Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Sukan pun jadi alat untuk politik...

Utusan : 03/08/2007
Larangan boleh kembalikan kegemilangan sukan negara

KUALA LUMPUR 2 Ogos – Arahan supaya menteri, timbalan menteri dan setiausaha Parlimen tidak memegang jawatan dalam persatuan sukan disifatkan sebagai langkah yang dapat mengembalikan kegemila- ngan sukan di negara ini.

Profesor Jabatan Pengurusan Awam dan Undang-undang, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Prof. Dr. Ahmad Atory Hussain berkata, arahan itu merupakan satu isyarat daripada Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yang mahukan persatuan sukan diterajui oleh mereka yang berkelayakan.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, ahli-ahli politik terbabit tidak harus melihat nya sebagai satu usaha untuk mengurangkan pengaruh mereka sebalik nya ia merupakan pendekatan terbaru Perdana Menteri untuk memaju kan sukan di negara ini.

‘‘Setiap perjuangan memerlukan pengorbanan dan keikhlasan daripada semua pemimpin dan ini adalah salah satu pengorbanan yang terpaksa mereka lakukan. Cuba lihat di luar negara, hampir kesemua pemimpin sukan terdiri daripada orang yang berpengetahuan dan berkelayakan.

‘‘Tidak hairanlah kemajuan sukan negara mereka amat memberangsang kan. Malaysia sebenarnya tidak kurang hebat pencapaian sukannya tetapi ia tidak menyeluruh. Saya percaya kesan yang positif akan berlaku selepas ini,’’ katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Ahmad Atory mengakui pendekatan itu bakal menjadikan persekitaran politik di negara ini lebih telus. ‘‘Selepas ini ahli-ahli politik tidak perlu bergantung kepada persatuan sukan untuk pengaruh politik kerana yang akan menentukan survival mereka ialah prestasi perkhidmatannya kepada rakyat,’’ katanya.

Perdana Menteri semalam mengeluarkan arahan melarang menteri, timbalan menteri dan setiausaha Parlimen memegang sebarang jawatan dalam persatuan sukan di peringkat negeri, kebangsaan dan antara bangsa.

Sementara itu, Pensyarah Sains Politik Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Dr. Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman berkata, arahan tersebut bukan satu halangan untuk menteri dan timbalan menteri aktif dalam sukan tetapi sekadar mengurangkan tanggungjawab mereka kepada tugas hakiki sedia ada.

Katanya, penglibatan mereka tidak terhenti setakat itu kerana pemimpin berkenaan masih boleh memberi sokongan moral kepada persatuan-persatuan sukan.

‘‘Berilah peluang kepada golongan yang tidak mempunyai komitmen yang berat dalam kerajaan untuk mengetuai persatuan sukan. Mungkin ini ada kebaikannya untuk memajukan lagi bidang itu,’’ katanya.
Comment:
Segala-gala menjadi kesempatan kepada orang politik. Kalau menang ia akan claim credit, konon hasil kepimpinannya. Kalau tewas, ia perlu lebih lama memimpin untuk memperbaiki keadaan.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Demands and Pressure Prevail

Analysts Feel BN Harping on Trivia than Tackling Important Issues

By Noor Hayati Muda - BERNAMA
October 23, 2008 14:49 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Political observers feel that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) is harping on trivial issues instead of more important matters such as tackling money politics, picking the right leaders and working hard to win back the support the coalition lost in the March 8 general election.


The analysts regard as inconsequent, for the moment, the proposal to turn the coalition into a single multiracial party or even restructuring it. Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussein of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said restructuring the top posts in the BN supreme council would not bring any significant impact in the coalition or to the rakyat (people) in general.


"To me this is trivia. I understand they want to get the support from their own people but I don't think this will benefit the masses in general. "After all, the top posts in the BN are merely in name only as all decisions are made based on consensus regardless of their posts in the supreme council," said lecturer of the university's Public Administration and Law Faculty.


He said the BN was established based on understanding without a legally binding constitution. "It doesn't matter who sits where as those in the supreme council are actually on equal footing. Umno was given the chair and deputy chair seats based on the understanding that it is the largest party, and it remains so today," he said.


Dr Ahmad Atory said BN leaders should instead be focusing on the more vital issue of winning back the people's confidence. "They really need to go back and study the whole situation and find the root cause of the problem, then come up with brilliant ideas to really help the coalition woo back voters in the next general election. "You can get your own party members' support but, at the end of day, what matters is the masses," he said.


Dr Ahmad Atory's remarks are made in reference to the BN's failure to recapture Kelantan and loss of Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor to the opposition in the March 8 general election.


Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Nizamuddin Sulaiman of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) referred to the MCA's request for the creation of a second post of BN deputy chairman for the party to hold, and said entertaining the request would be opening the door for other component parties to make similar demands.


"Besides, I am of the opinion that there are other pressing matters that need to be addressed by the BN leaders, more vital reforms like dealing with money politics, for example," he said. He also said that BN leaders were digressing from the real problems. "Each of the component parties, be it Umno, MCA, MIC or even Gerakan, have leadership problems. I think they must resolve this first before talking about reforming the coalition structure," said the lecturer of the Social Science and Humanities Faculty.


Dr Ahmad Nizamuddin's views were shared by Prof Datuk Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid of the Tun Abdul Razak University who said the priority for BN component parties was to elect the "right leaders". "I am of the opinion that what matters most now is for all component parties to choose the right leaders.


Then, later, they can discuss ideas for reform," said the former dean of the university's Social Science and Humanities Faculty. He said it was critical to elect leaders with vast knowledge in various fields as well as broad networking either in the country or overseas. "We have outstanding leaders in the corporate world, in the public service and in the education sector, just to name a few. Therefore, in my view, political leaders also must be among the best," he said.


Given the current situation, politically or economically, Dr Ibrahim had a point in asserting the importance of choosing the right leaders as these leaders must find ways not only to strengthen their own parties but also the BN as a whole as well as steer the country towards taking on the current global financial onslaught. At the same time, they have to win back the voters' confidence if the BN wants to remain in power after the next general election. Therefore, said Dr Ibrahim, it was vital for BN leaders to identify the root cause of the problems which had landed the coalition in the "hot soup" in the first place.


He said every proposed change must be considered carefully based on the principles of each component party and, most importantly, they should focus on the people's interests while ensuring continuous stability in the country. "Reforms should be based on several factors, both external and internal. Some would like to have radical changes but for me they should be an ongoing matter," he said.

Comment:
As if they have performed fantastically to submit such a demand...

Monday, December 29, 2008

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Isu Kaum Lebih Sensasi

Oleh:
FATHI ARIS OMAR (mSTAR Online)
PETALING JAYA: Isu-isu kaum lebih sensasi dan menarik minat lebih ramai pengundi kerana kerangka politik negara ini masih lagi tebal dengan agenda-agenda perkauman berbanding isu-isu berkepentingan umum seperti rasuah, meritokrasi, ketelusan dan hak asasi manusia. Maka ahli-ahli politik memberatkan isu-isu kaum seperti bahasa, agama, budaya dan kepentingan etnik masing-masing agar mereka dilihat "juara" sesuatu kaum, kata seorang pensyarah sains politik di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia kepada mStar Online hari ini.
Dr Ahmad Nizamudin Sulaiman berkata, lagi pun rata-rata pengundi khususnya di luar bandar dan berpendidikan rendah lebih mudah memahami isu-isu berkepentingan kaum dan agama. "Isu-isu rasuah atau akauntabiliti melibatkan semua pihak, merentasi kepentingan kaum.

Jadi, ia tidak menarik perhatian pengundi yang terbiasa dengan kerangka politik kaum. Golongan tertentu sahaja yang minat isu rasuah. Mereka ingin tahu dan mengikutinya misalnya melalui (artikel) blog-blog," tambahnya.

Menurutnya, golongan berpendidikan tinggi yang tinggal di bandar-bandar lebih prihatin isu rasuah dan akauntabiliti awam tetapi jumlah mereka tidak ramai. "Tetapi sesetengah orang Melayu pula, termasuk cendekiawan, berasa serba salah untuk membincangkan isu-isu umum seperti meritokrasi, hak asasi atau akauntabiliti kerana dianggap membahayakan (kepentingan) mereka," katanya, ketika diminta mengulas sejauh mana berkesannya isu rasuah, berbanding isu kepentingan etnik, mempengaruhi pengundi dalam pilihan raya umum.

"Sebahagian mereka (ahli akademik dan intelektual Melayu) turut mendapat manfaat atau perlindungan daripada dasar-dasar berasaskan kaum, jadi mereka bimbang menyuarakan isu-isu universal ini.
"mStar Online minggu lepas melaporkan, walaupun isu-isu rasuah sering muncul termasuk melibatkan pegawai tinggi kerajaan serta tokoh politik negara dan menjadi perdebatan umum tetapi ia tidak akan berjaya mengalih undi kepada pembangkang dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang. [Lihat: Isu rasuah tidak untungkan pembangkang]

Menurut dua pengamat yang dekat dengan parti-parti pembangkang, pengundi tidak mengutamakan isu rasuah berbanding isu-isu yang lebih membakar sentimen seperti kepentingan kaum, agama dan skandal seks.

Dr Ahmad Nizamudin menambah, ahli-ahli politik dan cendekiawan Melayu juga bimbang pengundi-pengundi tradisi khususnya di luar bandar menganggap mereka "cuba menggadaikan kepentingan bangsa" apabila mengangkat isu-isu berkepentingan bersama, misalnya mempertikai hak istimewa Melayu atau menganjurkan idea meritokrasi.

Selain itu, katanya, mereka juga takut "menyinggung perasaan" ahli-ahli politik sendiri misalnya menteri atau exco kerajaan negeri. "Orang-orang politik sangat sensitif dengan isu rasuah kerana ia melibatkan penyelewengan) orang politik juga atau penjawat awam. Mereka takut dikatakan menyindir kawan-kawan sendiri atau orang atasan mereka. Kalau boleh, mereka mahu kurangkan berbincang isu rasuah."
Bagaimanapun ahli akademik ini juga melihat perkembangan menarik di kalangan kelompok-kelompok muda kini yang semakin mengambil berat isu-isu berkepentingan awam ini. "Golongan muda, mereka yang berfikiran terbuka sudah mula sensitif. Mereka yang banyak bangkitkan.
"Namun, tambahnya, isu-isu ketelusan, akauntabiliti dan rasuah sangat perlahan untuk berkembang walaupun sudah mula bertapak dan sering pula ditewaskan oleh isu-isu berbau perkauman. "Buat masa sekarang, belum ada kesannya.

Akan datang, mungkin tergantung pada perkembangan ekonomi negara. Orang sekarang selesa, jadi mereka tidak beri perhatian pada isu-isu rasuah (yang boleh merosakkan kemajuan ekonomi). "Mengulas kempen anti-korupsi Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sejak menjelang pilihan raya 2004, Dr Ahmad Nizamudin berkata masyarakat melihat pemimpin negara ini jujur untuk memerangi rasuah apabila mengambil tindakan terhadap beberapa tokoh politik seperti naib presiden Umno, Tan Sri Mohamed Isa Samad dan bekas Menteri Tanah dan Pembangunan Koperasi, Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam.

Langkah-langkah seumpamanya, kata pensyarah itu lagi, memberi keuntungan politik kepada Abdullah dan beliau masih berjaya dilihat sebagai seorang pemimpin yang bersih.

Katanya, imej Perdana Menteri untuk memerangi rasuah belum tergugat walaupun makin banyak kes rasuah muncul sekarang yang melibatkan pegawai tinggi kerajaan dan tokoh politik negara, termasuk Umno. "Ada beberapa kes itu tidak jelas.
Jadi sampai di peringkat siasatan sahaja, tidak dibawa ke mahkamah," katanya, merujuk dakwaan rasuah terhadap Timbalan Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom dan bekas ketua pengarah Badan Pencegah Rasuah, Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor. Peguam Negara menutup kertas siasatan terhadap kedua-duanya selepas didapati tiada kes untuk dibawa ke muka pengadilan.

Bagaimanapun kes-kes seumpama ini, tambah Dr Ahmad Nizamudin, akan terus dibangkitkan parti-parti pembangkang bagi mempertikaikan kewibawaan kerajaan.

Ditanya sebab DAP dilihat lebih lantang menyuarakan isu akauntabiliti dan penyelewengan berbanding PAS dalam tempoh lebih 10 tahun mutakhir, beliau berkata DAP cuba membuang imejnya yang dianggap "cauvinis Cina" dengan memberatkan isu-isu berkepentingan bersama.

"Tetapi nampaknya tidak berjaya, label itu masih melekat padanya. "Keseriusan DAP dalam isu rasuah atau akauntabiliti tidak pula bermakna pengundi-pengundi Cina lebih prihatin berbanding pengundi Melayu atau etnik-etnik lain, katanya.

Comment: Sensasi kaum hanya gunaan politikus untuk menutup isu lain seperti perbezaan atau penindasan kelas bawahan, isu korupsi, penyelewengan kuasa dan sebagainya. Lihat tulisan BN Cham, Class and Communalism in Malaysia.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Fishing in a deeply segmented society

Sarawak target a camouflage?


(Shahnaz - The Star Monday, 01 December 2008)

PKR has turned its guns on Sarawak, its latest target to wrest control from Barisan Nasional in the next elections. But questions remain about its plan to take over the Federal Government through crossovers.

DRESSED in a nondescript white shirt and casual black sports jacket, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim drew attention when he sat among the PKR delegates instead of on the stage with other party leaders for the ceramah on Saturday night at the PKR national congress.

With his wife PKR president Datuk Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail seated by his side, he remained there for hours listening to speech after speech until it was his turn.

He got on stage and explained why he had sat among the delegates.

“Pundits and cynics say ‘what is PKR without Anwar?’ But what I see before me is a good line-up of leaders. There is no shortage of great leaders.

“In the six years that I was ‘resting’ in prison reading books, it was Azizah and this line-up that rose and did the work despite being sprayed countless times (with tear gas by the FRU),” he said in his oratorical best.

As for his shirt, he said that it might not be the nicest looking but he wore it with great pride.

“This shirt was made for me by a poor tailor from Datuk Keramat. Every year, while I was in prison, he would make me a shirt or a baju melayu and I would wear them. And he just sent this one to me,” he said.

On cue, the crowd of PKR delegates and members at Stadium Malawati clapped and cheered.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political science lecturer Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin Sulaiman says that while the “common man approach” may be a tactic, it works.

By sitting with delegates, he says Anwar wants to show that PKR is egalitarian, it is not feudal, the hierarchy is not all that strict, and that the party is very different from Barisan Nasional.

“PKR will now post pictures and clips of him sitting with delegates on the blogs and YouTube. I think he purposely did that for effect,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin, however, concedes that even when Anwar was Deputy Prime Minister, he was the sort who always went down to the ground to win people’s hearts and minds.

And the PKR de facto leader did manage to do so with voters during the March 8 general election.

This is PKR’s first congress since the elections which saw a dramatic change in the party’s fortunes. From a miserable one parliamentary seat in 2004, PKR now has a whopping 31 parliamentary seats, 42 state seats, a PKR Mentri Besar (Selangor) and the Opposition Leader in Parliament.

Those who expected dramatic announcements of defecting Barisan MPs at the congress come away a little disappointed. Anwar had whipped up expectations and excitement that Pakatan would take over the Federal government on Sept 16. But that date has come and gone.

As for answers to what happened and what the next course of action to wrest power at the federal level would be, Anwar spoke of his dilemma.

“Nak cakap salah, tak cakap salah, jadi semua serba salah (If I tell, that would be wrong. If I don’t, that’s wrong too. Either way it’s wrong),” he said.

All he would disclose was that some Barisan MPs who had promised to defect and even signed pledges turned around the very next day and verbally attacked him because Barisan suspected them of being possible defectors.

He asked members to keep the faith, that Pakatan would still get to Putrajaya.

In the meantime, he urged all PKR MPs and state assemblymen to take turns every week to go to Sarawak to cause tremors there in the bid to take over the state in the next state elections.

Some have dismissed this. They say it is merely to divert members’ attention from PKR’s failure to deliver its promise to take over the Federal Government.

Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin is not so dismissive.

Even though Sarawak is a Barisan stronghold, he says there are many internal conflicts among the political parties there and PKR could benefit from that.

But he too believes that Sarawak is a camouflage: “Its main interest is still in getting the MPs and getting to Putrajaya.”

“Anwar won’t give up. His intention in making a return to politics is not just to be the head of the Opposition. Before (when he was DPM), he was so near and yet so far. Then after the elections, he was again so near and yet so far,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin believes that Anwar did have the number of MPs to cross over. But the PKR leader made the mistake of making public his plans, which of course gave Barisan time to counter them and many of the would-be defectors backed out.

This probably explains why PKR is now less vocal on its proposed takeover.

Perhaps, it is like the nondescript white shirt Anwar was wearing. He could have worn it and just kept quiet about it or told the world about it.

The next few months will continue to be interesting times in the country’s political landscape.

It would be a mistake to underestimate Anwar and PKR just because they have gone quieter.

Comment:
Friends and foes easily change in this land...

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Mukhriz or Khairy... for Next UMNO Youth Head?

Who could be the next UMNO Youth leader?

Singapore - TODAY 04 April 2008 0852 hrs (SST) 0052 hrs (GMT)

HE DECLARED full support for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after Malaysia’s ruling coalition Barisan Nasional suffered its worst electoral defeat, but Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein may now no longer feel that way.

His announcement that he will not defend his portfolio as the youth chief of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) is an indication, one analyst told TODAY.

“After due consideration, the time has come for me to state my intentions. I’ve led the Youth section for 10 years and the time has come for me to move on and let others lead the movement,” he told reporters.

“I’m not relinquishing my position now but I’m announcing my intentions early so that people can move forward,” he was quoted as saying by news website Malaysiakini.com.

Both Mr Mukhriz Mahathir, son of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Mr Khir Toyo, former Chief Minister of Selangor, have since declared their intentions to run for the post of UMNO youth chief if Mr Hishamuddin resigns.

Said political observer Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: “The strength of Pak Lah support is loosening. Hishamuddin’s move proves that.”

“Hishamuddin is eyeing the higher position of UMNO vice president,” said Dr Ahmad. “He is preparing for the possibility that Najib Razak (Deputy Prime Minister) would contest for Umno president should Pak Lah resign at the UMNO general assembly in December.”

Any of the three vice presidents of Umno can be appointed as Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister. One UMNO VP post is currently vacant.

“If Najib becomes president, he will choose Hishamuddin who is his cousin,” added Dr Ahmad.

Mr Hishamuddin is the son of Malaysia’s third Prime Minister Hussein Onn, and the grandson of UMNO founding member, Onn Jaafar.

But political observer Dr Maznah Mohamad disagrees that the move is a snub against Pak Lah, since it is well known that Mr Hishamuddin wanted a higher position even before the general elections.

Will Pak Lah’s son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin also vie to be the next UMNO youth chief?

“Before the election, the natural choice would be him but not now because he is not well-liked within UMNO,” said Dr Maznah.

Mr Hishamuddin has also downplayed Mr Khairy’s chances when he said that there is no “tradition” for the deputy to take over as chief.

Dr Maznah thinks that Mr Mukhriz stands a good chance because he is the closest thing that UMNO has to a fresh face that can give the party a boost in public support. TODAY/sf

Comment:

Current youth leader is future National Leader...

Projeksi Pilihanraya 2012 - Pengundi Baru Penentu ?

Mstar Jumaat November 14, 2008

Parti politik sudah mula rasai impak 2 juta pemilih baru

Oleh
ZANARIAH ABD MUTALIB & NURUL AIN MOHD HUSSAIN


PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) perlu bekerja keras dalam usaha menarik golongan pengundi muda termasuk dua juta pengundi baru menjelang pilihan raya ke-13.


Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz berkata, tambahan sejumlah bakal pemilih itu akan memberi kesan besar ke atas keputusan pilihan raya umum ke-13.


"Jika kita tengok keputusan pilihan raya umum baru-baru ini, sememangnya undi golongan muda akan memberi kesan yang besar. "Oleh itu, BN perlu bekerja keras dan mengambil iktibar daripada pilihan raya umum lalu," katanya ketika dihubungi mStar Online semalam.


Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas laporan muka depan The Star dan mStar Online semalam berhubung kenyataan Timbalan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar bahawa dua juta orang golongan muda yang berumur bawah 21 tahun berpotensi tersenarai dalam daftar pemilih menjelang pilihan raya ke-13.


Suruhanjaya itu menjangkakan lebih ramai akan mendaftar sebagai pemilih berdasarkan pada senario politik semasa.


Ditanya kemungkinan parti pembangkang berpeluang mengambil alih pentadbiran negara melalui pilihan raya akan datang, Nazri berkata , ia tidak mustahil jika tidak membetulkan kekurangan-kekurangan yang wujud. Justeru beliau berkata, BN perlu melihat aspirasi golongan muda yang tidak mahu melihat sesuatu yang tidak betul berlaku dalam kerajaan.

"Kita tengok aspirasi mereka. Mereka tidak mahu melihat kepincangan termasuk rasuah berlaku," katanya.


Nazri berkata, golongan muda juga cenderung mendapatkan maklumat berhubung isu-isu yang berlaku melalui internet. "Kita bercakap tentang pilihan raya. Oleh itu, setiap ahli Parlimen BN kini perlu memainkan peranan mereka.

"Kalau saya di Padang Rengas, pengundi di sana hanya 18,000 orang... jadi tak sukar bagi saya untuk menghubungi mereka tetapi kalau (ahli Parlimen) di bandar, mereka perlulah gunakan internet juga untuk mendekati golongan muda ini," katanya.


KOMEN PEMERHATI POLITIK

Dalam pada itu, pemerhati politik melihat pola pemilih baru menjelang pilihan raya umum ke-13 akan membawa perubahan besar kepada senario politik negara dengan parti-parti politik mempunyai cabaran untuk menarik sokongan golongan muda ini.


Menurut Pengarah Institut Kajian Etnik Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof. Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, parti-parti politik kini perlu memainkan peranan mereka dalam menarik minat dua juta golongan yang akan disasarkan ini untuk aktif dalam politik.

“Mendaftar sebagai pengundi dan aktif dalam politik adalah dua perkara yang berbeza. Justeru parti-parti politik kini perlu mendekati golongan ini supaya aktif dalam politik kerana dari situlah, komitmen mereka untuk keluar mengundi akan timbul.


“Itulah cabaran besar yang perlu dihadapi oleh parti-parti politik negara ini baik kerajaan atau pun pembangkang,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, pensyarah sains politik UKM, Prof Madya Dr. Ahmad Nizammuddin Sulaiman pula berpendapat perkembangan politik semasa telah mempengaruhi selera pengundi-pegundi muda ini dalam membuat keputusan parti pilihan mereka.


“Orang muda hari ini berfikiran lebih kritis dalam isu-isu seperti hak asasi, keterbukaan dalam pemerintahan, kerajaan yang bebas daripada rasuah dan isu ISA yang menjadi faktor kepada perubahan tersebut.


“Mereka lebih bersemangat dan lantang bersuara memperjuangkan hak mereka. Mereka banyak menyertai pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) seperti Gabungan Pilihan raya Bersih dan Adil dan Gerakan Mansuh ISA jadi ini dilihat sebagai satu perubahan daripada aspek pemikiran mereka,” katanya.


Ahmad Nizammuddin berkata, faktor ini dipengaruhi oleh kesedaran politik yang tinggi di samping gesaan daripada rakan-rakan daripada parti politik pembangkang,” katanya.

Jelas beliau, golongan pengundi muda ini merupakan golongan yang berani memberi peluang kepada sesuatu yang baru. “Sikap berani mencuba akan memberi kelebihan kepada Pakatan Rakyat untuk memerintah menjelang PRU ke-13,” katanya.


Sementara itu, pensyarah sains politik Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Faruk berkata, cara golonngan muda mengundi pada pilihan raya akan datang masa hadapan akan dipengaruhi oleh banyak faktor termasuk pendedahan kepada politik dan sentimen semasa yang mempengaruhi undi mereka.


“Kalau lihat pengundi muda, mereka berfikiran kritikal kesan daripada revolusi internet kerana kebanyakan mereka mendapatkan maklumat internet termausk daripada blog. “Walaupun mungkin ada yang tidak benar (kandungan internet) tetapi mereka cenderung untuk mempercayainya.


“Ini disebabkan mereka tidak lagi menjadikan akhbar dan televisyen sebagai sumber mendapatkan maklumat kerana menganggap media arus perdana ini sudah kurang kredibilitinya dalam menyampaikan berita,” katanya.


Selain itu katanya, cara golongan muda ini berkomunikasi antara satu sama lain juga berbeza termasuk melalui blog, e-mel dan khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS). “Ini semua memberi cabaran kepada parti-parti politik terutama parti pemerintah yang perlu terus mempertahankan kedudukan mereka.


“Mereka perlu memikirkan jalan untuk mempengaruhi golongan pengundi baru ini dengan cara baru kerana wujud jurang generasi antara golongan muda dan tua melalui cara mereka berfikir,” katanya.

Azeem berkata, terdapat banyak faktor yang akan mempengaruhi keputusan pilihan raya akan adatang termasuk kedudukan ekonomi, harga barang dan kadar jenayah dalam negara. “Kalau mereka puas hati dengan keadaan pada masa itu, mereka akan undi parti pemerintah. Kalau tidak, mereka akan mengundi pembangkang,” katanya.


Comment: BN terutamanya UMNO sedar akan perkara ini. Namun apakah bertindak setimpal kegawatan ini... atau... memang sudah tidak upaya lagi...

The Current position

Friday, December 26, 2008

Pakatan: Enough Number to form New Government


Anwar insists it's for real


Thursday, 22 May 2008 03:32 Admin TODAY - Singapore

A confident Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met foreign correspondents based in Singapore yesterday and opened the door a wee bit more on his plans to grab power.

Once the former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and now torch-bearer for the Opposition has the numbers to make up a simple majority in Parliament, Anwar said he will call for a vote of non-confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government.

The numbers game is a simple one. Twenty-nine more seats — that is what his grand coalition called Pakatan Rakyat needs to send an embattled Abdullah and his ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) packing.

But his audience did not seem totally convinced. A sense of expectation mixed with scepticism was evident among the foreign journalists, some of whom have followed his sensational roller coaster political career with professional zeal.

Do you really have the numbers, or is it just good psychological warfare, asked veteran journalist Barry Wain, who is now writing a book on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar smiled somewhat coyly, then replied: "I've said it on April 14. Yes, we have the numbers." Where does this confidence come from? Not wanting to give too much away, he said it came from reading the mood among the BN backbenchers.

As though anticipating the follow-up question, the man who believes he is within kissing distance of becoming prime minister gave an example: Only three or four of Abdullah's diehards — and not 30 or 40 parliamentarians — rush to his defence every time Umno's top leadership comes under attack.

Want more evidence? Well, look no further than what the grand old man of Malaysian politics, Dr Mahathir, said recently.

Said Anwar: "Even Mahathir has conceded: Yes, there is a possibility of Anwar taking over. He didn't say it is going to be a turmoil, or a disaster or politically disastrous for the country."

Earlier this month, Dr Mahathir warned Umno members to take Anwar's threat seriously. In that conference at Putrajaya on May 7, Dr Mahathir said: "I first wanted to dismiss this possibility but on studying the situation I feel that there is a great danger." With the Opposition now controlling 82 out of 222 parliamentary seats, Anwar said he needs just 30 BN lawmakers to cross over for the new Opposition government to run the country with a simple majority.

His concentration is all on the economically-backward states of Sarawak and Sabah, making regular visits there and offering them higher oil royalties if the ruling coalition party members will defect to his side.

Defending this move yesterday, Anwar said: "We are not giving to the political leaders. Why can't we give...to these states? (These are) oil-producing states which happen to be some of the poorest in Malaysia." Even the deadline that he has set to grab power, Sept 16, is aimed at wooing residents of the two East Malaysian states.

"Sept 16 is Malaysia Day. That excites the Sabahans and Sarawakians. Not many Umno leaders are very sensitive to this fact," he said referring to the day in 1963 when the two states and Singapore came together to form Malaysia.

But with Anwar exuding confidence and with the Abdullah administration looking weaker by the day, what can the latter do to sidestep a looming a checkmate kind of situation? Political scientist Ahmad Nidzamuddin of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said:

"Maybe, if Pak Lah steps down, and someone else is elected by the majority of the Umno MPs - not necessarily Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak - and if somebody from Sabah or Sarawak is elected as his deputy, this could be prevent the Opposition from taking over the parliament."

Anwar threw up another possibility: A snap election called by Abdullah before Sept 16. But he was quick to write off this threat: "To me, it is quite unlikely, because it is up to the discretion of the king. And the king will have to be convinced of the basis for such an extraordinary measure just a few months after a general election."

There is one other question: Can he become the next PM since he is still not an MP? And what about his plans to fight a by-election? A couple of constituencies have been identified, but Anwar said this plan is currently in a limbo since he has not been given a clear date yet on when he could contest. "We've worked it out as April 15, based on what was told to me by the prison officers and by the Attorney General's office," he said. "But until today, I have not got any reply to confirm the actual date that I am eligible to contest."

His lawyers, said Anwar, had on Tuesday asked the Attorney General's office to clarify a clear position on his eligibility in two weeks' time. But this uncertainty is not going to stop the moves towards an Opposition-ruled Malaysia, the first in the country's 51-year history. "The decision is to move. Immediately."

If he does comes to power, he wants to push for a change on a PM's longevity: Not more than two terms, like the system in the US. "I don't intend to be active in political life beyond a decade. I think the problem with our society is that people tend to stay on forever," Anwar said. — TODAY


Comment : Bertelur sebiji riuh sekampung,
BN sempat menghitung menampung



IT & Election

Utusan - 06/03/2008

Kecanggihan IT bantu proses pilihan raya


Oleh KHAIRUNNISA SULAIMAN

Penggunaan e-undi memerlukan pengundi memohon bagi nombor pin dan sistem pengesahan tanda tangan digital.

Dalam menuju ke era teknologi maklumat dan informasi (ICT), Malaysia juga tidak ketinggalan dalam melaksanakan pelbagai aplikasi elektronik yang menghubungkan kerajaan dengan rakyat melalui aplikasi perdana e-kerajaan menerusi projek Koridor Raya Multimedia (MSC Malaysia). Pelancaran e-kerajaan sememangnya mampu meningkatkan lagi mutu pentadbiran di dalam kerajaan serta kaedah menyampaikan perkhidmatan kepada rakyat.

Aplikasi e-kerajaan juga bertujuan meningkatkan mutu dan interaksi kerajaan dengan rakyat serta pihak swasta. Pelbagai kemudahan disediakan oleh e-kerajaan termasuk pembayaran bil kemudahan asas, semakan saman trafik, penghantaran tender kerajaan dan pendaftaran perniagaan dapat dilakukan secara terus dalam talian. Dan kini, dalam bahang Pilihan Raya Umum ke-12 dan hari pengundian Sabtu ini, mungkinkah Malaysia akan mengikut jejak negara maju yang mengaplikasikan undi secara elektronik atau e-undi di masa depan?

Menurut Pensyarah Sains Politik, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Dr. Ahmad Nizamuddin Sulaiman, Malaysia belum bersedia untuk melaksanakan e-undi dalam pilihan raya di negara ini.

“Ini kerana, jika kita tidak benar-benar bersedia, sistem ini boleh menimbulkan masalah daripada pihak ketiga seperti penggodam komputer,” katanya. Katanya, tahap celik ICT penduduk negara ini juga masih belum mencapai tahap maksimum yang tentunya akan menimbulkan masalah jika mesin mengundi itu tidak mesra pengguna. Beliau berkata, walaupun Malaysia telah maju dalam bidang perbankan elektronik (e-perbankan) tetapi ia merupakan sistem yang dikendalikan secara komersial.

Berbanding dengan sistem e-undi, ia akan dikendalikan oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) yang seharusnya perlu meningkatkan keyakinan orang ramai terhadap sistem baru tersebut.

Apakah e-undi? E-undi merujuk kepada proses pembuangan undi dan pengiraan undi yang dilakukan secara elektronik dengan pengundi tidak lagi perlu memangkah di kertas seperti kaedah yang digunakan sekarang. Ia telah digunakan di beberapa negara luar seperti Amerika Syarikat, Australia dan Brazil. Sistem undian seperti punch card dan kad imbasan optikal juga dikira sebagai menggunakan kaedah elektronik.

Terdapat beberapa kaedah mengundi secara elektronik termasuk:

* Mesin mengundi (sistem skrin sentuh atau mesin elektronik rekod terus (DRE).
* Internet
* Telefon dan telefon mudah alih
* Pembantu digital peribadi (PDA)
* Televisyen digital

Tempat mengundi

Terma ini merujuk kepada sistem lokasi pengundi membuang e-undi di dalam stesen mengundi atau lokasi yang diselia oleh pegawai pilihan raya.

Sistem berkenaan termasuk mesin undi DRE yang merekodkan undian secara elektronik tanpa penggunaan Internet atau rangkaian lain. Antara muka mesin DRE boleh jadi pilihan butang, skrin sentuh atau pengimbas yang mengimbas kertas undi. Terdapat sistem DRE yang menggunakan sistem kad leret atau katrij yang perlu diaktifkan sebelum undian dimulakan. Undian akan disimpan dalam kad memori, cakera padat atau peralatan memori lain. Masalah yang mungkin dihadapi. Selaras dengan kemajuan teknologi, pengundi perlu diberikan pilihan mengundi yang sesuai dengan gaya hidup mereka dan ia mungkin boleh dilaksanakan di negara ini dalam pilihan pilihan raya selepas ini.

Bagaimanapun, pelaksanaan e-undi, mungkin juga boleh menimbulkan beberapa masalah seperti keselamatan, sistem pengkomputeran gagal berfungsi, pengodaman, ancaman virus, pengguna berasa kekok dan sebagainya. Dalam perkembangan ICT masa kini, tidak terdapat jaminan program tidak boleh dimanipulasi dan menghasilkan penyimpanan dan cetakan yang berlainan berbanding di skrin.

Isu keselamatan lain termasuk memastikan semua pengundi dibenarkan membuang undi dan memastikan selepas itu undi akan disimpan dan dikira dengan tepat. Masalahnya pengundi juga perlu diyakinkan mengenai sistem e-undi.

Apabila melaksanakan sistem e-undi ini, pengundi perlu diyakinkan mengenai tahap kerahsiaan selepas mereka membuang undi kerana pengundi tidak mahu undian mereka diketahui ramai. Dalam konteks e-undi mudah alih, hanya mereka yang mendaftar dan pengundi yang sah dibenarkan membuang undi. Pengundi yang sah akan diberikan Nombor Pengenalan peribadi (PIN), Nombor Transaksi (Tan) atau tandatangan digital sebelum dibenarkan mengundi.

Bagi mengelakkan undian dilakukan lebih daripada sekali atau disalah guna, semua undian perlu direkodkan dan diperiksa bagi memastikan pengundi yang telah mengundi tidak boleh mengundi lagi.

Biometriks

Di masa hadapan, biometriks mungkin juga boleh digunakan bagi memastikan identiti dan menggantikan kod PIN dan kata kunci. Sistem mengundi tradisional telah dibangunkan bagi memastikan prinsip mengundi, kebebasan mengundi, kerahsiaan, undian tidak boleh diubah dan mengurangkan kesilapan semasa proses pengundian. Sistem e-undi perlu direka dan beroperasi bagi memastikan ketelusan dan keselamatan operasi mengundi.

Sistem e-undi perlu menepati beberapa garis panduan seperti memastikan hanya pengundi berdaftar mengundi, semua undi dikira, hak pengundi membuat pilihan mereka tanpa sebarang pengaruh, melindungi rahsia undian dan kemudahan mengundi pengundi orang kurang upaya (OKU). Apa yang penting, e-undi ini, sekiranya dilaksanakan pada masa akan datang, sekurang-kurangnya mengurangkan pergantungan kepada kaedah konvensional dan seharusnya ia merupakan sistem yang diyakini oleh semua terutama calon dan pengundi.

ANS comment : Lihat tulisan Lipset Prasyarat Sosial untuk Demokrasi, Benedict Anderson, Immagined Communities, Lerner, The Passing of Traditional Societies dan Huntington, The Third Wave: Democratizaton in the Late Twentieth Century sebagai contoh bahan ilmiah yang membincangkan impak IT kepada Demokrasi atau Politik amnya.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Under Construction.

Sabar ye......

Seminar Politik Malaysia UiTM Sabah Berjalan Lancar

Seminar politik di atas berjalan dengan baik dengan 88 buah kertas kerja dibentangkan. Penganjuran juga berjalan lancar. Wacana ilmiah dimanfaatkan semua peserta. Usaha ini memang selayaknya dihargai dan sepatutnya digalakkan

Bersama Imej Castro


Wishing all friends who are celebrating Christmas a Very Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year!





.