10 reasons why Anwar denied meeting PM

By BigDog

Shahrir: Anwar Traitor to Malay Race

After branding Anwar Ibrahim as a traitor to the Malay race and the nation, Dato' Shahrir Samad, Johor Bahru UMNO chief has called on the PKR advisor to sue them as they are prepared for any legal action.

"Double Standard" Anwar Dalam Kes Elly, Arumugam Terbongkar

"Double Standard" Anwar Dalam Kes Elly, Arumugam Terbongkar
Posted on Tuesday, March 31 @ 15:58:27 MYT

Oleh Adnil Mohd

Bukit Gantang -- Bekas Setiausaha Pemuda dan Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Lokman Noor Adam mendakwa Penasihat PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sehingga kini tidak mahu Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Lanjan, Elizabeth Wong melepaskan jawatan disebabkan peranan penting Elizabeth kepada parti itu.

Lokman yang kini Exco Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia seterusnya mendedahkan pada tahun 2003, Anwar telah menghantar pimpinan kanan PKR ke Washington DC untuk mendapatkan dana daripada George Soros bagi menghadapi Pilihan Raya Umum ke-11 ketika itu.

Menurutnya, pertemuan itu telah diatur Tian Chua dan pimpinan PKR yang menghadap George Soros ketika itu ialah Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Azmin Ali dan Khalid Jaafar.

"Bagaimanapun Tian Chua tidak ada pada pertemuan itu sebaliknya beliau menghantar Elizabeth Wong untuk menguruskan pertemuan berkenaan.

"Pertemuan mereka terbongkar apabila berlaku pertengkaran di antara Azmin Ali dan Elizabeth setelah Azmin tidak membenarkan Elizabeth memasuki perbincangan tersebut kerana khuatir ada pihak luar yang mengetahui tindakan mereka menagih dana dari Soros", katanya.

Beliau mendedahkan perkara itu ketika berceramah ‘Kenapa Harus Tolak Pas’ di sini, Isnin malam.

Kata beliau lagi, perkara tersebut dimaklumkan oleh Ezam semasa mesyuarat 'inner circle' mereka.

Tegas beliau hakikat berkenaan jelas membuktikan “double standard” Anwar dalam berdepan dengan krisis dalaman parti tersebut.

"Saya katakan begitu kerana apabila bekas ADUN Bukit Selambau terlibat dengan masalah moral (perempuan simpanan) beliau segera desak agar ADUN tersebut meletakkan jawatan.

"Namun bila berdepan dengan kes Elly, Anwar mempertahankan Elizabeth habis-habisan sungguhpun ADUN berkenaan didakwa menghadapi masalah ketagihan rokok, arak dan yang terkini masalah gambar bogel serta hubungan dengan pemuda Islam (Helmi)", katanya.

Lokman seterusnya menambah Anwar masih tidak mahu Elizabeth meletakkan jawatan kerana Elizabeth adalah ‘jambatan’ kepada dana yang diberikan kepada PKR dari pihak asing yang mahu mengkucar-kacirkan negara.

Pada 1997, George Soros dilabel sebagai penyangak mata wang yang menyebabkan ekonomi negara merundum dan ekonomi Asia juga turut tergugat.

Implications of Anwar Ibrahim’s promotion of a moderate and west-friendly Islam (part 2)

The state of the Islamic movement in Malaysia today is by and large a product of the 1998 saga. Anwar’s ordeal resulted in odd partnerships in the Malaysian opposition, with both Islamic and anti-Islamic elements joining forces to form a coalition to win elections. PAS felt it had no choice but to join the bandwagon, lest it be accused of not seizing the moment when many non-Muslims had turned to it for some form of leadership in their opposition to Mahathir. Similarly, outside Malaysia, human-rights organizations, religious figures, European leaders and the most hawkish of American personalities came to Anwar Ibrahim’s defence, partly because of his years of establishing a wide network of supporters.

Now as his judicial ordeal in Malaysia fades into the past, so does western criticism of Malaysia, a country whose economy offers great prospects of profit for western investment. This is partly because of the Malaysian government’s engaging public-relations experts not only for foreign-investment purposes, but also to present itself as a moderate Muslim country. Its support for the ‘war on terror’, offering logistical and moral support to Washington despite its loud anti-American noise, has also brought the Malaysian leadership back into the good books of American lobbyists, who in turn influence policies in Capital Hill.

Anwar Ibrahim, the man whom Washington now apparently favours to lead this southeast Asian Muslim country, is now in the opposition even if he refuses to hold any party post. But the US and its western thinktanks are in no hurry: the present leadership is able to deliver, but for the ‘war on terror’ to generate tangible results it needs a man with the necessary combination of qualities: Islamist yet pro-western, and therefore easy to deal with – to succeed gradually in the top echelons of government.

The implications of all this on Muslims in Malaysia are already visible: western thinktanks and local NGOs funded by western interests are already engaging the opposition, particularly PAS, in various issues which do not concern ordinary Muslims directly. These include such things as “personal freedom”; some sections of an emerging class of secular elites have called for the powers of Islamic enforcement-officers (mild compared to their Middle Eastern counterparts) to be abolished. This non-issue came up when children and relatives of some politicians were arrested recently for consumption of liquor and other unIslamic behaviour at a discotheque in Kuala Lumpur. These groups have also tried to persuade the government to establish a so-called “inter-faith commission” so that all religions will be consulted on national policies.

The sudden rise of these ‘liberal’ demands has to do with the steady emergence of secular elites among the Malay Muslims, most of whom have ties with ‘royal families’ and powerful politicians in other countries, in much the same way as Pakistan’s disco-generation and Turkey’s secular elites have tried to justify their unIslamic lifestyles, while at the same time curtailing the Muslims’ freedom to choose their own destiny.

One thinktank, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, based in Germany, which has been sponsoring political programmes for the opposition, has even prepared a platform for PAS, on one side of the fence, and several NGO representatives, on the other, to debate issues raised by these groups. Such marketing-style seminars and forums to ‘engage’, ‘tame’ and infiltrate the Islamic movement are common in many other Muslim countries, and are a clever distraction for the Islamic movement, to prevent activists’ attention from focusing on more urgent issues. One can argue that in Malaysia’s case, PAS needs to be ‘tamed’ because it is an integral part of the opposition and cannot be isolated, in preparation for Anwar’s return to government.

Anwar’s visits to several institutions in the West, such as to Oxford University and John Hopkins University, can also be read in the same way: a public-relations exercise to impress upon Washington that the Malaysian opposition is “friendly”. Speaking at John Hopkins in Washington early last month, Anwar hinted that some form of Western pressure should be applied in order to ease the opposition’s burden (remember that such pressure is already seen in places like Lebanon and Venezuela). Anwar expressed regret for Washington’s recent praise of the Malaysian government: “It is mockery even when Washington, for example, approves this sort of exercise [‘undemocratic’ practices] because it just portrays your utter ignorance or inconsistency in dealing with such countries,” he told the audience (italics added).

Anwar was also at pains to convince his American audience that PAS, his main ally in the opposition, would review its Islamic-state aspiration, adding that its agenda is not tenable in a multi-religious society such as Malaysia. “They have agreed to review this and I have told others that I can be convinced. But many non-Muslims, many liberal Muslims may not be convinced because they are thinking that while you say that now, you may hijack the agenda after the election... You cannot equate the Islamic party or judge them purely on the propaganda of the ruling party. They are not the Taliban. They take a more liberal view.”

Although it is not entirely true that PAS is reviewing its position on the Islamic state, it is a fact that it has failed to propagate it with wisdom. Since Mahathir rebuilt his image after 1998, PAS’s influence has steadily declined. This was made worse by the death of Fadzil Noor, whose leadership of PAS had ensured that the party kept its ideal intact yet worked with others to bring about reform and change. Many disgruntled leaders and others hitherto aligned with the ruling elite had joined PAS. A few of them have risen in the party to occupy key posts. These are businessmen and professionals who are well known among government circles. Yet their contribution to disseminating Islam – to lay the foundation of an Islamic state or do da’wah in a multireligious society like Malaysia – has been minimal. Much of the party’s resources have been geared towards winning elections, which it could not have managed anyway because of the strict campaigning and election rules.

The absence of a capable leadership in PAS is probably one reason why it has in effect left its direction to Anwar. PAS is now increasingly being sidelined in debates that affect Muslims in the country, and its leaders’ responses to the challenges being brought by the so-called ‘liberal’ camp have been dismal. Its arguments are almost all within a national political framework, such as the replies it gave when these ‘liberals’ questioned the enforcement of morality among Muslims. PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang merely warned them against transgressing the federal constitution and the powers of the sultans.

PAS’s survival as an Islamic movement to voice the ethos of Islam in Malaysia may be at stake, as it increasingly finds itself trapped in the system it chose to be in, and seeks to ‘re-brand’ itself. It seems that it now wants to survive as a ‘market-friendly’ political party, and do so by aligning itself with Anwar, who many expect will be the prime minister. This may well result in long-term (if not irreparable) damage to the Islamic movement, and risks turning the only Islamic movement in the country into a Turkish-type ‘Islamist’ political party that exists mostly in the ballot-box and for little else.

Implications of Anwar Ibrahim’s promotion of a moderate and west-friendly Islam

From chedet.com fan club FB group:

Since his release last year after spending six-years in a Malaysian prison, Anwar Ibrahim has become a darling of the West for his promotion of an understanding of Islam that is regarded as ‘moderate’ and West-friendly. ABDAR RAHMAN KOYA in Kuala Lumpur reports.

Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy prime minister of Malaysia who was freed in September last year, is almost synonymous with contemporary Malaysian politics. He was once a student-leader, well known among Islamic circles throughout the world; his rise and fall have been followed closely by his friends and by activists. When he was dismissed, arrested, jailed and convicted on contrived charges, many Muslims in Malaysia and those concerned with the Islamic movement saw the process as the nature of secular politics. Even more, many in the global Islamic movement were not surprised by the drama that engulfed Malaysia’s political scene from September 1998, when he was dismissed, to his release from prison exactly six years later.

During these tumultuous times Anwar Ibrahim has emerged as an icon whose personal and political experience brought together all types of people – the Islamists, the ‘moderates’, and even some parties whose anti-Islamic agenda is difficult to conceal or deny. One fact has to be acknowledged: Anwar is politically very skillful, and quite capable of making a comeback. Whether this is because of his charisma and leadership, his political shrewdness, or even due to his attention-capturing oratory skills, is another matter. He is now increasingly hailed as a “moderate” in some western circles; his diary is filled with speaking engagements in academic and political institutions that are either in the West or funded by the West. Not surprisingly, “inter-civilisational dialogue”, the subject that has no risk attached for politicians seeking a good image among Western leaders, is one of his themes wherever he goes.

Probably as a result of this development, many in the Islamic movement have doubts about Anwar’s sincerity to the movement, despite his background as a ‘radical’ Islamic student leader whose impact on the Malaysian political scene has been immense in the country’s recent past. These doubts are valid, and his recent statements and actions have further fuelled these suspicions. His recruitment by Mahathir in 1981 for the latter’s “Islamization policy” earned him friends and foes: many saw in him a mastery of political skill, in other words a man for all seasons, wearing the right hat for every occasion. Considering that he was touted in the seventies as a “radical Muslim” leader, and his supporters once stormed the US embassy, Anwar Ibrahim’s plunge into a different mould of ‘Islamicity’ has been as dramatic as his rise in Mahathir’s cabinet. With such a history, it is difficult for the Islamic movement to ignore him, and even more difficult for the Islamic movement – or the ‘Islamists’, as the current parlance is – to not know him.

These days, Anwar Ibrahim is globetrotting, with most friends in high places (governments and thinktanks in various countries) welcoming him, despite the fact that he has no official post in Malaysia’s government at the moment. In the US he has delivered many lectures in his newfound capacity of spokesman for “inter-civilizational dialogue”. Immediately after his release he was greeted in Munich, Germany, where he was being treated for spinal injury, by none other than Paul Wolfowitz, the architect of the US war on Iraq. Thus began the repackaging of Anwar Ibrahim: he ceased to be the rousing leader that he had been until 1998, and has become someone whose friendship with western mentors – to whom many would-be leaders in southeast Asia link their political destiny – is invaluable to Westerners in their desperate search for “agents of change” in the Muslim world.

At the very least his image-building, from the way he dresses to the cautious statements he makes about the US and western hegemony, has earned him the status of a Western “darling”. In typical fashion, a variety of words is being used in western circles to describe him: he is a moderate, a thinker, a reformist; he is a liberal Islamist, an Islamic democrat; terms that Anwar himself might be uncomfortable with, but for whose use on him he has no one to blame but himself.

Who Anwar’s friends really are remains the biggest question since his release: such a question could be ignored in the spirit of international diplomatic realities when he was at the top echelon of government. But now that he has no political post, one is left wondering why he is meeting with people like Wolfowitz, and being welcomed at the Pentagon. Clearly, he is being groomed both in Washington and by western journalists as a “voice of moderate Islam”. On April 11, at a conference in Qatar, organised by the US-Islamic World Forum (a body funded by several American interests) Anwar Ibrahim said that he had “conceded” that the US attack on Iraq heralded a new beginning for the “voices of freedom”, and disagreed that it was a war against Iraqis or Muslims. As if that were not enough to please Uncle Sam, Anwar is on record as expressing support for Paul Wolfowitz’s nomination to head the World Bank, against which even the US’s European allies have protested. His various ‘self-critical’ statements, now fashionable among Muslim ‘moderates’, side by side with mild chiding of American policies, lend credence to the supposition that this is the man that the West is grooming to head one of the most vibrant Muslim governments in the world.

Dr Muzaffar Iqbal has best described this phenomenon: ‘moderate Muslims’ of the “self-critical type”, who, as he wrote, “repeat their favorite mantra: ‘we must stop blaming others for our misfortune, the problem lies within us.’ This is precisely the kind of ‘openness’ and ‘inward-looking approach’ desired by the US. These ‘Muslim intellectuals’ are the darlings of Washington because the Americans want us to believe that we are being bombed back into the stone age because of our own faults.” (See “The West’s intellectual agents in the Muslim world”, Crescent International, October 2004). Anwar Ibrahim now appears to be a leading “agent of change”, as far as the West permits: he is talking about democracy in the Muslim world but stops short of criticizing his friends in the Arab world, especially the Saudi ruling family, with whom he has enjoyed cordial relations since the days when the Saudis were campaigning in the Muslim world against the “Shi’ite” Revolution in Iran.

For the Malaysian opposition, particularly for the Islamic Party (PAS), which is aligned closely to the People’s Justice Party (Keadilan), led by Anwar’s wife, this stance chosen by the man whom they have endorsed openly as prime-ministerial material poses problems, with many leaders in the opposition (and even Anwar’s wife) choosing to brush it aside as Anwar’s “personal views”. The opposition is at a crossroads of a sort: Anwar is an asset because of his ability to bring in extra votes, but could become a liability because of his ties to western political interests, coupled with his pro-US opinions. For PAS, long seen as the flag-bearer of the Islamic movement in Malaysia, Anwar should have been no different from many ruling-party leaders campaigning to counter PAS by propagating “Islam Hadhari” (“progressive Islam”) – the political theme of prime minister Abdullah Badawi. Anwar is busy promoting “democracy and change” among Muslims, and thus jeopardising what remains of his Islamic credentials.

The implications of all this on Muslims in Malaysia are already visible: western thinktanks and local NGOs funded by western interests are already engaging the opposition, particularly PAS, in various issues which do not concern ordinary Muslims directly. These include such things as “personal freedom”; some sections of an emerging class of secular elites have called for the powers of Islamic enforcement-officers (mild compared to their Middle Eastern counterparts) to be abolished. This non-issue came up when children and relatives of some politicians were arrested recently for consumption of liquor and other unIslamic behaviour at a discotheque in Kuala Lumpur. These groups have also tried to persuade the government to establish a so-called “inter-faith commission” so that all religions will be consulted on national policies.

The sudden rise of these ‘liberal’ demands has to do with the steady emergence of secular elites among the Malay Muslims, most of whom have ties with ‘royal families’ and powerful politicians in other countries, in much the same way as Pakistan’s disco-generation and Turkey’s secular elites have tried to justify their unIslamic lifestyles, while at the same time curtailing the Muslims’ freedom to choose their own destiny.

Short Clips 2: Pakatan & KT By-Election

• Anwar Ibrahim is out of bargaining chips after changing his 'take over' date several times. Sept 16 went and nothing happened. Hari Raya Qorban went and nothing exciting occurred. Instead of focusing on administrating the 4 newly acquired states (which sees nothing different besides free water in Selangor, more lands given out in Perak and Penang and 1 temple demolition) and keeping the coalition together (with all the internal conflicts, no surprise there since it is a young coalition), he is still adamant to get 30 MPs to jump ship. The question that is begged to be asked and answered is whether people still want this? Is PAS still in line with the coalition's objectives after getting assaulted day in and day out by partner DAP from enforcing Islamic laws in Kedah to logging activities and inconsistent views on sales of alcohol and many other provoking issues.
• The Kuala Terengganu by-election will witness a modicum of interesting challenges. With 3 DUN seats under PAS' control (DUN Wakaf Mempelam, Ladang, Batu Buruk), BN will have a tough time retaining the seat, especially after the issue of the MB selection, the use of Mercedes as official cars, the wrestling of oil royalty funds, Monsoon Cup and the construction of the crystal mosque. BN won the seat by a mere 628 votes (Arwah Datuk Razali garnered 32562 votes vs Mat Sabu's 31934 & Maimun's 685).
• However, because of PAS' alignment with recalcitrant DAP which seeks to fight to the death to protect vernacular schools from being Malaysianized into one synchronized public school system, there might be some reservations from voters. Might. PAS might also face public pressure for its inability to continue fighting for their predetermined campaign causes before the formation of Pakatan Rakyat. Might. What is their stand on education? It has to be made clear lest they are comfortable being labeled as small time partner in the coalition. Perhaps we should just suggest to Kadazans and Ibans to have their own vernacular schools!

Malaysian Digest

Big Bubble Popped

Wall street recently crashed and banks folded. The biggest injection of funds from the Feds is arguably ineffective to put the brakes on recession. It is looming in the horizon or maybe it has arrived. Hedge funds exited from their gambling ventures. The big bubble from overspending, securitizing debts and unregulated speculations popped. Now oil is back in the 60 dollar-range. America drove 15 billions fewer miles last month. OPEC is cutting their production to optimize prize. Is the market stabilizing? Expect oil companies in the service sector to get hit especially those who have not secured long-term contracts. Massive investments have been channeled to build rigs and ships. If the oil price continues to go down and oil operators chew slower on their development projects, this would render the new-builts useless.

US college admission is plumetting. This is because thousands of American kids depend on financial aid and loans from banks and other institutions. If money is being channeled to fill in the holes left by the subprime mortgage and bankrupt banks, I gather there won't be much money left for kids to go to college. Doesn't help that tuition cost increases at 6.6% for the last 20 years. It is pricey to go to school in the US. Also, universities generate a huge chunk of their revenue from admission of international students. Because of the recession, expect a lower admission rate for the next few years. Students might choose a better destination the likes of Australia or Singapore.

Meanwhile, people are losing jobs especially in the financial sector. Expect low recruitment of fresh grads in the US for the next few years. Same thing across the causeway.

Back home, Bursa is getting killed and is now below 900 points.

Anwar is still trying to figure out how to get 30 MPs to jump the BN ship and still retain >60% Muslim MPs in Pakatan. By the time he figures that out, it'd be 2013 already, in time for the next election. Take your time Dato' Seri.

The Lesser of Two Evils (Update 1)

21/9: DSKT's campaign slogan "Pemuda berani" (Courageous Youth). Datuk Zahidi's slogan "Pemuda untuk semua" (Youth for all).

"It is by far the longest general election in the history of Malaysia" as how a friend of mine eloquently puts it. We have cast our ballots in March and we were hotly reviewing the prospects of members of parliaments jumping ships by Sept 16th (DSAI did not mention what year). It was covered extensively in our favorite dailies. Forums and blogs had a plethora of issues and virtues to comprehend and debate. That day passed and life went on for everyone. DSAI had deceived Malaysians yet again. As if it were an adaptation from V-for-Vendetta, he had a date, the masks, the followers, the anticipation, the anxiety, the thrill......but no bomb. Did the summer camp in Taiwan for agriculture enthusiasts do its trick or it was not meant to be?

Perhaps many were hoping for this day because of the disgusts in UMNO politicians as apparent in the so called alternative media (no longer alternative i suppose!). The stereotype is still saturated in their minds. UMNO is still dubbed as the path for the lust of power and money. Election analysis concluded that many young Malaysians voted against the current regime. The keris and the broom made huge impacts on posters and banners. 5 states and 1 territory decided it was time to change.

The question that is begged to be asked is whether it has made any difference in those 5 states. Have the efficiency and 'transparency' increased in the state managements? Have you felt a sudden burst of change in your constituency that it constitutes an absolute gift from heaven itself? Or are your wakil rakyat embroiled in taking over the country by defection of BN MPs and nitpicking previous administration's foil and follies. Some are definitely rookies with zero experience in politics. Has it been better for you? Come 2013, will you pick an inexperienced rookie with a clean slate or a seasoned politician with questionable financial status? Should the rookie be retained for the next 5 terms, would he eventually morph into that seasoned politician we once despised?

The race for all posts including the UMNO presidency is now the hot topic. Beginning 9th Oct, all 192 divisions will commence their meetings to nominate their candidates of choice from top to bottom. Many have labeled the current PM as weak and ineffective as commander-in-chief, others hail him as the champion of liberty and reforms. There are quarters questioning DS Najib's potential and capabilities if he were to become PM despite his vast experience since the late Tun Razak passed away. A branch in Pekan Division had earlier presented their proposal to the division to nominate DS Najib as numero uno. In the end, it would be up to the delegates to decide. Some may say that delegates do not represent the taste and will of the majority of 3 million strong memberships. Then again, these delegates will be elected, so it would be the wish of the majority, some what.

Let's now analyze the race for Ketua Pemuda Malaysia. Dato' Mukhriz had a good start with his direct comments about the current presidency. Many young professionals outside of UMNO admire his guts and wish for change, thus his motto "Berani Berubah" (to be courageous for change). Added to his resume is his father's direct influence, the political immortal Tun Dr Mahathir. He garnered the highest votes during last election for the Exco seat.

KJ, the next candidate, needs no introduction. As PM's son in law, he is both controversial and aggresive. He is also gaining significant support within the ranks. His oratory skills and confidence level are widely known strengths, backed by a legion of high performing young professionals. His campaign buzz word is "Setiakawan" (Loyalty among friends).

Enter the next candidate, DS Khir Toyo, former Selangor Menteri Besar. Has been in gear 7 in campaigning. For him, it boils down to simple, plain, practical, good ol' Malay politics. He has, by far, the widest experience among the 3 strong candidates. There is no motto for this veteran, just hard campaigning to woo the young delegates. Some loyalists said vote for him if you don't want the other candidates. His Achilles's heel will be the loss of the state to the hands of the Opposition but he is no doubt ready with an answer and it's tough to beat that answer. His blog has breached the 1-million mark. Who said he's not popular?

In national politics 6 months ago, it was about choosing rookie candidates and not BN. In the upcoming UMNO election, it will be the test of choosing the lesser of two evils. I could be wrong.

Oh, forgot to mention the 4th candidate.

Some interesting stats from the PP by-election

So DSAI pulls it off with a stunning win of 15,671 majority votes (garnered 31,195 votes).

Here are the figures from last general election:

- Datuk Seri Wan Azizah won with a convincing 13,388 majority (garnered 30,338 votes).
- Datuk Pirdaus garnered 16,950 votes for BN in the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary seat contest.
- Datuk Ariff Shah won the Seberang Jaya DUN with a 533 majority. He secured 9,395 votes from 18,479 total votes. However, he won the same seat in 2004 with a big majority of 4,464. Hmmmmm big reduction there......

Figures from the Permatang Pauh by-election:

- DSAI won with a 15,671 majority votes.
- Voters turn out less by 1.9%
- Datuk Ariff secured 15,524 votes.

What does all this mumbo jumbo say? It's close to status quo. There's a slight reduction in BN support and slight increase in DSAI's support but there's also reduction in turn out (working day for outstation folks?). However, Datuk Ariff's numbers at DUN level is quite impressive considering it's in Anwar's territory.

In conclusion the sons of Permatang Pauh favor Datuk Ariff as a local hero, but at national level, they rather have DSAI to put up a good fight at Parliament. ok what's next, Budget 2009?

Hey wait a sec, isn't it National day in a few days?! Happy National Day from South China Sea!

(Some pictures taken from Rocky's bru)

What's next after Permatang Pauh?

It will be hours till we know who would be crowned the new MP of Permatang Pauh and perhaps if DSAI wins, this is his first step to Putrajaya. Of course, desire and reality should not be colluded as one. If DSAI wins with a bigger majority, I reckon these would be people pissed off with BN, not so much of their support for DSAI. If he wins with a slimmer majority, perhaps the sumpah by Saiful made a huge impact. The one good thing about the by-election is the increase in business for the locals, whether it's the banana fritter hawkers or hotel owners. Whatever the outcome is, it will be back to normal for Malaysia with a staggering 7% inflation, low market confidence in Bursa and lagging economy.

Good that the price of petrol was reduced to give us a breather, whether it's politically motivated or not. Budget is coming its way in September promising more goodies for all Malaysians. Whether it's lower income tax or more rebates, hopefully the extra cash translated in our pockets would be put to good use and rejuvenate the sluggish econ.

Despite huge media coverage on inflation and such, I was quite surprised to find high-end properties sold out in recent launches around the city. These people, whether fortunate to have some inherited wealth or skillful in their business, are definitely not effected with the high oil price or inflation.

A big chunk of money in the Budget is expected to be spent for public transportation. The rise of usage ever since the fuel price hike has FINALLY made some leaders prioritize the issue. The challenge in implementation would be streamlining the many groups involved in this: MOF, Prasarana, MOT, PM's Office, RapidKL, local govts, vendors. Of course, everyone would be eager to be the champion.

DAP has announced its intention to oppose Malaysia being an Islamic state and abolish the NEP once and for all. With Tunku Aziz as their Deputy Chairman, they are supposedly showing off their multi cultural/racial stand. Aren't there more Chinese Excos in Penang now than before? Do you really think this Tunku Aziz would have any political clout whatsoever in the pre-dominantly Chinese party? Please lah. He was the Vice Chairman for Transparency International for 2 terms. What business does he have to be in a political party?

On another note, being a PJ resident, lotsa people were talking about changes during the General Election. Free water (which translated to about RM3 I think), Projek Khinzir Raksasa, etc, etc. I wrote an email to my DAP MP regarding pot holes in the area. I was amazed with the quick response from him. Within a couple of weeks, the pot holes were covered......with just sand. The sand eventually was gone and the pot holes were still there. So what's all this fuss about change?

The War Zone: Permatang Pauh

So it's my first time attending nomination day for a by-election. We took off early from the hotel and drove to Maktab Perguruan Tuanku Bainun together with DSHH convoy. As we entered the main road leading to the entrance, Permatang Pauh once again reminded BN that we are the underdogs and are not welcomed there. At 0730, the area was already flooded with PKR flags, banners and supporters chanting Anwar's name and the normal "Reformasi" war cry. Our cars in the convoy were subject to abuse from kicking, knocking and harmless projectiles flying from all directions. I was told that the previous by-elections were worse, so I took it as being "normal".

We exited the cars and walked to the BN assembly area. Dozens of bodyguards guided their political masters to the muster area. FRUs falled in, ready to be mobilized to their stations. The field was divided into two main sections for the two major sides. It was obvious the size of the support for PKR was at least 3 times more. However, BN didn't come unprepared and was ready for a fight anytime.

It looked like one of the scenes in the "Last Samurai". On one side, the Japanese imperial army was massive and ready to stampede on everything in it's path. On the other side, the Samurai, although in a small number, were ready to put up a good fight, knowing that a certain death is imminent.

After the candidates were announced, we escorted DSHH and KJ out of the premise. Regardless of "teams", on that day, everyone put on their "BN" cap and forgot about party elections. As usual, fans of DSHH flocked around trying to at least shake their idol's hand and quickly take a snapshot with camera phones ready in eager hands. We were squished and pushed around. As soon as we were out of the premise, rain came. Drenched in our white and blue gear, we marched calmly to the nearest shelter and waited the rain out. When it slowed down to a drizzle, we walked again to get to our cars.

PKR fans were hurling insults and throwing harmless projectiles at us, trying to target DSHH and KJ. Some were taunting DSHH openly. He just walked off, acting all was cool. We formed a human shield around the "most wanted targets" while hearing things like "why the hell did you raise the fuel price" and "get the hell out of here". I was in suspense, looking around me and anticipating any fool that could just run into our direction with a dangerous weapon, despite the presence of hundreds of cops, uniformed and plain clothed.

When the convoy came to pick us up, I could only get onto the back of a pick up truck. With my clothes all drenched and having at least another 7 of our friends on the same truck, everyone just held on to something like our lives depended on it while the pick up tried to catch up with the convoy in front. The rain hit our skin like a million sharp needles.

When we got back to the hotel in one piece and were enjoying our cantonese fried kuew teoy, I just felt it was probably the best weekends I had in a long time. Who said politics was boring?

Anwar akan bertanding di Permatang Pauh

KUALA LUMPUR 31 Julai - Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hari ini mengumumkan beliau akan bertanding di kawasan Parlimen Permatang Pauh yang dikosongkan oleh isterinya, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail berkuat kuasa hari ini.

Pengumuman dibuat pada sidang akhbar di ibu pejabat parti itu di sini sebentar tadi.

Dr. Wan Azizah merupakan Ahli Parlimen kerusi itu sejak pilihan raya umum 1999 iaitu selepas selepas Anwar dipecat daripada parti dan kerajaan setahun sebelum itu dan dihadapkan di mahkamah.

Kini Dr. Wan Azizah merupakan Ketua Pembangkang di Parlimen.- The Star.

dipetik dari Utusan

UMNO Election (Update 4) and PR's choice for DPM (update 1)

Update 4 (28/7): Tok Pa pulled out from the race.

Update 3 (27/7): Datuk Seri Utama Mohamad Hassan pulled out from the VP race.

Update 2 (25/7): List of UMNO Vice Presidency candidates:

1. DS Hishamuddin Tun Hussein
   
2. DS Syed Hamid Albar (being challenged at Division)
   
3. TS Rahim Tamby Chik
4. DS Khaled Nordin
5. DS Ali Rustam
6. TS Muhammad Muhammad Taib
7. DS Shafie Afdal
8. DS Adnan Yaakob
9. DS Musa Aman
10. TS Mohd Isa Abdul Samad
11. DS Rais Yatim (being challenged at Division by his deputy Datuk Yunus Rahmat, Klawang State Assemblyman)
12. DS Shahidan Kassim
13. Datuk Zahid Hamidi

20/7:

• One branch attempted to open the flood gates by nominating Datuk Seri Najib as UMNO president. One division in Johor might follow suit. Other contests:
• Sembrong, Kubang Pasu (TDM's former division), Balakaban (enjoying pension money after declining deputy minister post), Beaufort, Sipitang have nominated AAB as President and DSNR as Deputy President.
• Gua Musang nominated their chief as candidate for presidency
• Putrajaya plans to also nominate AAB and DSNR this Saturday
  
• D Mukhriz supports DS Hisham's notion that the top two posts should be contested
• PR has officially announced DSAI as their choice for the top seat should PR takes over from BN government. The question is, who is their choice for DPM? PAS will be furious if the composition of the newly formed government does not have at least 60% of Malay YBs after the planned hop in September (now DSAI says the plan has been delayed because of the sodomy case). PAS has already met with their UMNO counterparts to discuss issues regards the Malays and Islam. Will this widen the crack in Pakatan Rakyat?
  

Anwar contesting this time?

After declining to take Permatang Pauh, Lembah Pantai or Bandar Tun Razak, Anwar was window-shopping and hoping that Kuala Kangsar would be vacant due to alleged irregularities during election by BN. After the court over ruled this, now it's Kulim Bandar Baharu. BN candidate claims that YB Zulkifli Nordin (former Royal Military College cadet) did not file his expense claims for during his campaign in 2004. If a by-election is required, would Zulkifli Noordin make way for DSAI?

DSAI also claims that 1 former UMNO MP and 1 division chief have joined PKR. Although he has changed his tune subtlety, we're not sure whether the plan for 16th September is a go. Before he goes down with another court case, why can't he just get the MPs to cross over and form the government now? What's he waiting for? (He did mention that the sodomy case would inevitably delay the process).

Fuel debate Anwar vs Shabery

How did everyone rate the minister vs the former deputy prime minister of Malaysia? The debate started off solid with DSAI harping the same tune of promising the rakyat that the PR would decrease fuel price by 50 cents per L if they rule the country. He would also squeeze additional funds from the subsidies the IPPs enjoy from gas usage for power generation, claiming that TNB has an over capacity of power generation. Dato' Shabery started with claiming PR using the populist stand (why did PR change their subsidy amount? before the debate, they claimed that they're able to reduce it back to RM1.92, now it's RM2.20). When money is allocated for subsidies, the market is distorted and we deprive allocation for other essentials. During the oil embargo by the Arabs following the Yum Kippur war, Tun Razak, the then PM, established Petronas (together with Ku Li as Chairman) to participate in the oil business as to reduce the dependence of foreign oil. The comparison of other oil exporting countries and its income per capita and inflation rates were also discussed briefly. DSAI argued that too many bail outs by the Government occurred that had siphoned off the royalty money and dividends paid by Petronas to the Government (wasn't he Finance Minister involved in several bail outs himself?).

At this juncture, both diverted from fuel debate and talked about demonstrations, and other non-issues. Both did not answer the questions, i.e. when asked about the Tabung Warisan, Anwar talked about governance, transparency and the need to curb corruption. Shabery blamed DSAI for being part of the problem when he was TPM and FM. Shabery claimed that the debate is proof that the government today is more open, not in comparison to the government when DSAI was TPM (is Shabery also indirectly blaming TDM? Perhaps people weren't so keen of debates back then, that was before the youtube and facebook generation). Shabery also claimed that the greatness of Petronas is proof of the greatness of UMNO and the BN government (I dont think this would run well with TSH). That's when I changed channel, played with my 4-yr old. No air, no air.

Next debate: the sale of MV Augusta?

Cabar Anwar bersumpah junjung Al-Quran

Editor Utama Malaysia-hariini.com

ANWAR Ibrahim tidak perlu menyalahkan sesiapa. Baik polis, kerajaan, UMNO atau sesiapa sahaja apabila dituduh meliwat. Anwar juga tidak perlu menggunakan rakyat jelata sebagai benteng untuk mempertahankan dirinya bagi membuktikan bahawa beliau tidak bersalah dan Anwar juga tidak perlu menggunakan pentas ceramah politik ketika ini untuk memutarbelitkan segala tuduhan yang dilemparkan kepadanya dengan menyalahkan orang itu dan orang ini.

Anwar juga tidak perlu menggunakan ataupun mengulangi kembali skrip ucapan lama beliau seperti tahun 1998-1999 dengan mendakwa bahawa ada konspirasi yang sedang dibuat bagi membunuh karier politiknya kerana hari ini rakyat sudah semakin cerdik untuk menilai mana satu cerita bohong dan mana satu cerita benar.

Dan hari ini cakap Anwar masih belum terbukti benar apabila tidak ada seorang pun MP UMNO melompat parti, sehingga hari ini kerajaan Barisan Nasional masih memerintah dan Anwar terus memutarbelitkan segala kenyataan hanya sekadar mahu menyedapkan hati penyokong dan wakil rakyat mereka sendiri. Kononnya mereka akan jadi kerajaan.

Sebagai seorang Muslim yang menganut agama Islam, Anwar ada satu senjata untuk membersihkan diri beliau dari segala tuduhan ini dan bagi membuktikan bahawa beliau benar-benar bersih dan tidak berdosa serta tidak melakukan liwat terhadap Saiful ataupun sesiapa sahaja, Anwar dicabar untuk bersumpah dengan menjunjung kitab suci Al-Qur`an dimana sahaja masjid dalam Negara ini dengan disaksikan oleh semua ulama termasuklah Nik Aziz dan juga Haji Hadi.

Ini sahaja jalan ataupun pendekatan yang boleh menyelamat Anwar daripada segala tuduhan ini dan sumpah tersebut haruslah dibuat perlaksanaannya mengikut tatacara Islam seperti semua orang Islam ketahui. Kalau tidak percaya kepada ulama UMNO, Tanya Nik Aziz, bagaimana sumpah yang benar berlandaskan agama.

Anwar tidak perlu mengheret rakyat. Tidak perlu memohon simpati rakyat untuk tidak mempercayai segala tuduhan terbaru ini. Anwar tidak perlu mencari alasan dengan menjadikan Najib sasaran beliau. Kalau Anwar sememangnya berani dan dilahirkan untuk menjadi pemimpin ataupun Perdana Menteri dalam Negara ini, Anwar juga kena berani menyahut cabaran untuk bersumpah ini dan kita percaya sekiranya Anwar benar-benar tidak berdosa serta bersalah, Allah S.W.T akan menyelamatkan beliau tetapi sekiranya beliau benar-benar melakukan kesalahan tersebut, Anwar dan semua orang tahu risiko ataupun bala yang bakal Anwar terima.

Rakyat telah cukup lama terpedaya dengan segala helah politik Anwar. Rakyat telah lama termakan dengan segala bujuk rayu Anwar ketika meraih undi bagi kepentingan parti serta rakan-rakannya dan Anwar hari ini tidak perlu menggunakan topeng untuk menutup wajahnya sekiranya beliau benar-benar seorang yang bersih daripada melakukan dosa-dosa besar.

Kita kena percaya serta yakin bahawa seandainya kita tidak bersalah, diciptalah segala-galanya untuk mensabitkan, percaya serta yakinlah Allah S.W.T akan menyelamatkan seseorang itu daripada terkena malapetaka.

Dan Anwar harus menyahut cabaran ini.