Now you know why we need a Third Force. Sometimes politicians, even those from the opposition, forget what they promise us and go back on their word. And we, the voters who put them into office, have to suffer and pay the price for their forgetfulness.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
“Kedah entertainment ban resurrects Barisan Alternatif ghost,” said Debra Chong in her article in The Malaysian Insider today. You can read the full text of the article below.
Anyway, the matter has since been resolved. The PAS-led Kedah state government will not be banning entertainment in the state during the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan after all. Instead, only Muslims would be banned from patronising these establishments. The rest can continue to enjoy themselves the whole year around instead of just 11 months in a year.
But I am sure the matter will not end here. The government-owned mainstream media will continue to talk about this to ‘poke fire’ in an attempt to create a rift between DAP and PAS. And PKR, who is caught in between, will continue to maintain a deafening silence.
What caught my attention was Debra’s (or The Malaysian Insider’s) choice of heading: “Kedah entertainment ban resurrects Barisan Alternatif ghost”. She did not fully explain what she means by this other than state: “in what could be a repeat of the momentous split between the secular party and Islamist PAS in 2001”.
Maybe some of you do not understand what this means or are not too clear about what happened ten years ago in 2001. Well, allow me to enlighten you.
Soon after the 1999 general election, the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, declared that Malaysia is already an Islamic country so we do not need PAS. Dr Mahathir also said that Umno is the largest Islamic party in the world, much larger than PAS, which is only a quarter or less the size of Umno in terms of membership.
This started the ‘I am more Islamic than you’ one-upmanship game between PAS and Umno.
Then Dr Mahathir goaded PAS by saying that the Islamic party promises all sorts of things before the elections, but now that they are running two states, Kelantan and Terengganu, they do not deliver on their promises. “Where is the promise of Islamic laws?” screams Dr Mahathir.
PAS sudah tak tahan. Dr Mahathir has been goading them and laughing at them and is calling the party a liar and a hypocrite. PAS had to demonstrate otherwise. So it unilaterally announced -- without the consensus of its other three coalition partners in Barisan Alternatif (PKN, DAP and PRM) -- that the Terengganu state government is going to introduce Islamic laws in the state.
And with that the Menteri Besar announced that they are going to introduce the ISD (Islamic State Document). This more or less replied to Dr Mahathir’s allegations and proved that PAS is sincere about Islam and it is not mere lip service and political talk.
But what is the ISD? How is it going to work?
The ISD was only an aspiration (hasrat). There was no clear plan yet on how it was going to work. In other words, they had no blueprint on its implementation but were merely stating an intention.
What PAS was doing was merely to reply to Dr Mahathir in an attempt to silence him and win the ‘I am more Islamic than you’ argument. And this got DAP upset. So it left the opposition coalition in a huff and became an independent opposition party.
DAP felt that the move by PAS was going to hurt them big time. Certainly Chinese support would erode and DAP would lose votes. So DAP had to leave Barisan Alternatif to protect itself.
Ten years on and Kedah is doing what Terengganu once did -- make a unilateral decision without consultation with the other coalition members and without consensus.
If you can remember, Barisan Alternatif before this, and Pakatan Rakyat now, had announced that everything within the opposition coalition is done based on consensus. A simple majority is not enough, they said. It must be all or nothing. Now, PAS Kedah accuses DAP of ‘interfering’ in the state administration.
Back in 1999, the Menteri Besar of Terengganu said that the Terengganu state government is not a PAS government but a BA government (in spite of PAS dominating the State Assembly and DAP not having even one seat). Whenever Hadi Awang announced anything he would say, “Kerajaan Barisan Alternatif Terengganu…..” He would never say, “Kerajaan PAS Terengganu…..”
But when they announced the ISD it was PAS and not BA that did so.
That was the bone of contention and which upset many people -- DAP in particular.
But then, should DAP keep making threats that they are going to leave Pakatan Rakyat every time things do not go their way? And should PAS keep saying that “we rule Kedah” or “we rule Kelantan” just because they have a majority in those two states? Would we be happy if Lim Guan Eng announces that DAP rules Penang so PKR and PAS just shut the fuck up and don’t interfere in Penang?
I just want to know one thing. Is DAP running Penang, PKR running Selangor, and PAS running Kedah and Kelantan, or are these four states being run by Pakatan Rakyat? And do they run these states based on consensus and unanimous decisions (and not based on a simple majority) or can one party in the coalition do things with total disregard for the other coalition members?
Now you know why we need a Third Force. Sometimes politicians, even those from the opposition, forget what they promise us and go back on their word. And we, the voters who put them into office, have to suffer and pay the price for their forgetfulness.
************************************
Kedah entertainment ban resurrects Barisan Alternatif ghost
Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider
Despite warm and strong ties, DAP publicity chief Tony Pua has suggested his party pull out from the three-year-old Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact, ostensibly over a spat with ally PAS’ state-enforced entertainment ban in Kedah during the Muslim fasting month.
DAP leaders discussed the issue at a national leadership retreat yesterday, in what could be a repeat of the momentous split between the secular party and Islamist PAS in 2001 when both first joined forces under the short-lived Barisan Alternatif (BA) to counter the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
Pua aired the matter in a Twitter post yesterday, saying he “is of the view that we shouldn’t be part of a coalition if our concerns are not heard or heeded. Don’t want to become like MCA or Gerakan in BN.”
Contacted by The Malaysian Insider, Pua declined at first to elaborate on his tweet except to say it was his personal opinion and not the party’s official position.
But he admitted that the subject of cutting off ties with its political allies had been raised at the party’s retreat in Seremban and will be discussed further when the PR leadership meets on Tuesday for its strategy session.
He also played coy when asked to elaborate if he was upset over the Kedah ban or if it was a build-up of frustration of working with PAS, posting a smiley icon of an angel with its eyes closed in the Blackberry messenger chat.
Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, political secretary to Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, issued a strongly-worded statement yesterday that the state government will not withdraw the ruling despite opposition, saying the government was just enforcing a 1997 law.
“Ustaz Azizan will not back down! That is his stand on this issue,” said Sanusi in the statement carried by PAS website Harakahdaily.
However, the national PAS leadership has asked the Kedah leader to explain the ban in a meeting to be held later today.
Several other social media users, however, appeared to have formed their own conclusions about DAP-PAS ties as seen in their response to Pua on both Twitter and Facebook, where the debate carried on.
Replying to Pua on Facebook, Richard Yong remarked: “YB, i know which issue u referring to.. shld stress more on team work and get the respective top leaders to deliberate on it.”
Another Facebooker, Simon Poon posted the following“but YB , how do u see the current problems surfaced at Kedah? Is the coalition going to have a joint conference as to provide a clearer guideline and picture so that the public understand well instead of just asking us to send u all to putrajaya”.
On Twitter, a user going by the name “xyplyx xyplyx” challenged: “then how DAP wan 2 rule M’sia?” prompting Pua to shoot back “whts d point? If so desperate to rule, might as well join BN. Must win w/principles. Not win at all costs juz 2 become Minister”.
The Petaling Jaya Utara MP later said to The Malaysian Insider that it would not be the first time DAP has broken off ties with its political allies, in a nod to the Chinese-majority party’s withdrawal from the BA in 2001, after a similar falling out with PAS over the latter’s insistence on setting up an Islamic state in then PAS-ruled Terengganu
The DAP last locked horns with PAS in January this year over Selangor’s proposed ban on Muslims from working in premises that sell alcohol.
The Selangor government later claimed the ban was merely a guideline before withdrawing the ruling pending further study. Following that debacle, PR leaders have promised to consult each other on issues that could affect their pact which has survived three years.
DAP and PAS are in the PR pact together with PKR that was formed after the three parties won four more states and more than one-third of the federal parliament. The three parties have applied to form a coalition but the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has yet to give his nod.
PR parties received a boost in the past week after the BN government clamped down hard on the Bersih 2.0 rally calling for free and fair elections. Analysts and diplomats agreed the harsh security move cut some of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s popularity especially in the urban areas and among the middle-class, a key voting demographic in the country.
But the pact could suffer if DAP and PAS continue to bicker over the Kedah ban, several PR leaders conceded to The Malaysian Insider.
written by Angela Ooi, July 18, 2011 14:16:06
-
- +5
-
-
written by AlwaysFair, July 18, 2011 12:27:57
It is also good to have such problems so that they can continue to be resolved and the Pakatan pact grow stronger, being united by MORE COMMON GROUND then differences.
Things like this takes time and even if you can't wait for Pakatan to quickly mature and take over Putrajaya, you have got no choice because changes take time to bear fruit like a tree even you put all the manure and water, the fruit takes time to flower then grow.
We must FOCUS on our common struggle for justice and democracy in a ship called Pakatan and when there are storms or leaks, work hard to reapair and aim the ship in the right direction... the true 1Malaysia for all..
So, be patient lah!!!
Long Live Pakatan!
Condolences to Dr. Lo Lo's family.
-
- +14
-
-
written by syd, July 18, 2011 10:04:06
-
- +8
-
-
written by syd, July 18, 2011 09:53:49
They are just lying through their teeth to get into power.
-
- +5
-
-
written by educationist, July 18, 2011 03:51:21
-
- +12
-
-
written by asiana888, July 18, 2011 03:13:25
As for sensitivity of Muslim, please please please understand NOBODY in PR wants to undermine Islam or Muslims - just as we expect Muslims to respect the freedom of worship.
It would be best for PAS to introduce program/education to strengthen the faith of Muslims rather than force (like Talibans) them by banning this or that? It's like BN banning yellow T-shirts?!
With proper education, you will be able to produce excellent Muslims that we will all envy and want to know more about.
-
- +29
-
-
written by SoundMan, July 18, 2011 01:59:36
Hopeless. The people who voted them in must not allow them to make a mockery of their elected positions...
-
- -4
-
-
written by Mestizo, July 18, 2011 00:48:06
Having said that, in spite of this incident, I am happy on the progress. At least we know Pakatan mistakes are genuine and they are prepared to work to resolve it quickly. We know nobody is perfect. But if mistakes are done and if discovered should be immediately corrected and move on. The focus has to be what is good for this country and not so much about individual party or individual politicians.
What do we learn from this episode. Well, we learn the law banning entertainment outlets from operating during Ramadhan was passed and implemented by BN. This means UMNO, MCA, MIC and Gerakan have a part in it.
We learned that in spite of MCA been the party that passed this law, their President and their leaders criticise Pakatan as if this is something new to them. If not because of this incident, we were not aware how MCA, Gerakan and MIC have sold those who have supported them. They support such law and has been implemented during BN rules.
We learned Pakatan's component parties are still not working together as much as we want them. They have to improve fast.
PAS, PKR and DAP appears to be component parties of equal strength and therefore they could provide check and balance within. Even it has gone public, they are not afraid to admit the mistake and withdrew. You can never seen this happening in BN. Worse still MCA, MIC and Gerakan are non relevant component parties. They can only bark but their super component party has the final say what to do. They can choose to implement it even without their component parties aware.
Our politicians mentality is still very much third world.
-
- +27
-
-
written by maalizi_zimbab, July 17, 2011 23:11:06
Imagine how cheated the rakyat will feel if for the first time in the history, the opposition coalition becomes the Government of Malaysia and the cohesiveness almost immediately falls apart due to inflated egos, settling old scores, and pettiness.
Revolving door coalition governments just like in Italy or Thailand will be disastrous for Malaysia.
Then the rakyat will be hankering for the 'good old days' of UMNO-BN.
DAP-PAS-PKR has only one chance to get it right before people will go back to voting for BN due to lack of better alternatives.
Please prove that the saying "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't" is wrong.
-
- +29
-
-
written by earthman, July 17, 2011 23:00:11
A third force is good but must be benevolent in order to bring peace and prosperity to all . A third force is just a force ,that's all . Is it benevolent or a selfish desire to see own cravings to be in place?
We need the truth that we are all stewards and children of God most high. Everything on earth are by Him and belongs to Him If we still can't learn from the past that all political maneuvers and different forms of government and ideologies had failed, then the last resolve is to have a kingdom of God which looks most likely to happen in the near future.
-
- +8
-
-
written by Oscar Winner, July 17, 2011 22:05:45
.....and consistently being inconsistent...
-
- +3
-
-
written by Rigi9, July 17, 2011 21:53:25
PAS, DAP, PKR & everyone else.....please follow the heed of the poeple
-
- +24
-
-
written by Oscar Winner, July 17, 2011 21:40:39
-
- +20
-
-
written by Super Admin, July 17, 2011 20:53:47
RPK
-
- +31
-
-
written by Rodins Fist, July 17, 2011 19:51:38
By the way, who the hell is "Pet"?
-
- +2
-
-
written by Voter get Voters 1, July 17, 2011 18:52:26
-
- +30
-
-
written by flyer168, July 17, 2011 18:42:28
Well said...
"Now you know why we need a Third Force. Sometimes politicians, even those from the opposition, forget what they promise us and go back on their word. And we, the voters who put them into office, have to suffer and pay the price for their forgetfulness..."
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We must accept finite disappointment, but must never lose infinite hope.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
True peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
You be the judge.
Cheers & take care.
-
- +41
-
-
written by batsman, July 17, 2011 18:42:03
If they cannot keep the PR coalition together in opposition, how can they be expected to keep the coalition together in power, when the cake is even much bigger and more juicy?
You are right - we need the 3rd force to keep the politicians in check.
-
- +49
-
-
Can the PR controlled states start to change or modify some of the NEPs? For instance, discounts for bumis should only be applied for houses less than 200K. No bumi discounts for higher priced units. Discounts for ALL if the units are priced less than 100k and if joint income of husband and wife is less than 3k? Lets have an Economic and Social Policy which is sensitive to the needs of the rakyat.
More changes to the NEPs can be made which can ensure that the poor can really benefit from it. What say you PR?