Trik, manipulasi, hamboran dana dan janji molek masih gagal pikat majoriti

Najib gagal baca amaran awal kekalahan?

HARAKAH DAILY
Khamis 29 Januari 2009 2 Safar 1430 Hijrah
Ahmad Lutfi Othman Mon Jan 19, 09 7:19:32 pm MYT

SEBELUM diisytihar menang pun, penampilan Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut sebagai calon PAS, mewakili Pakatan Rakyat, sudah menempa sejarah tersendiri. Pemilihannya memang tidak dijangka. Namanya dicalonkan di peringkat awal, tetapi khabarnya beliau sendiri menarik diri, untuk memberi laluan kepada tokoh-tokoh lain, dan antara yang disebut-sebut ialah Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, Adun Batu Burok yang juga bekas Ahli Parlimen Kuala Terengganu (1999-2004) dan Mustafa Ali, Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri.

Sejarah dibentuk lagi kemudiannya apabila persepakatan erat Pakatan Rakyat terserlah bermula dari hari penamaan calon, semasa kempen hinggalah hari pembuangan undi. Rasanya inilah kali pertama pimpinan utama DAP, diketuai Lim Kit Siang dan Lim Guan Eng aktif berkampung di kawasan majoriti Melayu, dan lebih menarik ia terletak di Kuala Terengganu.

"Cantiknya ia berlaku di Terengganu"
Apabila turun mengatur strategi dan berkempen bersama, tentulah "yang jauh dapat didekat, yang dekat dapat dimesrakan". Ada dakwaan mengatakan pimpinan PAS Terengganu agak tidak begitu "dekat dan mesra" bukan saja dengan pemimpinan DAP, malah KeADILan.

Sementara kemenangan dengan majoriti tidak terduga Abdul Wahid, iaitu 2,632 undi, disambut gema takbir (dan kemudiannya ratusan anak muda meraikannya di jalan-jalan sekitar bandar), Timbalan Presiden Umno, Najib Razak, yang mengemudi jentera kempen BN pasti terkedu dengan kekalahan bergandanya.

Permatang Pauh mungkin tidak memalukannya tetapi Kuala Terengganu nyata memberi tamparan hebat buat bakal Perdana Menteri, yang dijangka naik takhta Mac nanti.

Permatang Pauh dikenali sebagai kubu kuat Anwar Ibrahim sejak 1982 lagi, terletak pula di negeri Pakatan Rakyat. Sementara Kuala Terengganu milik Umno-BN, di negeri Terengganu yang mana BN menang besar dalam pilihan raya umum ke-12, menghadang ombak tsunami politik yang menghempas Pantai Barat.

Lebih perit buat BN di Kuala Terengganu
Di Permatang Pauh calon BN kekurangan 1,426 undi berbanding pilihan raya 2008 tetapi di Kuala Terengganu, "orang kuat" Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, undi Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh merosot 2,320 berbanding penyandang, Allahyarham Razali Ismail.

Najib diakui bekerja keras sepanjang 11 hari berkempen, menawarkan pelbagai impian, menyogok tawaran, dan mengetuk pintu demi pintu, bagi memastikan momentum kejayaan gemilang Anwar tidak merebak ke Pantai Timur.

Kini reputasi Najib - dan BN yang bakal dipimpinnya - dipercayai tambah gelap memandangkan bagasi sejarah beliau juga begitu membebankannya. Igauan Altantunya Shaariibu masih menghantui Najib hinggakan mereka yang manampal gambar gadis Mongolia itu di Kuala Terengganu pun ditahan polis.

Umno di bawah terajunya nanti dijangka berdepan masalah dalaman lebih parah. Secara umumnya, imej peribadi calon BN, Wan Farid Salleh, yang dikatakan "sombong, tidak mesra, elitis, bersifat bangsawan" boleh menggambarkan imej Umno-BN sekarang.

Malang sekali, Najib dan juga jentera kempen BN tidak pernah berubah; mereka seolah-olah langsung tidak mengambil iktibar pengalaman pahit pilihan raya Mac 2008 yang menyaksikan lima negeri jatuh dan majoriti dua pertiga BN di Parlimen dinafikan.

Seperti ditegaskan sarjana politik Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Madya Ghazali Mayudin, yang menghantar artikelnya kepada saya pada awal pagi 17 Januari, di waktu pusat mengundi baru dibuka: "Strategi dan tindakan BN untuk memenangi hati pengundi di KT menampakkan yang parti itu seakan terperangkap dalam penjara yang dibinanya sendiri. Setelah memenangi puluhan pilihan raya, umum atau kecil, dengan skrip yang sama semenjak merdeka, maka skrip lama ini juga yang digunakan dalam pilihan raya abad ke-21 ini." Maknanya Ghazali menulis artikel itu, yang sudah merumuskan punca kekalahan BN, sebelum pemilih berdaftar membuang undi lagi.

Ramalan sarjana politik terbukti tepat
Bukan Ghazali seorang yang begitu yakin PAS boleh menang, malah beberapa pengkaji dan sarjana politik lain sudah meramalkan begitu. Ketua Program Sains Politik UKM, Prof Madya Dr Mohamad Agus Yusoff, empat hari sebelum mengundi, memaklumkan kepada saya: "Lutfi, pegang cakap-cakap saya ini, PAS boleh menang sehingga majoriti 3,000 undi!" Seorang lagi pensyarah sains politik, Prof Madya Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin, melalui siaran langsung TV, berdasarkan tinjauannya, juga dengan penuh yakin menjangkakan PAS bakal menang.

Semasa kempen, berdepan masyarakat Tionghua, yang dikira undi penentu, BN terus menakutkan mereka dengan isu Hudud walhal dalam pilihan raya umum lalu, khususnya di Pantai Barat, pengundi Cina dan India tanpa segan silu menyelimuti bendera PAS di tubuh mereka, sambil giat berkempen memenangkan Pakatan Rakyat. Seorang pemimpin muda MCA Cheras, melalui siaran Astro Awani menegaskan, "politik ugut dan gertak" menggunakan isu Hudud sudah tidak berkesan lagi.

Politik "pembangunan dan keselamatan" dengan gaya lama adalah konsep kuno yang tidak lagi sesuai dengan dunia siber dan langit terbuka ini. Benar seperti kata A Kadir Jasin, BN yang sudah terlalu lama berkuasa sudah begitu sukar berubah: "Mereka tetap menggunakan taktik lama yang sama. Memang ada janji untuk melakukan bedah-siasat atas kekalahan Mac 2008 tetapi apabila didapati post-mortem itu menikam pemimpin atasan, ia terus dilupakan. Jadi, tidak hairanlah jika ada ahli Umno sendiri yang mendoakan BN kalah di Kuala Terengganu."

Di pihak Pakatan Rakyat pula, diharap hubungan erat semasa kempen dapat diinstitusikan. Lima negeri Pakatan harus menyerlahkan bentuk kerjasama yang boleh memberi banyak manfaat buat rakyat.

Persefahaman mantap Pakatan
Tidak mudah berdepan ketidak-tentuan ekonomi dan cabaran lain yang lebih sengit dalam waktu terdekat, namun dengan persefahaman pimpinan Pakatan di peringkat pusat dan negeri terbabit, segala kemelut mudah dirongkai.

Lebih menarik, "Pengisytiharan Mentaloon" dikeluarkan pada 18 Mac, sehari selepas pilihan raya kecil Kuala Terengganu, membabitkan semua Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri lima negeri Pakatan Rakyat, bertempat di kediaman Menteri Besar Kedah, di Sri Mentaloon, Alor Setar.

Impian rakyat untuk menikmati kehidupan lebih baik di bawah Pakatan begitu tinggi. Segala tawaran dalam manifesto masih ada yang belum tertunai. Masa Umno-BN sudah berlalu.

PAS terbukti dapat melalui ranjau dengan cemerlang sekali. KT bukan sahaja membuka laluan untuk menguasai kembali Terengganu, malah menunjuk jalan lurus ke Putrajaya, insya-Allah.

Dan terbukti penangguhan cetakan Harakah edisi Jumaat, Bil 1408, daripada pagi Sabtu kepada pagi Ahad, bagi menunggu keputusan pilihan raya, adalah langkah tepat! Kami tidak mahu terlewat untuk merakam satu sejarah baru dalam politik Malaysia.

Komen: Terbaca dalam salah satu blog.. kedudukan skor sekarang ialah 3-0. Kedudukan 1-0 semasa Pilihanraya Kecil Permatang Pauh, 2-0 di Kuala Terengganu dan 3-0 apabila Adun Bota keluar dari BN. Sebaiknya YB Nasarudin tidak mengosongkan kerusi Bota seperti yang didesak oleh Menteri Luar. Kelak boleh menjadikan skor 4-0!!!

Power Struggle Continues

Promising future for PKR in Sarawak

Arfa'eza A Aziz http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/51400

via Subang Jaya Web Forum - Sarawak Shocker

Having penetrated the Sarawak state assembly through its sole representative Dominique Ng - who won the Padungan seat last Saturday - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has proven that it has the right formula to win the hearts of Sarawakians.

The party’s victory in the Chinese-majority seat in the state capital and the increase in popular votes garnered at several Malay seats proved that it is a force to be reckoned with in Sarawak. Although it failed to win any of the Malay seats held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB), its popular votes increased tremendously compared to the 2001 state election. In Saribas and Sadong Jaya, which are PBB's traditional Malay and Melanau strongholds, PKR garnered almost 50% of the votes cast. PKR vice-president and election director Mohd Azmin Ali believed that PKR could have performed better if the election was conducted on an level playing field.

With all the difficulties encountered - BN propaganda, the Election Commission’s failure to conduct a free and fair election, unfair media coverage by the BN etc, the party still managed to get significant support in several constituencies, he said when contacted. Politically more matureMost locals met expressed their surprise at how fast PKR had shaken off the ‘party from Malaya’ label which was often used against it during the 10-day campaign period.

In fact, many had thought that Ng, who beat BN’s Lily Yong by a thumping 1,417 votes, would not stand a chance running under a PKR ticket. Who would have thought that a candidate from a Malay-majority party would win in a Chinese-majority seat? It is well-known that the Chinese community is unhappy with the BN, but many felt that this was not enough to sway their support to PKR. Ng was of the view that the opposition’s victory in four out of five seats in Kuching shows that the Chinese community has matured politically.

BN’s divide and rule strategies and fear tactics no longer work for the Chinese, he added. “The message is very clear. The Chinese support can no longer be taken for granted. If BN continues with its unfair policies, the Malays are going to follow suit,” said Ng. Azmin said that Ng’s victory showed that Sarawakians are ready to accept PKR as a multi-racial party. PKR’s performance had also put to rest doubts that the thousands who attended the string of ceramahs (political talks) by party bigwigs including its adviser Anwar Ibrahim and president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, would be translated to votes.Blessing in disguise.

Many had claimed that the majority who attended the ceramah did so out of curiosity. Anwar was also portrayed in a bad light by the local media except for the Chinese press which was quite sympathetic. An Iban journalist believed that the negative reporting by newspapers linked to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud was a ‘blessing in disguise’ for the party. “I think the BN campaign to smear Anwar had prompted the people who are already dissatisfied with the BN to seek out the truth. Unfortunately for the BN and contrary to its claim that Anwar’s presence had no effect in Sarawak, the former deputy premier's charismatic personality had actually swayed the voters.

Ng believed that the Anwar factor had helped boost the people’s support for PKR when he went to the ground to meet the people. “His personal touch had opened the eyes of the Kuching people. He even walked with me in the streets of Padungan. It proves that the Chinese do not see him as the Muslim radical he has been falsely accused of, Ng said.

Indeed, Anwar’s presence and that of other top party leaders like Wan Azizah, Azmin and youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor had indeed been effective, said political science lecturer Dr Ahmad Nizamuddin Sulaiman from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.“I think the efforts of these top PKR leaders managed to pull in the votes. Perhaps the results would be different if they did not make their presence felt in Sarawak,” he said when contacted.

He said another factor for the opposition’s successes was the understanding reached by all political parties. The one-to-one contests in many constituencies worked in their favour, he added. Economic grouses. According to Ahmad, Chinese voters in the urban areas voted for the opposition to express their anger at the recent fuel price hike, the land lease issue and the little economic opportunities available which have badly affected their livelihood.

The DAP managed to capitalise on these issues and influence the Chinese electorate, he said. As for the Malay community, Ahmad believed that the votes cast for the opposition candidates came from the youths who are dissatisfied with practices of nepotism and cronyism by state leaders. “Issues relating to alleged corrupt acts by state leaders were highlighted in many PKR ceramah. Elderly voters rarely go for the opposition rallies so they were not exposed to such information.

So awareness on the issue had swayed young voters away from PBB,” he said. He dismissed the idea that the Malay anger would subside once Abdul Taib steps down as chief minister. “I don’t think his retirement would do anything to assuage the dissatisfaction. Yes, many are unhappy with him but they also know that he is not the only one practicing nepotism and cronyism.

There are also others in his circle. “Look at PBB Wanita chief Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauziah whose seat was inherited and won by her daughter Syarifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. So it’s not just Taib. The others are in the same boat too. “Even when he retires, he will probably be replaced by a candidate of his choice and so it goes around the same circle. I believe then that this anti-establishment sentiments against the government will continue," said Ahmad.

Looking ahead. What’s next? What should PKR do to ensure that the people’s support will continue and grow? It must consider this seriously as it would be facing the next general election in less than three years. One of its main tasks will be to preserve the informal ties it had with Snap and the yet-to-registered MDC under the Barisan Bersatu Sarawak coalition as well as its understanding with other opposition parties like DAP and PAS.

Ahmad said that it should find ways to form a real and practical coalition of opposition parties. “Apart from Snap and MDC, PKR must work with DAP and set aside their differences to form a credible coalition. Also the communication between PKR top guns and Sarawakians must continue. “If these leaders abandon Sarawak after this, they might not get the same treatment when they come back for the next election,” he added.

Ng said he is confident that the road for the opposition will be clear now that it has more representatives in the state assembly. “This is a great beginning for the opposition. We have now gained a strong foothold in Sarawak. Now we have to get down to work”.

Comments:Political alliance is fragile in this land. You are in the coalition government today and outside tomorrow. Tradition and modernity sometimes blend together creating a new kind of political outlook. This is easily formed, but sometimes they don't work perfectly thus showing a limited level of political maturity.

14 Jan 2009 - Telah 33 Tahun Kehilangan Tun Razak

Impian Tun Razak untuk semua kaum

MOHD. KHUZAIRI ISMAIL (WARTAWAN UTUSAN) 15/01/2009

SEMALAM, pada 33 tahun yang lalu, negara kehilangan seorang tokoh pejuang bangsa yang dihormati dan disegani kerana sumbangan dan jasa beliau terhadap pembangunan negara. Tun Abdul Razak Hussein iaitu Perdana Menteri Kedua Malaysia, meninggal dunia pada 14 Januari 1975 kerana penyakit leukemia, ketika masih lagi memegang jawatan Perdana Menteri. Kepulangan Tun Abdul Razak ke Rahmatullah, meskipun selepas lebih tiga dekad tidak pernah memadam semangat dan perjuangan negarawan ulung itu, sebaliknya ia kekal dikenang dan menjadi kebanggaan seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

Terlalu banyak yang diperkatakan mengenai sumbangan dan jasa Tun Abdul Razak terhadap pembangunan sosioekonomi dan sosiopolitik negara, sesuai dengan peranan beliau yang menjadi tulang belakang kepada pembentukan dan kemajuan Malaysia seperti yang dikecapi hari ini. Setanding dengan gelaran Bapa Pembangunan Negara yang diberikan, Tun Abdul Razak meskipun dalam tempoh yang singkat menjadi Perdana Menteri iaitu kira-kira tujuh tahun, tidak berkompromi dengan usaha pembangunan negara. Fokus utama Allahyarham ialah membasmi kemiskinan, kejahilan dan meningkatkan taraf kesihatan terutamanya di kalangan penduduk luar bandar.

Matlamat itu juga melahirkan pelbagai agenda kebangsaan seperti Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB), Rancangan Buku Hijau dan banyak lagi yang diperkasakan menerusi parti Barisan Nasional yang distruktur semula daripada Perikatan pada 1 Januari 1973. Di pentas antarabangsa, Tun Abdul Razak dengan kebijaksanaan diplomasi dan dasar luar negaranya menjadikan suara Malaysia yang secara fizikalnya kecil didengari oleh kuasa-kuasa besar dunia.

Idea beliau mencetus kepada penubuhan ASEAN serta konsep Zon Aman, Bebas dan Berkecuali (ZOPFAN) selain Tun Razak juga menjadi individu yang bertanggungjawab dalam rundingan menamatkan konfrantasi Indonesia-Malaysia yang didalangi oleh Parti Komunis Indonesia (PKI).

Namun ketika setiap daripada sumbangan dan jasa Tun Abdul Razak diangkat sebagai pengabdian yang tinggi kepada negara tercinta, berapa ramai daripada kita, terutamanya generasi selepas merdeka yang benar-benar menghayati semangat perjuangan yang dirintis oleh Tun Abdul Razak? Sebagai pewaris kepada sebuah bangsa dan tamadun yang banyak terbentuk daripada acuan pemikiran Tun Abdul Razak, seharusnya setiap daripada anak Malaysia terdidik di dalam jiwanya untuk meneruskan dan mengekalkan apa yang dipelopori oleh Tun Razak.

Salah satunya adalah usaha memupuk semangat perpaduan di kalangan pelbagai kaum yang menjadi teras utama kepada pembinaan sosial, ekonomi dan pembangunan negara. Semangat Tun Abdul Razak dalam menyatupadukan seluruh kaum bermula lebih awal iaitu ketika beliau menjadi Menteri Pelajaran dengan memperkenalkan Penyata Razak 1956.

Agenda pendidikan ini memberikan makna yang sangat besar kepada perpaduan pelbagai kaum apabila ia berjaya menyatupadukan sistem pelajaran yang sebelumnya diamalkan secara pecah dan perintah di bawah dasar penjajah. Gagasan pemikiran Tun Abdul Razak menerusi Penyata Razak 1956 itu juga meletakkan bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa pengantar utama dalam usaha mewujudkan sebuah bangsa yang bersatu padu.

Dalam memupuk perpaduan antara kaum juga, Tun Abdul Razak melancarkan 'Rukunegara' pada 31 Ogos 1970 yang menjadi ideologi kebangsaan dengan harapan membentuk sebuah masyarakat dan negara Malaysia yang demokratik, adil, saksama dan progresif.

Seperti yang dijelaskan oleh pensyarah di Pusat Pengajian Sejarah, Politik dan Strategi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof. Madya Dr. Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman, Tun Abdul Razak memikul tugas yang amat berat dalam mengembalikan keharmonian negara terutamanya selepas peristiwa 13 Mei 1969. Ketika itu, beliau perlu merangka dasar sosial, ekonomi dan politik yang boleh memacu negara kepada satu bangsa yang maju dan pada masa yang sama aman serta bebas daripada konflik etnik.

Tun Abdul Razak bagaimanapun memperlihatkan kesungguhan yang tinggi dalam membentuk sebuah acuan perpaduan rakyat pelbagai kaum yang sebenar menerusi pelbagai usaha seperti pembentukan Jabatan Perpaduan Negara, Rukun Tetangga, pembentukan Rukun Negara dan banyak lagi.

Namun, ia seolah-olah dicabar ketika ini apabila kumpulan tertentu dengan sengaja memanipulasi sentimen etnik untuk mendapat sokongan politik, populariti dan kepentingan tertentu dalam masa yang singkat. Begitu juga dengan usaha Tun Abdul Razak menarik penglibatan semua golongan masyarakat dan kaum dalam pengagihan kekayaan negara supaya rantaian kemiskinan dapat diputuskan.

Dengan pelbagai peluang ekonomi yang dibuka oleh beliau dan diperhebatkan lagi oleh Perdana Menteri selepasnya, bumiputera tidak lagi mempunyai alasan untuk terus hidup di bawah kepompong kemiskinan. Sebaliknya, dengan keinginan dan kesungguhan yang tinggi, orang Melayu dan bumiputera berjaya merapatkan jurang kekayaan, meskipun masih banyak usaha yang diperlukan untuk benar-benar bersaing dengan kaum-kaum lain.

Sesuatu yang pasti, agenda pembangunan dan ideologi Tun Abdul Razak telah membina satu landasan kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia untuk mencapai taraf kehidupan, pembangunan dan perpaduan yang lebih baik. Apa yang tinggal kini ialah sejauh mana setiap daripada kita yang mengecapi kemewahan hidup daripada penat lelah Tun Abdul Razak serta pemimpin lainnya, mahu mempertahankan dan menjadikannya lebih baik untuk Malaysia.

Komen: Malaysia berubah banyak hasil dari pemikirannya. DEB dll... dilancarkan oleh Tun Razak. Namun seperti lumrah alam, yang baik itu selalu tidak lama dengan kita... Beliau memerintah hanya dari 1970-1976 kedua singkat selepas Tun Hussein Onn, 1976-1981.

Best Wishes for the Chinese New Year

Wishing all friends

who are celebrating

Chinese New Year

a Very Prosperous

New Year!

Pak Lah's litmus test - reflection of last general election

Today Online Spore - Media Corp Press March 8, 2008
Nazry Bahrawinazry@mediacorp.com.sg

Poor win for BN may mean trouble for Malaysian PM

AT 13 days, it was one of Malaysia's longest election campaigns in memory — characterised by the usual mudslinging, lawsuit threats, celebrity endorsements and active online campaigning.

And as Malaysians go to the polls on Saturday, the big question is not whether the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) will retain its two-third majority — most analysts believe that's a given — but how the expected increase in the number of seats lost to the opposition will affect the political future of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

A "poor win" by BN, some observers believe, may even result in Mr Abdullah making a graceful exit midway through his second term.

Ms Tricia Yeoh, of the Centre of Public Policy Studies in Kuala Lumpur, said: "Losing one or two additional seats doesn't change anything for BN. But if it hits 50 seats or more, it is a dangerous indicator of his weakening popularity."

"It might open up room for political infighting because members of the party are aware of the perceived weakened condition of Pak Lah. Certain quarters would be on the lookout to optimise on the situation," she told Weekend Today.

To achieve their target of breaking the BN's two-third majority, the opposition, which held 19 seats in the previous Parliament, must win at least 75 seats out of the 214 parliamentary seats up for grabs.

While the conventional wisdom is that the three main opposition parties — the Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and Mr Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat — will not be able to win that many, some analysts believe it is not impossible for them to double their representation in Parliament.

A poll of 500 Malaysians in Peninsular Malaysia, conducted over the past 36 hours, showed that about 40 seats might fall to the opposition, said Mr Ibrahim Suffian of opinion research firm Merdeka Centre.

Mr Ibrahim added: "The greatest erosion of support for the BN comes from the Indians, then the Chinese and lastly, the Malays — the urban more than the rural".

The hot states in this general election — judging by the attention given to them by BN bigwigs — include Kelantan, under PAS' control since 1990; Penang, where Chinese support is reported to be swaying away from the ruling coalition; Terengganu, now in Umno's hands but where PAS remains influential; and Melaka, a former DAP stronghold.

The hot seats — as highlighted by the Malaysian media — include Petaling Jaya Utara in Selangor where DAP's Tony Pua is facing incumbent BN's Chew Mei Fun; Padang Serai in Kedah where Keadilan's N Gobalakrishnan is taking on BN's Boon Chai Gan; and Bachok in Kelantan, where PAS' Nasharuddin Mat Isa is challenging Awang Adek Hussin from BN.

Another fiercely-fought seat is Lembah Pantai in Kuala Lumpur where Cabinet minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is taking on Ms Nurul Izzah of Keadilan, Mr Anwar's daughter, and independent N Periasamy.

With urban voting patterns hard to predict, many of the contests in these hot seats could go either way.

Some analysts are also focusing their attention on the Pekan seat in Pahang, where Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is defending his parliamentary seat.

Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia thinks a strong showing by Mr Najib in Pekan may be another factor in determining whether Mr Abdullah will make his exit mid-way through his second term. He said: "If he (Mr Najib) gets a very strong majority, then the pressure (for Mr Abdullah to retire) is stronger."

Analysts had earlier told Weekend Today that Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Mr Abdullah's son-in-law, who is making his election debut in Rembau, Negri Sembilan; or Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, who is contesting Sembrong, Johor, may become the Deputy Prime Minister should Mr Najib take over.

Some analysts believe Mr Abdullah's decision to retire early, or otherwise, will not be just dependent on the election results.

Ms Yeoh, for example, forsees three scenarios which could lead to Malaysia having a new Prime Minister: If dissatisfaction over inflation and the economy continues; if he fails to live up to his promise of eradicating corruption; and if he fails to deal with the problems arising from marginalised ethnic and religious groups.

Comment: U need more than Mr Clean image to go further my friend... As Dr M once said image does not mean anything unless it is clearly seen to be clean.

Side-Impact of IT on Democracy

Hentikan budaya politik sensasi

Utusan 1 Ogos 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Para pemimpin politik digesa agar berhenti mengamal budaya berpolitik secara sensasi, persepsi dan 'pembunuhan' karakter sesama mereka kerana ia dikhuatiri mengganggu kestabilan negara.

Pensyarah Kanan Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Dr. Sivamurugam Pandian berkata, para pemimpin harus sedar akan tanggungjawab berat mereka sebagai wakil rakyat untuk membantu dan berkhidmat kepada masyarakat.

''Sekiranya fitnah atau tohmahan yang tidak berasas dilemparkan ke atas pemimpin tertentu, ia akan menyebabkan mereka sukar dijadikan teladan oleh generasi baru hari ini,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia, di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas amaran Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein bahawa akan ada lebih banyak fitnah yang bukan menjurus kepada kebenaran ditaburkan dalam politik negara sekarang.

Setiausaha Agung Pemuda MCA, Dr. Wee Ka Siong baru-baru ini dikaitkan dengan pita rakaman skandal seks. Sivamurugam berkata, perkembangan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT) mengakibatkan wujudnya lebih banyak peralatan baru yang boleh digunakan oleh pemimpin untuk berhadapan dengan musuh politik masing-masing.

''Jika dahulu khabar angin hanya disebarkan menerusi surat layang tetapi kini ia disebarkan pula melalui khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS), blog, laman web dan sebagainya,'' katanya.

Sementara itu, Pensyarah Program Sains Politik Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof. Madya Ahmad Nidzamudin Sulaiman pula berkata, senario tersebut yang turut memberi impak yang kian meruncing di kalangan masyarakat turut dilihat berpunca daripada kebebasan terbuka pihak media.

Katanya, biarpun ia dilihat banyak menyumbang kesan positif namun jika disalahgunakan, medium ini turut membawa keruntuhan sesebuah negara. ''Masyarakat yang tidak matang kebiasaannya cenderung untuk terpengaruh dengan penyebaran sesuatu maklumat yang tidak tepat berbanding keadaan sebenar yang berlaku.

''Ini boleh memberi kesan negatif kepada sesebuah negara,'' katanya. Bagaimanapun, menurut beliau, dalam situasi begini, pemimpin harus bijak mengawal diri untuk tidak turut terheret dan terpengaruh dengan fitnah yang disebarkan.

Beliau juga menyarankan para pemimpin berfikir secara rasional selain terus melaksanakan tugas dengan jujur, ikhlas dan amanah.

Komen: kebebasan tanpa had hanya bawa kepada

anarki.. walaupun punyai matlamat murni, pendekatan machiavellian tetap kotor...

A Friend in Need

Umno-PAS Dialogue Will Not Split Malays

By Jumaiti Rosly (Bernama)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23, 2008. Dialogue or 'muzakarah' to resolve problems facing the Malays and Muslims in this country is not a new phenomenon in the political history of Umno and PAS.

Such meetings or discussions between leaders of both parties took place during the time of second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, in the 1970's when the parties wanted to strengthen Malay unity following the May 13, 1969 racial riots and to set off the agenda of raising the living standard and economy of the Bumiputeras.

In the current scenario, many feel that such a dialogue should happen sooner than later when the Malays are confronted with various challenges and also in the interest of Islam. Malay sovereignty and special rights of the Malays which have been daringly and openly questioned, apart from the need to increase their economic share and to raise their educational performance, is among the major issues that need to be addressed.

Some political analysts have expressed their views on how important it is for the 'muzakarah' to take place in the current political climate amidst the hurdles to be overcome. Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturer, Assoc Prof Mohd Fo'ad Sakdan, said discussions between political parties with different ideologies had been held before, and therefore the question should not arise why Umno and PAS could not sit down and talk.

Citing that such talks involving the Chinese were held before between the MCA, Gerakan and DAP, he said there were issues that could be the focus of the Umno-PAS 'muzakarah'. "There are certain principles to abide by, but the common issues for Umno and PAS are Islam and Malay rights and interests," he told Bernama. Mohd Fo'as who is with UUM's Law and Public Administration Faculty, said the 'muzakarah' concept was not new, so the question of why PAS and Umno could not hold more dialogues in the interest of the Malay community should not arise. He said obstacles and conditions should also not be set in holding the talks. "We should set aside political principles and remind ourselves that at the end of the day, what matters is Malay unity," he added.

The statement by PAS' spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, asking that the Umno - PAS dialogue be stopped immediately has raised questions because the meetings held between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and some PAS top leaders had received the green light from the party's Ulamas Consultative Council and supported by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. Nik Abdul Aziz, however, regarded the 'muzakarah' as a political gimmick by Umno and if the effort continued, it would have a negative impact, such as causing a split in the Islamic-based party.

Meanwhile, Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, said Nik Aziz's stance in the matter was a point of interest. He said Nik Aziz was of the opinion that the PAS leaders involved in the meetings with Umno leaders did that in their personal capacity and were not representing the party. "Tuan Guru (Nik Aziz) did not relent that PAS, as a party, engage in a dialogue with PAS.

The dialogue is important but the question is, why now when Umno is in turmoil. "Why didn't Umno call for the dialogue when they won a huge majority while problems facing the Malays have been there for long, whether in the economic or educational field, or in science and technology?" said Ahmad Nidzammuddin.

He said he preferred to see 'muzakarah' among Malay leaders involving other quarters as well, such as leaders from the Malay chamber of commerce and industry, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Sarawak and Malay non-governmental organisations. "The best thing to do is to set aside political ideologies for a while, to think about the future of the Malays and raising their socio-economic status. "And in organising the dialogue, the question of offering PAS to join Barisan Nasional and vice versa should also not arise," he said.-- BERNAMA

Comment:

No permanent friend or enemy in Politics, but permanent Interest.