It may not be the wisest thing for me to comment on internal politics of Pakatan parties, but I thought a few words might not be remiss.

It’s not rare for people to assume parties to be monolithic things; the truth is very, very far from it.

All organisations have factions and internal politics. You can imagine how much more so in an organisation dedicated to…. well, politics.

I’ve been an advocate for PAS all this while, and I continue to be.

I’ve repeated that I am comfortable with any party based on truly universal values of justice and compassion.

This doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate that there are different factions with different ideologies in the party. If anything, appreciation of this fact would be the main point of this posting.

I was thus a little saddened to hear of the latest developments in the PAS Selangor line-up. It does not seem to indicate good things, and may be part of a worrying trend there.

I’m just 100% speculating pretty blindly, but in the bigger picture/context, maybe some factions or individuals within the party think that there is a shrinking window of opportunity to come into power, albeit via Umno, instead of Pakatan.

To me, that’s a more plausible context then any particular petty issue. Where there is controversy, look for someone trying to make a political buck.

I sincerely hope these opportunists, if they exist, do not succeed. It would be, I humbly believe, a cruel betrayal of all the best things about PAS.

Here’s hoping those wiser voices prevail.

Tags: Pas by Nathaniel Tan
3 Comments »

update 3.30pm: See the official party response.

As per my new occupation, I am no longer working in any formal capacity for the party. I continue to support its general goals and principles, to be sure.

But where change is needed, change needs to be called for.

The situation involving the harassment of a photographer is inexcusable and starting to hint ever so slightly at a disturbing trend.

Yes, there are a number of explanations - provocateurs, etc. I generally feel though, that organisers should take responsibility for as much as humanly possible that happens under our watch, including incidents like these.

Professionalism of security details are pivotal; without which, we are talking vigilantes. Clearly, PAS’ Unit Amal, which developed from the decades old institutionalisation of party sub-organisations, is a good template to follow. Uniforms, training, and above all, discipline.

Tags: KeADILan by Nathaniel Tan
4 Comments »

I thought about the appropriateness of writing more at this time, but then reread this paragraph:

Even to his final day, Rustam wrote from morning to dusk, said his son Azrani.

“From the time he wakes up, he would start writing. He was very dedicated to the importance of ideas and the need to raise social conciousness.”

And a Yoda quote from one of my favourite Star Wars books: We honour the dead by living.

*

Lee Kah Choon faced a choice: he can continue to work with Gerakan, who has thus far stood steadfast with Umno, or he can take up an offer to do some good for Penang at a time when all of Malaysia could use a few good men and women.

What is significant is that this same choice faces every conscientious non-Umno member of BN (the unconscientious have only one choice - maintain the status quo or lose their connection to corrupt patronage and power).

S/he can a) continue to uphold Umno - which is what it all really boils down to, or b) choose the alliance with the right ideology.

Inertia alone makes b) a very tough choice. But once you overcome that mental block, like Lee Kah Choon bravely did, the rest is easy.

This is why BN head honchos have their panties in a twist. Their outbreaks are merely desperate attempts to hold the BN ship together.

Paraguay today became the latest in a series of global political upheavals. Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Taiwan, and of course: Malaysia. To different degrees (I am not an expert in these things) all these countries saw seemingly unbreakable political dominance convincingly unseated. It’s inspiring for reformists, and scary as all hell for corrupt incumbents.

BN is fearful because the simple question that people like Lee Kah Choon search their hearts to answer is: after the rakyat so convincingly showed that they are willing to vote for change, what can Umno offer the rest of BN?

Since time memorial, all they could offer was incumbency (everything else came with a keris attached). Anyone with any political imagination at all can see that said incumbency is now hanging by a thread, if not already effectively lost.

Right until today, I’ve waited to hear *single* good argument showing that the key ideological interests of non-Umno BN component parties (Gerakan above all) are better served by siding with Umno instead of Pakatan.

I’m still waiting; and I’ll be more than happy to engage with anyone who thinks they have found said argument.

The good guys in BN can choose to sit around and wait until its too late, or they can choose to take a leap of faith now, while it still means something.

Lee Kah Choon faced such a choice, and he chose.

*

In Langkawi (thanks sweetie for the great post!), Li Tsin and I got a chance to watch a movie I really, really liked: Lady in the Water. It ended with a song by one of my favourite writers, Bob Dylan. I thought the lyrics worth reproducing here:

Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside
And it is ragin’.
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin’.
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin’.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin’.

Tags: Gerakan, Hope by Nathaniel Tan
8 Comments »

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! -

Tags: Hope by Nathaniel Tan
7 Comments »

For those fans out there of better interparty unity, good news :)

Good news too for the rest of us who were so at loss about what to call the 5 new state governments :)

*

Statement by the Leadership of KeADILan, DAP and PAS on the Formation of Pakatan Rakyat

The leaders of KeADILan, DAP and PAS met today in furtherance of the meeting held on the 18th of March 2008.

Today’s meeting was attended by, among others, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang and YB Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

In today’s meeting, we have proposed to consolidate the cooperation between the three parties under the name “PAKATAN RAKYAT.” This name has been proposed pending confirmation by the respective parties.Pakatan Rakyat pledges to uphold the rights and interests of all Malaysians, regardless of religion or race, as enshrined in the Constitution. With the results of the recent elections, the state governments of Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor will be known as Pakatan Rakyat state governments. The policies of these governments will be conducted in accordance with the policies of Pakatan Rakyat.

To further mutual understanding regarding such policies, a convention of all Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives of Parliament and State Assemblies will be held the 27th of April, 2008.

We have developed and strengthened the structure of Pakatan Rakyat by creating under the Leadership Council, consisting of the leaders of the three parties, a Joint Secretariat consisting of three leaders each from each of the three parties. This Joint Secretariat will be tasked with building the foundation and framework of the Pakatan Rakyat for ratification by the Leadership Council.

YB Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
YB Lim Kit Siang
YB Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang

Tags: Hope, Malaysian Politics by Nathaniel Tan
8 Comments »

Well, it’s generally poor form to say “I told you so” :P :)

And who knows, it may still be premature. As dad says, a deal isn’t done until the money changes hands.

Nonetheless. Dr. Syed Husin has confirmed that an agreement has been reached in Perak :D

MB: Pas
TMB1: DAP
TMB2: KeADILan

Exco Total -
DAP: 6
KeADILan: 3
Pas: 1

Senator: 1 for KeADILan
(I think each state gets to elect 2 to the Dewan Negara)

Yes, we can all exhale now (or soon, anyway :P :)

And hopefully give those guys the benefit of a doubt whenever a crisis pops up, as they will continue to.

I don’t think our leaders should be held to low standards, but I think instant judgements can be equally unfair.

So well done to all who had a part in reaching this compromise :)

Still, there’s much to do. Much to write. Hope it won’t take too long!

Tags: KeADILan by Nathaniel Tan
24 Comments »

Everyone is so easily excitable these days, but few take the time to see the full, accurate picture. For your patient consideration, here is the text of Dr. Syed’s statement in full (highlights are my own) -

KeADILan’s Position on Perak

Parti Keadilan Rakyat accepts the decision to elect PAS State Assemblyman, Sdr. Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as Menteri Besar of Perak. While at first we stressed the need to choose an individual that will be well received by the majority, we now accept the decision in the spirit of cooperation between KeADILan, PAS and DAP as well as in the interests of stability and harmony for Perak and for the whole of Malaysia.

Nonetheless, we do not agree with the agreement made between PAS and DAP with regards to the composition of the Perak State Exco wherein eight Exco seats are given to DAP and the remaining two given to the other parties. In the spirit of sincere openness, we stress that the composition of the Exco must reflect the composition of the population of Perak and represent the interests of all ethnic groups fairly. All parties must be sensitive to the hopes and sentiments of the people.

We ask that this composition be discussed again and if the composition is not altered to the satisfaction of all parties involved, KeADILan will not take part in the administration of Perak.

However, we will continue to honour our agreement to support the coalition government of Perak.

Dr. Syed Husin Ali
Deputy President
Parti Keadilan Rakyat

*

Before we get worked up over anything, it is important to have a full understanding. Allow me to decipher, if you please.

Not being part of a state administration is equivalent to not being part of the Cabinet, but still being a backbencher in the majority government.

It is very important that we understand this.

By way of further context: In Perak, DAP won 18 seats, KeADILan 7 and PAS 6.

*If* I understand correctly what the current DAP-PAS agreement that is being questioned is:

MB - PAS
TMB 1 - DAP
TMB 2 - Indian (party yet indeterminate)

Of 10 Exco Seats:
8 - DAP
2 - Lain-Lain

What Dr. Syed said is that under this arrangement, KeADILan will refuse any Perak State Exco seat.

He also said - and again this is very important - that regardless of the outcome, KeADILan will still support a DAP-KeADILan-PAS led state assembly (and thus, government).

So before we take in sensationalist accounts, I hope we can consider the facts.

As to what is fair or unfair with regards to the Exco positions et al, I suppose that is a matter of opinion.

Tags: KeADILan by Nathaniel Tan
12 Comments »