Barisan Nasional can’t allow local council elections in just the Pakatan Rakyat states. If they do hold local council elections they will have to do it for the whole country. How would it look if just the four Pakatan Rakyat states hold local council elections while the remaining states under Barisan Nasional do not?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Local council elections are actually dangerous for both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. You really do not know what you are going to see. You throw the dice and hope that it lands the right way up. But then who can control the throw of the dice?

Did you notice that for the last two years since 8 March 2008 Pakatan Rakyat has been dragging its feet on the issue of local council elections? And I really don’t blame them. Imagine a situation like in Kelantan where PAS rules the state but Umno gets in at all the local councils. It would be utter chaos when the local councils move in the opposite direction to the state government. Umno can use the local councils to sabotage PAS and to bring down the state government.

This has been Pakatan Rakyat’s fear and that is why they have been treading very carefully these last two years. And this has not gone unnoticed. Those from the civil society movements, the NGOs, Bloggers, etc., have been grumbling about Pakatan Rakyat’s bikin tak serupa cakap -- not walking the talk. It is a promise Pakatan Rakyat made in the run-up to the March 2008 general election but something they are yet to deliver post March 2008.

Finally, Pakatan Rakyat could not delay any longer. Like it or not they had to announce the implementation of local council elections. But it is not something that Pakatan Rakyat can do on its own. They can’t just hold the elections as if they were holding a car boot sale on Sunday. It involves certain legal matters that need to first be resolved.

The authority to hold elections is the Election Commission (SPR).  For example, Pakatan Rakyat can dissolve the State Assembly after obtaining the consent of the Ruler (or Governor for those states with no Rulers). But after that they have to inform the SPR that the State Assembly has been dissolved (or a certain seat is now vacant) and it is up to the SPR to decide when the election(s) will be held.

The same goes for local council elections. The SPR will be the authority that will manage these elections. But it can only be done if there are provisions for such elections. If not then new laws need to be introduced that allow and provide for local council elections.

And this is the problem Pakatan Rakyat is going to face. Parliament is controlled by Barisan Nasional, not by Pakatan Rakyat. And Barisan Nasional does not want local council elections for the same reason that PAS is worried about what would happen in Kelantan if local council elections were held. So expect this to be blocked by Parliament.

Let’s take Perak as an example. Say they hold local council elections in Perak, a state under Barisan Nasional control. And, say, Pakatan Rakyat comes in at all or most of the local councils. Can you imagine the headache Barisan Nasional is going to have? The state would move in the opposite direction. Pakatan Rakyat and not Barisan Nasional will be the real power in Perak.

And Barisan Nasional can’t allow local council elections in just the Pakatan Rakyat states. If they do hold local council elections they will have to do it for the whole country. How would it look if just the four Pakatan Rakyat states hold local council elections while the remaining states under Barisan Nasional do not? Chances are come next election the voters would hand these states to Pakatan Rakyat so that they too can have local council elections.

Lim Guan Eng actually made a brilliant move and I must take my French cap (beret) off to him. He looked Najib in the face and Najib blinked first. And now Khalid Ibrahim has announced the same for Selangor. Ustaz Azizan and Tok Guru Nik Aziz should also announce that Kedah and Kelantan are going to follow suit. This will really push Umno into a corner.

If Najib agrees to local council elections he is dead. Barisan Nasional is going to lose control of many states. If Najib does not agree he is also dead. Pakatan Rakyat would have one up on Barisan Nasional because it would appear like Pakatan Rakyat is not only more democratic but more progressive.

As I said, Lim Guan Eng made a brilliant move. And now he has Barisan Nasional’s balls in his hand. Guan Eng, you're da man! Hidup Guan Eng!

Translated into Chinese at: http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-post_09.html

Translated into BM by Jason:

Najib berkedip dulu

Barisan Nasional tak boleh mengadakan pilihan raya pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) di negeri-negeri Pakatan Rakyat sahaja. Jika pilihan raya PBT diadakan, maka ia perlu melibatkan seluruh negara. Apakah natijahnya kalau hanya empat negeri Pakatan Rakyat yang mengadakan pilihan raya PBT, sedangkan negeri-negeri Barisan Nasional tak berbuat demikian?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Sebenarnya, pelaksanaan pilihan raya PBT adalah berbahaya bagi kedua-dua Barisan Nasional dan Pakatan Rakyat. Anda benar-benar tak tahu hasil pilihan raya itu nanti. Anda membaling dadu dan berharap bahawa nombor yang diperoleh memenuhi kehendak anda. Tapi siapa yang mampu mengawal balingan buah dadu?

Sedarkah anda bahawa sejak 8 Mac 2008, Pakatan Rakyat begitu lembab dari segi pelaksanaan pilihan raya PBT? Sebenarnya, saya tak salahkan mereka, pun. Kita ambil contoh Kelantan. Apa akan jadi jika PBT di Kelantan (yang dikuasai PAS) dikuasai UMNO? Kacaulah jadinya dek kerana PBT tak mengikut arahan kerajaan negeri. UMNO dapat memperalatkan PBT bagi mensabotaj PAS dan menjatuhkan kerajaan negeri.

Inilah yang menjadi kebimbangan Pakatan Rakyat, dan inilah sebabnya mereka sangat berhati-hati dalam dua tahun kebelakangan ni. Perkara ni seterusnya mendapat perhatian daripada pelbagai pihak. Gerakan masyarakat sivil, badan bukan kerajaan, blogger dan sebagainya mengeluh tentang betapa Pakatan Rakyat cakap tak serupa bikin. Ini (pilihan raya PBT) adalah salah satu janji yang dibuat Pakatan Rakyat pada pilihan raya Mac 2008, yang mana ia masih belum ditunaikan sehingga sekarang.

Akhirnya, Pakatan Rakyat tak boleh lagi bertangguh. Suka ataupun tidak, mereka terpaksa mengumumkan pelaksanaan pilihan raya PBT. Tapi ia bukanlah sesuatu yang boleh dilakukan Pakatan Rakyat secara sendirian. Pelaksanaan pilihan raya PBT bukannya macam nak adakan jualan hujung minggu. Ia melibatkan hal undang-undang yang perlu diselesaikan terlebih dahulu.

Pihak yang mempunyai kuasa bagi melaksanakan pilihan raya PBT adalah Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR). Misalnya, Pakatan Rakyat boleh membubarkan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) selepas mendapat kelulusan daripada Sultan (ataupun Gabenor bagi negeri-negeri yang tidak bersultan). Tapi selepas tu, mereka perlu memaklumkan kepada SPR Majlis bahawa DUN telah dibubarkan (ataupun kerusi tertentu kini kosong), dan terserahlah kepada SPR untuk memutuskan masa pilihan raya akan diadakan.

Hakikat yang sama terpakai bagi pilihan raya PBT. SPR adalah pihak yang mempunyai kuasa bagi menguruskan pilihan raya itu. Tapi ia hanya boleh dilakukan jika terdapat peruntukan undang-undang bagi melaksanakannya. Kalau tak, maka undang-undang baru perlu diperkenalkan, yang membolehkan dan memperuntukkan pelaksanaan pilihan raya PBT.

Inilah masalah yang akan dihadapi Pakatan Rakyat. Parlimen dikawal oleh Barisan Nasional dan bukannya Pakatan Rakyat. Barisan Nasional tak mahu pilihan raya PBT diadakan atas sebab yang sama yang menghantui PAS. Jadi, usaha ini (pengenalan undang-undang baru) pasti akan dihalang di Parlimen.

Mari kita ambil Perak pula sebagai contoh. Katakanlah mereka mengadakan pilihan raya PBT di Perak, yakni sebuah negeri Barisan Nasional. Katakan pula Pakatan Rakyat menguasai semua ataupun sebahagian besar PBT. Bolehkah anda bayangkan betapa peningnya Barisan Nasional nanti? Perak akan menuju ke arah yang bertentangan dengan arahan kerajaan negeri. Dalam keadaan itu, Pakatan Rakyatlah yang menguasai Perak, dan bukannya Barisan Nasional.

Selain tu, Barisan Nasional tak boleh mengadakan pilihan raya pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) di negeri-negeri Pakatan Rakyat sahaja. Jika pilihan raya PBT diadakan, maka ia perlu melibatkan seluruh negara. Apakah natijahnya kalau hanya empat negeri Pakatan Rakyat yang mengadakan pilihan raya PBT, sedangkan negeri-negeri Barisan Nasional tak berbuat demikian? Kalau begitu, maka pada pilihan raya akan datang, para pengundi di negeri-negeri itu akan mengundi Pakatan Rakyat supaya mereka juga dapat mengadakan pilihan raya PBT.

Lim Guan Eng telah mengambil langkah yang begitu bijak dan saya memang angkat topi padanya. Dia merenung Najib dan Najib yang berkedip terlebih dahulu. Khalid Ibrahim juga telah membuat pengumuman yang serupa. Ustaz Azizan dan Tok Guru Nik Aziz juga harus mengumumkan bahawa Kedah dan Kelantan akan mengikut jejak langkah kedua-dua negeri itu. Ini pasti memerangkap UMNO.

Jika Najib bersetuju untuk mengadakan pilihan raya PBT, habislah dia. Banyak negeri akan terlepas dari genggaman Barisan Nasional. Sebaliknya, kalau Najib tak bersetuju, maka akibat lain pula menantinya. Pakatan Rakyat akan memperoleh kelebihan kerana mereka tidak hanya dianggap lebih demokratik, tetapi juga lebih progresif.

Seperti yang saya katakan tadi, Lim Guan Eng telah mengambil langkah yang bijak. Barisan Nasional kini dah masuk ke dalam jeratnya. Guan Eng, saudaralah wira kami! Hidup Guan Eng!

 

Comments (38)

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written by 2012, March 11, 2010 03:06:46

Democracy in Malaysia is DEAD
We will be declared a failed state soon with this kind of dictatorship and racial discrimination
We used to have Local Council Elections before Dr.M changes everything
Lots of changes he did, to his BENEFITS, his family, friends and cronies

UMNO will never ever ever lose in the next or future elections
Cos' losing means 'Death Sentence'
They will stay in power by ALL MEANS.. even destroying the country, Kapish......
What do you expect when the same party rule M'sia for half a century..

Btw, I did not vote for my that Prime Minister, the 197 Cawangan UMNO heads did

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written by Aduh, March 10, 2010 23:34:04

The phrase ' local council elections ' is taboo to najib. He would probably rather die than to agree with it.

If cornered, he will not hesitate to impose a gag order on the phrase, just like what he did on the word Altantuya.

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written by Aduh, March 10, 2010 15:38:35

Capitalize on the ' Heads we win, tail they lose' since either way najib is going to be a dead duck. All Pakatan-controlled states should keep on pressuring him on the local council elections until he is pushed against the wall.

That will be a good warm up to gain momentum before GE 13

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written by ganbing, March 10, 2010 15:24:34

I think the possibility of a state controlled by one party and the councils controlled by another party is slim. If the party (or coalition) has won the state then it means it has local support and should win the bulk of council elections. Umno would have no chance of controlling local councils in Kelantan.

However if elections were rigged, unfair or the state govt deposed by political coup then local council elections can turn against the party. Najib would certainly not want to hold local council elections in Perak.

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written by prelude3372, March 10, 2010 14:53:18

Hmmm looks like LGE has check mate Najib and co. But what do you expect from a PM that chicken out from a by election saying that it would cost rakyat $$$ to hold by election, thus BN not contesting

....hmmm kalau dah chicken....just say it....I KECUT.....

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written by ctlyn, March 10, 2010 14:46:05

i want to add some more... both parties are talking about two issues : the malay's right and their donation to people. where are the rights to other races?

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written by sedan, March 10, 2010 11:14:55

Please let us stick to our national language (Bahasa Malaysia) or the international language (English).

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written by sedan, March 10, 2010 11:13:28

Why is there a need for Chinese translation? This is an insult to Malaysian Chinese who have assimilated into the society for more than a century. It also makes Guan Eng look like a parochialist. Imagine Perkasa taking up placards in Chinese under the banner "Do you understand this?" or "Ini Bahasa Negara kita ke?"

It is no wonder Perkasa is gaining in popularity.

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written by ctlyn, March 10, 2010 10:16:55

play with fair and square. how is it?

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written by siewchinteo, March 10, 2010 09:51:05

Service to the people is now so lacking that the call for local council elections is all the more pertinent and all the more louder. SAYA SOKONG !!!

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written by batsman, March 10, 2010 09:40:30

Najib's thinking reveals itself. He says local elections are unnecessary beacuse it causes too much politicking and does nothing to improve service to the people. Extended to state and federal elections the same mindset sees no need for elections and UMNO permanently in govt.

Having local elections is adding one layer of democracy and transparency to govt. Of course there is still difficulty to check behind the scenes corruption and manipulation. This applies both to elected officials as well as appointed officials. The difference is - with appointed officials there is one extra layer of non-transparency and reduction of democracy. People are deprived more and more of choice by authoritarian and dictatorial officials.

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written by justice seeker, March 10, 2010 09:21:23

Barisan Nasional can’t allow local council elections in just the Pakatan Rakyat states. If they do hold local council elections they will have to do it for the whole country. How would it look if just the four Pakatan Rakyat states hold local council elections while the remaining states under Barisan Nasional do not?

THESE ARE POSTS EXCLUSIVE RESERVED FOR THE AMENO WARLORDS' LIEUTENANTS FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK IN CHAMPIONING THEIR SUPREMACY.

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written by Pegasus, March 10, 2010 09:11:40

This shows...najis is not committed to a more progress ..nation... but his own party interests comes first ...before the people...!

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written by NSTPravda, March 10, 2010 08:24:19

Does being myopic considered as "blinking"?
$emua-nya OK to blink in the glare of the gold one has stolen.
al-UMNOdollarlah!

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written by malaysianohope, March 10, 2010 07:48:31

Reintroducing Local Government Election is a very good idea!
Not only that the Prime Minister post should be limited to a maximum of 2 terms. If both are adopted there is still hope for Malaysia.

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written by educationist, March 10, 2010 05:16:24

"And now he has Barisan Nasional’s balls in his hand'
Hei!! Squeezed it so hard that they become mashed potatoes!!
Perhaps after that, some good will finally come from them.

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written by Angela Ooi, March 10, 2010 00:46:12

Yep, Najis got check-mated and now its all back to the drawing board but without a solution in sight.
Notice how 'rotten to the core' dUMNO is unable to extricate themselves honourably from any political fallout except through bullying and flexing their muslces on the very people they were supposed to serve.

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written by a guest, March 10, 2010 00:34:13

Oops meant to say increase cross party cooperation in order to serve rakyat.

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written by betasigma, March 10, 2010 00:30:28

we can as well jus wait n expect the dogs from SPRM to come out , sing n dance as the same tune set forth by their umno master ,however,these dogs hav forgotten that they are in fact being fed by the rakyat's hard earned money who is actually the boss.

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written by betasigma, March 10, 2010 00:26:21

najis is bullshiting with his MF tail curved back between his legs,running away..come on, american do it, japanese do it,canadian do it,british do it,aussie do it,taiwanese do it ,germain do it,swedish do it,danes do it,dutch do it ...n many many other do it..but najis said it is no good,does he implies that those who do it are stupid n wasteful???

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written by Davy McChester, March 10, 2010 00:20:25

Local municipality election is the way to go to get rid of unelected deadwoods who are an affront to a proper functioning government answering and meeting the aspirations of the local citizens. Everyone is aware now why they were removed in the first place and the disaster that followed in townships like Penang and Malacca. In Malacca ,they bulldozed many of the recreational facilities along waterfronts despite public protest and availability of reclaimed land,to make way for mammoth shopping centers,thereby creating more traffic jams all over the city. These idiots running the city were unelected bureaucrats ,appointed by UMNOputra morons who implement "patronized " projects in concert with so-called "citizen loving" tycoons

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written by durianbesar, March 10, 2010 00:06:32

Pundey Najis.... the fcukhead PM (Post Turtle).... (*&$)(#^^@!#)$&@_&_&$_@&_$cheow.....

SYABAS LGE... and KHALID

hip hip Hooray......;

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written by Daryl, March 09, 2010 23:57:55

A lot of politicking yes but not many can go to federal level or even state level. This provide politician wannabe to perform and make them perform at different levels. If they don't they will be voted out in the next election. Also, put a term limit to how long they can serve at a position. Also, provide training for future leaders unlike the situation now.

The main thing is that it might reduce cross parties cooperation because the District level will need money from State. But, we will need laws that stop Federal dealing directly with district in certain areas.

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written by hellosunshine, March 09, 2010 23:46:18

Najis, LGE and Khalid threw you a challenge. And they are asking you like Dirty Harry did, "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

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written by SoundMan, March 09, 2010 22:59:09

Hey ! Local Elections is fun. Its a dithering jamboree. Something punters will come out in force to lay their money and take changes. Better this then giving all that monies, ie earnings, to that sod who owns Sports Toto.

Be A Man - Do The Right Thing !! PM Najib bin Razak old chap ! Which of us don't fancy our chances once in a while, eh?

As a side extra your party will see all your failed politicrats come out from the wood works to join in gambling their chances for seats..... That will tear the UMNO happily into shreds.

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written by singhkris, March 09, 2010 22:21:34

Now someone will write a book "Najib's Dilemma". Najib is in a catch 22 situation. If he does not agree to the local elections, the rakyat will have MORE good reasons kick out BN. At first I thought that if EC refuses to hold the election, PR should take them to court. Now a political victory has been scored, PR should leave it at that. Use it as ammo during GE 13.

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written by earthman, March 09, 2010 21:32:26

There must be laws to govern the locally elected council heads,, otherwise there would be more problem than good. What if an opposition was elected to serve the locals? Therefore there must be an established guidelines for the councillors, in order that the citizens are served well, and not serving the his/her parties. When the people are matured and 'educated' then a locally elected representative is the best choice for the people concerned. But looks like the time is not right yet .

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written by Aria, March 09, 2010 20:58:02

UMNO is taking us down a dangerous path and risking the lives of all Malaysians. The UMNOputras have become so blind with greed that they do not realise that they are fanning the flames of racism and Muslim fanatism. We must also realise that the UMNOputras are not really worried about Malaysia because they have got their money, properties and their children studying overseas.
 
In Pakistan , Iraq and many other Muslim countries fanatical religious groups were created by their government, and in time these fanatics waged war on their own country. Why would two Muslim groups, the Sunni and Shia fight and kill themselves? It is all because of jealousy and fanatism of some people.
 
Why are different ethnic groups in countries like Croatia ,  Zimbabwe , Sri Langka and Rhodesia killing each other? It is due to their government's greed, hunger for power and corruption.
 
Malaysia is taking the exact same path as all these countries. Teoh Beng Hock and Kugan are just the first of thousands that will die if something is not done soon. Let’s not have genocide take place in Malaysia . Let us all make sure that BN the cancer that is killing Malaysia is removed in GE13.

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written by temanmu, March 09, 2010 20:42:25

Local elections will expedite the bankruptcy of BN. They have to buy votes to compensate for their inherent defects.

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written by hitam had, March 09, 2010 20:28:44

Even Zimbabwe has local government elections, although there is talk that the next local government election may be suspended. Is our PM openly trying to suppress the Rakyat's fundamental right to elect local government representatives?

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written by eloofk, March 09, 2010 20:00:29

SPR is now playing punk and refused to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from LGE who had faxed the letter requesting that they conduct election of the local council. Here again, it is shown that SPR is also an UMNO machinery to protect Najib's butt.

LGE, please play it smart to hand deliver your letter personally and see if they dare not to accept your letter. You should also invite the international journalists and cameramen, together with your lawyers to record all happenings or any untowards should happen to you.

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written by malgal, March 09, 2010 19:48:40

all's fair in throwing the dice.
either way if jibby is dead, then be dead by the right thing, non? maybe rpk might take his french chapeau off to ya too.

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written by rocky, March 09, 2010 19:31:25

PR should not worry about local elections. if you do your job well, people will vote for you. do not be afraid of the rakyat. UMNO/Bn also hates local elections cos they will be unable to spread out the rewards to the warlords and thus prevent them from making money and their bosses. who approves converting a playground to commercial land or approving condominium projects? local council and there is lots of money in it. Thank got PR govt in Selangor do not take away playground etc and go by the book on approvals

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written by antares, March 09, 2010 19:28:11

Sorry MAMR correction if you don't mind and let us it put it clearer, "That is the standard HYPOCHONDRIAC practice in UMNO/BN which actually practiced ???TRUE HYPOCRISY ???
>>>>>
kalau tak faham, dalam bahasa kedia kopi "CAKAP TAK SERUPA BIKIN".

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written by malsia1206, March 09, 2010 19:22:50

Honestly I cannot recollect when did RPK give credit to a politician. By stating in no uncertain terms his credit remarks on CM LGE, it shows the latter must deserve a special mention in a favourable light. Which also mean he has politics in his blood vein in as much as his father, LKS. Well done. He has earned this distinction. Believe me, you do not usually get credit from RPK . Not by a blue moon.

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written by MAMR, March 09, 2010 19:11:02

Najib refused to allow for local elections because? That is the standard practice in UMNO/BN which actually practiced?

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written by Bullchick, March 09, 2010 19:03:55

Jibby and co are only good at playing one type of poker! The ones that you use the dick to poke. These goons are now being checkmated, but do not underestimate their skills in getting out of situations. Their boys can move the goalposts and also un-level the playing surface, what with all the financial resources at their disposal, together with the judiciary, AG, PIG and MACC. PR please be careful how you tread! This guy also has C4 at his disposal!

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written by macho, March 09, 2010 18:52:28

Muahahahaha. Thats one for the good guys.

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