example that I quoted is one to prove that.
JY: So Datuk, under Islam, a lot of non-Muslims are concerned that Islamic law gives non-Muslims less rights. Is this true? Like when you go to court, you would need to have Muslim witnesses. Is this correct?
HM: It’s not correct. It’s not correct. It’s not correct at all. Injustice in whatever form is against Islam. Not just to human beings but you can’t be unjust towards animals, towards the plants, towards the stone. There is one saying of the Prophet. You cannot move the stone from the sacred place in Mecca, out for Mecca because of the right of the stone to remain in their sacred place. That is the most minimum example I can quote you to show you that injustice is prohibited by Islam by whatever form.
JY: There are also reports from Saudi Arabia and Iran about women who have been raped but they need Muslim witnesses. Is this true?
HM: OK, Islam and Islamic, Muslim community is different. That’s why Kelantan never based the model upon Iran, Saudi or Sudan. We base on Islam — Islamic teaching itself.
JY: Islamic teaching, but that’s very wide. What do you mean by Islamic teaching? Do you mean based on the Koran?
HM: You can read the Koran and you can correct us, if we are wrong.
JY: But Saudi Arabia and Iran are also based on the Koran.
HM: But we feel that they didn’t follow accordingly.
JY: They didn’t follow accordingly. What’s your stand on apostasy? What’s PAS’s stand on apostasy?
HM: Apostasy. I think the people can have a free reign to choose their religion.
JY: Even for Muslims?
HM: If non-Muslims convert to Islam in Sudan, they allow them to go back to their original religion.
JY: How about here in Malaysia?
HM: In Malaysia or in Kelantan?
JY: In Kelantan.
HM: In Kelantan, we don’t have a specific regulation on that.
JY: For apostasy?
HM: Yeah.
JY: No such cases yet? No one has left Islam in Kelantan officially?
HM: In Kelantan, we never notice.
JY: So would you allow it? What’s your stand? Dibenarkan atau (Allowed or)?
HM: I think this question if quoted by local media can be misinterpreted in several ways. So, I don’t want to drag our party into such delicate issues purposely. That one we can answer not during election. This is election time which is very sensitive and everything can go wrongly. We still have the time. PAS will be here and we will govern Kelantan again. I think, you can ask that question later.
JY: How about Terengganu? What do you think is going to happen in Terengganu? So far the feedback I got about Terengganu is not as positive as Kelantan.
HM: Not as positive as Kelantan.
JY: What do you think?
HM: Means in Kelantan, it’s so much more positive.
JY: Yes, Kelantan is much more positive.
HM: If Kelantan is so much more positive. Does that mean A+ or B+? What’s the mark? So if the mark (for Kelantan) is 70 and above, if Terengganu can achieve 60 per cent of the mark, I think they will pass the exam also.
JY: They will pass the exam. OK. So what do you think of development under BN for 50 years?
HM: BN is already hijacked by a few quarters.
JY: By who?
HM: By the most elitist in the ruling party, the ruling family. So from the struggle of people, (which is) power-sharing based, now becomes profit-sharing based.
JY: Just the last few questions. People always say PAS or rather Islam is not compatible with modern life. What’s your comment?
HM: I think we don’t need to comment on that. Because the question is absolutely irrelevant. It’s a irrelevant question. How can you say we are not compatible with modern life when we need to mix with modern life? We have a car, we use planes. If we have money we will use a jet but not as expensive as Pak Lah or as luxurious as that. We have internet, we are IT savvy. We transmit the interview live through streamyx. What do you mean Islam is not compatible with modern life?
JY: Normally when we say development, BN would say, or rather the media would say,…
HM: There is development in Kota Bahru. We have a tower which we didn’t have before. We have five-star hotels, which don’t exist in Ipoh and Alor Setar or even in Kuala Terengganu.
JY: The civil rights, you know?
HM: Civil rights, I think here is better. Because non-Muslims can have their church, their temples, given the permit by the state government to construct the church and their temple.
JY: Entertainment? What’s your stand?
HM: Entertainment, you can sing if you want.
JY: Drinking?
HM: Yes, you can drink.
JY: For non-Muslims-lah?
HM: Yeah. Muslims, Muslims cannot drink. Not because of PAS. But because their religion prohibits them.
JY: Does PAS believe in moral policing?
HM: Moral policing, I think you can see in Kota Bahru, there is no moral policing here.
JY: I am not sure about Kota Bahru, I’ve been here for three days.
HM: You’ve got to stay here for another one year.
JY: OK, thank you, Datuk. All the best. Terima kasih (Thank you).
Tahalluf As Siasi
Menguasai Isu Dasar Dalam Pilihanraya
Memahami Hukum Tahalluf As Siasi
Mukaddimah
Selari dengan senario perkembangan politik yang menyelubungi PAS serta kecenderungan ke arah persefahaman dengan parti-parti alternatif lain seumpama PKN, DAP dan PRM yang mengarah ke arah pengekploitan isu oleh parti-parti yang memerintah terutamanya UMNO, maka dirasakan perlu bahawa diutarakan kepada setiap unit Penerangan dan Penyelidikan UPU seluruh Kawasan Selayang akan keperluan memahami agenda ini.
Antara agenda psikologi dan saraf yang bakal diutarakan oleh BN ialah:-
1. Persoalan kafir mengkafir
2. Kepimpinan Negara Oleh Bukan Islam
3. Mengundi Bukan Islam
4. Berkerjasama Dengan Bukan Islam
Semua isu ini banyak berkaitan dengan persoalah tahalluf yang diutarakan oleh PAS dan melihat kepada perkembangan terkini, sekalipun PAS berada di peringkat offensif (menyerang) namun PAS masih perlu ada strategi yang mantap untuk mengatasi isu yang ditimbulkan ini.
Artikel yang dibentangkan ini adalah antara langkah untuk memberi faham kepada setiap jentera Penerangan dan Penyelidikan akan dasar isu dan disebarkan luaskan melalui beberapa kaedah:-
1. Dijadikan sebahagian daripada isi kandungan kuliah oleh para murabbi PAS di setiap madrasah/surau atau masjid.
2. Mengenalpasti setiap UPU mempunyai individu yang banyak berinteaksi dengan masyarakat umum seperti di kedai kopi, pasar atau seumpamanya dan mula membicarakan hal ini secara langsung.
3. Menerbitkan risalah ringkas yang menghuraikan isu dasar ini untuk disebarkan disetiap UPU yang dikenalpasti kubu kuat UMNO, pengundi atas pagar etc.
4. Bahan utama dalam usrah agar setiap ahli mengetahuI isu dasar secara ilmiah (nas dan dalil) untuk berhujah dengan baik dan bernas dengan masyarakat umum.
Takrif
Tahalluf adalah suatu perjanjian persefahaman untuk berkerjasama dan bantu membantu untuk menghadapi lawan. Boleh berlaku di bawah beberapa situasi berdasarkan sirah Rasulullah dan para sahabah:-
1. Boleh berlaku antara kumpulan Islam seperti perjanjian dengan puak Aus dan Khazraj untuk tujuan penyatuan umat di bawah panji Islam dan penegakkan negara Islam
2. Boleh berlaku dengan golongan bukan Islam seperti persefahaman antara Rasulullah dengan golongan Bani Hashim dan Bani Abdul Mutolib sebelum hijrah. Juga perjanjian antara Rasulullah dengan Kabilah Khaza’ah selepas perjanjian Hudaibiyah.
3. Rasulullah mengiktiraf perjanjian antara sesama gologan jahiliyah yang bersatu untuk menentang kezaliman iaitu peristiwa melibatkan seorang lelaki dari kabilah Zabid telah dizalimi oleh Al-A’as bin Wasil. Beberapa orang bangsawan Mekah yang bersimpati membuat persepakatan perfahaman di rumah Abdullah bin Jad’an untuk menentang sebarang bentuk kezaliman. Berhubung ini Rasulullah bersabda:-
“Sesungguhnya aku telah menyaksikan di rumah Abdullah suatu pakatan yang aku sangat suka kepadanya seperti sayang kepada unta merah. Kalau aku diajak kepadanya di zaman Islam nescaya aku menyahutnya”
Kaedah Hukum
Diizinkan oleh syarak apabila melengkapi syarat-syarat yang boleh dilaksanakan Tahalluf dan bukan ketikamana Tahalluf tidak diizinkan.
Syarat-Syarat
1. Membawa Maslahah dan Tidak Mengikat Sehingga Menjejaskan Prinsip
1.1 Hubungan Rasulullah dengan keluarga dari kalangan Bani Hashim dan Bani Abdul Mutolib khasnya Abu Tolib. Walaupun mereka tidak Islam, tetapi mereka mempertahankan Rasulullah dengan bersedia berkorban apa sahaja. Tetapi apabila Abu Tolib cuba memujuk Rasulullah dengan tawaran golongan bangsawan Quraisy agar baginda bertolak ansur, maka dengan tegas baginda bersabda dengan sabda yang mashyur:-
“Wahai bapa saudaraku. Demi Allah! Kalau mereka meletakkan matahari di kananku dan bulan di kiriku agar aku meninggalkan urusan ini, nescaya aku tidak akan meninggalkankannya sehinggalah Allah memberi kemenangan kepada agamanya ataupun aku mati kerananya”
Akhirnya Abu Tolib dan keluarganya (kecuali Abu Lahab) mengambil keputusan untuk mempertahankan Rasulullah . Ini adalah kerjasama yang jelas antara seorang Rasul dan Abu Tolib yang masih belum Islam. Dan ini berterusan sehingga Abu Tolib meninggal.
1.2 Hubungan antara Abu Bakar dengan Ibnu Dugnah yang sedia memberikan perlindungan kepadanya terpaksa dibatalkan apabila Ibnu Dugnah mensyaratkan kepada Abu Bakar agar jangan membaca al-Quran di luar rumah kerana boleh mempengaruhi orang lain.
Maslahah Diizinkan
1. Ke Arah Kedaulatan Islam dan Perlaksanaan Syariat
Apabila semakin ramai orang Islam yang terjebak dengan pelbagai ideologi asing (seumpama sekularisme, komunisme, sosialisme), dan ketika itu pula kedapatan kumpulan bukan Islam yang sanggup memberikan laluan kepada perlaksanaan Islam untuk mencantas ideologi asing ini. Maka hubungan dengan kumpulan ini boleh dibuat dalam konteks berkerjasama ketika berpilihanraya, persidangan dewan dan seumpamanya dengan syarat mereka bersedia untuk menerima kepimpinan Islam, mengakui kedaulatan dan perlaksanaannya dengan sepenuhnya.
Pada masa yang sama kita tidak memaksa mereka untuk menganut Islam tetapi mengambil peluang memperkenalkan Islam kepada mereka.
Ini berlandaskan kepada dalil Pembentukan Piagam Madinah dengan puak muhajirin Quraish dan puak Yahudi yang bermastautin di Madinah.
Dalam konteks Piagam Madinah ini disebut bahawa Rasulullah telah sanggup mengorbankan dua perkara kecil (tetapi besar pada pandangan kita dan orang yang tidak memahami) yang turut tidak dipersetujui oleh dua sahabat besar baginda iaitu Saidina Umar dan Saidina Ali iaitu:-
i. Menghilangkan perkataan Bismillah pada permulaan isi perjanjian piagam ini
ii. Menghilangkan perkataan Muhammad Rasulullah sesudah Muhammad dan diganti dengan hanya Muhammad bin Abdullah sahaja.
Apapun penghapusan ini tidak menjejaskan isi kandungan asas Piagam Madinah (terdapat 47 fasal dan peraturan) yakni menuntut agar semua puak Muhajirin Quraisy dan 12 Kabilah Yahudi yang berada di Madinah ketika itu untuk bernaung di bawah pentadbiran dan pemerintahan yang ditunjangi oleh Rasulullah.
2. Menentang Kezaliman, Penyelewengan dan Keruntuhan Moral
Melibatkan perkara yang dirasai oleh semua golongan termasuk juga golongan bukan Islam. Bolah diadakan persefahaman dalam perkara ini seperti mendesak diwujudkan keadilan dalam undang-undang (kes Anwar Ibrahim), pembebasan tahanan tanpa bicara (kes ISA), kejujuran dan kesaksamaan (kes SPR dan kempen pilihanraya) dan seumpamanya.
Dalilnya ialah persetujuan Rasulullah terhadap Persefahaman Pakatan Menentang Kezaliman Semasa Zaman Jahiliyah seperti sabda Rasulullah:-
“Tolonglah saudaramu yang zalim dan yang dizalimi”
2. Mengakui Kepimpinan Islam dan Tidak Menjejaskan Matlamat Perjuangan
2.1 Rasulullah menangguhkan Tahalluf dengan puak Bani Syaiban apabila mereka tidak bersedia untuk bersama menegakkan negara Islam dan mempertahankannya apabila menerima ancaman musuh di mana Bani Syaiban menyatakan mereka tidak sanggup menghadapi Parsi tetapi sanggup menghadapi kabilah Arab sahaja jika berlaku peperangan ketika Piagam Madinah dibentuk.
2.2 Rasulullah membatalkan cadangan untuk Tahalluf dengan Bani Amar apabila mereka mahu bekongsi jawatan kepimpinan negara tanpa menerima Islamnya dalam Piagam Madinah.
3. Tidak Berwala’ Kepada Musuh dan Tidak Redha Dengan Pakatan Mereka
Mengakui dengan kepimpinan orang bukan Islam dan bertahalluf dengan musuh Islam untuk memerangi orang Islam. Firman Allah:-
“Janganlah orang yang beriman itu mengambil orang kafir sebagai wali dengan meninggalkan orang yang beriman. Barangsiapa yang berbuat demikian maka lepas dia dari Allah, melainkan kerana memelihara diri dari sesuatu yang ditakuti dari mereka dan Allah memperingatkan kamu terhadap dirinya (siksanya) dan hanya kepada Allah kembalimu”
Berwali bermakna menjadikannya sebagai pemimpin, teman akrab, pelindung atau penolong. Keadaan takut adalah darurat. Kesetiaan dalam keadaan itu dilahirkan secara zahir tetapi hatinya tidak redha disamping berusaha untuk membinasakan diri dengan merancang bagi meneruskan perjuangan dengan hijrah dan sebagainya.
Mawada’ah
Disana terdapat persefahaman sementara waktu dengan golongan yang bermusuh kerana maslahah. Persefahaman ini dinamakan Mawada’ah dan ada juga ulamak yang meletakkannya dalam perkara Hadanah (Gencatan Senjata)
Disebut dalam syarah mazhab, diantara maslahahnya ialah:-
1. Mengharapkan mereka masuk Islam atau mereka akan membayar jizyah atau menolong kerena memerangi golongan yang lain. Tetapi ulamak bertelingkah menentukan tempoh masanya, ada yang menghadkan empat bulan dan ada juga yang mengharuskan menurut maslahah diantaranya kerana orang Islam masih berada dalam kelemahan.
2. Adapun jika tiada apa maslahah atau mudharat lebih banyak dari maslahah maka tiada diharuskan.
Isti’anah (Meminta Bantuan Atau Pertolongan)
Apabila adanya persefahaman maka berlakulah tolong menolong yakni mereka berjanji untuk menolong kita dan kita juga berjanji untuk menolong mereka dalam perkara yang diizinkan syarak tanpa mengorbankan prinsip dan dasar Islam.
1. Mereka Menolong Kita
Menurut As-Syeikh Syed Sabiq dalam Fiqus Sunnah – Harus menerima pertolongan orang-orang fasik dan munafik kerana Rasulullah membenarkan Abdullah bin Ubai menyertai peperangan bersama-samanya dan kisah penyertaan Abu Mahjan yang mabuk dalam peperangan menentang Quraisyh.
Adapun pertolongan dari orang kafir, terdapat khilaf di kalangan fuqaha’:-
1. Imam Malik dan Imam Ahmad tidak mengharuskannya secara mutlak. Imam Abu Hanifah mengharuskannya dengan syarat orang Islam yang mengusai urusannnya.
2. Imam Syafei mengharuskannya dengan dua syarat:-
2.1 Apabila orang Islam dalam keadaan lemah
1.2 Apabila didapati orang bukan Islam itu cenderung kepada Islam dan memandang baik terhadapnya. Dibenarkan dia memberi pertolongan dengan diberi imbuhan dan bukan bahagian ghanimah (harta rampasan perang)
2. Kita Menolong Mereka
Menurut Syahrusi dalam kitab al-Mabsut dan Syeibani dalam kitab al-syairul kabir, Rasulullah menghantar Tamar Ajwad kepada Abu Sufyan dan mengutus lima ratus dinar ke Mekah supaya dibahagikan kepada orang yang perlu dibantu ketika Mekah dilanda kemarau.
Menurut Ibnu Qaim al Jawazih dalam kitab Ziadul Ma’ad, apabila Samamah bin ‘Asal, seorang pemimpin Bani Hanifah memeluk Islam, beliau telah memerintah supaya jangan dihantar bekalan gandum ke Mekah sehingga Mekah berada dalam kesempitan hidup. Berikutan itu pimpinan Musyrikin Mekah mengutus wakil untuk merayu kepada Rasulullah supaya menasihati Samamah agar menghentikan sekatan tersebut dan ini dilaksanakan.
Kesimpulan
Tahalluf itu boleh dibahagikan menurut keadaan berikut:-
1. Dalam peringkat membentuk kerajaan hendaklah dengan syarat:-
1.1 Kepimpinan mestilah di tangan orang Islam
1.2 Mengiktiraf negara Islam
1.3 Menerima perlembagaan Islam dan syariatnya
2. Tanpa Membentuk Negara:-
2.1 Kerana maslahah untuk menghadapi musuh yang besar
2.2 Maslahah bersama untuk menentang kezaliman, penyelewengan membebaskan orang tahanan tanpa diadili dan seumpamanya
2.3 Berlindung sementara di masa lemah
2.4 Tidak terikat dengan syarat yang bercanggah dengan Islam dan kepentingan harakah Islamiyah
Perhatian
Dalam soal Tahalluf ini hendaklah diberi perhatian kepada beberapa perkara yang boleh menjejaskan maslahah, antaranya ialah:-
1. Matlamat menegakkan negara Islam adalah sangat penting dalam strategi yang diambil oleh harakah islamiyah. Oleh itu jangan terikat dengan janji yang boleh menghalanginya atau syarat-syarat yang mengikatnya.
2. Mengutamakan persefahaman dengan kumpulan Islam yang berpengaruh dan mempunyai titik pertemuan dalam perkara prinsip yang boleh dipercayai, bukannya yang lemah dan tidak berperanan, kemudian barulah dengan kumpulan bukan Islam.
3. Kita sedang berhadapan dengan masyarakat yang cetek pengetahuan terhadap Islam. Mereka tidak tahu perbezaan diantara Islam dan perbandingan dengan ideologi asing seperti sekularisme, kapitalisme, sosialisme, komunisme dan seumpamanya.. Oleh itu golongan islam hendaklah mempunyai sakhsiah yang kuat, yang membezakan mereka dengan parti-parti lain dan perlu diberi kefahaman tentang perbezaan antara Islam dengan ideologi lain. Jika tidak maka tahalluf dengan kumpulan bukan Islam akan memberi kesan negatif.
4. Persefahaman dengan kumpulan bukan Islam tidak berpanjangan, samada mereka akan menerima Islam atau pertarungan akan berlaku juga akhirnya. Oleh itu hendaklah membuat ikatan-ikatan yang longgar yang tidak membelenggukan kita dan kepentingan prinsip perjuangan kemudian nanti.
5. Kenyataan lisan dan senario semasa yang perlu dihadapi dengan tegas agar tidak menjejaskan prinsip kerana kumpulan lain pasti cuba menyatakan prinsip berdasarkan selera tersendiri seperti PKN dengan demokrasi ala UMNO, DAP dengan Malaysian Malaysia dan PRM dengan Sosialisme (Kesaksamaan).
6. Berwaspada apabila berhadapan dengan tipudaya mereka (jika ada) dengan bergantung harap sepenuhnya kepada Allah dan kebijaksanaan kurniaNya.
Penutup
Tahalluf boleh dilakukan dalam konteks untuk menguasai negara secara menyeluruh dan secara khusus menghadapi isu atau situasi yang khusus dengan memenuhi syarat dan nas yang diizinkan syarak.
Apabila adanya golongan samada Islam atau fasik atau munafik atau musyrik mengemukakan perkara yang dihormati oleh Islam atau benar menurut dasar dan perlaksanaannya atau diharuskan dan membawa maslahah yang nyata, maka hendaklah diterima dengan syarat tidak ada dalam perlaksanaannya perkara yang boleh menjejaskan jamaah atau hak dan cara yang tidak diizinkan oleh syarak.
Nota Tambahan
MENGENAL AHLUL ZIMMAH (KAFIR ZIMMI)
Yakni golongan kafir yang tinggal di dalam negara yang berjalan pemerintahan Islam. Merujuk sirah, mereka ini adalah seumpama golongan Yahudi yang tinggal di Madinah ketika terbentuknya Piagam Madinah. Dalam konteks Malaysia ini ialah golongan bukan Islam yang memeluk agama Bhudisme, Anisme, Christian, Sikh, Hinduisme dan seumpamanya yang berada di bawah pemerintahan Islam jika PAS memerintah.
Dalam konteks untuk menjadi ahlul zimmah maka golongan ini perlu menerima aqad al zimmah, yakni secara dasar bersetuju menerima undang-undang Islam dan taat kepada pemerintah Islam.
Syarat aqad al zimmah:-
1. Mesti berbentuk kekal
2. Mengeluarkan jizyah
2.1 Dari lelaki baligh, berakal dan berkemampuan
2.2 Membayar cukai perdagangan (usyur) jjika dia berniaga dalam negara Islam
3. Iltizam dengan hukum muamalah Islam (kecuali dalam soal ahwal, syaksiah, ibadah dan aqidah)
3.1 Tidak menjual arak, babi dan perkara membawa najis secara mudharat di pekan orang-orang Islam
Syarat pembatalan aqad al zimmah:-
1. Kembali kepada dar al harbi (menentang negara Islam dan bersubahat dengan musuh-musuh Islam)
2. Mencerca Islam
3. Berzina dengan wanita Islam
4. Memfitnah orang-orang Islam
5. Enggan membayar jizyah
6. Mencerca Allah, Rasul dan al-Quran
Hak ahli aqad al zimmah
1. Pemberian keamanan kepada diri dan harta
2. Kebebasan untuk bergerak (kecuali tanah haram Mekah)
3. Tertakluk kepada keadilan undang-undang
4. Kebebasan keluar masuk negara-negara Islam
5. Kehormatan tempat tinggal
6. Kebabasan beragama
7. Kebebasan mengeluarkan pendapat, berhimpun dan menuntut ilmu
8. Kemudahan bantuan kerajan dan juga baitulmal
9. Kebebasan berkerja (kecuali jawatan utama bersabit kepentingan siasah dan agama yang ditentukan oleh taklif)
10. Hak mengundi melantik wakil mereka untuk bersuara
11. Hak untuk berperang mempertahankan negara yang didiami (hilang peruntukan membayar jizyah.
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