I think between Ketuanan Melayu ala Umnoputera and Ketuanan Rakyat ala Rakyat, the choice for many of us is clear. Once again however, I cannot stress enough the importance of allaying the understandable fears and concerns of many reasonable Malays – if you haven’t, do take a look at my long elaboration on this matter.
I’ve noticed a slight change in DSAI’s tack over the last few weeks. At first, when asked about getting the support of the requisite 30 parliamentarians, DSAI was often evasive and emphasised instead the need to govern the 5 states well.
While the emphasis on governing the five states well has not faded in the least, there is clearly a different attitude now towards having the numbers. I must stress with great emphasis that I am not in the loop or inner circle in any way whatsoever where this is concerned, so offer only an outsider’s observations, not an insider’s insight.
My best guess is that over the last few weeks, there has been a slow but steady increase in the number of parliamentarians that have indicated intentions to cross over.
Now before everyone gets excited – either in support or objection to this idea – let’s make some calm observations.
Firstly, DSAI has stressed that there is no point in taking over government with two, or even five seats majority, as this is clearly unstable and not a good way to begin our new dawn. I think a ten or twenty seat majority is much more appropriate, and we seem to be headed that way.
I once again recognise the legitimate concerns of some as far as party hopping and what not – things I view as open questions.
There are indeed some other considerations that have become relevant however. Listening to the views of those much more senior in politics, it sounds like the Umno internal crisis is becoming critical. The instability is feared to be at dangerous levels. (Quick note, I continue to wonder how the Altantuya factor will play into all this)
I’d be the first to caution against using the ‘threat of instability’ as an excuse to do anything :P Nonetheless, I hope that whatever happens, Malaysia is led down a path that espouses the most promising future in the smoothest possible manner. I doubt many would be surprised that I’m ok with this being accomplished by transition to a Pakatan-led Federal Government.
All that said, I reiterate for the 1000th time, that we are in no great hurry. If Umno can keep its crisis under wraps and not spill out in a manner that threatens stability, I – and most of Pakatan, I’m quite confident – are perfectly happy to wait for the right time. There’s plenty to keep Pakatan occupied.
In the meantime, we must continue to be vigilant and watch the unfolding Umno struggle with great care.
If you haven’t yet, do have a look at the videos from last night in Kelab Sultan Sulaiman. As we mark the end of DSAI’s ban from politics, I would like to echo Nik, who paid tribute to those that were lost along the way. Special thoughts for Salman, who we still miss terribly.
And to DSAI, welcome back! -
I as a Malay and many other Malays belief me, can feel the non-Malays pain and great despair. It seems the struggle is endless isn’t it but we should never give up. We must indeed move towards a new modern century of genuine respect for diversity and multiculturalism and uncompromised belief in struggling for true equality and justice for all Malaysians.
The rakyat must be made to realize that there is nothing wrong as being claimed by the BN propaganda machine, even by spreading the deceitful language game of “frog-hopping” such as by that Mukhriz idiot in his “Ktemoc” blog, of Anwar & Pakatan takeover of fed govt right now. As through genuinely repentent BN politicians who are jumping ship, in order to correct injustice (the “democratic” election will always be based on fraud) and defeat a fascist and racist dictatorship of Umno/BN! And now even politicizing ridiculously the pig issue as related to Israel?! What the heck man! Some Malays are indeed hopeless idiots and lost causes, as set in examples by their idiot leaders in Umno! But Pakatan must ensure that PAS need to toe the line to the aspirations of both PKR and DAP; of which they’ve been stubbornly defying with ridiculous declarations such as on aspiring irrationally and deceitfully towards forming an Islamic state and harbouring still racial antagonism and religious superiority towards DAP’s leaders and other races.
And this declaration by Pakatan to overtake the Fed Govt is also of good timing and fundamentally necessary (when would some Malays realize that the words of royalty or Umno leaders are not words of God??!!) ! This’s the kind of ruler that will ensure the Malays remain backward and racist ( instead of forward and progressively modern), as blinded by a deceitful fascist “Ketuanan Melayu” ideology; besides being forever subservient to the Malay elite class of course! And what a joke about Malay unity?! These people should read the articles by the true and rare progressively modern Malay intellectual Dr. Farish Noor! I’m a Malay who found out after being brainwashed for so long under such ideological crap, that there’s no united “Malays” because I actually have no common interest with the fascist, racist, greedy, barbaric, sexist-macho, primitive and unjust Malays such as in Umno’s elite class! The “Malay Unity” now is another ideology dreamed up by a so-called Malay NGO (but actually Umno “NGO”!) to keep ordinary Malays forever enslaved by their greedy and selfish Malay masters!! And these Malay masters should remember, MANY ORDINARY MALAYS ARE NO MORE COWS WITH RINGS IN THEIR NOSES, TO BE PULLED ALL OVER AT THEIR BECKING CALL! THOSE DAYS OF SLAVERY ARE OVER AND WE, ALL THE RAKYAT, NOT JUST MALAYS, NEED TO BE LIBERATED RIGHT NOW FROM THE EVIL FASCIST-RACIST DICTATORSHIP OF UMNO/BN, BY A PAKATAN RAKYAT’S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! AND THAT’S WHEN I WOULD REGARD THEN, THAT TRUE JUSTICE HAVE FINALLY REACHED MALAYSIA! AND THANK GOD FROM ALL RELIGION, FOR THAT!
NOOR AZA OTHMAN
A RAKYAT/MALAYSIAN.
Bravo, Noor Aza Othman! Your very insightful comment brought a big smile to my heart, thanks. One thing you said made my hair stand on end for a moment. You referred to “that Mukhriz idiot in his “Ktemoc” blog”… huh? You don’t mean to tell me “Ktemoc” is actually Mukhriz Mahathir??? Well, if he is… hmmm… intelligent guy but very, very sly!
Anyway, I made it to the Sultan Sulaiman Club last night for what really felt like an historic occasion. It was elating to stand shoulder to shoulder with perhaps 20,000 people applauding the concept of “Ketuanan Rakyat.” Such excitement in the air, so many friendly faces showing renewed hope. Great to bump into Eli Wong (the hottie MP), Sivarasa Rasiah (one of my favorite people in the Klang Valley), Tian Chua (yaaaay!), Nurul Izzah (such a fairytale princess but so down-to-earth)… and then this morning I read about the police hassling Wan Azizah, Khalid Ibrahim, Azmin Ali, and other Keadilan officers. What a downer! How ridiculous that BN can’t be magnanimous and learn to share power graciously. Keeping the Hindraf 5 (and other political prisoners) under ISA detention is NOT a good move. Umno trying to “save face” could well lead to its losing its head completely. Thinking about what transpired last night, I realized Malaysia is a blessed country all right. I mean, if this was Pakistan or the Philippines – or even Thailand – a lot of bad stuff could have happened during the rally. For the police to flex their muscle after the fact is really just a feeble gesture – on the same level as their hauling RPK up for questioning and the NST trying to sue Jeff Ooi and Ahiruddin Atan. The cops will probably calm down after a few days have passed – they were merely miffed that nobody seems all that scared of them anymore.
However, I must voice one unsettling premonition fluttering around in my mind that makes me sincerely wish to see Pakatan Rakyat take over the federal government as soon as possible, even if it has to be done through a mass defection from Sabah and Sarawak. Judging by reports in The Star and the NST, it’s as though nothing has changed in Malaysia. The Freedom Rally was relegated to a small item on page 6 of today’s NST and the number gathered in the club compound was only 10,000 according to the NST. What crap! It’s like The Star quoting the police estimate of 4,000 people at the BERSIH march of November 10th 2007. Anyway, Umno continues to be totally self-absorbed with vicious infighting and nobody seems to be aware that Najib is very bad news in most people’s minds. It wouldn’t surprise me, if Najib takes over from Badawi as PM, that he would make a desperate move to save his own neck by doing what his father did nearly 40 years ago, i.e., declare an emergency and swoop down on the Pakatan Rakyat leadership. People like Najib, Hishamuddin, Mukhriz, Tengku Razaleigh, Muyhiddin Yassin, Khir Toyo, et alia, have no political ideology or overall vision. All they understand is the privilege that political power brings and all they can do is cling frantically to it.
A great deal of pus may have been discharged after the overripe boil that was Umno was lanced on March 8th. But the eye of the infection has yet to be squeezed out and it can still kill our newborn freedom with its unmitigated toxicity.
To all those Status Quo subscribers who persist in voicing doubts and fears about Pakatan Rakyat’s ability to become the government for real, all I can say is: you haven’t a clue what EVIL lurks in the psyche of Umno Baru. It was spawned by Mahathir and other hardcore Machiavellians in Umno like Megat Junid who wouldn’t hesitate to shed blood if it served their vile purposes. These reptiles in human costume do not play by the rules!
I am a Muslim Malay. What I want to contribute here, to this discussion, may sound like i am a traitor (I am not!). So i am begging you to bear with me and be extra considerate to my views.
Now I am begining to question the real need for “ketuanan Melayu” (maaf ya!) when the results could be bad or even so disasterous?
In my humble opinion the “Ketuanan Melayu” would not bring good to the Malays if it gives results to the followings:
1. More and more malays are becoming corrupt people by following the examples, ethics and mindset of the their so call leaders. They get involved in corruptions, bribery and tons of other unethical deeds and habits that can eventually lead to disasterous downfall of the Malays. This also can make the image of Islam look bad as Malays are the bearers.
2. The security and the purity of Islam is at stake. A lot of cases on Murtad (muslim who deserts his religion) has reached our ears. Mazhab Hadhari has eventually surfaced. The social illness among the Malays is on the increase -Malays has the highest number of drug addicts. The killings of newborn babies that go on undettered. The recent act of traitor to His Majesty the Sultan of Terengganu. This list can go on and on.
To me this land (our beloved Malaysia) belongs to God and God will definitely give it to whoever God wants and whenever God wants it to be. Just face the fact.
Please consider this post as a honest , sincere and humble opinion.
I finally got to view the anxiously awaited video clip. The event was highly spirited, very energetic, and conveyed the right message. The multi-racial supporters really moved me.
Nat, now that you have touched the Beatles.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=87yq372R4Ts
Long live DSAI, long live Ketuanan Rakyat, long live Malaysia!
See you in July…….
Welcome “Back in Black” too! :-)
“Watch Stability” – Agreed! There are many possible paths of instability. I’m sure you know some of them already Nat. So, PR & PKR is now responsible… I turn the ball over to you. If such environments & conditions of instability are to occur, rush in & capture immediately. For the greater good!
“I am not in the loop or inner circle in any way whatsoever where this is concerned” – Why not? Youth must me present in the inner circle. If there is, who?
Anyway man, keep an eye on the HINDRAF situation & People’s sentiment. *Hint…
I am so glad to read that there are modern, liberated Malays who understand that only Ketuanan Rakyat is the way. With the so called Malay rights (actually special position of the Malays acc. to the constitution) have eroded the fighting spirit of the Malays to such an extend that there are so many mediocre Malays occupying senior positions in the govt, legal, medical services such that even the good, capable ones are lumped up with the bad ones. UNMO made it difficult to see the difference.
The two systems of study, matriculation and STPM is one very good example. Yet UMNO insists that uni entrance is based on meritocracy. Any human two cents worth can see the difference. The end result – Malaysia trails behind other developing nations in the field of research, medical competence, IT, business, good governance, transparency, accountability. Who suffers? Ultimately the Malays themselves. Thank God the political tsunami on March has opened many malay eyes. As citizens, every Malaysian has the right to expect to be treated equally. So Syabas to KETUANAN RAKYAT
Norr Aza Othman.. bravoo. Deep in my heart I always know that out there, thousands of my malay brothers and sisters (I’m not Malay) are eager to show to the world what the Malays are really capable of achieving without any special privilages. These are the true towering Malays. Others who doubt this just go to South Africa and see for yourself..