Wednesday 30 April 2008

Redefining, Respinning, Repackaging "Ketuanan Melayu".


(image by the one and only FFT)

"If they are not successful and developed, then they are not tuan (masters), therefore they will be coolies (labourers). I am sure we do not want to become coolies who do not play any role in development because we are weak and not able.
We are not going to be a race that dominates others.
We want to be a party that represents the Malays and that is ready to cooperate for the future of Malays and the people."

'That is Malay supremacy and I hope people will understand it.'

- Mr. AAB


=============================


Oh Yes, Mr. PM - we understand it very well, alright!
Let us now see what that meant thus far ....

"If they are not successful and developed, then they are not tuan (masters), therefore they will be coolies (labourers)."

Isn't that a pity now ....
Success and development to you means - being the "Tuan"?
Yep - who cares if they are so stupid that they even "tutup sebelah mata", talk about "wayar putuih", "terowongs" or "bocor" stuff in parliament. In fact they can be so stupid that they build their mansions amidst slums.
Or maybe you could create of tax-evading, scoundrel, "kayu", successful entrepreneurs/industrialists/businessmen with mega concessions, for the swindling of Mega-corporations, to be primed for mega bail-outs "in the interests of the stupid tax-paying working class", right?
Only then can you put a face on the Tuan ... or maybe a Tuan on the face!

And you mean that Ketuanan Melayu looks down on the very respectable, vital and essential "Labour" - class? Nice thing to say with the coming Labour Day .....
No wonder we have so many instant "Malaysians from Seberang"!
No wonder Malaysia attracts the scum, while other nations take the cream!
Hell, yeah man- why didn't I think of it ......
Only then,
without their trade unions, can you pay them pittance and whack the repressed, suppressed, uneducated, "underclass" and stupid "beast-of -burden" coolies who do not play any role in development because we are weak and not able, right?

Hmmmm ... so "Ketuanan" means being the "taikor" lah - one who can only work in air-conditioned rooms, push pencils in suits, have women and wives all made-up to sit pretty or go globe-trotting with charity monies, huh!
Great - So far so good .....

However,
"We are not going to be a race that dominates others."

How's that, Pat Lah ... I mean, Pak Lah?
You mean to say that the "Nons" can now be truly competing with "UMNOputras" on a level playing field, without paying "rent" to (30-50% stake holding) Ali Babas who push up the overheads?
All non-performing GLCs would definitely be shutdown for good to reduce wastage of public funds, .
....
Certainly, the same would also go for deals sealed under the OSA, right?

Then beneficieries of open tenders would surely be expected to perform in all their endeavours, and deliver the goods that they promise - or pay damages, right?
The bloated civil service will, I'm sure, start recruiting servants to serve the people instead of UMNO Baru, regardless of gender, ethnicity or political affiliation. And promotions would be granted based on the same values of merit, right?
Oh yes- I'm so sure, that I believe that you wouldn't settle for mediocrity and "connections" in selecting all future candidates for the above.
Definitely, you plan to introduce a system of Meritocracy that will reward academic excellence, right?
You'll be a national hero (to the "nons") if you can reduce our costs, Pak Lah!!!

Whaaat!! No?
What do you mean - no?
You mean the Tuans cannot be subject to the same rules becos they are Tuans?
Damn!!!
Here I was, almost thinking that it only meant what is explicitly stated in the constitution about the "special rights" & Sultan/ Raja-raja Melayu only, as Shahrir said!

Okay, fine - Let's move on .......
"We want to be a party that represents the Malays and that is ready to cooperate for the future of Malays and the people."

Hey - but if I'm a citizen, and I'm a "non" who voted you in, UMNO Baru or not - aren't you supposed to represent me as well?
But of course, how can a nigger second class citizen be represented by the "Tuan", right?
Silly me ...........
For that I'm sure you need some second class niggers, who'll "cooperate" and do your bidding, so as to be patted like pet dogs feeding on morsels dropped from your feast at the table.
........... - and Bingo!
You've hit your jackpot in your BN allies, Pak Lah!

Yeah- now let's see what "cooperation" with niggers mean:-
We understand how the neutered running dogs you called "allies" in BN grinned, and were apologists for UMNOBaru's "Ketuanan Melayu" rhetoric and the Kris waving.
We understand how they whimpered & cowered, or were shut up with juicy morsels, while the people were getting buggered.

We understand how they have suddenly become bolder after their Tuans were raped breathless, in the elections.
Isn't that so typical of "toy" pets growling when their masters are threatened?
Yes, we understand how the "Tuans" (like Mr. Chris) are now peeing in their pants, and struggling for words to redefine your policies.
We also understand how you're begging for the people's support, by asking Mr. Chris to make a HP6 "apology", that - looks like it, sounds like it, but isn't quite it.
The silence of your hardly-weaned political blue-eyed-boy of the 4th floor is quite deafening too.

But not to worry .... those who want your head, don't have much of a choice- thanks to Che Det-osaurus, who succesfully pruned away the Malay intellectuals from UMNO Baru!
He sure is a funny guy, when he tries to be "cool" in the international media, with his foolish pseudo-intellectual and shameless antics (which happens to make some "Tuans" burst with pride!) .......
You sure are a lucky man - in a house full of blind devotees and the party-pooping has-been three stooges (of the Mongoloid, the Coolie and the Che Det-osaurus) on the sidelines, you can hold on for some more time, before the house comes down.
You want a better chance of survival, get rid of ISA and exorcise all the ghosts of "Che Det" in the party, Government, Police and Judiciary - once and for all.
That is the only saving grace and legacy that you'd be remembered for, if you so desire.

As somebody said, these nugget of wisdom, comes from the "Heart of my Bottom" for Mr. AAB!

Thank You, Mr. PM - the stupid people (or so you believe) definitely understand it when you said 'That is Malay supremacy and I hope people will understand it.'
Correct, Correct, Correct .......
Just Keep Hoping ...... meanwhile, we could be major promoters for Slumberland Mattresses, right?

===========================

Further reading:-

Saturday 26 April 2008

The Islamic Renaissance - Really?



Any society that would give up a little liberty,
to gain a little security,
will deserve neither and lose both.

-Benjamin Franklin


=============================


The following was my response to the article "The Islamic Renaissance" posted on Malaysia Today.
Before I go on, I must say that the article was pretty much "balanced" and was a good read.
In giving my response to the article, please bear in mind that I do not question the validity of Islamic ideas here.
What I question is nothing more than the rhetoric of politicians who claim to be Muslims, and seek legitimacy by using Islam for their own political agendas.

The way I look at it, all religions teach ethics, which necessarily has political dimensions - but this cannot be used as a reason for politicization of religion.
The argument that "Islam is comprehensive, whereas other religions aren't" doesn't make much sense (at least, as far as I'm concerned!).
Many "Islamist" Muslim politicians and faithful stand firm on the opinion that Islamic governments, is the only way forward for them without really understanding what "Modern Statecraft" and Economics is all about - all these, while carrying plenty of Arab "cultural excess-baggage".

They tout it for the simple reason that it grants them "divine legitimacy", with a docile citizenry "cowering in submission to divine providence", while taking pride in their perceived superiority "others" who are forced to accept "handicaps" in one way or other.

"Liberty & Democracy" are often only there for show, while the reality is quite different in these dictatorships.
The rabid rhetoric of most "Muslim Leaders" against the "west" is nothing but, a manifestation of inferiority complex, anger, despair and envy over the prosperity of these nations.

Of course, there are many non-Muslim nations too, that possess and practise these very same characteristics/ "virtues". They however, have other names for it - like "Asian Values", "Guided Democracy", "Confucianism", "Communism", etc., etc., etc.
The difference here is, they do not use "religion" or trumpet the word of "God" to justify their actions - at least, not anymore ....... or not so much as seen among the Muslim populace.
However, just as much as the idea of the Islamic State is promoted, there are fundamentalist elements of many known religions (Christian, Hindu, Buddhist) that advocate theocracy - each as per their own definition, serving their own selfish interests.
As such, the opinions mentioned here, is very much applicable to chauvinistic bigots who herald the coming/rise/renaissance of virtuous theocracies of their own definitions.
So, here is what I wrote in reply:-
--------------------------------------


I really don't understand this obsession with being part of the "Islamic world", when those leaders who claim to be Muslims practise the most decadent and repressive forms of government.

These guys are the most likely to go to war today with the flimsiest excuse, are almost unable to negotiate diplomatic solutions to political problems, and are prone to emotional and egoistic outbursts, that cater to simpletons at the mercy of the clerics' (who can't think, but are excellent at reciting verses) dictates!
Their "thinkers" are more often than not, pseudo-intellectual simpletons who are spin doctors for their dictators, who enact laws at their whim and fancy (with religious justifications, of course).

Most Muslim leaders of the world are driven by their lust for glory, power and wealth - hence their lamentations and envy of the "western/ Jewish/ Christian" economies.
Modernity, Financial strenth and political might doesn't come from the money churned out from the ground - it comes from freedom, good philosophy, good governance and ethics, with respect for mankind.
These concepts are totally lost on most chest-thumping, Quran-brandishing, Gun-toting pseudo-intellectual leaders of the "Islamic World" (including Mahadey, who is idolized as a great thinker by many Muslims), where dictatorships thrive under the guise of "virtuous Islamic laws".
Freedom and Democracy are concepts that aren't quite welcome in most Muslim dominated nations - they claim to have this strange self-righteous "need" for control over the "stupid commoners", who apparently "need a psychological leash" on them.

What we see, is a large group of people who are psychologically "enslaved" by the Arab cultural domination that has used Islam as their battle-cry, in their attempt to "colonise the minds of the free world - and to establish a "Virtuous Caliphate" (whatever that means).
They covet the same wealth and power that the "western world", by using the liberties granted to them in the "west", to subvert the very culture that gives them sustainance, with "arab" tribal laws (which they claim, are superior - it beats me where they get that idea from).

Many Muslims appear to have the simplistic misconception of Islam, that to be Muslim, one has to be "Arabised" and cannot be "westernised" - thus the "anti-western" (whatever that means) bigotry.
They thrive on their rhetoric of casting the "Kufr" (especially Jews) in bad light, in one way or other, while practising the very same (or worse) sins under the veil of religiosity.
This NEEDS to be done, so as to make themselves look good, as their virtues aren't much to talk about.
Just as any man in denial, this fact is however always refuted as "fitna" of some sort.

This phenomenon is no different from "Racism" - and those who practise it suffer from nothing less than a deep seated inferiority complex.
An Islamic Renaissance?
I don't think so .... sounds more like confusion in a modern world to me.

Thursday 24 April 2008

"Hindraf"'s support for Online Petition Against ISA


The Following Letter was posted today on the blog

A Malaysian Indian's View :-

==============================

Sign Petition To Abolish I.S.A

Dear readers,

Kindly support the petition to abolish I.S.A. As of today, they only (23rd April 2008) received 1024 signatures. The slow respond mainly due to not enough of advertisement. Please dissipate the message to concern citizens.
I.S.A is an act of abuse against human right in democratic country. ISA has been used by the executive arm to ridicule and harass those pursuing some justified causes. The link is as below:

http://www.petitiononline.com/NoISA/petition.html

Pls pass this around to all your friends and family if you care that human rights must be respected.

Thanks,
HINDRAF Penang

HINDRAF calls on the Malaysian government:
Immediately Release All I.S.A Detainees!
Abolish I.S.A !
Close Down The Kamunting Detention Camp !

==========================


Thank You "Hindraf", for showing your solidarity with all Malaysians, in the struggle for justice.

Makkal Sakthi!

===========================

Further Reading:-




Tuesday 22 April 2008

Racism, Makkal Sakthi, HINDRAF and ISA


==================================

"If some men are entitled by right to the products of the work of others, it means that those others are deprived of rights and condemned to slave labor."
-- Ayn Rand


"Racism is the lowest, most crudely primitive form of collectivism. It is the notion of ascribing moral, social or political significance to a man's genetic lineage -- the notion that a man's intellectual and characterological traits are produced and transmitted by his internal body chemistry. Which means, in practice, that a man is to be judged, not by his own character and actions, but by the characters and actions of a collective of ancestors.
"
-Ayn Rand, "Racism" (An article published in the September, 1963 issue of The Objectivist Newsletter ), The Virtue of Selfishness .

Do not ghettoize society by putting people into legal categories of gender, race, ethnicity, language, or other such characteristics.
-Preston Manning

=========================


Raja Petra had recently written an article in the No Holds Barred section of Malaysia Today, entitled "Let’s cut this racial crap".
It was basically about the racial premise for the struggle to the "Free the Hindraf-5" campaign, which ignored the other detainees and ISA as a whole.
With this regard, I agree very much with what Raja Petra has to say.


Malaysia needs to be exorcized of all forms racism and its ghosts, that has been deeply entrenched in the minds and hearts of all Malaysians.

As things are, Racism is practised in Malaysia under the guise of Race-Based Politics of Barisan National and the affirmative action called the NEP (which has been given a fresh coat of paint, with a new name - MDP, is it?).
Racism cannot be accepted when it is in your favour and then condemned, when it works against you.


We all need to come out strongly against this Devil, even when it dresses as an Angel - it has to be stamped out in all its forms, appealing or not as it may seem for the moment.

Many Malaysians of Tamil descent, claim to be "Indian" first, despite not knowing jack about India, have never set foot on Indian soil (if they did, possibly never beyond Tamil Nadu - a small state), nor understand its diversity/culture and history.
Many think that, to be "Indian", one needs to know & practice Tamil culture or use Tamil language!

But of course .... the "knowledge about Indian culture" peddled by the cheap and mindless entertainment channels like Vaanavil would very much be close to the hearts of these Malaysians of Indian descent, as are the "Chennai-wood" film stars and Tamil Nadu politics.



To many "Indians" of Malaysian descent (or is it supposed to be vice versa?), the "Makkal Sakthi" rallying call, indicated "Indian" political might/resurgence.
Many "Indians" were proud of it.
They however, did not see it as a cry for "People Power".
They did not see it as a battle-cry for justice and good governance!

To them it simply highlighted only the plight of the "Indians" (specifically, Tamilians) in Malaysia.
To a certain extent, “Makkal Sakthi” in their minds, meant that it was the rise of the “Tamilian Political Power” (or so they thought)!

Many of the "Indians" are today coming out against ISA becos they wish to fight for the release of the Hindraf-5 "Indians".
I never agreed with the "Free the Hindraf-5" idea/ campaign, simply becos it is a very selfish campaign. It was simply becos of their narrow ethnocentric concerns that I never supported Hindraf.
These guys, while complaining about racism, use a racial platform to air their grouses.



I just don't get it ... what's with these HINDRAF guys?
Do we need a racial "badge" or platform for a common struggle?
What is so wrong about fight for freedom of worship and economic benefits for all downdrodden Malaysians?
What is so difficult about fighting apartheid?
Don't they see the bigger picture?
Don't they care about other Malaysians?
Can't they stand alongside their Malaysian brothers for a common struggle?

Are they so blind that they do not see the bigger picture – that it is this very Ghetto-esque idea of “ethno-centric” ideals that has got them into the current predicament?
As wrong as it may be, sometimes I feel all racists and religious extremists need to get “whacked” for "incitement" of racist sentiments- not ISA, though (not anymore).


They don't give two hoots (maybe don't even know) about the rest!
Not becos they disagree about ISA, or detention without trial.
In fact I'll bet my last dollar that 99% don't even know what ISA is.


I do not dispute, that their struggle for justice is warranted.
I only, simply dispute the "morality" of the platform upon which they have built their struggle!
I dispute the validity of the argument that their narrow “exclusive”, ethno-centric, isolationist, Tamil-Hindu platform for their struggle, appeals to all communities (vi-a-vis) of Malaysia.

This self-centred struggle that only appeals to the dispossessed Tamil community would be a curse to the very community that they champion, as it further isolates them from the bigger picture of national integration.
Their supporters (not all, mind you) seem to perceive that, all that matters, is the "emancipation of the Tamil-Hindu community"!


One commenter on Malaysia Today had this to say to me:-
“We have far too many UMNOPUTRAS at hand and we do not want to add you to its number!”


Yes – we do have far to many UMNOPutras at hand.
But I believe his argument is flawed, should he simply take my argument against Hindraf at face-value.
Just because I do not agree with the “Ketuanan Melayu”, doesn't mean I should support Hindraf, does it?
Am I obliged to support the “Free the Hindraf-5” campaign, simply because their struggle for justice did help galvanize the Barisan Rakyat cause?

No Sir, I'm definitely not obliged to support the ethnocentric platform of Hindraf, UMNOputra or not!


Allow me to ask a few questions here ......

If they were sincere about their struggle for all Malaysians, why did they not oppose the racist MIC leadership that subtly preaches Ketuanan Tamil (for what it is worth) from the very beginning?
Why did they hesitate for so long to declare that the MIC leadership is irrelevant?
Why did they not stand or walk with BERSIH?
Simply becos they chose to keep their struggle to themselves!

It is as simple as that.


In fact, I recollect quite clearly, their "strong support" for the leadership of BN, UMNO Baru & MIC, despite the fact that temples were being demolished by these very people!

This simply means that they did not wish their struggle to be part of the greater "MALAYSIAN" agenda, but a selfish, isolationist, Tamilian-centric one.

How different are they from the racist elements of the BN/ Alliance?

How different are they?

How different are they from those who fight for Ketuanan Melayu?

How different are they from those who fight for the utopian “Islamic State”?

I even recollect a regular commenter (and a former MIC supporter) here saying that they (HINDRAF) support the current government/leadership, but only dispute the implementation/delivery of the benefits!
It was only when they were behind bars that they chose to reexamine the premises for their struggle!

It took them a long time to actually support the Barisan Rakyat informal alliance (now, the Pakatan Rakyat), despite the fact that it was only the “Opposition” that gave them any moral support!
It was only when they realized the futility and folly in supporting the racist government that they lent BR their support!


Don't get me wrong – I do not challenge the “universal & egalitarian” ideals that they represent (as argued by a commenter on Malaysia Today), but only the ethno-centric nature of their struggle.

It is not that I support ISA, their detention, nor do I reject the call for their release - on the contrary, I too demand their release! However, I do not support a “Free Hindraf-5” campaign per se, as it narrows down the big picture!


As Raja Petra says, we need to “Free all ISA detainees & Abolish ISA”.

Period.

The "Free the Hindraf-5" campaign may not be wrong ... but it certainly isn't right!

==========================


"Capitalism knows only one color: that color is green; all else is necessarily subservient to it, hence, race, gender and ethnicity cannot be considered within it."
-Thomas Sowell

"The question of whether one alleges the superiority or the inferiority of any given race is irrelevant; racism has only one psychological root: the racist's sense of his own inferiority."
- Ayn Rand

==========================

Further reading:

  1. Excerpts from :"Racism" by Ayn Rand
  2. COLLECTIVISM vs. INDIVIDUALISM
  3. Racism & Psychology

Saturday 19 April 2008

Open Letter to Khir Toyo

=========================

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.
We must be hatched or go bad."

- C.S. Lewis

============================


What follows is a letter that I decided to write (mostly in Bahasa Melayu ... oops - I mean, Bahasa Malaysia - never mind, we'll ask Mr.Chris which one ....) to Khir Toyo, as a reply to his last post on his blog.


Yes - I did visit his blog. Maybe it was simply becos I was curious as to what goes on in the minds of those with a fetish for brooms.



All I can say is, they seem to be so obsessed with DSAI's rise to power, and are totally paranoid about losing power - nothing more. The "race rhetoric" and the "change" that is prescribed, is nothing more than a whitewash over a rotting egg that refuses to be hatched ..... and it is definitely going bad (not to mention, stinking!)

Here's my letter to you, Dato seri Khir Toyo:-

============


Dear DSKT,

Maafkan saya kerana mengambil berat mengenai masalah UMNO – ini adalah kerana, pada pendapat saya pucuk pimpinan Melayu bukan masalah Melayu sahaja, malah masalah semua masyarakat/rakyat Malaysia.


Ini bukan masalah "Ketuanan Melayu" yg kerap dilaungkan oleh UMNO Baru, sebagai retorik politik. Tiada siapa yang menyoal kedudukan istimewa org melayu, seperti yg tertera dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Tiada siapa yang mempertikaikan kedudukan/ kedaulatan Kesultanan Melayu.
UMNO Baru, setahu saya, sedikit sebanyak, pernah!
(Of course, seperti kata TDM, semua yg dibuat tu sememangnya "sah mengikut undang-undang" mengikut tafsiran beliaulah, kan ....)


Rakyat Malaysia cuma menuntut hak mereka yg termaktub didalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Ini tidak semestinya menghakis "hak orang Melayu". Setakat ini, yang terhakis adalah cuma "hak" orang UMNO Baru sahaja.


DS jgn kelirukan masalah ekonomi dgn masalah "hak Melayu".
Ini sebenarnya adalah satu masalah Ekonomi.
"Hak Melayu" itu adalah satu masalah ekonomi-
Bukannya masalah ('mementingkan diri') "bangsa" yg kerap dihebohkan, dan seterusnya membawa mudarat dan perasaan kecil hati dan sangsi, dikalangan rakyat yg berlainan budaya & agama, dan seterusnya memecah-belahkan perpaduan rakyat.


Inilah yang telah melemahkan BN dan seterusnya, menyebabkan UMNO Baru begitu kecundang dlm pilihanraya umum ke12 yg lalu.


Setakat ini, apa yg DS menyatakan adalah apa yg DS risau/takutkan "diseberang sungai" - balik2 DS menyebut nama DSAI.


Jika betul niat DS hendak membawa perubahan pada UMNO Baru, DS hendaklah melihat masalah pemikiran, falsafah & etika UMNO Baru sendiri dan seterusnya, BN- bukan kerana takut hilang kuasa kepada DSAI.


Ini bukan soal org luar, DS - ini soal isu2 dalaman!
Ini soal kesedaran. Tanpa kesedaran ini, UMNO Baru tidak boleh berubah atau dinamik kembali.


DS nampaknya keliru.
DS kata, " ....Penerimaan pemimpin bahagian, cawangan dan ahli UMNO serta rakyat terhadap usaha Tun semakin tinggi.
Sukar sama sekali untuk BN kembali pulih jika terus mengabaikan pandangan Tun secara total. Kedudukan Tun sebagai pemimpin ulung negara belum pudar bukan sahaja kepada ahli UMNO malah kepada seluruh rakyat tanpa mengira batasan kaum, agama mahu pun peringkat umur."


You're out of touch, DS - We don't need the stumbling and bumbling brontosaurus no more!

DS seolah-olah terpegun dgn aura TDM, yg begitu licik bermain politik dgn retorik "racist" beliau, seperti orang yg kurang berpendidikan.
Memandangkan usia lanjut beliau, susah kita nak menjamin kewarasan atau kenyanyukan beliau, DS ......
Usah dilaung2kan nama TDM yg tidak lagi mempunyai "appeal", (selain dari dikalangan orang yg buta pada hakikat sebenarnya)- zaman 'kegemilangan' beliau dah lama berlalu ..... dan sekarang, kita nampak hasil 'kegemilangan' wawasan cetek beliau.
Usah samakan "standing ovation" dari para penyokong yang tak berhaluan, dgn "wisdom" dalam pendirian TDM.
Syaitan pun boleh dapat "standing ovation", kalau rakyat dah ikut ajaran sesat.


Saya hairan bagaimana DS tidak nampak perubahan politik Melayu selepas krisis perlembagaan1988, sehingga terhasilnya masalah2 pucuk pimpinan Melayu & Malaysia (dlm UMNO Baru) selepas peristiwa sedih itu.


Sedarkah DS bahawa perlembagaan UMNO Baru & UMNO itu, jauh berbeza?


Ini bukan soal pembahagian Kuasa dgn org lain - ini adalah soal "intellectual bankruptcy" dlm UMNO Baru sendiri, sehingga terpaksa harapkan "gergasi2 tua UMNO Baru" membantu dlm membawa perubahan.
Mana dia pemimpin intellectual dari golongan muda yang boleh membahaskan isu2 semasa dgn rational dan tidak bergantung pada emosi/ retorik?


Adakah perubahan muka pemimpin akan membawa perubahan falsafah, etika & sikap UMNO sendiri?
Dari segi etika, falsafah, ideologi UMNO Baru - apa perubahan yg boleh diberi dgn penukaran wajah pemimpin?
Dimanakah para cendekiawan/ 'intellectuals' Melayu dlm UMNO, yg boleh memberi pedoman pada ahli politik yg kerap "tutup sebelah mata" dan "menghadiahkan" penyapu?


Sudahlah tu DS, terima aje lah hakikat sebenarnya - skg, UMNO kena ubah sikap, dan mula berkerjasama dgn pemimpin melayu lain yg berlainan pendapat. Terima aje lah Pak Lah sebagai pemimpin buat sementara waktu - jangan nak jadi "agent provocateur" semata-mata kerana orang tak setuju dgn pendirian "hadiah penyapu" DS.
Don't be a sore loser & sour grapes!


Jgn terlalu angkuh dan gilakan kuasa utk UMNO Baru sahaja. Jgn harapkan monopoli kuasa lagi.....
Orang Melayu tak kurang atau hilang kuasa.
Kerusi parlimen pemimpin Melayu tidak kurang .... cuma kerusi UMNO Baru sahaja yg kurang.
Jgn samakan politik Melayu baru, dgn politik UMNO Baru, DS.


Kalau DS sudi, cuba baca post bertajuk “Change? What Change?” dibawah, dlm bahasa Inggeris utk memahami apa yg saya maksudkan.

Sekian, Terima Kasih.




  • ===================



Related posts:

Change? What Change?
Crouching Monkey, Wounded Tiger - Ep. III

Wednesday 16 April 2008

A Blogger's response to Mathias Chang

Recently, we had a brave & fiery letter on Malaysia Today, from a "local hero" called Mathias Chang in defense of TDM, challenging Param Cumaraswamy to a public debate (with the bloggers as the "jury").
Needless to say, he was "whacked shitless" on that very blog itself, in the comments section.
As to why Mathias is jumping like his pants are on fire, I'm totally clueless.
I could only speculate that there might be a possibility that he is involved in some way in Param's allegations. Either that, or maybe he was under instruction, or feels hurt that his ex-boss is being falsely accused of crimes - like I said, I'm actually clueless.

The following were comments that I "fished" out of Another Brick in The Wall, (who incidently had this much to say) with regard to the ex-Mahathir employee's (Mathias Chang) challenge to Param Cumaraswamy for a public debate:-

..............................

"Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Anyone Heard Param's Response To The Challenge?

It's been a 4 days since Matthias Chang made an open challenge to Param the new comedian. Has there been a response? Can someone find him an immunity to make him brave again?"
..........................................

What follows is, to say the least, an interesting read.
[I wouldn't wanna speculate on the credibility of the charges/accusations mentioned, but I guess one could just go to the relevant blog to find out and/or investigate further].
So here it goes .......
-------------------------------------------

yapchongyee said...

YAPCHONGYEE
5A PRINSEP ROAD
ATTADALE, WA.6156

EMAIL: ychongyee@yahoo.com.au
Blogg. :http://yapchongyee.blogspot.com.


Hello Param, Cumarasamy,

Re: Debating Mathaias on corruption of Malaysian Judiciary

It has been a long time since I met you very briefly in KL. I am a friend of Ishar Singh and I sold to you a Peugeod 504, white. I read in one of the blogs. I think it is ROCKY BRU; that you have been challenged to a debate by this fellow Mathias to be moderated by Raja Petra. If you are up to this debate I want you to read my blog://yapchongyee.blogspot.com.

I believe the material posted by me in that blog is exactly what is material for your debate.

Joe Yap

Tel: (08) 9330 2547 (Perth). Contact me anytime by any means.

9:38 PM

Blogger yapchongyee said...

I have heard numerous allegations from senior lawyers, including past and present Chairman of the Bar Council that certain judges are corrupt. When I demand from them evidence and the reasons, why they have not lodge any reports to the Anti-Corruption Agency, I get no answers!

Quote Matthias !

Mr Matthias I have the evidence that will convict Judge Dato Zainon binti Mohd. Ali of criminal behaviour and from the evidence. I stand by my charge that Judge zainon binti Mohd. Ali had aided & abetted the criminals Stephen Lim Cheng Ban, Kwong Sea Yoon & Wong Kem Chen to commit PERJURY & FORGERY. I also Charge Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali for conspiring with the above 3 said criminals to obtain money under false pretences, conspiting to pervert the course of justice. I also Charge Judge zainon binti Mohd. Ali with ABUSE OF POWER WHILE PERFORMING JUCICIAL DUTIES ON THE BENCH WHILE ADJUDICATING MY WIFE'S CASE.

I have written to Malaysian Attorney General, Chief Justice Malaysia, Yang Mulia HRH Regent Perak; President & Secretary Malaysian Bar, many copies to practising lawyers.

It is understandable that I will not pursue my charge in Malaysia seeing that Judges do not even have to give formal judgment for their decisions. There is no rule of law in Malaysia. Malaysia is lawless and I will be htrown into prison as soon as I appear in Malaysia, NOT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A CASE AGAINST JUDGE ZAINON BINTI MOHD. ALI BUT BECAUSE YOUR JUDGES DO NOT KNOW THE LAW AND THEY ARE UNETHICAL AND HAVE NO SENSE OF DUTY TO THIER JOB.

I have on too many occasions charged Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali to come to our court in Perth, Australia to extradite me for libel or sedition. I have publicly humiliated Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali to her face and she has no credibility to come pursue me in a court of law where the law is properly enforced.

I am trying to contact Paramand invite him to debate you, Matthias; because Malaysia is Lawless ! Another thing if you will, tell judge zainon binti Mohd. Ali to do the right thing, MY WIFE'S CASE IS STILL ALIVE AND HER ACTION TO STRIKE OUT MY WIFE'S PETITION IS ILLEGAL AND UNLAWFUL. hER STRIKING OUT HAD BEEN INEFFECTUAL. iT WAS LIKE MASTURBATION, ALL HEAT AND NO FIRE ! Judge Zainon binti Mohd. Ali does not know the law and she is on the bench of the Court of Appeal, Highest court of Malaysia.

WHAT A JOKE ? You want evidence that will support Params' charges ? Go to my blog at http://yapchongyee.blogspot.com.

MATTHIAS IF YOU HAVE THE REAL GUTS REPLY TO MY PST.

10:15 PM

Monday 14 April 2008

Change? What Change?

==========================

Things alter for the worse spontaneously,
if they be not altered for the better designedly.

- Francis Bacon

==========================



Something stinks in the Malaysian political scene - and it sure as hell doesn't come from the "opposition" parties.

Well, we have good news and bad ....
The good news is, we've been hearing lots of rhetoric about the dominant parties of Barisan Nasional (ie, UMNO Baru, MCA & MIC) wanting change.
The bad news is, they don't know what that means!


This is especially noticeable in UMNO Baru.
I do not believe that the crisis in MCA and MIC deserves any mention - they are simply "unhatched eggs", rotting away without any sign of redemption.
UMNO Baru on the other hand despite not having "hatched" after 50 yrs. appear to be a little more resilient - they are able to withstand the rot thus far, and at least make a pretense of wanting to change.
But what is this change that they wish for the party?
By the looks of it, they only seem to want a "fresh coat of whitewash" for the carcass of defeat.

As in all losing parties, they tend to lash out at the most vulnerable target - in this case being "Mr. Pantang-dicabar" and his "beruk".
Mr. Chris has meekly agreed to "vacate the premises", after all the act of dagger-shoving fetish act at the last AGM, lest he too come in the firing line. Such pussycats ....

UMNO Baru is groping ....., Mahadear & Co are shooting & spitting .... in the dark.

All are equally clueless as to what needs to be done, beyond screaming for AAB's (and his beruk's, of course) blood (or office, rather).
"Some people" are desperate to lodge their candidates as the heir apparents in place of the current hierarchy (lest his legacy is undone), and have resorted to personal attacks on any other possible candidate.
He/ they wouldn't admit his/their faults (that have become festering wounds on the back of UMNO Baru, while keeping a straight face), but are quick to beat the drums of war, calling for patriotism (aka "Ketuanan Melayu") with subtle fear mongering.
And guess what - the peasants are just waiting for any rickety bandwagon that they can jump on, so as to hide the shame that they now face ........

As Raja Petra had mentioned - it appears that there is an active "campaign of disinformation" to make the Malay electorate feel "dispossessed" and insecure.
The dispossession of UMNO Baru members (due to lack of "negotiated contracts"?) is translated and spun in their small minds, as dispossession of the Malay RACE and Islam!
How things are different at present for the electorate thus far, as compared to the time of total dominance by UMNO Baru, they do not wish to question. They only fear the unknown ghosts that they see, as in the "Orang Minyak" story given by Raja Petra some time back.
There also appears to be an active process of "subversion" in states held by parties other than BN, exemplified by "requests" to scrap federal funded projects and the en-bloc resignation of village heads.
Not to mention the repeated attempts at subverting the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
That's how small-minded they get - and they say that they want a change in mindset in UMNO Baru!

The questions I wish to pose are these -

  • Would it make a difference at all with Kuli, NTR or Muhyiddin at the helm?
  • Did they not see the need for the changes earlier?
  • Have any one of them articulated the changes that are needed, beyond requesting that the quota system of Mahathirism be abolished so as to enable the challenge to the current leadership?
  • Have any one of the "potential candidates" (aka Kuli, NTR, Muhyiddin, Mukhriz, Toyol) addressed issues that set the rot in place? Such as the corrupt Judiciary? The abuse of NEP? The billions of Ringgit apparently lost in numerous scams/ mega projects/ white elephants that dot the nation?
  • Have any one of them proven themselves as anything other than the proverbial "Pak Turut" in the past?
  • Have they addressed the "ghosts of Mahathirism" and the dynasties of aristocrats?
  • Have they requested any accountability from the financial giants on "negotiated tenders/contracts" that were awarded?
  • Are they willing to do away with Mahathirism, Mahathirites & money politics?
  • Do they see Mahadear for what he truly is, beyond his pseudo-intellectual facade?
  • Do they see that all his judgements of character (for viable successors) have admittedly, been erroneous thus far?

To all these questions, the obvious answer is a big emphatic "NO"!
As far as I can see, non of them have articulated their ideas beyond the same old mantra of NEP, Ketuanan Melayu and "Islamist" rhetoric, with much fear mongering and threats of "persecution" for the electorate in Pakatan Rakyat states.
Of late, somebody has even stooped so low as to use the royal household of Kelantan, to get their racist ideas firmly entrenched in the Malay mind - I seriously wonder who that might be ......

The saddest part of it all is the fact that "peasants in Gucci" seem to be cheering one aristocrat or other, totally clueless as to what is required of real leaders.

The latest call was that of some youth faction "pseudo-ideologue" (who apparently is partly to blame for the Kris-shoving act) - he says that without a "Blog", one doesn't deserve to be a leader!
Holy mother of Idiots!
Since when was having a blog, the epitome of good leadership qualities?
What are they gonna write? .... where to get the best tempe & ikan masin? Or is it where they can find the hottest chicks? Or the number of hits that they get, without saying anything of substance?
Or could it be that they wish to simply advertise to the "peasant minds" that they are now "internet savvy bloggers", and so deserve to be the next UMNO firebrand leader?
They must be thinking that being a blogger is "glamourously far out" and at the cutting edge of technology, in line with their "Cinta IT" motto/ songs that they publicise on TV!

Anyway, knowing their penchant for symptomatic solutions, this whole "head-hunting" in UMNO will most probably be just another "sandiwara" that will be enacted, so that peasants will get "newer recycled aristocrats" in the sham "democratic processes" that are so UMNO - dulu, kini dan selamanya.
The propaganda machinery would then go on overdrive to extol the greatness and virtues of this "Ketuanan Melayu" candidate.


One might want to know - Just what is this "Change" that the intellectually bankrupt peasants of UMNO Baru clamor for?
Just a couple of heads to roll, and then it is all fine and dandy?
For UMNO, that's probably how the game is played.

Yep - peasants can then start shouting themselves hoarse "Hidup whoever!" and jumping for joy at the thought of UMNO Baru having started the process of 'change'.

That's all it takes to dupe the peasant - a fresh coat of paint!

So, it appears that UMNO Baru hasn't gotten over the first phase of grief in death - Denial.


==========================

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.
We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.
We must be hatched or go bad."
- C.S. Lewis





Wednesday 9 April 2008

Crouching Monkey, Wounded Tiger - Ep. III

===================
"It is like the phases of grief in death of a loved one.

You have denial, loss, anger, sadness, and then you come to accept it."
================

The monkeys are crouching in corners, and the tigers are wounded.
That appears to be what is happening right now in Barisan National.
The wound was so incapacitating although it wasn't that big, cos the tiger was sick to start with.
For UMNO Baru members, it was almost death itself (one really died!), which is why I started with the quote about the 5 stages of grief in death.
That appears to be what's going on within the main members of the ruling coalition - there appears to be no direction, except towards damage control after some denial.


After taking stock, death, squabbles and resignations the "stage of loss" is now over.
At present it is the phase of anger.

Politicians are right now gung-ho, shooting in the dark at anything that supposedly is moving, and hoping to strike a chord with the people and media (bloggers too - Kelembai will vouch for that!).
What it needs now, are some bogeymen to whack - and like magic, Kuli and TDM have appeared with their weapons fully loaded. They are definitely shooting away like cowboys .....
All of a sudden, for these two dinosaurs out of nowhere, democracy in UMNO Baru became the most important thing!

Kuli & Mahathir, who were silent about the dictatorship in UMNO Baru since its inception, have suddenly "realized" its folly!
Surprise, surprise - It is now their mission in life to "reform" UMNO Baru!!

At least Mahathir enjoyed the fruits of his labor ... Couldn't say the same for poor 'ol Kuli though.
I really wonder what kept Kuli silent for all those years - Mahathir must've done a real good job on him ...... pathetic, it sounds.

Freedom of expression & democracy is now vital!
Room for dissent is now so important!

Malaysia has become a "Police State" - horrors!!!
Mahathir never interfered with the judiciary - it was all the tribunal's doing on their own free will, over a neighbour's spat between TSA & YDPA!
The tribunal should apologize!
Roti-Man now appears to be on the defensive & openly claims to have done well - gone are the humble words, "History will judge me....". (Speak of "masuk bakul angkat sendiri" .....).
Mr. Mahathir, my little toe is laughing .....

As Raja Petra has said, AAB could have set things right in his years in office, but had chosen not to. It was simply becos the taste of the "stolen fruit" and absolute power was simply too sweet to let go - no wonder TDM stayed there for 22 yrs!
There's now plenty of mudslinging going on. Although the mud slung in the "love triangle" of AAB, Kuli & TDM is like watching mud-wrestling, it would leave all of us "high & dry". Pretty entertaining for some, but leaves you empty with a few bucks short.
Certainly hope that the mud-slinging and hot-air would stop, and all of them either sit down and talk, or call for an EGM and challenge the leadership once and for all.

All this bickering will get the investors very jittery - not to mention the Malay community (who are being made to feel insecure with the racist rhetoric of Kuli).
Yup - it definitely would get the Malay community quite nervous.
It is specifically meant to make the Malay community feel "dispossessed" in the face of losing political power to "orang asing" in Penang. (That should tell the "orang asing" who have lived in this country for generations, that they never had any power at all under UMNO Baru doesn't it? That they were merely eunuchs in the UMNO court, although they had somebody at the helm as a show-boy!)


Oh yes, it has got many a sympathetic & patriotic Malay scurrying to "Save UMNO Baru", Demi Agama, Bangsa dan Negara - Sympathy and fear, sure are powerful magnets.
The sympathetic seem to have quickly forgotten that it was the mental slavery (perpetrated by "certain parties") that they were subjected to, that is at fault for their current predicament! .
But then, we all know how the saying goes ... "Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat" - so I guess, to some unthinking people, emotional decisions give great comfort, despite the empty belly.
(Hey- the empty belly can be blamed on "orang asing", Singapore, white-man or the Jews, right?).

But I suppose, I have greater confidence in the Malays - they aren't as gullible and emotional as before. They are more urban & educated now. They also know the level of corruption that is prevalent and that the pie is shrinking as a result.
They also know that they too have much to lose, should they over-react or get emotional & irrational.
It somehow seems like somebody is planning for something "big" (after the failed "che det" attempt by a wannabe lately), so that it would justify a coup d'etat within UMNO Baru and "emergency" for the nation.

Of all people, I least expected Raja Petra to come up with the 5.13 story as a backdrop for his "reasonings", should UMNO Baru implode.
"May 13? What May 13?" - That was something I remember reading in the Corridors of Power section of Malaysia Today. And I remember someone who was quite brave in the Barisan Rakyat rallies saying something like "Langkah Mayat Saya or orang Melayu" or something like that .....
Hmmmm - I wonder if it was just electioneering hot air!
To think that some people think that UMNO Baru "NEEDS" to be saved now by a "Unity Govt", after all that it has done to the people and the nation .... yes sir - I'm sure Tok Guru, LKS, Karpal and LGE will be ecstatic about it!

The excuse that we need to cave in to the threat of economic blackmail just doesn't cut it, RPK!
You don't work with blackmailers - you KILL 'em (at least jail 'em). Period!
If caving in to blackmail is what being Malay or Malaysian - I want no part of it!
That too after being accused of being too chicken/ turncoats to vote for PAS/ S-46 in earlier elections!
Now we abandon all that "idealism" for some juicy peanuts like beggars? The "Chinese" should remember the allegation that they "don't have balls", right?
No thank you, Pete!
Hope you at least enjoyed the "teh tarik" you had (hope you had company...) when you came up with this idea!

Anyway, I definitely do understand his concern, but isn't that subscribing to the "fear & apathy" factors that has kept despots in power thus far?
As I had mentioned in one of my comments, nobody suggested or handed them the Kris to be shoved up where the sun don't shine ..... if it is done, it will only be done out of their own free will - just like how they orchestrated the events that led to their electoral debacle.
Nobody put them up to it (I would reserve my comments where Mahathir is concerned, though - but he's one of them too!).


Of course ..... all this while, the monkeys are crouched in a corner, hoping for the dust to settle - only then can they start monkeying around.
When the monkeying starts, the voices of the UMNO Baru dynasties will ring loud and clear once again - the disdain which aristocrats hold for the masses will be seen in its full glory, back with a vengeance.
But that's another story, for another time .....

For now, with the threat of economic blackmail in the air (not to mention the subtle threat of 5.13 from the most unlikely people),
I'm beginning to think that PR should now go on the offensive and win over all BN MPs and grab power at all cost to kill off these blackmailing thugs ......... even if it means buying them over like goats! They can be dealt with later.
As Smith says, "Hang the ethics" and screw the Blackmailers!
Yes - Go for it PR. Go for it DSAI, Tok Guru, LKS!
Just Do It!

Just can't wait for the final phase of grief in political losers - the acceptance of political defeat/ death!

Sunday 6 April 2008

Crouching monkey, Wounded Tiger Pt. II

=======================
"It is as sudden as death. The only thing different is that you do not have to walk into a funeral home, peek into the box and say, 'Well, he was a nice guy'.

It is like the phases of death.

You have loss, anger, sadness, and then you come to accept it."
-
a defeated Liberal.
==========================

Political life is also exhilarating.

Immersed within its subculture, politicians readily believe that they are affecting change in a needed direction. As they are socialized into this subculture, they become convinced that they are becoming better at doing what they are supposed to do.
Initial feelings of uncertainty and confusion are replaced by confidence and determination. In the process, their status as politician becomes their master status, overtaking the various other statuses they occupy. However, while self-assured at this point, they are particularly vulnerable. It is within this context that political defeat at the polls is experienced as death.

The imagery of death rings true for yet another reason. The defeat generates a series of sympathetic telephone calls and visits from family members, friends and constituents offering words of solace and comfort.
As incapacitating as defeat may be, the defeated member must make sense of it. Expressions of mourning and grief are not experienced to the exclusion of other lines of thought, notably those helping to make the loss more understandable and palatable. In time, and with the assistance of others, a series of explanations for the loss -- rationalizations -- are embraced which serve to reduce the individual's culpability.

We now turn to the types of accounts employed by the defeated politicians to assuage their bruised egos. In short, they rely upon a variety of rationalizations which, whether recognized or not, serve to deflect responsibility for the outcome. These are presented as justifications for their defeat and situate the outcome of the election as being outside of the politician's control.

The Party and the Leader

In terms of party dynamics, ex-politicians may also blame their loss on their leader, the organization of the party, unpopular political decisions, or the calling of an election at an inopportune time. In this way, when the entire party is "swept" during an election, it supports the sentiment that the defeat was the result of the party platform or leadership issues rather than anything the politician could control or be responsible for.

In the process, ex-politicians distance themselves from responsibility for the loss and attempt to shield themselves from the negative repercussions accompanying the political defeat. In looking at party dynamics to explain their defeat, some politicians argue that the party did not have a sufficiently sound infrastructure in place to support its members. For instance, some maintain that proper educational mechanisms were unavailable.

In comparing their party to other parties during the election campaign, the competition, in their view, was better organized, thereby disadvantaging them in their quest for victory.
Tied to the issue of party organization is a belief that the party leader can either make or break one's own political campaign.
Therefore, in an attempt to distance oneself from the defeat, ex-politicians also look to place some of the blame on the leader of their party.
Once again, cues from the public often supply the ex-politician with the ammunition necessary to re-direct the blame for the loss.
While believing ahead of time that a loss was imminent may bring some consolation by providing the politician some time to plan and prepare for the defeat, there are still accompanying feelings of anger and possibly sorrow and guilt that need to be dealt with. However, if these emotions can be displaced onto something external to the politician, it helps to dampen the assault on one's ego.

By developing a rationalization which situates blame on a variety of seemingly external factors, the ex-politician if offered a more convincing justification as to why he or she was unsuccessful. At the same time, it allows the ex-politician to save face and deal with negative feelings experienced as the result of the defeat.
Having people encourage the belief that the loss had to do with the government as a whole and not the individual, allows the ex-politician to accept this rationalization. In the next example, we see that having friends indicate that the defeat was the result of her party affiliation rather than anything which she could have controlled, helps the individual come to terms with the defeat.




** IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please refer to earlier post Crouching Monkey, Wounded Tiger Pt I.
The above are comments from the article "Trauma of political defeat." It was written in 2002.
For those who wish to give Political Defeat Gifts to Grieving Parties please click here.
"Crouching Monkey, Wounded Tiger Pt III" will be coming to this blog soon .....

Crouching Monkey, Wounded Tiger Pt. I

"It is as sudden as death. The only thing different is that you do not have to walk into a funeral home, peek into the box and say, 'Well, he was a nice guy'.
"It is like the phases of death. You have loss, anger, sadness, and then you come to accept it."

Brownlee, Jason. "Ruling Parties and Regime Persistence: Durable Electoral Authoritarianism in Egypt and Malaysia" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, Philadelphia Marriott Hotel, Philadelphia, PA, Aug 27, 2003

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper demonstrates why electoral authoritarian systems benefit from party institutions that prevent leadership rifts by accommodating dissent and managing elite interests. I present Egypt and Malaysia’s experiences with ruling parties and regime persistence, the contrast outcome to incumbent defeat. By regulating leadership politics, the NDP in Egypt and UMNO in Malaysia have held together a dominant cadre and repeatedly blocked opposition forces from winning control of government.

Barclay, Pascael. "Do Authoritarian Elections Matter? Political Business Cycles in Electoral Authoritarian Regimes" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the ISA's 49th ANNUAL CONVENTION, BRIDGING MULTIPLE DIVIDES, Mar 26, 2008

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Do elections in authoritarian regimes matter? It is often assumed that they are mere window dressing. Yet it is also possible that these elections have independent effects, which make authoritarian leaders care about the elections, despite their ability to manipulate the results through fraud and repression. One way to discover whether authoritarian elections matter is to examine political business cycles (PBCs) in electoral authoritarian (EA) regimes. This study shows that PBCs occur cross-nationally in authoritarian regimes that hold regular elections, but only when the incumbent faces a challenger. In fact, government consumption increases by .43% in election years in competitive elections. Although this number is small, elections have the largest impact on government spending of the variables included in the model. Also, evidence from case studies portray PBCs in authoritarian regimes as targeted and informal. Therefore, in the case of informal spending, much pre-electoral spending may not be captured by overall government consumption or, in the case of targeted spending, the magnitude of the increase for certain groups will similarly not be captured by this aggregate variable. From the evidence presented in this study, we can conclude that PBCs occur in competitive authoritarian settings, indicating that dictators care about electoral returns.

Thompson, Mark. and Kuntz, Philipp. "To Steal or not to Steal: Authoritarian Regime Behavior after Electoral Defeat" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, Hilton Chicago and the Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL, Sep 02, 2004

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The terrain that authoritarian regimes enter after electoral defeats has been roughly surveyed but not yet well mapped. We show that there are other outcomes than the two options of stealing an election and retaining office or accepting defeat and surrendering power. There is also the possibility of regimes stealing elections but losing power after failing to effectively repress popular protest. In other cases, non-democratic rulers have accepted defeat but still maintained ultimate political power. We then offer a few explanations for these different paths. We coin the term “electoral sultanism” to stress the importance of personalistic interests in explaining electoral theft. Parallel to this was the argument that regimes with stronger institutional interests are more likely to concede that the opposition has won because regime members are better able to defend vital interests outside of power. Whether regimes hold onto power after accepting defeat depends basically upon the scope of the election. Conceding defeat in polls that are constitutionally limited because they are local, or only referenda, or constrained in their impact due to “dual power” in the state does not lead to the loss of power and can even contribute to authoritarian consolidation. Only conceding defeat in national elections for the highest office makes a withdrawal from power inevitable. Limited polls have been stolen nonetheless because autocrats estimated the costs in acknowledging defeat - a loss of reputation or the creation of “oppositional islands” - as too high.


Thursday 3 April 2008

"Anjing Tersepit" Psyche in UMNO Baru / Govt?

____________________________________

"All political revolutions, not affected by foreign conquest, originate in moral revolutions.
The subversion of established institutions is merely one consequence of the previous subversion of established opinions.
"
-John Stuart Mill
____________________________________

The recent 12GE results have opened the Pandora's AMNO's Box in Bodohland- especially that of AMNO Baru's politics and mindset.
They appear to want a change in "leadership" but don't appear to want to change their attitude or the system within, and are thus quite confused and clueless.

The weak neo-Fascist cabinet line-up, is nothing but a superficial face-saving gesture at "Reform" of an administration in denial, conflict and under siege.

As a result, the Government/ AMNO Baru appears to have entered a phase wherein they behave like "anjing tersepit" - hence they appear to be lashing out in confusion at anything and everything, while scrambling and grappling in the dark for direction.

The unrelenting search for political scapegoats & bogeymen today, while denying the sins of the past is the communicable disease that has afflicted AMNO Baru - but there's plenty of anger and rhetoric about "reform", though .....
Some other Fascists are furious ........ and they wanna prove themselves as the real Fascists with teeth. They're baying for blood like hyenas and They need prey.
They need to subdue the People of Bodohland, who have woken up and aren't so bodoh after all!
Without a subdued people this is no longer Bodohland! They need to return Bodohland to its former Fascist "glory" .......

Let us see what our "prominent politikus"/ agencies have said of late ......
  1. Mr.Badwa believes that he has a strong mandate as in the valid BN majority in parliament. Mahatheeran believes that one needs the 2/3 majority to be PM.
  2. So, Mahatheeran says Mr.Badwa is shameless to hold on to his post.
  3. Mr.KaTie, after having lost Selangor says, ""Dalam blog saya yang kini mencapai hits lebih 40,000 .....", declaring himself a full fledged blogger of repute (and all he has done is request "feedback" from people, who weren't really giving much feedback)!! LOL. ..... quite a "pencapaian"!
  4. Mr.KaTie said that there was "interference" in selection of election candidates.
  5. Mr.Chris says that nomination for AMNO Baru candidates in recent elections had no "middleman" influence, as alleged by Mahatheeran.
  6. While acknowledging that reforms were needed in AMNO Baru Youth, Mr.Chris also says that Mr. Phuart himself needs to reform with the whole party hierarchy - but he supports the current hierarchy.
  7. AMNO Baru Ketua Kampungs tender resignation from posts, but wish to be on Federal payroll for duties of a different description - that's where our taxes go.
  8. Some agencies/ depts wish to prosecute non-Muslims for "Khalwat" in Civil Courts - (if that isn't a brain-dead idea, I really don't know what is!) while pedophiles, rapists and murderers run free.
  9. Then, we also have a campaign by a Dr. Must-Shittah who wants to "save" a British prostitute (who is apparently the daughter of a Pakistani tutor-cum-child molester), while neglecting the economic plight of Malaysian "working girls". This Dr. Shittah definitely deserves the Pea-Brain Award for 2008, up hers!
  10. No "Opposition" politician can be invited by schools for functions, unless approved by Mr. Chris or his "machais".
  11. Mr. SuKun tells LGE to stop "harping" on land scams that are "being investigated" by ACA. Meanwhile, Mr.Cutting and Uncle Sam are silent after being neutered.
  12. The Ex-Putri [Non-Wanita AMNO Baru but AMNO Baru member??!!] Minister says, Tourism MoUs with Tourism Action Councils in "Opposition"-ruled states will be terminated, but "will appoint commitee members from tourism community" to help develop tourism in these states.
  13. Mahatheeran promotes the "rising son" (the failed Tongkang Medivest entrepreneur, who "does a Che Det" while hiding behind Daddy), saying that AAB should "stop listening to family".
  14. Zaid says that Govt should apologize to Tun Salleh for the 1988 Judicial Crisis. Others say Mahatheeran should apologize ......
  15. Mahatheeran says everything in the 1988 Judicial crisis was "Legal" (not necessarily "right") - hence not wrong (that's what Hitler said about his anti-semitic laws....), and no need for apologies - interesting.....
  16. Mahatheeran says he resigned "respectably" when the time was due .....
  17. Mahatheeran now says, Mr.Badwa is "shameless"!!
  18. Mahatheeran also supports The Disgraced Coolie's calls for an EGM and wishes to contest for Presidency!
  19. Mahatheer promotes the obedient son (who "does a Che Det") while saying that Mr.Badwa should "stop listening to family".
  20. Mahatheeran drops initial overt support for Mr.Badwa, then the "mongolian candidate", and now "doesn't know why" he has changed his mind to anybody else. He has also changed his mind about the ground rules of the AMNO Baru elections - it was good in his time, apparently! (I wonder what else is coming.... and we say AAB flip-flops ....)
  21. And the great "A-moral but legally upright" Mahatheeran says - Mr.Badwa is "shameless" .......

These are just a few things that have been happening in Bodohland.
Now, with a Pakatan Rakyat coalition to contend with, I really wonder what else would be in store for the nation as a whole in time to come ......

"Somebody" is subverting the AMNO Baru Federal Govt,
and "somebody" else is subverting the "Opposition" State Govts.
- I'm pretty sure though, that Pakatan Rakyat isn't party to either of these subversions at present .....

This is simply the royal rumble, bloodlust & chaos in al-AMNO Baru's Bodohland ....... what else can we expect from these "anjing tersepit", huh?

------------------------------------------------


"May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower


Note:
All names and incidents mentioned above (except for the quotations, Zaid, Tun Salleh and Pakatan Rakyat which were added for "realism") are purely a figment of a CruzinThot imagination - any other similarities with people or organisations dead or alive, is purely coincidental.